Janet Fraiser placed three blocks of firewood in the fireplace, or hearth as Tarvek called it, after returning from the bathroom gazing out at the images of a screaming blizzard on the screens pretending to be windows. Funny thing was it almost made her feel cold seeing it, hearing it as the spears were on low, as she stood clad in a t-shirt too big for her. The living room, turned sleeping area these past three nights, was lit only by the crackling flames of the, till now dying, fire. It was strangely pleasant…though Janet felt that could be influenced by the drinking of the alcoholic honey drink and another good meal.

'Or it could be the need to relax after the stress of…everything' she could admit to herself, being sure nothing burnable was in range of sparks. Though that was unlikely, as there was a solid stone 'hearth' with floor all around, cold beneath her bare feet, and hiding the metal, and soil and stone beneath that, that she knew was there having seen it assembled. And assembled was the word as much as built, as Tarvek used his wrist machine to fabricate small parts and…what was magic really in sealing areas between one sheet of metal and another, then the same with the stone. Warmth radiated out from the fireplace, along with crackling light, as Janet retreated back towards what was a shared bed…of sorts.

Because ensuring Mayuko didn't get carried away was troublesome enough, and Janet was bothered by the fact she was glad to the closeness of the pair. It wasn't that the blonde half-Japanese reminded Janet of Cassandra, but rather it reminded her of the fact she'd been away from her adopted daughter for months now, and no sign on the horizon of return. Not for months or years, if ever, as she got to understand the madness that was Tarvek's ability to travel between the realms as he called. Or, finding a needle in a haystack as travelling dimensions actually seemed to entail. Janet pushed such thought away, coming back to the general 'bed' area that was just blankets and fur cloaks on a couch mattress, settling in between a sleeping Mayuko and a half-sitting Tarvek who'd watched her return.

"Here" he handed her another bottle of 'mead', and Janet frowned at it a moment, before accepting and sitting, resting, beside and against him "Drink. Tis still best to feast and sleep after hard days training"

Work hard, train hard, party hard, seemed to be Tarvek's view of certain aspects of life. Janet couldn't help but give a smile, looking at the snow blurred images transmitted from cameras. This earth felt like it was in an ice age over the last few days "Thank you. It certainly exhausted Mayuko, and…I am very tired too, you know"

"She needs the physical training" he replied, a weak shrug of his hulking mass beside Janet's, almost tiny feeling, body "Probably good to do inside before attempting in these lands"

'Training for days, likely a few weeks, before attempting the next place' Janet thought sadly, bringing the bottle to her lips and taking a solid gulp. Enjoying the taste as the sweet honey slipped over her tongue and down her throat. Sighing as she rested, muscles aching from a day's stretching, running in place, and punching a punching bag "You are probably correct, the weather looks dangerous"

"It will likely rage for a few days" he answered with a sigh "Still. It is good and fine; time to work on her suit, time to teach lessons to both of you"

"Hmm, yes, the…pip-boy wrist-comp has been very interesting" she admitted, as the devices were like some of the alien device that the SGC had encountered, just…useable really. It was a wonder, and Janet was updating her medical knowledge even as Tarvek taught her how to use, and organise, the device and her personal computing system "But I think you mean something other?"

"Aye, in part. Mayuko needs her device too, when parts can be assembled" he answered after a moment, drinking and then motioning the bottle around "But, no, tis needed to teach thee some minor cantrips to aid in reaching myself should trouble arise. The dark god-realm was concern enough, and even those lands of the little-goddess. Even training enough to return to this Waystation, and then to the lands of the President-Lord we hath befriended"

Janet rested back, looking at the flames a distance away. Another earth that nearly suffered another alien invasion, with another her…but if all went wrong, and no other option came. Well, yes, retreating there was an option. Merely one she would not enjoy, and instead focused on getting stronger and find her home again with Tarvek, or simply travelling with the pair…

{Pathfinder Log: 08.07.165 PLF}
{Days Since Contact Lost: 241}
{Dimension: Waystation-One}

Days spent training Mayuko and Janet has helped. Seems to be so at least to mine eyes, as days resting and training were badly needed after our previous desperate flailing. It has also allowed a return to the humans of the Earth almost invaded, trading forth information and cross-training for a three-day period with their outpost in the assigned realm. They have begun expanding it, and aid was welcome for both our parties. Some limited quality on our side for much greater quantity on theirs. Medical devices for guns and basic materials in this situation, and simply in maintaining relations with them in case of dangers ahead.

Not that one wishes to end up there, but best to keep the good faith agreements. That's what the manuals say, and, regardless, they are good breach-point to Janet's realm should we reach home.

For now the next stages are being mapped. Time spent here has let my Compass get a 'feel' for energies, and to recharge, so voyaging forth can soon begin again. Preparing a ritual-site away from the Waystation has been time-consuming, but the energies are greater there, and safer than attempting to use the existing ways plotted – one does not wish to travel that way again. Better to hold that door closed, or open solely to the little time goddess should it be knocked upon. Those that had taken Mayuko might or might not yet seek her, and may or may not be able to feel such travels. However unlikely, caution is what protocol advice, so it is the path we shall follow.

In that matter training has gone well, grumbling aside. Resting and feasting, along with book lessons have lessened any grumbles somewhat, as Mayuko is a natural with a blade, albeit completely untrained. Good hand-eye coordination that follows over to her shooting abilities; less good, but better than would be expected from an such a pacifist culture as hers seemed to be. Moving about in her new hazard gear; less so, and a matter of much whining, but it's…acceptable. Which is better than one feared with so little time to work upon developing those skills from non-existent to useful. Janet agrees, and both are health, taking well to the nano-alchemical protections injected and strengthening against plague and other such illness.

Training will continue another week, perhaps more?

We'll see. Supplies are abundant, morale seems good, and training is best done while weather has cleared up from that dreadful blizzard. Best perhaps another visit to the humans in the other plane one more as training, seeing my companions activate the hidden runes?

Yes, that seems best. Then travel beyond once knowledge is gathered on the next realm. Pathfinder log, ends.

{Pathfinder Log: 14.07.165 PLF}
{Days Since Contact Lost: 247}
{Dimension: Waystation-One}

Scouting systems deployed in target realm and receiving data. Small breach, inserted scout drones, seemingly in hills or mountains, and seems to overlook a settlement in the distance, off by a sea or a lake. Drones did record orcish presence in the lands nearest, though the designs in the distance disagree?

One is unsure. There are concerns, but are positives too; the realm is highly dimensionally active. My Compass could be empowered greatly, and finding a route would work well on such a plane. Magically active too by my estimate and sensor readings. Normally a path to avoid for a team, but also one that is urged to be best investigated for those in our position of seeking travels rapidly towards home. Nexus's are dangerous, but also paths to where you need to go when you do not know the route yet!

Another concern is high levels of necromantic and daemonic-seeming energies in the air. Nothing dangerous, but it does indicate at heavy usage on the world assuming a standard 'earth' shape and such. Insertion and scouting seems the best approach, retreating to 'Portal-Dimension 02' should it fail, then back here Waystation, might be the best option?

Recordings indicate the surrounding terrain isn't heavily inhabited?
Thanks to training a stealthy approach is now viable, and the observations of those orcs seen are of limited technological uses, though magic is clearly hinted at.

Such seems the best approach. Scout through, explore surrounding environs, and if needed retreat back to 'Portal Dimension 02' after scouting. Slow and steady for now?

Use drones and magic? Or perhaps lean on magic-less devices for now?

Hmm. Hard to tell. We'll establish a base camp in 'Portal Dimension 02' tomorrow, then decided upon the necessary course of action.