The vortex exploded outwards, the wormhole shimmering into existance as PX-98901 was connected with Stargate Command on Earth. The serene scene was shattered, birds screaming loudly as they flocked to the air, abandoning thier warm, comfortable perches. Rain drizzled down as the wormhole first shimmered into normalcy. A quiet day, a little cold, the breeze nearly nonexistant, and a soft, quiet rain, barely more than a heavy fog coming down out of the overcast skies. The stones were slick with the day long rains, most of the wildlife had squirreled away in thier warm, dry homes.<br/><br/>Colonel Aaron Richards was the first one through. His weapon pressed hard against his shoulder, his eyes scanning down sights, using the weapon to check the surroundings. The stargate was centered down a rocky defile, slick cliffs, soaring up on either side. Right outside the gate, the defile gently rose uphill, ending a good 200 feet away. The rock of the cliffs and ground were smooth, almost unnaturally smooth, worn away by what must have been millenia of efforts, no mark of chisel or heavy tools, no engravings or markings, not a single blemish other than the Stargate in and of itself, and the DHD.<br/><br/>Aaron stepped down away from the gate slowly, already feeling the rain start to soak into his hat and clothing. He conducted one last sweep, seeing the tree branchs far overhead at the top of the defile, blocking away most of the sky from view. Not a person in sight, not a beast, not a danger. He slowly lowered his weapon, waiting for the other members of his team to come through the gate.