The first chapter of my
Stargate fanfic is officially complete, as far as my own personal edition goes. Now comes your chance to contribute your tips and such. Please, if you have criticism, explain what you thought was wrong. I would prefer not having to sort through all the "this is crap"s and "keep your day job"s. Warning to many: The story may contain spoilers for all three series, and begins on a spoiler for the final episode of
Atlantis. Enjoy!
CHAPTER 1: REUNIONSBY THOMAS PANCOAST
It was a bright and sunny day in the central Pacific Ocean. The only thing that could be seen for miles was a humongous floating metropolis. The city’s residents called it Atlantis. Next to the city was a large metal platform, which, at first glance, might appear to be a large aircraft carrier, though no aircraft of any sort were present. In fact, nothing was aboard save a few dozen assorted military officers, scientists, medics, politicians, and the like, all in military formation and apparently waiting for something to happen. There stood among them a large number of important people with very important importance. Near the front of the group stood five particularly important people in U.S. Air Force uniforms, along with a man with a gold tattoo on his forehead, all chatting casually.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been fifteen years since the Stargate Program was established,” said Colonel Samantha Carter to the other two, as she stared calmly into the distance.
“You know, I’ve only been involved for about half that time,” said Colonel John Sheppard, to her left, “but it’s been a hell of a ride.”
“You can say that again,” said Colonel Cameron Mitchell, standing on Carter’s right.
“It’s been a hell of a ride,” repeated Sheppard.
“We have accomplished much in that time,” said Teal’c, the man with the golden tattoo.
“I wish I could say it was easy,” replied Carter, “but between the System Lords, the Ori, the Wraith, and two strains of replicators, it’s a miracle any of us are alive.”
“Indeed,” replied Teal’c. “Our survival has defied all odds.” There was silence as the four of them reflected on their accomplishments.
“I wonder what’s taking so long,” said Carter, breaking the silence.
“Think they ran into trouble with the Lucians?” asked General Hank Landry, who was standing in front of Carter.
“Let’s hope not,” replied General “Jack” O’Neill to his right. “After three years of trying to keep them off that ship, it’ll be over my dead body that they finally grab the thing on its final approach.”
The voice of Sergeant Walter Harriman came over the radio.
“General Landry, General O’Neill,” he said, “you might wanna get to the gate room.”
“What’s the problem? If you haven’t forgotten, we’re kinda waiting for something,” said O’Neill.
“Um, we’ve got an unannounced visitor,” replied Harriman.
“So why wasn’t he splattered by our fancy Ancient-built force field?” asked Jack.
“We’re not quite sure,” replied Walter.
Jack gave General Landry a look that plainly said, “I’d rather stay here, but this sounds rather important.”
Landry returned the look before speaking into his radio, “We’ll be right there, Chief.”
They proceeded onto the teleportation pad that had been newly-connected to the city’s network. Landry operated the control panel, and the sea disappeared from view. It was immediately replaced by an elevator-style door, which opened to reveal a hallway leading directly into the gate room. They entered the room to see a man in a tattered business suit standing in the gate room with several guns pointed at him. He looked extremely old, too old to be alive. He was in a bent position, as if he’d been unable to stand up straight for many years, and every motion he made was accompanied by a wince.
“I’m telling you, I mean no harm,” said the old man feebly, holding his empty hands up for the soldiers to see. He looked up and noticed General O’Neill, and an odd look came over his face.
“Jack,” said the man, as the color slowly drained from his face. “It’s good to see you again.”
“Do I…know you?” asked Jack, sarcastically.
The man began to respond before falling listlessly sideways with a dazed look on his face. General Landry spoke into his radio, as O’Neill checked the man’s pulse. He nodded at Landry.
“We need a medical team in the gate room immediately,” said Landry. He turned to Jack. “Any idea who he is?”
“I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there’s something familiar about him,” said Jack.
“But no leads?”
“None whatsoever, Hank.”
At that moment, the medical team arrived, led by Doctor Carson Beckett, who began checking the old man’s vital signs. As he was doing this, another voice came over the radio. It was Chuck, one of their more experienced technicians, whose current task was to monitor the city’s deep-space sensors.
“A large ship has just dropped out of hyperspace above the planet. We think it’s them.”
“Let us know when you’ve made radio contact, and figure out where our visitor came from. It might tell us who the hell he is.” said Jack into his radio. “And you,” he turned to Dr. Beckett, who was examining the newcomer. “Put him through the full routine. You know: check for diseases, nanobots, gould. Do whatever you can to find out exactly who and what he is, and where he came from. Find out how he got in this condition, too. Let me know as soon as you’ve found anything you think I might find interesting.”
“Aye, sir,” said Beckett, returning to his examination of the old man. The generals left the room. A moment later, they were once again standing at the head of the group on the platform. Ten more minutes, they stood chatting, awaiting what they knew was only moments away.
“Sirs,” said Chuck finally, over the radio. “We’ve made radio contact. It’s them.”
“Tell them they have clearance to land,” said Jack. The group stood in silence, staring skyward. It was a few minutes before they saw the oncoming speck of black in the sunlight. Slowly, it grew larger and larger until it was recognizable. Finally, the Destiny landed upon the platform, and Jack stepped forward. A door opened in the bottom of the ship, and a platform descended from the hole. Upon the platform stood Colonel Everett Young, Colonel David Telford, Doctor Nicholas Rush, and Camile Wray.
“Colonels, Doctor…Camile…” said Jack. “Welcome home.”
He shook hands with each of them in turn.
“What took you?” asked Jack.
“Lucian Alliance,” said Young. “We dropped out of FTL in Pegasus to refuel our energy stores, and found seven Hataks waiting for us there. We wouldn’t have made it out, but we were lucky enough to run into an old friend of Colonel Sheppard’s.”
“Old friend of Sheppard’s?” asked O’Neill, glancing back at Sheppard questioningly. Sheppard shrugged.
“A wraith,” said Rush, “who calls himself ‘Todd’.”
“Well, I guess it wasn’t a mistake releasing him after all,” said Jack, looking toward a small group of IOA delegates, snidely.
“It seems he knew we were approaching,” said Telford. “He attacked the Hataks and left us completely alone. We were able to recharge and make it out without much incident.”
“Alright,” said Jack. “Why don’t you tell your crew to disembark, and we’ll have them shown to the medical bay for full exams. After that, you will be given temporary dormitories in which to rest. I will want to debrief each member of your expedition tomorrow. Until then, you are welcome to enjoy yourselves within the city, provided you’re given a clean bill of health. Also, tell Eli to round up all of the Kino footage he has access to.”
“Will do, sir,” said Young.
“General O’Neill,” said Carson Beckett, over the radio. “You are needed in the medical bay immediately. If they are available, Colonel Carter, Doctor Jackson, and Teal’c might be helpful, as well.”
“Daniel’s not on base, right now, but I’ll bring Carter and Teal’c,” said Jack. “Hank, when the crew here is ready, assign them each a guide to show them around the city, and make sure they make their first stop in the medical wing. Also,” he lowered his voice, “remember what I said about a tighter watch on certain people.” Landry nodded, and Jack motioned to Carter and Teal’c to follow him.
The three proceeded onto the teleportation pad, and soon found themselves outside the base’s medical branch.
“What seems to be the problem?” asked Jack, frowning at the still-unconscious elderly man.
“Well, as you know, since around 1999, the SGC has kept DNA samples for anyone who has set foot on base, to prevent certain disastrous situations," said Dr. Beckett.
“And…?” said Jack, seeming impatient.
“Our visitor matches one of those DNA samples,” said Beckett. Carter and Teal’c exchanged glances, Teal’c with one eyebrow raised.
Jack hesitated for a moment, his lips forming his reply before he spoke it. “…Who?”
“It’s General Hammond.”
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