STARGATE: Delayed

All characters from the various Stargate TV shows are not my property. My only intent os to provide an alternate take on what may have happened had circustances been different.

1945

Professor Langford shakes his head, "Ernest, the war is over and President Truman isn't interested in a dead-end research project. His words, not mine. We are to pack up all research and pack the Ring for storage. Maybe we can get them to reconsider reopening the project later, but, for now, they want to pack it in."

Ernest Littlefield looks around, thoroughly disgusted. "If they had just given us the number of generators we asked for, I'm sure we were on the verge of getting the Ring to work. The chevrons flickered, but there wasn't enough power."

"I know, I know. That is the problem with wartime. Never enough resources to go around. All is not lost. Maybe now you will get around to actually asking permission to marry Catherine."

"Professor, I…uh…"

"Ernest, I am old, not blind. You have my permission. If we can't finish our research, maybe I can become a grandfather."

2008

Elizabeth Littlefield was once again walking the halls of DARPA's Virginia Offices. She had been petitioning them since she earned her Ph.D. to gain access to her parents' and grandfather's WWII project. DARPA had the access mainly because when the Army and Air Force split, neither really kept up with the old project. Then with the formation of ARPA/DARPA, they inherited projects like her Grandfather's. She has finally gotten some response and was called in to meet Director Tether. "Maybe I'll finally get some good news."

"The Director will see you now," commented the assistant (can't call them secretaries anymore).

Elizabeth smiles and follows the young woman through the doors, who then shuts them behind her. "Please take a seat, Dr. Littlefield."

"Director Tether, I would just like to thank you for seeing me. I have been working on this a long time."

Director Tether smiles and holds up his hand to stop her, "I want to get straight to business. I personally reviewed all surviving materials, including the material you provided me. I dare say that it is a project that was shut down mainly due to a lack of foresight. We are going to help you reopen it. That said, we are using a research grant so that you can assemble a team and to formalize a corporate group to head up the project. Do you have a name in mind so that we can get the ball rolling?"

Elizabeth is completely stunned for a few seconds as she grasped that her dreams of completing the work started by her Father and Grandfather may resume. Shaking herself back to reality, she smiles, "LLR, Langford-Littlefield Research firm."

Once outside, Elizbeth calls her brother, Paul. "Paul, we are going to finally finish it."

2012

Well, it has taken the better part of four years, but all materials from the original project finally arrived at Cheyenne Mountain. Not that they had a place for it until now. It took that long to complete modifications to the old underground facilities. There was much remodeling involved. Thankfully much of the upper levels are empty with NORAD moved to Peterson a few years back. The consensus is that Ernest Littlefield was right. The Ring is a transportation device. She spent much of that time collecting a top notch staff to begin Project Giza, as it is officially called now. She truly lucked out with getting Colonel Samantha Carter. Space Shuttle commander, PhDs in Theoretical Physics and Electrical Engineering, and as excited to work on the project as a kid in a candy store. Paul, her little brother, has a Ph.D. is Computer Science. Now she was waiting on word from a Doctor Daniel Jackson. He was considered a crackpot by the rest of the archeological community, but all of them admitted there was no better linguist on ancient languages. Besides, she didn't think he was crazy. Elizabeth thought he may be to most sane archeologist in the world.

"Elizabeth, Dr. Jackson's plane just landed and he is on his way." Brigadier General Jack O'Neill was the Air Force officer in charge of the facility. "Now that your team is full, are you going to celebrate? I know you have told me how long you have been working on this project, JUST to get it going again."

"No, but I feel like jumping up and down. I am just too excited to be at the BEGINNING of this. General, I…."

"Elizabeth, you can call me Jack. I'm almost as new to this General thing as you are to being a Project Leader. I get nervous and start looking over my shoulder when somebody says 'General.'"

"Okay, Jack," Elizabeth laughs. "I guess we are both feeling awkward right now. Yes, I want to celebrate, but we have a long way to go before there is anything tangible to celebrate."

"I understand. Well, if anything changes, let me know. Especially if there is cake involved," Jack smiles and heads back to his office.

A couple of hours later, Dr. Jackson arrives in Elizabeth's office. "Dr. Jackson, I'd like to welcome you to Project Giza."

"Uhh, thanks, I think. I almost feel like I'm taking a step back. It took me the better part of 20 years to get back into the good graces of any university. I hope I didn't just shoot what little bit of a career I have left in the foot."

"Daniel, I don't think you are the least bit crazy. Let's take a walk to where you will be working for the foreseeable future." A short walk and an elevator ride down, they enter the main archeology lab. Before him was the reason for him being here. He knew that just as sure as he knew he was alive. Daniel had never seen anything like it. Hell, he had never even heard of anything like it. This was the largest Coverstone he had ever seen.

"My God, where did you find this?"

"It was discovered in Giza by my grandfather in 1928. As you can see there are many hieroglyphs clearly visible, as well as another form of writing that remains unidentified. Here is the another linguist you will be working with. Dr. Michael Bronson, Dr. Daniel Jackson."

"Everybody calls me Mike. I attended one of your lectures In Chicago when I was an undergrad. I thought you were …. Interesting," Michael laughs. "Now I am beginning to think you were ahead of your time. Did you tell him the age of the Coverstone?"

Daniel frowns, "It has to be what? 5,000 years old?"

Elizabeth smiles and shakes her head, "Try 10,000."

"10,000!? Writing of this type hasn't shown up anywhere else until 5,000 years later. Are you sure?"

Elizabeth smiles, "Quite sure. Do you see why I just HAD to have you on this? You and Michael are the foremost experts on this form of hieroglyphs. Even he said he references your works, more often than not. I have a technical expert that will be here in a few days. It will be her job to keep accurate computer records, as well as running any tests needed. You'll be working with my brother, Paul. He may not be an archeologist, but he will surprise you on what he does know. Can't grow up in our household and not have a decent knowledge of ancient Egyptian."

2014

Paul was shaking his head, "Sam, I really don't like the power requirements. I think they are off."

Samantha Carter, Colonel Unites States Air Force, Shuttle Pilot, now over glorified mechanic, shakes her head right back, "I understand your concern, but I hate to remind you, I'm the one with the doctorate in engineering. Do I argue about the computer requirements?"

"Only every 5 minutes," laughs Paul.

"Yeah," Sam blushes. "Let's forget I said that. Anyway, the old project was severely off on their power calculations. Even if they had gotten their requisitioned number of generators, I think it would have taken HOURS just to build up enough charge to engage one chevron. I just don't see us doing it without causing brownouts if we use the local power grid. I know the Mountain has its own power source, but we need our own or we are going to run into issues."

"You are talking about getting the Navy to supply a nuclear reactor. You expect them to gut a sub to get it? Furthermore, where are we going to install it?"

"I didn't say they that. I said that I can't see a way other than that."

"Well, I just don't see it happening."

British Intelligence Officer Arthur Fleming (yes, he gets a ribbing for the odd coincidence of his name) was meeting with his newest contact from Russia. "Colonel Chekov, so good to finally have you on British soil."

"Please, call me Yuri. I have officially retired."

"Yuri, then. Your shipment arrived three days ago. We still aren't sure what to make of it. The device is old, as you said. Are you sure it is Egyptian?"

"It was one of several artifacts recovered from Germany after the War. The little bit of paperwork I could find indicated it came from a dig in Giza sometime in the late 20s, possibly early 30s. Other than that, I cannot say. There were no other artifacts from that dig. I decided when they forced me out, that it was too valuable to be completely forgotten in some warehouse. The Russian government wasn't even aware of most of the items in those old Soviet storage facilities. I knew that many artifacts such as this are studied here in Britain, so I decided that maybe the West could at least benefit from it."

"So, for once we aren't dealing in state secrets," Arthur smiled.

"No. I may be upset with my government, but I would never do anything such as that. I did hope that an artifact such as this could help me relocate without compromising my principals."

"No fear there. The British Royal Museum is very interested. As a matter of fact, since the pedestal puzzles them so, they are in the process of contacting a Doctor Daniel Jackson in America."

"Dr. Jackson? I considered contacting the Americans, but my research indicated that Dr. Jackson was not looked upon favorably in academic circles. Something of an Ancient Alien theorist?"

"True, but he is still considered the foremost expert on the languages of the period. The museum is sending him pictures of the device to see what he thinks about it."

Elizabeth was having her usual breakfast with Gen. O'Neill. "So, how have you hung on to this assignment so long, Jack?"

"You trying to get rid of me?" Jack smiles.

"Nothing of the sort. It's just unusual to see an officer of your rank at one post for this length of time."

"Must be my charming personality. No? To tell the truth, the President doesn't want to have to clear anybody of my rank to take over. I was basically told that until such time that this project is terminated, or succeeds, I was stuck here. I'm not allowed to even retire."

Daniel hurries into the chow hall looking around. Seeing Elizabeth, he rushes over. "Jack, just as well you are here. I think I have had something important to the Project literally fall into my lap. We need to get to your office so I can show you."

A few minutes later in Elizabeth's office. "I just received an e-mail from Dr. Susanne Oldman of the British Royal Museum. They just came into possession of a strange pedestal. Apparently, it was discovered in Giza about the same time as your Grandfather dug up the Ring. It was shipped to Germany."

Frustrated, Jack interrupts, "Daniel, get to the point."

"I am. It was captured by the Soviets after WWII and sat in a warehouse all these years. Recently a Col. Chekov 'liberated' the artifact and brought it to the Brits."

"I'm still waiting for that 'point' I mentioned."

Elizabeth sees the first attached file, "My God! Is that what I think it is?"

Daniel excitedly shakes his head, "I believe it is. I think that is the device that powers the Ring and allows one to operate the device. The Brits have no idea what to make of it. We need to get that pedestal, Jack."

"Daniel, you can't be serious."

"Jack, this could solve the power issue Sam and Paul are having."

"I can see that, I think. Besides, getting that would likely mean involving the Limeys in the Project. I think I would rather have to argue for the Navy reactor than convincing the President of bringing in a foreign power on this."

Elizabeth and Daniel look at each other. Elizabeth continues, "That might be for the best. Besides the ability to maybe get extra funding, if necessary, what if it is a device for going to the stars? Just as my father thought. Do we have the right not to include some other countries in on this?"

Jack scratches his head, "I know, I know. NO. We shouldn't take steps that may put the whole planet at risk without at least some other governments being in on the secret. I have been avoiding that question since I learned what that THING might lead to. Okay, I'll make the call and see where we go from there."