-Let's dance…-
Spoilers: the story takes place after the end of season 5.
Rating: K+
Author's notes:
-English is not my native language.
-Thanks to my beta, Lanteanscribe, who helped me with the translation.
Memo n° 456/ Monday, 05-14 -2011/ 10 a.m :
"To celebrate our return to Earth and the successful outcome of recent events which have, once again, led us to the fight for the safety of our planet, all the civilian and military personnel are invited to a party organized in our honor on Thursday evening at 8 p.m in the central tower. The senior members of the Stargate program and the IOA will, of course, be present, as will Mr. Secretary of State, Mr David Wilcox, representing the President of the United States. Evening wear is required for civilian's and uniforms for the military. A "dressing" service will be available beginning this afternoon at level 4, sector 8, with Mr Springfield, to aquire suits, evening dresses and appropriate accessories".
Richard Woolsey took a sip of coffee. A little smile lined his face since the video conference he had early in the morning with the President of the United States in person.
Atlantis had sat off San Francisco bay for a week now. The super-hive's attack against Earth was thwarted by the city and its outstanding defenses. The American President had given his eternal gratitude to those who had contributed to saving the planet – again, and had warmly congratulated the leader for his perfect handling of the situation. He also expressed his desire to salute the courage of the occupants of the city during a reception in their honour organized by the White House.
But no word on what had been planned for the future of Atlantis. Would they stay on Earth? Go back to Pegasus? Before that, they had to find power for the cities engine …
Woolsey quickly brushed away these negative thoughts. For now, they had to enjoy their presence here on Earth and their victory over the Wraith. They had to enjoy this quiet week and the party that awaited them. This kind of event was rather special on Atlantis!
Richard, however, had a little apprehension about the proper conduct of the event. All that was necessary for the organization of a reception for five hundred people required much back and forth between the SGC and the Atlantis base. The staff organizing the event belonged to the SGC.
He was assured that everyone involved were approved personnel, that he did not have to deal with anything ... And that is what bothered him. He really did not want to have any surprises.
Suddenly, Chuck's voice rang out from the control room.
"A communication for you, Mr Woolsey. It's General O'Neill."
"Thanks Chet ... Chuck!" the bureaucrat corrected instantly. There was progress! He almost got it this time…
Jack's face appeared on the screen of his computer:
"Hello Mr Woolsey. Have you been informed of the great news?"
"Hello General. The reception, yes ... "
"Good. So I will visit Atlantis with General Landry, Caldwell and the complete SG1 team."
"Will Colonel Carter be there?"
"Carter had to go to the Icarus base. And of course we will find a whole bunch of IOA guys ready to inspect your beloved city from all angles. Don't expect a relaxed evening, Woolsey. You and I, we know that the fiercest opponents to the Stargate project will come and distill their special brand of venom. Especially in front of the Secretary of State."
"This is what I understood."
"Don't worry. We'll be there to assist you. In the meantime, I will put you in touch with the head of the organization of the festivities that's hanging around outside my office. His name is Collins, I think. Good luck with him!"
"Very well." the leader sighed, looking a bit circumspect.
Seconds later, a bald man in tortoiseshell glasses, adorned in a blue suit and a turquoise scarf, appeared on the screen with a notepad, and a pencil with sequins that ended with a star-shaped eraser.
"Ah, Mr. Woolsey, I presume! Hello, I am responsible for organizing the reception on Thursday and I need small details of the layout of the reception area as I am not authorized to go there ... Defense secret they told me! Oh dear, these soldiers! So, I'm totally blind ... How can I organize the most extraordinary design ever without knowing where the evening takes place! Do you realize? I need to immerse myself in the place, its aura, its ..."
The small guy harangued for a good five minutes in front of Woolsey who was beginning to wonder if he was not about to be suddenly and strangely affected by a bad flu which condemned him to stay in bed on Thursday.
"They told me about a hall ... and I do not even have a picture! I am asked to do a project without seeing the result on the spot!" Collins continued." So, is it a hall or a ballroom? Oh, am I stupid, I guess there are no ballrooms on military bases!"
"You can actually call it a hall ... It's a big circular room with high ceiling, a footbridge, stairs and ... if we leave the access open we can have a great deal of room. Adjacent corridors of the "hall" open to balconies ..." Woolsey explained.
The IOA leadership wanted to impress their members, the majority had never seen a Stargate. So the reception had to be held in the Stargate room.
"Fabulous! I have many ideas of decoration that come to mind! Small buffets everywhere, three or four bars also at strategic points, chairs and velvet sofas for small groups of conversation, music, of course, a dance area, purple and pink garlands with golden balloons and ... Oh! Candelabras! Have the fire systems been checked?" the small bald man raved, his voice rising in the treble.
Woolsey gave Collins a detailed description of the space that the reception would occupy. While Collins was suggesting a crystal cocktail fountain that he decided would be great in the middle of the gateroom platform, Woolsey turned off the sound and opened a window on his computer to read the waiting memo.
"Buffet, music and dance are scheduled.Hope you like pink and crystal fountains...Have a nice day."
TBC….
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