Standard Disclaimer: All characters not created by me are the respective intellectual property of the Walt Disney Company and MGM. This work is created for my own enjoyment, and that of others, and not to diminish or infringe upon the rights of said holders. In other words: Don't sue me; I'm your fan!
A/N: This is the first story in the Faster Than Life series, a multi-fandom crossover series about the impact of the Stargate program on ordinary folks.
Above the Highest Seas
By
James Doyle
Chapter I: Prelude
"Replace the two five-kilodyne subspace stabilizer bars with three four-kilodyne bars," instructed Bailey Pickett.
"Replacing," replied Cody Martin, skillfully manipulating the holographic image in front of him.
"Decrease neutrino absorption to eight-point-two rads."
"Decreasing," replied Cody. "Yeah, I think this might actually work."
"Okay, then," said Bailey with a sigh of frustration. "Let's give it a try."
Cody pressed the green holographic button marked "Start Simulation." A set of holographic readouts and graphs appeared.
"Graviton discharge at eighty five hundred gees," reported Bailey. "Antigrav safeties holding. Energy levels at five percent…twenty percent…sixty percent….eighty five percent and holding. Force shields are holding, energy output is steady, no spikes. Forward time index to T-plus twenty four hours."
"Fast-forwarding," acknowledged Cody.
"Energy levels and safety systems still holding," reported Bailey. "Cody, we did it!" exclaimed Bailey as she threw her arms around Cody's neck and kissed him full on the lips.
"Um, you might wanna take another look at those readouts," warned Cody.
Bailey's jaw dropped, and her eyes flew open wide. "Neutrino absorption is dropping off. Antigrav emitters two and three are offline. Power levels increasing…three hundred percent…six hundred percent…Cody, if we hit eight hundred percent of rated maximum…"
"Way ahead of you," interrupted Cody. Attempting to compensate…neutrino absorption normal. Antigrav emitter three is online. Unable to activate number two, recalibrating one and five to compensate. Power levels at ninety percent of rated maximum and holding."
Bailey sighed in relief. "That was close. At least we got it under…"
Just then, all of the readouts spiked, a brilliant flash of light appeared, and then holographic image disappeared, replaced by "Simulation Failure" in big, red letters.
"Control," finished Bailey, with a distinct air of disappointment in her voice. She took a moment to examine the automated report. "Great, we just imploded the entire solar system!"
Cody took Bailey's hand in his. "Don't worry. I'm sure we'll get it."
"I wish I had your confidence."
Just then, they were interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Is that you, London?" asked Cody.
"Yeah, it's me," London yelled from behind the door.
"Come on in," sighed Bailey. "We're done here."
London entered the cabin and switched the light on.
"Thanks again for letting use your Fashiontron," said Cody.
"Oh, no big deal," replied London. "The outfits I wanted to try out just came in today, so I didn't have much use for it until now. How's…whatever it is you're doing…going?"
Bailey said nothing, but began to tear up.
"We've had a few…setbacks," supplied Cody. "But we'll get it."
"I'm sure you will," assured London. "But not today! I get to try on the latest designs before they're even made!"
"That's great," said Bailey, trying to be happy for London, "Thanks again for letting us use the machine."
With that, Cody and Bailey departed. London locked the door and stripped down to her bra and panties. She went to insert a memory card into the device, only to find that Cody and Bailey had left theirs behind. Curious, she pressed the button on the small LCD control screen marked "Restart Previous Simulation."
"Hmm, must be some kind of puzzle," said London to herself, observing the various holographic pieces laid out before her.
London took about twenty minutes manipulating the pieces into where she thought they would fit. She couldn't tell what it was, but it looked more or less complete, so she decided to test her results by pushing the "Start Simulation" button. The holographic readouts appeared, all remaining within acceptable tolerances for several minutes. The program fast-forwarded twenty-four hours, as per Cody's original request, and the readouts continued to give stable readings. The program then self-terminated, rewarding London with a message of "Simulation Successful" in large green letters.
"Yay me!" exclaimed London, jumping and clapping in her idiosyncratic fashion. Having completely forgotten her original objective, she donned the blouse and Bermuda shorts she'd set aside, and skipped off to her next distraction.
End of Chapter One
Stay tuned! More to come!
