SGA: Transcendence
A/N: DISCLAIMER, Stargate Atlantis and some of the Ideas for this fanfiction belong to their respective owners. Some ideas I came up with on my own and some I got from others. If I am using your idea, please PM me, with what was your idea and from which fanfiction so I can check it out. If it turns out to be true, I will add a mention to the story and it's writer so that others can check it out.
A/N: Lots of non-CANON stuff in this story. Will use the transcript of certain episodes and make certain changes in the dialogue and eventually it will completely diverge from CANON.
This is normal speech.
This is radio chatter.
This is thought.
This is AI/hologram talking.
This is AI talking over radio.
This is AI talking in their minds.
Chapter 1 Rising, Part 1
Avalona Galaxy, Terra, Antarctica, 5 Million Years Ago
A puddle jumper flies through the air heading towards the city ship of Atlantis. Inside the Antarctic outpost an Ancient man and woman exchange wordless, emotional gazes as the jumper approaches the dock. She watches him depart with a wistful gaze, then stares out the window towards the cityscape of Atlantis. Atlantis begins to lift off from the ground and flies into space. As the city reaches orbit a hyperspace window opens and Atlantis flies into hyperspace.
Avalona Galaxy, Terra, Antarctica, Ancient Outpost, 2004
The international research outpost is set up over the Ancient outpost chair room deep below. An elevator containing Dr. Elizabeth Weir lowers into the Ancient outpost. Several personnel are milling around, conducting experiments.
"This is Operations. General O'Neill is inbound, 20 minutes out." A technician announces over the loudspeakers.
Dr. Weir approaches Peter Grodin who is studying an inactive drone weapon. She watches him a moment, makes a note on her tablet and then heads toward the chair room. As she enters the chair room Dr. Carson Beckett stands up from the chair, arguing with Dr. Rodney McKay as Weir arrives.
"You see? Nothing." Dr. Beckett said and then leaves the chair room.
"Carson, get back here." Dr. McKay calls after him.
"I could sit in that chair all bloody day long, and nothing will happen. It's a waste of time." He said as passes Dr. Weir. "Excuse me, Dr. Weir."
"He's not even trying." Dr. McKay argues to Dr. Weir.
"He's the one who discovered the gene this technology responds to." Dr. Weir said.
"Yeah, well, he said he wishes he never had it." Dr. McKay said.
"Really?" Dr. Weir askes surprised.
"I know. Can you believe that?" McKay said.
"We could always test you a third time, Rodney." Dr. Weir said teasing dr. McKay.
"That's very funny." Dr. McKay said unamused.
"We have only found a handful of people who are genetically compatible with the Ancient technology, and despite your heroic efforts to interface ours with theirs, we need every one of them to sit in this chair, including Dr. Beckett." Doctor Weir said.
"What am I supposed to do? He's afraid of the thing." Dr. McKay said.
"This chair controls the most powerful weapons known to humankind. I'm afraid of the thing. But every time someone sits in it, we learn something new about the Ancients who built this outpost. Dr. Beckett should be proud he's genetically advanced." Dr. Weir said.
"It's not more advanced. It is a random characteristic." Dr. McKay said.
"This really bothers you, this whole gene thing, huh?" Dr. Weir shrewdly asked.
"Oh, clearly, I am overcome with envy." Dr. McKay answers sarcastically.
Just then Daniel rushes in and says.
"Ah just the people I need to see."
He immediately turns and rushes away. McKay and Weir exchange looks. Daniel doubles back and beckons them.
"Come with me"
Avalona Galaxy, Terra, Antarctica, Ancient Outpost Lab, 2004
They follow Daniel into another room filled with computer monitors showing gate addresses and paper star charts. Daniel stands by a whiteboard covered with Stargate chevrons.
"We've gotten closer and closer to finding the location of the Lost City, but it turns out we've been looking in the wrong place all along. Now, we thought we had a stargate address, six symbols representing coordinates in space that determined the location of the planet the Ancients went to after they left Antarctica. Now, recently, we determined a seventh symbol." Daniel said and then he draws the symbol for Earth.
"The point of origin, Earth." Dr. Weir said
"That's not it." Daniel said.
"Then your address must be incorrect." Dr. McKay stated.
"Not incorrect, incomplete." Daniel corrected him and draws another symbol on the chart between the sixth symbol and the one for Earth.
"What are you saying, Dr. Jackson?" Dr. Weir askes intrigued.
Daniel labels the new symbol and Earth's with the numbers 7 and 8.
"It's an eight-symbol address. What we're looking for may be further away than we ever imagined, but it's not out of reach." Daniel answered.
"Atlantis." Rodney said. (A/N: I'm just gonna right down first or last names, because I'm lazy and the titles are too much trouble.)
Daniel nodded and said. "Atlantis. I think we can go there."
Avalona Galaxy, Terra, Antarctica, 2004
A helicopter flies across the Antarctic landscape. Major John Shepard sits at the controls. General Jack O'Neill sits next to him.
"Apache, Blackhawk, Cobra, Osprey…" John summarized.
"It's a lot of training for the Antarctic." General O'Neill said.
"It was the one continent I never set foot on." John said.
"It's one of my least favorite continents." General O'Neill said.
"I kind of like it here." John said.
"You like it here?" O'Neill asked incredulously.
"Yes, sir. Be there in about ten minutes, sir." John said.
Avalona Galaxy, Terra, Antarctica, Ancient Outpost, Chair Room, 2004
Rodney herds Carson back towards the chair.
"Look, we've been through this. I'm not your man." Carson said.
"Keep moving." Rodney said.
"I'm a doctor. A medical doctor." Carson said.
"There is nothing to be afraid of." Rodney said.
"You don't understand. I break things like this." Carson said.
"This device has survived for millions of years intact. It will survive you. Now, sit down, close your eyes, and concentrate." Rodney said insistently.
Carson sighs in resignation and sits in the chair. After a split second he shrugs, frustrated, and starts to get up.
"Again, nothing." Carson said and starts to get up, but Rodney signals for him to stay seated.
"Okay, this time just try to imagine an image of where we are in the solar system." Rodney said.
Skeptical, Carson closes his eyes and concentrates. Carson grimaces, but complies, closing his eyes again in concentration. The chair lights up and shoves backward. Beckett opens his eyes, mouth agape in surprise. The drone Grodin has been studying suddenly activates, catching Grodin by surprise. McKay and Beckett stare in shock and horror as the drone in the outer room starts flying around the room. People everywhere dive out of the way as the drone ping-pongs out of control throughout the chamber. The drone finds the opening of the elevator shaft and flies up it. The cage elevator rising to the surface contains Weir, Daniel, and two women. They see the lit drone streak past them, causing the elevator to tremble.
"Get us back down there!" Weir said.
The drone bursts through the outpost roof and starts flying at high speed through the sky.
Over the radio a technician said. "All inbound craft, we have a rogue drone that could seek a target on its own. Land immediately and shut down your engines. This is not a drill. I repeat_."
"It's too late. Hang on." John said.
John barely avoids the drone that streaks around the helicopter twice, locking onto the helicopter as a target.
"Break right." O'Neill said.
John dodges the drone again by flying higher and to the left.
"I said, right!" O'Neill said.
"I'm getting to that, sir." John said.
Daniel immediately runs toward the chair room. Weir pauses a moment, taking in the devastation before running after Daniel. Weir runs up to Carson her arms outstretched in bewilderment.
"I told you I was the wrong person." Carson said.
"It doesn't matter now. Just do something!" Rodney said.
"Like what?" Carson asked.
"Okay, Carson, concentrate on shutting that weapon down before it hurts someone." Weir said soothingly.
John looks through his windows searching for the drone.
"I can't see it." John said.
"Pull up, pull up!" O'Neill said sharply.
The helicopter barely misses a mountain ridge then dives down underneath the erratic path of the drone. Carson concentrates while sitting in the chair as everyone watches him anxiously.
"What about now?" O'Neill asked.
"Now's good." John said.
The helicopter skims over the surface. The drone piles into the snow. The helicopter itself lands on a flat surface.
"Shut it down!" O'Neill said sharply and John complies.
"Sir, what the hell was that?" John askes nervously.
"Wait for it." O'Neill said holding his hand up.
They watch and wait. A few seconds later, the drone bursts out of the snowbank, still at high speed, and heading straight for the helicopter.
"Get out!" John yelled.
The pair scramble out of the helicopter. John takes a belly-flop into the snow. The drone powers down and slides to a stop mere inches away from O'Neill.
Carson opens his eyes and says. "I think I did it."
John and O'Neill warily reenter their helicopter.
"That was different." John said breathlessly.
"For me, not so much." O'Neill said resigned.
Lieutenant Aiden Ford runs into the chair room.
"Major Sheppard is reporting the drone appears to have been incapacitated. General O'Neill's helicopter is unharmed, and on its way again. Seven minutes out." Ford reports and everyone sighs in relief.
"Thank God." Weir said.
"Holy Crap." Carson said.
Several minutes later O'Neill and John exit the elevator. Daniel hurries to greet them.
"Jack!" Daniel said.
"Daniel. Warm welcome." O'Neill said dryly.
"It wasn't me. How did you manage to_." Daniel said.
"Keep my ass from getting blown out of the sky? The exceptional flying of Major John Sheppard. He likes it here" O'Neill said
"Exceptional? You like it here?" Daniel asked bewildered.
"What say we cut to the part where you start talking real fast?" O'Neill said and pokes Daniel's chest.
"Ah, Weir's in here." Daniel said.
"Hey. Don't touch anything." O'Neill said to John.
"Yes, sir." John said.
O'Neill and Daniel leave John where he nervously looks around the busy room. Scientists are back at their experiments or still cleaning up the mess left by the drone.
Avalona Galaxy, Terra, Antarctica, Ancient Outpost, Star-chart room, 2004
"I figure the Ancients packed up their entire city and left somewhere between five and ten million years ago." Daniel said.
"In their…flying city?" O'Neill asked humoring him.
"Yes." Daniel said.
O'Neill shoots Daniel an amused, skeptical look.
"What?" Daniel asked
"Flying city?" O'Neill asked
"Well, keeping in mind this is the race that built the Stargates. They did everything big." Daniel said.
"So, why did they leave?" O'Neill asked
"Why'd they leave? Um, who knows? We know the Ancients on Earth were suffering from a plague. Um, maybe some of them were trying to start over, seeding life in a new galaxy. Maybe that's what Ancients do. The point is, we know where they went." Daniel said.
"Pegasus." O'Neill said.
"Yes, it's-it's the name of a dwarf galaxy in the local group." Daniel said.
"After all that time, is there any hope of actually meeting them?" Rodney asked.
"Uh, well, who knows, but isn't that reason enough to go?" Daniel asked looking to Weir.
"Well, I've been choosing members for this expedition for months, Doctor. I'm not the one who needs convincing." Weir said.
"Well, I'm convinced. Have fun." O'Neill said.
"Uh, it-it's a little more complicated than that." Daniel said.
"We need the "Zed-PM" to power the gate." Rodney said.
"What?" O'Neill asked.
"ZPM. He's uh, he's Canadian." Daniel said.
"I'm sorry." O'Neill said to McKay, half-mockingly.
"Oh, "Zero-Point Module," General. The Ancient power source you recovered from Praclarush Taonas and that's now powering the outpost's defenses. I've since determined that it generates its enormous power from vacuum energy derived from a self-contained region of subspace time." Rodney said.
"That was a waste of a perfectly good explanation. The answer's no." O'Neill said.
Avalona Galaxy, Terra, Antarctica, Ancient Outpost, Chair room, 2004
Sheppard wanders near the chair room, where he hears Beckett bragging to a few scientists who are entranced by his tale.
"The second I shut my eyes, I could see. I just felt this power that I've never had before. I had it dancing all across the sky. It was magical, it really was. I mean, well, they are lucky. I don't know where it came from. I just tried to concentrate, and the drone shut itself down." Carson said chuckling.
Sheppard sees Beckett speaking to two others next to the chair.
"So you were the one." John said.
"Me?" Carson asked.
"You're the one who fired that thing at me." John said angrily.
"Look, we're doing research, working with technology that's light-years beyond us, and we make mistakes. I'm incredibly, incredibly sorry." Carson said with his arms in a placatingly gesture.
"Well, next time, just be a little more careful, okay?" John said mollified.
"That's what I said." Carson stated.
"What the hell was that thing anyway?" John said.
"You mean the drone?" Carson asked and John nods.
"The weapon the Ancients built to defend this outpost." Carson said.
"The who." John asked.
"You do have security clearance to be here?" Carson asked worriedly.
"Yeah, yeah, General O'Neill just gave it to me." John said.
"Then you don't even know about the Stargate." Carson said gulping in surprise.
"The What?" John asked.
Avalona Galaxy, Terra, Antarctica, Ancient Outpost, Star-chart room, 2004
"Jack, you know that gating to another galaxy requires an enormous amount of power." Daniel said.
"Yes, I do. Find another way." O'Neill said.
"There's no other way." Daniel said.
"Do you think there are more of these…zed things in Atlantis?" O'Neill asked.
"Yes, and who knows what else we could find. This isn't just some other civilization we're talking about. These are the gate builders." Daniel said.
"The potential wealth of knowledge and technology, it outweighs anything we've come across since we stepped through the Stargate." Weir said.
"Well, with the amount of power you'll need to make this trek, odds are it'll be one-way." O'Neill said.
"Yes, we know. But the benefit to humanity is far greater than the risk, General. And it is a risk that every one of my expedition members is willing to take." Weir said and O'Neill considers this.
Avalona Galaxy, Terra, Antarctica, Ancient Outpost, Chair room, 2004
"We think the gene was used as a sort of genetic key, if you will, so that only their kind could operate certain dangerous or powerful technologies." Carson said.
"So some people have the same genes as these Ancients?" John said.
"The specific gene is very rare, but on the whole, they look very much like we do. In fact, they were first. We're the second evolution of this form, the Ancients having explored this galaxy for millions of years before_." Carson said.
He notices Sheppard is moving to sit in the chair.
"Major, please don't." Carson said.
"Come on, what are the odds of me having the same genes as these guys?" John said and he sat down. As soon as Sheppard sits down, the chair activates. Sheppard freezes out of nervousness and the memories of the his first lifetime as an Alterran flooded his mind all in the span of five seconds. He instantly knew what was happening to him and why he should keep quit about this little detail.
"Quite slim, actually." Carson said shocked and started calling out. "Doctor Weir!" To John he said. "Don't move."
He runs out of the room. John took this opportunity to pull up the video record of the cities departure. A few moments later. Weir, Rodney, O'Neill and Daniel return with him. At that moment a holographic screen appeared. On the screen a video of Atlantis' departure was being displayed. All those present were stunned as they watched as the legendary city rose into the sky and finally into space and entered hyperspace. After the screen vanished everyone regained their senses.
"That was amazing! a video record of Atlantis leaving the planet." Daniel said excitedly
"Who is this man." Weir asks as she comes out of her stupor.
"I said don't touch anything." O'Neill said exasperated.
"I just sat down." John protested.
"Major, what was that just now? We have never been able to access anything like that." Weir stated finally recognizing him.
"I don't know, all I know is that I said down and thought that I would've liked to see a good movie. Next thing I knew the holographic screen thingy appeared and the video started playing." John answered.
"Major, think about where we are in the solar system." Rodney said.
After a moment, a three dimensional holographic image of the solar system appears over their heads. Weir is elated. McKay is shocked.
"Did I do that?" John asked.
Avalona Galaxy, Terra, Antarctica, Ancient Outpost, 2004
O'Neill and Weir walk through the facility.
"We could be on our way to discovering an entirely new Ancient civilization. The best case scenario, we meet actual Ancients who are willing to help us, but if we don't…" Weir said.
O'Neill becomes particularly distracted as they pass the stasis chamber he had been trapped in for several months.
"General, we need him." Weir said.
"Sorry, Doc, I need Daniel here." O'Neill said.
"I'm talking about Major Sheppard." Weir said.
"Oh. Don't you have a dozen or so people already who can use the Ancient technology?" O'Neill asked.
"Yes, with concentration and training, they can make it work, but John Sheppard, he does it naturally." Weir said.
They pause by the elevator.
"You know, I've checked into his record." O'Neill said.
"I know about the whole supposed black mark in Afghanistan. He was trying to save the lives of three servicemen." Weir said
"Disobeying a direct order in the process." O'Neill said.
"I have read your own file, General. Please." Weir said ironically.
"Right" Sighing. "Okay, it's your expedition. You want him, you ask him." O'Neill said.
"Uh, that's the thing. I have." Weir said.
"Really?" O'Neill asked surprised.
Avalona Galaxy, Terra, Cheyenne Mountain, Stargate Command, 2004
The corridors are crowded with expedition members move equipment around, preparing for departure. Grodin speaks Spanish to another member and pats him on the back. In another area outside the Gate Room, a couple of expedition members are speaking with Ford.
"I don't under—does anyone else here speak whatever language these guys are speaking?" Ford asks frustrated.
In the gate room more expedition members finish packing. Sergeant Bates argues with Carson.
"Listen, I just need a couple of minutes to finish my work, and you're not helping by standing there." Carson said.
Colonel Sumner stands on the ramp, overseeing the progress. He walks past the technicians working on the MALP.
"You've got five minutes to get it going, or I'm leaving it." Sumner said to the technicians.
Sumner walks down the ramp towards Bates and Carson.
"Everything in here has been double-checked and triple-checked and cleared for takeoff. Leave it alone." Sumner said to Carson.
"Look, Colonel, I don't answer to you." Carson said.
"He said the same to me, sir." Bates said.
"That's what your sidearm's for." Sumner said to Bates.
In the SGC control room Weir is among the expedition members working with SGC personnel to prepare for departure. Daniel enters with an expedition member.
"So the eight-chevron address is what tells our gate to look for a point in space outside of our galaxy, so we won't know until it locks." Daniel said.
"Okay." An expedition scientist said.
O'Neill enters from the stairwell with a jaunty step.
"Are we there yet?" O'Neill asked.
"We're just waiting on Dr. McKay." Weir said.
In the SGC power room Rodney and Siler work on hooking up a generator device to the power grid. Rodney holds a ZPM.
"It should work now. I've got it." Siler said.
"Okay, Sergeant, give it a try. The ZPM should light up when it senses a conductive connection to the gate." Rodney said.
Rodney plugs in the ZPM. Siler pulls a lever. The ZPM activates.
"Oh, yeah." Rodney said pleased.
John heads into the Gate Room, watching the bustle of activity. It has been a month since he experienced the memory trigger and he has regained the memories of all of his past lives including his knowledge and skills. his DNA has also transformed into that of an Alterran granting him an advanced physiology and all of the abilities that the Alterra possessed at the height of their civilization.
"Colonel." John said to Sumner.
Sumner stares at John coldly. John is disappointed in the scrutiny. Weir enters.
"Can I have everyone's attention, please? All right, here we go. We're about to try to make a connection. We have been unable to predict exactly how much power this is going to take, and we may only get the one chance at this. So if we're able to achieve a stable wormhole, we're not going to risk shutting the 'gate down. We'll send in the MALP robot probe, check for viability, and go. Everything in one shot. Now, every one of you volunteered for this mission, and you represent over a dozen countries. You are the world's best and brightest. And in light of the adventure we are about to embark on, you're also the bravest. I hope we all return one day having discovered a whole new realm for humanity to explore. But as all of you know, we may never be able to return home. I'd like to offer you all one last chance to withdraw your participation." Weir said.
No one responds. John makes telepathic contact with the gate and optimizes the power distribution system so that the gate wouldn't need too much more power than normal.
"Begin the dialing sequence." Weir said.
She steps off the ramp.
"Let me make myself clear, Major. You are not here by my choice." Sumner said to John.
"I'm sure you'll warm up to me once you get to know me, sir." John said.
"As long as you remember who's giving the orders." Sumner said and John smirked.
"That would be Dr. Weir, right?" John asked.
Sumner glares. John smiles and rolls his eyes as he turns away.
In the SGC control room Weir rejoins O'Neill and Daniel in the room.
"Chevron Three encoded. Chevron Four encoded." Walter said.
"Nice." O'Neill said
"Thank you." Weir said.
"Chevron Five encoded." Walter said.
McKay rushes in and joins the other.
"Chevron Six encoded." Walter said.
"This is it." Weir said nervous and exited.
"Yeah." Rodney said quietly"
"Seriously, Doctor, calm down. You're embarrassing me." Weir said teasingly.
"I've never been so excited in my entire life." Rodney said dryly.
"Chevron Eight is locked." Walter said.
The stargate activates and everyone in the gate room applauds. O'Neill squelches a pleased smile.
"Send the MALP." Weir ordered.
The technician sends a command code. and the MALP enters the Stargate. A dark image appears on the monitor.
"We have MALP telemetry." Walter said.
"What is it we're looking at?" Weir asked.
McKay joins the technician at the controls.
"Switching to zero locks." Walter said
"The radar indicates…a large room?" Rodney said.
"Structurally intact?" Daniel asked incredulous.
"Environmental sensors say there's oxygen, no measurable toxins. We have viable life support. It looks like we're not getting out of this." Rodney said.
He smiles and leaves. Weir smiles and turns to O'Neill.
"Dr. Weir, you have a go." O'Neill said.
"Thank you…sir." Weir said.
In the gate room Sumner and an initial team head up the ramp.
"Let's go, people. We don't know how much power we've got. Security teams One and Two, you're up first. All other personnel will follow on our signal. Once on the other side, keep moving, clear the debarkation area. On my lead…" Sumner shouts orders.
"Hold on, Colonel! We go through together." Weir said snagging her pack.
"Fair enough." Sumner said.
Sumner readies his weapon and leads his team through. Weir pauses a moment and looks back at O'Neill and Daniel in the Gate Room. She nods a farewell, then steps through the Stargate.
"Jack, it-it's not too late for me_." Daniel said wistful.
"No." O'Neill said flatly.
"I can just grab my_." Daniel said.
"No." O'Neill said.
"…kit." Daniel said.
"All clear. It looks good." Sumner said over the radio.
"Expedition team…move out." O'Neill said into the intercom.
John and Ford are next in line to go through the Stargate before stepping through. The wormhole is green in color as it heads to the Pegasus Galaxy. Sheppard comes out of the wormhole and looks around. The lights, consoles and monitors stargate operations spring to life in response to his presence, the writing on the stairs light up startling everyone present.
"What just happened?" Weir asked.
"The lights are coming on by themselves." Said Ford.
"Teams One and Two, secure the immediate area." Sumner ordered.
Personnel start to push equipment through the Stargate. Sumner heads towards a door, which opens automatically as he approaches. He turns back.
"Everyone else, find an open space and park it until instructed otherwise." Sumner shouted.
John and McKay start to explore the control room as more personnel arrive with equipment.
"That's everyone." Sumner said.
"General O'Neill? Atlantis base offers greetings from the Pegasus Galaxy. You may cut power to the 'gate." Weir said into the radio.
A bottle of champagne rolls through the Stargate as the wormhole deactivates. Weir picks it up. A tag on the neck reads. "Bon Voyage—Gen. Jack O'Neill". Some people enter the conference room. Lights activate as people explore the corridors. Two scientists enter a room filled with several small craft docked inside. They move further into the room and see there's more than one level of the small ships as the lights come on. Weir sets her bag down in the room off the control room (that will become her office). Weir walks the catwalk back into the control room where Rodney, John, and others are taking sheets off the stations and looking at devices.
"This has got to be the control room. This is obviously their version of a DHD" Rodney said.
"Oh, obviously." John said sarcastically.
"This area could be power control systems, possibly a computer interface_." Rodney said moving to another console.
"Hey, hey. Why don't you find out?" Weir said
"Right." Rodney said.
"Dr. Weir, Colonel Sumner. Could you come down and meet me, please? We're three levels down from you." Sumner said over the radio.
"Right away." Weir answered.
Weir and Sheppard join Sumner.
"We've only been able to secure a fraction of the place. It's huge." Sumner said.
"So it might really be the lost city of Atlantis?" Weir asked
"I'd say that's a good bet." Sumner said.
He leads them to a glass door.
"Oh, my God." Weir said.
They stare at the strange green setting. Above them, they can see sunlight peeking through the surface of waves.
"We're underwater." Weir said.
"I'd say we're under several hundred feet of ocean. If we can't dial out, this could be a problem." Sumner said.
Rodney arrives.
"Colonel, Dr. Weir_." Rodney said.
"We're underwater." John said excitedly.
"Yes, I was just coming to tell you. Fortunately, there's some sort of a force field holding back the (he slows, looking at the scene)…water. Oh, that is impressive, isn't it? Uh, Dr. Beckett has found something you should, uh, see." Rodney said.
They follow him. A holographic Ancient woman speaks on a platform. Weir, Sumner, Sheppard, and McKay enter. Beckett stands by the console.
"…in the hope of spreading new life in a galaxy where there appeared to be none. Soon, the new life grew and prospered. Here…" An ancient woman hologram said.
"It's a hologram. The recording loops. This is my second time through." Carson said.
"What have we missed?" Sumner asked
"Not much." Carson said
"…exchange knowledge and friendship. In time, a thousand worlds bore the fruit of life in this form. Then one day, our people set foot upon a dark world where a terrible enemy slept." The hologram said.
Over her head an image of the galaxy with individual star systems appeared.
"Never before had we encountered beings with powers that rivaled our own. In our overconfidence, we were unprepared and outnumbered. The enemy fed upon the defenseless human worlds like a great scourge, until finally, only Atlantis remained." The hologram said.
The stars turn red to show the spread of the terrible enemy throughout the galaxy.
"This city's great shield was powerful enough to withstand their terrible weapons, but here we were besieged for many years. In an effort to save the last of our kind, we submerged our great city into the ocean. The Atlantis Stargate was the one and only link back to Earth from this galaxy, and those who remained used it to return to that world that was once home. There, the last survivors of Atlantis lived out the remainder of their lives. This city was left to slumber, in the hope that our kind would one day return." The hologram said.
The hologram stops speaking, and Beckett steps away from the console. She disappears.
"Huh. So the story of Atlantis is true. A great city that sank in the ocean." Rodney said.
"It just didn't happen on Earth." Carson said.
"Well, the Ancient Greeks must have heard it from one of the surviving Ancients." Rodney said.
"I don't like the fact they got their asses kicked." Sumner said.
"I don't like it either and have firsthand experience from that war, so I know what we're up against. After all I died during that war." John thought.
Grodin enters and whispers to McKay. Beckett steps to the console, activating the hologram.
"Let's see again from the beginning." Carson said.
"Stop. Turn it off." Rodney said nervously.
Carson steps back.
"Power levels throughout the city are dropping like a stone." Rodney said.
"What does that mean?" Sumner asked.
"That if we don't stop everything we're doing right now, we are dead." Rodney said.
McKay hurries out with Grodin. Puzzled, everyone else follows. Everyone is now back in the control room. Rodney works on his computer. John calls up a status display in his mind and notices the status of the last ZPM. It has nearly reached maximum entropy. He decides to shut down all none essential systems to buy them a little more time.
"Please tell me this is not my fault." Carson asks nervously.
"No." Rodney said while rolling his eyes.
"Thank you." Carson said.
"From what we've been able to ascertain, the city is powered by three Zero-Point Modules. Two are entirely depleted, and the third is reaching maximum entropy. When it does, it will die too, and nothing can reverse that." Rodney said.
"Colonel Sumner, you need to order your security teams to stop searching the city immediately." Weir ordered.
"All security teams, fall back to the gate room." Sumner ordered through the radio.
"That's not going to be good enough." Rodney said.
"All right, well, how much time do we have?" Weir asks
"It's hard to say. Hours, maybe days, if we minimize power expenditure." Rodney said.
"What about our own power generators?" Carson said.
"We're working on that, but even with our most advanced, Naquadah-powered generators, the equations are coming up far short." Rodney said.
"So we need to find more ZPMs." Weir said.
"If there were more here, we'd be able to detect them." Rodney said.
"No, you wouldn't, after all the production and storage facility are in an artificial parallel pocket dimension." John thought. "I'm not going to give you access to that, so that those idiot politicians can blow themselves up, back on Earth."
"Can we use the Stargate?" Sumner asked.
"There's nowhere near enough power to open a wormhole back to Earth." Rodney said.
"Maybe somewhere in this galaxy." John said. "Should be rather easy, as long as he doesn't dial a space gate, then it would be a waste of what precious little amount power remains in the ZPM." He thought.
"Well, that's relatively easy. Fortunately, some Ancient technology still uses good, old-fashioned push buttons, so we've been able to access the Stargate control system and a library of known gate addresses in the database." Rodney said.
Grodin discovers the gate shield and Rodney states that it is using power. Grodin deactivates the shield and Dr. Weir says that they at least don't have to worry about uninvited guests. They dial the gate to a random address. The gate activates and they send a MALP through. They determine that it is night on the planet and use their infrared goggles when they step through the gate.
To be continued…
A/N: Major Sheppard is one of the reincarnated Alterrans and knows things about Atlantis his fellow Alterrans neglected to mention to the Lanteans they had created to continue their legacy and gifted them Atlantis before the last of them either died or ascended. Major Sheppard also believes it is best to keep a low profile for now.