"The Atlantis Stargate Program?" said Archer, following Marshal into another room. There was a large amount of computer equipment in this room. There were several attendants in the room, pressing the odd button or typing at different computers or looking at different screens. They paid no attention to Marshal nor Archer.
"Atlantis is real? There's a program there? Wh-"
"So many questions for one so young." Marshal said smirking.
"Sorry, sir." Archer said. "But this is a little much to take in at once."
"Understandable."
"But I am a little curious as to why I was picked for the program in the first place."
Marshal just continued to smile.
"Your superiors tell us that you showed intense interest in the Program. You were one of the only to believe that it existed."
Archer felt a little put down.
"So I'm just here because I know too much?"
Marshal placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Lieutenant, you show incredible promise in all aspects of military expertise. We also knew that you would be the most enthusiastic about joining."
Archer grinned.
"I'm all for it, General."
Marshal turned to one of the people attending one of the computers.
"Open the blast doors." He said.
"Yes, General." The techie said pushing a button.
Archer turned and faced the now retracting doors in front of the computer panel.
What came next was one of the most extraordinary things Archer had ever seen.
The doors closed fully and revealed what Archer had believed existed since joining the military. The Stargate.
It began on the ground and encircled in a full arch around. It was huge. At least 20 feet high. All around it were strange symbols that Archer didn't recognize. It was, hands down, the coolest thing Archer had ever seen.
"Impressive isn't it?" Marshal asked.
"Hell yeah it is." Archer said, not taking his eyes off of the Stargate.
"I'm glad you feel that way because there is one catch."
Archer tore his eyes away from the Stargate and faced the General.
"Catch?"
"Yes, a catch." Marshal said.
He looked past Archer and gazed at the Gate.
"Since discovering Atlantis, we have only been able to travel there a few times."
"Why?" Archer asked.
"We haven't been able to discover a source of power that can provide the opportunity for multiple trips."
Archer knew what was coming.
"So if I decide to go to Atlantis, I might not be coming back for awhile."
"That's the catch."
Archer stared at the Gate for a little while longer. Was it worth it? Is he willing to give up his life on Earth? A part of him wanted to stay. There were so many things he would miss about Earth. The green hills, the wondrous mountains. Microwaveable burritos.
But the other part of him wanted to go. To explore the galaxy. To go places no man has gone before. It was amazing how much he sounded like Captain Kirk just now. But still…
"Would you like some time to think about it?" Marshal asked, politely intruding his thoughts. "Don't feel obligated. It is completely your decision."
"No need." Archer said. "I want to go. When do we leave?"
Marshal motioned towards the door.
"A few hours. If you'd like to change into something more… suitable…"
"Yeah, sure." Archer followed the General out, not quite knowing what he had gotten himself into.
Archer looked at himself in the mirror. It fit perfectly. They probably had a look at his file and looked at his size. The uniform consisted of gray pants, a black t-shirt and a gray overcoat with two black stripes on the front. On his left shoulder was an American flag and on the right was the Stargate insignia. Over his heart a label that read: Lieu. Archer.
Nice digs. He shouldered his bag and turned to face the door of the dressing room when he jumped.
Standing there was a man dressed in a uniform like Archer's.
"Geez, man. Way to scare the be Jesus out of me." Archer said.
"Sorry, Lieutenant." The man said. He was just a little taller then Archer. Maybe two or three inches. He had spiky blonde hair that stuck up in the front naturally without any products or gels. Something Archer couldn't have achieved. He was older then him as well. At least ten years. He had his fair share of wrinkles around dark gray eyes.
"Can I help you?" Archer pondered out loud. He really had startled him. The man walked forward and extended a hand.
"Major Matt Ripley." Archer took the hand and gave it a shake.
"Lieutenant Adrian Archer, the pleasure's all mine."
"Nice to meet you. You're reputation proceeds you." Ripley said.
Archer felt a little awkward.
"Sorry, I've never heard of you, Major." Ripley laughed out loud.
"Yeah, well, plenty men my age have been through the Stargate. You're going to be the youngest in the military to do something like that."
"I didn't know that, sir."
"Well, now you do and please cut the "sir" crap. One of the things I hate about my rank."
"Whatever you want." Archer answered, smirking. Finally someone here with a personality. "So… you with SG-1?"
"Was. Now I'm in charge of the Atlantis SG-1."
"Really?" So this was the first member of the team he was on.
"Really, really. We're leaving now so…"
"Okay then."
Archer pushed his bag farther up his shoulder and followed Ripley out of the room.
"So." Archer said, trying to keep up with Ripley's long strides. "Have you ever been to Atlantis?"
"No." Ripley answered. "The last trip made there was 20 years ago. That's even before my time."
"So you don't know anybody who's been there."
"No."
They spent the next couple minutes telling each other where each of them are from and what kind of background each of them had. Ripley, because he obviously knew the way, was leading Archer down the corridors towards the Gate Room.
After a few more twists and turns, Archer and Ripley finally reached a metallic door that looked heavily padlocked.
"Two seconds." Ripley muttered as he reached forward and typed in a code on a small panel on the wall. After he put in the last number, the door immediately lurched and slowly moved upwards revealing the room Archer had seen only a few hours ago: The Gate Room.
Archer and Ripley walked through the door into the room. The Stargate itself was immensely bigger in person then seeing it from a distance. Archer could barely contain himself he was so excited. God, if only he had a camera. The door behind them lowered, a loud click indicating that the door had once again locked. Archer looked at Ripley questionably.
"Safety precaution." Ripley said. "SGC has been invaded more then once. Believe me."
"Oh." Archer said. The two explorers walked towards the ramp that sloped upward towards the hole in the Stargate's arch. Archer was about to keep walking but Ripley grabbed the sleeve of his jacket, stopping him from going any further.
"You should stop here." He said, un-clenching his fingers from Archer's sleeve.
"Why?" Archer asked, with curiosity.
"You'll see, rookie." Ripley said with a grin.
"Okay, Lieutenant?" The General's voice came over the PA.
"Sure!" Archer said in a loud voice.
"Just dial the damn thing!" Ripley said, sounding moderately annoyed. "I'm hungry!"
After about five seconds, Ripley's request was answered. A loud clang rang through the air. Archer watched in amazement as the symbols that circled the arch began to turn and turn. They spun around and round several times. Archer tried his hardest to count how many there were but it proved impossible. They were moving too fast. After spinning several more times, it came to a sudden stop and then one of the small triangular things that bordered the arch (there were seven) lit up the symbol that had stopped on it. After the symbol lit up, the symbols began to spin again and then it stopped on another triangle. This process continued five more times. After the seventh and last symbol was locked into place, a giant ball of what looked like water exploded out of the arch, the shock and surprise of it causing Archer to jump back several feet. Ripley, however, being used to it, remained stationary.
"That's why you shouldn't stand too close." Ripley said, staring at the Gate. Archer watched in amazement as the ball withdrew back into the hole and formed what looked like a vertical pool that filled up the entire arch.
"Just wait until you walk through it." Ripley laughed as he began to walk up the ramp towards the pool. Archer tried to follow but his legs seemed to be frozen to the ground. It was like he had stepped into Star Wars. Ripley walked to the portal, standing inches from it. He turned around, saluted the General in the viewing box and then simply stepped through the liquid. Ripley was gone, his luggage and all.
"Holy God." Archer whispered, his mouth hanging open limply. After about a minute of just staring at the bubbling, wavy portal, the PA said "Problem Lieutenant?" Archer looked up at the box where the General had asked the question. Archer shook his head and whispered to himself. "Alright, Adrian. Go." He willed his legs to move. One foot then the other extended forward, being Archer closer to the portal. After repeating the process, he stood where Ripley had been standing before he had stepped through. Archer turned his body and saluted the General as well. Marshal returned it and said. "Godspeed, Archer."
Archer faced the Gate again. He raised a hand and moved it along the portal, just about touching it. It felt slightly cold. He lowered his hand and shouldered his pack even more. He breathed in and out. "Okay." He whispered. He raised his foot, stuck it into the portal and stepped through.
A/N: Review!
