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Chapter 11. – Stargate
Jack, Lup-4, and Lup-5 gathered together to brainstorm what to do to secure the Stargate. They didn't want to guard it. They didn't have the manpower to maintain a constant watch on it and with their families at risk, they couldn't leave it unguarded.
"We can make the planet look uninhabitable," Jack tossed out there. "I've looked at lots of MALP footage where the area outside the Stargate was desolate. The air was breathable, but we didn't want to go there."
Reynolds nodded, "Yeah, I remember some of that footage myself. Still had to retrieve the MALP, but the planet didn't look better than the footage."
"I would prefer a cave with no exit, honestly," Jack added. "Nothing to see."
Dixon shook his head, "But then you got ventilation issues, Jack. Think more about the 'Gate in Antarctica. Open cave, but it opened to a desolate landscape."
"Nice thought, but no polar ice caps here, Dave," Jack points out.
"But we do have great lava beds by the ocean," Reynolds pointed out. "Uninhabitable doesn't always mean ice," Steve said.
Jack looked thoughtful. "Not a bad idea. Let's take a closer look at the area and see what we have."
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Lup-4 and Lup-5 started at opposite ends of the lava field beside Anostos and slowly make their way towards the center. Each team seemed to creep forward while Jack watched from orbit in the Valkyrie. When Dixon and Lup-5 had almost reached the edge of the fallen crater, he found a lava tube cave that seemed to meet their requirements.
Balinsky carefully scampered up the treacherous opening into the cave to take a look. Finally, he called the others to join him. Lup-5 had found a huge cave with a wicked opening on a sharp, scraggly edge, but the cave looked to be big enough for the Stargate and the DHD. Even better, the lava seemed to have flowed around some of the stones making it look like the Stargate had always been there and they just got lucky it survived. Dixon called Jack and the Lup-4 for join him and take a look.
After looking around, Jack had the Valkyrie check the measurements to make sure it will all fit and then went to see the vista from the entrance to the cave. It was a nice desolate view of lava fields and ocean in the distance, after nearly killing yourself to get there.
"Nice. I like it, Dave," Jack stated.
"Sir," Wells said hesitantly, "I have an idea for our teams that can make using the Stargate more feasible."
Jack looked at him and motioned for him to proceed.
"Um, if we use beaming technology for our teams, they can beam directly to a transition area in-front of the Stargate. Only our people would know about the beaming technology and has access to it…I'm thinking DNA signatures for security codes. Our security would essentially be that only our people could access the system," Wells explained.
Jack considered, "So instead of an iris, we would beam in as needed and beam out when we get back?"
"Yeah," Wells nodded.
"Sounds good. Make it happen. Valkyrie should be able to produce all the doohickies you need. Know how to work it?" Jack asked.
Wells beamed, "Yes, sir."
Wells wandered off and Reynolds walked up. "You just made his year," He stated quietly.
Jack chuckled, "You have been grooming him for a while now to take over his own team. He is almost ready."
"Yeah, but I'll miss having him as a second," Steve replied sadly.
"I know. But… that is what we train them for…" Jack quipped. He sighed, "I guess we'll need another Lup team soon."
Jack beamed the Stargate and the DHD to the cave using the Valkyrie. Wells installed the beaming technology in the ceiling, hidden from view. He said that a second set needed to be installed at their home site and they could work out what security protocols they wanted at that time.
As an added safety measure, they installed the anti-Prior weapons all throughout the chamber, again, hidden from view. Sanctuary was now safer than before for the Gen'Lup.
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