Never doubt yourself when decisions could be life or death. You are strong, and strong-spirited, the kind that rely solely on the body and the mind, but no other. When decisions seem to be the only way your life is going, remember your mistakes, your motive, and overall who could help you make your choice because even a statue requires help from Man.
The sun rose calmly, quietly over the water. The warrior stood on a balcony overlooking the sea, and he was awestruck. The beauty of the planet, of Atlantis itself, was shocking. The history is what struck him the most. The first people, who built Atlantis, were the ancestors of the pale-skinned citizens of the current Atlantis and the people of their home world, Earth. They informed him that the name Titan was that of a moon that surrounds a gas-giant in their home galaxy, and he was amazed at the pictures. He wanted to see what the pictures showed, but he could not, and he never would, if he became a runner like Ronon Dex, who had finally revealed his name over the past evening▓s meal. The warrior was also told that it was a custom of his planet to keep names secret until they knew the person fully, but usually names were casual, and gestures were the way of showing respect, which was different from the customs of the warrior and the inhibitors of Atlantis, who all used the same military titles. The warrior was always called his rank, currently Captain, which was the same way for the people, who used names like ⌠General,■ ⌠Lieutenant,■ and ⌠Colonel,■ to name a few. The warrior loved this system, but he would have to give it up to become a runner.
By midmorning, the warrior was sitting with one of the people of Atlantis, discussing history, and it was during this discussion that the warrior saw a book for the first time. Titan was not a place where language was turned to writing, so the warrior had no idea what he was seeing. He had never learned numbers, either, and the Atlantian took it upon herself to teach him to read, write, count, and use the weapons seen during their first battle. The warrior had been forgiven for his position in the battle, and now he was seen as a friend. He found it to be a strange relationship, however, since the people were being highly generous, but he soon discovered why.
On a routine contact to their home-world, the people discovered that their world was at war and that there would be a shortage of supplies and possibly removal of the program, which would send them to the war. The warrior immediately went to the leader and volunteered, but he knew what question would be asked.
⌠Have you decided to commit to us and this program? We▓d be willing to send you, but once you go, there is no turning back. We can only contact them, they cannot contact us, and you would be trapped. You would be given a new identity, and your entire life would change.■
⌠How long do I have to make my decision?■ the warrior questioned.
⌠The next contact is in seven days. Let me give you an example,■ the leader whispered. She had stones on her desk and put seven into a leather, draw-string pouch. ⌠Each day, remove one. When none are left, you need to tell me your choice.■
⌠I▓ll try,■ the warrior whispered, and then he went to his room, small yet comfortable. And there he thought until he could think no more. When one lonely stone was left inside the pouch, the warrior went to the leader and joined the US Air force without a name.