Atlantis
San Fransisco Bay
Kaleb, Madison, and Jeanie Miller rematerialize at the base of Stargate Operations as the bright flashes from the transporters fade. They stand in silence for a moment, their eyes adjusting to their surroundings. Kaleb, carrying his daughter Madison, smiles, experiencing for the first time the sensation of being disassembled and reassembled by an alien technology far more advanced than anything he's known.
He's seen a few episodes of Star Trek on television but never considered himself a fan. As an academic and teacher, not a space traveler, this was beyond his wildest expectations. He holds Madison close to his chest, feeling his heart beat faster than ever before. Madison, in awe, looks around with wide eyes, taking in the grandeur of the gleaming metal corridors and the hustle of uniformed people.
"Daddy," Madison whispers, her voice barely audible as she clutches Kaleb's shirt. "Let me down."
Kaleb gently places her on the ground, her eyes still darting around the unfamiliar space.
Kaleb blew out a sigh of disbelief, inhaling the fresh air from San Francisco Bay. Jeanie, on the other hand, had visited Atlantis several times in the Pegasus Galaxy. Now, with the cityship anchored in San Francisco Bay, she routinely beams to the city to work on power generation.
"You okay, babe?" Jeanie asks her husband.
Kaleb nods, still processing the new reality. "I think so." He swallows hard. "It's... incredible."
They are greeted by Dr. Richard Woolsey, the base commander, who jogs down the stairway from Stargate Operations, extending a hand to Kaleb.
"Welcome to Atlantis," Richard Woolsey says, shaking his hand. "You must be Kaleb Miller."
"Yes," Kaleb replies, his voice slightly shaky as he returns the handshake, "and you must be Richard Woolsey." He gestures towards Jeanie.
"Your first time teleporting?" Dr. Woolsey asks with a knowing smile.
"You could say that," Kaleb laughs nervously. "It's definitely an experience I wasn't expecting to have today."
"Yes," Dr. Woolsey chuckles, "I remember my first time too. Quite the rush, isn't it?" He looks down at Madison, her eyes still wide with wonder. "And who's this little explorer?"
"Madison." Madison hides behind her father's legs, peeking out at the new face. "Madison Miller," Kaleb clarifies with a smile, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Well, I hope you like your new home for the time being," Dr. Woolsey's smile widens as he glances around. "I'm sure it's quite the change from your university life."
"New home?" Kaleb's eyebrows furrow in confusion as he looks around the bustling control room of Atlantis. The thought had not crossed his mind. "What do you mean by that?"
Jeanie lets out a smile and giggles at her husband. "About that?" She looks at Madison with a twinkle in her eyes. "Remember I told you I got a new job?"
"Yes, you mentioned free childcare, healthcare, and free transportation," Kaleb says, his gaze still locked on the unfamiliar surroundings. "But you didn't mention it's thousands of miles from our house."
"Well," Jeanie says, her smile turning into a laugh, "It's part of the perks." She looks down at Madison. "What do you think?"
Madison's eyes light up as she looks around, the vast room filled with screens, lights, and people in uniforms capturing her imagination. She nods vigorously, her curiosity outweighing initial shyness.
"What will I be doing here?" Kaleb asks Dr. Woolsey.
"Ah, yes," Dr. Woolsey nods, his eyes brightening with enthusiasm. "You're an English major, I take it?"
"Yes," Kaleb confirms, "I specialize in 19th-century literature, specifically the works of Charles Dickens."
"Well, make more room in your brain," Dr. Woolsey winks at Madison. "Once Atlantis is disclosed to the public, we need professors to teach our people here about Earth's history, starting from several million years ago."
"Me? Teach history?" Kaleb is surprised. "But I'm not a historian; I'm a literature professor."
"Don't worry," Dr. Woolsey reassures him, "You'll learn the language of the Ancients, the history of this city, and the many cultures we've encountered. We'll provide all the resources and support you need." He looks back at Jeanie. "Once you're situated in your quarters, come see me at my office."
"Quarters, sir?" Kaleb repeats, his eyes widening even further at the thought of living in such an alien place.
"I'll leave you three to it," Woolsey says as he slowly walks up the steps to his office.
Kaleb nods, his mind racing with the sudden turn of events. Madison, ever curious, tugs at his shirt. "Daddy, can we explore?"
"Not yet, Maddie," Kaleb says, "We need to get settled first."
Jeanie clasps her hands together with a smile. "You want to see our quarters?"
"Quarters?" Madison echoes, her voice filled with excitement.
"Yes, honey," Jeanie says, "It's like a tiny house, just for us, but inside this big city spaceship!"
"Does it have a nice view?" Kaleb asks his wife.
"You bet," Jeanie smirks, "An ocean-front view of the Golden Gate Bridge."
As they leave Stargate Operations, they enter the transport chamber. Kaleb expects to press a button on an advanced elevator, but there isn't one. As the door slides closed, a touchscreen panel opens, revealing the city's schematic. Jeanie hovers her index finger over the East Pier of the city and taps.
"Here we go," Jeanie says with a grin as the transporter door opens.
"Uhm, where here?" Kaleb asks.
The doors of the transport chamber slide open, revealing a hallway that's more like a swanky hotel corridor than the austere living quarters one might expect at a high-security military base. Dim lights line the walls, casting a warm glow on the sleek, metallic surfaces. Madison's eyes sparkle with excitement as she absorbs the scene.
"Yes, our quarters are at the end of this hallway," Jeanie announces, her voice bubbly with anticipation. "You're gonna love how cozy they are."
"I'm hungry," Madison announces abruptly, her stomach echoing her sentiment.
"I know, sweetheart," Kaleb replies, his tone soothing yet tinged with the thrill of the unknown.
As they reach the door, Kaleb, fresh to the ways of this extraordinary city, watches as Jeanie waves her hand over a blue light, a gesture he's seen others make. He mimics it, and with a satisfying whoosh, the door slides open to reveal their new home. The living area is expansive, with a panoramic window offering a stunning view of the Golden Gate Bridge. There's a plush couch, a modest dining table, and a kitchenette. Madison squeals, racing towards the window, her tiny hands pressing against the glass.
Jeanie heads to the countertop where a gray 13-inch pad comes to life with a holographic display in the language of the Ancients. "Madison, what would you like for breakfast?"
Madison, still captivated by the view, turns, jumping up and down, clapping enthusiastically. "Pancakes!"
Kaleb, still grappling with the reality of this futuristic tech, watches in awe as the display illuminates with a menu. He marvels at Jeanie's ease. "Pancakes it is," she laughs, swiping her hand over the holographic image. The pad beeps, and soon, the aroma of fresh pancakes wafts through the room. A compartment slides open, revealing a tray with a steaming stack.
"Wow," Kaleb murmurs, his astonishment mixed with a dash of apprehension.
"Before we had these Star Trek replicator-like food synthesizers," Jeanie explains, placing the tray on the coffee table, "the IOA was spending billions on food. The Daedalus and the Apollo would take weeks to deliver supplies. Now, we can whip up anything we fancy anytime."
Madison's eyes light up at the sight, her hunger pushing her curiosity aside. She scrambles onto a chair, waiting for Kaleb to assist her. He lifts her up, her little legs swinging.
"The Ancients kept this tech in storage for millennia," Jeanie continues, setting the plate in front of Madison. "Before they fled the Pegasus Galaxy for Earth after losing the war with the Wraith!"
Kaleb nods, trying to wrap his head around the history lesson. Madison, however, is too engrossed in her breakfast to care.
"Wraith?" Kaleb echoes, a note of concern in his voice. He sits beside his daughter, watching her douse her pancakes in syrup. "Maddie, you're pouring too much syrup. Remember what happens?"
"Don't worry," Jeanie reassures, sitting across from Madison, "There's no additives here, just pure organic food synthesized at the molecular level."
Kaleb nods, the name 'Wraith' adding another layer to this already bizarre day.
"You okay?" Jeanie checks, noting his worried expression.
Kaleb nods, his eyes on Madison's syrupy delight. "I guess so. It's just..." He pauses, searching for words.
Jeanie reaches across, her hand comforting on his. "I know it's a lot to take in," she says softly. "If President Hayes and Prime Minister Marks hadn't given you security clearance, you wouldn't be here with me."
Kaleb inhales deeply, his gaze drifting to the window. "It's not that."
"Then what is it?" Jeanie's tone is now laced with concern.
"Maddie's toys and clothes, I didn't pack them," Kaleb admits with a playful grin.
Jeanie laughs, giving him a gentle punch on the shoulder. Kaleb rubs his arm with a smile as she returns to the synthesizer, ordering him a vegan meal. "Don't worry, we'll get everything sorted out. This place has more surprises than you can imagine."
Senator Bettsy Farnsworth lies in her medical bed, her mind swirling with confusion and terror. The room around her is sterile, almost alien, filled with men and women in military fatigues, their hips adorned with strange, unfamiliar weapons. She notices the flag patches on their shoulders — not just the Stars and Stripes, but also flags from South Africa, Great Britain, Australia, and, startlingly, Russia.
"Russian?" she murmurs to herself, her voice barely a whisper. Her thoughts are anchored in the Cold War era, where distrust of Russians was ingrained. Yet, she knows the world has evolved; still, the sight of that patch sends a shiver through her.
Her hand moves to her forehead where she feels an odd device, something she recalls the Scottish doctor mentioning. Her gaze shifts to him as he enters with an unfamiliar alien device in hand.
"Senator," Dr. Carson Beckett greets her, his voice warm with concern as he steps to her bedside. "How are you doing, sweetheart?"
Senator Farnsworth takes a deep breath, "I've been better," she replies, her voice steadier than she feels. "Where am I?"
"You're on Atlantis," Dr. Beckett says gently. "A city built by the Ancients."
"Who?" Bettsy asks, her confusion palpable. She hadn't reached this part of the intelligence briefing when President Hayes had initiated full disclosure.
"The Ancients," Dr. Beckett explains patiently. "They were our ancestors, seeding life on Earth and other planets in the Milky Way before they left for the Pegasus Galaxy."
Her eyes search his face for any hint of deception, but she finds only sincerity. "Sorry, doctor," she says, pulling her white bed covers up to her shoulders. "I've only been briefed on a top-secret project recently. I haven't gotten to Atlantis yet."
Dr. Beckett nods understandingly, hovering his device over her body, the results appearing on a pad he holds. "You are clear of the Goa'uld symbiote," he says, offering a comforting smile. "There's some good news."
"What's that?" Bettsy asks, her smile cautious, her brow furrowed. She wasn't ready for good news just yet.
"It means the symbiote has been successfully removed," Dr. Beckett continues. "Thanks to the Tok'ra."
Again, her eyes scan his face, finding nothing but truth in his words.
"There was a cancerous cell around your pituitary gland," Dr. Beckett adds, his eyes on the medical readings. "We were able to remove it and synthesize a cure."
"You're saying I'm cancer-free?" she asks, a glimmer of hope in her voice.
"Yes, Senator," Dr. Beckett confirms with a nod. "Thanks to the Tok'ra and the Ancient medical database, we managed to remove the symbiote and treat the cancer. You're going to be fine."
Her gaze once more sweeps the room. "Why are there Russians here?"
Dr. Beckett steps closer, his voice steady and reassuring. "The world has changed, Senator. We're all allies here."