Launch Day

Posted on Wed May 15th, 2024 @ 9:22pm by Major General Richard Lockhart (Raynor) & Colonel David Hawkins (Raynor) & Lieutenant Colonel Jonathon Raynor & Sterre Forster & Scarlett Hayes Dr. & Chief Petty Officer Marisa Harlan & Petty Officer Second Class Samuel "Bones" Renfroe SARC, EMT-P & Major Amy Ludd

Mission: The Lost City
Location: U.S.S. Gladiator (Daedalus Class)
Timeline: Mission Day 1
4100 words - 8.2 OF Standard Post Measure

Stepping onto the gleaming metal deck of the USS Gladiator, Colonel John Raynor couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement mixed with a hint of apprehension. The Daedalus-class starship stretched out before him, a testament to human ingenuity and determination. It was a far cry from the familiar halls of Stargate Command, but Raynor was ready for the challenge that lay ahead.

Taking a moment to soak in the sight of the massive vessel, Raynor mentally prepared himself for the mission ahead. The Lost City of Atlantis awaited, shrouded in mystery and legend. As the leader of this expedition, it was his responsibility to ensure the success of the operation and the safety of his team.

With a sense of purpose driving him forward, Raynor made his way through the corridors of the Gladiator, nodding in acknowledgment to the crew members he passed. The hum of activity echoed around him, a symphony of preparation as the ship readied itself for departure.

After a brief respite, Raynor made his way to the briefing room, where he was scheduled to meet with General Lockhart. As he entered the room, he offered a crisp salute to the commanding officer, his expression a mixture of determination and anticipation.
After a quick freshen up, Raynor made his way to the briefing room, where General Lockhart was waiting. As he entered, he flashed the general a friendly grin, his demeanor relaxed yet eager.

"Hey there, General Lockhart," Raynor greeted with a casual salute. "Ready to kick some intergalactic butt and uncover some ancient secrets?"

General Lockhart returned Raynor's grin with a nod, his gaze sweeping over the impressive surroundings of the USS Gladiator. Despite his years of experience, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the sight of the advanced starship.

"Colonel Raynor, good to see you," Lockhart said, his voice carrying the weight of authority tempered with a touch of warmth. "Indeed, we're about to embark on quite the journey. Atlantis has been a dream of ours for years, and now we finally have the chance to uncover its secrets."

He stepped forward, offering a firm handshake to Raynor. "I won't be joining you on this one, but I'll be here to ensure the mission gets off to a smooth start. You and your team are well-prepared for whatever challenges may come your way. Make us proud out there, Colonel."

Raynor chuckled, returning Lockhart's handshake firmly. "Well, General, I'll do my best, but I can't promise anything. You know how unpredictable these missions can be."

As more team members began to filter into the briefing room, Raynor clapped Lockhart lightly on the shoulder. "But hey, if things go south, at least we'll have a good story to tell back home, right?"

Lockhart grinned at the jest, nodding in agreement. "That's the spirit, Colonel. Just make sure it's a story with a happy ending."

With a final nod of assurance, Lockhart turned his attention to new arriving members.

Scarlett entered the room looking around as she made her way around to a seat. She offered both Raynor and Lockhart a polite smile and a nod.

"Doctor Hayes, welcome," general Lockhart nodded as he stepped up to the young woman before them. "I assume you were able to find your guest quarters and your way around the ship. What do you think of it?"

Scarlett offered a polite smile. “I found them just fine, thank you Sir. The ship is...amazing, for want of another word!” She grinned.

Samuel made his way into the room, nodding to those already present, "Would have been here sooner, but the lay is little different the carries I used to be on.”

Scarlett offered Samuel a polite smile as she looked in his direction.

"Yes well," John spoke up as he scratched his head a little before continuing. "I would hope that after years of designing and new technologies, we could design a starship to be more spacious then a carrier."

Feeling like she was probably late, Sterre nearly tripped upon entering the room. Convinced that her face was flushed she parked herself in a seat and prayed that no one would say anything to her for a minute so she could compose herself.

General Lockhart turned his attention to Scarlett, a hint of pride evident in his expression as she expressed her admiration for the ship. "Glad to hear you're impressed, Doctor. The USS Gladiator is indeed a marvel of modern engineering."

Scarlett smiled politely. “I guess time will tell just how the ship fares for us.”


"Let's hope so, Doctor," a new voice chimed in as three figures entered the room clad in flight suits. The leader, a man with a clean-cut, muscular build, stood just over six feet tall. Despite the suit concealing most of his physique, his sturdy neck betrayed his strength.

"Colonel," Raynor greeted with a grin, nodding in acknowledgment.

"Colonel," the newcomer reciprocated, casting a nod towards the general. "General."

"Colonel," the general acknowledged with a nod of his own.

A slight smirk played on the new colonel's lips as he took his place at the opposite end of the table. "Apologies for our tardiness. We had some loose ends to tie up on the flight deck. Just waiting on the final supplies to be beamed up and your green light to launch, General. Homeworld Command has already given us clearance."

"Everyone, this is Colonel David Hawkins, Commanding Officer of the Gladiator," the general introduced, addressing the group. "Thank you for the update. Once the last of us arrives, we can commence with this briefing."

Sterre looked towards both men. She had been around Military men some, certainly more since her arrival than she ever had before. She wondered about the differences between them and how they were the same. They had an air about them. Power, they felt powerful. Interestingly she noted that Raynor had felt different to her as he'd escorted her into the base. He was more relaxed. Perhaps because he had been in the presence of a civilian anthropologist, she wasn't sure but she knew she liked that about him.

After Sterre sat down,a few moments later, the doors opened and a woman strode in, her gait was one of confidence. Upon her head she wore a baseball cap which was dark blue in color, and it said United States Navy arched above a bee that had a hat and was carrying a weapon. Below that bee were the words seabee, and on the brim it said, 'Can Do'. She quickly removed the hat and tucked it under her arm, it being a contrast to the marine style uniform. Smoothing down a tendril of blonde hair which escaped the French braid, she moved towards the table the others were seated at. She slid into a seat next to Sterre giving a nod towards the woman then towards the higher ups. "My apologies for being late Sirs, Ma'am."

"You're right on time," the general acknowledged the newcomers before casting a glance at Raynor. The team structure for the Stargate program was still in flux, but Raynor remained at the helm of the field units. The addition of new personnel signaled the impending need to formalize exploration teams. However, with the tasks ahead, they needed to ensure swift organization.

Across the board, leadership was eager to expand rapidly, capitalizing on the strides made in gathering information. With so much potential ahead, they aimed to streamline operations as swiftly as possible.

Their thoughts were interrupted as they heard small pitter patter of foot steps before two asgards walked in and around the group. "We apologize for our lateness. We wanted to ensure that your systems are working with the Asgard systems as well."

"We thank you for this, Chief Kormak," Colonel Hawkins nodded to the lead asgard.

"The Daedalus was more difficult. We were able to improve on the integration process. How do you say it, Colonel?" the asgard chief asked as he looked at the ship's commander. "Only time will tell?"

A slight smirk came over the colonel's face before he nodded in agreement.

"I believe we are ready, General," Kormak replied as he looked up at the general.

Major Carter was late, she knew she was late and still she was rushing through the ship. A logistical snafu had pulled her to the main cargo holds in order to find and hurt the offending officer. She had kept her cool while she investigated only to discover that a computer error... or likely an input error dirtside had sent them 12 pallets of spray cheese instead of 12 cases. She had considered dumping the lot and shooting whoever had ordered spray cheese but it wasn't her job to police the eating habits of the ships crew!

Anyway, she was now on her way to the meeting having radioed the colonel when the problem had popped up, she still didn't like being late and so she slipped in quietly and took a seat switching her radio to emergency only.


"Excellent. Let's begin," Lockhart announced, directing his attention to an airman stationed in the corner. With a nod, the large monitor transitioned from displaying the Gladiator emblem to showcasing images of the Milky Way galaxy and their current position within it.

"Over 13 years ago, we all remember the devastating attack on Earth by Ba'al's Armada. We faced initial struggles but rebounded, leading to the establishment of Homeworld Command and the United Earth Organization. Since then, our efforts have surged forward, fueled by the wealth of information at our disposal. Our alliance with the Asgard, coupled with insights from alternate reality visitors, propelled us beyond our world's boundaries. We've expanded our reach, utilizing advanced technology and our own ingenuity to explore other worlds independently of the Stargate network. Our successes have been kept clandestine until now, as we prepare to venture into the galaxy while fortifying our defenses."

"As many of you are aware, our victory against the armada relied on a power source discovered in ancient Egypt. This enabled us to activate the Ancient Outpost's formidable weapon system. However, it came at the cost of depleting our supply of drone weapons. Now, for the first time since that pivotal moment, we have the opportunity to replenish our arsenal. Homeworld Command and the UEI fully endorse the upcoming mission. However, our knowledge of Ancient weapon systems is limited to a single location," Lockhart paused, signaling to the monitor before pressing a button on the remote he held. The image of the galaxy zoomed out, revealing another similar galaxy.

"But that location lies in the Pegasus Galaxy."

Carter became aware that her mouth was open and rectified that! "How long will it take to get there? We gonna have a gate connection back to Earth from that far away?" She had a million more question but she feared they would go over her head, she was a leader and a scout, the technical side of things was beyond her, though she was learning.

"According to my calculations," Kormak, the lead Asgard, interjected, his tone measured and authoritative. "Utilizing the zero-point module to power the Asgard hyperdrive, the Gladiator is projected to reach the designated destination in a mere four days. However, without it, our journey would extend significantly, spanning approximately three weeks."

"And we will be keeping the ZPM? If it is also needed for gate travel, or hell to power Atlantis... the Gladiator is only going to have her standard drive. What will be in place if back up or retreat is needed in a hurry?" She always ended up playing devils advocate and was used to it now. However, this did seem somewhat exciting, she was Human after all and the drive to explore was hard wired.

"It seems someone's been delving into classified files," John remarked, glancing up from his seat before offering an apologetic nod. "Apologies, sir."

The general acknowledged the comment with a brief blink before returning his focus to the major. "Indeed. As some of you may or may not be aware, one of the key revelations from our encounters with the alternate reality SG team pertained to the existence of the ancient city known as Atlantis."

"Ah, the Lost City of Atlantis," Colonel David Hawkins chimed in, providing clarification for those gathered around the ship's conference table.

Carter released her fubar too late. She often got ahead of herself, though she did note that her concerns hadn't been addressed yet and decided it would be wiser to stay quite. While a British Army Soldier she was seconded to the SGC, at best she could be sent home.

Scarlett looked around those gathered. “Atlantis has been a mystery for a very long time. The legend of a city, reportedly of an advanced civilization. A story about a moral, spiritual people who lived in a highly advanced, utopian civilization. It’s said they became greedy, petty, and it angered the gods. In return the city was destroyed. People have been hunting for it for a very long time, with no success.”

"Correct me if I am wrong, but Atlantis was supposed to have been destroyed by the ocean," Hawkins spoke up as he thought outload.

All Marisa could do was sort of try not to stare when she saw for the first time Asgardians. She was feeling like she had stepped into the Twilight Zone, feeling that things had just taken on a surreal turn. She was going to be going out into the stars? With this group?! Holey moley! The adage of eyes going the size of saucers would fit Marisa right now. She could feel her skin prickle up with goosebumps, discreetly pinching herself to make certain she wasn't dreaming. "ouch" she said softly knowing that this wasn't a dream. She leaned towards Sterre, "Atlantis, the Atlantis?" Maris said in a excited whisper.

Sterre nodded absentmindedly. "Earthquakes and floods and the land sunk into the sea as divine punishment for declining ethics and attacks on Africa and Egypt if I remember correctly." She replied. "But after 10,000 years give or take, a few things are going to get lost in translation especially since they didn't write it down until the time of Plato." It was one of the first stories she heard as a child, the mysteries of civilizations were what almost made her go into archaeology instead of anthropology.

"Oh my gosh that is great. I would have loved to see the architecture of how they built things there." Marisa quietly answered. "Sad though about the loss of that civilization." she added. She turned her attention back towards the briefing and those that were gathered there.

Carter wasn't sure how much the General wanted to tell, but if Atlantis was ready an ancient city it was bound to be much much more than a human city was, but she kept her mouth shut for the time being. They would all soon find out soon enough. Exploring an ancient city was gonna be fun as well.

"Allow me to provide some historical context," General Lockhart began, his commanding presence capturing the attention of everyone in the room. "According to our debriefings, Atlantis is indeed accessible through our Stargate, provided we can supply it with a substantial power source, such as a Zero Point Module or ZPM. However, as with many legends, truth is often intertwined with myth."

"Atlantis, known as the Lost City of the Ancients, stands as a testament to their ingenuity and advanced civilization," Lockhart continued, his words painting a vivid picture of the awe-inspiring city-ship. "Comparable in size to Manhattan, Atlantis served as the capital of the Ancients' civilization after their exodus from the Milky Way galaxy to Pegasus. They established their new home on a planet they named Lantea."

"After submerging Atlantis to protect it from the Wraith threat, the Ancients returned to Earth through the Stargate," Lockhart elaborated, underlining the significance of their journey. "Throughout the ages, their story inspired the Tau'ri myth of Atlantis, a poignant reminder of the enduring legacy left by the Ancients."

Colonel Hawkins, commander of the Gladiator, nodded thoughtfully at Lockhart's briefing. "Impressive history indeed, General. It's fascinating to consider the implications of accessing such a significant piece of Ancient technology."

Lt. Col Raynor, sitting nearby, offered a slight grin. "It's like stepping into a legend, isn't it, Colonel? Makes you wonder what other wonders are waiting out there for us to discover."

Marisa hadn't said anything yet as she was still just trying to absorb all of the information that was being tossed out there. Though there was a question she had. "So do we need to power that access
point in order to gain access to the city of Atlantis? And just need some sort of power source, is there an example of this ZPM, Sirs?"


"Based on the information we have received, Atlantis was discovered submerged at the bottom of the ocean," General Lockhart addressed the room, his tone authoritative yet attentive. "Our understanding suggests that the power supply maintaining the shield is operating at capacity, potentially indicating a risk of flooding within the city."

"Regarding our power capabilities," Lockhart continued, gesturing towards the screen as the Colonel advanced the slides. "This is a Naquadah generator, Mark III. Thanks to the collaboration with the Asgard, we've made significant advancements in perfecting and upgrading this technology. Currently, Stargate Command relies on two Mark II generators for its operations. We've brought aboard three Mark III generators for this mission, and the Daedalus will provide additional supplies, including more generators and essential equipment."

"In terms of power output," the Asgard interjected, casting comparative data onto the screen. "The Mark II generator exhibits an impressive 600% increase in power output compared to the Mark I, albeit with a tendency for rapid depletion. It's noteworthy that two Mark IIs can temporarily sustain an Ancient control chair, a task usually reserved for a ZPM."

"With our recommendations for the development of the Mark III generator," the Asgard continued, his voice resonating with authority, "while it may not match the Mark II in raw power, it offers a significantly improved sustainability when utilized in series. This allows for a much safer and reliable power supply. Our calculations indicate that a series of Mark III generators should be capable of powering Atlantis's shield generator in emergencies, although not with the same longevity as the zero point modules."

"Will I be able to have a look at the designs, sirs? I am intrigued by the power source that you have presented, and I would like to get familiarized with it" Marisa looking directly at the Asgardians there, then glanced over towards Lockhart as well as Hawkins then back to the Asgardians.

The Asgard blinked, processing Marisa's request, before turning its gaze towards General Lockhart. Lockhart met Marisa's inquiry with a nod and a reassuring smile.

"Certainly, Chief," Lockhart replied, his tone accommodating. "You'll have full access to the designs, along with the rest of the SGC personnel assigned to this mission. Feel free to familiarize yourself with the technology."

“I can’t wait to see what we find out there” Scarlett offered a smile. “I was only a Tok’ra host for a short time, but the wonders I saw through that connection still fill me with awe and wonder. I can recall some of the images, but not the details regarding them unfortunately.”

Marisa gave an excited nod towards Lockhart, "Thank you sir," then turned her attention to Scarlett. "You were a Tok'ra host?" For a woman who was 38, Marisa wasn't feeling like she was that age. She instead was feeling like a kid in a candy shop being shown so many wonders.

“Forgive me” Scarlett blushed. “There are times my memories become...confused.” She paused. “Allow me to clarify...my mother was a host when she was pregnant with me. Somehow my memories and that of her symbiont became one, they both died during childbirth. Shani gave her life to try and save my mother, I think maybe part of her, her essence became part of me. I do have naquadah in my blood, I believe it’s the substance the Gate is made from.”

"Indeed it is," Kormak spoke before blinking looking around the room.

Lockhart glanced around the room, ensuring that everyone was attentive before laying out the final plan. "Our objective is clear: locate the planet where Atlantis is believed to be submerged, travel via the Gladiator to the designated coordinates, and secure the city for an upcoming permanent expedition. With the Asgard's assistance and the data we've gathered, we have a solid foundation for this mission."

"Colonel Hawkins will oversee operations aboard the Gladiator, ensuring that all systems are functioning optimally for our journey. Chief Harlan will oversee technical aspects and ensure that our equipment is in top condition," Lockhart continued, assigning roles with precision.

"Dr. Hayes, along with her team from her department, will provide valuable insight into any scientific discoveries we may encounter," Lockhart acknowledged, recognizing the importance of Scarlett's expertise.

"Colonel Raynor will lead the ground team upon arrival to establish a secure perimeter and begin our search for Atlantis," Lockhart concluded, his gaze sweeping across the room. "Together, we will uncover the secrets of Atlantis and ensure its protection for generations to come," He paused as he looked around the room. "Any questions, any at all?"

"Actually, I do have question, this lovely lady you are seated by, what will she be doing?" looking towards Sterre then to Lockhart. "I do not know if she had been mentioned." It was a matter for Marisa to know just who everyone was."

"Ah, Sterre here is an anthropologist," Colonel Raynor replied with a warm smile, acknowledging Sterre's presence beside him. "She's been with us for a short while now, and she's been invaluable in helping us understand the cultures and societies we encounter out there. Right now, she's still getting settled into the team, but her expertise will definitely come in handy as we explore Atlantis and its surroundings. Plus, she's got a knack for keeping us grounded when things get a bit too... out there, shall we say."

Sterre raised her eyebrows at this, wondering just how far "Out there" was for them. But she appreciated his kind words all the same.

He glanced over at Sterre, offering her a nod of appreciation before turning back to Harlan. "Still putting teams together, but we will figure that out hopefully soon. For now, exploration hasn't really been the top priority. Rather, it has been gathering information and securing our defensive capabilities."

Carter had already been given most of this information so she mainly remained quiet. She will need to finalize the search teams but that could wait. One thing that had remained undecided at the time of her briefing "Will the Gladiator remain on station at Atlantis? If so how long?" or had she zoned out at some point and missed that information. "And will the ZPM be transferred to Atlantis or remain with the ship?"

Colonel Hawkins listened to Carter's question and offered a brief response, "As much as I'd like to stay optimistic, let's not count our chickens before they hatch. Our primary focus is locating Atlantis, and if by some miracle we do, our next steps will depend on its condition and potential threats. As for the Gladiator, we'll remain in orbit for as long as necessary to support the mission. As for the ZPM, we'll decide its placement based on operational requirements and the situation on the ground."

Marisa gave a nod of thanks towards Colonel Hawkins, "Thank you." then turned her attention towards Carter.

With the plan laid out and roles assigned, Lockhart nodded to the group. "Let's make history, team. Prepare for departure. Atlantis awaits."

Scarlett rose from her seat ready to go and get organized, this was going to be exciting!

At what seemed to be a dismissal from Lockhart, Marisa was out of her chair as well.

John walked over to Harlan, gesturing for her to follow him to the side of the room. With a playful grin, he led her to a more secluded area.

"Hey, Marisa," John said, his tone light and jovial. "Let's get you some new uniforms, what do ya say?"

Marisa looked down at her uniform then looked at Raynor. "Sure lets get that done." After all she was going onto a new team. "Lead the way Colonel"

Amy nodded "Okay, prepare for the worst hope for the best" she had expected that.



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