Xander's Arrival

Posted on Wed Apr 29th, 2026 @ 11:47pm by Technical Sergeant Xander Drake
Edited on on Thu Apr 30th, 2026 @ 12:11am

Mission: Echoes of the Fallen
Location: McMurdo Base
Timeline: Prior to the mission
1148 words - 2.3 OF Standard Post Measure

The loading bay door of the C-130 plane opened as snow lightly fell, gusted by the wind towards the ground. The rear ramp thumped, the muffled noise echoed across for a few moments. Xander walked down from the cargo bay. Pulling his snow jacket together, he shivered slightly from the cold seeping into his body. His medium length brown hair with blonde streaks fluttered across the collar of his thermal coat. His lightly scruffed facial hair hadn't been shaven completely for two days, aside from a few touches, keeping it nice and trimmed. Briefly as he looked across the day-light horizon of Antarctica, a large building caught his eye.

The echoing whine of the plane reached his ears as he walked forward towards the entrance of McMurdo base. One of the guards crossed his path, raising his hand. Xander pulled out his identification, showing him his picture and the name. The guard nodded, opening the door. Cold air clashed with warm air, causing a turbulent gust of wind that blew against him as he entered through the doorway. The wind ruffled his hair, turning it messy. He pushed through, his thoughts echoing in his mind.


Dad?


Xander sighed, pausing adjacent to the hallway as the door closed behind him. Memories surfaced in his head as he unzipped his coat. Removing his glove, he pulled out a photo of his family. Some dark scribbles under each face highlighted their identity. His wife, Erika. His daughter, JV. Twenty. His son. Uly. Sixteen. Memories flashed. The smell of burnt charcoal fresh on his mind. Her voice echoed behind him.

Hey Dad!


The cold wind rushed as Xander stepped to the side, letting another officer past him. He nodded as strands of his medium length hair fell across his crown half obscuring his face while putting his back against the wall. Clutching the photo in his hand, he rubbed his facial hair, closing his eyes as the old memory from three years ago took hold, forcing its way through.


==Flashback Three Years Ago==


Dad, what's going on? Where are you going?

Xander stood before the table in his home. The smell of the burnt charcoal from his furnace wafted past his nostrils. Holding the papers, he hesitated. The words in bold branded the papers. Divorce settlement. Behind him, JV touched the door frame as she leaned against the wall, her raven hair folded behind her back. She waited for his response. Xander turned, replying, “Out.”

Concerned, she narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms, responding, “Where? It’s cold out.”

Sneaking a glance towards the window, Xander noted the snow pelting against the windows of his indoor patio. The cold air mingled with the toasty warmth of the room. He sighed, reading the papers he held in his hand. JV walked over towards him, placing her hand on his shoulder. Looking at them, she replied, “Are you going to sign them?”

Xander noticed the touch, placing his hand on her hand. He replied, “I don’t know. That’s why I need to go out.”

“Dad…”

“Jules,” he sighed, glancing at her, “You don’t understand. I still love her.”

Taking the paper from his hand, she placed it down and pressed her knuckle on the table while standing on her toes. She raised herself to make eye contact with him, replying, “I know, and she still loves you, but you left. Slowly disappearing. Taking care of us, Uly especially. However, lately, you haven’t been available. It’s like you’ve become a ghost. Uly is confused, resenting you. I'm trying to explain, but its hard considering his hearing loss. Aunt True is doing the same, but.”

Xander opened his mouth to speak, but couldn’t find the words. Closing it, he turned away, leaving JV to cross her arms while narrowing her eyes at his retreating back. She spoke, “Dad, stop. You know I love you too. You’re scaring me.”

Xander sighed, pulling his coat from the hanger. Pulling them on, he turned and replied,”I love you too. I just need time.”

Keeping her arms crossed, leaned her body forward, retorting, “You had time. You’ve been separated, God knows how long. But she’s tired of waiting and needs an answer. Now.”

Xander sighed, shaking his head. Turning, he grabbed the doorknob and twisted it. Behind him, JV blurted.

“She found someone else, dad, but she can’t move on without the papers,” Jules replied, tears trickling down her face. Xander paused in his steps. She exhaled, hugging her arms together tightly. She finished, ”If you sign it, she’s free to do as she wants. She can’t wait for you anymore.”

Xander groaned softly, raising his head up. Squeezing the doorknob, he turned to her and replied, “I’m not signing it, Jules. I’m honoring the commitment I made with her.”

“Whe-,” JV exhaled, walking forward as Xander opened the door and walked into the light snowstorm. The door closed gently behind him, locking. Shaking her head, she whispered, “You can’t disappear forever, dad. I see you. I know what you've been up to.”

Keeping her arms folded against her chest, she looked at the divorce papers. Shaking her head, she sniffed, wiping her damp face on her shoulder.


==Present, McMurdo Base==


His hands combed the medium cut hair out of his face as he shook his head before walking forward. Heavy boots echoed on the floor as Xander walked across the corridor inside McMurdo base. Approaching the closed door, he opened it and entered a large hangar bay. Touching the ring on his finger, he adjusted it, moving the cold metal along his finger. Ahead of him, he noted the large, ancient ring with the symbols on it. Several people passed him as he tried to gain their attention, "Excuse me? Can you show-"

An airman accidentally collided with him and muttered an apology, cutting his words short. He kept walking as Xander stumbled a little. He sighed, fidgeting with the order notes in his pocket, the one that tells him to go report in. He wasn't sure to where or to whom. Closing his eyes, he exhaled, gathering his thoughts. Opening his hazel eyes, he locked onto the Stargate before him. Inactive for the moment, he approached the large ancient device slowly, ignoring the heavy steps of the personnel going about their duties.

He whispered as cold, frosty air exhaled from his breath, “I’m not ready to leave, Erika. I’m sorry. I still love you.”

Approaching the ring, he touched the cold metal, his curiosity piqued. Curious about the large structure, he wondered how he’d travel to other planets. In his mind, thoughts about his wife stayed with him. His hazel eyes studied the mysterious symbols on the strange metal.