Stargate: Beyond the Horizon
20 Feb 2007 09:15 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
misaffectionSo I've been chewing over the events of SG1's The Road Not Taken and started pondering as to what happened at the Alternative SGC after Sam left it.
And in pondering, I came up with an idea. It's not safe, it's not clever... but it is very big. See? In TRNT, Atlantis hadn't been discovered, SG1 are scattered and when Sam leaves her position at the SGC has fallen to Rodney McKay...
There are, obviously, large spoilers for The Road Not Taken.
The bright, white light faded, leaving the room barren and dim in its absence. Rodney McKay dropped the hand he'd used to shield his eyes from the glare and stared at the empty space, awed that the experiment had worked.
“Whoa,” Doctor Lee breathed. “It really worked.”
“So it did,” Rodney replied, though the sarcasm he'd intended fell flat. The victory left a hollow feeling; now that Sam was gone, he had to face certain truths, most of which were unpleasant.
Like his Sam being dead...
Swallowing hard, Rodney spun on his heel and walked back to the lab. While the alternative version of his ex-wife had been here he had been able to ignore the little things, like the organised chaos she left in her wake, the slight fragrance of her perfume that hung in the air... and the photograph on the side.
He picked it up, squashing the sour roll of his stomach as he looked at the woman who'd promised to forsake all others and then cheated on him with her commanding officer. He let out a slow breath, forcing the anger and bitterness her betrayal still caused out with it. It was the past; four years ago since he'd found out, three years since the divorce. She'd moved on, he'd moved on... or he'd thought he had. Maybe it was the fact she'd been killed and he would never know why now.
A knock on the door frame – the door itself had been left open – roused Rodney from his maudlin thoughts. He glanced up to see a female officer hovering nervously. He dropped the photograph onto the side.
“Yes?”
“General Hammond said to inform you t-that the memorial service for-for Major Carter, will be in
ten minutes si- I mean, Doctor.”
“Thank you.”
“Would you- do you need me to escort you to the Gateroom?” she stuttered.
“What? No, no.” Rodney made a shooing motion with a hand. “Go. I know the way.”
“Right. Okay sir. Doctor.”
Rodney watched her go and then shook his head in wry amusement. He went over to the laptop the alternative Sam had been working on and accessed the notes she'd left him. There were several pages on Merlin's device, but he scrolled through them and kept going. After a couple of blank pages he found more notes, not on the device but, as he had expected, on Atlantis and the expedition.
He sank onto the chair as he scanned quickly through the notes. She'd given him the gate address and briefly explained how that could only be reached if extra power was sent to the Stargate; she covered the original discovery and how the city was under water, protected by a shield, and detailed the first trip to a world in the Pegasus Galaxy and the Wraith.
It was riveting reading, and exciting, though her description of the Wraith made his blood run cold. Rodney sat back, considering what he'd read so far. Then he realised he'd gotten over involved and there was somewhere else he should be right now.
~ ~ ~
The Gateroom was lit by the overhead lamps, the strips that ran up the ramp and the shimmering event horizon. Those that worked at the SGC stood in starched lines of dress blues, still and silent as General Hammond walked onto the ramp and turned to face them.
“Major Samantha Carter...” His voice came out choked and he paused and coughed. “Sam was a well-respected and well-loved member of Stargate Command. Her work gave us the Stargate Program, opening up a whole universe of exploration and possibilities. And when some of those possibilities included attack by other planets, she helped to defend Earth.
“It was in trying to find another way to protect the planet that Sam was killed. Her loss goes beyond loosing a vital member of the team. Most of us gathered here counted Sam as a friend, to some she was more. And she will be greatly missed.”
General Hammond walked down the ramp and stood to one side. Rodney stepped forward then, accepting the wreath from Major Lorne. He made the briefest of eye contact with Lorne, who flinched slightly and dropped his gaze. Rodney turned without a word and walked up the ramp until he was stood in front of the Stargate.
For a moment, as he stared the the rippling surface that was the visible aspect of a wormhole, Rodney forgot why he was there. He reached out with his left hand and touched the event horizon and was surprised to feel resistance, as if it had a skin. He had no idea where the address that had been dialled went to, but he had the sudden urge to step through and see.
Understanding what if was his wife had been going on about all those years brought Rodney rapidly to what he was meant to be doing. The wreath suddenly felt heavy in his right hand and he was no longer sure he could do this; to let the wreath rest against the horizon and then to let it go. To let Sam go.
The wave of grief caught him unaware but he was too conscious of the eyes of those in the room to allow himself to crack now. Lifting his hand, he placed the wreath against the event horizon until he could feel a tug. Then he closed his eyes and released it.
There was a noise similar to that of a stone being dropped into a well and then a soft whomp as the wormhole disengaged, causing a slight breath of air to whisper over Rodney's face. He opened his eyes again. The room seemed darker now.
“Goodbye Sam,” he murmured quietly. He remained there for a moment longer and then turned back to the room.
Nobody met his eyes as he walked back down the ramp. He paused and looked at Hammond. “Thank you, General,” he said. The man nodded in response and Rodney glanced at Lorne. He started past him and then stopped again.
“Oh. Lorne?”
“Yes Rodney?”
He turned quickly and his right fist caught Lorne on the jaw. The major sprawled to the floor. Rodney rubbed his knuckles. “I've waited four years to do that,” he remarked calmly as Lorne rolled onto his back and stared up at him in shock. “I feel so much better now.” Rodney looked at Hammond. “I would apologise...” he said and, leaving it hanging there, walked out of the Gateroom.
~ ~ ~
The fact much of SGC's personnel was assembled in the Gateroom meant the mess was virtually empty. Rodney opted for what he thought appeared to be lasagne and got a coffee. After a second thought he also asked for some water with ice. The server gave him an odd look, but handed him a glass. Rodney put it on his tray and went to a table.
The coffee was too hot and the lasagne was tepid, but he was too hungry to really care. Halfway through, Rodney shook out the napkin and scooped the ice out of the water, then folded the fabric round. He then held the icepack against his bruised knuckles, wincing slightly. It hurt, but he thought the pain well worth it.
Rodney knew he was going to catch hell from Hammond for decking the leader of the SGC's prime team, but... He grinned when he recalled the look on Lorne's face – yeah it was definitely worth it.
He'd just about finished his dinner when the general walked in. He watched how the man stopped in the doorway and looked round, and then headed straight for his table. Rodney swallowed his mouthful and quickly scrambled to his feet.
“General,” he said and then wondered what to add to that. He couldn't rightly apologise when he really wasn't sorry. Well he could, but he knew Hammond would see straight through him.
“Sit down doctor,” General Hammond said wearily. Rodney sank back down and Hammond followed suit. “Just so you know, Major Lorne has opted not to press any charges.”
“Oh. Well... If I'm honest, sir, I'd not thought that far through it.”
“I gathered that. And, whilst we're being honest, I do understand your personal feelings. However, I cannot allow personal feelings to dictate actions within this facility.”
“I-I'm sorry for not choosing the best moment for... venting my spleen.”
“Apology accepted.” Hammond watched Rodney for a moment and then sighed. “What do you plan to do now, Rodney? While Major Lorne is willing to let that incident go... I doubt he'd be so forgiving if it happened to occur again.”
“It was kind of a one-off... I think. Maybe you're right; maybe I ought to find pastures new.” Rodney paused and weighed his options. “Sam – I mean – the other Sam, told me about somewhere called Atlantis. Did she mention this to you?”
“Yes, she did. She told me that, in her reality, there was an international contingent sent to find out more about the Ancients. They even hoped to make contact. Why do you ask?”
“Because she left me some notes on it and from what I've read so far... General, Merlin's device will work and it'll probably fool the Ori once, maybe twice. We need something else, something more. I believe that Atlantis is the answer to that.”
“You could very well be right. So what do you propose?”
“To take an international contingent there,” Rodney stated, watching the general for his response. He sat there and, much to Rodney's surprise, nodded slowly.
“Very well.”
“Very well?” he echoed in disbelief.
“As you pointed out, Doctor, the Merlin Device is only likely to fool the Ori for a limited time. We do need something more; even if that's just hope. I'll recommend this plan of action to the president on your behalf. I still hold some sway in the Oval Office after all.”
Rodney was stunned. “Thank you.”
“Don't thank me too soon, Rodney – this excursion is going to be your responsibility. You'll have to find yourself a command team and you'll have to choose a military contingant, much as that probably pains you.”
“Of course,” he replied quickly. “I understand the need for a military presence; I believe that on the... other Atlantis there's a shared leadership between the civilian and military heads. If it's been done once, I don't see any reason why it can't do done again.”
“Nor do I. Well, I can provide you with profiles of everyone working within the SGC and with the relevant security clearence. Those you think suitable for the expedition can be brought here.”
Rodney looked up. “No, no, no,” he said. “I need to move to Area 51, where the Ancient Chair is.”
“Why?”
“Because I need to find people that can work it. According to Sam's report, there are others that can, a few of whom to the level Colonel O'Neill managed. Apparently I need people that can operate Ancient devices - which given that Atlantis is an Ancient city, isn't that surprising.”
“No,” Hammond agreed, standing. “Very well, Doctor. I'll arrange for your transfer to Area 51 and I'll ensure that the reports I mentioned get to you as soon as possible.”
“Thank you.”
“You're welcome. I-I'm sorry for your loss, Rodney. I know you still care for Sam. And, despite everything, she still had feelings for you. I think she'd be very proud of what you're trying to do.”
Rodney dropped his gaze to his empty plate and fiddled with his fork. “You reckon?” he mumbled.
“I know.” Hamnmond placed a hand on Rodney's shoulder briefly, and then walked out. Rodney watched him leave and then turned back to the table. Picking up his cup, he drained the last of his coffee, now at a more reasonable temperature, and considered this strange turn of events.
Two days ago, he'd been a businessman, well-off and well-known, dealing in nothing more deadly than the game of buying and selling of companies. In a short space of time, he'd discovered that his ex-wife was dead, that there were realities alternative to this one and that the hope of the universe was an Ancient city in another galaxy.
The alternative Sam Carter had told him that the Rodney McKay she knew wouldn't back down from a challenge. She'd lied when she'd said that, had been trying to butter him up, but now he had a challenge and he wasn't backing down from it.
Smiling wryly at the irony of the situation, Rodney stood up and walked out of the mess.
And in pondering, I came up with an idea. It's not safe, it's not clever... but it is very big. See? In TRNT, Atlantis hadn't been discovered, SG1 are scattered and when Sam leaves her position at the SGC has fallen to Rodney McKay...
There are, obviously, large spoilers for The Road Not Taken.
The bright, white light faded, leaving the room barren and dim in its absence. Rodney McKay dropped the hand he'd used to shield his eyes from the glare and stared at the empty space, awed that the experiment had worked.
“Whoa,” Doctor Lee breathed. “It really worked.”
“So it did,” Rodney replied, though the sarcasm he'd intended fell flat. The victory left a hollow feeling; now that Sam was gone, he had to face certain truths, most of which were unpleasant.
Like his Sam being dead...
Swallowing hard, Rodney spun on his heel and walked back to the lab. While the alternative version of his ex-wife had been here he had been able to ignore the little things, like the organised chaos she left in her wake, the slight fragrance of her perfume that hung in the air... and the photograph on the side.
He picked it up, squashing the sour roll of his stomach as he looked at the woman who'd promised to forsake all others and then cheated on him with her commanding officer. He let out a slow breath, forcing the anger and bitterness her betrayal still caused out with it. It was the past; four years ago since he'd found out, three years since the divorce. She'd moved on, he'd moved on... or he'd thought he had. Maybe it was the fact she'd been killed and he would never know why now.
A knock on the door frame – the door itself had been left open – roused Rodney from his maudlin thoughts. He glanced up to see a female officer hovering nervously. He dropped the photograph onto the side.
“Yes?”
“General Hammond said to inform you t-that the memorial service for-for Major Carter, will be in
ten minutes si- I mean, Doctor.”
“Thank you.”
“Would you- do you need me to escort you to the Gateroom?” she stuttered.
“What? No, no.” Rodney made a shooing motion with a hand. “Go. I know the way.”
“Right. Okay sir. Doctor.”
Rodney watched her go and then shook his head in wry amusement. He went over to the laptop the alternative Sam had been working on and accessed the notes she'd left him. There were several pages on Merlin's device, but he scrolled through them and kept going. After a couple of blank pages he found more notes, not on the device but, as he had expected, on Atlantis and the expedition.
He sank onto the chair as he scanned quickly through the notes. She'd given him the gate address and briefly explained how that could only be reached if extra power was sent to the Stargate; she covered the original discovery and how the city was under water, protected by a shield, and detailed the first trip to a world in the Pegasus Galaxy and the Wraith.
It was riveting reading, and exciting, though her description of the Wraith made his blood run cold. Rodney sat back, considering what he'd read so far. Then he realised he'd gotten over involved and there was somewhere else he should be right now.
~ ~ ~
The Gateroom was lit by the overhead lamps, the strips that ran up the ramp and the shimmering event horizon. Those that worked at the SGC stood in starched lines of dress blues, still and silent as General Hammond walked onto the ramp and turned to face them.
“Major Samantha Carter...” His voice came out choked and he paused and coughed. “Sam was a well-respected and well-loved member of Stargate Command. Her work gave us the Stargate Program, opening up a whole universe of exploration and possibilities. And when some of those possibilities included attack by other planets, she helped to defend Earth.
“It was in trying to find another way to protect the planet that Sam was killed. Her loss goes beyond loosing a vital member of the team. Most of us gathered here counted Sam as a friend, to some she was more. And she will be greatly missed.”
General Hammond walked down the ramp and stood to one side. Rodney stepped forward then, accepting the wreath from Major Lorne. He made the briefest of eye contact with Lorne, who flinched slightly and dropped his gaze. Rodney turned without a word and walked up the ramp until he was stood in front of the Stargate.
For a moment, as he stared the the rippling surface that was the visible aspect of a wormhole, Rodney forgot why he was there. He reached out with his left hand and touched the event horizon and was surprised to feel resistance, as if it had a skin. He had no idea where the address that had been dialled went to, but he had the sudden urge to step through and see.
Understanding what if was his wife had been going on about all those years brought Rodney rapidly to what he was meant to be doing. The wreath suddenly felt heavy in his right hand and he was no longer sure he could do this; to let the wreath rest against the horizon and then to let it go. To let Sam go.
The wave of grief caught him unaware but he was too conscious of the eyes of those in the room to allow himself to crack now. Lifting his hand, he placed the wreath against the event horizon until he could feel a tug. Then he closed his eyes and released it.
There was a noise similar to that of a stone being dropped into a well and then a soft whomp as the wormhole disengaged, causing a slight breath of air to whisper over Rodney's face. He opened his eyes again. The room seemed darker now.
“Goodbye Sam,” he murmured quietly. He remained there for a moment longer and then turned back to the room.
Nobody met his eyes as he walked back down the ramp. He paused and looked at Hammond. “Thank you, General,” he said. The man nodded in response and Rodney glanced at Lorne. He started past him and then stopped again.
“Oh. Lorne?”
“Yes Rodney?”
He turned quickly and his right fist caught Lorne on the jaw. The major sprawled to the floor. Rodney rubbed his knuckles. “I've waited four years to do that,” he remarked calmly as Lorne rolled onto his back and stared up at him in shock. “I feel so much better now.” Rodney looked at Hammond. “I would apologise...” he said and, leaving it hanging there, walked out of the Gateroom.
~ ~ ~
The fact much of SGC's personnel was assembled in the Gateroom meant the mess was virtually empty. Rodney opted for what he thought appeared to be lasagne and got a coffee. After a second thought he also asked for some water with ice. The server gave him an odd look, but handed him a glass. Rodney put it on his tray and went to a table.
The coffee was too hot and the lasagne was tepid, but he was too hungry to really care. Halfway through, Rodney shook out the napkin and scooped the ice out of the water, then folded the fabric round. He then held the icepack against his bruised knuckles, wincing slightly. It hurt, but he thought the pain well worth it.
Rodney knew he was going to catch hell from Hammond for decking the leader of the SGC's prime team, but... He grinned when he recalled the look on Lorne's face – yeah it was definitely worth it.
He'd just about finished his dinner when the general walked in. He watched how the man stopped in the doorway and looked round, and then headed straight for his table. Rodney swallowed his mouthful and quickly scrambled to his feet.
“General,” he said and then wondered what to add to that. He couldn't rightly apologise when he really wasn't sorry. Well he could, but he knew Hammond would see straight through him.
“Sit down doctor,” General Hammond said wearily. Rodney sank back down and Hammond followed suit. “Just so you know, Major Lorne has opted not to press any charges.”
“Oh. Well... If I'm honest, sir, I'd not thought that far through it.”
“I gathered that. And, whilst we're being honest, I do understand your personal feelings. However, I cannot allow personal feelings to dictate actions within this facility.”
“I-I'm sorry for not choosing the best moment for... venting my spleen.”
“Apology accepted.” Hammond watched Rodney for a moment and then sighed. “What do you plan to do now, Rodney? While Major Lorne is willing to let that incident go... I doubt he'd be so forgiving if it happened to occur again.”
“It was kind of a one-off... I think. Maybe you're right; maybe I ought to find pastures new.” Rodney paused and weighed his options. “Sam – I mean – the other Sam, told me about somewhere called Atlantis. Did she mention this to you?”
“Yes, she did. She told me that, in her reality, there was an international contingent sent to find out more about the Ancients. They even hoped to make contact. Why do you ask?”
“Because she left me some notes on it and from what I've read so far... General, Merlin's device will work and it'll probably fool the Ori once, maybe twice. We need something else, something more. I believe that Atlantis is the answer to that.”
“You could very well be right. So what do you propose?”
“To take an international contingent there,” Rodney stated, watching the general for his response. He sat there and, much to Rodney's surprise, nodded slowly.
“Very well.”
“Very well?” he echoed in disbelief.
“As you pointed out, Doctor, the Merlin Device is only likely to fool the Ori for a limited time. We do need something more; even if that's just hope. I'll recommend this plan of action to the president on your behalf. I still hold some sway in the Oval Office after all.”
Rodney was stunned. “Thank you.”
“Don't thank me too soon, Rodney – this excursion is going to be your responsibility. You'll have to find yourself a command team and you'll have to choose a military contingant, much as that probably pains you.”
“Of course,” he replied quickly. “I understand the need for a military presence; I believe that on the... other Atlantis there's a shared leadership between the civilian and military heads. If it's been done once, I don't see any reason why it can't do done again.”
“Nor do I. Well, I can provide you with profiles of everyone working within the SGC and with the relevant security clearence. Those you think suitable for the expedition can be brought here.”
Rodney looked up. “No, no, no,” he said. “I need to move to Area 51, where the Ancient Chair is.”
“Why?”
“Because I need to find people that can work it. According to Sam's report, there are others that can, a few of whom to the level Colonel O'Neill managed. Apparently I need people that can operate Ancient devices - which given that Atlantis is an Ancient city, isn't that surprising.”
“No,” Hammond agreed, standing. “Very well, Doctor. I'll arrange for your transfer to Area 51 and I'll ensure that the reports I mentioned get to you as soon as possible.”
“Thank you.”
“You're welcome. I-I'm sorry for your loss, Rodney. I know you still care for Sam. And, despite everything, she still had feelings for you. I think she'd be very proud of what you're trying to do.”
Rodney dropped his gaze to his empty plate and fiddled with his fork. “You reckon?” he mumbled.
“I know.” Hamnmond placed a hand on Rodney's shoulder briefly, and then walked out. Rodney watched him leave and then turned back to the table. Picking up his cup, he drained the last of his coffee, now at a more reasonable temperature, and considered this strange turn of events.
Two days ago, he'd been a businessman, well-off and well-known, dealing in nothing more deadly than the game of buying and selling of companies. In a short space of time, he'd discovered that his ex-wife was dead, that there were realities alternative to this one and that the hope of the universe was an Ancient city in another galaxy.
The alternative Sam Carter had told him that the Rodney McKay she knew wouldn't back down from a challenge. She'd lied when she'd said that, had been trying to butter him up, but now he had a challenge and he wasn't backing down from it.
Smiling wryly at the irony of the situation, Rodney stood up and walked out of the mess.
