September 9, Atlantis, Pegasus Galaxy
Dear Jane,
It still feels strange, knowing that someone is reading these. But as you said, the
damage has been done. And it's nice to talk with someone uninvolved with everything
here. Atlantis is a massive city, towers of glass and metal, but the population here
is small. You say something to a scientist who swears on their latest research to
keep it secret. Two days later you're hearing it again from one of the marines.
Privacy is a totally foreign concept. That, if nothing else, is actually reminiscent
of other places I've worked.
I thank you for the offer about the TV shows. Unfortunately after a number of
years working places that don't have TV, you grow accustomed to not watching it. I
don't know what's on anymore. Even after spending that week doing next to nothing
at Hannah's, I can't recall anything memorable. Do I like Sci-Fi? Surprisingly,
not all that much. I mean I enjoyed Star Wars and all, but it doesn't call
to me the same way historical drama and documentaries do. I prefer mythology, not
techno-geek, if that makes sense. A lot of the scientists here are big on techno-geek.
So is the Colonel, for that matter.
I overheard him explaining to Sarah how hyperspace works, throwing in Babylon
5 references left and right(I'd say she's too young to understand any of it, but
then she's not exactly the bastion of normalcy. With her background, she might begin
spouting wormhole physics at age three.). Then McKay arrived and they got into a
debate on which fictional travel technology works best. Strange, strange people.
Of course, we're in another galaxy. Strange might be a survival requirement or
something. Which makes me wonder what makes me strange, or if I'm going to hit my
expiration date in the next year for being too normal.
~ Laura
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September 24, Atlantis, Pegasus Galaxy
Dear Jane,
The good news is that I've finally started making friends. As opposed to professional
collegues. The first few months were mostly spent getting settled, getting used to a
city that humms even when it's at rest, becoming used to stargate travel. I don't
know if I mentioned it before, but you know how we use the Stargate to go to other
worlds? The first few trips? Not so fun. I mean, you're just overcome with awe
at the concept of going to other planets(I still haven't gotten anyone to
explain how they actually work, I just know they do.). You don't stop to
record the fact that the travel itself leaves you nauseus and weak and dizzy. It
gets better the more you do it, I'm told. The veterans who've been here since the
beginning don't feel a thing anymore.
On top of the normal settling in, there was Dr. Parrish getting pregnant to deal
with. Poor David (Dr. Parrish). At least the morning sickness has worn off. I've
never seen a man look that green for that long without having jaundice (I know,
jaundice is yellow. But it's the same strength of color.). It led to some rather
unfortunate jokes about botanists. But. They were funny.
The problem is, when you're up to your eyeballs in genetic testing and text books
you never thought you'd be reading again (I don't care if they're on the computer.
They're still text books.), making friends just takes too much time. David has been
looking more healthy these last few weeks, which has given us all a bit of space to
take a deep breath.
I've mentioned I got the gene therapy, right? All of us with the gene, synthetic or
not, get mandatory pilot training on 'Puddle Jumpers'. They're kind of like shuttle
craft from Star Trek, only they don't work unless you have the magic gene. We
use them for travelling through the gate, and flying to the mainland. Apparently,
this works in my favour, socially. This one geologist, Jason Wright, likes to spend
as much time on the mainland as possible. From what Carson said, he bugs anyone with
the gene to see if he can scam rides. I can understand why, it's not like there's
much for a geologist to do in a city floating in the middle of the ocean. Once I
mentioned that I'd be willing to take him along when I do weekly checks on my Athosian
patients, I started finding things in my office. A chocolate powerbar (We'd been out
of them for weeks.), a can of Pepsi (I didn't know we even had any out here),
an Athosian night-blooming flower.
I have little doubt where they're coming from. I think Jason's just so ecstatic
to have someone willing to bring him out there regularly that he's bending over
backwards to be nice. The first time he came along, he lost track of time while
out collecting samples. We ended up spending the night at the Athosian settlement.
Since then it's become habit. Well, as much habit as can be formed in three trips.
I don't mind the nights on the mainland. It's nice having time away from the city
without worrying that some local faction is going to decide isolationism is the
best thing for their people and try to kill the foreigner devils in their sleep
(That hasn't happened to me yet, but I've heard stories.). The Athosians are
friendly, and more than happy to put us up in exchange for help with whatever
project they're working on at the moment.
Jason himself isn't bad either. He's polite, considerate, and totally obsessed
with his work. Pretty much what you get from any of the scientists here. He has
some interesting theories on why there's only one continent. He also has a minor
in mythology. This means he's more than willing to spend the evenings on the
mainland around the central fire, exchanging legends with our hosts. Jason and a
few of the Athosian elders will go back and forth, taking turns telling tales.
The Legend of the Runner(Athosian) for The Death of Osiris(Egyptian),
for example. Jason has a gift for story telling, and the Athosians have an oral
history, so it's a nice way to spend the evening.
~ Laura
- - - - - - - - - -
September 17, Suburbs of Calgary,AB
Dear Doctor,
Of course I wouldn't mind alerting your cousin, though I'm sure it would be a bit
awkward. It's the least I can do. However, I am going to hope that it never
becomes necessary.
I'm not sure what to say with regards to your other news. It's like something out
of science ficion! Although when I think about it, much of your experience these
last few months rings of more science fiction than fact. Not that I disbelieve
you, more that it's just so incredible. This takes the cake, though. Pregnant
men?? How does that even work? Did they grow new organs or something? It
boggles the mind. And I only have to read about it, you have to deal with it. I
can understand why they were so quick to request a specialist. You poor thing.
At least I only have to deal with lawyers who can't remember when their CLE hours
come due.
I agree that chocolate cake does make everything better, it's a shame that you say
it won't last long. I can't imagine not having regular access to chocolate. But
from what you've written, I can only assume that the tradeoff is worth it.
~ Jane
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