February 12, Atlantis
Dear Jane,
The entire city breathed a sigh of relief tonight. We delivered David's baby by
C-Section today, with no apparent complications. By all appearances a perfectly
healthy baby boy. Apparently beams of energy don't have any negative connotations
regarding gestational development. That's the good news. They still hadn't named
him when I left, David was a bit on the groggy side.
I have no idea how Dr. Weir is handling the political ramifications of one of our
commissioned officers not only fathering a child in another galaxy (See also: the
memo about sleeping with the Athosians) but with someone of the same gender. Not
that it hasn't happened before at this point, but Colonel Sheppard has been a bit
of a unique case from the beginning if rumor is to be believed. I have faith that
she'll sort it out somehow. Worst case Major Lorne just won't be listed on the
birth certificate (That's what they did with Colonel Sheppard. It makes the paper
trail a lot cleaner. There are only so many times you can slip 'mysteriously
impregnated due to Ancient Tech' into the footnotes of reports before someone gets
suspicious, though. Even if it is true).
Something else with regards to Dr. Weir, she's given us a go ahead for testing the
equipment that triggered the beam at the outpost in hopes of determining how it
works. Her condition is that she's the test subject. Ostensibly it's because she
'won't ask her people to something she wouldn't do.' I think she's been doing the
math and realizing that the only way she can have a child at this point is
with an excuse and possibly some help. She's in good physical health, so the
advanced maternal age is only a minor concern. And we now have proper childcare
arrangements already in place, so there's no risk of her being accused of procuring
them for her own use.
We've gotten to know each other reasonably well over the last few months. She
insists I call her Elizabeth in person, but I can't do it in writing. She has this
force of personality that's hard to believe until you've experienced it. Dr. McKay
is the only other person I've met who can do so much with just words. I supposed it
makes sense, she is a diplomat by trade.
We return to M7G-677 next week. Elaine's been studying the data from our previous
visit feverishly, and is reasonably certain she's determined how the machinery works.
That's one advantage to our situation: even though Elaine and David are/were planet
bound, there's still plenty for them to do that frees up others. They're not
sidelined like they would be if they were military.
For the experimental exposure Dr. Weir is going to have complete bloodwork as well
as a full body scan completed before and after. We'll note any chemical elevations,
oddities, etc. The goal is to determine how the energy effects the body enabling the
rather unique side effects previously noted. We'll also take another scan and blood
sample the next morning. The other advantage in using Dr. Weir is that she's currently
involved with Dr. Zelenka (I mentioned him once before, I think. My only real
experience with him involved a missing eyebrow after a lab accident. He's this
little Czech scientist who can get absolutely spitting mad. Apparently he
and McKay are perfect for each other in the lab).
The positives for Dr. Zelenka in this particular situation? He is male, civilian,
and not in Dr. Weir's chain of command. This means there will be no repercussions
should she become pregnant. It's the perfect test case, because no one can get
shipped back to Earth over it. Rather, it's a lot less likely. And if Lt. Cadman
(Her first name is Laura. However I instinctively stick to rank and surname for
the military. It's a side effect of a few years in the Air Force's ROTC (Reserve
Officer Training Corps) at one point in my life to pay for school) could stick
around? Dr. Weir's got enough clout to swing it. She can do anything she
puts her mind to.
~ Laura
- - -
February 21, Atlantis
Dear Jane,
Well, we've gathered our data. And I'd lay money that Dr. Weir ends up pregnant,
but we won't know for a week or two.
Regardless, I have a massive data file on the effects of the Ancient Beam'o'Mischief
(As one of the nurses insists on calling it). I also have a rather substantial file
on David's pregnancy. I'm set for reading material for the next month,
assuming things calm down around here.
Now that little James Parrish is certified healthy and adapting well to the formula
we've started getting from one of our trading partners I can finally start my off-
world clinics again. I think a return to normal is going to be a nice change.
I'll take the break while I can get it, though. Because given what Jason was
telling me in terms of 'Welcoming' customs the Athosians have mentioned their
trading partners use? There's every reason to believe I'll have a serious headache
in a few weeks. It never really slows down here.
~ Laura
- - -
February 24, Atlantis
Dear Jane,
This time I'm writing just to you, not relaying events to clear my mind. I'm
touched that you worry over me. Please don't worry too much, things sound much
worse than they are. Well, most of the time.
You asked about Jason. What to say, what to say. We're sleeping together, primarily
on the nights we're on the mainland. With the experimental work on M7G-677 I haven't
had much time for anything these last few weeks, and he's been terribly
understanding. Valentine's Day? I fell asleep in the infirmary logging data on
David and James. You realize at a certain point that there's no reason not to
pursue a relationship out here, because what's to lose? I'd rather have some
companionship, and if I can find it love, than be emotionally safe. And to be
frank, he's a geologist. He goes offworld far less than I do. It's oddly
reassuring.
Does Colonel Sheppard romance the natives? By most accounts (I tend to go offworld
to pre-established trading partners so don't work with his team) the natives make
every attempt to foist their daughters off on him (And the occasional temple
priestess), but he bravely turns them down. I think Dr. McKay would castrate him.
The man's reported to have a rather vicious jealous streak, although I've never
experienced it first hand. He also has quite a number of interesting toys at his
disposal. I really need to corner Dr. Zelenka and make him explain what some of
them do. He's a physicist! Either that or make him give me a lackey to interrogate.
There has to be someone in that department who doesn't live in the labs.
~ Laura
- - - - - - - - - -
Feb 4, Calgary
Dear Laura,
Firstly, Sarah McKay is adorable. The hair! Is that genetic, or merely a bad
morning? It's the most impressive bed-head I've ever seen on a baby. The Wraith,
on the other hand, is disturbing. Even without details (And it's very good
for a charcoal drawing without proper tools), it's not something I'd like to meet
in a dark alley. It looks humanoid, how big are they? The same size as an average
human? Larger? Smaller? Your sketch doesn't given anything for gaging size.
However big they are, any race that would eliminate an entire population in revenge
for death of a scouting party is horrific. I know it's happened on Earth, but we
have war crimes inquiries for that kind of thing. Hell, the Geneva Convention
guarantees humane treatment of POWs. I don't think eating them is included in the
definition of humane treatment. I know the Wraith aren't party to our domestic
agreements, but it's the only thing I have to go by.
You mentioned being unsure if they differentiate between lifeforms when abducting
them. If they don't, does that also mean they can eat other lifeforms? Cattle,
for example?
If they get an accidental cow (or Pegasus equivalent) does it just get tossed out
the nearest airlock as useless fodder? Think of the damage you could inflict in a
space battle w/ 'spaced' cows! They don't have the density of metal projectiles,
but they have novelty. And I'd imagine they could severely gum up a windshield.
Although I guess it would be more worthwhile if your ships operated primarily on a
visual flight basis vs. instrument rated flight. Do they? Not that I'm advocating
space-cow-fighting, but just because I'm now curious. I think my husband's wearing
off on me (I haven't been sleeping much lately. Several lawyers only now realized
that their CLEs for the next re-cert are woefully absent. We've been scrambling
to get them sorted out so they're not disbarred before the big trial we have coming
up. Overtime is good, but it leads to exhaustion. Please excuse me if this makes
no sense. I'll look it over again before I send it).
I now understand your motivations in supporting the war and working in what is
essentially a war zone. Before, you spoke of the civilians in war zones needing
more help than anyone. Given what you've written, it seems to go beyond even that.
And with their populations being culled, a high birth rate and low infant mortality
is going to be essential if these cultures want to survive. It doesn't make me
worry any less for you, but I can understand the necessity of what everyone on the
expedition is doing.
I know that by the time you get this it will be irrelevant, but I'm wishing you all
kinds of luck for the upcoming C-Section. How have David and Major Lorne been
handling their impending fatherhood? You mentioned that David was adjusting
reasonably well to the changes, at least the physical. With all that's been going
on, you never mentioned anything about the psychological. That's got to be hard,
especially since you said that the military coming over had to have no dependents
(and were probably not expecting to have any in the near future).
It's late, and I need to get some sleep. I've glanced over the EMail you enclosed,
I'll try to get back to you with a professional opinion in the next few days.
~ Jane
- - -
February 13, Calgary
Dear Laura,
I'm sorry it took me so long to get back to this, things have finally settled
down at work. Just in time for Valentine's Day. Of course, my husband's out of town
since it's a Wednesday (I just realized I've never told you his name! And after how
many months of correspondence? Pure negligence. It's Jon, short for Jonathan).
He took me out for dinner last weekend, and we're going to visit his brother and
their children in Vancouver at the end of the month, so I don't mind too much.
I'd been wondering how you were handling on-base childcare. I didn't realize that
you were so stretched for personnel, but it makes sense. This Dr. McKay sounds
like quite a character if Earth was willing to send you additional personnel just
to keep him in your galaxy. What is SGC? You've mentioned them a few times,
but you've never explain who they are. I'm going to assume they're a regulatory body
of some sort.
I feel for your new specialist. She's going to be dealing with everything you did,
but in a crash course! Did she get a more thorough briefing than you did? I can
only hope. How is she integrating with the Athosians? And it sounds like a wonderful
idea, having them work in the nursery in exchange for job skills as well as supplies.
From the sound of it, both communities are too small to exist in a vacuum for any
duration.
You mentioned refugees earlier. How many are you talking about? Tens? Hundreds?
Where did they go if they don't remain in the city? And if they do remain, how are
you handling it? I'd imagine it leads to security issues, not to mention stressing
your supplies, even if it's only fifty more mouths to feed.
The EMail from your Expedition Head looks like a sound move. Think about your own
history (American), the most recent applicable situation I can think of is Vietnam.
At least the children and local wives of soldiers had the option of returning to the
US in the years following the war, though it was incredibly messy. Here it sounds
like you don't have that option, so what happens if you're forced to pull out of
Atlantis, return to Earth? Either your soldiers remain in Atlantis with their new
families and have effectively severed all ties with Earth, or they leave and the
local population is left in the lurch. Neither is a good option, from a social
point of view.
It sounds like it's a bit late to start attempting to enforce a policy, but at
least there is a written record of acknowledgment of the situation. I'm very
interested in how things work out, on the policy and legal end of this. Please
keep me updated!
~ Jane
- - -
February 25, Calgary
Dear Laura,
I was chatting with the owner at one of the local First Nations craft stores. When
she asked if I had any children I said no, but I did have a friend who was expecting.
She pulls out this beautiful dreamcatcher and starts telling me about them. It's
attached to the bundle of letters, I hope it's not too large for whatever it is
that transports the letters. But I wanted to send it for David's baby. Also
enclosed is a written copy of the dreamcatcher legend, should he not be familiar
with it. The baby's going to have enough to give it nightmares should it grow up
over there, I thought I'd send something to help.
~ Jane
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