April 2, Atlantis
Dear Jane,
I have never been more glad to have this connection. You've shed a little light upon what's happening
to us out here. Of course what I'm hearing worries me, but it's better than total ignorance.
I've come to a conclusion, I'm going to speak with Dr. Weir about our letters. I know there will likely
be repercussions for me, but at this point we need accurate information far more than I need to worry
about fallout from what is, at the moment, a non-communicative government.
Yes, from what I can gather we fall into the category of 'Black Box Funding.' They're certainly not
advertising our expedition if the number of non-disclosure statements I signed is any indication.
I'm going to save the anecdotes for another time. Things are too hairy right now to be able to justify
a few hours writing stories, much as I might like to. We're re-inventorying everything to find
out what we have, what we need, and what's going to be a problem. I'm really hoping the latter is a
small list.
I can't help thinking about the fact that if they cut SGC funding, what happens to us? If they won't
dispatch Daedalus, are we going to receive an order to evacuate Atlantis and return to Earth via
the 'Gate? Are they going to bury us in the books and just write us off?
If they order us back to Earth, I'm not sure Dr. Weir will go. This 'Gate is the only one capable of
dialing Earth. Should it ever fall into Wraith hands, it opens a whole new galaxy to them. That's
something none of us can morally condone. Which means we'd have to destroy the city. I know it's been
talked about before, but to do it merely because Earth has had a change in politics? There's so much
that we haven't learned. So much we could learn. And what of the Athosians, do we just leave
them to rot? I know we'd looked at the implications of a possible order of removal, but to do it for
these reasons?
I'll admit, I'm lucky. I'm not leaving behind anyone who will miss me (except for Hannah, and she has
her own life now). And I know I can count on you to let her know what's happened to me should it be
necessary. It's much harder on the newer personnel (It's strange to think of myself as one of the old
hands, but there are so many who arrived in the last couple of runs who look so lost). They have
not only much clearer images of Earth, but more recent ties.
If things follow the second option I mentioned above, you'll likely be asked to let families know that
we're not dead. Nothing classified, but just short personal messages.
When the expedition first set out, they knew there was a possibility of never coming back to Earth.
Most of us have minimal family, if any. I know Carson has a mother back in Scotland, but that's unusual.
Even the newest arrivals have, at best, a sibling or grandparents. There's a reason all of us agreed to
come here.
To be honest, most of what I've mentioned above could very well not come to pass. I'm just warning you
what might happen. I hope things are better where you are. Not that they're bad here, exactly, but
everyone's in shock. We're trying to get the inventories done ASAP to know where we stand.
We're more than twice the size of the original expedition group, that's a lot of mouths to feed.
We've been relying on the Daedalus for food to some degree, though we're not entirely dependent.
Most of us don't know how large a degree. Dr. Weir's going to let us know what the situation is when
the inventories are done.
Speaking of Dr. Weir, I feel for her. Not only does she have the weight of the city on her shoulders
right now, but she's seven weeks pregnant. So in addition to the general stress we're all under, she's
tired and nauseated. I don't envy her the next few weeks. Or any of us, really.
~ Laura
- - -
April 10, Atlantis
Dear Jane,
I spoke with Dr. Weir. Dr.s McKay and Zelenka have examined my 'trash bin' inside and out and can't
figure out how it works. Dr. Weir's too happy to have an alternate manner of contacting Earth right
now to be upset over confidentiality issues. Still no new word from Earth, it's now been two weeks of
silence.
Dr. Weir attempted to call via the 'Gate again today and was informed that there is no Atlantis Expedition
by the lieutenant who was on duty in the SGC gate room. We are on our own, at least until the US
government gets itself straightened out.
She is enclosing a letter of her own in this month's bundle, along with a hard-drive of personal messages
for you to distribute. They're simple text so all you need to do is hook it up to a computer, hit 'print',
and then mail them to the address at the bottom of each letter. The hard drive should have a sheet with
it with slightly more technical instructions including software requirements.
It's real now. We're not getting back to Earth until we've got the Orion up and running. I
don't know whether to be relieved that we're not abandoning the people here, or scared that Earth cut
us off with so little thought.
~ Laura
- - -
April 25
Dear Jane,
I have been informed by Dr. James that the two of you have been in communication since her arrival here
in Atlantis. While she has told me your occupation and location, she refuses to give me your last name.
She says you are a Jane Doe, for all intents and purposes. Given that you are our only link to Earth
at the moment, I am perfectly comfortable with your anonymity.
As our sole link to Earth, I ask you to do something for me and my people. Enclosed with this set of
letters is a hard drive containing personal letters from the members of the expedition to our families.
I have been assured that it will interface with any standard commercial computer. I ask that you get
these letters to their intended recipients if at all possible. Given recent developments it is likely
that our respective governments will list us as either Missing In Action or Killed In Action, and we
are neither.
I would also ask that you keep us abreast of developments within the United States Government so that
we can know if there is an opportunity to attempt to re-establish communication.
I know that I am asking a lot, and were it for myself I would not ask such a thing. But this is for
all of us.
-
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Weir
Head of Atlantis Expedition
- - - - - - - - - -
April 2, Calgary
Dear Laura,
It sounds as if good and bad really do come hand in hand! It's wonderful news about the ZPM, and it
sounds like you found it just in time. I mentioned in my last letter that there had been rumblings
from South of the border. They grew louder for a few days, around the time I started paying attention.
Then they grew silent. The inquest and everything related to it fell to sixth page news in an awful
hurry. The military budget issues in particular were gone almost as fast as they made headlines. I
had hoped that this didn't involve you, but since you said your supply ship has been reassigned it
sounds like it does.
It's hard to get reliable news. There have been a number of closed meetings and an inquiry is currently
being held into 'discretionary spending' in the armed forces. I think some of its an attempt to restore
public faith in the military after the Guantanamo disaster a few months ago. I'm sure you heard about
that. But the problems between Taiwan and China seem to be taking journalistic precedence. Given that
the two have calmed down, I think someone gave the press a nudge. Either that or the American government
is being a lot quieter than normal. Is there anyone I could look up down there who might be of help to
you (the expedition)? Someone from SGC who might be willing to pass along more information? If you
can give me a name or two I can start quietly poking around from work.
Have there been any indications from the Powers That Be about when you'll start receiving supplies
again? Are you going to tell Dr. Weir about our letters?
I hate not knowing, and the waiting is almost worse. I hope everything's all right over there.
~ Jane
- - -
April 25, Calgary
Dear Laura,
It occurs to me rather late that I did not address most of your entries, only responding to the last
(even if they are the most significant). I'm responding to those in hopes that this will keep my mind
off whatever's happening in your neck of the woods.
I'm pleased to hear that the expedition is integrating well with the Athosians. If nothing else, it'll
make it easier for the combined families like Sgt. Williams and Kyra Akeilo (She *is* the mother of the
Sgt's son, yes? Or has there been another mainland baby born that you haven't mentioned?). Did plans
to move marines to the mainland ever get approved? I can't imagine they'd be denied, although I suppose
if you're short staffed then everyone would be needed in the city. You've never mentioned how large a
population you have. Are we talking two hundred? Eight hundred? And how many Athosians? Do you
have a sustainable population if the worst happens?
Mary must be overwhelmed, given that she arrived on the last supply run. Has she begun teaching yet?
It must be so hard to try to cram language into your mind is such a short period of time. Did you learn
the Ancient writing system? Have the computer techs figured out how to translate displays into English?
You've never mentioned it, but then I'm not sure it's ever come up.
I'm glad that David liked the dream-catcher. It seemed the least I could do. I'm going to go and worry
some more. I'll try to enclose some print-outs of relevant news articles. There hasn't been anything
at all about the military this week. I hope that means things have resolved for the better.
~ Jane
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