May 3, Atlantis
Dear Jane,
Thank you for the clippings. They've made the rounds of the city since arriving and met with mixed
reactions, but everyone's glad for the news from Earth. In general things seem to be settling down.
The inventories are done, and people have begun coming to grips with our potential isolation. Dr. Weir
made a city-wide announcement about the fact that certain policies are being immediately changed and
others will remain in place. It was followed by an EMail outlining the changes. It's mostly personnel
stuff. She's lessening the restrictions on fraternization in general, eliminating restrictions on
Athosian participation in internal security, and rescinding Carson's mandate for prophylactic use.
Almost everything else will be staying unchanged for the moment, if nothing else for its comfortable
familiarity.
We still don't know how long we'll be cut off. Dr. Weir's final attempt at contacting SGC last week was
met with silence. From what those more familiar with the overall program have gleaned from your
clippings, we're not likely to be hearing from anyone anytime soon. Unless Earth has located another
ZPM, we've got the only power source capable of an intergalactic wormhole. That makes the Daedalus
the only way to contact us, and if SGC is in chaos or under budget cuts on a massive scale, Daedalus
isn't going to be coming our way anytime soon.
Dr. Weir told us that right now the Orion is our best shot at resuming contact with Earth. Which
means we're going to be on our own at least two years according to revised estimates. Other things are
going to change, they'll have to, but I don't know how soon. We're changing our main priorities to making
the city as self-sufficient as possible and making more concrete alliances. I get the feeling I'm going
to be busier than ever with the clinics if things pan out.
~ Laura
- - -
May 12, Atlantis
Dear Jane,
I've asked around regarding your offer to look someone up for us. Across the board I've been told no.
You're doing enough for us, getting word out to our families. If they're trying to make the Atlantis
Expedition disappear, they'll try to remove anyone who knows about it. If you start asking questions
there's the possibility you could find yourself in serious trouble. Given how earnest both Dr. Weir and
Major Lorne were about this, I'm not going to question it. I don't want you to be risking yourself for
this.
In more cheerful news, we've had a run of promotions on the military side of things. Given the lack of
new personnel in the foreseeable future, Dr. Weir and Col. Sheppard agreed to commission several of the
marines, including Sgt. Bates. He's now Capt. Bates, and a few of the newer marines have been pushed up
to Lieutenant. In addition they're consolidated the rank structure, merging Air Force and Marine Corps into
one promotion ladder. We started off with a fair number of officers courtesy of the Daedalus,
but given attrition rates in the military they've decided that it's better to plan for future attrition and
to allow for a larger number of off-world teams. I heard Capt. Bates cursing his promotion in the mess
this afternoon. Along with the double jump apparently came responsibility for integrating the Athosian
Warriors into our military, at least those willing to join. I don't understand why it's such a problematic
task, especially since we've been training the Athosians on the mainland ever since the decision to
station a garrison out there was approved, but the Colonel just snickered when I asked. Apparently
there's an inside joke regarding Capt. Bates and the Athosians.
As I mentioned above, plans for a military garrison on the mainland have been approved. It's going to
be a few weeks, possibly months, before the project is completed and living quarters are available, but
it's underway.
I hope you received the hard-drive and have been able to distribute the letters from here. Our
population is a bit over 1000 including the refugees and Athosians. I was inaccurate before when I said
we were double the original population (250 + Athosians), it's closer to triple. At the moment we are roughly
eight hundred Earth personnel, a hundred Athosians, and a hundred varied Pegasus natives. Looking at
things from a genetic perspective, should we be forced to look at permanent residence we couldn't have
asked for a better mix. We have close to twenty nations represented among those from Earth, which means
a wide array of genetic source material. With any kind of luck at all that will never be an issue, but
it's a good thing regardless. It also means that we have a wide cultural background; should we be on
our own twenty years we are less likely to lose our heritage. It's a comfort.
To turn things to gossip for a moment (since it's been so subdued around here lately): I think I
mentioned this before, but it's been confirmed now so I thought I'd let you know. Dr. Weir's carrying
twins. That's why her Beta HCG came back so high. We don't know if it's a side effect of the beam or
merely her age. Fraternal twins are more likely in older mothers. There's no evidence of
twinning in either medical history for the parents, so if she's carrying identical twins it's likely
a side effect of the beam. There's no way to be certain, though. So our controlled study has
officially gone out the window. You just can't win out here. The beam is going to be giving me
headaches for years, I can already feel them ganging up behind my eyes. At least it'll give us a
guaranteed way to increase our population should the need arise.
Jason and I have claimed one of the suites. Not because I'm pregnant (I'm the only OB here, I don't
have time to get pregnant. Not that the babies aren't cute...), but for the space. I've been
receiving gifts from local populations, in addition to the agreed upon trade items, for my clinics and
the help I've given. Things like clothing and small items. There are enough things that I'm looking
forward to having more space to display them.
The move will also let me use the spare bedroom as a private office, which I desperately need. It'll
give me somewhere that's not the infirmary to speak with patients who have anxiety issues or serious
complications that need addressing. I've learned in the last six months that there's a lot of
counseling that goes into some of these cases, and it's easier to get the patients to come and see me
if it's not in the infirmary. There is also the fact that a number of the expedition members just aren't
comfortable discussing pregnancy concerns, or anything else for that matter, with Dr. Heightmeyer.
Either they are wary of psychiatrists or merely don't want the perceived stigma attached to such a
visit. I'm not the only one doing this, at least two of the other doctors are doing the same. Carson
and our resident coroner already have their own offices or work rooms, but the rest of us 'general
practice' types were assigned a niche as opposed to a full office upon arrival. They're not terribly
practical for consultations. You wouldn't expect it, but the most annoying things sometimes are the
most familiar. The niche resembles a cubicle, which is just disconcerting. Because really? Who goes
to another galaxy to write up reports in a cubicle?
~ Laura
- - -
May 30, Atlantis
Dear Jane,
One year. It's been one year since I told the Air Force "I Do" and hopped on a ship across the galaxy.
So many things have happened. I'm not the same person I was, I don't even know how I'd talk to someone
from Earth. Not that I can't communicate. It's more that once you've stepped through the Stargate and
seen incredible things, how do you talk to someone and not mention them? It's so much a part of my life,
even the sleeping with a sidearm next to my bed. How do you go back to being a normal civilian? Can
you?
It's going to be a long few years until the Orion is fixed. But if I had the choice between
being safe on Earth, never seeing the things I've seen, or being stuck here with the possibility of
Wraith attack all too real? It's not a choice, not in any way that matters. I've helped so many
people since coming here, both city residents and Pegasus natives. I know they would have found
someone else if I had said no, but where would I have ended up?
I know, I'm beating a dead horse. It just struck me this morning when I logged into the network that
it's been a year. It seems so much longer than that. And now with the cessation of contact with Earth
it seems longer still. I wonder what things will be like when we finally get real contact again. Not
that you're not real, but official contact. For now, whatever information you can quietly scavenge
about our home countries would be greatly appreciated. And possibly the occasional DVD. I won't ask
you any more. You're going to be our lifeline, how's that for pressure?
In all seriousness, thank you for doing this. Even if it's just the letters, it lets us all know
there's an Earth to go back to.
~ Laura
- - - - - - - - - -
May 2, Calgary
Dear Laura,
I received the Hard Drive, and when my husband returns Friday night I will enlist his aid in printing
and distributing the letters. With luck they will all be in the mail next Monday.
So your concerns were true, you have been cut off. That makes both of our positions far more serious,
though yours is far more so than mine. I'm going to tell my husband the basics of what's going on when
he arrives Friday. Just as you have told Dr. Weir, if he's going to help me with this he needs to know
what he's involved with. I felt I should warn you, as you gave me notice with Dr. Weir, although he
will know before this reaches you.
~ Jane
- - -
May 14, Calgary
Dear Laura,
It took longer than we had hoped, but after two weekends of work all of the mail has gone out. Jon
had to handle all of the interfacing, I'm hopeless at that kind of thing. I'm glad things aren't as
bleak as they could be over there, but the comment about how you don't exist worries me. It sounds
like plausible deniability in the making. Don't count on them coming back, even if there is a change
in authority. The people who bury unwanted projects are often very good at what they do.
Jon has a few ideas about sending information back to you. I'd never realized how many countries were
represented amongst your colleagues. Spending an hour at the post office sorting out the various fees
was an experience, but one I will gladly repeat should it be necessary.
Things have been busy out here. We've put our major case of the moment to bed, but there's another
that I'm helping on that's just kicking into gear. That's always the case, though. Energy Law
waits for no one and all that. I hope everything's going well for you, you deserve a turn for the
better soon. I sent Hannah a note to let her know you're alive and well, since you didn't include any
personal messages. I hope that was all right.
~ Jane
- - -
May 28, Calgary
Dear Dr. Weir,
Attached please find the hard drive you sent through. All of the letters it contained have been mailed
to their intended recipients, with instruction to forward should the recipients have moved.
The hard drive now contains as much information as Jon, my husband, could find regarding current
events. When you send it back, please send any specific acquisition requests you have (DVDs, movies,
music, etc). Jon will see what he can do to find digital versions, and we can send hard copy of the
rest. It's the least we can do. I wish your expedition well, and a speedy reconnection with whatever
governmental agencies you deal with. Until they come to their senses, Jon and I will be glad to send
on any correspondence you require.
Sincerely,
Jane
- - - - - - - - - -
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Act II. Extraordinary
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