karrenia_rune (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
karrenia_rune) wrote2011-04-04 05:29 pm
karrenia_rune) wrote2011-04-04 05:29 pm
Entry tags:
fic (Reconstruction Blues) SG Atlantis for darkhavens
Title: Reconstruction Blues
Fandom: Stargate Atlantis
Author: karrenia
Rating; General Audiences
Characters: Rodney McKay/, Samantha Carter, John Sheppard etc.
Posting this here because I can't log into my live journal at the moment...le sigh.
Recipient: darkhavens in the 2011 Multifandom National Poetry Promptathon
Info can be found here: http://community.livejournal.com/npmexchange
Words: 1,663
Link to Poem used as the prompt: "Doth the World Goes Thus" by William Drummond
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/doth-then-the-world-go-thus-2/
Disclaimer: Stargate Atlantis belongs to MGM, Renaissance Pictures, Gekko Film Corp. as do all of the characters who appear here or are mentioned; they are not mine and are only ‘borrowed’ for the purposes of the story; it’s set during the very last televised season.
“Reconstruction Blues” by Karrenia
Tracking the progress or lack thereof on the chalkboard in his lab made Rodney McKay feel like a traveler lost in the wilderness making slashes with his knife in the leather of his saddle, as he wandered around in circles never quite able to reach his destination.
Speaking of destinations, for the longest time than he might care to recall, most of the destinations had had a numerical prefix attached to it; and no one of them had been anywhere in the vicinity of Earth. Seven Years had passed and so much had happened, perhaps he was still processing it all.
However, while much had changed for him both personally and professionally; one thing still remained the same; he had difficulty in relating to people. Without putting too fine a point on it, Rodney Mckay was a brilliant, but withdrawn, and while it had as much to do with Lt.
Colonel John Sheppard’s influence in the years they had spent exploring the Pegasus Galaxy; both had changed. After all, change was never really bad or good, it was simply change.
Staring at the chart on the chalkboard was not going to get him much of anywhere, “Radek was right, as much as it pains me to admit it,” he muttered aloud, and then with a sigh he raked his fingers through the mop of his bristly brown hair. “Just wish I knew what Sheppard and Carter are using as ammunition to plead our case with the powers that Be. Wouldn’t I like to be a fly on that wall.”
Lt. Colonel John Sheppard had faced any number of enemies during his tour of duty both on his home soil and parts abroad; and he had assumed that he had become a rather old hand at expecting the unexpected and while he had taken advantage of the opportunities that had presented themselves for the rare visits back to Earth in the past seven years; he had never experienced the longing that other friends and allies seemed to.
For her part Major Samantha Carter, seemed almost too relaxed watching her out of the corner of his eye as they both stepped out of the car, aware without giving it away of the military escort.
He figured that at least they stood a fighting chance with the personnel assigned to the task for dealing with Atlantis and its crew floating across the Golden Gate Bridge bay in much the same manner as its legendary counterpart, only this time much more high-tech and above the surface of the water, and much, much bigger.
General Jack O’Neill would have their back, but how much would his word count when weighed against the fact that Major Carter once served directly under him in the SG-1 team? At least one other member of the task force would be familiar to O’Neill, Carter and himself, if not exactly pleasant to meet again under the present circumstances, Senator Kinsey.
Based on what he had learned from both O’Neill and Carter, Senator Kinsey had a long and documented track record in being stubborn and dogmatic and held firm against absolutely anything having to do with the Stargaze program from its early days at the Cheyenne Mountain base and now to the Pegasus Expedition. If he held true to form his opinion and the naked antagonism he felt for General Jack O’Neill might very well derail their chases for pleading their case before they even got started.
The other members of the task force were unknowns, so how they’d vote during these preliminary committee hearings would be much harder to determine. Sheppard stole a glance at Samantha Carter as they reached the top step of the Senate Building and winked. “Here’s to trying/rhymes with dying.”
She shook her head. “Don’t be so droll. Besides you never know, there’s always such a thing as plausible denibility. The powers that be have always maintained that the existence of the Star Gate program be kept as tightly under wraps as possible.”
Sheppard snorted and stepped around to open the door for her, and then they both entered the building. Once inside they had to wait while security checked their ids and side arms. Signaling that they were all clear both stepped towards a wall of paneled cherry wood where the elevator stood waiting to take them to the eighth floor.
“Yeah, and you think that is in this day and age, folks wouldn’t notice a gigantic floating city out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean?”
“Only, so long as they don’t run into the force-field generator,” she replied. Sheppard offered a thumbs-up and one of his trade-mark wry, off-center grins. “Let’s hope so, but it’s going be a devil of time explaining ‘that’ away.”
**
The Committee hearing
“This United States Senate Committee hearing will convene at 4.pm Eastern Standard Time on this 19th day of March, 2011.” The proctor began and then rattled off a list of names, most of which Sheppard only briefly registered, but as far as he was concerned a lot of politicians tended to look alike to him after a while. Kinsey and a cohort he had early on referred to as McIntyre were seated together. The a man with dark gray going gray at the temples had an expression that was more difficult to read but seemed at least more aware of the situation.
“Gentlemen and ladies,” the man addressed as Robert McIntyre began, clearing his throat I no doubt need remind you that we discuss here today is to remain top secret.”
Glancing around the room he resumed once the chairman was satisfied that he had the assent of those gathered there.
“Without putting too fine a point on it, we have a city out there, floating in San Francisco Bay that is not recognizably or realistically a part of these United States, nor is it claimed by any other nation on this planet.”
“So, where did it come from?” one of the younger senators asked.
Kinsey eyed the man with disdain. “Where do you think, idiot?”
“Oh, for crying’ out loud,” muttered Sheppard. “From outer space, but where it came from is not nearly as important as where it’s going.”
“Thank you, Colonel.”
Carter shifted in her chair and then asked to be recognized.
“What is not generally known is that Atlantis and its people, whether they originated from the U.S, Canada or any other nation, is that now that it’s here, and what we’re here to determine is what is to become of it. If you gentlemen will refer to the dossier in front of you…”
She paused as there was a rustling of paper and shifting of chairs, before she continued. “Is that we be allocated a stipend to get the primary core systems up and running. The city itself is capable of traveling, but since the splash down and the conflict with the, ah, enemy hostiles, the city took severe damage.”
“What are you asking us, for, Major?” Demanded Kinsey.
Pretending that she was not aware or chose to ignore the insulting tone in the older man’s voice she addressed her reply to the others in the room instead. “We need funds and more time. There’s only so much power in the primary systems to keep the force-field going.
“What happens then?” McIntyre asked, interested in spite of himself and the nudging of a bony elbow in his ribs.
“What we’re proposing is an exchange of energy and resources.”
“Might I have the floor,” Sheppard asked.
“The chair recognizes Lt. Colonel John Sheppard.”
“Thank you,” Sheppard replied. “Regardless of what you might have learned or read in the documented files, what are really at issue are the lives and well-being of several hundred people, a good number of these people is United States citizens, and just asking for a chance to get on with their lives.”
“It is the feeling of the ways and means chairman,“ Kinsey began, “that diverting any more government funding to the Stargate Program, or that floating fortress out there is throwing good money after bad.
“You didn’t even listen to our proposal, Senator,” began Samantha Carter. “If we could have more time, to get the primary systems back up to peak efficiently, the city would not only be able to sustain itself, but provide a means of alternative energy. It’s a win-win situation.”
“With all due, respect, Major Carter; Atlantis energy needs for its force-field alone are staggering,” McIntyre replied.
“We could also go public with it,” Sheppard drawled.
“And create a mass panic, Colonel?” I can’t speak for you, but I would not want the responsibility of something like that hanging over my head.” Kinsey scowled.
At that moment General Jack O’Neill came in and with several of the buttons on his uniform coat askew as if he had dressed in a hurry and in the dark, which he had. Seemingly having heard the last remark he swore. “When have you guys ever wanted anything hanging over your heads that wasn’t related to alcohol, you’re so dammed busy with your own pet projects that you’re too damned blind to see what’s right in front of you!”
“General O’Neill, you simply cannot burst in here like this, there is something to be said for protocol!” Kinsey exclaimed.
“Yeah, Kinsey, you me, we go way back you and I,” O’Neill continued. “You know I don’t give a damn about protocol, not now, not like this. And you’d be worse than a fool if you don’t support that Atlantis base and its people.”
“It would seem that this issue will remain unresolved until further notice, until then I suggest everyone calm down,” shouted the chairman over the murmurs, protest and comments flying around the small room.
If at first you don’t succeed; deny all evidence that you even tried.” General O’Neill exchanged a significant glance with Carter and Sheppard. “Yeah, but you’ll be hearing from us again. Count on it.“
Fandom: Stargate Atlantis
Author: karrenia
Rating; General Audiences
Characters: Rodney McKay/, Samantha Carter, John Sheppard etc.
Posting this here because I can't log into my live journal at the moment...le sigh.
Recipient: darkhavens in the 2011 Multifandom National Poetry Promptathon
Info can be found here: http://community.livejournal.com/npmexchange
Words: 1,663
Link to Poem used as the prompt: "Doth the World Goes Thus" by William Drummond
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/doth-then-the-world-go-thus-2/
Disclaimer: Stargate Atlantis belongs to MGM, Renaissance Pictures, Gekko Film Corp. as do all of the characters who appear here or are mentioned; they are not mine and are only ‘borrowed’ for the purposes of the story; it’s set during the very last televised season.
“Reconstruction Blues” by Karrenia
Tracking the progress or lack thereof on the chalkboard in his lab made Rodney McKay feel like a traveler lost in the wilderness making slashes with his knife in the leather of his saddle, as he wandered around in circles never quite able to reach his destination.
Speaking of destinations, for the longest time than he might care to recall, most of the destinations had had a numerical prefix attached to it; and no one of them had been anywhere in the vicinity of Earth. Seven Years had passed and so much had happened, perhaps he was still processing it all.
However, while much had changed for him both personally and professionally; one thing still remained the same; he had difficulty in relating to people. Without putting too fine a point on it, Rodney Mckay was a brilliant, but withdrawn, and while it had as much to do with Lt.
Colonel John Sheppard’s influence in the years they had spent exploring the Pegasus Galaxy; both had changed. After all, change was never really bad or good, it was simply change.
Staring at the chart on the chalkboard was not going to get him much of anywhere, “Radek was right, as much as it pains me to admit it,” he muttered aloud, and then with a sigh he raked his fingers through the mop of his bristly brown hair. “Just wish I knew what Sheppard and Carter are using as ammunition to plead our case with the powers that Be. Wouldn’t I like to be a fly on that wall.”
Lt. Colonel John Sheppard had faced any number of enemies during his tour of duty both on his home soil and parts abroad; and he had assumed that he had become a rather old hand at expecting the unexpected and while he had taken advantage of the opportunities that had presented themselves for the rare visits back to Earth in the past seven years; he had never experienced the longing that other friends and allies seemed to.
For her part Major Samantha Carter, seemed almost too relaxed watching her out of the corner of his eye as they both stepped out of the car, aware without giving it away of the military escort.
He figured that at least they stood a fighting chance with the personnel assigned to the task for dealing with Atlantis and its crew floating across the Golden Gate Bridge bay in much the same manner as its legendary counterpart, only this time much more high-tech and above the surface of the water, and much, much bigger.
General Jack O’Neill would have their back, but how much would his word count when weighed against the fact that Major Carter once served directly under him in the SG-1 team? At least one other member of the task force would be familiar to O’Neill, Carter and himself, if not exactly pleasant to meet again under the present circumstances, Senator Kinsey.
Based on what he had learned from both O’Neill and Carter, Senator Kinsey had a long and documented track record in being stubborn and dogmatic and held firm against absolutely anything having to do with the Stargaze program from its early days at the Cheyenne Mountain base and now to the Pegasus Expedition. If he held true to form his opinion and the naked antagonism he felt for General Jack O’Neill might very well derail their chases for pleading their case before they even got started.
The other members of the task force were unknowns, so how they’d vote during these preliminary committee hearings would be much harder to determine. Sheppard stole a glance at Samantha Carter as they reached the top step of the Senate Building and winked. “Here’s to trying/rhymes with dying.”
She shook her head. “Don’t be so droll. Besides you never know, there’s always such a thing as plausible denibility. The powers that be have always maintained that the existence of the Star Gate program be kept as tightly under wraps as possible.”
Sheppard snorted and stepped around to open the door for her, and then they both entered the building. Once inside they had to wait while security checked their ids and side arms. Signaling that they were all clear both stepped towards a wall of paneled cherry wood where the elevator stood waiting to take them to the eighth floor.
“Yeah, and you think that is in this day and age, folks wouldn’t notice a gigantic floating city out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean?”
“Only, so long as they don’t run into the force-field generator,” she replied. Sheppard offered a thumbs-up and one of his trade-mark wry, off-center grins. “Let’s hope so, but it’s going be a devil of time explaining ‘that’ away.”
**
The Committee hearing
“This United States Senate Committee hearing will convene at 4.pm Eastern Standard Time on this 19th day of March, 2011.” The proctor began and then rattled off a list of names, most of which Sheppard only briefly registered, but as far as he was concerned a lot of politicians tended to look alike to him after a while. Kinsey and a cohort he had early on referred to as McIntyre were seated together. The a man with dark gray going gray at the temples had an expression that was more difficult to read but seemed at least more aware of the situation.
“Gentlemen and ladies,” the man addressed as Robert McIntyre began, clearing his throat I no doubt need remind you that we discuss here today is to remain top secret.”
Glancing around the room he resumed once the chairman was satisfied that he had the assent of those gathered there.
“Without putting too fine a point on it, we have a city out there, floating in San Francisco Bay that is not recognizably or realistically a part of these United States, nor is it claimed by any other nation on this planet.”
“So, where did it come from?” one of the younger senators asked.
Kinsey eyed the man with disdain. “Where do you think, idiot?”
“Oh, for crying’ out loud,” muttered Sheppard. “From outer space, but where it came from is not nearly as important as where it’s going.”
“Thank you, Colonel.”
Carter shifted in her chair and then asked to be recognized.
“What is not generally known is that Atlantis and its people, whether they originated from the U.S, Canada or any other nation, is that now that it’s here, and what we’re here to determine is what is to become of it. If you gentlemen will refer to the dossier in front of you…”
She paused as there was a rustling of paper and shifting of chairs, before she continued. “Is that we be allocated a stipend to get the primary core systems up and running. The city itself is capable of traveling, but since the splash down and the conflict with the, ah, enemy hostiles, the city took severe damage.”
“What are you asking us, for, Major?” Demanded Kinsey.
Pretending that she was not aware or chose to ignore the insulting tone in the older man’s voice she addressed her reply to the others in the room instead. “We need funds and more time. There’s only so much power in the primary systems to keep the force-field going.
“What happens then?” McIntyre asked, interested in spite of himself and the nudging of a bony elbow in his ribs.
“What we’re proposing is an exchange of energy and resources.”
“Might I have the floor,” Sheppard asked.
“The chair recognizes Lt. Colonel John Sheppard.”
“Thank you,” Sheppard replied. “Regardless of what you might have learned or read in the documented files, what are really at issue are the lives and well-being of several hundred people, a good number of these people is United States citizens, and just asking for a chance to get on with their lives.”
“It is the feeling of the ways and means chairman,“ Kinsey began, “that diverting any more government funding to the Stargate Program, or that floating fortress out there is throwing good money after bad.
“You didn’t even listen to our proposal, Senator,” began Samantha Carter. “If we could have more time, to get the primary systems back up to peak efficiently, the city would not only be able to sustain itself, but provide a means of alternative energy. It’s a win-win situation.”
“With all due, respect, Major Carter; Atlantis energy needs for its force-field alone are staggering,” McIntyre replied.
“We could also go public with it,” Sheppard drawled.
“And create a mass panic, Colonel?” I can’t speak for you, but I would not want the responsibility of something like that hanging over my head.” Kinsey scowled.
At that moment General Jack O’Neill came in and with several of the buttons on his uniform coat askew as if he had dressed in a hurry and in the dark, which he had. Seemingly having heard the last remark he swore. “When have you guys ever wanted anything hanging over your heads that wasn’t related to alcohol, you’re so dammed busy with your own pet projects that you’re too damned blind to see what’s right in front of you!”
“General O’Neill, you simply cannot burst in here like this, there is something to be said for protocol!” Kinsey exclaimed.
“Yeah, Kinsey, you me, we go way back you and I,” O’Neill continued. “You know I don’t give a damn about protocol, not now, not like this. And you’d be worse than a fool if you don’t support that Atlantis base and its people.”
“It would seem that this issue will remain unresolved until further notice, until then I suggest everyone calm down,” shouted the chairman over the murmurs, protest and comments flying around the small room.
If at first you don’t succeed; deny all evidence that you even tried.” General O’Neill exchanged a significant glance with Carter and Sheppard. “Yeah, but you’ll be hearing from us again. Count on it.“