“Captain some-thing is approaching us off the starboard bow.”
Kirk stared at his Conn officer. “Not the most descriptive analysis Lieutenant.”
“Sir, this object, if these sensors are working, defies description.”
“Then put the object on screen and we'll see if the sensors are accurate.” Mr. Sulu adjusted some of the controls at his station and the enormous something or other appeared on the primary viewpoint. “I see why you were confused.” Kirk said under his breath.
Apparently the mass behind and to their left was literally a floating city with clearly Terran architecture. Skyscrapers as well and turrets were distinguishable in the present magnification. But was was most impressive, and puzzling was that there was no ground. The city did not float on an asteroid or any soil or landmass. As far as Kirk could tell, it literally floated on nothing.
Turning to his science officer he ordered a 'full scan and this range'. Which was an easily understood order for the Vulcan who had served under him for so many years. And carried out with nothing but an affirming nod and an eager expression. It wasn't often they came across something even Spock never considered possible. “Analysis Mr. Spock?”
“Very real captain and very...historically accurate.”
“Life-signs?”
“Our sensors are having trouble penetrating the structure captain however...we are being hailed.”
“On speakers.”
The speakers crackled and electric interference poured over the comms. It took a second for Kirk to realize the interference was from the other ship...not a problem with their systems. A moment later a broken, distorted voice was heard. “This is Colonel John Sheppard. If you can hear me, if you're out there...to any ship within range...request immediate assistance.”
“This is Captain James Kirk, ready to assist. Lower your shields to we may beam you aboard?”
“Captain, they shouldn't trouble you the state they're in. But yes...not for long.”
“Understood Colonel. Prepare for emergency beam out.”
A few minutes later 12 human beings materialized onboard the USS Enterprise. One of whom was a clearly military officer with a lot of energy and a lot of questions. Captain Kirk was in the infirmary to welcome him when he eventually did calm down.
“This is amazing, your arrival I mean. And more than a little straining to credulity.”
“I could say the same thing of you colonel. Identify yourself, and your team, please.”
“Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard, United States Air force. Exactly what outfit I'm with? Would take a lot longer. How many made it?”
“We were only able to beam 12 of you aboard. There are others still in your city but...”
“They'll be alright; they're in stasis for a reason.” Noticing Kirk's look of shock Sheppard offered an explanation. “Four days ago there were 25 living souls on that ship...Atlantis as we call it. Everyone else was either free and clear, dead or in stasis. We did not lose a city full of people Captain. Or I would have an appropriately Macabre reaction.”
“United States...what year?”
“...2010. But that city, is not human workmanship...not from 21st century Earth anyway. They were our...they were an ANCINT race of humanoids who were so stuck up with such accomplishments...they didn't think their enemy was a threat...and died out centuries ago.”
“An incredibly scientifically advanced civilization.” Spock said from the doorway.
“Advanced yes...civilized...debatable.” A coarse voice said from another bio-bed. A man with more muscles than his tunic could conceal and a hairstyle almost as imposing as his attitude sat up.
“Ronnan, take it easy. I'm fairly certain we can trust these guys. They're not the Wraith.”
“Wraith, as in specters, spirits of the dead?”
“As in a biological race that grows whatever technology it has and sucks the life out of you, through a slit in their hands instead of their mouth.” Sheppard intoned. “Look up the less reliable reports of my time. You'll see what we mean.” He passed out a moment later.
“We all die at one time or another Colonel. And I for one would rather die today and have it mean
something than outlive all my friends and bemoan a wasted life.”
“Those were the last words I told Sumner before I put him in the puddle-jumper. Dr's Beckett and McKay were with him along with the remaining science personnel. I powered down the control tower and secured myself in the stasis chamber. Wasn't sure anyone would ever find us.” Major John Sheppard paused and looked at the faces around him. “How DID you all find us anyway?”
“A giant floating city that seemed of Earth origin, or at least Terran architecture, quite literally floating in space. It was hard to miss.”
“You're of an Earth fleet?” Sheppard said with a quizzical look.
“Yes...we DO have a lot to catch you up on.” The Captain said stolidly. My first officer would like to debrief you whenever you are ready. Until then I think you would like to read through our historical libraries...get oriented as it were.”
“Captain. You have yet to tell me who you are or what year this is, I do NOT want to be left so far in the dark while being told to 'catch myself up'.” The ship's captain arched his eyes and smiled in surprise at the Air Force major. “Near-warp relativity and light-speed transitory nonsense aside, that city, Atlantis was built by the Ancients. It's not much of a leap to say even their reserve batteries could last a few hundred years and I be none the wiser for it...being in a sleep without dreams and all.”
“You are familiar with the theories of faster than light travel and parallel planet development?” A calm, controlled voice spoke up for the first time ever.
And without looking up Sheppard replied. “They were considered nothing but science-fiction at home. All I know of those 'theories' as you call them come from television and film...a few novels along the same lines. Then I got clearance to hear about this outpost in Antarctica and the gateway to other worlds. Artificial wormholes, alien machines that created tunnels through space, including one to a whole other galaxy. My expedition was sent to the Pegasuses galaxy to search for these 'ancients' and their 'lost city'. We found the city itself, reasonably calling it 'Atlantis'. We hadn't been there 3 days when it launched itself into space again to avoid an attack by these ancients enemies...a species called the wraith.”
“But there were no ancients to operate the city. Complete automation?”
“It wasn't exactly well cared for as a city. Almost everything was powered down. But external sensors sensed danger and acted accordingly...according to its own programming. Now if you wouldn't mind answering my original question?” Major Sheppard said with no small amount of edge to his voice.
“By your calendar it would be May 15th 2279.” The calm, cool voice from before answered. “And we are on the outer fringes of the milky way galaxy. It seems these Ancients had programmed Atlantis to return home if their new world was threatened.”
“That would make sense I guess.” Sheppard acceded. “Listen there was one other stasis field operational when I went under. Our team leader Doctor Weir appointed herself a 'lifeboat' in case we were ever found. She said wanted to be a time capsule rather than a living witness...more for the sake of 'here's who we were and what things were like' than any record about what had happened. Is she awake?”
“Her stasis field is functioning. We weren't sure how to safely revive her, or even if we could...”
“Well, how'd you revive me then?” Uncomfortable looks were shared in all directions. “You didn't, did you? I woke up when you beamed yourselves to Atlantis but...” Major John Sheppard jumped from his medical bed, grabbed his belt and left the infirmary without another word. Captain James T Kirk and Commander Spock followed a step behind. The latter regarding him with a kind of suspicious fascination. The major seemed to know exactly where he was going, how to get back to the stasis chamber from the city's infirmary. He must have memorized enough of the schematics in the short time he'd been aboard. He realized the explanation in a moment. 'They'd only been in the city a few days before it launched itself into space. They could have floated through space in Atlantis for weeks before evacuating.
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