A Legacy left Behind - Initial encounters

Part 4

The General saw Sheppard looking at him and straightened from his post, inclined his head at John, indicating to follow him and took off. John stood from the chair and followed the General out, hoping he was going to the commissary. He was hungry and tired. Neither doctor noticed his departure; too engulfed in their indignant argument.

The kind General did lead the way to food and they took their time having a leisurely breakfast. A beaming Elizabeth Weir came in and made way as if to join them but a look from the General persuaded her to change course; to John's great relief. He was not feeling up for another session with one of them.

"Get yourself discharged from Carson and have one of the Sergeants issue you a kit. I mean, you look dashing in your scrubs but I'm sure you will feel much more comfortable in a uniform and boots. And then come see me in that office over there. You should be able to avoid any more trouble there, and then we will leave this crazy place behind for awhile!"

"Yes Sir."

After a moment of hesitation he decided to take a chance with the General because so far the man had been quite accommodating.

"And, um, I can even fly the bird back to McMurdo if you want me to, Sir- I'm sure Lieutenant Richardson won't mind."

He had seen the vitals of the kid sky-rocket during the fiasco of their arrival and the unsteady way he continued the flight. John was cooped up for too long here and he was itching to get behind a joystick and fling himself to the sky. If the kid had any problem with it, too bad because John outranked him. It was the General he had to convince.

The General of course beamed at him as if he had just voiced the best idea ever and readily consented. By mutual agreement they decided that Dr. Beckett did not need to know that bit of information.

Noon approached without fanfare and they departed the Ancient Outpost with a relieved and grateful Lieutenant Richardson manning the co-pilot seat in the Black Hawk. John felt the slightest touch in his mind from Terra Atlantus as it bid farewell and John reciprocated with a promise to return as soon as possible.

Area 52

Stargate Command

Cheyenne Mountain

Colorado

Arrival at the Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado was a relatively painless experience. The journey back had taken a little over 19 hours and John was grateful that General liked to travel in luxury.

The home of Stargate Command, code named "Area 52" was a stark underground facility with multiple levels deeper into the mountain and beneath the ground. Multiple levels of security controlled the access to various areas, that were housing all kinds of projects. As they got deeper into the sub-levels, which they were officially called, with obviously higher security clearances, John started to feel a wisp of that familiar warmth that cocooned his mind not too long ago.

He instinctively knew that the sharp note of recognition flitting through his mind belonged to the Stargate. All the other Ancient technology bits and pieces that were scattered around the complex in various stages of activation chimed in for the welcome, creating a beautiful mental harmony. He could feel it resonating down to his bones. John was leaning a bit heavily on the elevator wall and blinking rapidly at the sensation and General O'Neill sent a knowing smirk his way.

They exited at level 27, which housed the Briefing room and Commander's Office from where Jack O'Neill ran his controversial command. They were met by Master Sergeant Walter Harriman who proceeded to give the General a succinct update of base operations during his absence. Noting that nothing untoward had taken place while he was away, he continued towards the command center where the dialing station overlooked the prized possession the whole facility was converted around to secure and protect.