A Legacy left Behind - Initial encounters

Part 4

The massive Ancient metal ring made of the precious naquadah with seven triangular chevrons encircling it was an imposing sight even in its' dormant state.

"So, you know, this ring-thing- comes with this dialer. You hit the symbols, it spins around and lights come on and it kind of flushes sideways. Then there's this blue puddle that swooshes outwards and settles with a splat. Then it's all ready to step through to whichever planet we feel like stirring shit up in that day."

The introduction to this technological marvel that created stable one-way wormholes to other planets was delivered in the same tone one would introduce you to their favorite coffee shop, 'down the road and the first left- best damn Kona you could find in this part of the town.'

"You can feel it, can't you? Even from the elevator? To me, it's like a buzz in the back of my mind. Used to drive me mad in the beginning, then I kind of got used to it and I hardly notice it anymore-"

"Yeah. It kind of was a bit overwhelming at first because I think I felt almost all the Ancient gadgets here in my mind at the same time. They all blended together into a sort of a chorus. It was a bit unexpected. I guess I'm kinda used to the gentle warmth from Terra Atlantus, but that is part of a sentience; so it makes sense that the stuff here wouldn't make the same impression. But the Stargate is a bit intense. Like it is doing a mental handshake with my mind even now, and making a two way connection, I think."

John knew he was taking a chance blurting out the extent of his connection to all things Ancient in this manner. It wasn't probably very common judging by the way the General boggled at him clearly astounded. But he was already here and he had already made up his mind that he was 100% in with both feet. He felt he could trust the General and he was going to need all the help he could get and they needed to know what was going on inside him to be able to provide that help.

"Yeah, okay." The General cleared his throat.

"That is well, ahem, that does sound intense. Oh boy, we are going to have to keep a tight leash on our geek squad when it comes to you." Jack shook his head and muttered mostly to himself. Then he rubbed his palms together and turned to the Master Sergeant who had followed them in. "Walter, why don't you take the Major up to 21 and introduce him to Doctor Lam? And then find him quarters and a full kit."

He addressed the rest to Sheppard.

"Consider yourself off duty for the rest of the day after your check up. We will meet up here on this floor in the Briefing room at 0800 hrs tomorrow to start your debriefing. If you are going to need some leave time to sort yourself out in the world outside we will arrange that afterwards. Marshall did practically snatch you away from the other side of the planet only a couple of weeks ago." Jack said before adding-

"Gotta go boss people around now. Ciao."

With that cheerful parting John watched his new CO walk away in a decidedly opposite direction to his office.

The medical checkup was every bit and more intrusive and thorough as the countless others he had been through in his career. And of course there were a couple of things that he manfully endured for the first time. Made sense they had some alien pokes and needles and other medical equipment seeing as they made trips to other planets for a living.

Dr. Lam was a pretty lady who gifted him with a warm smile that could have frozen the Sahara desert in a matter of seconds and released him to Walter's care with a stern warning to eat a proper meal and rest. John figured that Dr. Beckett must have got to Lam, ratting him out on his morning adventures.

The scarily efficient Master Sergeant already had a full kit in two duffel bags waiting for him inside, when he escorted him to level 14 where his quarters were located along with other base military officers. He also provided John with a map of the base along with a contact information list and left him with a friendly, 'call me if you need anything.'