Chapter 226

Borealis

Sitting in his office beyond the city's operations center, Daniel sipped his coffee while reading the journal of Chaya Sar he had located in the database. Some might call it an invasion of privacy, but to Daniel it was a window into the thoughts of the last commander of Borealis. The highs and lows of command during the Lantean/Wraith War were spelled out for him, in graphic detail. Reading passages him the journal kept him grounded, atleast that is what he told himself to justify reading it.

Entering his office, the dark haired avatar of Borealis caught his attention. At times, the sight of the avatar brought back memories of his late wife Shar're. So long ago had he lost her that the pain of it was long callused over.

"Can I help you with something Borealis?" Daniel asked.

"Doctor Jackson, I require your presence in the control center. I have already notified Teal'c to join you there." Borealis explained.

"What is he joining me there for, if you don't mind me asking?" Daniel asked.

"You both have an incoming message from Atlantis." Borealis said in cryptic reply.

Rising from his desk, Daniel set his coffee down and walked through the office entryway. Passing over the elevated walkway and crossing over into the control center, Daniel briskly walks past the technicians sitting at their duty stations. Coming up the stairs opposite these duty stations is Teal'c. Nodding his head at the Borealis avatar, the incoming message begins. Unexpectedly, the message is in the form of the holograph of the Atlantis avatar.

"I send this message at the direction of Colonel Dean Frost. An hour ago, my crew performed a rescue mission of two hundred humans from the world known as Manaria. After their arrival, the evacuees dispersed in the main tower, south pier, and west pier. These evacuees were not what they appeared to be. Making use of Wraith weaponry, these individuals have taken hostages and have assumed control of sections of my internal spaces. Colonel Frost has declared this to be a foothold situation. Per his instructions, I pass this notification to you. This information has also been forwarded to fleet units and allies, and the SGC. At this time, Colonel Frost is mobilizing military personnel to combat this threat." Atlantis's avatar said before shimmering out of existence.

Wordlessly, Daniel and Teal'c stare at one another. Those few seconds felt like a lifetime to the two men. Quickly, both jumped into action.

"What are your orders Daniel Jackson?" Teal'c asked.

"Assemble your best people and get them suited up. Keep the team small. I will get McKay and Keller. Let me know when you're ready to go." Daniel stated quickly.

"It will be done." Teal'c says with a bow of his head.

Turning on his heals, Daniel instructs the control technicians to contact Keller and McKay. He further instructs the technicians to have both Doctors ready to leave for an emergency. That complete, Daniel starts to run to his quarters to collect gear he might need. Along the way, he orders the Borealis avatar to send word to Colonel's Carter, Mitchell, and Sheppard to meet them in Atlantis after they arrive. The Borealis avatar is further instructed to contact the Atlantis avatar, and inform her that they will be gating there in a jumper, and to please arrange a way to keep the jumper safe upon its arrival.

Twenty minutes later, properly suited up in his field gear, Daniel reappears in the control center. Quickly, he passes out orders to take the city to an increased level of alert. Unsure if the actions on Atlantis were the opening moves in a much larger series of events, the powerful shield of Borealis is raised. That accomplished the Borealis expedition commander and former member of SG-1 makes his way to the upper jumper bay.

Rounding the corner, Daniel see's activity around the jumper twenty feet to his front. Stepping around to the rear of the craft, he takes note that in the rear seats of the vessel sit Lieutenant Mathew Scott, Master Sergeant Ronald Greer, Rodney McKay, and Jennifer Keller. In the front c.o.c.kpit sits Teal'c and a single pilot.

"Everybody ready?" Daniel asks lightly.

"Indeed we are." Teal'c replies.

Punching in the gate symbols on the jumpers onboard DHD, the pilot brings the gate below to life. As the floor below opens, the jumper slowly descends into the gate room. Hovering silently over the gate room floor, the jumper enters the active gate and begins its journey to Atlantis.