Cold Wind from Teksa'corani

Chapter 1

Richard Woolsey, civilian leader of the Atlantis expedition to the Pegasus Galaxy, watched the stunned expressions on the faces of his Military Commander and Chief Science Officer.  He had expected them to be surprised, even shocked, and had gone so far as to predict, accurately as it turned out, how their emotions might be displayed. 

Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard remained virtually immobile, his gaze fixed somewhere below the level of Richard’s desk, his black brows frowning heavily, his mouth thinned where his lower lip was drawn in and gripped tightly between his teeth.  But where his tension manifested in stillness, his companion burst into agitated speech and movement.

“Well, yes, we knew it was coming eventually, but this is… this is…  Let’s just say it’s pretty inconvenient.”  Dr Rodney McKay bounced to his feet and paced twitchily, back and forth in front of the desk, hands waving in their characteristic manner.  “I have work, important work here.  Who are they expecting to take over?”

“Dr Zelenka is more than -”

“Yes, Radek can manage, I suppose.  And at least power isn’t a problem, because I guarantee you he’ll be running to the Gate, demanding my presence every five minutes.  Head of the Homeworld Science Authority?  What does that even mean?  Is that really an international role?  It sounds more like something you’d take on in a doomed attempt to look impressive in your yearbook.”

“An international committee has been established -”

“Yes, yes, you said.  Homeworld Science Authority, indeed.  Can’t Sam Carter do that?”

“Colonel Carter will be heading the SGC.”

“Really?  Well, I suppose that makes sense with her field experience.”  Rodney stuck his hands in his pockets but they quickly broke out and busied themselves with a flurry of movement and a concluding finger snap.  “I can publish.  I can publish, right?  My work?  My findings?”

“Yes, I believe that will now be possible.”

“Mmm.”  The scientist's face was a glow of Nobel dreams. He rocked jauntily on his toes.

The silent occupant of the office shifted in his seat.

“Colonel?”  Richard prompted.

A heavy sigh and reluctant eyes met his, their thoughts shielded, the changeable hazel a flat, shadowed black.  “So my role’s gonna be, what?  Some kinda PR thing?”  His lip curled with distaste.

“Initially, yes.  In fact, we’ll all need to do our part in that respect to begin with.”  Richard leant back in his chair and regarded the two men over his steepled fingers.  “As you can imagine, there will be a certain amount of confusion, perhaps even unrest, when the situation is first disclosed.”  Rodney snorted loudly.  Richard acknowledged this with a small smile.  “Yes, declassification will almost certainly change the global political situation overnight along with, in all likelihood, the attitudes of the entire population of the planet.  The governments of the world are keen to avoid panic, of course and so they will need us all, as key players, to be out there in the public eye, to be seen to be approachable, normal figures, to reassure the public at large that, well, that life goes on as usual, even when one’s everyday life and career is centred on the existence of extra-terrestrial life.”

“So, what, speeches, interviews, talk shows?”  Rodney rubbed his hands together.  “Scores will be settled!” he said with relish.  It was John’s turn to snort.  “It’s not really your scene, is it, Sheppard?  Being in the limelight?”

John shrugged and grimaced.  “Not really.”

“Well, look on the bright side.  As the handsome hero of the hour, women’ll flock to you like bees around a honey-pot.”