Stargate Defense - season one

Chapter One

Mal put on his best welcoming smile. "I'm Colonel Malachy Hughes, this is my team. Captain Leonore Kain and Dr. Evander Walsh. We're explorers, we came through the Stargate."

The two men looked at one another then back at Mal. "You came through the Ancestral Ring?"

"Uh, yeah, the big metal ... spiny, light up thing." He made a rotation in the air with his finger then gestured in the direction of the Gate. "Van?"

Van rolled his eyes at Mal. "Yes, we came through the Ancestral Ring. We call it the Stargate."

"How is this possible? The Ring has been dormant since the Teachers left us long ago."

"I'm sorry, the Teachers?"

"Yes, they came from the stars long ago and taught us much. They helped our ancestors evolve and learn. To build better with less waste. They taught us many things that helped our people."

"And then they left?" Van asked.

The man nodded vigorously, his thinning blond hair wobbled atop his head as he did. "Yes, they said we had grown wise enough to be on our own. They told our ancestors they were forced to leave us."

Van looked at Mal. "It's possible the Teachers were one of the four great races."

"Well, we know the Ancients ran to Pegasus," Mal replied.

"Yes they left to escape a plague." Van was nodding slowly as he thought it through.

Mal turned back to the two men. "Is there someone we can speak with? A leader or a council?"

The blond man bobbed his head. "Yes, come, we will take you to our leader. He will be excited to learn that the Teachers have returned."

"Oh, whoa, wait, we aren't the Teachers," Van told him. "We're from a planet called Earth. We discovered a Stargate on our planet and we have been using it to explore other worlds."

The younger man grinned. "Then the Teachers visited your world as well, how exciting!"

Van frowned as he considered what the man had said. "Did your Teachers build the Gate?"

"Oh yes, they were very wise," the blond haired man said. He thrust out a hand. "I am Odell, this is my son Beck. We are happy to welcome you here. Come, follow us." He turned away and hurried down a path away from the Gate.

Mal frowned at Van. "Do you think their Teachers were the Ancients?"

"They are the Gate builders," Van answered.

"It's a little curious that they spent time teaching these people when they're reluctant to share diddly with us now that they're ascended."

Van shrugged. "Not all of them are like that, we know that from various Ancients the teams have encountered. Maybe the ones who came here were rogue or whatever and believed they should share their knowledge."

"I guess."

"Come, follow us!" Odell called as he led them through a set of gates into a bustling city.

"This is amazing," Van said as he spun a circle.

"Would you like to fill us in on what's so amazing?" Lee asked as she sidestepped a puddle that looked like it contained less than freshwater.

"The material these buildings are made from appears to be some sort of synthetic stone."

"How can you tell that?" She stepped around a pile of manure and wrinkled her nose.

"I took a few geology classes. They sounded like fun." He shrugged. "Odell, can you tell me what these buildings are made from?"

"I'm sorry but that is information I don't have. I'm a simple man, a cloth weaver." He held up his arm to show Van the material of his shirt. "The finest cloth in all the city! Soft and strong, it lasts for many, many years."