Chapter 1

I, also known as the female Mayor of the city of Atlantis,

Elizabeth Emmagan, am sitting in my offìce, above the gateroom.

It had been used as the office of the leader thousands of years ago. I feel like I'm stepping into footsteps, way to large for me.

I'm looking at my people, working outside of my room. I'm so proud to be the leader of them all. A smile plays on my lips when I think about how I came to this honour...

I'm finally 20 years old and finished the academy.

It's no academy on earth or somewhere else in the milkyway.

It's on Artos.

My ancestors once build this shool, so the children of their folk and the humans, born in pegasus, could study together.

The teachers are from Earth and from Artos. That was only possible after the SGA once decided to tell everyone about Atlantis, the stargate and everything else.

I think that was in 2038, or something. Now its the year 3010 and we only have the notes of our ancestors left.

I was born on Atlantis, like my mother and her mother before. Many children were born on Atlantis.

It's no longer a colony as when the first group of travellers from earth stepped through the gate. It's become home for everyone.

It's 8 pm when my door chimes. I'm standing up and going towards it.

"Oh, Miss Ford! What can I do for you?", I ask confused. I wouldnt have thought to see a member of the council.

"Miss Emmagan. I don't want to talk around the point for long. We had to replace the Mayor of our city and given that you were the most promising student of this year and you're always confident, strongminded and logical, we ask you to take his job."

"WHAT?!You're supposed to be kidding! Erm...I mean..sure!"

"Good. Here's your new planner. Meeting at 7am. Nice day!"

Then she turns around and leaves.

I really was surprised to get this job so soon after I just finished my school.

I smile.

I wasn't surprised anymore when I found out, the council just wanted to have someone weak at this post, they could control.

When I found out I replaced them and showed them how strong I am.

Now the council has only members, I really trust. My brother for example.

His name is Nathan.

He is the best fighter I know. He can get everyone down he wants but still he is calm and can be polite and diplomatic.

My best friend Liam Kavanaugh is also part of the council. He is friendly, always thinks about what's the best to do and I trust him with my life.

The other members are Charlie Forest, her brother William, James McKay and Jack Sheppard.

Most of them are brave, strongminded, good fighters and diplomatically. And my friends.

My first year as a leader has been very difficult but soon I learned how to be a leader. Now I can't imagine doing something else.

I'm 25 now and I feel wiser even if I will never be as wise as my mother.

Her name was Laura Emmagan. She was the smartest woman anyone could know. That's why my father fell for her.

Before my parents married, her name was Laura Dex. She died three years ago as she fought a ship of pirates.

I stand up and shake my head to get it clear.

"Elizabeth! You are the one I was searching for!"

"What is it James?", I ask smiling. He often runs around and is brabbaling stuff but I like that he's like this. Atlantis would be cold without him.

"I found something very interesting in the database!"

His eyes are glowing and I have to smile more. Usually he isn't like this even when he'd found out how to fly a jumper when he was four.

"Ok, show me. What did you find?"

He holds his pad right in front of my face and I have to get it a little away to get to look at it. It showes a gateadress and a few notes about the ancestors of my folk.

"Wow! That really is interesting! I just can't understand why you are so impressed?"

"Can't your future brother in law be happy for you?", he says with a wink.

"You have to keep this up, don't you?"

"Well...no. I'm just so happy... I really love him."

"I know."

James and Nathan were friends since they were born. When they finally had enaugh courage to tell each other it was no surprise. Neither for me nor for everyone else. A month ago, James asked Nathan to marry him and for sure my brother said yes.

They will marry in two weeks and both are exited like hell. To be honest, I am too. I love my brother and James is one of my best friends too. And the best is, I have the honour to marry those two.

"Ok, give me that and the council and I will decide what to do."

James gives me his pad and walks out of my office.

Than let's see...

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"What is written in these notes?", William asks.

"Well", I say and sit up straighter, "Jason found out that the planet we call Athos, isn't the first planet with this name. Our ancestors called our planet New Athos. The notes say that once the Wraith came to that planet. That was long time ago. The risk is minimal."

"Did you really think about it?", Liam asks concerned,"We only have notes from hundreds of years ago and we don't know whether anyone is already living there!"

"I understand what you mean but still... we were on many planets, we've never heard of before and it would give us many sights into our past! I think it is a good idea", I say.

"Ok, we will vote. Who votes for going to this planet?"

James, Jack, Nathan and I raise our hands. Hestitantly the other three raise theirs too.

I smile. "Good. We're going to send our first exploration troop and a few armed fighters. Jack, you will join in with James you two are qualified scientists and fighters and I trust you to get back some good informations. Search you team together and leave at 0600 in the morning. You can go."

Liam stays behind when everyone left.

"I still think it's a high risk...", he says quietly.

"I know. But I think it's worth it!"

I lay my hand on his shoulder and he smiles at me.

"I knew you would say so..."

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(POV Harry Torres, Soldat)

I stand up and shave my beard. Yesterday, Soldat Sheppard came to me and told me I was chosen for a mission that starts today 0600. He also told me to take on some warm clothes.

I take a warm pullover out of the closet. It joins warm pants on my bed with socks.

Clothed, I check my watch. 0530. Good. Time for me to get my stuff in the past mission clothing room. I take my black leather jacket, my tactical vest and my black trousers.

I nod my head in respekt when Soldats Sheppard and McKay join and take their stuff themselfes.

We go to the gateroom together.

The team and Mayor Emmagan already stand there.

"Still 15 minutes left but everyone is here", Sheppard says, checking his watch, "So we could go earlier. Maybe we would be back for lunch."

Smirks play on our faces and we nod.

"Good luck! Chuck, dial the gate!"