Beyond The Glowing Whirlpool

Chapter 3: INTO THE UNKNOWN

-We are here, miss. - An attendant gently touched her shoulder.

It was about a fifteen-hour flight, and since Stacie didn't get enough sleep the night before, because she was too anxious, she dozed off on the plane.

-Miss, wake up!

Stacie opened her eyes and looked around, still feeling groggy.

-Did we arrive? - She asked the attendant sleepily and lifted her seat back into a sitting position.

-Yes, we're about to land, so please buckle up.

They have arrived at another private airport. This one was even smaller than the one before. Though she had absolutely no idea where she was, the surrounding landscape looked like somewhere in the middle of the desert. 

"Is this really it?" she thought with confusion, looking around as she was led out of the jet and told to wait. "But there's nothing here!" 

There really was nothing except for a few short airplane lanes and one small control tower. The sun was just about to start setting and hung over the golden hills painting the sky with peach and lavender hues. The air was neither cold nor hot, just that unpleasant temperature, that clung to you making you feel like you're wrapped in saran wrap. 

"Phew..." Exhaled Stacie, peeling away her shirt that was sticking to her body.

-It sure is h... - She started saying to herself when suddenly a strong gust of wind swept all through the airport, accompanied by an obnoxiously loud propelling sound.

She turned away, covering her face protecting it from the stimulated dust cloud. She didn't need to look in order to know what was the cause of this sudden storm arousal, as the deafening chopping sound of the propellers was a dead giveaway. The helicopter had landed on a specifically designated landing mark about a hundred yards away from Stacie, and the gust has calmed down a great deal. She slowly looked over and saw a pilot climbing out of its cockpit and in short while made his way towards her.

-Miss Maclay, I presume? - He asked with a slight Australian accent, as he approached her.

-Yes... - She replied a bit timidly.

-Greetings. I am here to deliver you to the safe house of the stargate portal via helicopter. The safe house is in a secret and securely guarded location, so there are no roads leading there.

-Understandable. - Replied Stacie.

-How are you with heights miss? This is different from jet or airplane flying.

-This wouldn't be my first time flying by helicopter sir. - Smiled Stacie - In my line of work, there are places you can't get to by any other mode of transportation but the helicopter. I'm alright with heights.

-Splendid. Shall we be on our way then? You are being expected.

She nodded in reply and followed the pilot to the cockpit of his chopper, while the flight attendant took her luggage to load it up onto the helicopter.

After about another hour or so, they arrived at a peculiar spot, that looked like a very small valley surrounded by sheer cliffs. Again, it seemed like there was nothing there from the above view of the helicopter's windows until the helicopter started to slowly and carefully descend down into that valley. Suddenly a huge, round tunnel burrowed deep into one of the walls of the cliff revealed itself at the very bottom, and about several yards deep inside that tunnel, was a wall with a heavy, metal, garage-like door. The door was opened as soon as the helicopter's engine was cut, and some armed security guards dressed in military uniforms came out to greet them and she was escorted inside.

-Are you miss Anastasia Maclay? - Suddenly she heard from behind almost as soon as she entered.

She turned to see a man, who looked to be about forty years old. He was tall and well fit, with dark hair that had some gray streaks here and there.

-Yes, that's me... - She answered timidly.

-Welcome. - He smiled - It is so good to finally meet you. My name is Arthur James. I'm am the captain of the crew that's currently stationed in the Atlantis. We've been expecting you. This way, please. - And he leads her through some hallways of machinery, all the way to the back of the building.

-I have heard much about you, and your accomplishments and skills in languages. The diagram you have created with Atlantis' hieroglyphs translation has served us very well! On behalf of my entire crew, I would like to thank you for choosing to be a part of the "P.O" project. There is so much to be discovered and learned. We really do need skilled and reliable people like you in this endeavor. - He expressed while they were walking.

Pretty soon, they came to a huge double door of another room, and with a press of a buzzer button, it was opened, and they went in. The room was dim and musky, with metal walls, and heavy machinery all around. In the very center of it, stood a huge round ring. Big enough for a small jet that she was on, to easily fit through. This was the Stargate. Stacie gawked at it from top to bottom in total ave. She has seen many wonders in her line of work, but this was the most magnificent thing she has ever beheld. The captain noticed the unspoken amazement on her face and said with a twinkle in his eyes:

-If you think this is cool, wait till you see the city itself. It's incredible! Dial it up, boys! - He commanded some workers at control panels.

The inner outline of the ring lit up and with a very loud tornado-like swishing sound that startled Stacie, a glowing and twisting distortion appeared right in the middle opening of the ring.

-Alright, miss Maclay, this is it. A whole new life awaits you on the other side of this portal. Are you ready? - He stepped onto the platform on which the Stargate was positioned, and extended his hand to her.

She stared at the bluish, hypnotizing swirling light, that looked like a glowing whirlpool straight from some strange-magic fantasy world, and send off a strong breeze into the room with a loud sound. For a moment, she froze on a spot with a twisting feeling in her stomach as she realized that she didn't get herself mentally prepared for something like this.

-Don't be afraid. - Reassured her captain - It's perfectly safe.

"Safety isn't what I'm worried about..." Thought Stacie, and took a deep breath. 

Feeling as nervous as getting on a scary roller coaster ride for the first time, she slowly took the captain's hand stepping onto the platform as well. The next thing that happened, felt like it was a dream. As soon as they came close to the portal, she felt a strong, yet gentle pulling. Then she felt a strange sensation of faintness as if she was dissolving into a thin air when the captain pulled her after himself into the portal. For a moment, it seemed like she's been swept up into a strong current, and everything around her started to spin in a mind-twisting blur. Suddenly, as if waking up from some dream, the next thing she knew, she was standing in the middle of a huge round, brightly lit room, with strange designs and decorations everywhere. She blinked at the bright light. Trying to comprehend what just happened, she looked all around the room with her mouth drop open. This was definitely not a gloomy and humid, underground safe house anymore. Then suddenly she felt the blood drain from her face. A pass through the portal made her feel dizzy and faint. For a brief moment, she couldn't come back to her senses. Everything around her was spinning and she swayed, losing her balance.

-Miss Anastasia Maclay, welcome to Atlantis! - Announced captain, supporting her by her arm. - Got a little lightheaded there huh? It always happens to the first-time passers. But don't worry, you'll get used to it. Tony, please take miss Maclay to the infirmary. - Then he turned to Stacie again. - I'll need to see you in my office when you feel better and got settled. There are quite a few things we must discuss. But for now, get some rest.

Stacie just nodded in return, holding on to her twisting stomach, feeling very nauseous, as a young man that the captain referred to as Tony, took Stacie's arm and with "This way miss" led her towards a large beautiful lift*, that was right next to the equally exquisite grand staircase. Then the captain ordered another man to take her luggage to where she will be staying.

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-Hey Janice, you got a new patient. - Announced Tony, as the beautiful, rounded double door of one of the rooms on the second floor slid open.

This must be the infirmary, guessed Stacie entering it along with the young man. The inside of the infirmary was equipped pretty much like any other she's seen before, with hospital tech-gadgets, several roll-away beds with separation curtains, and screens with IVY. stands. At the entrance of it, there were few couches and a couple of small tables with paperwork and some books on them, must be awaiting the spot, she assumed. There was a desk on the other side of the room, and several tall cabinets containing medical supplies.

-Is that so? - Replied a beautiful, dark-skinned woman at the desk in a white lab robe, who seemed to be in her mid-thirties - Oh hello there, you really are new! - She exclaimed with surprise, after glancing up at Stacie - Never seen you before!

-She just arrived today. - Replied Tony.

-Oh, welcome! - She grinned, revealing perfectly straight, pearly white teeth, extending her hand to Stacie - It's been a while since they brought new faces to the Atlantis. I'm dr. Janice Kingly.

-Stacie... Maclay. - Stacie shook her hand.

-Nice to meet you, Stacie. Let me guess, nausea?

-Yeah... how did you know? - Replied Stacie with surprise.

-Tony said you got here today, right? That means you had to cross through the portal, which makes almost everyone a bit sick at first. Including myself. - Laughed Janice - Plus, the color of your face tells me so.

-Oh... heh, I see... - Stacie let out a weak laugh - Well, good to know it's not just me.

-You bet! - Winked Janice - No worries, we'll fix you right up in no time. Have a seat. - She pointed to a spare chair next to her desk.

And she got up to get Stacie the remedy for nausea. She poured some cold water into a cup and dropped a large pill into it, which fizzled away in minutes.

-There, drink this and you'll be all good.

Stacie took a careful sip of the elixir. It had a strong flavor of ginger mixed with citrus and something sweet, and pretty much tasted like some sort of soft drink. She quite liked it.

-What is this? - Asked Stacie, after a mouthful gulp. - It's tasty. I never had a tasty medicine before. - She laughed.

-Oh, it's just a "fizelixer" in a pill form. - She handed Stacie the package.

-Morning sickness? - Stacie gave her a quizzical look. - For pregnant women...

-Sure! - Chirped Janice with a laugh - I found this works best for "cross over" nausea. It's loaded with B6, magnesium, and folate. Clears the turning in the stomach in minutes. Aren't you feeling better already?

-Erm... yeah... actually, I do... - Replied Stacie, pressing her hand to her stomach, as if she just noticed the improvement.

-There you go then. - Winked Janice again.

-You give this to everyone?

-Uhuh.

-Including guys... - She c****d one eyebrow.

-Yup.

-Can't imagine the looks on their faces... - Scoffed Stacie.

-Hah, well, they never ask about it. - Laughed Janice in reply - They just come for a quick fix, and they don't care what it is, as long as it works.

-Hah, that makes sense.

-So, Stacie, tell me about yourself. What crime did you commit, to be exiled to this part of the world? - She turned to her patient, after putting the remedy away.

-Well, I... - She started, not really knowing how to answer since she still wasn't sure what's her role in this project exactly.

-What's your specialty? - Helped her Janice.

-Linguistics. That, and I worked in the archeological field back home.

-Ah, I see. So, your good with languages? We need people like that here. Lack of communication is tough in this world. I guess you'll be the translator. Am I right?

-I'm... not sure. I wasn't told exactly, what I'll be doing here yet.

-Oh, so you haven't been briefed yet.

-No, I'm supposed to meet up with the captain later today, after I get some rest.

-Oh, why didn't you say so? You must be exhausted after your trip here! Where are you from?

-Boston.

-Boston?! Hey! Me too! - Beamed Janice. - Wow! You're the first person from the same state as me here. That's awesome! Well, don't let me keep you. Go get some rest and don't forget to get some food as well. The dining hall is on this same floor down the main hall to your right. You can't miss it, it's huge! And you have got to try Mr. Stephen's cooking. He's the best.

-Thanks. - Smiled Stacie.

-No problem. I'll page Tony to show you to your room.

-Thank you. It was nice meeting you, Janice. - Stacie got up to leave.

-Likewise. - Replied the doctor.

"She was nice." thought Stacie to herself, after the door closed behind her.

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Later, when she felt much better, she was shown to the quarters, where she was supposed to be staying. Her room, just like the rest of the city, was gorgeous. It was a complete living area, that resembled either a penthouse of some fancy resort hotel or a luxurious apartment. With one bedroom, bathroom, and little living room, a small working corner with a desk and bookcases. She loved it. It was brightly lit by huge windows that stretched from the floor all the way to the ceiling. One of the walls had a little, personal, fully furnished balcony, with a view of the sea.

The city itself resembled a huge, floating-on-water castle, or several of them fused together, to form an urban-like domain. Naturally, Stacie was immediately fascinated by it and burned with excitement and intense desire to explore every bit of it, however long it may take, because of its magnitude. And now that she was here, she could see herself living here for a while, without looking back at her previous life.

This was the beginning of the most amazing adventure of her lifetime.

*Lift - Elevator.