whatisinaname
Donor
My two main sources of information for this story are the various Stargate series’ DVDs and http://stargate.wikia.com/wiki/Stargate_Wiki.
Timeline Discussion Thread for any comments please use the following link – https://www.alternatehistory.com/Discussion/showthread.php?t=177720
1. Uncovering the Distant Past
Egypt, Giza, January 1928
During January 1928, Professor David Phillips is leading a British archaeological expedition in Giza, Egypt, discovering a large circular cover stone and a ring-shaped device (Stargate) underneath it, nearby they also discover a large, pedestal-shaped device (the DHD).
Professor Phillips expedition also finds several hundred smaller artefacts, including a gold pendant that has the eye of Ra etched on it. Professor Phillips gives his daughter Victoria Phillips the necklace and she will always ware it, believing it was a good luck charm, her father was quiet happy for her to have the necklace.
Professor Phillips realizing that another archaeological expedition from another county may try to take these finds, Professor Phillips begins preparations to leave Egypt with his finds. Professor Phillips firstly sends two of his researches back to London to arrange space at the British Museum, secondly he arranges for the transportation of all the artefacts back to the UK this is all done before he begins the process of pacing up the artefacts.
After the preparations are complete, Professor Phillips immediately packs up the artefacts and sends them back to United Kingdom, to the British Museum in London, where all the artefacts are placed in an underground vault, this is one of the largest storage vaults the British Museum has, this allow the ring-shaped device (Stargate) to be placed upright for study.
This also allows the large circular cover stones to be placed upright for study, as well.
In late 1928, Professor Phillips and his daughter Victoria Phillips take a long journey back to the United Kingdom this will allow time for the British Museum to receive and unpack his artefacts for study, by Professor Phillips and his team when he returns.
London, British Museum, 3rd March 1929
As Professor Phillips and his daughter, enters the vault that houses the artefacts, they can see that the ring-shaped device (Stargate) has been placed upright for study, along with the pedestal-shaped device nearby. Professor Phillips twelve-man research team are already looking at the artefacts, especially the three largest artefacts, the cover stone, the ring-shaped device and the pedestal-shaped device. What no one knows (yet) is that the ring-shaped device draws its power from the pedestal-shaped device and that the ring-shaped device (Stargate) is now ready to be activated again after being buried for thousands of years ago.
Around the rest of the vault are the other artefacts that were also discovered in the area of the Stargate, these artefacts number in the hundreds, these are already being numbered by Professor Phillips small staff, so that they can be properly catalogued for study at a later date.
Victoria says, “Father this will make you famous, it must be the most amazing discovery ever.”
Professor Phillips smiles at his daughter’s enthusiasm and replies, “It may well be Victoria, but until all of these items have all been catalogued and studied, who can say what these artefacts will reveal about ancient Egypt.”
Victoria says, “Yes father, I would assume that it would be ok for me to help you catalogue all of this?”
Professor Phillips who is still smiling at his daughter replies, “Of course you can Victoria, you are a very good student, you know almost as much as me about ancient Egypt as I do.”
Victoria with a growing smile on her face says, “Thank you father, we have a lot of work to do and I still have a lot to learn.”
Professor Phillips says, “Well we do know that most of these items seem to relate to the Egyptian God Ra from the symbols on the various artefacts that have been laid out for cataloguing, this would be as good a place to start as any.”
As Professor Phillips small team begins the long process of cataloguing the artefacts, Professor Phillips decides to leave the three largest pieces to last, the cover stone, the ring-shaped device and the pedestal-shaped device.
Professor Phillips has decided to keep the number of people helping with the cataloguing of the artefacts to a bare minimum, as he does not what his discovery to come out yet. To make sure his staff, keep the secret, Professor Phillips has promised to name all of them in his research this promise will keep them quiet as they all wish to be known for helping with the greatest find in Egypt.
Professor Phillips team consists of himself, his daughter Victoria and twelve research assistants, the doors to the vault are kept locked at all times, with only Professor Phillips team having been given keys to access the vault.
London, British Museum 1st December 1929
With all the smaller artefacts catalogued, Professor Phillips has turned his attention to the three largest artefacts, with Professor Phillips and his team looking into the cover stone. Victoria has been assigned to the pedestal-shaped device to make drawings of the markings on the surface of the artefact and to take photographs with her camera.
To do this Victoria is standing on top of a wooden box, to allow her to sketch the markings and to take photographs with her camera.
As Victoria is taking pictures, part of the wooden box gives way causing her to stumble forwards she reaches out to stop herself from falling, as she does so she touches one of the symbols on the pedestal-shaped device. This symbol lights up and the Stargate begins to rotate until the equivalent symbol aligned and is activated, the Stargate waits for the next symbol.
Professor Phillips looks in amazement at what his daughter has found out by accident, then Victoria pushes another symbol and the process repeats itself, then again and again, until seven symbols are highlighted, the she presses the red glowing dome in the middle of the device (seems the natural thing to do to her), the pedestal-shaped device then shuts down.
Victoria looks across at her father and says, “I would say that this is much more advanced form of technology than the ancient Egyptians had.”
Professor Phillips grinned at his daughter’s (under)statement and replies, “Looks like we have a new puzzle to solve, I have finished the translation of the outer script, it says “A million years into the sky is Ra, Sun God. Sealed and buried for all time, his Stargate’ that did not make any sense until now.”
A slightly shocked Victoria who has jumped to the conclusion says, “You mean that aliens from another world built this device, like that book, War of the Worlds by HG Wells?”
Professor Phillips now in a very serious tone replies, “I do not know Victoria, it does sound a bit farfetched as an idea, but I intend to find out whether it is right or not, we need to concentrate all efforts on this device, I would assume that this is the Stargate referred to in the text.”
For the next few weeks, they try various combinations, then they break for the Christmas week, agreeing that they will restart their work in the New Year, after they have had a break, they should be fresher.
London, British Museum 10th January 1930
Due to a chance incident (reading a book on the stars and astrology that was given as a Christmas present by a friend) during the Christmas break, Professor Phillips has discovered that these glyphs (on the pedestal shaped device) are not words to be translated, but are instead star constellations, after seeing the star signs in a magazine.
In the vault, Professor Phillips is explaining his discovery to his small research team, he is saying, “First, all this ‘Stargate’ has a group of glyphs spaced around the inner ring and nine chevrons spaced equally around the outer edge. These two features are used as a coordinate system for the gate to target and form a connection with another gate each chevron is locked to a specific glyph, thereby allowing the gate to connect to another. These two features seem to be used as a coordinate system for the gate to target and form a connection with another gate each chevron is locked to a specific glyph, thereby allowing the gate to connect to another. The first six glyphs would represent points in space, forming three-dimensional coordinates in space. The seventh would represents’ the point of origin, a glyph which is unique to each of these pedestal-shaped devices.”
One of his fellow researches says, “I can see how that can be the correct interpretation Professor, but there must be thousands of combinations, and we do not know the ‘point of origin’ glyph.”
Professor Phillips replies, “It is a good working hypostasis to start with, if it does not work then we will need to look again, if I am right the point of origin symbol has to be here somewhere, all we need to do is look for it.”
Victoria who has been looking at the partially covered cover stones, suddenly says, “Father, I think I may have found the ‘point of origin’ glyph” pointing towards a glyph on the partially covered cover stones. [Authors note: can only see the point of origin glyph, the rest are covered]
Professor Phillips looks at the glyph his daughter is pointing too, he says, “You are right Victoria the glyph has been right in front of us all the time. Well it looks like my theory might be the correct one after all, if it is this will open up a whole new level of technological advancement for Britain and the Empire, perhaps even a new industrial revolution.”
Mark Hughes in an excited voice says, “All we need to do is find the right six symbols and we will be able to travel to another world.”
Over the next few months, Professor Phillips and his research team ‘dial’ several hundred combinations using what they think is the point of origin glyph that Victoria found. The combinations that fail are all noted down, they are being very methodical about the glyphs they use and the order that they are ‘dialled’, but none of them seems to work.
Then just as all hope seems to have faded…
London, British Museum 12th April 1930, 10:34pm
As Victoria ‘dials’ the next set of glyphs, the Stargate dials, as Victoria dials the last glyph (point of origin) the Stargate activates, Stargate produces a violent burst of energy, then settles down, into what appears to be liquid in appearance. For several moments, no one says anything they all just stare at the Stargate then Victoria picks up a measuring stick and approaches the active Stargate.
Victoria ‘pokes’ the liquid with the stick, withdraws the stick, then examines the stick and says, “Father, this is not water, there is none on the stick. It may be a field of energy of some kind.”
Professor Phillips who is now standing beside his daughter, looks at the stick and says, “You are right Victoria, this must be some sort ‘doorway’, when you step through you go to another planet, that is if my theory is correct, though I have no idea how this technology works.”
After a few minutes of poking the ‘liquid’ with the stick, the Stargate shuts down, after being left unused for several minutes, once the Stargate has shuts down, Victoria again ‘dials’ the set of glyphs and once more the Stargate activates. This time however the gate is left alone and after several minutes of inactivity, it shuts itself down again.
One of Professor Phillips, Mark Hughes asks, “What now Professor?”
Professor Phillips replies, “Now we need to see what is on the other side someone will need to go through to see if there is another pedestal device on the other side.”
Mark Hughes asks, “Who will go?”
Professor Phillips looking around the vault at the others and replies, “Volunteers only” then looking at Victoria who is about to volunteer and says, “That does not mean you Victoria, you will be staying here.”
Victoria who now has a scowl on her face replies, “Yes father”
Mark Hughes looking at the now deactivated Stargate says, “Well this is the opportunity of a lifetime, I will volunteer, after all this could be fun.”
Professor Phillips replies, “Thank you Mark, any others?”
Three other also volunteer these are Tim Watson, David Smith and Luke Edwards, after that it is decided that only these first four will go though the Stargate.
It is also decided that they should have with them plenty of provisions with them, along with firearms (shotguns) for self-defence.
Preparations will take several days, as they do not wish to “tip off” anyone in the Museum about what they have found. As far as the Museum staff, are concerned Professor Phillips is cataloguing his artefacts and keeping his discoveries to himself for the time being, until he is ready to publish this action not considered unusual by the Museum staff.
The supplies will be brought in over the next few days, with the shotguns brought in ‘broken down’ in to their component part as not to worry the Museum staff.
London, British Museum 16th April 1930
At 11.55pm on the 16th April 1930, the team led by Mark Hughes, is now ready, they have enough supplies to last them a month if necessary, they also have a portable radio and batteries, to see if signals can be sent though the Stargate, if they can this will enable them to communicate.
Professor Phillips says, “Good luck to you all and many God be with you. Victoria you may begin dialling the address.”
Victoria dials the address and the Stargate activates, then Mark Hughes steps through the Stargate, followed by Tim Watson, David Smith and Luke Edwards, shortly afterwards the Stargate shuts down.
Professor Phillips looks at his watch and says, “One hour from now we will dial the gate to see if we can establish radio contact, everybody try to get some rest until then.”
No one during the next hour will leave the vault, everyone will all try to get some rest, but with the amount of nervous energy that everyone has, this proves to be impossible to get much rest at all.
Planet, Heliopolis
On the other side of the wormhole, the four explorers have found themselves in what appears to be something of a castle perched dangerously on outcropping rocks over a stormy sea and under a thunderous sky. The stormy season on the planet of Heliopolis was just coming to an end, though they do not yet know this.
What no one yet knows is that this planet was once the meeting place for an Alliance of Four Great Races.
Tim Watson is the first to speak he says, “Well I suppose that the first thing to do is set up the radio.”
David Smith replies, “Yes, let’s get started”
Tim Watson looking at his watch says, “We have just under fifty-five minutes before they try to get through.”
Mark Hughes who is looking around to room, points at the pedestal and says, “At least the dialling device is here otherwise we would be here for a very long time” walking up to the pedestal-shaped dialling device, “the symbols are different to the one in the vault, though that is to be expected, if we are on another planet.”
Tim Watson says, “Come on Mark, we need to get set up we will have plenty of time to look around late.”
Mark Hughes replies, “Ok, ok I am coming”
All four of them begin to setup the radio equipment near the Stargate, in preparation for the radio message in just over fifty-minute’s time.
Fifty-five Minutes Later
Exactly fifty-five minutes later the Stargate activates, Luke Edwards listening on the headphones smiles and says, “Test signal received, sending reply.”
Then Luke Edwards after listening to the reply says, “Message from Professor Phillips, he says well done and will contact us again in twenty-four hours.”
Mark Hughes looks around at the other and replies, “That is fine by me and I would assume everyone else?” Tim Watson and David Smith both nod in agreement.
Luke Edwards says, “Message sent and acknowledged.”
The Stargate shuts down, leaving the four of them to start exploring, this building, they will soon discover that they are on another planet.
They quickly find out the building that they are in is a castle that was constructed several thousand years ago (by the state that the castle is in), by the four member races of the great alliance (when they quickly discover in the special room), since then the castle has not been occupied and is in a state of disrepair.
They also find a special room where a central device, when activated by Tim Watson, projects a light-display into the air. The light-display turns out to be a representation of atoms and basic elements. On the four walls are four types of writing, and all four of them quickly agree that this to be some kind of meeting place for four great alien races of the past.
That is when David Smith realizes that the atoms are a kind of universal language to ensure universal comprehension the language has been reduced to basic elements common to all life. There turns out to be many pages of this ‘book’ and David Smith becomes obsessed with copying it down.
David Smith will spend his entire life studying this book.
London, British Museum 20th April 1930
With the team of four sending regular reports back (every 24 hours) via radio through the Stargate, Professor Phillips has decided that this is too important a discovery Professor Phillips must inform the authorities. Especially, after the reports from the team that there are at least four alien races, from the radio reports from Heliopolis.
Professor Phillips has decided (after some deliberation) that he will inform the War Department as he considers the current government and politicians untrustworthy, he knows the Chief of the Imperial General Staff, Field Marshal Sir George Milne.
On the 20th April 1930, Professor Phillips briefs Field Marshal Milne of their discovery, the Field Marshal can hardly believe what he is hearing and if it were anyone else saying what Professor Phillips is saying, Field Marshal Milne would have had them ejected from his office (or have them committed to an asylum).
On the 21st April 1930, Professor Phillips shows Field Marshal Milne the Stargate in operation Field Marshal Miles goes to the museum in civilian clothes. After seeing the Stargate in operation Field Marshal Milne states that this is now classified, getting all of Professor Phillips staff to sign the Official Secrets Act. Field Marshal Milne leaves to see about getting some security for the Stargate along with the necessary funding.
On the 30th April 1930, Major General Wilson Smith has been assigned to what will be known as Project Phoenix, this project is listed as a Research and Development project of the War Department, to keep the true nature of the project secret.
Major General Smith has been ordered to find a more isolated base for the Stargate and its associated finds and personnel, with little time available and virtually unlimited resources available to him, Major General Smith can bet things organized very quickly.
The second part is to get troops to protect this new base of operations, these troops must be very carefully selected, but as he has access to the War Departments lists of all serving soldiers, this should not prove to be a problem.
On the 5th May 1930, Field Marshal Milne briefs the Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald on the newly created Project Phoenix along with what they have discovered. The Prime Minister is shocked, once he has gotten over the shock he agrees to keep the true nature of the project from the rest of the cabinet and will give Project Phoenix his full support this will set the trend for the future.
Field Marshal Milne has managed to get over the biggest hurdle in getting the support of the Prime Minister and getting the Prime Minister to keep the true nature of the project from the rest of the cabinet. This will also assure the funding for Project Phoenix, as the Prime Minister is the only one who can veto funding on secret projects like this one.
Planet, Heliopolis, 25th June 1930
On the 25th June 1930, the four-man team on Heliopolis manages to successfully dial back to Earth this was quite simple once they had figured out where they are by studying the stars (they had also found the point of origin symbol in one of the rooms). After they had found the point of origin, it was just a matter of working through the various combinations, until they hit the right one.
Once the four-man team step through the gate they are met by, Professor Phillips and Major General Smith the four men are informed of the changes that have happened since they have been away.
They had been aware of the military’s involvement, via the daily radio reports.
They are informed that the Stargate and the other artefacts are to be moved to Borthwick Castle, in Scotland, this castle will serve as base for the Stargate and the personnel.
The move will commence immediately, though it will take several weeks to transport all the artefacts to Borthwick Castle, the Stargate and the dialling device will be sent first so that missions can restart as soon as possible.
The cellars of Borthwick Castle are already being converted into a base for the Stargate and the dialling device, the rest of the Castle is being converted into a military base. The cellars of Borthwick Castle should be ready to receive the Stargate and the dialling device, by the time both devices arrive.
The great adventure has just begun.
To be continued.
Timeline Discussion Thread for any comments please use the following link – https://www.alternatehistory.com/Discussion/showthread.php?t=177720
1. Uncovering the Distant Past
Egypt, Giza, January 1928
During January 1928, Professor David Phillips is leading a British archaeological expedition in Giza, Egypt, discovering a large circular cover stone and a ring-shaped device (Stargate) underneath it, nearby they also discover a large, pedestal-shaped device (the DHD).
Professor Phillips expedition also finds several hundred smaller artefacts, including a gold pendant that has the eye of Ra etched on it. Professor Phillips gives his daughter Victoria Phillips the necklace and she will always ware it, believing it was a good luck charm, her father was quiet happy for her to have the necklace.
Professor Phillips realizing that another archaeological expedition from another county may try to take these finds, Professor Phillips begins preparations to leave Egypt with his finds. Professor Phillips firstly sends two of his researches back to London to arrange space at the British Museum, secondly he arranges for the transportation of all the artefacts back to the UK this is all done before he begins the process of pacing up the artefacts.
After the preparations are complete, Professor Phillips immediately packs up the artefacts and sends them back to United Kingdom, to the British Museum in London, where all the artefacts are placed in an underground vault, this is one of the largest storage vaults the British Museum has, this allow the ring-shaped device (Stargate) to be placed upright for study.
This also allows the large circular cover stones to be placed upright for study, as well.
In late 1928, Professor Phillips and his daughter Victoria Phillips take a long journey back to the United Kingdom this will allow time for the British Museum to receive and unpack his artefacts for study, by Professor Phillips and his team when he returns.
London, British Museum, 3rd March 1929
As Professor Phillips and his daughter, enters the vault that houses the artefacts, they can see that the ring-shaped device (Stargate) has been placed upright for study, along with the pedestal-shaped device nearby. Professor Phillips twelve-man research team are already looking at the artefacts, especially the three largest artefacts, the cover stone, the ring-shaped device and the pedestal-shaped device. What no one knows (yet) is that the ring-shaped device draws its power from the pedestal-shaped device and that the ring-shaped device (Stargate) is now ready to be activated again after being buried for thousands of years ago.
Around the rest of the vault are the other artefacts that were also discovered in the area of the Stargate, these artefacts number in the hundreds, these are already being numbered by Professor Phillips small staff, so that they can be properly catalogued for study at a later date.
Victoria says, “Father this will make you famous, it must be the most amazing discovery ever.”
Professor Phillips smiles at his daughter’s enthusiasm and replies, “It may well be Victoria, but until all of these items have all been catalogued and studied, who can say what these artefacts will reveal about ancient Egypt.”
Victoria says, “Yes father, I would assume that it would be ok for me to help you catalogue all of this?”
Professor Phillips who is still smiling at his daughter replies, “Of course you can Victoria, you are a very good student, you know almost as much as me about ancient Egypt as I do.”
Victoria with a growing smile on her face says, “Thank you father, we have a lot of work to do and I still have a lot to learn.”
Professor Phillips says, “Well we do know that most of these items seem to relate to the Egyptian God Ra from the symbols on the various artefacts that have been laid out for cataloguing, this would be as good a place to start as any.”
As Professor Phillips small team begins the long process of cataloguing the artefacts, Professor Phillips decides to leave the three largest pieces to last, the cover stone, the ring-shaped device and the pedestal-shaped device.
Professor Phillips has decided to keep the number of people helping with the cataloguing of the artefacts to a bare minimum, as he does not what his discovery to come out yet. To make sure his staff, keep the secret, Professor Phillips has promised to name all of them in his research this promise will keep them quiet as they all wish to be known for helping with the greatest find in Egypt.
Professor Phillips team consists of himself, his daughter Victoria and twelve research assistants, the doors to the vault are kept locked at all times, with only Professor Phillips team having been given keys to access the vault.
London, British Museum 1st December 1929
With all the smaller artefacts catalogued, Professor Phillips has turned his attention to the three largest artefacts, with Professor Phillips and his team looking into the cover stone. Victoria has been assigned to the pedestal-shaped device to make drawings of the markings on the surface of the artefact and to take photographs with her camera.
To do this Victoria is standing on top of a wooden box, to allow her to sketch the markings and to take photographs with her camera.
As Victoria is taking pictures, part of the wooden box gives way causing her to stumble forwards she reaches out to stop herself from falling, as she does so she touches one of the symbols on the pedestal-shaped device. This symbol lights up and the Stargate begins to rotate until the equivalent symbol aligned and is activated, the Stargate waits for the next symbol.
Professor Phillips looks in amazement at what his daughter has found out by accident, then Victoria pushes another symbol and the process repeats itself, then again and again, until seven symbols are highlighted, the she presses the red glowing dome in the middle of the device (seems the natural thing to do to her), the pedestal-shaped device then shuts down.
Victoria looks across at her father and says, “I would say that this is much more advanced form of technology than the ancient Egyptians had.”
Professor Phillips grinned at his daughter’s (under)statement and replies, “Looks like we have a new puzzle to solve, I have finished the translation of the outer script, it says “A million years into the sky is Ra, Sun God. Sealed and buried for all time, his Stargate’ that did not make any sense until now.”
A slightly shocked Victoria who has jumped to the conclusion says, “You mean that aliens from another world built this device, like that book, War of the Worlds by HG Wells?”
Professor Phillips now in a very serious tone replies, “I do not know Victoria, it does sound a bit farfetched as an idea, but I intend to find out whether it is right or not, we need to concentrate all efforts on this device, I would assume that this is the Stargate referred to in the text.”
For the next few weeks, they try various combinations, then they break for the Christmas week, agreeing that they will restart their work in the New Year, after they have had a break, they should be fresher.
London, British Museum 10th January 1930
Due to a chance incident (reading a book on the stars and astrology that was given as a Christmas present by a friend) during the Christmas break, Professor Phillips has discovered that these glyphs (on the pedestal shaped device) are not words to be translated, but are instead star constellations, after seeing the star signs in a magazine.
In the vault, Professor Phillips is explaining his discovery to his small research team, he is saying, “First, all this ‘Stargate’ has a group of glyphs spaced around the inner ring and nine chevrons spaced equally around the outer edge. These two features are used as a coordinate system for the gate to target and form a connection with another gate each chevron is locked to a specific glyph, thereby allowing the gate to connect to another. These two features seem to be used as a coordinate system for the gate to target and form a connection with another gate each chevron is locked to a specific glyph, thereby allowing the gate to connect to another. The first six glyphs would represent points in space, forming three-dimensional coordinates in space. The seventh would represents’ the point of origin, a glyph which is unique to each of these pedestal-shaped devices.”
One of his fellow researches says, “I can see how that can be the correct interpretation Professor, but there must be thousands of combinations, and we do not know the ‘point of origin’ glyph.”
Professor Phillips replies, “It is a good working hypostasis to start with, if it does not work then we will need to look again, if I am right the point of origin symbol has to be here somewhere, all we need to do is look for it.”
Victoria who has been looking at the partially covered cover stones, suddenly says, “Father, I think I may have found the ‘point of origin’ glyph” pointing towards a glyph on the partially covered cover stones. [Authors note: can only see the point of origin glyph, the rest are covered]
Professor Phillips looks at the glyph his daughter is pointing too, he says, “You are right Victoria the glyph has been right in front of us all the time. Well it looks like my theory might be the correct one after all, if it is this will open up a whole new level of technological advancement for Britain and the Empire, perhaps even a new industrial revolution.”
Mark Hughes in an excited voice says, “All we need to do is find the right six symbols and we will be able to travel to another world.”
Over the next few months, Professor Phillips and his research team ‘dial’ several hundred combinations using what they think is the point of origin glyph that Victoria found. The combinations that fail are all noted down, they are being very methodical about the glyphs they use and the order that they are ‘dialled’, but none of them seems to work.
Then just as all hope seems to have faded…
London, British Museum 12th April 1930, 10:34pm
As Victoria ‘dials’ the next set of glyphs, the Stargate dials, as Victoria dials the last glyph (point of origin) the Stargate activates, Stargate produces a violent burst of energy, then settles down, into what appears to be liquid in appearance. For several moments, no one says anything they all just stare at the Stargate then Victoria picks up a measuring stick and approaches the active Stargate.
Victoria ‘pokes’ the liquid with the stick, withdraws the stick, then examines the stick and says, “Father, this is not water, there is none on the stick. It may be a field of energy of some kind.”
Professor Phillips who is now standing beside his daughter, looks at the stick and says, “You are right Victoria, this must be some sort ‘doorway’, when you step through you go to another planet, that is if my theory is correct, though I have no idea how this technology works.”
After a few minutes of poking the ‘liquid’ with the stick, the Stargate shuts down, after being left unused for several minutes, once the Stargate has shuts down, Victoria again ‘dials’ the set of glyphs and once more the Stargate activates. This time however the gate is left alone and after several minutes of inactivity, it shuts itself down again.
One of Professor Phillips, Mark Hughes asks, “What now Professor?”
Professor Phillips replies, “Now we need to see what is on the other side someone will need to go through to see if there is another pedestal device on the other side.”
Mark Hughes asks, “Who will go?”
Professor Phillips looking around the vault at the others and replies, “Volunteers only” then looking at Victoria who is about to volunteer and says, “That does not mean you Victoria, you will be staying here.”
Victoria who now has a scowl on her face replies, “Yes father”
Mark Hughes looking at the now deactivated Stargate says, “Well this is the opportunity of a lifetime, I will volunteer, after all this could be fun.”
Professor Phillips replies, “Thank you Mark, any others?”
Three other also volunteer these are Tim Watson, David Smith and Luke Edwards, after that it is decided that only these first four will go though the Stargate.
It is also decided that they should have with them plenty of provisions with them, along with firearms (shotguns) for self-defence.
Preparations will take several days, as they do not wish to “tip off” anyone in the Museum about what they have found. As far as the Museum staff, are concerned Professor Phillips is cataloguing his artefacts and keeping his discoveries to himself for the time being, until he is ready to publish this action not considered unusual by the Museum staff.
The supplies will be brought in over the next few days, with the shotguns brought in ‘broken down’ in to their component part as not to worry the Museum staff.
London, British Museum 16th April 1930
At 11.55pm on the 16th April 1930, the team led by Mark Hughes, is now ready, they have enough supplies to last them a month if necessary, they also have a portable radio and batteries, to see if signals can be sent though the Stargate, if they can this will enable them to communicate.
Professor Phillips says, “Good luck to you all and many God be with you. Victoria you may begin dialling the address.”
Victoria dials the address and the Stargate activates, then Mark Hughes steps through the Stargate, followed by Tim Watson, David Smith and Luke Edwards, shortly afterwards the Stargate shuts down.
Professor Phillips looks at his watch and says, “One hour from now we will dial the gate to see if we can establish radio contact, everybody try to get some rest until then.”
No one during the next hour will leave the vault, everyone will all try to get some rest, but with the amount of nervous energy that everyone has, this proves to be impossible to get much rest at all.
Planet, Heliopolis
On the other side of the wormhole, the four explorers have found themselves in what appears to be something of a castle perched dangerously on outcropping rocks over a stormy sea and under a thunderous sky. The stormy season on the planet of Heliopolis was just coming to an end, though they do not yet know this.
What no one yet knows is that this planet was once the meeting place for an Alliance of Four Great Races.
Tim Watson is the first to speak he says, “Well I suppose that the first thing to do is set up the radio.”
David Smith replies, “Yes, let’s get started”
Tim Watson looking at his watch says, “We have just under fifty-five minutes before they try to get through.”
Mark Hughes who is looking around to room, points at the pedestal and says, “At least the dialling device is here otherwise we would be here for a very long time” walking up to the pedestal-shaped dialling device, “the symbols are different to the one in the vault, though that is to be expected, if we are on another planet.”
Tim Watson says, “Come on Mark, we need to get set up we will have plenty of time to look around late.”
Mark Hughes replies, “Ok, ok I am coming”
All four of them begin to setup the radio equipment near the Stargate, in preparation for the radio message in just over fifty-minute’s time.
Fifty-five Minutes Later
Exactly fifty-five minutes later the Stargate activates, Luke Edwards listening on the headphones smiles and says, “Test signal received, sending reply.”
Then Luke Edwards after listening to the reply says, “Message from Professor Phillips, he says well done and will contact us again in twenty-four hours.”
Mark Hughes looks around at the other and replies, “That is fine by me and I would assume everyone else?” Tim Watson and David Smith both nod in agreement.
Luke Edwards says, “Message sent and acknowledged.”
The Stargate shuts down, leaving the four of them to start exploring, this building, they will soon discover that they are on another planet.
They quickly find out the building that they are in is a castle that was constructed several thousand years ago (by the state that the castle is in), by the four member races of the great alliance (when they quickly discover in the special room), since then the castle has not been occupied and is in a state of disrepair.
They also find a special room where a central device, when activated by Tim Watson, projects a light-display into the air. The light-display turns out to be a representation of atoms and basic elements. On the four walls are four types of writing, and all four of them quickly agree that this to be some kind of meeting place for four great alien races of the past.
That is when David Smith realizes that the atoms are a kind of universal language to ensure universal comprehension the language has been reduced to basic elements common to all life. There turns out to be many pages of this ‘book’ and David Smith becomes obsessed with copying it down.
David Smith will spend his entire life studying this book.
London, British Museum 20th April 1930
With the team of four sending regular reports back (every 24 hours) via radio through the Stargate, Professor Phillips has decided that this is too important a discovery Professor Phillips must inform the authorities. Especially, after the reports from the team that there are at least four alien races, from the radio reports from Heliopolis.
Professor Phillips has decided (after some deliberation) that he will inform the War Department as he considers the current government and politicians untrustworthy, he knows the Chief of the Imperial General Staff, Field Marshal Sir George Milne.
On the 20th April 1930, Professor Phillips briefs Field Marshal Milne of their discovery, the Field Marshal can hardly believe what he is hearing and if it were anyone else saying what Professor Phillips is saying, Field Marshal Milne would have had them ejected from his office (or have them committed to an asylum).
On the 21st April 1930, Professor Phillips shows Field Marshal Milne the Stargate in operation Field Marshal Miles goes to the museum in civilian clothes. After seeing the Stargate in operation Field Marshal Milne states that this is now classified, getting all of Professor Phillips staff to sign the Official Secrets Act. Field Marshal Milne leaves to see about getting some security for the Stargate along with the necessary funding.
On the 30th April 1930, Major General Wilson Smith has been assigned to what will be known as Project Phoenix, this project is listed as a Research and Development project of the War Department, to keep the true nature of the project secret.
Major General Smith has been ordered to find a more isolated base for the Stargate and its associated finds and personnel, with little time available and virtually unlimited resources available to him, Major General Smith can bet things organized very quickly.
The second part is to get troops to protect this new base of operations, these troops must be very carefully selected, but as he has access to the War Departments lists of all serving soldiers, this should not prove to be a problem.
On the 5th May 1930, Field Marshal Milne briefs the Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald on the newly created Project Phoenix along with what they have discovered. The Prime Minister is shocked, once he has gotten over the shock he agrees to keep the true nature of the project from the rest of the cabinet and will give Project Phoenix his full support this will set the trend for the future.
Field Marshal Milne has managed to get over the biggest hurdle in getting the support of the Prime Minister and getting the Prime Minister to keep the true nature of the project from the rest of the cabinet. This will also assure the funding for Project Phoenix, as the Prime Minister is the only one who can veto funding on secret projects like this one.
Planet, Heliopolis, 25th June 1930
On the 25th June 1930, the four-man team on Heliopolis manages to successfully dial back to Earth this was quite simple once they had figured out where they are by studying the stars (they had also found the point of origin symbol in one of the rooms). After they had found the point of origin, it was just a matter of working through the various combinations, until they hit the right one.
Once the four-man team step through the gate they are met by, Professor Phillips and Major General Smith the four men are informed of the changes that have happened since they have been away.
They had been aware of the military’s involvement, via the daily radio reports.
They are informed that the Stargate and the other artefacts are to be moved to Borthwick Castle, in Scotland, this castle will serve as base for the Stargate and the personnel.
The move will commence immediately, though it will take several weeks to transport all the artefacts to Borthwick Castle, the Stargate and the dialling device will be sent first so that missions can restart as soon as possible.
The cellars of Borthwick Castle are already being converted into a base for the Stargate and the dialling device, the rest of the Castle is being converted into a military base. The cellars of Borthwick Castle should be ready to receive the Stargate and the dialling device, by the time both devices arrive.
The great adventure has just begun.
To be continued.
Last edited: