STARGATE ATLANTIS From the Depths by From the Depths (SGX-08)

Author:From the Depths (SGX-08) [Retail]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fandemonium Books
Published: 2020-07-07T10:04:43+00:00

Chapter Five

“I have a theory,” Lynn said. He and Elizabeth had come through the Stargate after John’s report had made it clear that establishing contact with the squid on their home planet wasn’t going to be as easy as they’d thought. Stripes was currently exploring the shallow water near the island, having been sternly warned not to venture out into the open water where his fellow creatures lived. Elizabeth perched on a weathered stone wall, enjoying the warm breeze. She missed having the city of Atlantis in a temperate location, although she appreciated that the team hadn’t had a lot of choices when they returned it to the Pegasus Galaxy.

“Your program isn’t working?” Rodney asked.

“It’s working to translate the language of these squid, which is a variant of Ancient,” Lynn said. “From what Old Hunter said, this is a language they learned specifically to communicate with the humans on their planet. It’s possible that their original language was more distantly based on Ancient — I’m not sure whether these creatures evolved naturally or were seeded here by the Ancients, and I don’t think it’s possible to know that without a great deal of genetic research we don’t have time for right now.”

“But your point is?” John prompted.

“My point is, whatever language these squid speak now, it’s evolved over thousands of years. Remember, Janus altered their genetic makeup to make them more long-lived. Their ancestors must have had much shorter life-spans. They’ve had hundreds or thousands of generations for their language to change. If it has Ancient roots at all, it’s experienced significant drift, and without visitors through the Stargate, there hasn’t been any stabilizing factor as there has been for the human populations of the Pegasus Galaxy.”

“So what can we do?” Elizabeth said. “I’m reluctant to return them to this planet and put them next to resident populations they can’t talk to.”

“I think more data will help,” Lynn said. “If I make enough observations of the language that’s spoken here and compare it to the data I originally collected, I may be able to pin down patterns of drift that would allow us to at least assemble a basic vocabulary. But I can’t do that in ten minutes.”

“At least that would let us get an idea of whether the squid here have any interest in sharing their world with strangers,” Elizabeth said. “I think we have the time. Colonel Sheppard?”

“I think you’re right,” John said. “I’d like us to keep our distance given that we don’t have shields, but we should be able to maneuver close enough to get some video and back off if they start getting testy. Ronon, McKay, you can go on back through. I can hang out here for a while and let Dr. Lynn film his squid.”

“Thank you for recognizing that this is not a physics-related problem,” Rodney said, heading for the DHD.

“You’re sure you’re good?” Ronon asked.

”Yes,” John said. “We’ll yell for help if we need it.”

“I wouldn’t mind a tour around the island,” Elizabeth said.

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