Stargate

Ancient Misc: Stargate, The

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Stargate, The

Built by the Ancients, the Stargate is an advanced piece of technology, capable of sending people and equipment instantaneously across vast distances of space.

The Stargate is a circular device with nine chevrons around it's edge. It has a total of thirty nine symbols on the inner track, which light up when the gate is 'dialled', using a DHD. When the dialling process begins, seven of the nine chevrons light up when each symbol has been pressed in sequence. The only known exception to this is when dialling a gate in another galaxy, when a Zero Point Module is attached. In this instance, eight of the nine chevrons would light up. When the dialling process is complete, the Stargate will activate, sending a water-like spiral out of it's center, thus establishing a wormhole.

As there is always the threat of unknown personnel entering the Stargate, the Atlantis expedition take two necessary precautions. Firstly, each SG team is equipped with a GDO, a device which allows them submit a unique code for identification by Atlantis. Secondly, whenever there is an incoming wormhole, the Stargate's forcefield is activated, preventing anyone from exiting the other side. The forcefield, much like the iris on Earth's Stargate, is positioned micrometers from the wormhole's event horizon, preventing matter from re-integrating properly. Objects that 'hit' the shield are destroyed instantly, including organic lifeforms.

Each planet may only have one active Stargate at any one time. This is because the gate uses spatial co-ordinates to lock onto each Stargate. In the event there are two Stargate's on planet, the Stargate with the original DHD would take priority.

In the Pegasus galaxy, Stargate's have been seen both on land and in space. These gates have been termed 'Space Gates'. The difference with these gates is that three nodes are attached to the surface of the Stargate to provide the gate with power during a dialling sequence. Any small craft wishing to pass through the gate must possess an onboard DHD as there isn't one in orbit.

The Stargate was designed by the Ancients to allow small craft, in particular the Puddle Jumper, through the wormhole, and to the other side. Unfortunately, the Wraith also developed a small craft of their own, the 'Dart', which is capable of doing the same thing.

While travelling through the Stargate by Puddle Jumper, the pilot must ensure that the pods on the side of the craft are fully locked in before entering the wormhole. In the past, there was an incident where one of the side pods on the Puddle Jumper was damaged and was unable to lock in place, causing the Jumper to become lodged in the Stargate, half-in, half-out.

Submitted by Rick Johnson

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