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Antarctic Outpost

Summary

The Antarctic Outpost is a defense facility left behind by the Ancients when they took their city-ship "Atlantis" to the Pegasus Galaxy. It is the site of powerful weapons which led to the destruction of Anubis' attacking fleet. (7.22 "Lost City Part 2")

Stargate References

Location and Purpose

Original Location of Antarctic Stargate

Command Chair

Jack in Cryogenic Chamber

The Antarctic Outpost was discovered by SG-1 while Col. O'Neill possessed the knowledge of the Ancients (7.21 "Lost City Part 1", 7.22 "Lost City Part 2"). As its name implies, it is located in the Antarctic. Although its exact location is not known, it is accessible by helicopter from McMurdo Station. It would be assumed to be in the same proximity as the SGC's research station at the original location of the Antarctic Stargate, which is only 50 miles out of McMurdo Station and the location of the only known Ancient, Ayiana (1.18 "Solitudes", 6.04 "Frozen").

Originally near the location of the city of Atlantis, which is now in the Pegasus Galaxy, the Antarctic Outpost appears to be some sort of defense outpost.

The most prominent features of the outpost are the chair and a cryogenic chamber. The chair occupies a central circular chamber with the cryo chamber off to the side.

Defense Weapons

Jack installs new ZPM

Drones released from Outpost

Anubis' fleet is destroyed by drones

Colonel O'Neill first activated the Antarctic Outpost's defenses during the battle with Anubis (7.22 "Lost City Part 2"). First, he powered the Outpost using the Zero Point Module (ZPM) procured at the Praclarush Taonas Outpost, the original Antarctic Outpost ZPM being dead. From the chair, he was able to launch and control hundred of drones, which destroyed Anubis and his fleet. Drained by the effort and overcome by the knowledge of the Ancients, O'Neill used a cryogenic chamber to put himself into a suspended sleep.

Initial Manning of the Outpost

Access to the Outpost, buried in a mile of ice

Cargo Elevator

Research at the Outpost

Over the course of the next few months, O'Neill remained "frozen" at the Outpost. Although a presence was set up immediately, full control of the Outpost could not be negotiated for several months. Dr. Elizabeth Weir, on behalf of the SGC, had difficulty negotiating the military occupation of the Antarctic Outpost (8.01 "New Order Part 1"). According to the International Antarctic Treaty established in 1961, "The primary purpose of the Antarctic Treaty is to ensure in the interests of all mankind that Antarctica shall continue forever to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and shall not become the scene or object of international discord. To this end it prohibits military activity, except in support of science; prohibits nuclear explosions and the disposal of nuclear waste; promotes scientific research and the exchange of data; and holds all territorial claims in abeyance."

It wasn't until Col. O'Neill was revived and subsequently cured by the Asgard that a scientific expedition was sent, led by Dr. Elizabeth Weir. Dr. Daniel Jackson, the premiere authority on the Ancient culture and language, accompanied the expedition in hopes of unraveling the secrets of the Outpost and discovering how to use its resources to protect Earth from further invasion. (8.02 "New Order Part 2", Stargate Atlantis: 1.01 "Rising Part 1")

The Antarctic Outpost is overseen by the Department of Homeworld Security, lead by Lt. Gen. George Hammond, and was initially staffed by an international team of scientists and technicians. A small number of U.S. Air Force personnel also accompanied the expedition.

A dome was erected over the Outpost. Several buildings, used for storage occupy the ground level. A cargo elevator was installed in the shaft created by the souped up Rings used to access the site initially.

Several 

hundred feet below, the Outpost, now powered by a naquadah generator, has been divided into laboratories. The main areas of research are translating the Ancient text, led by Dr. Jackson; interfacing with the Ancient technology led by Dr. Rodney McKay; weapons systems led by Dr. Peter Grodin; and undisclosed genetic research led by Dr. Carson Beckett. The Air Force has a military contingent, including pilots.

Command of Defenses

Jack in chair

Dr. Beckett in chair

Maj. Sheppard in chair

Dr. Beckett confirmed that to activate the chair, the user required a "Ancient's" gene, which he happens to have. "They think the gene was used as a sort of genetic key if you will. So that only their kind could operate certain dangerous and powerful technologies." There are a "handful" of people with this gene, but Colonel O'Neill, Major John Sheppard, and Dr. Carson Beckett are the only subjects known to activate it with varying degrees of success.

Dr. Beckett was able to "power" the chair up once, and then accidentally activated one of the defense drones. With considerable concentration, he was barely able to stop the machine from destroying General O'Neill's helicopter.

Major John Sheppard, on the other hand, turned out to have a strong affinity for the machine and was able to activate the chair easily and produced a three-dimensional map of the solar system with only a thought.

Research Results

Daniel discovers eight-symbol destination of "Atlantis"

Dr. McKay's portable ZPM adaptor powers SGC stargate to Pegasus Galaxy

Dr. Elizabeth Weir leads Expedition Team to Pegasus

Dr. Daniel Jackson discovered during his tenure at the Antarctic Outpost that the Outpost was all that was left of "Atlantis", which is the "Lost City" mentioned in the Ancient text discovered on Abydos. In his translations, he discovered that for unknown reasons, the occupants "left," taking the city with them to the Pegasus Galaxy. Dr. Jackson was able to reproduce an eight-symbol 'gate address' that would open a Stargate to the new Atlantis location.

The President of the United States, Henry Hayes, determined that an expedition to the Pegasus Galaxy would reap more rewards than continued research at the Antarctic Outpost. Dr. Weir was given the civilian lead of the project and led 40+ men and women through the Stargate to the Pegasus Galaxy. Dr. Grodin, Dr. McKay, Dr. Beckett, and Maj. Sheppard accompanied her. This effort cost the ZPM the last of its power and it is now expended. (Stargate Atlantis: 1.01 "Rising Part 1")

Current Status

The current status of the Antarctic Outpost is unclear, but with the majority of the scientists familiar with Ancient technology, including two of the only three people known to successfully activate the chair sent to Atlantis, it appears to either have been abandoned or on minimum occupancy. Certainly without a working ZPM, it is of no military value.

Episodes

• 1.18 "Solitudes"
• 6.04 "Frozen"
• 7.21 "Lost City Part 1"
• 7.22 "Lost City Part 2"
• 8.01 "New Order Part 1"
• 8.02 "New Order Part 2"
• Stargate Atlantis: 1.01 "Rising Part 1"

Related Characters

• Col./Gen. Jack O'Neill
• Dr. Daniel Jackson
• Maj./Col. Samantha Carter
• Teal'c
• Gen. George Hammond
• Anubis
• Ayiana
• Dr. Carson Beckett
• Dr. Peter Grodin
• President Henry Hayes
• Dr. Rodney McKay
• Maj. John Sheppard
• Dr. Elizabeth Weir

Related Articles

• Ancients
• Antarctic Stargate
• Asgard
• Atlantis: Lost City of the Ancients
• Cryogenics
• Homeworld Security
• Praclarush Taonas
• Ring Transporter
• Stargate Command (SGC)
• Zero Point Module (ZPM)

Related Links

• SciFi.com: President Hayes' Letter

Further Reading

• McMurdo Station
• Antarctic Treaty

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