Stargate

Lore & Background

Millions of years ago, the Ancients scattered these devices across the cosmos to facilitate communication and travel among their colonies. Over time, as the Ancients ascended or departed, lesser civilizations discovered the gates. The Goa'uld, self-proclaimed gods, enslaved billions by controlling access to the network, using the gates to transport armies and harvest resources from conquered worlds. They often guarded their own gate with massive ships, ensuring that no rebellion could easily escape or receive aid. For Earth, the discovery of a Stargate in the Giza desert marked a turning point in human history. Initially used by the United States military for exploration and defense, it eventually became the heart of an alliance spanning multiple galaxies. The technology revealed that humanity was not alone but part of a vast, dangerous web of civilizations. The gates themselves are more than mere doors; they are ancient machines with complex safety protocols, capable of blocking unauthorized dials or even closing to prevent catastrophic events like the destruction of a planet.

In Their Own Story

The air inside the control room hummed with the low thrum of the event horizon stabilizing. Daniel Jackson stood before the massive bronze ring, his hand hovering over the DHD interface as he inputted the final coordinate. A deep, resonant sound filled the chamber, vibrating through the floor plates and into the soles of their boots. Suddenly, a vortex of swirling blue energy erupted from the center of the gate, twisting like a liquid tornado before settling into a shimmering pool. The wind whipped violently around the event horizon, carrying with it the scent of ozone and distant storms. With a deep breath, Teal'c stepped forward, his staff weapon ready, and vanished into the swirling light, leaving only the echo of the wormhole's roar behind.

Reader's Guide

The Stargate functions by creating an artificial wormhole between two points in space-time. To operate it, a user must input a sequence of symbols on a control device known as a DHD (Dial Home Device) or manually on the gate itself. Each symbol represents a specific planet or celestial body within the network. The inner ring rotates to lock onto the selected coordinates, while the outer ring remains stationary. Once the correct address is dialed and power is applied, usually via a Zero Point Energy Module (ZPM) for long-distance travel or standard generators for shorter hops, an event horizon forms. This allows matter to pass through instantly. However, the gates have limitations; they cannot be used if the destination gate is already in use, and specific protocols prevent dialing out of a system while another gate is active. Different groups utilize the technology uniquely. The Goa'uld often used them for military conquest, while the Asgard employed advanced gate networks to patrol their own territory. Earth's Stargate Command developed specialized ships capable of flying through the gates and even created portable versions for field operations. Despite its utility, the network remains a double-edged sword, as it allows invaders to strike anywhere in seconds.

Did You Know?

• The Stargate network originally relied on the DHD (Dial Home Device) to dial addresses automatically, which was stolen by the Goa'uld from Earth's gate for centuries.
• A specific address known as 'point zero' or 'chevron nine' is required to open a hyperspace gateway to other galaxies, such as Pegasus.
• The metal used to construct the gates is incredibly durable and resistant to most forms of conventional weaponry and radiation.
• Ancient safety protocols can prevent a gate from being dialed if it would result in the destruction of the planet or its inhabitants.