elizabeth weir;
Name: Dr. Elizabeth Weir

Gender: Female

Species: Human

Age: 35

Place of Birth: USA

Rank: Civilian (C7)

Branch: Civilian (USAF)

Position: CO, Atlantis Base; diplomat

Appearance: Short brown curls fall just past her chin, a softening effect against defined cheekbones and slightly angular features. Intelligent blue-grey eyes. Though in good physical condition, Elizabeth has more of an athelete's frame rather than that of a fighter, being inexperienced when it comes to combat situations. She will generally be seen around the city in the uniform of Galaxy Quest Atlantis personnel, but she also possesses changes of casual civvies as well as a suit for occasions demanding a little more formality. A silver chain is usually worn about her neck.

Personality: A skilled diplomat, Elizabeth usually presents a calm and patient demeanour. Her balanced approach and decisive leadership have earned her respect among the Atlantis personnel as their commander. She has a strong natural sense of curiosity and passion for discovering other cultures that fed her desire to see the Atlantis expedition go ahead. As the leader, Elizabeth unfortunately doesn't get have much opportunity to deal with alien races first hand, a fact she regrets a little despite understanding the practicality of it.

She puts a lot of pressure on herself, believing that she can't afford to have or display any doubts. Though opposed to military conflict, she's come to understand its necessity in certain situations; however, her first inclination is always towards negotiation and the possibility of a peaceful resolution. Elizabeth is determined not to fall into the same mistakes which have attracted so much trouble over the history of the Stargate project - but as she is put more and more in the position of having to balance out what is right and what is in their own best interests, she is discovering that staying out of trouble is not so easy as it looks.

Over the past year she's grown more confident and resolute in her command of Atlantis, developing a strong sense of the city being a new home. At the same time, however, she has come to feel acutely the loneliness and isolation that comes with being a leader, allowing her to share a greater empathy with - and respect for - Teyla, Sheppard and Caldwell.

Bio: Dr. Elizabeth Weir might be seen by some as somewhat of a curious choice for her position, as a diplomat who began her career as a political activist lobbying against the government's military spending - she is now herself involved in the US military's Stargate Program, working for the very people she was criticising. Time and experience have toned down her initially more radical views, leading her to conclude that "the best way to stop the proliferation of weapons is to try and end the need for them".

There can be no doubt about Elizabeth's qualifications. An expert in international politics, Elizabeth is well-known for her involvement in the United Nations, having brokered a dozen of the most sensitive international treaties in modern times. Notable among these is her work mediating in North Africa, an accomplishment praised by President Hayes. She has two PhDs, has worked in embassies right across the globe, and is fluent in "God knows how many languages". It's five, actually, including Russian and Latin - six, if you count the Ancients' tongue. Her grounding in Latin and Ancient proved valuable when she cracked the Ancient-derived Wraith language. Before joining the Stargate Program, Weir taught political science at Georgetown.

When President Hayes took office in 2004, he placed Weir in command of the SGC, in the hopes that her strong credentials as a mediator would give the project a less threatening face when it was eventually made public. She proved to be a shrewd choice, quite aside from any good PR, displaying confidence and independence in her new position as she refused to be a part of Vice President Kinsey's machinations. Her unwavering stand in negotiation with the System Lords showed her strengths as both a diplomat and a leader.

It was after only a few short months that the newly-promoted Brigadier General Jack O'Neill replaced Weir as commander of the SGC, while Elizabeth herself was transferred to Antarctica to oversee research on the recently uncovered Ancient outpost - the very thing that might (and was eventually proven to) hold the key to discovering the lost city of Atlantis. When a 'gate address was discovered in the outpost, Elizabeth led the pioneering team into a new and mysterious galaxy.

Before leaving, she managed to obtain security clearance for her boyfriend, Simon Wallace, but didn't tell him in person for fear that he would try and talk her out of it, instead leaving him with only a video message. Months later, when the expedition members had the opportunity to send home messages to family members, Elizabeth made a recording for Simon. Realising how unfair she had been on him, Elizabeth urged him not to wait. When she returned briefly to Earth soon after, it was to find him in a new relationship. As a highly qualified medical doctor, Simon had the chance to go back to Atlantis with Elizabeth, but declined.

ATA Gene: No