It was unlike them to be summoned without an explanation, especially when you consider the trip they had to make to be at Stargate Command. While it didn't take too long to ride a puddle jumper from the moon colony, it was still a pain in the ass. The moon colony, formerly known as Atlantis, was an enormous responsibility and while Stargate Command was making a bundle using one of the wings for tourism, it was something a lot of the military personal on board didn't like very much. It was something Congress had insisted on to offset budget woes that Stargate Command had cost them since the first gate was dug up a few decades ago. Still, whatever the General had called them down for had to be important. The two men sat there, at the large conference table waiting for the meeting to begin.
"I don't get this," one of the two men started, "Why us? Did we do something wrong?"
"I'm not sure, Rodney." The other man replied, "But I understand what you're saying. I also feel like I've been called to principal's office."
"Maybe for being the Captain Kirk of the moon," Rodney replied, "Apparently no female tourist can resist the charm of John Sheppard."
"That was one guest, McKay." John answered, "And in my defense, I met her on Earth months before that happened. That was the whole reason why she came up to the moon to visit."
"Well, all it took was one facebook post and boom; instant scandal and demotion." Rodney said, reliving the nightmare. "That was a complete PR disaster for our project!"
"Don't remind me," John said, thinking about it. "I learned my lesson."
"That would be a first," a voice called out.
The two men jumped to their feet and saluted as Brigadier General Samantha Carter strolled into the conference room. She strolled up to the opposite side of the table and dropped a file folder down. "At ease, gentlemen."
As the two men sat down, she remained standing.
"I don't mean to be rude or out of line, General." Sheppard started, "But why the secrecy? What mission would require us all to come out here?"
"We're here to discuss the Destiny, Col. Sheppard." Carter answered, "The time has come to reach out and help our people."
"How do we intend to do that?" Sheppard inquired.
"We're going to use the gate on Langara to dial out." She answered.
"Hold up," McKay interrupted, "We can't do that! Not without risking destruction of the entire planet!"
"I'm well aware of that McKay," Carter replied.
"Something's changed." Sheppard said, knowing they wouldn't be called down if the gridlock with Langara was still ongoing.
"Yes," Carter confirmed, sitting down. "Over a year ago, Langara core began to naturally destabilize. So after intense and very brief negotiations, Langara has been relocating their people to a new planet. They will finish evacuating the population in about three weeks. Since the plant is near collapse, this has become a case of use it or lose it. This might be our last chance to reach out to Destiny."
"What if Destiny is still powered down and traveling to the next universe?" McKay asked, curious about the worst case scenario, "Gating over could suck out all the remaining power and leave the ship lifeless in space."
"We've already thought about that," Samantha informed him, "When Eli came to visit us, he took one of the Zed-PMs."
"Please, don't remind me of that." Rodney said, unwilling to remember.
"He did return it, Rodney!" Sheppard reminded him, "Fully charged too!"
"He also told us that he repaired the engine, and used the Zed-PM to fuel the ship so it would have enough juice to make it." Samantha continued, "It's been three and a half years since Destiny started that journey. If all went well, the crew should already be awake and carrying on. If the ship is crippled, Rodney is going to take one of the moon colony's Zed-PMs with him to re-power the ship and get it back on course. If they made it to the other side already, the mission is to resupply Destiny with new supplies and reinforcements."
"So," Rodney said, standing up, "You brought me here to take away one of my Zed-PMs to help Destiny again?"
"Well, yes," Samantha confirmed, "But that wasn't the only reason."
"What else do you want from us?" Rodney asked.
"She wants us to command the team." Sheppard replied, "One way trip to the Destiny, just like we did to Atlantis all those year ago."
"You've got to be kidding me!" McKay replied, shocked at the mere suggestion.
"You're the perfect candidates." Samantha concurred, "You've done this before with great success in Atlantis. I thought you would be looking for some real action John, especially after your recent demotion."
John felt uncomfortable as he shifted in his seat. "We were a lot younger back then. I'm not sure I want to do it again."
"And why me?" McKay called out.
"If the ship is crippled," Carter replied, "There no one would have a better chance of saving the day than you, Rodney. As much as we'd hate to lose you here, Destiny might need you more. Eli has ascended, which means he's dead. Once the crew realizes that, they'll need help with the ship."
"You think I'm so desperate to get away from the scandal that I'll go on a one way trip to the other end of the universe?" John asked.
"No," Samantha answered, "I'm hoping that you guys are itching for a mission; an opportunity to do something either than babysit a bunch of tourists.
"Well, she has a point there." McKay agreed.
John paused for a moment, "How many people are do you intend to send to Destiny?"
"Forty," Carter answered, "Enough to run the ship if they have to, but not too many to cause a supply problem with the crew already there."
"Do Rodney and I get to hand pick our team?" John inquired.
"Yes, and no." Carter cryptically replied, "You can only take people from Earth, which means Ronon and Teyla are not permitted. I doubt they'd be willing to leave their families behind anyway."
"Good point," Sheppard said, remember what his former team was up to. "What if I needed someone off world who has no family to leave behind?"
"Who were you thinking of?" Sam asked.
"Jonas Quinn," John replied, "As good as Rodney is, I don't think he should be alone to maintain something as massive as Destiny by himself."
"I'll try to get in contact with him," Carter said as she scribbled down a note. "Like yourself, he has to volunteer for the job."
"I understand," John said, sitting up in his chair, "Why haven't you spoken to Telford about this?"
"Based on what I read in the mission reports, he conflicted greatly with the current crew of Destiny," Carter said, "Stargate Command was hoping your charm and friendly nature will cause less friction if the crew is already awake."
"Cough! Kirk! Cough!" Rodney said, pretending to choke on something.
"I get final approval on who goes through that gate." Sheppard said, clearing warming up to the idea of a new mission, "I also want to make sure we bring confectionery with us, not just arms and food supplies. That will boost morale and make our integration a little less stressful."
"What kind of confectionery did you have in mind?" Sam asked.
"Letters from home," John suggested, "Junk food, a few new seasons of their favorite shows on DVD, a copy of the Force Awakens..."
"I wasn't that impressed," Rodney interrupted, "Felt more like a reboot..."
"Enough," Sam said, "We'll work something out. Do I take it that this means you're accepting the mission, Sheppard?"
John sat there and pondered the question. As much as he wanted to stay close to home and think about retirement, there was a part of him that as Sam mentioned that was yearning to get back out there. "All right, I accept the mission. But I'm in charge, everyone on the team answers to me."
"Even me?" McKay squealed.
"Especially you," Sheppard confirmed.
"I accept your terms," Sam said as she pulled out a few pads of paper, "Write down names of people you'd like to take on this mission with you. If approved by myself and Command, we'll bring them here to speak with us."
"Too bad Zelenak's not available." John commented, "Your fights would have been good for morale as well."
"Oh please," McKay replied, looking away.
"Rodney," Sam called from across the table.
"Yes?" Rodney replied.
"Eyes up here," she calmly informed him.
"I wasn't!" McKay squealed.
John couldn't help but laugh.
Sam stood up to leave. "I'll take a look at your lists later. In the meantime, I'm going to brief the President about Langara. We're going to leave in less than three weeks so I suggest you pack quickly. We need to get out there before the planet destroys the only gate we have to dial Destiny. Let's not blow this one."
The two men stood up.
After Samantha walked out of the room, McKay was still red with embarrassment.
"I wasn't!" he said again.
"I know," John said to him, "She was yanking your chain."
"Oh," McKay said as he sat back down, "ha ha."
