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The White House, Washington DC, District of Columbia, USA
September 2nd 2012, 2am
The chair operators, Markov, Kaleb, Daniel, Landry, Woolsey and Jack all sat quietly in the Oval Office. Kaleb and Daniel had finished with their rewrite, and President Robins had finished speaking to head of the IOA, Dr. Carl Strom, as well as conference calling several world leaders to go over what she was going to say.
The world leaders and the IOA had given their blessing, and now Robins' make-up was getting a touch up before she went live to the nation.
The autocue had been loaded with the speech, and the White House film crew gave a signal for all those in the room to be quiet.
Robins closed her eyes for a moment, seemingly steeling herself for the task ahead, before she nodded, and the director shouted action.
"My Fellow Americans, and our friends and allies around the world. This is perhaps the most important day in the history of our planet.
"The world today discovered in the worst of ways that we are not alone in the universe. We were attacked by an enemy that we know as the Wraith, and it is my duty to inform you that The United States Government, as well as many of our allies have been aware of the existence the Wraith for a number of years. This attack was not in any way to be expected, and it has caught us all off-guard.
"However, we have prevailed against our enemy, and we now have a defensive net around the planet that will repel any future attacks from the Wraith.
"We will not be caught off-guard again.
"The defence net was made operable by a group of volunteers from around the world. Their details have been leaked to the media, and I would hereby like to request that these individuals and their friends and families be afforded the privacy they deserve and require. We will have plenty of time later to thank them properly for their actions today.
"The structure that has appeared in San Francisco Bay is an important component of our new defence network. You should have no reason to fear it but we request that individuals refrain from sailing near to the structure.
"The National Security council is in the process of formulating a strategy for how we go forward, and we will be cataloguing all damage to our infrastructure, as well as compiling details of our casualties and our wounded.
"In the meantime we have set up a helpline for areas in need of urgent assistance. Medical guidelines will be sent to all hospitals, clinics and surgeries as well as all pharmacies. The National Guard are being deployed as needed as are the Army, the Marines and the Navy.
"This is a dark day for the United States and for the world, but we are hopeful of a bright new future. We have endured the worst attack our greatest enemy could throw at us and we have emerged victorious. Each and every one of you should take pride in today's accomplishment – we have survived.
"A further statement will follow in the coming hours, and myself and my fellow heads of state will have more information to give to you at that time.
"I would like to thank all of you across the world for your actions today. Thank you, and may God bless you."
The President's address came to an end, and the film crew began to pack their equipment away.
"Excellent speech Mrs President", said General Maynard, head of the Joint Chiefs, "I think it struck the right balance between stating the seriousness of the attack, and offering hope to the people."
"Well don't thank me for the speech – thank Dr Jackson and Mr Miller who wrote it. They've also done some work that I'm hoping my speech writer can incorporate into my next address."
"I'm just hoping people don't get too angry about the fact they now know we've been keeping aliens a secret from them for years," said Jack.
"We are anticipating some problems from the public," Maynard informed O'Neill.
"Some problems?" Dave interjected standing from his seat at the edge of the office, "You've all been lying to us all for years! There'll be riots!"
"Dave!" John chastised his brother, "I don't think anyone's just expecting the general public to just say 'oh, there's aliens, that's all cool'. We'll have plans drawn up to deal with this scenario already."
"Pity there wasn't a plan drawn up to deal with this Wraith attack," muttered Kaleb.
Jeannie squeezed her husband's hand and nodded in agreement.
"Believe me, I appreciate all your concerns. I've only know about all of this since I took office. If Henry Hayes had given me any inkling that intergalactic relations were part of job I..."
The President opted not to finish her sentence.
There was a moment of silence before Kaleb spoke once more.
"Mrs President, given that we are civilians, my wife and I would like to request that we return to the SGC to be with our daughter."
"I would also like to get back to my wife and child," said Dave.
"I'd like to get back to my kids too," Rodney added quietly.
"Same here Mrs President," said John.
"I think we'd all like to do that. I'd like to see my daughter right now, but I won't be able to for a few hours yet," Robins responded, "Mr and Mrs Miller, Mr Sheppard, you're free to return to the SGC but I would ask you to remain there until otherwise instructed."
The Millers and Dave nodded in agreement.
"Dr. McKay, Colonel Sheppard, we require you both to at the White House. As you both have relatives heading back to the SGC, you can afford to stay here."
"But-" Rodney was going to voice his objections, but realised that there was no way he'd win an argument with the President of the United States.
"I'll stay here on the condition that Director Sheppard go to the SGC to be with our son. She was working on The Hill today. I don't even know if she knows our son's okay."
"Wait – Nancy as in your ex-wife is your baby mother?" Rodney said loudly, earning him a pointed scowl from Sheppard.
"Yeah," said Dave on his brother's behalf.
The General Hammond, Pegasus Galaxy
September 2nd, Beta Shift
Sam couldn't wait any longer, and knowing that Earth couldn't currently dial Pegasus, she decided to call the SGC again.
"Teal'c...Any update?"
"Indeed. The President has just addressed the Nation, and has revealed the existence of the Wraith. It seems full disclosure will be delivered in the coming days. General O'Neill has requested that you return to Earth via the Stargate immediately and that the Hammond return to the Milky Way. The entire 304 fleet has been recalled."
"Of course. I'll contact our allies on Athos and Sateda and let them know we'll be delaying our visit, and the reason why, then I'll come home."
Athos, Pegasus Galaxy
Teyla sat quietly in the dark, a tepid cup of Athosian tea in hand, staring blankly ahead.
With Torren sleeping soundly in the next room, Kanaan ventured through to their lounge to check on Teyla. She seemed to have been sitting stock-still for hours, and her behaviour was worrying her partner.
Teyla became aware of his presence and and moved suddenly, flustered at her lapse.
"Come to bed Teyla," Kanaan said softly.
"In a while," she smiled at him.
Kanaan sighed and moved round to sit next to her, "It was just a dream...We've been through so much that we all have them from time to time."
Teyla grimaced, placing her cold tea on the table, "I hope you are right, but I have never experienced such a vivid and realistic nightmare before, I-"
Teyla's breathing hitched with emotion, and Kanaan wrapped an arm around her, her head coming to rest on his shoulder.
"It is over now Teyla, you need to rest for the Lantean's visit tomorrow. I'm sure when they get here your fears will be allayed. Just imagine Torren's smile tomorrow when Colonel Marks brings him the LEGO set he's been wanting."
Teyla smiled despite her upset. Their little boy was as spoiled as an Athosian child could be, his toy chest stacked with wonderful toys and gifts from Earth. He was now a boisterous and bright four-year old, and the light of their lives.
Teyla allowed herself a moment to relax, feeling safe in Kanaan's arms, but the moment was cut short when when someone began hammering on their front door with some urgency.
Teyla and Kanaan opened it to reveal a panicked Jinto.
"Colonel O'Neill has arrived, she says she needs to talk to you at once."
Teyla looked to Kanaan. This could not be good.
The White House, Washington DC, District of Columbia, USA
September 2nd 2012, 2.30am
"You and Nancy," Rodney signed, screwing up his face, "Seriously?"
"Mmm hmm...got remarried and everything when we found out...Not that it's lasted," John said quietly.
He and Rodney were sat alone in an office that more or less resembled a cupboard. The President was in a briefing with several key personnel, and John and Rodney had been told they'd be required to attend the next meeting.
"You getting divorced again then or..."
"Just waiting on the paperwork," John sighed, "Getting involved with Nancy again was a mistake, but Patrick is definitely the best mistake I've ever made," he smiled widely, reaching into his jeans pocket for phone.
He tapped the screen a few times and brought up images of his son.
Patrick looked to be almost the double of his father, but with brown eyes and a darker complexion inherited from his mother. In the pictures he was smiling, and Rodney grinned at a particularly silly Christmas one of father and son in matching Christmas Sweaters.
"Yeah, they were courtesy of Aunt April," John smiled.
Rodney however noticed a conspicuously absent presence from the happy family pictures – There was no sign of Nancy.
John seemed to pick up on Rodney's silent question, "Nancy had no interest in becoming a mother, but there was no way she'd ever have opted to have an abortion, and I might have had something to say about it if she'd tried. She basically went straight back to work, and I've spent a good amount of time being Mister Mom."
Rodney chuckled at the description, "Who would ever have pictured you being a Mister Mom."
"Hey, I'm good with kids!"
"Evidently!" Rodney smiled, nodding at the screen.
"So what about your two?"
"Uhm..."
The door swung open, revealing Woolsey, "The President requests your presence in the Oval Office."
Athos, Pegasus Galaxy
"Sam, you must pass along our deepest condolences on behalf of the Athosians," Teyla said softly.
"I'll let the others know," Sam responded, enveloping Teyla in a hug.
"I do not believe there is much that Athos can do to assist you," Halling said timidly.
"Your friendship is more than enough," Sam smiled sadly, "It will do Earth good to know we have friends out here as well as enemies."
"Are all our friends from Atlantis safe?"
"I'm sorry Teyla, I really don't know...I wish I did...I don't even know if my brother and his kids are safe yet."
Teyla frowned and looked to the ground, "My vision showed widespread destruction on Earth on a level not far off that of a Great Cull such as the one our own ancestors endured five generations ago."
"Teal'c didn't tell me very much, but I get the impression it's bad...I'll not lie – I'm worried sick."
"Then we musn't keep you any longer."
Teyla hugged Sam again, "You carry the best wishes of all of Athos with you. Please get in touch as soon as you are back home...We will pass the message on to Ronon at first light."