Setting: Following Stargate Atlantis episode 3.11, "The Return, Part II"

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or the Stargate franchise.


"Unscheduled offworld activation!"

Evan all but dashed for the control room. General Landry was already there, obviously exhausted from his all-nighter thanks to Colonel Sheppard's unauthorized "borrowing" of a puddlejumper (which had resulted in a trip to the infirmary for Major Wallace and Sergeant Siler). Evan knew as well as anyone else why Sheppard and the others did what they did. Part of him was hurt that they hadn't brought him in on the plan, but he also figured they thought he had more to lose than they did. Sheppard, for his own part, would definitely be facing court-martial even if he survived.

"Receiving transmission, sir," Harriman reported. "It's the Daedalus."

"Let's see it, Chief," Landry ordered, half-reluctantly. No one really wanted to hear the news, but it couldn't exactly be put off.

One of the screens changed to show the face of Colonel Caldwell. His face was just as stern and unreadable as ever. Did the man ever smile, Evan wondered? Caldwell didn't waste time, however, as he immediately began his report. "General Landry, sir, I can report that we have secured Atlantis and the Replicator threat to the city has been eliminated. Also, we have recovered Colonel Sheppard and Drs. McKay, Beckett, and Weir, as well as Mr. Woolsey and General O'Neill."

Landry's simply blinked at the screen for a moment. Evan couldn't blame him; he was just as surprised as anyone. Not only was the news unexpected, it far surpassed anyone's wildest dreams on how the situation could be resolved.

General Landry collected himself. "What of the Ancients? Any of them make it?"

Caldwell's eyes were dark. "I regret to inform you that all the Ancients were killed by the Replicators long before we arrived."

Evan was practically jumping out of his boots, itching to know all the details, but he kept his mouth shut and let the general speak.

"So how did you manage to take back the city, Colonel?"

A frustrated expression flitted across Caldwell's face for a brief moment. "We didn't, sir. Colonel Sheppard's team secured the city prior to our arrival. Apparently Dr. McKay found a way to infiltrate the city and turn the shield into an anti-Replicator weapon using the crystals from their ARGs."

"So, they raise the shield when you get close and instead get turned into Replicator dust." Evan said before he could stop himself. Everyone swiveled to look at him. He swallowed nervously. "Sirs."

Caldwell turned back to the general. "Major Lorne's assessment is accurate. We performed a thorough examination of the everything down there, and we found no live blocks to speak of. General O'Neill and Mr. Woolsey are eager to return as soon as possible, though the general wants me to inform you that, since Colonel Sheppard saved their asses and the city you should forget the court-martial and get the troops back here on the double."

"Oh, yes, I'll be speaking to Jack soon enough," Landry said dryly. "And our wandering colonel. Tell them I want them all back here ASAP."

"Yes, sir, Daedalus out."

General Landry turned to Evan, pointing at the now-dark screen. "That man just made my day, Major." He chuckled and wandered back to the stairs that led to his office, his hands in his pockets.

Evan felt his own face stretching into a grin. "Good news, Walter," he said, clapping the chief on the shoulder. "Looks like you're gonna have a chance to dial the Gate for the Atlantis Expedition, after all!"

"Not funny, sir," glowered Harriman.