Chapter 11: Ah ... 8 hours, maybe less
"We're ready to go with the Jumpers linked up," Rodney reported confidently. The main players were all present in the conference room – team Sheppard, Doctors Zelenka and Weir, and Major Lorne. "The test we did confirmed that Colonel Sheppard can control all the Jumpers from Jumper One."
"Let's not sugar coat this Rodney," Sheppard admonished. Turning to Elizabeth he admitted "I can get all the Jumpers hovering at the same time ... making sure they're all pointing in the right direction and applying the right amount of forward momentum is a whole other ball game."
"Can you do this John?" Elizabeth looked at Sheppard intently.
"I can," Sheppard said simply. "I just want to make sure you know the risks. If the slightest unknown enters into the equation it could throw all our calculations off ... we've tried to allow for anything we could think of but you can't predict everything."
"Noted," Elizabeth nodded confidently. "Major Lorne, is your team ready at the Alpha site?"
"They are Ma'am," Lorne agreed easily. "Colonel Sheppard's evac plans are in place – everyone knows what they have to grab and where they're supposed to be when."
"Good," Elizabeth turned next to Doctor Zelenka. "How much longer do you think we have before we're forced to put this into action?"
"The temperature near the ocean floor has been steadily rising," Radek responded. "We don't know how thin the crust is so we can only predict within a certain level of accuracy when the pressure below the crust will exceed its limits."
"Just answer the question Radek," Rodney interrupted impatiently.
"Ah ... 8 hours, maybe less," Radek replied, frowning at Rodney for cutting short the caveats he'd wanted to put on his estimate.
"How far are we moving the city?" Teyla asked. "My people chose their settlement because Atlantis was visible to them on clear days ... they are concerned their connection to the Ancients will be affected if that is no longer the case.
"The city should still be visible from the mainland," Rodney responded. "We're moving it almost four kilometres south west of its current position so they may even be able to see it clearer than before."
"Thank you Rodney," Teyla smiled graciously. "I am sure this news will please them."
"I'm glad someone's happy," Rodney said a bit snidely.
"McKay," Sheppard said in a warning tone.
"Is there something you want to share with us Rodney?" Elizabeth looked at him expectantly.
Rodney glanced at Sheppard before turning resolutely to Elizabeth. "Yes there is," he said firmly. "If you've looked all the way through Sheppard's evac plan you'll see it's got a great finale – one Lieutenant Colonel left in the city ... alone."
"There's no reason for anyone else to stay behind!" Sheppard made that statement like he'd had to repeat it a few times already that day.
"What if it doesn't work?" Rodney demanded, looking at John fiercely. "What if the hydrothermal vent blows before you've completed your manoeuvres? With no one else to help you could end up trapped on a sinking ship!"
"It will work," Sheppard insisted, "and we do this sooner rather than later to avoid your second concern. If something unexpected happens I uncouple Jumper One from the link and fly out of here."
"There isn't room for someone else with you in Jumper One?" Elizabeth asked with a concerned frown.
"There's room," Sheppard admitted reluctantly. "I'm not sure I've got room in terms of concentration though – especially not for a genius scientist who finds it hard to keep quiet for more than five minutes."
"He's right," Ronon's voice rumbled in amusement. "We tell you there's a Wraith in the area and you start complaining about not wanting to be lunch instead of shutting up to avoid detection."
"This isn't exactly a life threatening situation," Rodney protested the unfortunately too accurate portrayal.
"But it could be if you distract me at the wrong moment," Sheppard said seriously, turning to look at Elizabeth with a pleading expression.
"I have to agree with Colonel Sheppard," Elizabeth told Rodney. "There's no reason to have a second person in Jumper One and you spent some time convincing me that anything we could remove from Atlantis should be removed ... including you Rodney."
"Fine," Rodney grumbled unhappily. "Just don't blame me when something goes wrong and I'm not on hand to fix it."
"It'll be fine Rodney," Sheppard promised.
"You all know your places," Elizabeth stood up resolutely. "Let's get this done."
Atlantis was a mass of activity in the hours that followed. Sheppard spent most of his time flying each Jumper to the appropriate position and tethering it securely to the city's framework in preparation for towing. As each team evacuated themselves and their gear to the Alpha site it seemed as though the city began to echo emptily.
Four hours later the Jumpers were all in position and the last team was ready to gate out – comprised of Doctor Weir, Rodney, and the remaining Control Room technicians.
"Are you sure you're ready?" Rodney asked for the tenth time. "I've uploaded some programs on your laptop so you'll be able to keep an eye on the hydrothermal vent and track your progress independent of the HUD."
"You already told me that Rodney," Sheppard said impatiently. "Twice."
"I just want to make sure you know what to do when," Rodney said insistently. "There are some other programs ready to go in case you have to recalculate the forward momentum or direction of any of the Jumpers."
"I did the initial calculations McKay," Sheppard reminded Rodney, his annoyance overriding his usual practice of not claiming credit for anything 'geekish' in front of others. "I think I can handle a few recalcs if they become necessary." Glancing at the active Stargate Sheppard looked at Elizabeth. "You should go – they're not gonna hold that wormhole open forever."
"Good luck John," Elizabeth said simply.
"Piece of cake," Sheppard replied with a confident smile. "I'll call you when Atlantis has arrived in its new position."
"I'll look forward to it," Elizabeth took another moment to glance around the Gateroom before turning back to look at Sheppard intently. She smiled, turned and stepped quickly through the wormhole, followed by the others.
"Good luck," Rodney held back so he'd be the last to go through.
"Go," Sheppard urged. Rodney was only a step away from the wormhole when he turned to glance back, raising a hand in a casual wave before stepping through the event horizon.
A moment later the gate disengaged and Sheppard was alone in Atlantis.