In 2010...

After the extensive training with the new Aircraft, graduation day had finally come around as Lieutenant Cole and the rest of her team stood in the middle of a large hanger, behind a podium in the centre of the room rested two large F-302 Hybrid Fighters draped in the flag of Stargate Command. Stood at the podium the legendary Colonel Samantha Carter smiled as she looked over the new squadron before her.

"This is a great day, each of you has shown remarkable talent with the new equipment, you are about to man the first squadron of F-302 fighters specifically designed to operate off the decks of an Aircraft Carrier, I have received a communication from the City of Atlantis congratulating you all on a job well done. General Sheppard was supposed to be here today to congratulate you himself and present you with your new flight wings… however matters of security has arisen that had forbidden him from attending, in his place he has sent this man…"

Slowly she looked too her left as a large man stepped onto the podium with a smile.

"… Ronan Dex" She continued.

With a smile, he looked around as the new squadron stood and saluted him. His file had become well known to them during the weeks of training, graciously he returned with the traditional salute of his former defence force from his world.

"Please, sit. As Colonel Carter has said the General could not attend this graduation, he send his regrets and congratulations, on the journey over I have had a chance to read your files during your extensive training, yet one name always crops up. Raven, please stand"

Wearing her dress whites the petite naval officer stood and saluted him as he nodded.

"Lieutenant Cole… your file is not the most… squeaky clean as the General put it. You have disobeyed several orders during your training, even to the point of being grounded twice. However, the General was impressed by your quick thinking in defeating three F-302 fighters two weeks ago… especially and I quote his words… 'No live rounds, very little fuel left but a balls to the walls attitude we sometimes lack'"

"Thank you sir, I try my best" She laughed.

"Well congratulations to all of you on completing your training"

Slowly each of the officers approached the large Alien Warrior to receive their graduation papers, newly designed F-302 squadron patches and a promotion one level in rank to each of the pilots.

"And finally, Lieutenant Commander Jennifer Cole, Call sign Raven"

With a large smile on her face, she walked towards Ronan and Carter and saluted them both as she received her awards.

"Congratulations Commander…" Carter said aloud. "… You have all performed above and beyond all expectations during this training program, get some rest all of you, you leave for the USS Nimitz at 1200 hours tomorrow… Squadron, dismissed!"

Applause came from the newly formed squadron as they began to break up into small groups, with a slight one-sided smile on her face Cole walked towards one of the large Hybrid Aircraft behind the podium as two sets of footsteps followed her. Slowly she ran her left hand over the smooth wing of one of the large space worthy craft as a voice called out to her.

"Cole…"

Slowly she turned around as Carter and Ronan walked to her side.

"Colonel, Mister Dex" She said with pride.

"You've shown amazing ability with these craft Commander, I didn't want to say anything in front of the rest but I spoke to General Sheppard about you"

"Ohh?" She said with a smile.

"I once said that you could be one of the best 302 pilots… We have an offer for you. During our last assignment my Flight leader took a promotion and transferred to another ship as First officer, I find myself without a 302-squad leader. I'd like you to take his place"

"Me?" She smiled. "On your ship? Forgive me ma'am, but is this a joke?"

"No Cole she's not joking" Ronan laughed.

"Wow! Umm… I'd be honoured Ma'am… can I think about it?"

"Of course Commander, take as much time as you need. But for once… keep your mouth shut about this"

"Yes Ma'am. Thank you sirs" She said.

Smiling she left the hanger as Carter looked at Ronan.

"She won't take it Ronan…"

"Care to bet on that?" He said with a laugh.

"If she stays with the Nimitz… you buy the first round"

"Deal!" He replied.

Gathered on all decks of every naval vessel, as many of the crew who could be away from duty waited for the new squadron to arrive as over the city of San Francisco the new Aircraft approached slowly. As they flew over the Fleet, they split into flight of two aircraft each and finally solo flights as they performed a small display for the gathering crews on each ship. Applause came from every ship as they ended the routine they where performing and began to land on the deck of the carrier for the first time. However rather then the traditional rolling landing each aircraft displayed a vertical landing on the deck and rolled to a stop in the holding area. As each aircraft rolled to a stop, its wings began to fold and meet above the canopy as its long landing gears retracted slightly to lower the height of the aircraft, a new feature that would allow storage aboard a carrier due to limited space. Finally, with each pilot on deck the Captain, First Officer and Commander of the Air Group stood before the gathered pilots.

"Lieutenant Commander, Welcome back" The Captain said as he looked at his new aircraft.

"Thank you sir… Red Squadron reporting for duty Captain"

"How does she fly?"

"Like a dream CAG…"

"Well Commander Cole, Report to your bunks, get your gear stored… debriefing in one hour. Congratulations once again"

"Thank you sir…" With a large smile on her face, she turned to her companions. "Squad, dismissed"

In 2013...

The casket carrying the body of Colonel Samantha Carter had returned to Atlantis through the Stargate as the Command Staff had gathered in full dress uniform, a sombre occasion that had happened too many times, however this time it was more difficult on everyone around as it was one of their own. A much honoured and respected BC-304 Commander who gave everything to save her ship and crew from enemy attack. Slowly roof retracted as a Puddle Jumper lowered into the Gateroom as the casket was carefully placed inside General Sheppard Slowly walked into the Jumper followed by Dr. McKay, Ronan Dex and Commander Cole. Stopping for a moment at the casket, she saluted and finally sat in the pilot's seat as General Sheppard took the seat next to her.

"I hate doing this sir" She said quietly.

"We all do Commander…" Sheppard replied.

"I take it Teal'c will be waiting for us?"

"He's already awaiting our arrival. Unfortunately, we cannot find Doctor Jackson. I got teams all over the galaxy looking for him"

"Yeah… you know that really pisses me off. I'd expected he would be…"

"Let it go Commander… that is an order" Sheppard growled.

"Aye sir"

Slowly the Jumper lifted up back into the bay as the gathered group saluted once more until finally it exited the city through the retracted Jumper Bay roof and disappeared into the skies.

Gathered at the cemetery the casket was slowly lowered into the ground as a twenty-one gun salute was given while they all saluted. After the ceremony, Teal'c and Bra'tac walked towards Sheppard and bowed slightly as he looked up into the rain-filled sky. His expression was one of darkness as he lowered his head and seemed to look past them.

"General Sheppard… We have every Jaffa ship searching for those responsible"

"We will do everything in our power to find them and bring them to justice" Teal'c said slowly.

"Be sure that you do… but one thing Gentlemen… bring the commander of that vessel to me. I will deal with him personally"

His voice was dark and cold as he turned and walked back towards the Jumper with the aid of his cane. Shocked at his tone Bra'tac looked at Teal'c and nodded slightly as McKay and Cole walked towards them.

"Doctor McKay… Commander Cole. What is wrong with the General?"

"I don't know Teal'c, I've never seen him like this" McKay replied. "I've known John for almost ten years… never seen this side of him"

"Getting shot, unable to walk without a cane… loosing a close friend. It has to take its toll on the man" Cole said carefully. "He'll snap out of it, even if I have to hit him myself… Thank you for coming guys, I know it meant a lot to John. He won't say it but I will…"

"I had to pay my last respects. I know Colonel Carter would have done the same"

"Indeed" Bra'tac replied. "I understand that she has been posthumously promoted"

"Brigadier General, you know what really pisses me off. She offered me a posting on her ship a few years back. Had I taken it…"

"We'd be burring you along side her Commander" McKay barked.

"Maybe not… I should have taken her offer…"

"Commander, she made her choice and saved her crew. I was hoping to speak with Daniel Jackson. I have Jaffa looking for him, his last know location was at the monastery on Kheb"

"Kheb?" Cole asked.

"It's a long story Cole, I'll tell you later" McKay said.

From the Jumper a voice yelled as they all looked around to see John Sheppard looking at them angry.

"COME ON"

Saluting the grave once more Cole nodded to Teal'c and Bra'tac as she followed McKay towards the Puddle Jumper, her anger towards her superior officer was evident as she stepped onto the ramp and pushed past him slightly as she spoke harshly.

"Show a little respect Sheppard"

"HEY! Get back here NOW Commander"

Every muscle in her body tensed as she turned to face him, quickly she removed her cap and threw it on the nearest bench as she walked towards him and looked up into his eyes.

"WHAT!" She growled.

"You are addressing a superior officer COMMANDER"

"With NO due respect General, shovel it. You got shot… Get over it"

"WHAT?"

"I understand it's been a tough week, it's been hard on everyone else. You've had a face like god damned Unas for the last week. No one will tell you this, but right now… I really don't give s shit"

"Stand down Commander" He yelled.

"Ohh I've only just begun General. Now sit down, shut the hell up… square off to me again like this and I'll beat the shit out of you"

"You're out of line Commander" He barked.

"COLE! Sit down…"

From the side of her eyes she saw Ronan enter the Jumper with General Mitchell as Mitchell attempted to step between them, she glared into Sheppard's eyes and walked back to the Pilot's seat as Mitchell sat next to her.

"I'm sorry you had to see that sir"

"You're lucky Commander… but that luck will run out if you continue"

"His pissing me off sir. I just wish I could do something"

"You're right about one thing. He needs a kick in the ass… but that will not come from you, do I make myself clear?"

"Yes sir. Sorry sir, buckle people… we're taking off"

In 2014...

16 Hours to Zero Hour…

Teal'c's fleet had moved into a low orbit on the far side of the moon as the many prisoners had been taken in custody and transferred to a secured facility on the mainland. The young woman had remained in Atlantis for questioning as Ronan Dex had entered the holding cell while she sat curled up in a ball in the far corner.

"I take it you're here to torture me?" She said nervously.

"Not quite" He replied.

"What is the condition of the Enemy fleet, fleet composition… weapon status"

"No idea" She said quickly.

"Listen to me… we know your fleet is heading to Earth, we've already prepared a warm welcome for them"

"What?"

"Ohh yes… This city is fully operational. A full compliment of drones and shields… we have fifteen Jaffa Vessels and eight Tau'ri cruisers standing by to greet them"

"You can't do that. They're heading into a trap?"

"A trap? No a defensive measure. We know who you are Gemma, wife of the renegade known as Jack our sensors have picked up you are also carrying his child. I just hope it does not grow up without a father"

"STOP IT!" She wept.

"What is the status of your fleet…"

"I told you, I don't know"

"In under Sixteen hours your fleet will arrive to a warm welcome. If you want to save your husband and his crew. Tell me what I want to know"

"Go to hell"

"Have it your way"

Smiling darkly, he turned and left the cell as she began to cry once again.