Don't forget thoughts are written *in italics.*

CHAPTER FOUR

Turning my attention to the Stargate along with everyone else in the room I was surprised to discover that I knew several things about the city of Atlantis, including the fact that there was an 'iris' here that shielded the Stargate from any unwelcome guest. Surprised I tried to figure out what else I knew but before I really got to look into all the new information Doctor Weir's voice called out,

"Let them in!"

Leading me to believe that somehow they had also figured out there was an iris over the Stargate. Curious about who would come out of the gate I felt relief and worry take over as I saw John come out of the wormhole, looking as though he had been in a fight.

"Step in, folks. Move away from the puddle." John called behind him as more people came through the wormhole and began to glance around nervously as they huddled together, reminding me of prey animals near an alligator filled river.

Debating on if I should walk over to John or not I took a few steps and then paused again and bit my lip as I worried over what I should do because John was technically working right now but I wanted to make sure he was okay.

"Major Sheppard." Doctor Weir called out as she came down the steps and walked over to where John was standing with the group of new people.

"Major Sheppard, who are all of these people?" Doctor Weir asked her voice growing softer as she glanced at the people behind him while I decided now was the time to move and began to walk forward as John spoke up,

"Survivors from the settlement. We were attacked and Sumner and some of our men were taken. These guys need a place to stay for a little while."

As he finished speaking I was standing right beside him and bumped his shoulder with mine, giving him a look and telling him without words that I was glad he was safe.

"Listen Doctor Weir, they didn't just take some of our men." John said, lowering his voice as he glanced at me before looking back at Doctor Weir.

"Okay. Well, I am sorry for their loss as well as ours but there's no way that we can go out on an attack mission when we have no way to attack and no idea where our people are being held." Doctor Weir replied lowering her voice to match John's.

Looking at John's face and noticing the look in his eyes I felt my stomach flop as I realized what he meant,

"Doctor Weir, he wasn't talking about just anyone. Whoever this is they have his soul-bond." I said softly as I grabbed John's hand and squeezed it tightly in support as I saw the marking on the back of it for the first time.

"Oh, John..." Doctor Weir's voice trailed off as her sympathy rolled off of her in waves.

"Look Doctor Weir, I need to find them, find her, immediately." John replied, keeping his voice steady even as he clutched my hand tightly.

"Major if you can find something that will give us the tactical advantage then I will authorize the mission." Doctor Weir replied after a minute of silence.

"Thank you Doctor." John replied, giving her a nod before he began to walk away, pulling me along with him until we were far enough away from everyone else.

"Randy please tell me you found something that will cause her to give this mission a green light. I can't live without Tayla. I know I only just met her and I know that we both hated this cliché but it's like she's my other half and I need to find her right now!" John replied, his voice breaking.

I didn't want to disappoint him but I hadn't exactly been exploring while he had been away however as I opened my mouth to tell him that I didn't have anything a piece of information crossed my mind,

"The ships." I replied, causing John to look at me hopefully.

"Spaceships?" He asked.

I smiled and began to pull him in the direction of the ship room which I had not been to but somehow knew where it was,

"Is there any other way to go?" I asked as we began to run down the hallways until we came to the ship room. Walking inside we walked over to the nearest one and it automatically opened a door in the back of it.

"Hmm lets see..." I muttered as I walked to the front and sat down in the pilot chair. I felt the ship connect to my mind with a faint hum as the screen lit up in-front of me and curiously I ran through its defense and offensive abilities on the database.

"Wow John look at all of this. Cloaking, weapons, shielding…" I said listing off some of the things that I was seeing.

"This is great! Stay here, I'll go get Doctor Weir!" John called as he turned and began to run back the way we had come.

*Cloaking huh? Why don't we try this advantage out?* I thought and started the ship before turning it around to face the door that John and Doctor Weir would be entering through and pulling up the cloaking.

Not two minutes later John came back into the room along with Doctor Weir, John looked extremely confused as he glanced around. Figuring I had made my point I deactivated the cloaking device and smiled at John and Doctor Weir's surprised faces. Giving them a wave I lowered the ship and got out to greet them.

"So what do you think? Good enough tactical advantage?" I asked Doctor Weir with a cheeky smile.

"That is pretty impressive. Well Major, I guess all we need to do now is find the gate address." Doctor Weir replied, giving me a smile and nod as she gazed at the ship.

"One thing Doctor Weir, John. I'm going on this mission as well. Before you two begin to complain that I'm not combat ready, I'm not going to be a soldier, I'm going to be the pilot. Obviously only someone with the Ancient gene can activate the ship and from what you've told me there's only a few people here that actually have it and I have piloting experience." I said, causing them to exchange a glance.

"Your call Major." Doctor Weir replied to John's questioning look.

"You promise to stay inside the ship at all times?" John asked me, causing me to nod seriously.

"I promise." I replied.

"Alright then, get ready. As soon as we get the gate address we're moving out." John replied.