Two lefts and three rights later the two marines were completely confused. Which was perfectly natural. The only ones who could get around the crazy city without any help were Dr. McKay and, to a slightly greater extent, Major Sheppard. It also had the added benefit of making said doctor shut up, and lead the way.

"We're close." McKay grunted, taking a left. "Just a little further up a… Oh, no." The three men stopped, staring at a company of at least a half a dozen Wraith, all with their stunners pointed at them. Without missing a beat Rodney jumped behind a nearby crate and the two marines opened fire taking down two of the Wraiths in their first volley.

However, that still left at least a couple more. Rodney forced himself to look up from behind the crate when one of the marines fell, leaving the other alone with at least four other Wraith. The Canadian doctor cursed himself when he remembered that he had a gun. Another two Wraith fell, but the last two managed to hit the marine before Rodney could get the handgun out of its holster.

"Ah!" He gasped, standing up and pointing the gun at the two remaining space vampires. "You want some of this, huh?" He pressed a button and with an audible click the gun's clip fell down to the floor. "Aw crap." The two Wraith started to slowly approach him. "Wait, stop, don't eat me."

The Wraith stopped; exchanging glances, and then fell down one by one in a small flash of pale blue light, leaving Teyla standing victoriously behind them with one of their own stunners in hand.

"Are you well, Dr. McKay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." The Canadian slowly sank down to his knees.

"Are you not forgetting something?" He raised an eyebrow at her. "The ZPM?"

"Right." Rodney slowly stood up, grabbing the box. "Come on, you'll have to protect me with…"

"Yes, I know that by now."

"Right. That way." He pointed forward.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

-Beaming in three… two… one… Warhead deployed, sir.-

Major Shepard and Colonel Caldwell watched with baited breaths as, for a moment, nothing happened, before the second Hive ship blew up in a spectacular fashion.

"Huh, it worked." Shepard grinned. "And look, the other Hive's turning tail."

"He's right sir, they're opening up a hyperspace window."

"Only, we have another problem now." Shepard muttered. Caldwell turned to where he was looking at and saw the debris from the detonated ship rush towards the city below.

"Yes, I think you're right."

"Atlantis this is Shepard. You have a lot of debris coming your way; you're toast if you don't get the shield up now."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

-Rodney, debris incoming, we need that shield.-

"Yes, I heard you the first time." The scientist grunted as he hefted the orange crystal onto the machine, aiming it at one of the slots.

-Any time now.-

"Alright, everybody shut up before I snap." He turned the crystal.

-Rodney!-

"Alright, snap! Is everybody happy now?" With a small whoosh the crystal sank halfway into its slot. "Huh, it worked."

-The shield's till not up, Rodney, and we're running out of time.

"I know! Just give me a few moments." He turned the orange crystal again, this time in the opposite direction, and it sank in. "Alright, hit it."

The orange glow of the shield enveloped the city at a moderate pace, and not a moment too soon, judging by the large chunks of spaceship that impacted it a second later.

-Alright, well done Rodney.-

"Heh." The scientist sank down to the floor again, closing his eyes blissfully. "I am going to curl up in my bed and sleep for a week." Teyla looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Shall I tell the other Wraith that are still left in the city that you are unavailable, then?"

"Right, those guys. Help me up."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Back at the control room everybody let out a breath of relief. Elizabeth herself leaned on a nearby console allowing herself a few seconds of relief before the fighting resumed.

-Atlantis, this is Caldwell.-

"We read you Colonel. We're just fine." She let out a small smile.

-That's nice. You might want to prep your med bay.-

"Why? What's wrong with yours?" Although she had a familiar foreboding feeling.

-It's Shepard, Dr. Weir. He fainted.-

And there it was.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

I know its short, shut up.