Carson, Rodney, Elizabeth and Peter listened intently to the chatter on the radio, each of them tense. "Rodney, Peter," Elizabeth said.
"Yes?" they replied simultaneously.
"Is there any way to clear up the radar and figure out the exact number of Darts there are?" she asked. The two men looked at each other for a moment before turning around, immediately setting to work.
"Yes," Rodney answered, his words quick, "If we can just reroute it so that—ah!" he stopped as the dots on the screen lessened. A stream of digits appeared at the bottom left screen as well. Eyes widening, Elizabeth stood up until she was nearly nose-to-nose with the numbers.
"Rodney…" she whispered, and turned back to see him gaping as well.
"They appear to be arranged according to rank," Grodin spoke up, "Hive Ships, Darts, and then Wraith."
"Are you sure?" Elizabeth asked.
"It's the only way," Grodin replied. "Why do you ask?" Curious to see the numbers, he tried to peer around Elizabeth and Rodney, but his efforts brought nothing.
"There are four hive ships," Elizabeth said. "Along with one hundred and sixty-two Darts." Peter's eyes widened. Elizabeth felt her heart, so filled with hope from the connection that was made with Earth, begin to plummet. Three-two and a half by now-hours was too long. "Two hundred and fifty Wraith," she swallowed tightly. The four looked at each other, concern written over each of their faces.
"What does the yellow mean?" Carson broke the silence as he motioned in the direction of the screen. Peter swiveled in his seat and frantically typed keys on the laptop.
He blinked at the answer for a moment before turning back to the others, fear in his eyes. "A Hive Ship and five Darts have entered the atmosphere."
"Where are they going to land?" Rodney asked. There was a long beat before Peter answered.
"The mainland."
"John, can you hear me?" Elizabeth asked immediately into the earpiece.
"Loud and clear, command," he replied. "JT-1 is taking care of a couple more Darts and my team is headed back to make a second loop."
"I'm afraid we have bad news," Elizabeth told him.
"What?"
"Five Darts and a Hive Ship are heading for the mainland," Rodney spoke up blatantly.
"Damn," John cursed beneath his breath.
"Rodney and I and whoever else wishes to come are going to go to the mainland and see if we can evacuate further before the attack," Elizabeth said.
"We are?" Rodney asked, eyes wide.
"No, you aren't," John's voice came through harshly. "Elizabeth, you're staying in Atlantis."
"John, listen—"
"No, Elizabeth, you listen. I am still the commanding military officer and my orders preside over yours during battle." Elizabeth gritted her teeth. She opened her mouth to remind him that he was her adviser. She was supposed to listen to him; it didn't mean that his orders were above hers at any time. Whatever she would have said, though, was cut off as John spoke again. "Rodney," John addressed McKay, "Make sure she doesn't set one foot in a jumper, you hear me? I don't care if you have to handcuff her to a wall or shoot her, make sure she doesn't leave." Rodney nodded and received a stormy glare from Elizabeth. "Use two of the last jumpers. Send seven people per jumper."
"That leaves seven people on Atlantis," Rodney spoke up.
"Plus the team of scientists," John added. "Atlantis is the most protected spot. You'll be fine. If the jumpers are able to destroy the Hive Ship and the Darts, send one back and forth to ship people to Atlantis. Keep one on the mainland as a lookout. Radio the Athosians and let them know what is going on."
"Fine," Elizabeth said, edge to her voice.
"Good," John replied stonily. "Going back for the second spin. We'll try to damage the hive ships on the way. Sheppard out." The radio connection stopped and the sound faded to the silence of the control room. Elizabeth sighed softly.
"Doctor Weir," Carson spoke up.
"Yes?"
"I want to go to the mainland," he told her, his face grave. He could do no good here. Elizabeth was surprised. She swallowed tightly, looking at Carson. She didn't want him to go into danger. It was selfish, yes, but Carson was one of her dearest friends. 'It's also unfair,' she told herself, 'to have favorites.'
"Okay," she said unwillingly. 'He'll be fine,' she told herself, but her mind wouldn't stop thinking of how much she'd miss the Scottish man if something happened. Elizabeth turned away from Carson before her eyes watered up again. She walked toward the glass that separated the gate room and the control room as she addressed Peter. "Connect with the Athosian channel," she ordered.
"You got it."
A moment later a surge of light static informed them that a connection had indeed been made. "Halling, this is Dr. Weir. Can you hear me?"
"Yes," the reply came after several seconds.
"Good," Elizabeth said with a strained smile. "How are you all doing?"
"We are fine. There has been nothing unusual as of yet."
Elizabeth pursed her lips. "A Hive Ship and five or more Darts have entered the atmosphere and they are heading toward you."
"I understand."
"Major Sheppard has ordered that two jumpers be sent to assist you. Once the ships have been destroyed, we'll begin evacuating more people." She swallowed. "Also, our home planet has contacted us and they are sending reinforcements that should arrive in—" she glanced back at Peter.
"Two hours, ma'am," Grodin answered immediately.
"That is good news," Halling said, and Elizabeth smiled weakly. "We must prepare."
"Good luck," Elizabeth whispered as the transmission cut off. She turned back towards Carson, Rodney and Grodin. "Let's get the two jumper teams ready," she said.
"I'll go and pack some medical supplies," Carson said, jumping to his feet. Elizabeth gave her permission with a small nod of her head and he departed. Grodin and McKay began to head toward the jumper bay. Elizabeth was following them at a length. She hated this. Again she would watch as good men and women left safety to fight for Atlantis. She hated knowing that some of them wouldn't come back.
They all deserved to come back.
"This is Prometheus. If you can hear me, we are transmitting a long-range message. We're experiencing a technical delay. It should be repaired within an hour or two."
Elizabeth froze as she heard the message through the earpiece. Her throat tightened and she reached her hand to the earpiece, touching it as if it wasn't real. "What!"
Author's Note: Sorry about lack of updates... Hope you enjoyed. Please review!
