Chapter 18: New Finds

Setting: Stargate Command Gateroom and briefly Atlantis, an hour after Chapter 18

"Chevron Seven is…LOCKED!" The Stargate burst open with the unstable vortex of energy and then settled back into the event horizon.

"Sir, we have radio contact with Doctor Weir. Go ahead."

General O'Neill smiled. "Elizabeth, how are you?"

"Doing good General, and yourself?"

"Oh the back, the knees, the usual. Listen I need a favor."

Elizabeth smiled. "You only call when you need something. What is this time?" She rolled her eyes.

"Well, can you relay a message to Colonel Caldwell?"

"Actually he is right here."

A bald man stepped up to the balcony overlooking the Stargate. "How can I help you General?"

"I need you to return to Earth, Colonel. With as many pilots who are willing to come. We have a problem."

"Yes, General. Doctor Jackson updated me on the problem. Luckily, using the ZPM we obtained from the dead city on Athos, we can get there in about 3 days."

O'Neill nodded. "Excellent. Is there any chance there are some Puddle Jumpers to spare? We could use them."

Doctor Weir turned on her headset. "The second Puddle Jumper bay we found can help with that. We can spare six Jumpers for you, General."

O'Neill grinned to nobody. "That's great, Elizabeth. Alright, Colonel. We'll see you in three days. Elizabeth, any chance you can spare Colonel Sheppard for this? I hear he's one hell of a Jumper pilot."

"Of course General. I'll talk to him for you."

"Very well, O'Neill out."

The Stargate closed and General O'Neill turned around to find Walter standing there. "Walter, what can I do for you?"

Walter looked at the paper in his hand before speaking. "We just received word from the Outpost. The Asgard power source was hooked up to it and its at full power. We're ready."

Back on Atlantis, six Puddle Jumpers were being loaded into the F-302 bay of the Daedalus. Twenty-five pilots stood in front of the Stargate and Colonel Caldwell, with Doctor Weir by his side, briefed the pilots. They were going back to Earth to defend it. If they succeeded, they would be given a month with their families and loved ones before returning back to Atlantis. The pilots all looked at each other and grinned. It was the incentive of a lifetime. Only one pilot was not excited – Colonel John Sheppard.