"The Wraith are approaching their sensor range…"
This was what they'd been waiting to hear. Those who were going to be on Talonopolis for the ambush were going to have to be there before the Wraith were close enough to use their sensors to know that the Stargate was being used, and they definitely needed to be under the cover of the lava flows when the Wraith made their first scans of the planet. All they wanted the Wraith to see were the vulnerable-appearing Jaffa.
"Let's go, people."
Jack stopped and looked at Sam, who wasn't going to come with them. Not because he didn't want her there, but because there was no reason for her to be there. She had done her job; the shield-dropping device was installed and ready to go – his dart was equipped with the triggering device – and there wasn't anything else she could do. She hadn't liked it, but she also knew that it wasn't because he didn't want her where it was dangerous – he wasn't trying to protect her – they just didn't need her.
"You're in command of the military personnel, Colonel," he said, coming over and taking her hand – even though they weren't alone. "If something goes wrong… send everyone back to Earth, get the doohickey out of the DHD and blow the city."
Sam nodded.
"I will."
It was more complicated than that, of course, since blowing the city – and making sure that the device that made it possible to gate to Earth wasn't going to be left where it might possibly survive the blast that would destroy Atlantis. In the event that the Wraith ambush failed, Sam would evacuate Atlantis, and stay behind. She would take the device out of the DHD, set the explosives that would destroy Atlantis, and then gate with Kale to the Light One's homeworld, where she'd destroy the device, and then become a permanent guest of the Light Ones.
Since Sam was the ranking officer left on Atlantis, it was her responsibility, she'd told Jack the night before – and there was no way she'd ever delegate that responsibility (or the consequences) onto someone else. Jack had been the one to suggest the Light Ones, though. He'd learned a bit about Kale and his people and had grown to like the Light One – and had been told that the Wraith never came to their world because there weren't enough humans and the Light Ones were too difficult to catch. Sam would be safe there.
"I know, Sam."
She squeezed his hand, and then let it go.
"You'd better get going."
Their goodbyes had been said, and there was no need for more words. She'd already told him to be careful, and he'd already told her he loved her.
"I'll see you soon."
She smiled – and it was a real smile, although it was shaky.
"You'd better."
He echoed the smile, and turned away, walking over to join the pilots, Ford and McKay.
McKay was going to pilot the Jumper that took the groups over, and then come back to Atlantis. Ford was going to act as copilot. Beckett had wanted to come as well, but Melony hadn't allowed it. Like Jack and Sam, they would be separated – although in the event of a failure, Carson would be back on Earth instead of with the Light Ones. She and Carson had said their goodbyes the night before, too, and she needed to refocus on the plan, now.
"Let's go, people," Jack repeated, walking up the Jumper's ramp without another look.
The others joined him, Teal'c giving Daniel and Sam both a final nod of farewell as he followed – he'd said his goodbyes earlier as well, including a lengthy farewell to Teyla, Sheppard nodding goodbyes to Weir and those that he'd come to know and like so well, and Duck giving his fellow Marines a jaunty wave. He was a Marine, after all, and he wasn't going to let his buddies see how nervous he was.
OOOOOOOO
"Start it up, McKay," Jack said as soon as the back door closed.
The astrophysicist nodded and engaged the engines of the Jumper, while Jack looked back at the others.
"Last chance to change your minds…"
No one changed their minds.
OOOOOOOOO
"Colonel Carter is going to need help with the evacuation f it becomes necessary," Jack told Ford less than an hour later. They'd landed the Jumper and offloaded the pilots and what little gear they'd need for their short stay and now the Jumper was about to be sent back to Atlantis.
"I know, sir. I'll help her in any way she needs."
"Good."
Ford saluted Jack – and the others.
"Good luck, Sir."
Jack returned it – as did Mitchell, Sheppard and Duck.
"Thank you, Lieutenant."
They watched as he got back into the Jumper and it took off, and then Jack turned to the others, shouldering his pack.
"Let's get set up."
They walked into the lava tube, dodging around the Wraith darts, which had been parked in the tube to hide them from any Wraith sensors. The pilots would need to be near the darts when the attack came – and they had their own sensors to keep track of the Wraith so they'd have a little warning – so they'd be staying in the lava tube itself. They'd hook up with the Jaffa long enough to make sure that they were aware of the imminence of the attack, but that was it. The Jaffa knew what to do and so did the pilots.
It's coming…Yes.
But they'd need to keep busy – and keep the others occupied – instead of thinking about what was going to happen. It was one thing to be ready – it was another to be on edge.
"I nominate Duck to make dinner tonight."
Jack smiled, knowing immediately what she was doing.
"I second it."
Pascal scowled.
Being the lowest ranking member on the totem pole definitely sucked.