Chapter 18: Persuasion

The room lay in a dead silence as all eyes fell upon Dr. Weir. While Lexa was determined to go back whether Weir said okay or not, she preferred to go with Elizabeth's support. It was sort of a superstition she picked up while assigned to Special Ops. It always seemed that any mission that didn't have full support was doomed from the start. While ninety percent of those missions were completed, they didn't go very smoothly, and those missions were the ones where they lost people. Lexa took a deep breath and tried to collect herself. Her pulse was racing and adrenalin coursed through her veins, but she quickly calmed herself and gathered her thoughts. "Elizabeth," her eyes locked with the older woman's, "at least allow me to explain the plan. I've taken all variables into consideration, and I'm sure it will be the best strategy you've ever heard, no offense John." Lexa smirked at the Colonel in attempts to apologize, but she was sure he understood, which made the apology unnecessary.

Sheppard smirked back, "Eh, no worries. I'm not usually one to admit it, but I think in this case you've got one up on me. So what's this plan of yours?"

"Well, technically, it's our plan." Marc received some very perplexed looks as he jumped in, and knew he should have just let Lexa take the credit. "Um, well, it was kind of a last resort plan, that we put together last week, incase something like this happened."

Weir straightened her posture and stiffened already crossed arms, "Oh really?" Lexa sighed and quickly smacked Marc on the back of the head.

He flinched as she made contact, "What the hell was that for?"

Lexa shrugged since she knew that he knew exactly what it was for. "Huh, that was fun. Now I know why Gibbs is always smacking Tony around. Gawd I miss NCIS. Think satellite could reach another galaxy?" Lexa looked around the room to several blank stares, "Sorry, blonde moment, where were we?"

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow as she tilted her head, "You and Major Lorne were going to explain your plan…" It was very apparent that Weir was nearing the end of her rope.

Not wanting to anger her further, Marc started explaining things, "We Gate in with at least six Jumpers, five manned by a pilot, co-pilot, and two marines."

"Colonel Sheppard will pilot Jumper One on the main run and return, and Teyla, Ronan, McKay, and Marc will join him. Myself and a team of marines will follow through on foot to secure the Gate and take care of any Wraith between there and the Camp," Lexa proceeded.

"The Jumpers fly straight to the camp's surrounding area and drop off the marines. They'll then proceed to give us cover fire while we gather the villagers." Marc continued without missing a beat. "Colonel Sheppard will land and join Teyla, Ronan, and myself on the ground, leaving Dr. McKay to fly the Jumper."

Lexa took her turn again, "John, Teyla, and Ronan will assist the marines with taking care of the Wraith, while we," she motioned to herself and Lorne, "will round-up the villagers." She turned her attention to Rodney. "McKay, you'll fly the Jumper back to the Gate and keep it open so they can't receive reinforcements."

"We get the villagers in the Jumpers, McKay picks us up, and we Gate home." Marc turned to Lexa, "I'm sure you'll like to explain the big finale."

Lexa smiled and giggled, "Oh yes, and then we do something very final, if you catch my drift. I don't want to spoil it completely."

McKay, although happy that he was a part of the plan, was a little wary of it. "Don't get me wrong, I'm flattered to be involved, but how exactly are six Jumpers and a few marines going to take on a Camp full of Wraith?"

"Um, hello, we were just there and able to assess the situation. There are a lot less Wraith there than you'd expect. So yeah, six Jumpers should do it." Lexa layed things out a little further.

"Well that's definitely a Special Ops kind of plan, I like it." Sheppard offered up his judgment. "So I'm on board, what do you guys think?" He directed the question to his team.

Ronan rubbed his hands together, "Sounds like fun, let's do it." As if the Runner was going to pass up a chance to kill some Wraith.

Teyla was also in, "I believe the strike plan is sufficient, we should leave as soon as possible."

John nodded to them both, getting the answers he had expected and then turned to Rodney, "McKay?" He was unsure about the Doctor, seeing as it would be up to him to cover their six.

"I like the plan, I do. I just don't understand why I would need to go? Can't another marine handle Gate duty?" Rodney was uneasy about flying the Jumper all alone, since he knew he wasn't the best pilot in the galaxy.

Lorne rolled his eyes, for he couldn't believe what he was about to say. "If there's one thing you're good at McKay," you know, besides being a pain in the ass, "it's fixing things quickly under pressure. If anything were to happen to the Jumpers or the Gate, we'll need you there to fix it."

Colonel Sheppard slipped in before Rodney could say anything to tick anyone off, "So Rodney, are you in?"

McKay smirked as he knew he was invaluable, "Um, yes."

Once again, the group's attentions came back to Dr. Weir and Lexa broke the silence, "We're all in agreement Elizabeth, now it's up to you. I'd much rather do this with a strike team, than on my own."

Weir relaxed a bit as she uncrossed her arms and began to pace. "I have to admit, it is a good plan. And while I'd prefer that the Daedalus be in orbit above the planet, that option isn't available at the moment." She sighed and leaned back against the table. "You're sure about this?" She looked over the group as they all nodded. Elizabeth took another moment, and finally gave in, "Alright, you have a go." The group had begun to move for the door, but stopped in their tracks as Weir continued, "But only on one condition; the mission is voluntary. I'm not making this an order."

Lexa nodded sincerely to Elizabeth and then switched into Special Ops mode as she hurried out with the others in tow, "Alright, lets move!"