Disclaimer: The characters of SG1 and Atlantis belong to MGM.


Chapter 2

Desperate measures

General Laundry reappeared with a very serious look on his face. He gestured them to sit down.

"The President has ordered the retrieval of Atlantis ZPM." – Laundry sighed. "Colonel Mitchell, you and Dr. Jackson will go to Atlantis to take the ZPM and bring the Orion as well back with you."

"The Orion?" – Mitchell asked puzzled.

"The Ancient warship they've discovered." – Sam intervened.

"Cool!" – Mitchell exclaimed.

"Sir, what about the Daedalus?" – Sam asked.

"The Daedalus will remain to defend Atlantis. Get your gears." – Laundry ordered. "Chief, inform the Odysseus."

"Yes, sir." – Walter replied.

"Master Bra'tac is here and wants to see you." – Laundry said turning to Teal'c.

Soon Mitchell and Jackson were ready to beam aboard the Odysseus. General Laundry briefed them again and explained that they must make haste, and come back with the Orion. In the meantime, Colonel Carter was going to try to locate and contact the Asgards and the To'kra with the help of Teal'c and Bra'tac.

Mitchell and Jackson boarded the Odysseus and went to the bridge. Colonel Emerson's team was checking all systems.

"Colonel Emerson." – Mitchell saluted.

"Ah, Colonel Mitchell, Dr. Jackson. We are ready to go."

"Good. We don't have much time." – Daniel observed.

"Helmsman, set course for Atlantis maximum speed." – Emerson ordered.

"Yes, sir."

The Odysseus powered up the hyper drive and jumped into hyperspace. They had three weeks to reach Atlantis and go back.

Two weeks have passed since the Odysseus had departed from Earth. Dr. Jackson was sitting in the galley when Mitchell and Emerson showed up. They sat around Daniel and took a drink. All three remained silent till Emerson broke the silence.

"I am still wondering how would we withstand the ORI fleet with just one vessel?"

"Two." – Daniel objected.

"Yeah, the Orion." – Mitchell added.

"The what?" – Emerson asked.

"The Orion, your sister ship. Didn't General Laundry mention it?" – Mitchell said.

"Yes, he did mention but he didn't specify that it was a ship."

"Oh!" – Daniel exclaimed and rolled eyes. "He didn't."

"Yeah, obviously he did." – Mitchell agreed.

"It is an Ancient warship." – Daniel explained.

"Alright. Two ships and the Antarctica defense outpost against the ORI armada." – Emerson said.

"Yeah, and eventually some mother ships from the Asgards and the To'kra." – Daniel added.

"Cool." – Mitchell exclaimed excitingly.

One week later, the Odysseus was in the Pegasus galaxy nearing Atlantis. Colonel Emerson was on the bridge. Daniel and Mitchell have just entered.

"Send a message to Atlantis and inform them of our arrival." – Emerson ordered and informed Jackson and Mitchell. "We just crossed the borders and we are in Pegasus."

"They'll be surprised of our visit." – Mitchell said and then added. "At last you'll set foot on Atlantis."

"Yeah, at last." – Daniel agreed.

In this time at the ancient city of Atlantis, Dr. Rodney McKay was on his way to the control room.

"Dr. McKay, we are receiving a subspace transmission."

"On my way." – McKay said.

He looked at the transmission and gasped then turned on his radio and said.

"Elizabeth would you join me at the control room?"

"On my way." – Elizabeth Weir answered. "John, join us."

"Ok." – John said.

As they arrived, Rodney approached them.

"Rodney, what is it?" – Elizabeth asked calmly.

"We've received a transmission from the Odysseus."

"Who?" – John asked.

"The Odysseus, a Daedalus class ship." – Rodney explained irritated. "They're coming to Atlantis as ordered by the SGC."

"What for?" – Elizabeth demanded.

"It didn't say. However it did say that Colonel Mitchell and Dr. Jackson are aboard the Odysseus." – Rodney answered.

"Dr. Jackson? Hmm." – Elizabeth said. "Any ideas?"

"None." – Rodney shot straight away.

"Maybe they're considering giving us one more ship to fight the Wraith." – John said hopingly.

"I doubted." – Elizabeth said firmly. "They lost the Prometheus and the Odysseus is the only ship they have now beside the Daedalus."

"Well, we'll know soon enough. When will they arrive?" – John said.

"They'll be here in six hours." – Rodney answered.

"Very well. Send them that we received their message and that we are waiting for them." – Elizabeth ordered.

It was late evening when the Odysseus landed on the western peer. Dr. Weir greeted Colonels Emerson and Mitchell, and Dr. Jackson. And because of the late hour the briefing was decided to be in the morning so they were showed to their quarters.

Elizabeth Weir was happy, at last, to greet Dr. Jackson. She knew that he was eager to get to Atlantis but never got the opportunity since General O'Neil decided to keep him on Earth. And also they could use his expertise on the ancients. They have discovered so many interesting things, and Rodney wouldn't mind someone to help him. However, Elizabeth had the distinct feeling that this was not the reason why SGC has sent Dr. Jackson and the Odysseus to Atlantis.

Mitchell woke up and looked around. The sunrays were saluting him for the beginning of the day. He slowly stood up, went to rinse his hands and get ready. Then he got dressed and found his way to the galley.

Dr. Jackson was already there and was tasting the food offered in the Pegasus galaxy with delight.

"Morning Jackson." – Mitchell greeted.

"Morning Mitchell." – Jackson responded.

"Still on the same tune?"

"Yeah. I was hoping to get a look at the city."

"Take your time but fast we won't stay here for eternity."

"Don't you find the city amazing?"

"I do and some people are lucky to be here but we have other problems."

"Yeah. How do you think they're going to respond to our mission?"

"They won't be probably very happy about it."

"Right."

Mitchell concentrated on his meal. He was indeed a bit jealous for the opportunity that Shepard had. Being in another galaxy, exploring and fighting with a terrifying enemy. Not that on Earth was calm having the ORI was threat enough. He had yet to see this Orion ship.

After breakfast, Daniel and Mitchell headed to the briefing room. Colonel Emerson was already there as was the team of Dr. Weir. They sat down and Emerson spoke.

"Dr. Weir, this city is amazing."

"I'm glad you appreciate it. What brings you here, Colonel?" – Dr. Weir responded.

"Most unfortunate events. Dr. Jackson, if you please explain the situation." – Emerson said.

"As you know we've discovered what happened to the rest of the ancients. After the plague on Earth, one parted with the city to the Pegasus galaxy. The others went to another. We managed to reach them only to find a terrible enemy." – Jackson started explaining.

"I know the feeling." – John Shepard said.

"Yeah. They dispatched priors to preach the word of the ORI. The problem was and is that they are very powerful and at first we had little success stopping them. They tried to deploy their fleet but we managed to stop them."

"We know that, Dr. Jackson." – Elizabeth said.

"Yeah however what you don't know is that recently they've successfully transported their fleet to our galaxy and began invasion. Four weeks ago they defeated almost the entire Jaffa fleet and took Dakara, the capitol of the Free Jaffa Nations."

"That's not good." – Rodney intervened.

"No and the worst part is that the ORI want to conquer Earth. Their fleet is on its way to Earth." – Daniel finished.

"Yeah." – Mitchell interfered. "And since we lost the Prometheus, we have now only one star ship, the Odysseus."

"Dr. Weir." – Emerson turned to Elizabeth, sighed deeply and spoke. "The President has ordered the retrieval of Atlantis ZPM so much needed for the activation of Earth defenses."

"What?" – Elizabeth shot in shock.

"We are here to take the ZPM back to Earth. The Orion is to accompany us as well." – Emerson stated.

Colonel Shepard, McKay and Elizabeth couldn't believe what they were hearing. SGC and President wanted to leave them with no defenses.

"And also these measures were approved by the International Committee." – Emerson added.

"Do you realize what this means?" – McKay shot.

"Rodney, calm down." – Elizabeth said firmly.

"Calm down? Leaving us with no defenses with the Wraith on our doorstep. This is crazy." – McKay snapped.

"Yeah. It is not cool at all." – Mitchell agreed. "But the danger to Earth is more eminent."

"That might be so, colonel, but we also were in eminent danger and managed to succeed." – Shepard observed.

"With the ZPM and the Daedalus Earth provided for you." – Mitchell shot back.

"Enough, gentlemen." – Elizabeth concluded the intercalation. "I'll speak with SGC and the International Committee."

"What about the Daedalus?" – Colonel Caldwell asked.

"The Daedalus is to remain to defend Atlantis." – Emerson replied. "I'm sorry Dr. Weir but these are my orders."

"I understand. Nonetheless I shall speak with them." – Elizabeth affirmed. "Rodney we have to prepare a data burst to SGC and then wait for the answer."

"Uh, ok. I'll be at the control room." – Rodney said and went out.

"In the mean time, you are free to explore the city. Colonel Shepard, Teyla and Ronnon will be your guides." – Elizabeth concluded.

"Cool." – Shepard and Mitchell exclaimed in unison.

Later, Rodney McKay joined Dr. Jackson in the tour of Atlantis. Shepard has shown them the hangar with the puddle jumpers, the sciences labs, and the generators. They had to rest around noon because after all it is a big city.

Rodney was using the time to bring up to speed Jackson about the Wraith technology and how it was derived from the ancient. Daniel had the chance to help them with the translation of some Wraith texts. He had grasped the Wraith language quite fast, which impressed Rodney quite a lot although he was reluctant to admit that Jackson might be smarter than him.

Some time in the afternoon, they all headed back to the briefing room where Elizabeth was waiting for them. She had spoken with the International Committee, SGC and the President, and she wasn't happy about it. Very reluctantly and despite her diplomatic and very persuasive skills, she had to give up the ZPM to the Odysseus and the Orion. It was told to her that the situation on Earth and in the galaxy had really gone out of control and the decisive battle would most probably be decided on Earth. She tried to explain the consequences of the Wraith taking over Atlantis but the response from Earth was firm and definitive.

"Good afternoon to all." – Elizabeth greeted them. "I've spoken with the International Committee, SGC and the President."

Elizabeth swallowed bitterly then continued.

"And…their decision stands. The Odysseus will transport the ZPM to Earth. Colonel Shepard will command the Orion on the mission back to Earth and hopefully back to Atlantis." – Elizabeth stated.

"I'd have to go too." – Rodney said.

"No, Rodney I need you here." – Elizabeth objected.

"And when something happens to the Orion who will fix it, ah?" – Rodney opposed her raising an eyebrow.

"He is right, Elizabeth. I need him on board. There is no one else that understands better than him the systems and that stuff on the ship." – Shepard confirmed.

"Very well, Rodney will come with you." – Elizabeth sighed in defeat. "Colonel Caldwell will assume command of the military contingent on Atlantis till your return."

"Excellent." – Shepard said.

"One more thing. It was suggested that the ships must make haste to Earth as it is unknown when exactly the ORI will strike." – Elizabeth added. "And good luck to all."

Rodney had gone to remove the ZPM and to switch power to auxiliary generators. Shepard was touring Mitchell and Jackson in the Orion. Jackson was impressed by the quick and efficient job they've done repairing the ancient warship. Its weaponry mostly interested Mitchell on the other side.

Later on all preparations have been completed and the two vessels were ready to depart.

"Dr. weir, this is Colonel Emerson, we are ready to depart." – Emerson reported.

"Understood and good luck, Colonel." – Elizabeth responded.

"Elizabeth, we are ready as well." – Shepard called in as well.

"Watch yourselves and God speed." – Elizabeth wished.

With that the transmission was severed and the inhabitants of Atlantis saw the Odysseus and the Orion wishing them luck saving Earth and hoping that will return safely back.


A/N

Just a note on the first chapter I've made a tiny mistake - where is written Jaffar should be understood as Jaffa. I appologize for the mistake.

Please read and review. Tell me what you think. I would like also to know which episodes of SG1 and Atlantis you liked best so that I could improve the style in the story.

Thank you

Lordheaven