Author's Note: Okay, I know that the Ancients didn't call the ZPM that, but I don't feel like making up a name for it, so I'm going to use the show names for some of the Atlantis technology – except the stuff I make up, of course. Just so you guys know so you don't feel the need to correct me on specifics. : )

OOOOOOOOOO

"I've got a question," Sam said, before there could be any more discussion about who was going where. "How are you going to power the gate to get it to go that far? Atlantis is an eight chevron address, right?"

Ian nodded, still scowling at the thought of being forced to take McKay.

"We'll use the Zero point module to power the gate on this side – and then you guys will take it with you to use as a power source for your ring device. You're going to need it with you anyways, because it's what will power up the chair weapon."

"Zero Point Module?" she echoed.

"This," Ian said, gesturing to the power source he'd brought from his apartment.

"Is there enough power in that thing to do all that?" Daniel asked.

"There's enough power in it to light up New York for a couple of centuries," Ian assured him.

"Where did you get that thing?" Hayes asked, curiously. "We could use-"

"They're not that common," Ian interrupted. "I-"

"Sir?"

They were interrupted by one of the Secret Service agents who had been standing just outside the door.

Hayes frowned at the interruption, but replied, anyways.

"Yes?"

"The plane just landed at the Air Force Academy, Sir. They should be here in a half hour."

"Thank you, Patricia." Hayes looked at the others. "The others have arrived. Do I tell them all this, or just the part about the aliens that want to destroy the world?"

Hammond saved the rest of them from answering.

"That decision is yours, Mr. President. But I'll help you with whatever background you need when you brief them."

"Thank you, George."

Hammond looked at the others in the briefing room.

"Is there anything else to discuss?"

"Can I go to Atlantis with Ian?" Andrew asked.

"No."

The answer was instant, and came from several people at once. Teal'c, Jack, and General Hammond all vetoed the idea before Andrew even had a chance to make a pitch for it. Andrew had pretty much expected that response, but he couldn't help but ask, anyways.

"The last thing we're going to need is another child under foot," McKay said.

Ian scowled, and immediately jumped to Andrew's defense.

"I'd rather have him along than you."

"Well, I'd rather you took him, I assure you," the Astrophysicist snapped. "I'm not that eager for a chance to gate to a strange place in the company of a wet behind the ears-"

"You can stay here," Ian told him. "I don't want you – or need you. I'd take a can of earthworms before I volunteered to have you come alo-"

"That's enough." Hammond cut off the argument before things got too far out of hand. "He's going with you, Lieutenant, and you'll treat him as you would treat any other – no, you'll treat him like you'd treat a classma… Just be nice to him," Hammond finished, thinking that if Ian treated McKay like he did everyone else, McKay might not come back.

"Just treat me like you'd treat Sam," McKay said, smirking at the reprimand – and the thundercloud of an expression on Ian's face at the order.

"And you'll treat him with the respect he's due, Doctor," Hammond added. "Bearing in mind that he's in charge of your little expedition. If you want to make it home, I suggest you remind yourself that he knows more about the place you're going than you do."

"He's in charge?" McKay asked, the smirk vanishing in an instant. "I'm older and more experienced. I-"

"Will listen to what he tells you and do it," Hammond finished. He looked at Ian. "You'll take SG-4 with you – just as backup in case you run into something unexpected. I'll make sure Colonel James knows that you're in charge of the technical side of things, but I don't have to tell you that he's in charge when it comes to military decisions…?"

Ian shook his head.

"No, Sir."

"Good." Hammond looked at all the people in the room. "Any questions?"

Everyone shook their heads. They were professionals and this wasn't the first time they'd saved the world, after all. Even Thor and Jacob knew what was expected of them in this, and were willing to help where they could.

"I suggest you get geared up and ready to go," he said. "Preferably before the other diplomats come and I have to explain Thor to them before the Asgard come up in the regular course of the conversations."

They all stood, and Hayes stood as well.

"Good luck, people," the President said. "And thank you."

"Andrew…" Hammond said as the others filed out of the room. "I'd like you to stay with me. You know as much about the Asgard as anyone, and if we do bring them up in the briefing to come, you'll probably be able to answers questions about them better than I can."

Andrew paled at the thought of actually addressing anyone important – he'd already had a shock when he'd realized that the President was in the briefing room when he'd entered it. But he nodded. What else was he going to do, after all?

OOOOOOOOO

"Damn it."

Nathan shut his cell phone with a snap that caused Ian Piper to look up from feeding Jake.

"No answer?"

"No. And I keep getting that recording that the circuits are busy. The circuits can't be that busy at seven in the morning."

"It's mid afternoon there," Ian reminded him.

"Yeah, I know. I just wish she'd call."

"She's fine, Nate. Don't worry so much."

"I can't help it. I just have this feeling…"

"Well, ignore it, because it's wrong. Nothing's going to happen to Maggie. Come and burp Jacob here, and I'll go make breakfast."

"I don't want breakfast."

"Well I do, and I don't want baby puke in my eggs, so you take the baby and I'll make breakfast."

He'd make enough for both of them, because he knew he'd be able to cajole Nathan into eating eventually. And maybe the baby, too. He was probably old enough to nibble on something solid, after all.