Author's Note: okay, for the last time. I know McKay is Canadian. Honest. I do watch the shows. When I had Hammond tell McKay his country needed him, I never said his country was the USA. Hammond is a soldier. The first thing he'd appeal to is McKay's patriotism. Then he went after his wallet, saying that McKay was getting federal funding for his studies. (This was a reference to the US government, yes. A lot of foreigners get federal funding from the US government – and not always with the knowledge or permission of their country of origin.) Also, as far as I recall, I don't remember ever seeing a conversation between anyone in the SGC and the Canadian Prime Minister, so I think it's safe to assume that in my AU, I can say that Canada didn't know about the Stargate program. If you have any more questions or comments about this particular topic, please refer it to my forum (the link is in my profile) so I don't have to use so much story space repeatedly explaining myself on the same subject. All other questions and comments are welcomed, of course!

OOOOOOOOOO

"We should stay here. I mean, right by the gate."

Ian looked back at McKay as he reached the top of the staircase.

"Why?"

"In case SG-4 shows up."

"And if they don't?"

"They might."

"We need to figure out how to get back. The others are going to need us."

He looked at the workstations which were covered protectively with some kind of plastic-like film, and pulled off the closest one.It looked a lot like their computers, really, and that was convenient.After all, the Ancients had a lot of mental abilities and all of their command controls could have been set up to be accessed only with telepathic controls or something. Which would have made things impossible – although he did briefly wonder why they hadn't done things that way. Then they would never need to worry about the Goa'uld or anyone else breaking in and using things they shouldn't be. McKay spoke up as he reached for the controls.

"Don't touch that."

"I'm going to find a map to this place…"

"I though you've already been here?"

"I was. But like I told you before, I didn't come in through this direction. When a Gateship comes through the Stargate, it goes up into the bay – which means the bay is somewhere above us."

"Somewhere."

"Yeah."

"I don't think we should leave here. We need to be where SG-4 can find us – and where any unfriendlies can't."

"There's no one here, Doctor McKay."

"You can't know that for certain."

Ian scowled.

"There isn't."

"We're probably not the only ones that have this address, you know," McKay said, looking around him with a mixture of interest (he was in Atlantis, after all) and wariness. "Any number of people – and not even necessarily Goa'uld – could have found this place and set up shop just outside those doors."

"The lights weren't on."

Which actually didn't mean anything, Ian knew. The lights would only turn on for someone with the Ancients gene.

"So? That doesn't mean anything. We carry flashlights. They could, too. And big guns, or knives, or maybe some kind of death ray that melts you on the spot or something."

Now the interest in the room was definitely replaced by anxiety as he watched the door as if expecting someone to leap out at him at any moment.

"We can't stay here," Ian said. "We need to find the-"

"Why don't you go look for it, and I'll wait for SG-4 to show and send them after you when they get here?"

Ian scowled, but really it wasn't that bad an idea. McKay was already driving him nuts, and if he left him here, then he wouldn't have to deal with him.

"Fine. Just don't touch anything."

Now it was McKay's turn to scowl.

"What am I going to touch?"

"And don't go anywhere. It's a big fucking city and I don't want to have to go looking for you."

"Where am I going to go? I don't see any golden arches or a Burger King anywhere, do you?"

Speaking of which… he pulled the pack off his shoulder and set it on the workspace in front of him and started rummaging through it.

"What are you doing?"

"Getting something to eat."

Ian shook his head, and headed out the door.

"Jesus."

OOOOOOOOOO

"My Lord…"

The heavily cloaked figure sitting in the command chair turned, looking at his First Prime, who bowed respectfully – and with no small amount of fear.

"We interrupted a transmission that I felt might interest you."

"Show me."

"It is audio only, my Lord – and incomplete. The Tau'ri do not have the technology to-"

"Play it, then," Anubis interrupted. "And spare me the lesson."

"Yes, my Lord."

The First Prime turned to one of the other Jaffa, who brought forth a recording device. He activated it, and a moment later a man's voice filled the room.

"…up to. The governments of the world are putting all our assets into finding out, though, and we ask that you, the people of the world, do your best to keep from panicking, and support your neighbors as they attempt to do the same. It's a scary time, and we understand that, but we also want to remind you that you have the militaries of the world protecting you – no matter which country you live in, or what part of the world you live in – and that's no small thing."

"We're working on figuring out a way to establish communications with these folks now, and hope that we'll have more to tell you soon. Until then, please do your best to carry out your daily activities as you normally would, and again, try your best to stay calm. We'll give you more information as we develop it, but at this moment we don't have any time frame for an update."

"Do you wish for me to play it again, my Lord?"

"No."

Anubis was quiet for a moment, and then looked at his First Prime.

"They are not taking me as seriously as I require. Give them a reason to fear me – and a reason to call for assistance."

The First Prime bowed.

"Yes, my Lord."

He didn't ask what Anubis wanted him to do. He already knew. He left the room, carrying the device with him and taking several of the other Jaffa with him.