Chapter 4
"OK. Check if it works now."
Carter and Zelenka were working over opposite sides of a newly installed power generator.
"Yes, that's it. Now we just need to make sure all of the others in the system will work as well." Radek sounded distinctly weary.
"We should be able to get the rest of the generators working faster now." Sam said, trying to uplift the Czech's spirits a little.
"After that we'll also have to ensure all of the SGC's equipment that is still here can be prepped for transport when necessary." She added.
"Why? The IOA hasn't even approved the mission to take the city back. And if they don't, we may be doing all of this for no reason." Zelenka said.
"Well no, they haven't. But General O'Neill wanted this place to be entirely prepared to depart beforehand if the IOA does allow it back. And if we aren't authorized to return then it is a simple matter to undo the adjustments we don't need and leave all the equipment. But if and when the city is to leave, Stargate Command wants it to be done as quickly and efficiently as possible."
Radek nodded weakly, as if he saw the logic, but still preferred that he didn't.
"Alright. Let's go." He said.
"Hold on. We should probably wait to hear from McKay and Bill about how well our generator system will interface with the existing systems first." Sam said.
"Here they come now." Zelenka said as he noticed the both of them walking towards Sam and himself. He could already hear that Dr. Lee was talking to Rodney about something.
"No, no! I'm telling you it's only a coincidence! 'Rhonin' is a legendary wizard. He's the leader of the mage-lords of the Violet Citadel. He is a character that was created by Blizzard Entertainment years before we ever even went to the Pegasus Galaxy! It isn't even spelled the same."
"Alright, alright! I believe you! Sheesh. I'm sorry I asked." McKay then began to address Sam and Radek. "Alright, our calculations show the city's power grid and the ZPMs should be able to interact fine with our new apparatus. I don't know how much time we have left here before the Daedalus arrives so we should all get to work on the rest of the nodes in the system as quickly as we can.
The four of them split into two groups. Radek and Rodney proceeded quickly to the next power generator station. But before they were truly able to get down to work, Sheppard and Teyla walked up to them.
"Rodney, the Daedalus is almost here. You guys better begin to wrap it up. It's almost time to go."
"What? Now? There's still a lot of work to do here! This is important! Without this stuff we won't be able to take the city to Pegasus with enough power to operate it very effectively."
"Well you'll just have to trust in the other people working on it. They're qualified individuals, McKay. I'm sure they will be able to get it working almost as good as you. And actually, why do we even need all this anyway? Can't we just use the ZPMs' power to get us back if we wanted?"
"Well we could, yes. But we might end up without a functioning city by the time we landed. The battle over Earth and the Wormhole Drive depleted more from the three ZPMs then I would have liked. We could still go back, but while we're here we should supplement the city's power levels with a network of our own generators. Sure they aren't anywhere near as powerful as a Zero Point Module, but since we actually have access to the resources here on Earth, we're installing a new secondary grid of our own that should be able to run parts of the city that the ZPM would otherwise be needlessly drained on. Trust me, it will make a difference."
Sheppard was only half listening.
"Well OK, whatever you're doing, you'd better be ready to go in about an hour. The rest of us will be assembling in the control center. Get ready."
McKay activated his radio.
"Sam, the Daedalus is almost here. I've gotta head out."
"It's OK, Rodney. You go get ready. Bill and I will finish this node. Radek can finish yours. The rest of the team can finish the system and get the city ready while you're gone."
"Alright, understood." Rodney turned to his colleague. "Keep working here. I will be right back as soon as I'm finished preparing my stuff." Rodney began to follow Sheppard out, but then stopped for a second when he realized that he John and Teyla weren't alone.
"Kanaan." McKay actually seemed a little surprised to see him standing alongside them.
"Hello, Dr. McKay." Kanaan said with the utmost politeness. He gave a small courteous bow of his head, but he was holding Torren so he was careful not to wake the baby.
"We… um... haven't seen you around in a while." McKay said to him.
"He's been here the whole time you know." Sheppard said to Rodney, disbelievingly.
"I'm sure he's simply been busy helping me with Torren." Teyla suggested.
"Hmm." Rodney was left pondering just how he could have missed noticing him for so long as he followed the three of them out into the next room.
*Later that evening*
Night had just fallen. The gate room was becoming increasingly crowded as the departure hour approached. Almost everyone who was to be disembarking as well as those who were seeing them off had gathered in that general area and was waiting for word from the 304 that would be transporting them. There was a sense of both excitement and anxiousness in the air. Everyone knew that this assignment was an important one.
Finally, word came that the Daedalus had arrived to Earth. Chuck signaled Woolsey that Colonel Caldwell had established contact. It was then that Woolsey activated the city's internal communication system and broadcast a message throughout the city.
"Attention, expedition team. Proceed to stargate operations immediately. The Daedalus has arrived and is awaiting the mission team. Prepare for departure."
Everyone who was already geared up massed in the center of the gate room. Four recon teams chosen by Sheppard assembled at the front of the crowd, organized by their respective units. Dr. Beckett made his way into the room followed by 3 medical and scientific personnel who he had requested to aid him. Dr. Keller, who had been discussing work with him, also followed Carson in. Ronon entered next and not far behind came Teyla and her family. The satedan stayed by himself amongst the crowd and cast his gaze upwards towards the control center. He exchanged one last look with Amelia.
McKay eventually arrived as well, still in the middle of a heated conversation with Zelenka about the latest city refits. He was finally forced to just take his place in the crowd when Radek reminded him that he'd been working with the city as just long as he had. The captive Todd had been moved into position by two marines assigned to guard him. The wraith had actually been given back his apparel, but was still restrained by the arms and legs. Amongst all of the commotion, the look on the wraith's face told everyone that he seemed positively delighted to be finally heading back to his home galaxy. Several more people piled into the gate room to see the mission teams off, including Sam and Generals Landry and O'Neill.
Finally, John Sheppard himself strode into room to the front of the group. After gearing up, he'd been spending the very last of his free time back outside on the balcony, staring out at the night. Alone. After he'd heard the call, John had walked into the gate room with a purpose.
Sheppard looked around at all the people in the gateroom. He watched everyone say their final goodbyes. He noticed Jennifer Keller taking a moment with Rodney.
"So you want me to bring you anything special back from the Pegasus Galaxy? Exotic Pegasus fruit? Unknown Ancient technology?" Rodney nervously asked her, in an effort to ease the tension slightly .
She smiled at him. "No. Just come back to me, alright?" And she leaned in and kissed him very briefly.
"Right." He said quietly to her. And with that McKay walked back away from Jennifer and took a place next to Teyla's family among the rest of the departing crowd. He shot a look in Sheppard's direction.
"You guys all set?" John asked them.
"Indeed we are, John." Teyla smiled warmly. Sheppard walked over to speak to his commanding officers.
"Everyone is ready to go, sirs."
"Excellent, colonel. I know you're up to the task. Just don't take this the wrong way when I say I hope whatever you find back there isn't something that requires the IOA to send the city back after you. Because frankly, I think it's better for us of all if the city stays here." Landry said.
"Well then, uh, consider it not taken, General."
"But all of us here will stand by your recommendations." Jack O'Neill said.
"Remember, the Daedalus will be on her own for this mission. We will try to get the fleet mobilized as quickly as we can, but if you run into serious trouble I can't promise we will be able to make any reinforcements available to you. The Apollo will be moved into position to relay reports back to Stargate Command at the designated check in dates. Also, keep in mind, he's been ordered to assist you in your task, but you and Colonel Caldwell will have to collaborate on this operation." Sam explained to him.
"Understood." Sheppard said.
"Good luck, colonel." Landry said.
"This is your mission, Sheppard. You have a go." O'Neill nodded slightly.
"Thank you, Generals." Sheppard turned around to face his mission squad.
"OK everybody listen up! Our mission is fairly straightforward. We are to gather intelligence on the status of the Pegasus Galaxy by reestablishing contact and hopefully… diplomatic ties with our allies there. We are not expecting major hostile engagements, but we have no idea what the overall state of the galaxy is, so everyone should be on alert for anything we may encounter. Now I know you guys are all prepared for this. That's why I chose you for this. Everyone do their job like I know you all can, and we will all get home safe in no time."
The team seemed to appreciate his words. Some of them, such as Major Lorne and Major Teldy, nodded in acknowledgment. Sheppard saw others in their group gripped their guns tighter. They were all ready.
It was in that instant that Sheppard truly realized he was about to lead people back into an unknown. His mind took him back to a similar moment in his life. He remembered the first time they went through the event horizon to the Pegasus Galaxy for the first time. He remembered Elizabeth. Back then it had been her that was giving the speech of a leader. John knew he was never quite as good as her at those.
"Now every one of you volunteered for this mission, and you represent over a dozen countries. You are the world's best and brightest. And in light of the adventure we are about to embark on, you are also the bravest. I hope we all return one day having discovered a whole new realm for humanity to explore. But as all of you know… we may never be able to return home. I'd like to offer you all one last chance to withdraw your participation."
Not one of them did. She smiled.
"Begin the dialing sequence."
He wondered if any of them would have withdrawn had they known that many would never see their home again. Did any of them really know what they were getting themselves into that day? Just how many was it that never returned? It was far too many. And it always seemed to hit them when least expected…
"Atlantis, this is Caldwell. The Daedalus has received all pertinent supplies and is prepared to disembark. We are awaiting your signal." Stephen Caldwell's voice broke the brief silence over the city's communication's system.
"Understood, Daedalus. Stand by." Woolsey, who had made his way down the stairs, answered through his radio.
"Acknowledged."
The Daedalus's radio communications had been patched into Atlantis's systems.
Woolsey turned solemnly to talk to Sheppard.
"Well... this is it. Godspeed, colonel."
Sheppard took one last moment to survey the troops again. They all were eager to go into action. He expected no less from any of them. In fact, some almost looked a little bit excited to be going back into potential danger. That was good. He just hoped they wouldn't have to be.
"Alright, everyone! Let's go!"
"We're ready, sir!" Major Lorne said to him confidently.
John knew he needed to be worthy of that confidence. And he knew he needed to lead everyone back home safely. He just prayed he was up to the task.
He activated his radio.
"Daedalus." Sheppard's voice was suddenly very subdued. "Beam us up."