Dacey sprinted out from the chairroom. She was headed to Rodney and Shaun's lab. They shared one because McKay and Shaun were geniuses who worked better together and could solve anything between them. Dacey passed Wen and Zola arguing as she jogged. Dacey grabbed Wen's arm and stopped.
"Did you hear? The ship was Wraith and Ori. Pack your gun and get ready for war, 'cause I doubt they will want to talk."
Wen replied, "Yeah, we were going to my personal stash of weapons and to ask my dad if he had my gun; I can't seem to find it."
Dacey nodded and took up jogging again. A few tense minutes later, she came to the lab. After waving her hand over the crystal control, Dacey stepped in. Rodney was yelling at Shaun, who was at a computer and pressing buttons. Rodney said something about how stupid Shaun's idea was and was about to rant about that until Dacey started speaking to him.
"Rodney! Chill. You've heard about the Ori hive, I assume. I need you to both to find a way to make the drones more effective and our shields stonger. A task for both of you. Got it?"
The two mumbled, under their breathe. Shaun spoke first, as Rodney opened his mouth, "Yeah. I think that if I increase the temperature at what the drone explodes, it will be more effective. It will require me to-"
"Great. Yes would have sufficed. I wouldn't have understood what you were about to say, in the least. Rodney, any ideas for the shield?"
"Leave the hard work to me, I see. Well no but, I work great under pressure and can probably think of something. Tell Jennifer to send up a sandwich and lots of coffee."
Dacey rolled her eyes as she started towards the door. Stopping, she remembered the second half of what she was going to say.
"Oh and tell her to bring you guys up two P-90s. I doubt the Wraith will want to take prisoners."
Both scientists gulped as they thought about being fed upon by Wraith. Dacey, once again, turned to the door. She slipped into the hall and debated where to head to next. The armory was on her to-do list. She needed a weapon but she also needed to talk to Abbie. Deciding to get a weapon first, Dacey started a fast walk towards the armory. Once there, she grabbed a vest and loaded it with magazines of bullets, a Zat'nik'tel, a Goa'uld personal shield, a Kino, and a Wraith stun rod. Dacey activated the Kino and it started to hover. Using the new voice control feature, she told it to record everything it saw and follow her. She told it to hide if a Wraith or human, other than an Atlantis personel, appeared. Satisfied, Dacey hit her earpiece.
"Dacey to Abbie, respond."
It took only a few seconds until a muffled and groggy reply came, "Yes, what is it, Dacey?"
"I wanted to talk to you about the upcoming confrontation. I think I should lead a group of hand-picked Marines to guard the gate when we drop out of the wormhole. The Wraith might try to dial us up and ship us some party guests. I think we should also arm every person on this base with at least a gun and a vest. If need be, we can dial Earth and get more supplies."
Sighing, Dacey thought about what Abbie could say. Abbie could simply say no or she could request to occupy their gate so the Wraith couldn't. That was stupid, considering they needed it open, in case they had to evacuate. Thinking about it would get her very far. With that thought, she shook her head, as if to clear her mind.
"Dacey, go to armory five and start arming your Marines. I'll send people, starting with those who are in the gate control room, to armory two to hand out weapons. Contact the Marines you want and have them report to you. Debrief them when they arrive. Abbie, over and out."
Half smiling, Dacey started forward towards the fifth armory in Atlantis. It was the biggest and had the most guns. It also had all the weapons collected from other races during the years. The armory had everything from Zats to Ori staff weapons to Wraith stun bombs. As she headed to the armory, Dacey contacted her Marines. All of them had seemed almost eager to get this job and not have to babysit the scientists.
When she arrived, all four of the Marines stood outside the door, waiting for her. When they saw her, they stood straighter and saluted. Dacey nodded and they relaxed a bit and stopped saluting. She entered the door and the Marines followed in an orderly manner.
"Ok, so we know there is a hive on its way to Earth. As of 12 hundred this morning, there has been contact. A drone did minimal, if any, damage to it. They were able to not only fire on Atlantis while in a wormhole, but do slight damage with two shots. Our mission, when we reach Earth is to guard the gate. The stargate is vital, if we are to survive. If the Wraith come, they will come through it. Do I make myself clear?"
Four voices spoke together, "Yes ma'am."
"Good, let's get to work. I'd hate to be stuck with you without any weapons. I would have to save your sorry butts." With that, Dacey entered the armory as one of the Marines passed his hand over the crystal control panel. Striding towards to the first rack in the second row, Dacey picked up a Zat and handed it to the nearest soldier. He passed it to the soldier in the back. Dacey handed each of the others a Zat as well. Moving to the next row's first rack, she began handing out vest and magazines. On the next rack, she picked up P-90s for them. Lastly, Dacey grabbed a personal shield for each Marine. Prepared for nearly any attack, the Marines stood and awaited orders. Dacey turned and looked at the Marines, sizing them up. She was in the Navy but still liked the Marines because her grandpa had been in that branch. However, she had taken after her other grandpa and went with the Navy. Realizing, she had become distracted, Dacey refocused at the matter at hand.
"We are good to go. Any questions? Fantastic, let's move. I'd hate to miss the party. We have just about half an hour before showtime."
Dacey began walking to the gateroom as she left the armory, with four soldier shadows in tow. Her mind shifted back to the event. She remembered the eulogy. The day was her clearest memory. After all, she had read the eulogy herself. Shaun had stayed by her side, for she had asked him to, so she had the strength to. The speech came back to her, "My father, although at times annoying, was a great man. He served not only his country, but his world and countless others. Atlantis will miss him," Dacey had sniffed at this. Steeling herself so she wouldn't cry, she continued, "I am honored to be his kin and blood. From now on, I will carry his memory, as will his friends. May he be in peace in the next life. Godspeed."
Tears threatened to overtake Dacey as she arrived at the gateroom. She missed him. She really missed him. Right now, she could use him too. He was a military genius and would've known exactly what to do. Now she had to do the leading thing. Facing the gate, Dacey stopped and signaled the Marines stop and surround the gate, without a word. Within seconds, the Stargate was surrounded.
Dacey hit her earpiece, "Abbie, the Marines and I are in position."
"Good. We will reach Earth in 23 minutes. At that time, I will dial the SGC."
Nodding as if Abbie could see her, Dacey said, "Understood. Dacey, over and out."
Dacey squatted and took up a defensive position. From here, she could fire at any incoming travelers. The soldiers did the same, from where they were. Dacey began talking to lighten the mood and ease the tensions of the upcoming contact, "So, anyone see the last Olympics? The Discus winner threw extremely well. Although, he wasn't a tiny guy. How big was he?"
The soldiers looked at each other, seeing who would answer first. The only female in the group, besides Dacey, spoke, "I think he was about six and a half feet tall, ma'am."
Dacey nodded and a smile crept on her face. "Oh yeah, I remember now. He was the thrower who was so tall, the high jumping people had to get his help to higher the bar." Dacey laughed as the girl began to giggle. Dacey began to snort as her laughter grew. The three other Marines started up laughing, once hearing her.
When they had all calmed down, Dacey spoke again, "Sorry about my laugh, I never could laugh without snorting. What sports do you guys watch?"
