Rodney ran through an Ancient hallway. It was bronze tinted and looked the same as every other one. He passed his wife as she looked up. Realizing it was him, she stopped and grabbed his arm. "Rodney! Ronon just showed symptoms of whatever Katie had. That means we're soon. Just thought you should know."

Rodney nodded gravely as he started walking again. When he finally reached the drone storage room, he smiled. Going up to one he examined it. Smiling lopsidedly, he withdrew the tablet from under his arm he had been carrying. Poking frantically at his screen, he gave a small laugh before attaching a wire to the drone that also attached to the tablet. He pushed the upload button that had popped up onto his tablet screen. Smiling when the screen told it had uploaded it successfully he contacted Abbie, "Abbie, I've finished modifying the drones. They now put out significantly more power and will break through almost anything. I think these can help us win, if I may be so bold."

"Nice work, Rodney. You've had experience with Ancient technology. I have a junior officer flying the city at the moment but, I think you could do a better job, now that you're unoccupied."

"I'll get to it."

Abbie didn't respond, telling him she expected him to go do it now. He sighed and headed to the chair room. The chair controlled the entire city and he could fire his drone and upload the new program and improvements he had just come up with from the one drone to the rest from there. He smirked smugly as he went.

The door to the room opened automatically for him as he came close. It did because he had the Ancient gene. The junior officer stood up from the chair and looked stiff. It was obvious he was exhausted and had taken a fair amount of time on the chair. The officer nodded and half walked/half stumbled down the stairs from the chair and out the door. Rodney wasted no time in taking his place and getting the city ready to fire the modified drones. A hologram of drones and the city appeared above his head but, he couldn't see them because his eyes were closed. The scientists around the room ignored them.

Rodney frowned as the hologram of the city was enlarged. The bubble around Atlantis, the shield, began flickering and went out. The shield had failed. The entire city rocked as it was hit with a blast from the Hive and Zamoran ships. Rodney frowned deeper as he tried to upload his drone program to the remaining drones. It was going too slow for his taste. Finally, it was done to enough he thought. Immediately, Rodney began firing all the modified ones at the enemy ships. He only had had time to upload the program to a fourth of their entire drone count. All the drones fired found their mark and Rodney knew. One of the Zamora ships exploded and one more was damaged.

Dacey ran into the bridge. She had already told Vala and Daniel to go to the awaiting transport ship. Shaun stood by a console to the right of the bridge commander's chair. He finished as she came in. He jogged to her and grabbed her hand to drag her with him. He mumbled, "I set it to explode in five minutes. We have to go."

Dacey didn't acknowledge him as she jogged, hand in hand with him. It was only when they reached the transport they let each other go. The transport was grey metal with the Zamoran emblem on the side. A hatch on the back was lowered and they ran up it. Inside everyone was crowded in. Seats lined both sides. In the front of the transport, John sat in the pilot's chair; no one was in the co-pilot's chair. Shaun took a seat next to Daniel in the back while Dacey took the co-pilot's.

The controls for the pilot were a series of metal bars. John shrugged and began pushing and pulling them. The ship lifted a little and flew out the bay doors. He angled it towards the Hammond that was now moving closer to the Zamora ships. John didn't appear to be putting much effort into flying, which made Dacey a little nervous. However, he did manage to land the transport easily enough.

Once on board the group went to the bridge. General Siler sat in his chair, looking a tad worried that the ship would explode any moment, which was possible. Samantha Carter-Mitchell was running from one station to another checking things and tapping her tablet in her hand. Shaun went over to her to see if he could help; after all he was a genius. Dacey nodded to the people who came in behind her. Frowning, John corralled them into the hall. Dacey approached Siler and smiled, "You wouldn't believe how relieved I am to see you General. I'm gonna have to ask you to move the Hammond away from the main alien ship and the Hive."

Siler nodded and began ordering his crew to do it. Dacey glanced to Shaun one last time before walking out into the hall. Teal'c, Vala, and Daniel stood together talking a little apart from the others. Ahn and Wen were shoulder to shoulder, both with their arms crossed on their chests as they spoke quietly to Zola squared. Dacey couldn't tell which was Mil and which was her actual Zola. John stood by himself, looking sad.

Dacey cleared her throat and everyone stopped talking as they turned. She spoke with authority, giving no room to argue, "We need to do something. If we sit here and do nothing, we are useless. I'm going to go fly and kick some Zamora butt, who's with me?"

John was the first to say "I." Next was Wen, followed by the rest. Dacey smiled slightly as she walked past them. They all followed in a neat line. When they reached the F-302 bay, Dacey asked a passing mechanic tapping fervently at his tablet, "What kind of planes you have left?"

The mech gave her a questioning look, "Well, we have new prototype planes we were originally carrying to Atlantis for Dr. McKay to look at. Otherwise, all our birds are out."

Dacey gave a mischievous grin, "Would you care if we tested you prototypes?"

A while later, Dacey sat in a plane that looked similar to an F-302. However, when she sat down, glass screens surrounded her instead of buttons. All were blank. Her navigator and passenger, Teal'c, sat in a seat behind her, who had exactly the same screens. Dacey cocked her head and placed her hand on the screen directly in front of her. It glowed as the plane came to life. The rest of the screens came on and displayed various stats and info. One showed the engine temperature while another showed a map. Dacey spoke into her microphone attached to her helmet.

"Teal'c, I think this is like an Ancient ship and is controlled by my mind. Place your hand on the screen directly in front of you."

A few seconds later he said, "Indeed Major Sheppard. I also believe this craft to be controlled as an Ancient ship would."

Dacey nodded to no one in particular as she made the ship communications link up with her companion's. She instantly knew who was with who. Apparently, the modified F-302s could detect different people based on their brain wave lengths. Vala was piloting Daniel; Zola was with Mil; Ahn was piloting Wen, and John was alone. Dacey spoke to them all through the ship, "Alright, stay on me and fire at will. Here we go."

Dacey lifted the F-302 off the hanger bay floor and flew it out and into the fray. Klin and Darts flew in every direction. Dacey led the group to the right and away from the Hive. The Grodin was on a steady course towards the lead enemy ships. Dacey barely noticed as it exploded and entirely destroyed the lead Zamoran ship with the alternate reality device on board. Half of the Hive exploded in flames as the other half tilted on impact. It hit another Zamoran ship as it went. Both were obviously finished. Dacey did a nose dive as a Dart squad flew at them and fired. Dacey dodged and rolled multiple times before she could get a clear shot off. The squad following Dacey broke apart to fire at the engaging Dart squad. The prototype screens made it easier to fly and maneuver, giving Earth's squad an advantage. A Dart flew towards Dacey. In turn, Dacey did a sharp turn. After she was passed the Dart, she did a 180 and fired on the Dart before it could turn. The Dart exploded and debris flew in every direction. Dacey turned her ship towards the two remaining Zamoran ships, the rest of her team falling in behind her after finishing their own enemy Darts.

The group proceeded towards the enemy. Drones from Atlantis flew around the squad and hit a couple of Klin and Darts. Dacey continued on her way. Out of her sight, the Retdeo, an Arhgohnnian ship, exploded to bits and debris. Dacey ignored the news when it popped up on a screen. Dacey's squad kept going and engaged another squad of Darts while a squad of Klin approached.

Dr. Keller-McKay ran around the medical bay. People infected with the plague kept coming in from around the city. Atlantis was almost entirely infected. Surprisingly, Jennifer wasn't affected; however, Rodney was lying in a bed and restrained. She hadn't had time to figure out why she was immune because of all the incoming patients.

Abbie drug in a scientist. The commander of Atlantis had been doing this all morning, not afraid of becoming ill herself. Although Abbie wasn't showing symptoms, Jennifer knew it was only a matter of time. Abbie laid the scientist on a blanket set on the ground. The beds were all full and the medical staff was getting desperate. Jennifer went over and started taking her vitals; they were all stable. Abbie leaned down, "How many people are infected?"

"Over 100 now. We're running out of room and my medical staff is among the infected, so I'm one of the only ones left. Anna and Radek are the only people I know of that are left trying to figure out a cure."

Abbie pursed her lips and nodded. She whispered, "I'm going back out to get more of the infected. I'll get more sedatives before I go."

Jennifer merely turned back to the scientist. She was breathing normally and Jennifer used restraints to tie the scientist's arms to her sides. After that, Jennifer tied her feet together. As she finished, the scientist began thrashing and yelling, eyes flying open as he awoke. The doctor fumbled with a syringe. Finally, she shot the man up with another sedative. He relaxed slowly while his breathing went back to normal. Jennifer stood and began working again on other people.

Abbie ran through the halls, her hair falling out of her ponytail. She reached the control room in time to see a blast from a Zamoran ship hit Atlantis on the screen. The entire city shook and lights flickered every which way. The city was taking a beating with no shield. Zelenka and his daughter were too preoccupied with the plague to make the drones more effective, so they were having problems. Plus, on top of that, the Werda, Koilu, Asgard, and Hammond were the only ships left in range to help. The Odyssey was on the way to the Athosian colony in the Pegasus Galaxy.

Abbie's eyes widened as the dot, on the screen map, that symbolized the Koilu, disappeared. It had been destroyed! Abbie contacted the new person controlling Atlantis; the last had come down with the plague. The Air Force pilot immediately answered.

"Yes, Ma'am? What can I do for you?"

"I know you're flying the city but, we have a problem. The alien ships are kicking are butts. I need you to target one ship and fire everything, don't hold back."

Static took over the radio and then he said, "Yes, Ma'am."

Almost immediately, tiny white dots can be seen through the city's glass windows glowing towards the lead Zamoran ship. Through the glass, Abbie could see part of the enemy's ship explode and go red. The rest of the ship blew apart a few seconds later. Abbie glared at the ship as it went out. A green blast hit Atlantis, shaking the entire city. Abbie swore under her breath while hitting the radio in her ear. She once more spoke with the man controlling the city, "Officer, do we have any drones left?"

"We have a few but, not many, Ma'am."

Abbie sighed then said, "Fire at will. Shaun can reverse engineer more."

The screen showed he was firing them; it appeared Earth would win this fight.

Dacey finished off another squad of Klin. With her squad behind her, she headed back towards the Hammond. Most of the enemy crafts were destroyed. Those left could be taken care of by the F-302s.

After the group landed, they headed back towards the bridge. General Siler glanced their way when they entered the bridge. Shaun ignored them and kept helping Samantha. John left the bridge and headed in a random direction. Dacey walked towards Siler and focused out the front window on the bridge.

"General, what else do you need us to do?"

"Major, you aren't really needed. The Zamora ship is about to be destroyed and most of the Klin are destroyed. However, I'm going to have to ask you and your team to stay on board. Atlantis contacted me and told me there is a quarantine. There's an altered Ori plague among the crew."

Dacey frowned and saluted the General as she left the bridge. The young officer headed towards the mess hall. Zola, Mil, Ahn, and Wen followed silently behind her. The rest of the group disbanded without another word. Dacey reached the mess hall after a few minutes. Nobody except John was there. Dacey went over and sat at his table, directly across from him. The rest of the people sat on the other side of the room.

Dacey pursed her lips then asked, "Why are you here, really?"

"Not buying my story, I guess?"

Dacey frowned, "No."

John's lips twitched up, "We were trying to steal the alternate reality device thing. Earth, from where I came from, is being destroyed by the Wraith. Entire countries were fed on and left empty. Korea, gone. Brazil, gone. Chile, Mexico, England, France, Japan, Turkey, Iran, all gone. We needed to find a way to get away. The Zamora figured out how."

Dacey cocked her head and laughed darkly, "So screw the next universe, huh? Don't destroy the monsters' way to get to a new world to destroy. Tell me, what about my mother? She would never have let you do it."

John gave an annoyed grunt, "I don't know who your mother is. I don't have a kid in my reality; I only have an adopted son. Enlighten me."

"Larrin, of the Travelers. She was my mom and your wife. She wouldn't have let you destroy other people's lives to save your own."

John rolled his eyes, "How could I live with her. I married Teyla and adopted Torren. Wait, you said was my wife. Why?"

Dacey's face in a mask of bitterness, "She and you died on a Traveler colony set up in the Pegasus Galaxy. The Wraith fed on the entire colony. My sister and I were visiting Atlantis while our parents help stabilize the government of the colony. I stayed when they died and my sister, Lin, went back to be raised by the Travelers."

John smiled, "I only wish they had killed her in my reality too. She is a cocky, annoying, cruel, freaky son of a –"

Dacey slammed her palm down upon the tabletop and stood while yelling, "Shut Up!"

Wen and Ahn approached from behind her back. Wen said, "You should be quiet."

Dacey turned to her and said, "He lied to us about why he's here. I don't know what else he's lied about too. Take him to the brig."

Both raised their weapons. Wen nodded and motioned with her gun for him to get up. John put up his hands and did what he was told. As he passed Dacey he whispered, "You don't know what you're getting into. Now the Zamora know about you, they won't give up until they have sent more soldiers and killed all of you."

Dacey glared at him while Wen pushed him forward with her gun. Dacey let out a breath as she twisted to look at Mil. She said, "Mil, why didn't you tell me? How can I trust you?"

Zola said, "She didn't know. John lied to her so she would help him. If she had known, she would've stopped him."

Dacey resigned to the fact that Zola would defend her and believed in what she said. The major supposed she was being honest. The silver disk on Zola's temple gleamed, reminding her that she knew everything Mil did. Dacey sat down again, head held in her hands, utterly tired and suddenly looking small. Zola and Mil didn't know what to do so they left.

Mil asked, "Where are we going to go now?"

"Engineering. Maybe we can monitor the fight from there."

As the two made their way, the Hammond rocked with the blasts from the enemy.

On Atlantis, the medical bay had spread into the hall and some were being taken to the mess hall now as well. Doctor Keller was running between the patients, trying to get to one who had broken his restraints and was thrashing and foaming at the mouth. Jennifer bent over and strapped him back down. She stabbed him with a sedative, which was now running low. Jennifer sighed while she stood. Most of Atlantis was infected.

Abbie was still bringing in patients; apparently she was immune to the plague too. Out of the blue, the lights in Atlantis flickered and went off. A few seconds later they came back on. Keller hit her radio and spoke, her voice breaking at the end, "Abbie? What was that?"

"Damn it. The officer flying the city is infected. The lights went out before the city could take back over."

Keller gasped, that meant no one was left to fly. Everyone left didn't have the gene. On top of that, they couldn't bring in anyone with the gene because they could be infected too. Jennifer began walking towards the control room and where Abbie surely was. When she arrived, Abbie was sitting at an Ancient control station. Abbie was rearranging crystals and cursing and rearranging them again. Obviously, her people to do it were infected; no one else was in the control room.

Abbie glanced up when Jennifer entered and said, "Doctor?"

Keller walked over to stand in front of the console before saying, "I just wanted to know what to do. No one is left to fly the city."

Abbie stared at the gate for a moment and said, "We sit. We contain the infected and do what we can."

Jennifer nodded. That was the smart thing to do. It was stupid hope that made her think it would be ok. Abbie put a crystal into place and said, "General Siler, this is Atlantis. We have lost control of the city. All our people with the Ancient gene are infected."

General Siler said, "Acknowledged. We will protect the city and continue fighting."

Abbie nodded and removed the crystal. Jennifer went back to the medical bay.

Mil and Zola stood in engineering, looking at a screen on a side wall, out of the way. Zola pointed to a graph on the screen and Mil nodded absently. They had been monitoring the battle from there. It hadn't been much of one since they had the advantage against the two remaining ships, with Atlantis and all. As the pair watched, the Ancient city stopped firing and flying. General Siler a moment later made a ship-wide announcement: The city was dead in the water and the Hammond was to protect it. Be prepared for additional damage. Mil looked panicked as she stared at Zola, who looked about the same. As the announcement ended, a blast hit the ship and rocked the Hammond. A beeping started emitting from an engineering station.

Two more hits made contact and a screen turned red, indicating bad conditions. Another hit rocked the ship. This time, the console the pair had watched exploded into sparks and debris hit Mil and Zola. A metal piece cut Zola across the chest, close to the heart. Blood pooled on the ground around her. More consoles exploded around the room and tubes attached to the ceiling fell. Mil was cut across the forehead shallowly. She crawled over to where Zola lay on the floor. People ran around the room, trying to save the ship. No one had time to help them. Mil stood and tried picking up Zola. After a few attempts, she decided to half drag/half carry her to the medical bay.

Once in the hall, she started down a deserted hall. About halfway, she fell from exhaustion and due to Zola being slippery with blood. Zola spit up blood that dripped down her cheek. Zola whispered, "Mil…"

Mil knelt beside her and whispered back, "Yeah, I'm here. I didn't realize how much we weighed," she laughed slightly.

"I was planning to go on a diet. Mil, you can't get me there."

The Hammond shook violently with a few more blasts. Both ignored it. Mil said stubbornly, "I can get you there. Just you wait and see."

She started grabbing Zola to begin again when Zola batted her hands away, "Forget it. I'm dying. Don't try telling me otherwise; I'm not stupid."

Mil started to object when Zola reached up and took out the memory disk and thrust it to Mil. She whispered, "I can't be there for them, so I want you to be. Take my memory and life. Never let them know I died. As far as they know, you did."

Mil hesitated then put it into her temple, "Why?"

Zola whispered, "To save them pain," as an airman rounded the hall's corner.

Mil turned and yelled, "Help me, she's dying! I can't drag her there myself."

Zola half smiled as she let out her last breath. The airman knelt down to see her eyes unfocus.