CHAPTER 120

EPISODE……………..THIS MORTAL COIL

Rodney was in the control room working on a laptop computer as Radek was working on a laptop computer behind him on one of the Atlantian consoles. Many people were working around them as usual, going about day to day business.

"Initiating secondary diagnostics….now." Rodney said pushing the enter button.

"No variances." Radek reported.

"What, are you sure?" Rodney asked surprised.

"Positive." Radek stated.

"Check again." Rodney more or less ordered with a wave of his hand.

"Rodney, there is nothing here." Radek stated again as he waved a hand at the laptop.

"Okay, just get over here and monitor the power readings." Rodney said trading seats.

Looking at the monitor before him, it showed the status of the Stargate.

"Huh, no variances." Rodney said with a frown.

"I just said that." Radek said.

"Are you picking up any discrepancies on your end?" Rodney asked.

"No." Radek said tiredly.

"Are you sure?" Rodney asked turning to him.

"Rodney…" Radek said tiredly.

"Okay, just go back this…" Rodney said as they traded seats again.

"Okay, do we know what the problem is?" Sheppard asked as he entered the room.

"The gate is not working." Rodney stated.

"I think we figured that out last week when you broke it." Sheppard stated.

"I did not break the gate." Rodney stated.

"No, it just happen to break down when you were screwing around with it." Sheppard said.

"I wasn't screwing around with it. I was running a streamline program to enhance its operating efficiency." Rodney said.

"Hmm, good job." Sheppard muttered.

"It had nothing to do with why the gate malfunctioned. Look, we've been able to eliminate a number of possible reason why the gate isn't working, including my streamlining program, and I feel confident that we are making progress, and we should have it up and running…." Rodney said.

Everyone looked up as they heard a beeping noise and then a explosion somewhere.

"What was that?" Rodney asked.

"An unidentified object just struck the city." a lady nearby said.

"Why didn't the sensors pick it up?" Rodney asked.

"I don't know. It came in so fast." she said.

"It is emitting a low level energy signature." Rodney said as he looked at a screen.

"What could it be?" Radek asked.

"Let's find out." Sheppard said as he left the room quickly.

In the reading library, was where they found a few guards and a man kneeling next to a object on the floor.

"Was anyone injured?" Sheppard asked.

"No sir." a guard said.

"Thank god it hit the reading library, or someone could have been hurt." Rodney said as he went over to check the object out with his scanner.

"What is it?" Radek asked as he knelt down.

"Obviously it is some sort of mobile, self contained unit, maybe a drone or probe. Definitely not a Wraith design." Rodney said while scanning.

"Perhaps it is Lantian. A de-orbited satellite or recall probe of some kind." Radek said.

"Maybe. It is still giving off a low level energy field." Rodney said as he kept scanning.

"Is it dangerous?" Sheppard asked as he stepped back.

"No, just interesting." Rodney said.

"Hey, check that out." Sheppard said while pointing.

"So it was damaged on re-entry, so what?" Radek said as they looked at the melted scar in its side.

"No re-entry would have caused that." Rodney stated.

"Maybe it took weapons fire." Sheppard said.

"And yet, it came down in one piece." Rodney said as he went back to scanning.

Sometime later after it was taken to Rodney's lab and being checked out, Sheppard was assured it wasn't a weapon by Rodney and left. Major Lorne came up to him as he was in the hallway.

"Sir, do we know what it is yet?" Lorne asked.

"A probe of some kind." Sheppard said.

"Do we know who sent it?" Lorne asked with worry.

"McKay and Zelenka will figure it out." Sheppard said.

"In the mean time, who it working on the gate?" Lorne asked.

"The gate can wait. This is more important." Sheppard stated.

"With all due respect sir, I think they are equally important. Wouldn't it be better if you let Zelenka work on this mysterious object and have McKay back working on the gate diagnostic?" Lorne asked.

"Major, the gate being down is a inconvenience, the fact that somebody may be able to pinpoint our location is of more importance, because it is a threat. That makes it a priority." Sheppard said turning to the man.

"Yes sir."

John nodded and walked off.

"This is pointless. Even though the object survived re-entry intact, its internal systems are shot." Radek said as he was working on looking at the object from his laptop. "These are just incomprehensible readings."

McKay was eating a sandwich as he worked on a laptop on the other side of the strange probe.

"By design." Rodney said around a bite as he smiled and held up a finger.

"There is no design here Rodney, just meaningless data." Radek said tiredly.

"My instincts tell me that they are running a advanced masking program to fool us. They are good, but I am better." Rodney said setting the sandwich down.

"Who is they Rodney?" Radek asked.

"Do me a favor, re-launch your decrypt program again." Rodney said and then seeing the look. "Humor me."

"Fine." Radek said with a sign as he typed. "You know, this could take hours, why don't we go back to the gate?"

"Hang on, I'm getting something." Rodney said as he looked intently at the readings. Then he heard Radek start typing. "Wait, don't touch anything!"

Radek stopped as Rodney was looking over the data that was streaming and then stopped, then the laptop shut off.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, what happened?! What did you do?!" Rodney exclaimed.

"Nothing." Radek stated.

"I told you not to touch anything!" Rodney yelled.

"I didn't touch anything! The diagnostic program must have crashed." Radek said.

"We lost all the data!" Rodney yelled.

"What did you see Rodney?" Radek asked with some fear.

"Nanite code. It's the Replicators." Rodney stated with fear.

Sheppard was walking through the hallways of Atlantis when Rodney came around a corner behind him.

"Sheppard, it is the Replicators, they found us." Rodney stated quickly.

"Are you sure?" Sheppard asked quickly.

"The drone we recovered contained nanites." Rodney stated.

"You cannot be certain of that Rodney, the program went down before we had a chance to see any significant results." Radek said as he walked up quickly.

"I know what I saw. It was nanite code, a split second before the system crashed." Rodney said confidently.

"I saw nothing." Radek said.

"That is because you weren't looking!" Rodney exclaimed.

"I saw the same data stream Rodney, if there had been anything I would have seen it." Radek said.

"Well, obviously you didn't, otherwise we wouldn't be having this.." Rodney said loudly in irritation.

The sound of an explosion made them all look up along with the few people around them.

"Another one?" Rodney stated with slight fear.

"Colonel Sheppard, Major Lorne here."

"Go ahead Major."

"There has been an explosion in Doctor McKay's lab, I suggest you get down here." Lorne said.

The three quickly ran there to find Major Lorne and a few men inside the badly damaged room. Smoke was rising from various objects and making it a bit difficult to see.

"What the…what happened?" Rodney asked as he looked at the broken table and other damaged areas.

"Well, either your sandwich exploded…" Sheppard said as he picked up the very burned bread. "Or the drone had a built in self destruct protocol."

"We must have inadvertently initiated it when we ran our analysis." Radek said.

"Sorry Doc. At least you weren't around when it went off." Major Lorne said.

"Yeah, lucky us." Rodney muttered as he looked at Radek.

"Something is not right. That diagnostic program should not have crashed. It was perfectly capable of handling any data coming from the probe." Rodney said quietly as he and Sheppard walked through the halls. "And before I could get a chance to get it up and running again, the probe gets destroyed."

"What are you talking about?" Sheppard asked.

"I don't know." Rodney said with a sigh. "It just feels like someone or something is working very hard to get in my way. I know what it sounds like, but just….do me a favor and keep an eye open, okay?"

"Sure."

Rodney nodded and walked off still thinking. Sheppard went about a few of his duties before going to spar with Ronan. Both were using wooden Kendo sticks to attack each other and doing a very good job of blocking each others attacks while talking.

"Do you think he imagined it?" Ronan asked before they pushed each other away off their wooden blades.

"I don't know. Maybe he needs a vacation." Sheppard said as they went at it again.

Ronan managed to get behind him and smack him across the upper back. Sheppard let out a small cry of pain before turning around.

"I guess you disagree huh?" Sheppard grunted out as the pain subsided slowly.

"I don't know." Ronan said while they circled each other. "It just seems people have been acting different lately."

"Different?"

"I don't know how to explain it. Just….haven't been themselves." Ronan said shrugging.

They attacked each other, blocking shots for a few moments before passing each other without landing blows.

"Teyla has noticed it too." Ronan stated.

"Well, maybe everyone is going stir crazy, not being able to get off world. Acting a little weird." Sheppard said while twirling his weapon. "Getting a little paranoid."

"I'm not paranoid." Ronan said as he jumped in and attacked.

They attacked each other rapidly, trading blows as Ronan said he thought people were acting weird lately. Sheppard missed a block and got caught in the forehead pretty hard. Ronan turned around as Sheppard was feeling above his right eyebrow and blinking.

"Well, you make a compelling argument." Sheppard said.

"You're going to need stitches." Ronan said as he tossed the stick aside and grabbed a towel nearby. "Here."

"Thanks." Sheppard said pushing it to his forehead to stop it bleeding.

"Sorry."

Sheppard nodded as he followed Ronan out to the infirmary. Keller was at her computer when they came in. No one else was in the infirmary since no one was injured off world or anywhere else lately.

"What happened?" Keller asked as Sheppard sat on a bed nearby.

"Ronan decided to knock some sense into me." Sheppard said while taking the towel off.

"Well, let me take a look." Keller said while getting some gloves. Looking at his eyebrow, she shook her head and backed away. "You're just fine."

"No stitches?" Sheppard asked.

"Nope. Not even a band-aid." Keller said while grabbing a mirror. "There is nothing there."

"I was bleeding." Sheppard said while looking in the mirror.

"Not from any head wound. It was probably Ronan's blood." Keller said as he wiped his forehead again.

"No, he hit me. I was bleeding. I felt pain that I clearly remember." Sheppard said while still looking in the mirror. "Run a scan on me."

"A scan?" Keller asked as he walked over to the machine and laid down.

"McKay believes there was nanites in that probe. There is a good chance I got infected." Sheppard said.

"Okay. Hold still." Keller said while activating the machine.

It ran over him from head to toe and then back up, stopping above his head as it went back to its original place, ready for another scan of the next person to come.

"No nanites. You're clean." Keller said walking up to the bed as he sat up.

"Run a blood test." Sheppard said.

"John, if there was nanites…" Keller began.

"Forget the nanites. Something like this happened to me before. I got infected with the retrovirus and was able to heal right away." Sheppard said.

"I am sure that is not the case since that happened…" Keller said trying to dismiss his fears.

"Maybe it is a re-lapse, I don't know." Sheppard said confused.

"I seriously doubt…" Keller began as convincingly as possible.

"Just run a blood test!" Sheppard ordered.

"Okay." Keller said with a small smile.

In a corridor, away from many people, Jennifer and Lorne were talking.

"I thought we solved the problem. I destroyed the drone." Lorne said.

"And made them suspicious in the process." Keller stated.

"So what do you suggest we do?" Lorne asked.

"They are still a long way from knowing the truth. For now, we just, need to be careful." Keller said.

The next day, Sheppard was walking along a area that was a walkway near the outside part of the city. Many people were standing around or sitting as they talked or relaxed, or did their own stuff on laptops and such. Jennifer came out from a branching hallway as he walked by.

"Colonel, I have your test results. I am pleased to tell you that you are perfectly healthy. There is no sign of the retrovirus." Keller said handing him a tablet. He handed it back after looking at it. "What's a matter, I thought you would be happy?"

"All that says is my blood is clean." Sheppard said walking off. "It doesn't explain the magical head wound."

"Maybe it doesn't make sense because you are refusing to accept the only possible, logical explanation. You made a mistake." Keller stated.

"Ronan wasn't bleeding, I checked." Sheppard said turning around quickly.

"Well, maybe the blood was already on the towel and you mistakenly touched it to your forehead…" Keller began.

"Ronan saw the cut. He was the one who said I needed stitches. Unless he was wrong too?" Sheppard said condescendingly.

"All right. I'll run your blood work again, and if I don't find anything, we'll do a complete physical." Keller said.

He watched her leave with a concerned and puzzled look on his face as he began thinking there was something up. Later that night, the team was in Rodney's new lab and waiting for him to show up.

"Hey." Ronan said as Rodney came in.

"What are you all doing in here? What's going on?" Rodney asked.

Sheppard held a combat knife up and Rodney stepped back.

"Um, I'll be right back. I forgot to unplug something or forgot to plug it in." Rodney said quickly while waving his hands.

Ronan grabbed him by both arms before he could turn around and leave. He tried to get free and kept asking what was going on, rather fearfully, as Sheppard grabbed his hand.

"This may hurt a little." Sheppard said holding up the knife.

Rodney said wait over a dozen times and then kept from screaming loudly as Sheppard cut his palm. Ronan let him go as Rodney looked at his bleeding hand.

"What is matter with you?! I need a disinfectant…" Rodney yelled.

"Just shut up and hold on a moment." Sheppard said as Rodney held a white towel over his cut. After a few seconds. "Alright, let's take a look."

Rodney slowly removed the towel and was surprised, yet confused at why his hand was not cut or bleeding even though there was blood on the towel.

"It's gone. That's impossible. How can that…" Rodney said extremely confused, yet happy he wasn't bleeding to death or needing stitches.

"That's the reaction we were hoping for." Ronan said as Sheppard sat down.

"If you are looking for an explanation, I can assure you, we all underwent the same test." Teyla said.

"Test?! What the hell is going on here?!" Rodney yelled.

"That is what we would like to find out." Sheppard said.

"You are not the only one to notice the strange behavior of everyone on this base." Teyla said as he was still looking at his hand. "Everyone seems unusually withdrawn and secretive."

"Yeah, I wasn't sure what to make of it." Rodney said giving his hand another look. "At first, I was thinking Radek's screw up was just gross incompetence, but the more I thought about it, the more I thought it didn't make sense. It was no accident. He crashed that program on purpose."

"I'm assuming what happened with that drone was no accident either." Sheppard said.

"What does any of this have to do with my super healing abilities?" Rodney asked.

"Last night, Ronan clubbed me in the head." Sheppard said as Rodney frowned.

"By accident, sort of." Ronan said while shrugging.

"I was cut. By the time I went to see Doctor Keller, I was completely healed." Sheppard said.

"The last time that happened, it was the…..the retrovirus." Rodney said.

"I thought so to and I had her run a blood test." Sheppard said.

"And?" Rodney asked.

"She says she didn't find anything." Sheppard said in a non belief tone.

"You think she was lying?" Rodney asked with a bit of worry.

"I don't know, but we got to find out." Sheppard said.

"I can check the medical database from here." Rodney said pointing at his laptop.

Ronan waved at the computer as Sheppard and Teyla moved out of the way.

"Okay, I am in. Now…" Rodney said typing away. "Hmm."

"What?" Ronan asked.

"There is no record of any blood test. If she did one, she didn't enter the results." Rodney said.

"She did a full body scan too." Sheppard stated.

"There is nothing here." Rodney stated after checking the system.

"That is impossible. The scanner is wired directly into the computer. The results are recorded automatically." Teyla said.

"Doesn't mean they can't be erased." Rodney said.

"All right, we need to run our own test. Until we know anything, we can't trust anyone outside this room." Sheppard said.

"We have to get to the infirmary without anyone knowing." Teyla said.

Teyla and Sheppard left and headed for the infirmary to do the check, being late at night, they hoped no one would be in there. Ronan and Rodney were still in the lab as Rodney was working on getting into the cities computer systems.

"Rodney, how's it coming?" Sheppard asked quietly as they got off some stairs.

"I'm still trying to patch into the cities life signs detector, just hang on a minute." Rodney said.

"Is the infirmary clear?" Sheppard asked.

"Hold on." Rodney said while typing. "This is bizarre. I can't get it to give me a live reading. It's like it is stuck in a loop."

"Well, fix it." Sheppard ordered.

"Hang on." Rodney said typing quickly again. "Hah, okay, I got it."

The screen showed a picture of the city with many life signs, and then the signs faded and only showed the tower with four life signs.

"What the hell?" Rodney asked looking at the other screens.

"Now you broke it." Ronan stated.

"I didn't break it, it is working fine." Rodney said.

"Is the infirmary clear or not?" Sheppard asked.

"Yeah, the infirmary, the corridors, the tower, everywhere on the base. According to this, we are the only people in the city." Rodney stated.

"How is that possible?" Sheppard asked while looking a few people that were walking away behind them.

"Off hand, I would say that is impossible. But at the moment, I am only reading four life signs." Rodney said.

"Let's keep moving." Sheppard said to her as they kept walking past various people.

Jennifer was on the balcony of the command tower, looking out at the sea as Radek and Lorne walked up.

"We have a problem." Lorne said.

"Let's make this quick." Sheppard said as he ran into the infirmary and got on the bed.

Teyla walked over and started the scanner while watching the screen.

"I've got something." Rodney said as he was typing. "It's another life sign. On the outer edge of the city."

"Let's check it out, come on." Ronan said while slapping his arm lightly.

"Maybe we should…." Rodney said while pointing at the computer.

"Come on!" Ronan said grabbing the man's shoulder and dragging him along.

As the machine finished, Teyla looked at him and called his name for him to come see. He got off the bed and came over quickly, seeing the scanner showing his body was loaded with nanites.

"What the hell…." Sheppard said with some shock.

"Nanites." Teyla whispered in fear.

Stepping out of a teleporter, Rodney looked at the life signs detector in his hand as they headed for the dot. Going down a long hallway, they stopped near a wall in the corridor.

"There is suppose to be a room here." Rodney said touching the wall. "There is a room here."

The wall parted in a section that was hidden as his hand came across it.

"Wait…" Ronan said while pulling his energy pistol and going in first.

The room was totally dark, except for a computer on the wall and a bed in front of it. The room lit up slowly to show someone on the Atlantian bed, that was off the ground and tied into a computer, looking like a coffin without the side or lid. Ronan lowered his gun slowly in surprise.

"Elizabeth!" Rodney exclaimed.

Both rushed over and helped her sit up as she woke up.

"How did you get here?" Rodney asked.

"I….I don't know." Weir said greatly confused.

"I can answer that." Jennifer said from the doorway.

Two guards came in behind her and a couple stayed outside.

"This is where we made her. This is where we made you all." Jennifer said.

"This explains why we can heal so rapidly." Teyla said as she looked at her results that John did on her. "We get injured and the nanites heal us."

"We better tell the others." Sheppard said.

"That won't be necessary." Lorne said as they turned from the screen.

"What the hell is going on?" Sheppard asked.

"I'm sorry Colonel, you are going to have to come with us." Lorne said.

"I don't think so." Sheppard said while slowly reaching for his sidearm.

"That won't do you any good." Lorne said seeing the move as he stepped forward.

"I'm warning you Major, stand down." Sheppard said pointing the gun.

"Go ahead, shoot."

He pulled the trigger quickly with the intent to run, and put a bullet in Lorne's right knee, which healed quickly, showing he was a Replicator, making John give up the idea of running.

"You see?" Lorne asked.

"You are Replicators." Rodney stated.

"Yes we are. Until you made changes to our base code, we were forbidden from choosing any human form. But now, we can take any form we like." Keller said turning into some other women before changing back to Jennifer again.

"You couldn't have changed everyone on the base, that is impossible!" Rodney stated.

"That is because you think this is the real Atlantis. And that you are the real Doctor McKay." Keller said.

"So, you are saying that we are also Replicators?" Teyla asked while looking back at her scan.

"No. You are also flesh and blood." Lorne said. "Ordinary humans in every way, except, you were manufactured from the inside out, by nanites. Some of which remained in your system to effect repairs as necessary."

"I don't buy it." Sheppard said.

"All that you are, your thoughts, your memories, were taken from the real John Sheppard and his team when their minds were probed over a year ago." Lorne said.

"Ah-hah!" Rodney said while snapping his fingers. "Now I know you are lying! Carson Beckett was the Chief of Medicine over a year ago! Jennifer Keller hadn't even arrived yet."

"This scenario was updated by the last member of your expedition to be captured by the Replicators." Keller said.

Ronan and Rodney looked stumped for a moment and then realized who she meant.

"Elizabeth Weir." Rodney said as he looked at Weir.

The group was all taken to the brig and left there for awhile. All were standing and talked things over for a few moments before Elizabeth decided on something.

"Are you sure about this?" Sheppard asked.

"Yes. I need to see it for myself." Weir stated.

Pulling the combat knife he still had on him, Weir took it and cut her hand. It was no surprise when her hand healed.

"Oh my god." Weir said.

"All right, we are all infected with nanites." Ronan said.

"Not infected, constructed by." Rodney said.

"I don't believe it." Ronan said while pacing.

"I know it is hard, I'm having a hard time wrapping myself around it, but it would explain a couple of things.." Rodney said.

"Such as?" Sheppard asked while also pacing.

"The gate not working properly. Look, if all of this is not real, this is all just some lab rat experiment, then it stands to reason that the gate is not working properly either because it is not real." Rodney said.

"If this is not the real Atlantis, you of all people would have noticed." Teyla stated. "The stars in the sky…"

"The entire time the gate has been down it has been a solid overcast. It's been a week now, think about it? When was the last time any of you saw stars?" Rodney asked.

Jennifer was in the conference room as Weir was brought into it. The doors closed behind her and guards stayed posted outside.

"Doctor Weir."

"That is what you named me." Weir said.

"That is who you are. You are like her in every way." Keller said.

"Except that I am not her." Weir stated.

"No." Keller said taking a few steps forward. "The real Elizabeth Weir was killed several months ago. Part of her brain had been replaced by nanites. It was done to save her life, but, it made her dangerous. Whenever she linked with other Replicators, the human part of her established a unhealthy influence. At least that is the way Oberoth saw it."

"You don't agree?" Weir asked.

"Why do you think we did all of this? Your humanity is what we are interested in. But the Ancients created us with one fatal flaw…" Keller said trailing off.

"You can't ascend. That is what you are after, isn't it?" Weir asked as Keller nodded.

"All right, I know this isn't very easy to deal with but we're just going to have to suck it up, and refocus." Sheppard said.

"Refocus on what?" Rodney asked.

"Getting the hell out of here." Ronan stated.

"So we can do what? Go where?" Rodney asked. "Atlantis perhaps? And live our lives as usual? Or I forgot, we are already there and it is the real us."

"Says them." Ronan stated.

"There is no point in denying the fact, we aren't the originals." Rodney said.

"I may not be the original, but you are going to have a hard time convincing me I ain't pretty damned close." Sheppard said.

"Our origins do not make us any less human, physically or mentally. Not while we can think for ourselves. In my heart, there is no doubt, we must return to Atlantis." Teyla stated.

"Okay, we go back and take things from there." Sheppard said.

"Great." Rodney said as he stood. "We are all in agreement that we are getting out of here. Now all we have to do it figure out how."

"You are part of Nia'ms group." Weir said.

"Most were reprogrammed, but some of us managed to stay hidden within the loop." Keller said.

"You think by discovering us, you'll find the secret ingredient?" Weir asked.

"You are fully human. You have the same minds as your original selves, same thoughts, same emotions. More importantly, you have something that has always eluded us. Something that kept your kind apart from us and made you very special in the eyes of our creators. Some people call it a soul. It is that secret ingredient that you referred to. The key to ascension." Keller said.

"It is not something you can acquire by simply studying us." Weir stated.

"Why not? The human brain is just an electro chemical machine. Biologically created, but, a machine. Everything is quantifiable." Keller said.

"Now you sound like Oberoth." Weir said with a slight offending tone.

"The others have given up on ascension. They are destroying human populations across the galaxy in their tactic with the war against the Wraith. They are consumed with hatred and revenge. We believe there is another path." Keller said.

"Why are you telling me all of this?" Weir asked while trying to not think about what Keller just said.

"You are open minded. And it is important we gauge your reactions." Keller stated.

"Why?" Weir asked in wonder.

"So we can avoid the same mistakes next time."

Weir was taken back to the brig and then she told them what Keller said.

"So, they are going to wipe our memories and then start over on another planet. The probe was sent by Oberoth and the other Replicators. Our friends out there tried to destroy it, but they managed to only disable it." Weir said.

"If that probe hadn't ran into the city, who knows how long this could have gone on." Rodney said.

"The point is, this location has been compromised and once the other Replicators find this city, they will come and destroy it." Weir said.

"And us too." Sheppard said.

"Is that any worse than having our memories erased and starting this whole process over again?" Teyla asked.

"We have got to find a way out of here." Ronan stated.

They looked up as they heard footsteps and saw Keller walk up to the bars.

"I'm sorry to has come to this." Keller said.

"Listen to me, you have probed our minds and know everything about us. You should know we are never going to accept this." Weir stated. "No matter how many times you wipe our memories, we'll always figure it out."

"She's right. We are genetically predisposed to being stubborn and pesky." Sheppard said.

"Look, you want to understand what it means to be human, right? You want to know what qualities lead to ascension? You can start with compassion." Weir said.

"I understand what you are saying." Keller said with what looked to be tear filled eyes. "And under different circumstances, I might even agree with you. Unfortunately, it is too late."

"What are you talking about?" Sheppard asked.

"The other Replicators have found us." Keller said sadly.

Above the city, one of the Ancient battleships loomed as it started attacking. Not being able to fight back or even raise the shields, the city took heavy punishment quickly.

"They failed to break down our mental defenses and bring us back into the collective, so they want to destroy us." Keller said as the city shook around them.

"We have to raise the shields." Rodney stated.

"We can't. Your creation took too much power. And we couldn't get our hands on multiple ZPM's without drawing too much attention." Keller said.

"Let us out." Sheppard said.

"Look, your fellow Replicators are attacking other human worlds. They are murdering thousands, if not more, of innocent people. If you are serious about following the footsteps of your creators, you will let us go so we can stop this." Weir stated forcefully.

"Oberoth is too powerful." Keller said.

"If this city falls, and we with it, then this opportunity will have been wasted, a failed experiment. You know what that feels like…" Weir said.

"That is what the Ancients considered us.." Keller said with a sad tone. "Failed experiments."

"Now it your chance to prove them wrong." Sheppard said.

"All we are asking is that you give us a chance to make a difference." Weir said.

The explosions continued as she opened the door. As they started to race out and head for the Jumper bay, in hopes of using a Jumper to get away, all the explosions suddenly stopped and it got really quiet.

"What the…" Rodney began.

"The drones aren't hitting the city anymore." Keller said in extreme confusion. "They are hitting some shield we can't detect…."

They heard a massive explosion above their heads moments later, making them all crouch instinctually. After a few moments, it was really too quiet and the group looked at her.

"What's going on?" Sheppard asked.

"I need to get you to the Jumper bay. The ZPM's we have are going to overload soon and we can't stop it." Keller said as they started running.

"Wait, maybe I…." Rodney began.

"No, there is no time and if we can't stop it, then you have no chance either." Keller said as they used a transporter.

Running up the stairs quickly in the empty command center, they got to the Jumper bay and found it empty of people as well.

"Where is everyone?" Rodney asked.

"They have decided to await the fate to come and are near the ZPM. Running away is pointless because Oberoth will never stop looking for us." Keller said as they entered the Jumper. "Take this with you."

"What is it?" Rodney asked while looking at the tablet.

"It's the core drive of a ships tracking system. With this, you will be able to pinpoint and track every Aurora class ship Oberoth has in the galaxy. Take it to Atlantis to help them stop Oberoth. Be sure to cloak the ship before you leave the city." Keller said.

"Come with us." Weir said.

"I can't. The others would find me easily and place your lives in danger. Good luck." Keller said walking away after pressing the button for the door to close.

They left quickly and cloaked before they left the bay. Rising rapidly away from the city, going into space since Rodney said a ZPM or two overloading was a bad thing, even though he was unable to detect such, they managed to get out of range as they saw a massive explosion happen on their sensors.

"The city is gone. There is nothing left. The tidal waves from the shockwave will be a couple dozen feet high when they hit the mainland." Rodney said.

"What do we do now?" Teyla asked.

"I'm picking up a ship nearby." Rodney said. "It's a Replicator ship that attacked the city. I thought they sent two because of that massive explosion we heard before going to the tower."

"Does it know we are here?" Weir asked.

"No. Looks like they are getting ready to power up their hyperdrive and leave." Rodney said.

"Hang on people, we're going to hitch a ride." Sheppard said.

"What do you mean, hitch a ride?" Rodney asked.

"We're cloaked, they obviously haven't detected us, and there is no gate here. We'll hide close to the ship and be caught in their hyperdrive field. Once they drop out, hopefully near a planet with a gate or space gate, we go from there." Sheppard said.

"Sounds like a plan to me." Ronan said.

Sometime later, while still in hyperspace, Rodney was asleep in the front chair still while Ronan was behind him. Teyla was behind Sheppard, who got up and went to the back where Weir was.

"You doing okay?" Sheppard asked.

"Oh sure, all things considered. Not bad for a dead woman." Weir said while holding one knee with her hands.

"We'll be fine. Once this ship drops out of hyperdrive, probably at the Replicator home world, we do as I said before, or find a ship with a hyperdrive and go from there." Sheppard said.

"Go where though?" Weir asked.

"Well, obviously we can't go straight back to Atlantis, they'd probably take us out before we could even get a chance to explain. We could go to New Athos, and contact them when we get there." Sheppard suggested.

"And tell them what? How do you think the real Sheppard is going to react when he sees you? How would you react?" Weir asked. When he didn't answer. "Hmm. In a way, I am lucky. At least I am the only Elizabeth Weir out there."

"Unless my memory is wrong, there is a guy named Ford who ended up being copied more than once." Sheppard said. "I think he'd help us, if no one else."

"Yeah, I remember him. He and his wife were on Atlantis at one point, but I forget why. Nice looking guy and a good guy, when he wasn't pissed off. Almost killed Kinsey when I was in charge of the SGC. There is a cloned copy of him that Loki did and there is a fox version of him as well."

"Wasn't there another one too?" Sheppard asked thinking.

"I don't recall. I want to say yes, but I'm not really sure." Weir said thinking as well. "I think there is a, robot version, but…."

"Well, if we see him, or perhaps get him to come to Atlantis so we can talk to him, maybe he can give us some advice, considering…." Sheppard said.

She chuckled lightly and then turned her head with him as they felt the ship change as it came out of hyperspace.

"You were right. It is the Replicator home world. It looks like they have been busy." Rodney said as he was scanning after Ronan woke him up.

"What do you mean?" Weir asked.

"Remember those ship yards we destroyed, that is one of them." Rodney said.

"They rebuilt it." Teyla said as she saw the screen.

"And then some." Rodney said.

"Good, then maybe we'll find a ship they won't mind parting with." Sheppard said as he took the controls again.

At the real Atlantis, Sam was off talking to a department head as Ford was in the command center listening to Rodney talk to Sheppard about a idea he had.

"It's is a streamlining program designed to boost the operating efficiency of the gate. I need to take the gate offline for one hour, maybe two tops…" Rodney said.

"Sounds okay to me." Sheppard said. "What about you General?"

"I looked it over, I think it is a good idea. Sam did something similar back at the SGC to make it dial faster. Never know when a quick dial will…." Ford said.

Many people looked up as the gate just suddenly activated.

"Are we expecting someone?" Sheppard asked.

"No sir. Oh, it's Major Jordan reporting in from M34 221." Chuck said as the I.D.C. came through.

"This is the General here Major, how can we help you today?" Ford asked as the screen came up to show a bald black man in front of a camera.

"Um, well General, there is someone here that wants to talk to Colonel Sheppard." Jordan said.

"Hmm. Any other Wraith friends you haven't told us about?" Ford asked turning to him.

"No." Sheppard said as he heard the joke tone in Ford's voice. "Who is it Major?"

They all were surprised when Weir stood in front of the camera as the Major moved out of the way, which explained the confusion, surprise and happy look that Major Jordan had when he called Atlantis.

"Elizabeth." Sheppard muttered in surprise.

"Weir, glad to see you again. We thought, um, well, we really wasn't sure if you were dead or not, glad to see otherwise. Now you can come back and take over so Sam and I can retire." Ford said, a bit jokingly.

"Um…" Weir began with some confusion.

"General, have some sympathy for the poor woman. She might not even want the job back after, who knows what happened." Sheppard said. "We can deal with that later. Hang on Elizabeth, we'll call back and be right there."

"I was joking Sheppard. I basically meant it to mean, if she wants the job, I'd support her to get it back after whatever time she needed on Earth. Anyway, I'll call Sam back and go with your team." Ford said.

"No offense, but why?" Sheppard asked.

"To go somewhere other than here. The city is nice, but a change of scenery would be a welcome." Ford said.

"Didn't you and Sam go somewhere recently in the TA.R.D.I.S.?" Rodney asked.

"Not in the last month or so. Since seeing that vision, even though we are pretty sure it isn't this city, we're taking precautions." Ford said.

"All right. We'll be right back then." Sheppard said. "We'll be there momentarily Elizabeth."

"Wait John." Weir said quickly.

"What, you want us to bring you something?" Sheppard asked. "Coffee perhaps?"

"No. There is something I need to tell you. I'm not Elizabeth, or at least, not the Elizabeth you knew. I have all her thoughts and all her memories, everything that makes her, me. But, I am a duplicate." Weir said.

"A clone. Welcome to the club. There is…um…" Ford said thinking as he tapped his fingers together. "Ah, four versions of me out there and three of Sam."

"Okay. Interesting." Weir said a bit surprised. "However, I am not a clone. I was created by a faction of Replicators by means to attain ascension."

"Fascinating. I'd like to talk to them." Ford said interested. "They still around?"

"Why?" Sheppard and Rodney asked.

"Because that must mean she knows Replicators that aren't out for universal domination, per say." Ford stated.

"I'm sorry Ford, but that is not possibly. This group hid themselves in secrecy and tried to research ascension, through me for the most part. Unfortunately, Oberoth and the other Replicators found them, and they and the city that was a copy of Atlantis was attacked and then destroyed when they made the ZPM's overload."

"Atlantis, and yet, not Atlantis. That's very strange. How could Sam have seen the destruction of a city if she wasn't there? She did say she saw Atlantis being attacked, but never saw it actually get destroyed, or supposedly since she never saw the city actually get destroyed but seriously damaged. But it wasn't this one because of the modifications." Ford said while thinking out loud while stroking his chin.

"The only way she could have seen that city attacked is if she was there watching it happen in the T.A.R.D.I.S." Rodney stated. "Unless I am mistaken, which I doubt, you'll try to go to that planet and see what happened."

"It is that obvious huh?" Ford asked.

"Yes." Rodney and Sheppard said.

"So, how did you get away from the city being destroyed?" Ford asked turning back to the screen.

"Well, I would like to be able to talk to you all in person. There is something of great importance that will help you fight against the Replicators that we got before leaving the city. I can understand why you wouldn't want us to come to Atlantis…" Weir said.

"Us? We?" the three asked.

"One of the Replicators came back with you? Sounds cool." Ford said.

"Um, not really General. It is better than you come here and see instead of me explaining." Weir said.

Sam came back to the control room, heard about what happened and then told them to go check things out. They went through the gate, Ford in a cream colored suit, his heavy coat and cane while the others went with weapons and packs as usual. There was a tent nearby, that Weir and the others she said she had with her, were in that the Major had as a HQ. In case it was a ambush or possible attack, Ford went in first with the others behind him. Weir was sitting against a table near the back wall with Ronan and Rodney on her left and the other two on her right. Ford stopped in the middle of the tent, smiling with a slight chuckle as they gave him a strange looks, as he shook a finger at them. Turning around, he saw the others looking at their counterparts in confusion.

"Hot damn. Atlantis's number one team has managed to pull a SG-1. Getting the whole team duplicated. Wait till the other members of SG-1 hear about this." Ford said with a laugh. "I wish I brought a camera."

"You find this funny?" both Rodney's asked with extreme displeasure.

"Sorry, but yes." Ford said still laughing. "Once you get over fact you have a twin, or in my case, four versions of me, it becomes no big deal. This is priceless."

"How do you figure that?" the real Sheppard asked.

"Unless your, counterparts here turn out to be very bad people.." Ford said while leaning on his cane that started slowly sinking into the ground, obviously not to Ford's knowledge. "Which I doubt, they will be able to go on with their lives in some, way shape or form. There is four of me out there along with three Sam's, plus another Daniel and Teal'c and Jack. They are living quite well and happy."

"Excuse me, but why are you here? Aren't you suppose to be with SG-1?" the other Rodney asked.

"Hmm. None of you know why I am here do you? News flash then folks, I have changed. I am now a Time Lord, have a T.A.R.D.I.S., and co-commander of the city of Atlantis with General Samantha Carter. Seeing as you should be able to easily see the stars on my shoulders, I shouldn't have to explain my rank. We were asked to take over after…" Ford said stopping for a moment as he knew the information might be a bit sensitive, not to mention he just realized he was hunched over from his cane sinking in over a foot into the ground. "Weir was captured by the Replicators when we were stealing a ZPM from them when we had to move the city to a new planet. The President and a few other people wanted a commander that was, military trained. So they asked Sam and I. Our added ranks were part of the deal."

"How about we move onto something else and talk about other things later." the real Sheppard said. "In case they are, enemies."

Ford reached into his pocket and pulled his Sonic Screwdriver.

"That looks like a Sonic Screwdriver." the other Rodney said.

"It is." Ford said waving it at them for a few seconds as it hummed. "You're all human. Have the genetic markers of the people behind me and the right quantum signatures, so technically, you are clones. But you have nanites in you as well. Interesting, I'd shut them off for you, but I think it would kill you in the process."

"Wow, I thought the Time Lord thing was a joke." the other Rodney said as Ford put his tool away.

"No joke, besides, can't you see my face has changed somewhat? Anyway, Atlantis is perfectly safe with an impenetrable shield because of her. But only if the T.A.R.D.I.S. is there at the time. Which is why she isn't here. So, what is it you brought with that will help us fight the Replicators?" Ford asked.

"Rodney…" the other Sheppard said.

He picked it up from a pack near him and held it out.

"Thanks Rodney." Ford said shaking his startled hand. "I'm not going to bite. How about telling me what this thing is?"

"It's the core drive of a ships tracking system. You can pinpoint and track every Aurora class ship Oberoth has in the galaxy." the other Rodney said proudly as the real Rodney took it and looked it over.

"That's incredible." Rodney said.

"To quote Jack, sweet!" Ford said with a growing smile. "We find a ship out all alone, I can drop right in, incapacitate the crew and we'll have a ship of our own. Maybe a fleet in a couple of weeks, or more. Get the I.O.A. off my ass."

"You actually could do that?" both Sheppard's asked.

"Easily. Assuming I get rid of all the Replicators in one blast right away." Ford said with a smile at the thought that quickly went away as he frowned. "Then again, seeing as the ships are made of replicator parts, it might not be worth the effort. Have to discuss it with Sam."

Glancing around, he grabbed one of the many crates lining the walls and tossed it onto the floor, then sat down.

"What are you people waiting for, grab a crate and sit. Let's hear what they want to say." Ford said.

Ford wasn't surprised when four crates ended up on his right and five on his left, each counterpart facing the other. Weir was sitting just next to him.

"Hey, nice jacket." the other Rodney said.

"Oh yeah, we got new uniforms. These don't ride up…" Rodney said.

"Rodney…" both Sheppard said.

"Personally, I like the leather. But then, Sam always looked great in tight le…" Ford said trailing off quickly with a couple coughs. "Forget I said that."

"No wonder she tends to walk around in leather most of the time." the real Sheppard said. "I thought it was a girl thing or because she likes riding it with her motorcycle around the city."

"Sam's riding a motorcycle around the city?" the other Rodney asked. "What for?"

"Entertainment and excitement Rodney." Ford said. "I drive the General Lee around a lot too. You should see the skid marks we've left. Sam drives her Mustang sometimes, but more often than not, her Indian instead."

"I'm really sorry to bother you all, acting like this is really fascinating and a normal day occurrence…" Weir began.

"Right. We need to stay on track. Sorry doc." the real Sheppard said. "You all go ahead and we'll just jump in with questions at some point."

"Well, first off, if this drive system does what it is suppose to, then we need to get on it right away." Rodney said.

"Right. We did manage to get away from that other Atlantis, but who knows if…" the other Rodney began. "We need to start…"

"Okay, before you two go on talking in technical terms I will only understand, how about we just agree on the fact you both had brilliant ideas and the fact you two will be working together on it, you'll make it work right and properly without any interruptions or mistakes because you'd only be bickering at yourself." Ford said.

"He's got a good point." the real Rodney said.

"Us both being incredible geniuses…" the other Rodney said smugly as both Sheppard groaned and the rest of their teams rolled their eyes or shook their heads, or did both.

"We are going to need some supplies from Atlantis first, unless we can just go to Atlantis." the real Rodney said.

"General, I really don't think that is a good idea." the real Sheppard said.

"I agree with him. Even though me and my team aren't enemies, if our places were reversed…." the other Sheppard said.

"I do not think it would be a good idea either." Weir said. "As much as part of me would like to go, there would be too many questions and too many people that wouldn't understand that I am not the real Elizabeth Weir, even though I am her, just a copy. I think it would hurt moral."

"The word is clone. And clones have lives too." Ford said as he reached into a inner pocket and pulled out the T.A..S. phone, much to the other Rodney's surprise and the cloned team. "But even though I would allow you all on Atlantis, since you'd rather stay here until we figure things out further, we can work here instead. Sam would also have to clear it too. Hey Sam, can you put Radek on? Rodney needs to speak to him."

"Me?" the real Rodney asked.

"To look that over, you need supplies. Being your project…" Ford said while holding out the phone. "Unless you want me to take over…"

"No, no, I got it. I would know what we would need anyway. Right. Radek, I need…" Rodney said walking out of the tent with the other Rodney as they both talked.

"Okay, what's next?" Ford asked.

"How about the other reason we came here?" the real Sheppard asked. Ford shrugged so Sheppard continued. "Other than to see why you wanted us here and such, since you said you were with the Replicators, maybe you can tell us about the real Elizabeth Weir? Maybe help us go get her back."

"I'm sorry." Weir said. "A copy of your Doctor Keller was in charge of that Atlantis, along with Major Lorne and Radek. She told me that the real Elizabeth Weir was killed because she was a unhealthy influence on the other Replicators. Even though she was in many ways, more Replicator than human, her humanity was what made Oberoth have her killed. The other Doctor Keller was part of the group of Replicators like Nia'am. Now, they are all gone, along with the real me."

"If that is true, even though you have nanites in you, you are Elizabeth Weir. Basically, your consciousness has been transferred from the more Replicator like Weir that Rodney did, by my orders, and put into the body you have now. Think of it like the Asguard were doing." Ford said.

"I don't remember everything that the real Elizabeth did though." Weir stated.

"Do you remember everything about your past, before and during the SGC?" Ford asked. "All of it, including what I did…."

"Yes." Weir said. "Including you almost killing Senator Kinsey."
"Just things with Atlantis are sketchy?" Ford asked. "Such as…"

"For the most part. I don't recall a lot of what happened during the Replicator attack with a Stargate that made us have to take Atlantis to another planet, or much afterward." Weir said.

"Then nothing has really changed. If you had family, no offense, there would be problems. Being alone, for the most part unfortunately, it would be very easy to get you back into command of Atlantis or living on it, or going back to Earth to live out the rest of your life since you can't talk about it on Earth." Ford said as he got a few surprised looks. "You're a speaker, not a hard worker in the sense of using, equipment. Hiding what you are until we figure out how to make you totally human would be possible."

"What about us then?" the other Sheppard asked.

"That would mostly depend on your counterparts. We can already see that two Rodney's, though being great pains in the asses, not to mention the ego's would probably sink the city at some point, would be beneficial. And really, having two SGA-1 teams isn't a bad idea. Not saying we would send you on suicide missions, but you would be more capable of healing better than your counterparts here. Unless we find a way to remove the nanites as I said, which wouldn't be a problem of changing anything in my opinion. You are alive, though clones and members of Atlantis in my book. There is robot members of SG-1 with Harlan, so this scenario isn't all that different. Now, you all can talk about whatever you want and I'll stop giving my opinions. I need to get my phone back before they break it or come up with a way to use it for what they need, and answer the call of nature."

"He does make a compelling argument." Weir said after he was gone.

"From a strategic point of view, having us would help in the fight against the Replicators and Wraith." the other Sheppard said.

"I don't know about this idea really, but I'm pretty sure if the Wraith caught us, they wouldn't be able to feed on any of us because of the nanites." the other Ronan said.

Ford came back about ten minutes later, munching on a Hershey bar and noticed no one in the tent other than the two Rodney's, that were working on different equipment and the core piece.

"Where is everyone?" Ford asked.

"The tent was empty when we got back from the gate." the real Rodney said.

"My Sheppard muttered something about taking a walk to think, and I'm pretty sure the others did as well." the other Rodney said.

"Okay. Let me know when you got something, or if you need help. I'm going to go talk to the Major here. Get an update on this place for Sam." Ford said walking out.

The real Sheppard was talking with Elizabeth as they walked just outside of the camp. She was surprised at how forthcoming Ford was and about backing them in bringing them to Atlantis, even though she was sure that most people would look at them as a security risk or less than what they really were, or worse. He did his best to consul her on the fact that it wouldn't be that bad and more than likely, they'd be able to get rid of the nanites in their bodies, and if not, then they must be okay since Ford used that Sonic thing and was going to allow them on Atlantis, if Sam cleared it.

The real Teyla and Ronan were off talking about their counterparts and wondering what to do and what maybe should be done, as was their counterparts, who talked more about the fact they were surprised to find that they were really copies and felt alienated by their real selves, despite what Ford had said. The other Sheppard was walking around for a bit before coming back to the tent and finding the two Rodney's working together, finishing and starting each others sentences.

"Creepy." Sheppard muttered.

"I know. But then, I've done that with myself too so…" Ford said behind him. "Hey, I want to try something."

"Try what?" Sheppard asked with worry.

"Just hold out your hand." Ford said pulling out the Sonic Screwdriver again.

"What do you plan on doing?" Sheppard asked hesitantly while still holding out his hand.

"Feel anything?" Ford asked while turning it on.

"No." Sheppard stated.

"This may or may not do anything." Ford said touching the glowing tip to the back of his hand.

Sheppard pulled his hand away quickly as pain flared through it for a moment.

"What the hell was that?!" Sheppard asked shaking his hand.

"Hmm." Ford said while looking as the Sonic device. "I was able to shut down some of the nanites in your hand. Glad I didn't put it on a different setting. You and your Rodney would be on the ground in pain, or dead. Sorry, I was hoping for a better outcome."

"Great to see you didn't try that one." Sheppard said sarcastically while still shaking his hand.

"Me too. But it does prove something." Ford said while putting it away.

"That you can get rid of us if we try anything?" Sheppard asked as feeling came back to his hand.

"No. Well yes, but no. It shows that there is a good possibility of being able to get rid of the nanites in you so you can live without them." Ford said. "It would be a gradual process, but in the end, you'd be no more different than the other John."

"Huh. Part of me is thinking, hurray. Another part is thinking, this isn't a good idea. If we loose the nanites, then we'd be hard to tell the difference from the real versions of us." Sheppard said.

"Actually, the real versions are a bit older and have a few other scars, amongst other things." Ford said trailing off. "We can deal with all that later. Once you and your team figure out what you want to do, let us know."

John and Weir were on their way back to the camp when Teyla called through.

"What's up Teyla?" Sheppard asked hearing her worried voice.

"The Replicators are here." Teyla stated.

"They managed to track our ship." Weir said.

"Everyone back to camp, now!" Ford said over the com lines.

"Why not the gate?" Sheppard asked while running as drones blasted the ground around them.

"Major Jordan says the gate is covered by the Replicator ship." Ford said over the line. "Either they don't know the camp is here or they are sending people out to come here instead of blasting us right away. We'll come up with a plan here."

When they got to the camp, finding Major Jordan and his team also there, they were surprised to find that Ford was not.

"Where did the General go?" the real Sheppard asked.

"He told us to stay here and he'd be right back." the real Rodney said as they heard drones hitting the ground further and further away with each impact.

"We can't get to the gate and they'll be upon us soon." Weir said. "They know we are here and can probably track us, no matter where we go. Even Atlantis wouldn't be safe if we went with you."

"But we have…." the real Sheppard began.

"John, we're only copies. As much as we wish were weren't, there is nothing you can do. Even if the nanites in us were somehow taken away, it still wouldn't be the same. We wouldn't be accepted, even though Ford believes otherwise. I know how the I.O.A. works John, they'd want to study us and would always consider us a security threat. There is only one way out of this." Weir said.

"You don't have to sacrifice yourselves to save us. The General can call his T.A.R.D.I.S….." Sheppard began.

"It's not going to work John, we both know it. Thanks for trying anyway." Weir said touching his shoulder a moment.

Ford was dodging the drones rather well, while using his Sonic device to scan them the best he could as they came down. A dozen or so drones later, he got to the clearing and fired his energy pistol at the ship a couple of times. It was no surprise that the shields took the impact and did nothing.

"Okay, let's see that drone. And there it is…" Ford said aiming the Sonic Screwdriver. "Please work, oh pretty please."

The single drone came at him then turned away at the last second. Wanting to jump with joy, he refrained while still pointing the Sonic Screwdriver. The ship began to move, but not fast enough as the drone went back to its launch point after passing through the shield, causing a big enough explosion the ship tilted, smoking heavily, and began to head for the ground as it lost its stabilizers.

"Oh crap, maybe that was a bad idea." Ford said seeing it was going to land on the gate.

Skimming the top of the gate as he started running away from the explosion he was sure to come, the ship managed to lurch itself back into the air and fire off drones from underneath itself. Ford dived behind a large tree as the ground erupted nearby and then looked up as he saw a Jumper flying off.

"A Jumper?" Ford muttered in confusion, not paying attention to the vessel firing at him again.

The tall tree he was hiding behind blew up in a massive shower of splinters as the trunk was blown away. He was tossed several feet into the air and landed on the ground hard, totally unconscious as the tree fell backwards unto others behind it.

The damaged ship turned and went after the Jumper, that activated the Stargate before it made a tight turn away from the Replicator ship. It fired off a few drones, which hit the back once, but the shields were up taking the damage. The other drones went past and landed off in the forest. As the Jumper cloaked, it took another hit that uncloaked it and then another that blew the left side strut off, sending it careening into the ground. Major Jordan and his team, along with the real Sheppard and his team came running out of the camp area and found Ford unconscious and though since healed, bloody in several places. Grabbing him quickly, they headed towards the gate and went through fast before they were found out.

The Jumper was badly damaged and at an angle in the ground where it crashed. Four Replicators came up to it and one guy walked in. Weir was on the floor dead along with Ronan and Teyla, Rodney was dead in the second seat and Sheppard was leaning on the dash, alive, but injured. The Replicator turned him around quickly while pointing his weapon.

"Hi." Sheppard said as his injuries on his head healed before the guys eyes. "Yeah, we did a good job of tricking you. But don't feel so bad. We almost convinced ourselves too. Oh, and you won't be feeling anything anymore now."

He held up his clenched hand, which held a detonator and waved it with a smile. The Replicator shot him dead in the chest, which killed him instantly, making his hand release the trigger. All four Replicators and the Jumper erupting into a massively huge explosion as the C-4 given to them, by the real versions of themselves, went off and took out the power source for the Jumper, along with its drones. Everything within a good fifty feet was now a crater and small fires burned in various locations. Unfortunately, the large ship wasn't caught in the blast, but it didn't get any intel on anything either.

Security was ready as the group came through the gate quickly. Ronan and Sheppard let go of Ford's arms as he dropped to his knees coughing.

"Shut it down!" Sheppard said quickly.

"What happened?" Carter asked as she walked up. "Where is the other team?"

"They are gone. We were lucky to get out alive." Sheppard said. "We'll give you all the details in the debrief."

"And what happened to you?" Carter asked as Ford was getting to his feet, only to stop with another couple of coughs.

"Drone hit the tree I was hiding behind. What the hell happened Sheppard? I told you all to stay at the camp." Ford said still kneeling on the floor as his breath was returning.

"I'll explain it when we get to the briefing room." Sheppard said.

An hour later, and cleaned up, they all told what happened. Ford was sad that they weren't able to save them, but understood why they decided to be the diversion so the real ones could escape back to Atlantis. He did like the idea of the C-4 thing that they learned later had worked when they went back to check the planet and found the crater.

Later towards night, Radek and Rodney were in his lab working on the core, backs to each other as they worked on three to four laptops in front of each other. Rodney had the core hooked up and on its side standing, glowing with various lights on it.

"We should take a break." Radek said while wiping his glasses.

"Ah, you go ahead." Rodney said with a wave of his hand.

"Rodney, we should really take a break. Get something to eat. We've been at this for over five hours." Radek said.

Rodney only grunted and kept working.

"I know what you are trying to do." Radek said.

"Yeah, and what is that?" Rodney asked with no real interest as he kept working.

"You are trying to loose yourself in your work to keep from thinking about Elizabeth." Radek said as Rodney stopped and sat up a little straighter. "You must realize it is only a temporary distraction."

"Yeah, well, it is one of the perks of the job. Something terrible happens and you loose yourself in your work to stop thinking about it while trying to stop the next terrible thing from happening." Rodney said crossing his arms. "Seriously, if it wasn't for the Replicators trying to wipe out all the humans in the galaxy, I'd be in pretty bad shape right now. Now, this is Carson all over again, and I am not ready to deal."

Radek only sighed as Rodney went back to work.

"You are not the only one who misses them Rodney." Radek said and then waited a moment to see Rodney's reaction. It was no surprise as Rodney kept working. "I don't suppose you want to talk about it?"

"Eventually, but not now." Rodney muttered.

"Okay." Radek said getting up and heading for the door. "Shall I get you anything?"

"No." Rodney said and then stopped typing. "Radek."

"Yes?"

"Thank you." Rodney said sincerely.

"You're welcome Rodney." Radek said smiling slightly and then leaving as Rodney got back to work quickly.

It was dark and getting near midnight and Rodney was still working.

"Hey, how's it going?" Sheppard asked as he walked in.

"I'm getting there." Rodney said while still typing.

"Why don't you just call it a night?" Sheppard said.

"No, I…." Rodney said still typing. "I want to finish this. What about you? Isn't it past your bedtime?"

"I'm going to approve the removal of her personal items tomorrow and have them sent back to Earth. We'll have a proper funeral for her later that day or the next depending on how things go." Sheppard said with remorse. "I would have done it sooner, but I, actually thought we were going to get her back."

"Yeah, me too." Rodney said sadly.

"Let me know when you get this thing work, huh?" Sheppard said.

"Will do."

"Okay, night Rodney." Sheppard said and headed for the door.

"Wait, it's working!" Rodney shouted making Sheppard jump.

"Nice timing." Ford said making Sheppard jump again. "Sorry John. I came down to see how it was going before heading to bed for the night."

"I got it running. Come check it out." Rodney said excited.

They both looked at a screen that was showing a map of the galaxy they knew of at the moment.

"If this works like it is suppose to and they said, we should be able to track every Aurora class ship in the galaxy, in real time." Rodney stated.

"Let's see." Ford said waving his hands.

"Hang on." Rodney said typing.

The screen popped up several red dots.

"Hey, that is not so bad. I guess the Wraith have been taking their toll on them." Rodney said.

More dots appeared.

"On the other hand, my duplicate did say they were building more." Rodney said worried.

"This is not looking good." Ford said as more and more dots began appearing rapidly. "There is over a hundred now."

"Oh crap." Rodney said as it kept beeping as more dots appeared.