"Let me make sure I understood what you just said, Jack." Alexander Harris, known as Xander to his friends and family and Alpha of the Sunnydale Protectors Pack, said to Major General Johnathan 'Jack' O'Neill, Head of Homeworld Security. "Atlantis, as in the fabled lost city of Atlantis, supposedly sunk beneath the sea centuries ago, actually exists. On another planet. In another galaxy. Where it was sunk beneath the sea. And you want us to go there and help defend an expedition you sent there a year ago from space vampires. I'm tempted to ask if you're off your medication, but I'm sure Sam would have mentioned if you'd had to be medicated when we saw her last week, during the thing with the Tok'ra. Space vampires. I was right, Murphy did set up a permanent office at the SGC."

Jack glared at him and said. "This is what you do, Harris! You fight vampires. What difference does it make if they come from space? And it's not a permanent assignment. They managed to send a message, the only one we've gotten, that the city is only days away from a attack by these things. Thanks to the ZPM we found in Egypt, we have a means of sending reinforcements. We send you along with the military. Then we send the Daedalus to back you all up. You help hold the city until it arrives. I'm sure you can handle it."

"Oh, I didn't say we couldn't handle it. It's the vampires that some how evolved naturally, that I'm having trouble wrapping my head around."

"Oh, go already and take this lunkhead with you." Heidi exclaimed, gesturing at Tor. "Before my hormone addled brain snaps from his constant hovering and I have to find a new mate to help me raise this cub!"

"Well, excuse me for being nervous. Instead of being allowed to celebrate our Pack growing with Abigail, we had to worry about demons attacking and unethical federal agents wanting to experiment on her. I can't help worrying that something's going go to wrong!"

"Problem with that honey, is that we live on top of a dimensional rift that is capable of warping reality. Go fight space vampires. Take out your fears and frustrations on them. Calm back down and stop tempting fate or Murphy or whoever it is that is responsible for the constant drama in our lives!"

"I'm up for it." Rhonda said. "You know I love traveling through the Stargate."

The others agreed and Jack asked Jesse to accompany them, since medics are always welcome and his fireballs meant he could defend himself.

"Alright Jack. We'll go to Atlantis and fight space vampires and I am still having trouble wrapping my head around vampires from space. Who's in charge?" Xander asked

"A Colonel Everett. I'll introduce you before the debrief. He isn't cleared to know the truth, so we'll tell the augmented story."

"Works for me. When do we leave?"

"In a few hours. Times short, I'm afraid."

"Then Willow, I want you and Tara, as well as Sarah and Morgan to move into dad's place until we get back and look after Abigail for us, along with Heidi. We'll feel better and be able to concentrate if we know you guys are safe." Cordelia said.

They quickly agreed and the Pack, Faith and Jesse went to gather their armor, both light and heavy and their weapons and left with Jack. They got to experience, for the first time, being beamed up to a ship and then back down to the SGC. And as Rhonda said, it was not quite as much fun as the Stargate but still ranked right up there near the top.

"Everett, I need to talk you." O'Neill said to Colonel Everett. "In here."

Curious, the Colonel followed him into the office.

"I'm sending along a specialist team to help. You're not cleared to know all the details. But what I can tell you, is the team I'm sending, called a Protectors Pack, are augmented humans. They're stronger than Jaffa. They're affiliated with a sister Command that you are also not cleared to know about. I'm going to introduce you. They'll help with the defense of the city. They're civilians, but they've had military training. This is Alexander Harris, known as Xander, he's the Alpha. This is his wife and co-leader, Cordelia. This is Rhonda and Kyle Defours, Betas, Tor Hauer, Faith Lehane and Jesse McNally, Medic. In addition, these five." O'Neill said, indicating Xander, Cordelia, Kyle, Rhonda and Tor. "Have the Ancient gene, naturally occurring, like my own."

"You're in charge of the defense of the city, Everett, and this team will help. But he leads the team." Jack said, pointing at Xander. "If you've got a problem, suck it up, because this isn't optional. Trust me, they can handle themselves."

"If you're sure, sir. I don't like surprises, but if you recommend them, I'll deal." Colonel Everett replied.

"Good, gear up. Debrief in 30 and then you go through."

"I want some clarity on something first, sir." Xander said. "I get that Colonel Everett is in charge of the defense of the city, but as I understand it, this expedition has been there for a year now. They no doubt have gained a lot of experience in dealing with any inhabitants of that galaxy, along with these Wraith, we should make sure we take into account that experience and make sure that they have a say in the defense."

Colonel Everett glared at him. "Are you saying we should let these civilians be in charge of the defense?"

"No, I'm saying we listen to their advice." Xander told him.

"I agree." O'Neill said. "Intelligence can win wars. You know that Everett."

"Yes, sir." He said grudgingly.

Following the debrief the Stargate was activated for the trip to Atlantis and the Pack stepped though into a brand new adventure.