"In the mean time, I'll see if we can get Zelenka and Kusinagi out there to help you with Hammond," Sheppard said.
Sam nodded. "Thanks." She met Jack's eyes for a moment, and he was struck suddenly by how long he'd known her, and how proud he was to see her in her element like this. He hoped some part of that came through in the moment before he looked away.
"And I'm going to keep looking for Hyperion's damn weapon," Sheppard said.
"We've tried scanning for naquadah," Sam said, before Jack could open his mouth. "The problem is, there's too much of it in the city. We've got entire storerooms full of small artifacts that are made of naquadah or naquadah-powered."
"Check the storerooms," Jack said. "Maybe somebody decided to hide a piece of hay in a haystack."
"Yes, sir," Sheppard said. If he'd already thought of that, he didn't feel the need to point it out. He'd mellowed over the years, settled into the fine officer Jack had hoped he could be without losing his flashes of reckless brilliance. They needed that as much as they needed more steady men like Hank Landry, even if Sheppard drove Jack nuts sometimes.
"We'll keep working on refining our scanners," Sam said. "Zelenka thinks one of the geologists with a background in mineral exploration may be able to help. But I can't make any promises."
"Morning briefing is at 0600 hours," Jack said. "Be there or miss out on the doughnuts."
Sheppard looked like he wasn't sure whether he was supposed to smile.
"Wouldn't want to miss that," Sam said.
Jack made his way up to the gate room at a brisk pace and arrived in time to catch Woolsey preparing to send the databurst.
"I've prepared a report for the IOA on our situation," Woolsey said.
Jack let out a breath. "Do we have to?" Woolsey gave him a look, and Jack relented. "Better you than me."
"I haven't mentioned anything about an Ancient device that might hypothetically kill Wraith," Woolsey said. He shook his head. "I used to feel more guilty about this kind of thing."
"It's hypothetical," Jack said. "If you told them every time we found a device that might turn out to be interesting, it wouldn't be good for their blood pressure.
"I said that we were hitting some snags in negotiating with the Wraith," Woolsey said.
"You could say that again."
"I have every confidence that Sheppard and his teams will find the missing device."
"When?" Jack said shortly.
"Soon."
"If it's too late for Guide to move his ships into position, it won't help."
"That depends," Woolsey said. "I expect Teyla is working right now on persuading Alabaster to start moving her ships into position tonight."
"That's not what Guide thinks she's supposed to do."
Woolsey looked at him shrewdly over his glasses. "Then the question is whether Guide or Alabaster is really in charge. At least, that's how I expect Teyla is putting it to Alabaster at the moment."
Jack snorted. "That should be interesting. You think Teyla can pull it off?"
"If anyone can handle the Wraith, she can," Woolsey said.
"In other words, you don't know."
"I don't know," Woolsey admitted.
"Understood. Let's dial up Earth."
The wormhole opened brilliant blue, and Jack stepped up to use the radio. "This is General O'Neill," he said.
"Landry here," Hank Landry replied after a pause just long enough for him to push his way forward to the mike. "What goes on in Atlantis?"
"The databurst explains, but I'll sum up," Jack said. "A massive Wraith fleet is bearing down on Atlantis. Our Genii and Wraith allies are not playing nicely with us at the moment. We're still hoping we can get them on board, but we may have to work with what we have."
"What do you need?"
"Dr. Lee and a repair team would help. Also some Marine backup. SG-3, if you've got them."
"They're offworld," Landry said. "I can send you SG-5 and SG-18."
"That works. And we could use some doughnuts for the morning briefing."
"I'll see what I can do about that," Landry said dryly.
"More news when we have more news. O'Neill out."
"Databurst transmission complete," Salawi said, her eyes on her computer screen.
"Shut the gate down," Jack said when Woolsey didn't say it first. "We're in no position to waste power."
Woolsey glanced sideways at Jack. "I thought you might want to return to the SGC, under the circumstances."
"What, and miss the doughnuts?" Jack clapped Woolsey on the shoulder. "I'm going to try and get a few hours sleep. Call me if anything interesting happens."
"I'll be sure to do that," Woolsey said, and moved to look over Salawi's shoulder at the long-range tracking signal. The cluster of lights it showed had brightened, a dozen ships still closing in slowly but relentlessly on Atlantis.
Chapter Nine
Night Watch
Torren was already asleep when John got to Teyla's quarters. Jeannie Miller was curled up on the couch, her tablet propped on her knees. She looked up as he came in, and put a finger to her lips with the tired ghost of a smile.
"He sleeps like a rock," John said quietly. "Thanks for watching him."
"It was no trouble," Jeannie said. "He went down about an hour ago. If you're good for a while, I want to go see Meredith. If that's okay?"
"Sure. Don't worry about McKay, though. He's fine, just kind of cranky."
"Well, he is in a cell." She frowned. "You don't really think he's still… brainwashed, or whatever?"
"I don't know if he was ever brainwashed, or if he just couldn't remember who he was and believed what they told him. But I've seen them turn our own people against us before. They did it to Ronon, and he hates the Wraith more than just about anybody."
"My brother." She raised her chin bravely. "He does get into the weirdest kinds of trouble."
"That would be McKay for you."
"I wish he'd come to see me when we were on Earth. The rest of you are always welcome, too, you know. Torren ought to meet Madison, since they're kind of related in a weird kind of way."
"Not exactly related."
Jeannie looked at him, her head to one side. "Close enough. I think whatever happens with Jennifer Keller…" There was a question in her voice, and John shrugged. He had no idea how that one was going to turn out, and at the moment just hoped they'd live long enough for it to matter. "Whatever happens with that, he's found sort of a weird surrogate family out here, and… I'm glad. I want him to be happy. I just want to see him sometimes."
"Next time I'll twist his arm and make him go to Canada," John said. He should have done that last time they were on Earth, he thought, but he'd been busy feeling sorry for himself. He'd thought there was no point in trying to stay in touch with his team, because they weren't going to be his team anymore. Now he was only sorry that he'd wasted time. "If there is a next time," he added quietly.
Jeannie bit her lip. "Is it that bad?"
"It's not good," John said. "I'm going to take Torren to his father on New Athos."
"They tell me they're evacuating non-essential personnel in the morning," Jeannie said, unfolding herself from the couch and tucking her tablet under her arm as she stood and came over to him. "So I want to see Meredith before I go. Not because I think you won't be fine, but I can't pass up the chance to have him as a literally captive audience."
"Go on," John said.
She managed to smile. "Good luck, John."
"Thanks," he said.
"Take care of my stupid brother." Jeannie leaned up to kiss him lightly on the cheek. Before he could figure out what he was supposed to do about that, she was already gone.
John tossed Torren's clothes and favorite toys into a bag, wondering when that had started to feel like familiar routine, and then scooped up Torren, who made a sleepy noise of protest.