Cast Between Worlds

A/N; Please read the message in bold at the top of my profile regarding updates. Please enjoy.

A/N2; For those interested in the scene that follows on from this chapter (NC-17) then go to my AFF profile to read it. The link is under my homepage on this site.

Chapter 12; Siege

Atlantis T-10 days

Harry looked over the latest reports that had come in from the field. They’d sent a science team to the planet where Harry had sunk the Wraith Hive Ship he had been captured on to assess the damage caused by the lightning, trying to find out how much power it would take to do such damage but the results were coming up short. They knew that they could take out Darts with lightning strikes but aiming them was impossible so there was no way Harry could use that to take out Darts flying around the city since the lightning would merely hit the city and not the flying Darts. Creating winds hard enough to take out the Darts was also concerning Harry. He didn’t think that winds were much of a problem for the alien ships but John and he were due to go up the next day with a Puddle Jumper to test it and see how much the engines were affected by the winds. They’d had a short test back when John had taken a Jumper through to rescue Harry but nobody had been paying attention then.

Harry had basically spent the last few days working with the base personnel to find a way to counter the Wraith attack and then spending every free moment he could either training with the Marines or working with Rodney to find out if having Harry use his powers was worth it. He was waiting now for the meeting to begin where Harry would let the others decide whether the risks were worth it.

He glanced up as Chuck coughed less than subtly and raised an eyebrow at him. “The meeting started already, Sir.” Chuck told him with an amused smile.

“One day I’m going to have a day without a meeting and I’ll die of shock.” Harry grumbled before standing up and heading towards the meeting room opposite the control room. There were only a select few in the room. Elizabeth was there and she shook her head as Harry snuck in and claimed a seat around the table. John was on his left followed by Taylor, Elizabeth, Rodney, Ford and finally Carson sitting on Harry’s right.

“Nice of you to join us, Captain.” Elizabeth greeted.

“Thank you for waiting.” Harry answered back in the same tone.

“As I was saying.” Rodney rolled his eyes. “Captain Potter and I have been looking at whether using his ability will do us any good in the long run.”

“Basically there are two things I can do.” Harry straightened up deciding that since it was his life they were talking about it was up to him to describe it. “I can either pull up a storm like I did when I was captured or I can create an EM burst. The latter of which obviously has the advantage that I can do it against something in space.”

“We think.” Rodney interrupted.

“Maybe we should test it?” John offered.

“Except we don’t know how my abilities will react in such a scenario and it could drain me a hell of a lot more than the last time I did it.” Harry pointed out.

“Which as we recall caused serious, if temporary, problems to your nervous system.” Carson joined in. “Not something I’d advise.”

“So that’s the situation with that.” Harry explained. “I could probably do it in space against a ship but I can’t test it without risking my health. Obvious that means when it comes down to defending the city it is an option. Something we can try if we have to.”

“You’re forgetting the other hitch...” Rodney started.

“I didn’t forget it, Rodney.” Harry narrowed his eyes to shut him up.

“What?” John asked.

“We have no proof that an EM burst will even effect Wraith technology.” Harry shrugged. “It has no effect on the Ancient equipment and that’s proven, so we have no idea whether it will affect any other alien technology.”

“And obviously Wraith technology seems to be based on organic components which we know aren’t affected.” Rodney pointed out.

“So when it comes to the attack I could kill myself to produce a massive EM burst right in the middle of their ships using a stealthed Jumper.” Harry offered. “Only for it to do the square route of nothing.”

“That sucks.” Ford grumbled.

“Thank you, Lieutenant.” Harry chuckled. “Which leaves us with the conventional way to do it. Create a storm powerful enough to take out anything that tries to land.”

“And what are the limitations there?” Elizabeth asked.

“To create a storm powerful enough to wipe out three Hive Ships, several Cruisers and god knows how many Darts?” Harry asked with a raised eyebrow. “If I could do it I’d probably kill myself.”

“Probably?” John asked.

“Okay.” Harry sighed. “I’d definitely kill myself.”

“Well that isn’t an option.” John pointed out.

“Just wait there a moment.” Harry argued. “It is an option. I’m here to protect the expedition.”

“We’re not going to talk about you sacrificing yourself.” John told him. “Ever. Understand Captain?”

“Major.” Harry replied but that didn’t seem to be enough to convince John or Elizabeth.

“We’ll make that an order then.” John told him and glanced at Elizabeth who nodded in agreement.

“Yes, Sir.” Harry sighed. “Which leaves it at trying to create something strong enough to do the damage without killing me but there’s still risks there. I can create a storm system with Atlantis in the centre but if I lose control of it, it’ll move to the west and do major damage to the city.”

“If we do that isn’t that going to cause problems for anyone we have outside?” John asked.

“It shouldn’t.” Harry shook his head. “I’d have to place the low pressure cell over the city. It would be like the eye of a storm. I’d have to create a hurricane, not a lightning storm or similar or it’d destroy the city. The air inside the storm should be peaceful.”

“Which leads us to the disadvantages.” Rodney led the conversation on.

“Space ships can fly vertically.” Ford guessed rightly and Harry nodded in agreement.

“The only way I could prevent that is to create a super storm which would then affect the air in the upper atmosphere and turn it into a rip tide.” Harry explained.

“I’m going to guess there’d be a problem with that somewhere.” Elizabeth sighed, getting used to the way this conversation was going.

“It would suck the cold upper atmosphere down onto the city.” Harry shrugged.

“Being how cold?” Ford asked.

“Zero Kelvin.” Rodney pointed out.

“Minus two hundred and seventy odd Celsius.” Harry added. “Everybody in the city would be frozen solid in seconds.”

“So that’s definitely out then?” John asked.

“There is a possibility.” Harry sighed. “If I accidentally grew the storm that powerful and it began to do that I could create a secondary weather pocket on the inside nearer to the city to force the freezing air out into the hurricane wall.”

“Which would do what?” Elizabeth asked.

“Not a clue.” Harry shrugged. “It’s not like I’ve ever tried it and it can’t be done naturally.”

“We think it would work but testing it could destroy the planet’s ecosystem.” Rodney pointed out. “If it doesn’t kill Captain Potter.”

“Let’s just sum this up.” Elizabeth sighed. “Basically you can help defend the city but whichever way you do it the stronger and more effective it is the more risk you are at.”

Harry nodded. “It’s that exactly.”

“Then what do you think?” John asked him.

“I’ve already told you that.” Harry pointed out simply. “If I use an EM burst it might do nothing so I’d rather go conventional and I’d only build up a storm as far as I can control it and not harm the city. If I kill myself and the storm shifts it would wipe out the city.”

“I think that even when we ignore the chance of it killing you or permanently harming you.” Elizabeth started. “We still have to take that into account. It could do the city serious damage if you lose control of it. That’s not a chance I’m willing to take.”

“In which case you’re saying not to use my abilities?” Harry asked though he and Rodney had already known that was what they’d agree. The risks were just too great. She nodded and Harry glanced at John who nodded to show he agreed as well. “I would still like to ask permission to begin building up a storm two days before the attack is due. I can keep it at bay easily enough and just move air around and start to form a low pressure dip. That way if it comes to it I can create a storm quickly with the least energy from myself and be able to control it better.”

“That’s not a bad idea. Even if we only use a small one it would be better to have one quickly.” John nodded to show he agreed.

“Alright.” Elizabeth nodded. “But Rodney and Carson are to monitor you at all times.”

“Fun.” Harry chuckled.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

T-8 days

Harry sat on his balcony using the wall of the tower to lean his back on letting the cold air brush against his exposed chest and bare feet. He’d just been training with the marines and had a shower and as the night had crept in he had merely pulled on a light pair of trousers and gone out onto the balcony.

He was rather worried about Teyla. They’d recently found out that she was a very small part Wraith and while that didn’t change anyone’s concept of her it did mean they’d decided to see what she could do and had tried to access the mind of one of the Wraith in the Hive Ship. That had only ended with Teyla being taken over and only Sergeant Bates and Harry’s decision to take Wraith stunners with them had stopped the possessed Teyla from wreaking havoc in the city.

His door chimed and he shouted for whoever it was to come inside. A few seconds later John walked out onto the balcony and saw him sitting on the floor. “What are you doing?”

“Relaxing?” Harry offered.

“Mind if I join you?” John asked.

Harry eyed his uniform and radio. “Not like that you’re not.” Harry said eyeing the radio.

John looked surprised but shrugged, took off his radio and put it on the banister before he pulled off his boots and socks and finally unzipped his jacket, pulled it off and then finally pulled his t-shirt over his head and sat down at Harry’s side probably close to Harry’s own state of undress expect he was presumably wearing boxers.

Harry laughed. “I only meant the radio.”

John laughed but then shrugged. “It’s a nice night out.” He said in defence. “And it’s a nice excuse to get out of uniform.”

“John?” Harry asked eventually. “What do you think of our chances of doing this?”

“Doing what?” John asked.

“Fending off the Wraith.” Harry prompted.

“Slim to none.” John shrugged. “But I’ve had worse odds and so have you.”

“What we’re going to have to do is evacuate before they get here.” Harry sighed.

“I don’t like the idea of running.” John told him.

“If it’s a fight you’re looking for then you’ll get one eventually.” Harry pointed out.

“I don’t want a fight.” John told him. “I want a way to protect us so that we can be living out here and not just surviving. Do you understand what I mean?”

“I know perfectly what you mean.” Harry told him. “I spent my childhood just surviving and it wasn’t until I joined the Royal Air Force that I started actually living.”

“Harry?” John asked and Harry tilted his head to actually look at him. John was sitting with his knees crooked and his arms resting on the top of his knees. Harry glanced only briefly down at his chest. “I want to say this but just for a minute I want to forget about rank, forget about our duties and forget about where we are and what we have to be.”

“So basically you want to be on Earth?” Harry asked.

“And in a bar somewhere.” John laughed but nodded.

“Alright John. Whatever you say stays on this balcony.” Harry nodded back.

“I know you like me, Harry.” John started and looked over at him. “Even if she hadn’t told me I’d know that and you know I like you.”

“But saying that doesn’t change anything.” Harry pointed out.

“But do you like me?” John asked. “If you do then you can say it now knowing that it doesn’t change anything.”

“Admitting to something like that is exactly what changes things, John.” Harry sighed.

“Maybe that’s what we need to do.” John offered but didn’t say anything else.

Harry bit his lip. “Alright John, we’ll do this your way. I like you, alright?” John smiled at him but Harry wasn’t smiling back as easily. “What exactly does that change, John?”

“I don’t know.” John sighed.

“It’s all very good admitting that when we’re sitting here pretending we don’t have our duties, our ranks and aren’t in a fight for our lives.” Harry sighed.

“For starters, for me at least, our ranks wouldn’t stop me.” John told him. “Neither would having to fight for our lives.”

“Then it’s our duty.” Harry argued. “We have to concentrate on that regardless of the cost to ourselves.”

“I know.” John sighed. “But maybe with the way we feel for each other in our minds we can have something to really fight for. Beyond fighting just to survive we can fight to have a life.”

Harry chuckled and turned to look at John. “If we ever get back to Earth and can put our duties aside...” Harry let that trail off knowing that John knew what he meant.

John nodded and turned to look at him and Harry, on the spur of the moment leaned in and extremely lightly pressed a kiss to John’s lips. He lingered for a moment so that John could respond and they shared a small kiss before Harry pulled back and took in a deep breath.

“I know.” John sighed. “What we say here stays out of our lives.”

“Because we’re not on Earth.” Harry nodded and put his head back on the wall and merely relaxed as the wind ran across them both. Nothing more was said for an hour before eventually John left to sleep.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

T-5 days

Harry watched from the side as John, Teyla and Ford came through the gate firing behind them even though it would do nothing against an incoming wormhole. The shield went up just before the gate shut down and Harry finished walking down the steps. He’d kept out of the way because he didn’t have a P-90 but he still holstered his 9mm as he got to the bottom.

“This is what I mean, Major!” Sergeant Bates almost shouted. “Taking her along is a risk.”

“What are you talking about?” Teyla complained but Harry already knew what this was about. Bates was concerned that whatever link Teyla had opened with the Wraith was giving away what she knew to their enemy. Harry had to agree that the possibility was there and he’d already spoken to the Sergeant about it and promised to give it serious thought but apart from restricting Teyla to her quarters he didn’t know what else he could do about it.

“I’m talking about you giving away information to the Wraith!” Bates argued. “I understand you’re not doing it intentionally but...”

“That’s enough, Sergeant.” John almost growled out. “It wasn’t even the Wraith. It was some sort of...” He trailed off with a look back at Ford.

“T-rex or something.” Ford told them and Harry couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

“My argument still stands, Major.” Bates recovered. “We shouldn’t allow her to move freely...”

“That’s enough, Sergeant!” John told him sharply. Bate restrained himself from glaring at the Major and left the room but not without a glance at Harry who had been waiting to the side rather than involve himself. Teyla shoved her P-90 at Ford before taking off in the same direction.

Harry sighed and moved to walk at John’s side. Ever since that night on the balcony there had been a small shift in their friendship. They’d come to an understanding that they were friends and would be more if they could but that they’d merely survive on this at the moment until they could live as more. Just as they would survive in Atlantis until they could really live here. “You know he has a point.” Harry said quietly as they entered the corridors leading to the lifts.

“Don’t you start arguing too.” John groaned.

“I’m not arguing with anyone.” Harry pointed out. “Merely pointing out what you’re already thinking. We trust Teyla but we don’t trust anybody using her eyes without her knowing.”

“If somebody is using her eyes.” John corrected.

“If...” Harry conceded before trailing off. They turned the corner just in time to see Teyla smash her elbow into Bates’ face sending him lurching backwards. John grabbed her and pulled her back and Harry took a few steps forwards, putting himself between Teyla and a furious Bates and he didn’t need to touch Bates as he made to lurch at Teyla. Harry’s presence brought the six year older man to a halt and Bates shook as he restrained himself knowing that he couldn’t get past Harry and not wanting to anger Harry by attacking a senior officer when he knew he’d already lost before he started.

“That’s enough!” John shouted, struggling to keep Teyla still. “Teyla!”

“I haven’t finished with him!” Teyla told John.

“Yes you have!” John threw her back putting himself between her and Harry and holding her at arm’s length. “I don’t care what he said!”

“Get out of here, Sergeant.” Harry hissed dangerously and Bates threw a glare over Harry’s shoulder at Teyla and backed away down the corridor. Harry turned to Teyla just in time to see John have to restrain her again. “If you’re trying to prove him wrong that isn’t the way to do it.” Harry told her with the same tone of voice.

“You don’t go around decking the Head of Security!” John told her as she finally stopped struggling. “No matter what he says.” He cut her off as she went to speak.

Teyla stormed off back down the corridor and John shook his head and turned to Harry. “Don’t.” John told him simply. Harry held up his hands in surrender.

“She’s not the only one that needs to calm down and rest a little.” Harry said simply. “Get some sleep. I’ll be out on my balcony tomorrow morning at four if you want to sit for a while.” Harry told him in invitation before turning and leaving. Since that night sitting together John had come out to sit with him a few times. They hadn’t kissed again or even touched and not even really spoken to each other. Merely sat on the balcony and relaxed before or after the hard days leading up to the attack.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

T-4 days

Harry walked into the control room knowing that John would be there soon. They’d spent the last three hours sitting in silence and then gone for a spar in the training room before going for showers before the day started. “How’s the mission to the satellite going?” Harry asked Elizabeth. Rodney had come up with a way of powering an abandoned Ancient Satellite about fifteen hours away by Jumper and had taken Lieutenant Miller and Peter Grodin with him to try to repair it before the Wraith ships past it at about six pm this evening.

“They’re set up.” Elizabeth told him. “Just a matter of finding out if it’s still working. We should know more...” She trailed off as both heard a voice in their comms sets.

“Captain Potter, we’ve got a situation in Generator One.” Sergeant Markham announced.

“Roger, Sergeant.” Harry said bluntly. “I’m on my way.”

“Med team too, Sir.” Markham elaborated. Harry glanced at Elizabeth who nodded to show she’d get a message to Carson. Harry broke into a run as soon as he was out of the control room and within twenty seconds he was down the stairs to the Generator room that powered the Stargate controls and primary systems. There were already three Marines in the room. Markham and Corporal Howitz. Markham was checking over the third Marine who was laid out unconscious. Sergeant Bates.

Harry quickly got to his knees. “He’s been beaten pretty bad, Sir.” Markham informed him. “Breathing is light.”

Harry didn’t have time to do much before two med-techs ran into the room and took in the scene. Harry stood to clear the way as his mind scanned through everything that he could see in the room looking for anything that could do such damage but it was too obvious that he’d been beaten up by another person. In the end he had only one thing he could do and that was make sure that he knew exactly where Teyla was.

“Sergeant Markham.” Harry turned to him. “Take the Corporal and ensure the whereabouts of Teyla.”

“You want us to arrest her?” Markham sounded shocked.

“No, Sergeant.” Harry told him. “Just find out where she is and make sure you keep knowing where she is.”

“Yes, Sir.” Markham nodded before running from the room at a quick jog with the Corporal behind him just as Carson entered along with a stretcher team. Harry stood to the side as the team checked the Sergeant over and finally lifted him onto the stretcher.

“Give me a call once you’ve got him sorted out.” Harry told Carson as they left the room and Harry went over the room searching for anything out of place. In the worst case scenario Teyla had been taken over by a Wraith and had been planting a bomb in the room and Bates had stumbled across her. Markham and Howitz would have instantly reported to him if they’d seen anything or heard anything. They’d probably merely looked into the room and found Bates like that.

John arrived five minutes later to find Harry leaning against the wall thinking. “What happened?” John asked him.

“Not sure yet.” Harry grumbled. “Markham and Howitz found Bates unconscious. Severe beating by the looks of it.”

“Is he alright?” John asked.

“I’m going to head up to the infirmary in a second.” Harry told him as he pushed himself off of the wall. “There’s nothing else in here.”

“What do you think likely then?” John asked.

“The only explanation so far that is logical is that Teyla was overcome by a Wraith again and was in here trying to sabotage the generator when Bates found her and she attacked him.” Harry told John and ignored the hard look on John’s face. “Don’t look at me like that John, you know it’s a possibility.”

“What about alternatives?” John asked.

“Somebody in the expedition attacked Bates for no other reason than they didn’t like him.” Harry offered. “Which again makes Teyla the main subject since she is the only one to have a reason to not like him and on top of that she did attack him in the hallway yesterday.”

“I don’t like where this is going.” John told him.

“Either way I’ve got Markham and Howitz ensuring her whereabouts at the moment.” Harry informed his senior officer as they started down the corridor heading for the infirmary.

“Captain Potter, this is Sergeant Markham.” Their radios came to life. “We’re in station.”

Harry was grateful for a moment that Markham had the sense not to declare over the net that they were basically placing Teyla under house arrest. “Any trouble?” Harry asked.

“Nothing, Sir.” Markham informed him.

“Remain on post, Sergeant.” Harry told him. “Potter out.”

They arrived in the infirmary and waited near the wall as Carson and his team finished doing everything they could for Bates. Ford and Elizabeth eventually joined them and Harry caught them up with everything that had happened.

“Anything on the body to show what happened?” John asked Carson after the doctor had called them over and told them that Bates would be alright in a few days time if not a little sore.

“I’ve got a team of forensics looking over his body and clothes for any clue. I’ll let you know as soon as I have anything.” Carson promised.

“Why don’t we go get Teyla’s side of the story?” John suggested to Ford and Harry nodded to show that he agreed.

“I’ll return up to the control room.” Harry told him. “I want to keep an eye on Rodney if I can.” John nodded but neither said that the other reason was because Teyla knew that Harry was in agreement with Bates’ suspicion and they didn’t want Teyla getting angry when she found out that her guards were on Harry’s orders.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Two hours later

Harry quickly jogged down the hallway with Ford, Teyla and two Marines behind him. He was carrying a stun weapon as was Ford but they all had P-90s. After talking to Teyla John had been less convinced over Harry’s options and Carson’s team had found traces of Wraith DNA on Bates’ body and they’d used the bio-sensors that Rodney had found when the Ascended Ancient had been here before to track the Wraith in real time. Now they were closing him in and John’s team was on the other side waiting for Harry’s team to close the trap and attack from both directions.

“We’re in position.” John reported to him.

“We’re a few minutes away.” Harry declared. In order to get clear around they’d had to go by a really long route.

“Just let me know...” John trailed off but the mic. remained open and a few seconds later they heard an explosion and the distinct sounds of a Wraith stunner. Harry shot forwards into a sprint and the others followed even as he counted the stunner shots. Four which meant that all four of John’s team were probably down. The definite lack of return firer suggested that to be true.

It took them another minute at full speed to reach the room and Harry pulled up the stunner and fired two shots into the back of the Wraith even as the creature made to feed from John. He gritted his teeth as the Wraith slumped to the ground and Ford and one of the other Marines rolled him onto his back and began to restrain him while the other Marine checked on the other three unconscious men. Harry and Teyla crouched at a delirious John’s side and Harry checked his breathing even as he slipped into unconsciousness.

“Carson, I need four stretchers and med teams on my position now.” Harry ordered knowing that Carson had teams on standby already. They’d be here in a few minutes. “Doctor Weir. The Wraith is in our custody.”

“What happened?” Elizabeth asked.

“The Wraith got the jump on Major Sheppard’s team before my team were in position.” Harry told her before looking over at the Wraith and the radio in his hand. “He’s been monitoring our comms.”

“Report to me when Carson has John’s team secured.” She told him.

Harry turned to Ford and Teyla. “Take the other two with you and put the Wraith in the holding cell before he wakes up.” Harry ordered. “I’ll watch these guys until Carson gets here.”

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

That evening

Harry didn’t show any sign that he was saddened by the death of Peter Grodin. He didn’t ever react like that to deaths when he was being looked to as an authority figure but he always felt for the loss and normally turned that anger against his enemy. A prime example was when the Genii had stormed Atlantis and killed two of their Marines. John and Harry had shown their true colours then by turning that anger into utter ruthlessness towards their enemies. Suddenly the two normal men had become Black Ops specialists who saw no reason for taking prisoners.

Now Rodney, Lieutenant Miller and Peter Grodin had succeeded in destroying one of the three Hive ships heading for them and delayed their progress but at the cost of Peter Grodin who hadn’t been able to escape from the satellite after they’d rerouted power to get the weapon running again. For everyone else in the room it was a sad day but to Harry these particular Wraith had just fired the first shot against them. Atlantis might have fired the better shot but to those in the control room this particular battle was now real. These Wraith had just killed one of them and that wouldn’t be forgotten once their ships arrived.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

T-1 day

Harry wasn’t surprised when a few days later the decision was made by the expeditions leaders to evacuate to the new Alpha site. And by the time day began to break Harry was standing in the control room as the next group was getting ready to go through the gate with some more of their supplies. He glanced out of the window as John and Elizabeth walked out of her office to look up at the sky outside. He’d been building a very low pressure cell over Atlantis and while it was not that strong it was quite small, only just larger than the centre of the city. It meant that there was a strong wind flowing through the city’s structures in a circle but if he needed to he could stretch that low pressure to cover the entire city and thus decrease the pressure even further as it expanded.

He guessed that within two minutes he could turn the weather outside, which was already miserable with rain, thunder and wind under black clouds, into a torrential hurricane. It would be like a wall springing up around them and he was confident that it would disorientate any Darts that attacked the city ahead of them evacuating.

“That’s the next team ready to go.” Chuck reported to Harry who looked up at Elizabeth and received a nod in permission.

“Dial the Alpha site.” Harry ordered and almost instantly Chuck began dialling the seven symbols required and the Gate began to light up. The sound of the Gate changed slightly and Harry slung up his P-90 and moved up to the balcony as he recognised the sound even as Chuck reported an incoming wormhole. The men below cleared the way, the scientists getting to cover even as their escort and the room’s sentries levelled their weapons at the wormhole that quickly formed before the white shield snapped into place.

“I’ve got a signal coming through.” Chuck announced before his tone changed into a confused one. “It’s Stargate Command.”

Harry didn’t look back even as Elizabeth ordered the shield down. Harry touched his mic to activate it. “All units, IDC is SGC.” He didn’t tell them to stand down but they’d be more cautious over whether to react or not.

The first few people walked out of the event horizon and Harry relaxed as three Marines walked into Atlantis. His own men straightened up with smiles at the sight of their comrades and Harry lowered his own P-90 even as more and more came through along with remote trucks covered in equipment and supplies. “All available personnel report to Stargate Control to aid in supplying.” Harry ordered over both bands of communication. They were bringing a lot of equipment through and he wanted it moved away from the Gate if they were going to continue the evacuation.

A few of the incoming Marines looked up at his radio message including one with Colonel tabs. Harry turned and walked back through the control room and down the stairs in time to hear the Colonel introduce himself as Colonel Everett and relinquish Elizabeth from her command.

“Now I assume you have already armed the self-destruct.” Everett commented as his troops starting filling the room and their own Marines began mixing with them and helping with their equipment. “I’m going to need you to deactivate it for me. And Major Sheppard, I’m going to need you to contact the Alpha site and order all of your men to return immediately along with any of the civilians that wish to fight.”

The Colonel and a Captain slightly older than Harry continued up the steps with Elizabeth and John on their trail talking and just as they reached the top the Colonel turned to Harry. “Captain Potter, get my men’s gear sorted and stowed temporarily.”

Harry didn’t move and the man turned away and Harry turned to the Marines filling the room. They were still coming through with equipment even though the Gate had been running for ten minutes already.

Harry looked over the equipment before turning to Sergeant Markham who straightened up to show he was listening. “Use the store rooms just across from the lifts, clear out anything already in there.” Harry ordered before turning to a Marine approaching him. A Lieutenant. “Where are your priority action gear?” Harry asked.

The lieutenant snapped to attention, something that none of his own men did when just asked a question. “Sorted into the boxes marked action, Sir.” The man told him.

“Get your men to help the expedition’s Marines move all of this.” Harry ordered him. “You’re primary action equipment last.”

“Yes Sir!” The lieutenant nodded and turned to begin shouting orders to the Marines in the room. Harry stayed with them for almost fifteen minutes before his senses told him he needed to attend to his brewing storm, especially as it looked like they were planning to stay and fight.

“I’m on comms, lieutenant.” Harry ordered before starting up the steps and out onto the balcony off of the control room. Harry closed his eyes even as the wind snapped around the tower and brushed his hair almost violently. He’d been watching a low pressure cell that was approaching from the east for the last few days and because of the low pressure he was building the wind was really starting to form up between the two and a high pressure bar was forming which was where the thunder storm was coming into existence. The presence of the natural storm system meant that Harry’s own one could be made stronger by merging them but that also meant a higher risk for Harry so he’d kept it to himself. The problem at the moment was that not only was the planet’s rotation trying to push his system west but so was the high pressure bar forming between the two. It was like a spring board and to counter it Harry was having to form another high pressure bar to the west like a cushion which again would increase the size of the storm when it all snapped into place.

“Captain Potter?” A voice made him turn around though he made sure his eyes had returned to normal before he did. A Sergeant from Everett’s group was standing in the doorway. “Colonel Everett wants to see you in the briefing room.”

Harry nodded and walked past the Sergeant who was looking at him strangely though Harry didn’t bother to find out why. John and Elizabeth were in the briefing room as well as Everett and his Captain. Harry snapped to attention and smartly saluted the Colonel even as the door shut behind him and the Sergeant.

“Captain Potter. I believe we’ve met before.” Colonel Everett nodded to him.

“Not officially, Sir.” Harry replied with a glance at John and Elizabeth. “And I only saw you through a sniper scope.”

“Captain Potter’s own orders have once brought him into the same region of engagement as my own troops.” Everett told Elizabeth.

“I was hunting Rebels in Afghanistan.” Harry grunted. “They happened to decide to hit a small Marine operation.”

“Quite.” The Colonel nodded. “This is my Captain. Jake Forks.” Harry nodded to the Captain who nodded at him in respect.

“You wanted to see me, Sir?” Harry prompted.

“Yes.” Everett nodded. “As you might have realised we’re planning to stay and fight and we’ll do that with every weapon in our arsenal. That includes you.”

“Yes, Sir.” Harry nodded, letting the man tell him if he had clearance or not.

“Every man that just stepped through the Gate with me has full disclosure to your ability, Captain, and are well aware to follow your orders as if from their own Captain.” Everett told him. “What I want you to do is give me the biggest storm you can produce without destroying us in the process. The storm outside is impressive but it’s not going to do much damage to Wraith ships. It may be good for distraction but I’m aware you can produce far more when necessary.”

“The storm you see outside, Sir, is merely a side effect from the storm that I’m building up.” Harry told him without emotion. “Have you been made aware of the limitations?”

“Perfectly.” Everett told him. “Colonel Carter was kind enough to take me through it from the information Doctor McKay sent back in your communications.”

“How far are you ordering me to take this?” Harry asked for clarification.

“Not enough to destroy the city.” The Colonel told him. “But as far as possible.”

“You mean even if it risks his life?” Elizabeth stood up.

“Doctor Weir.” Harry spoke as the Colonel made to turn to her. “It’s fine.”

“Excellent.” Everett nodded. “Now, about my men out in the city. They’ll need to move about to set up equipment.”

“Restraining the storm at this stage could severely diminish my ability to build it up.” Harry told him bluntly. “I’d rather not lose that edge. The city is protected at the moment and your men can move about in the open freely. At three o’clock this afternoon however, none of your men can be out in the open. Near to buildings will be fine even once the storm is in full affect but nobody any further than six metres from the buildings.”

“Good.” Everett nodded. “During the attack where will you be?”

“I need to be out in the open air or I could make a mistake and change the atmosphere in the confined areas of the city.” Harry told him. “There’s a position on the roof of the building with the Control Chair which is good, it’s protected on two sides so it’ll give me cover.”

“What about if Wraith start getting into the city?” John asked. “How much will you have to concentrate of the storm?”

“Not all that much once it’s in swing but if I have to alter it or strengthen or weaken it I’ll need all my attention and if I’m distracted the storm could spiral out and do some serious damage.” Harry told them.

“I’ve got four men slated to protect your position.” Everett told him. “I’ll add another two with you outside to protect you from aircraft. Anything else you need to add?”

“No, Sir.” Harry told him. “I understand what you want from me.”

“Good.” Everett nodded. “The Sergeant here is in charge of your protection detail. Go with him and set it up to your liking. With any luck the Wraith won’t even reach the city but I don’t want any weapon to go unused if they do.”

Harry nodded and turned on his heel and let the doors open for him to leave. The Sergeant followed him out. John quickly followed him as he reached the top of the stairs leading down to the Stargate. “Sergeant?” Harry asked.

“Sergeant Davies, Sir.” The man told him.

“Find your men and their equipment and meet me by the transport downstairs. One of my Marines will show you the way.” Harry told him. The Sergeant saluted both him and John before heading off.

“I’d forgotten how cold you can come across.” John told him as Harry turned to look at him but didn’t comment. “Do you really understand what the Colonel is asking you?”

“He wants me to risk sacrificing myself if it gives them even a slightly better chance against the Wraith.” Harry told him knowing that he was right. “I’m guessing you, Elizabeth and he argued over it for quite a while but as soon as I knew we were going to fight I made my decision. I don’t plan on just losing my life to control this storm but I will use every ounce of strength I have to turn it into an effective fighting shield for the city.”

“But I don’t want you to kill yourself to do it.” John told him.

“As it is I’m having to create a hurricane with an eye the size of New York City and only luck has given me a natural low pressure cell to incorporate into it to make it stronger but even as it gets stronger I run the risk of it going over. You know I need to push at the upper sustainable storm to make an effective storm. I can’t risk a self sustaining storm so I’m going to have to put a lot of energy into keeping it in check.” Harry sighed.

“Just be careful.” John told him. “Just help us hold out until the Daedalus arrives.”

“I’ll do what I can.” Harry nodded before heading off to find the men that were supposed to be protecting him.

He spent two hours on the top of one of the northern towers setting up a defensive system on the roof to give his protectors a shield against the weather as well as protection against attack. They set up two fifty-calibre machine guns as well as a stock of homing rockets and enough ammunition for their heavy machine guns to last a few days.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

T-0

As night approached over the city the tension began to rise. Harry’s built up storm was beginning to become less obvious in the darkness even though the lightning on the east side broke the darkness up. It was now taking a lot of Harry’s attention to keep it at bay and the storm system was encroaching on the top edge of Harry’s non-sustainable range, the lowest one. Soon it would be large enough that Harry could sit back and merely guide it but then it would take on a solid mass that they could use against the Wraith. Harry was eating some hot food brought to the top level of his building so that Harry and the six man team could recover their strength. They were taking shelter from the winds outside that were beginning to howl.

“Captain?” The Sergeant asked him.

“What is it?” Harry prompted.

“Isn’t this wind going to cause us problems?” He asked. “I mean, we can fight in wind but the rockets won’t be easy to aim.”

“This isn’t the storm you’ll be fighting in.” Harry told him as he finished his food and dumped the packaging in a waste bag. “You’ll see it form when this starts. It’ll be like a hurricane.”

“Isn’t that dangerous?” Sergeant Davies asked.

“I can keep it in place as long as I’m around to do it.” Harry told him.

“So if you get taken out it’ll do what?” Davies asked. “Fade away?”

“Quite quickly probably.” Harry nodded. “But it’ll shift and the city will end up in the middle of a hurricane.”

“Gotcha.” Davies nodded. “So we need to make sure you don’t get taken out.”

“That would be nice.” Harry nodded.

“All units, this is Colonel Everett.” Their radios came to life. “We have Darts inbound. All teams prepare to defend the city.”

“That’s our cue.” Harry grunted and stood. He clipped his P-90 to his jacket and walked out onto the roof of the building and into the wind. He was able to move through it easier than the six Marines but they managed well enough. The roof had a ridge running across the middle of it and using that they’d built a perimeter between themselves and the only way onto the roof and two of the Marines took position on the 50-calibres while another took the spot between them with his P-90 in hand and the ammunition around him ready to reload the bigger weapons. Two more took up rocket launchers ready for use and the Sergeant stood ready with Harry with his P-90 to run the small outpost.

“Colonel, this is Captain Potter.” Harry reported in. “We’re closed up.”

“Darts inbound, eta is twenty seconds.” The voice was that of Captain Forks.

“All units, the wall is going up.” Harry announced. “It’s going to get real calm in the city but watch your ears, the pressure is going to plummet.”

“Do it, Captain.” This time it was the Colonel.

Harry closed his eyes and when he opened them again his eyes were black as far as Davies was concerned and he flinched as Harry looked at him before turning and looking at the sky and focusing on spreading his smaller low pressure cell out over the whole city which only caused it to plummet and then with a snap of his ability the outer edge slammed shut to incoming air and almost instantly the air thinned and stilled. Their ears popped and silence filled the city. It was a little too dark to see it but as four large flares sprung up from the Marines teams throughout the city they could all see a wall of air rising from around the city. The thunder clouds were caught up in it like Harry had known they would be and they spread throughout the wall of air splintering the hurricane with lightning as the clouds formed into a thick wall.

The others couldn’t see it and probably only the control room could watch the sensors display it but the hurricane began to spread rapidly across the surface of the planet and with something akin to a thud the low pressure cell in the east merged with their own and the wall of wind took on a new fierceness. Harry knew that within an hour the storm system would be spread over almost forty-five degrees of latitude and longitude.

“Incoming!” Sergeant Davies yelled to them all but Harry already knew of the approaching darts as they came through the cloud but everyone saw as they spiralled precariously through the dark wall of the hurricane. They’d already been too far into entry to adjust enough to avoid the hurricane’s walls and as Harry watched with his senses and eyes several spiralled out of control as they breached the wall of the hurricane where the winds were in excess of two hundred knots and the water drawn up from the ocean only thickened it into an almost impenetrable mass.

Some of the Darts ditched into the water and others came out of the wall of the hurricane trailing smoke from lightning strikes and a few collided with each other in the unpredictable currents and even upon entry into the eye where they were taken by surprise and over corrected and hit each other.

Instantly the rail gun positions opened fire on the distressed Darts as they regained control and turned for the city but a lot of the Darts had been turned in the direction of the hurricane and came out side on to the city and were thus easier to hit with the rail guns. The Marines around Harry opened fire as soon as any of the Darts came into range of the 50-calibres and one of them fired a rocket into an incoming Dart which exploded soon after washing them over with hot air. The noise of a war quickly overcame the city, the noise of the rail guns overridden by the screams of the Darts and that only overcome by the clamour of the two machine guns with Harry’s team.

Harry lost the blackness to his eyes as his ability told him that there was nothing else coming through the hurricane and he crouched down to the ground even as the hurricane backed down to a more natural power but he gave enough thought and power into it to keep it in place. He wouldn’t be able to quickly settle it out now and would keep it running until this was over, whenever that was going to be. Harry watched the battle as the last few Darts were destroyed by Drones fired by John and another stillness settled over the city almost fifteen minutes after Harry had first created the hurricane out of the storm around the city.

He helped his team reload the weapons with fresh magazines and almost five minutes later he heard something addressed to himself over the radio chatter. “Captain Potter, how goes it?” It was Captain Forks.

“I’ve pulled the hurricane back a little to conserve my strength.” Harry told the other officer. “I can hold it as it is.”

“For how long?” Forks asked.

“As long as necessary.” Harry told him. “A few days like it is now but it’s sustainable, mid region, so it’ll sit like this but will slowly grow in power as long as I restrain it like I am.”

“Roger, Captain.” Forks told him. “The Hive ships aren’t doing anything at the moment. We’ve got Wraith in the city but your building is clear at the moment. Use a life signs detector and confront anyone approaching.”

“Roger.” Harry replied simply before pulling out the detector. There were four people below them in the control chair room as well as the seven of them. Harry turned to the Sergeant. “Take a team down to the choke point. Make sure one of them can use this.”

“Captain.” Davies nodded and took the life signs detector.

“The rest of you get some sleep while we can. This’ll kick off again soon.” Harry ordered before focusing on the storm to settle it in place for an hour or two so he could get some sleep himself. He knew that the next time wouldn’t be so easy. Not by a long way.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

As dawn approached Harry was awake since the change in the air’s temperature caused trouble with maintaining the hurricane and he was sitting with two of the Marines while the others slept under blankets far from the door so they weren’t at risk. The life signs detector showed somebody was coming up the stairs but John had already radioed ahead. Harry still had his P-90 pointed in the direction of the door just in case but he wasn’t about to leap into action.

John smiled as he walked out onto the roof and Harry stood up to walk over to him so they could talk without waking the other Marines. “How are things going?” Harry asked.

“Honestly I’m missing your presence.” John laughed. “I didn’t realise how much the Marines looked to you for leadership and now that you’re out here our own Marines are the only ones that listen to me.”

“They’re used to their chain of command with Colonel Everett at the top and their own Captain in place. You’ve just kind of slotted into the middle and they’re adjusting to that.” Harry told him. “It was different for our own Marines, they needed a new leader and you and I filled that slot for them so it was easier to accept it.”

“How do you know so much about the way the Marines think?” John asked with a grin.

“Not just Marines.” John corrected. “I’m just good at knowing how people think in extreme circumstances.”

“I’ve noticed.” John sighed before going quiet for a minute. Harry used the time to make a small adjustment to the storm around them and John, seeing his eyes had gone black, didn’t say anything until Harry looked at him with his normal eyes again. “Did you hear that we’re trying to control the Jumper remotely from the Chair?” Harry shook his head. “Elizabeth is going to the Genii home world in half an hour to try to talk them into giving us a couple of their prototype atom bombs. Hopefully we can remotely drive the Jumpers straight into the Hive ships and detonate the bombs.”

“It’s a good idea.” Harry nodded. “Any idea how long we’ve got?”

“Not really.” John shook his head. “Everything in me suggests that they’ll attack before night tonight and this will be the final battle one way or another.”

“Any regrets?” Harry asked him.

John paused for a moment before looking straight at Harry. “I don’t know.” Harry raised an eyebrow at him but John shrugged. “What about you?”

“Hmm...” Harry thought for a moment. “Two things really. That I didn’t get to see my best friend get married.”

“And the other?” John pressed.

“That I’m never going to meet my goddaughter.” Harry told him quietly and grinned in amusement as John almost choked.

“You have a goddaughter?” John asked and Harry actually laughed.

“I’ve never met her. I got a letter from some old acquaintances that told me but I never really had the time to ponder it because just after I read the letter we were scrambled from the Nimitz.” Harry told John. “Just before the task group was destroyed.”

John gazed at him for a long moment. “When am I going to stop learning things about you?”

Harry laughed again but then their radios came to life and somebody from the control room was requesting John’s presence. “I’ll talk to you later.” Harry told him. John nodded and sent him a look that was as close as telling Harry to be safe. Harry nodded in way of saying the same back and John headed off for the nearest transporter.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

As the sun vanished behind the western wall of the hurricane they got the warning that the Hive ships were closing in again and the city came back to life and Harry began building up the storm again. It took him only fifteen minutes before his storm was as high as he could sustain for a long time. He’d strengthen it as far as he could when they were attacked but then he’d need every bit of his attention.

“Darts inbound, thirty seconds!” Somebody in the control announced to everyone and Harry looked over all of his team.

“This is the one, guys.” Harry told them all.

“Don’t worry, Sir.” One of them told him. “We’ll protect you.”

Harry sent him an amused grin. “Just you keep an eye on the detector in case somebody comes up those stairs.”

“Roger, Captain.” The Marine, probably only twenty, told him with a grin. Harry nodded at him more seriously and realised the young Marine was looking up to him.

The Darts came in higher this time, skimming the top of the wall before plummeting down at the city but Harry was ready for that an in an instant the low pressure cell hit it’s critical mark and began sucking air from the upper atmosphere. The cold air didn’t affect the Darts directly but the strong winds that came down hit a layer of warmer air filled with moisture and clouds formed across the top of the city and sheet lightning began to strike across the clouds, hitting Darts caught in the storm. Harry had basically put a lid over the hurricane and the Darts had yet again been taken by surprise.

A few Darts were knocked off of course and hit the hurricane walls while others exploded as they were struck by lightning and the wrecks hurtled down into the city or into the water. Harry built at the storm even as his team and hundreds of other Marines across the city began firing up into the sky and soon around them as well.

It was almost ten minutes later when Harry knew that something was wrong. The Jumper on remote control should have been in the air already and Harry had been waiting for it so he could create a window. He pulled himself out of his controlling of the storm and used his radio. “Elizabeth, where’s that Jumper?” Harry asked.

“We had a problem with the remote control.” Elizabeth told him with a sad tone. “But it’s going soon.”

Harry frowned at her tone before he realised what was happening even as a Jumper launched from the central tower. John had gone from the Control Chair to the Jumper Bay and was taking one of the Jumpers up himself on a suicide mission. He was torn into arguing but he took from the part of him that was purely black ops, the part that had allowed him to survive and he formed that part around him. They were here to win this fight and John knew what a sacrifice meant just like he did. He punched a hole through the thunder clouds with a burst of high pressure air and John took the opening and was through it before it could fade back into the storm clouds.

That was Harry’s signature that he knew what John was doing and he knew that John would know Harry respected his decision. “Captain Potter!” Colonel Everett’s voice called. “We need more of that storm. There’s too many Darts getting through the screen!”

Harry winced and turned to Sergeant Davies and nodded before he looked up at the sky and instantly delved into his ability and threw the storm as high as he could, right up onto the border between sustainable and self-sustaining. The air grew cold enough to cloud their breaths and the hurricane turned so dark it was impossible to see anything in it.

Harry frowned as the storm surged and reached into the self-sustaining region and lightning struck out from the wall and slammed into a building on the other side of the city. He reigned it back into the middle range but he knew he was beginning to strain but he had to give everything he had into this to save the lives of everyone in the city. Gunshots distracted him and he snapped his head around to see two Wraith die in the doorway. A fight broke out as more Wraith flooded onto the roof and the two 50-calibres opened fire at them. A stunner hit one of the aimers but the young Marine was quick to take up the gun. Harry dodged behind a crate but couldn’t fire when he had to drawn his attention back to the storm as it again pushed itself into the self-sustaining region.

Harry reigned it back again but it was taking all of his energy and concentration and he knew he couldn’t do it for too long. He had to seriously check the power of the storm. “Colonel Everett!” Harry snapped into his radio. “We’re being overrun by Wraith up here and the storms taking a life of its own!”

“Captain Potter, we’ve lost contact with the Colonel and Captain Forks.” One of the Marines replied from across the city.

“Harry, can you keep the storm going a little longer?” Elizabeth’s voice asked him.

“Not if I get shot up.” Harry told her. “I can keep the storm going for now.”

“Only as long as you can.” Elizabeth told him. “That storm is the only thing keeping us from being overwhelmed.”

That was it for Harry, he had to keep the storm working because if it failed now they’d be overrun. It was up to him to risk his life to make what John had done worth it. As if to annunciate his thoughts a bright burst of light lit up the sky through the clouds and Harry winced regretfully.

“Sergeant, keep them at bay!” Harry ordered before crouching and focusing everything he had into keeping hold of the storm but even as he did it shifted again and flew up into the self-sustainable field and it took him almost a minute to reign it back under control and he was in pain as he knew the electro-neuro chemicals in his brain spike. The storm escaped his grasp again and the wall to the east of the city flexed inwards. Everybody in the city not distracted by the Wraith could see that the storm was growing out of his control.

“Harry? Can you keep control of it?” Elizabeth asked him.

“Yes!” Harry hissed though his voice was in pain. “I’ll kill it at the last moment but we need it as long as possible.”

“Harry, that’s going to kill you!” Elizabeth knew what was happening. Harry knew exactly how much it would take to disband the storm and he could do it now except they needed it to protect the city from the Darts.

Another bright flash in the sky announced the destruction of the last Hive. “Elizabeth, what’s happening?”

“The Daedalus has arrived.” Elizabeth told him. “They have Major Sheppard on board and the Cruisers have retreated. We’ve got the last Darts inbound on the city.”

“Captain Potter.” It was Rodney. “The shield’s about to go up. I don’t know what that’s going to do to you.”

“Rodney, shut up and get the shield up.” Harry ordered before focusing on the storm even as it lurched again high into the self-sustaining region and Harry tried to shut it down knowing that this was his last opportunity to do it before he ran out of energy and it killed him but he had to put enough in to bring it down enough so it disbanded on its own because he knew he’d be unconscious or worse. The shield, when it went up, would protect them as the dying storm moved on but Harry had to hold it at bay until then.

Harry cried out as pain lanced through his head and he knew he was losing the ability to remain conscious. Arms grabbed him and stopped him from hitting the ground but Harry was focused purely on the storm. He was still bringing the storm into check when the shield sprung up and he knew he’d done enough to save the city but he also knew as he lost consciousness that he’d done just that little too much to save his own life.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

A few minutes before

John beamed into the middle of the city as soon as the Darts had struck the shield. He had a number of Marines with him that he sent off. The storm raged against the shield but the city was still. He ran up the steps as fast as he could to see Elizabeth looking stressed. “John!” She called and surprised him by hugging him in relief.

“The storm, are we safe?” He asked.

“The shield’s protecting us from it but it’s dying away.” She told him. “Harry was able to keep it up until the last moment to protect us but...”

“But...?” He asked.

“John, he knew the risks involved in holding the storm that long when it was breaching into the self-sustaining field.” She sighed.

“Is he alive?” John asked suddenly fearing the worst.

“Carson’s on his way but there are so many Wraith in the city.” Elizabeth told him. “Sergeant Davies said that he gave his last moment to making sure the storm didn’t destroy the city and then as soon as the shield was up he just blacked out and fell limp.”

“I’m heading over there.” John announced.

“It won’t do any good, John.” Elizabeth told him. “I need you here right now. Once Carson’s team gets him to the infirmary you can go find out how he is but right now we need to focus on the city.”

“But...” John started.

“You were willing to make a sacrifice for the wellbeing of the city and so was Harry.” Elizabeth told him. “I’m worried about him just as much as you are but if we let the Wraith destroy the city from the inside we’re not doing Harry any favours.”

John sighed but relented. “I want to know the instant he’s in the infirmary.”

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

A hour later

John had just finished talking to Colonel Everett who had been drained almost completely by a Wraith during the attack. Captain Forks had been injured but he’d survive and as much as it pained John the Captain would take the place of the second in command if Harry wasn’t able to recover.

He walked across the infirmary to where Harry was lying attached to about ten different machines. Carson was fretting over what seemed to be an inch thick sheath of readouts and Rodney, Teyla and Elizabeth were all standing around him. Harry looked peaceful enough except for the oxygen tube into this mouth to aid his strained breathing. He was connected to a heart rate monitor and an EKG readout of his brain waves. His temperature was being monitored, the amount of oxygen he took in and another machine showed extremely high levels of electro-neural chemicals in his body.

“As I understand it.” Rodney started as he saw John arrive. “He had to push the storm as high as possible to protect the city and it started becoming too much to control. He should have been able to kill it right when he realised that but instead he kept it verging on the brink to give us the protection we needed and instead of bringing it back when he wasn’t at risk he went far out of the envelope.”

“Will he recover?” Elizabeth asked Carson.

“He’s in a coma caused by the electro-chemicals that are released into his body when he taps into his abilities.” Carson sighed. “Those levels are very slowly decreasing but with that amount in his brain I can’t say whether it will do permanent damage or not.”

“So you’re saying he might never wake up?” John asked.

“I’m saying he might not even survive the next few hours.” Carson said sadly.

“We’re sending a dozen of our worst cases back to Earth through the Gate.” Elizabeth reminded him. “Is it worth sending him back as well.”

“I’d have to insist on it.” Carson told him. “Not only because they have more time to spare on trying to find a way to help him but because there’s a storm right outside the city and I don’t know how that’s affecting this. He was linked to it when he went unconscious and it could still be draining him for all we know.”

John stared at Harry’s face for a moment and finally he had an answer to Harry’s question from before the final attack. What did he regret? That was an easy one now, he regretted letting it matter that they weren’t on Earth. No duty was more important to him right now. He cared about Harry more than he’d admitted in the half conversations that he kept having with Harry on his balcony and he didn’t think he wanted to picture an Atlantis without Harry there to help him survive.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Earth – Three days later

Joshua Conway drove up his drive a few hours earlier than he normally did. He’d been allowed to clock off early so he could arrive home just after his new wife did. They’d been married now for just over a month and it had been a beautiful wedding and he knew that the only thing that had marred it for his wife was that her best friend hadn’t been within contact for the day. She didn’t really let on that his lack of presence over the last few months bothered her but that was the way she was but he remembered how upset she’d been when Harry had been called back to base just half a day after arriving especially when he’d just been accidentally shot down.

Every evening without fail Jessica went online, searching several websites for anything she could glean. She went from the USAF website and even the RAF one all the way down to a few conspiracy sites just in case something came up on them about him. Only a week ago they gotten a message dated a week prior. It had been a snap shot of a video tape sent to them courtesy of the United States Air Force and Jessica had cried her way through the entire thing and watched it more times than Josh could guess. Josh had convinced her that it was a routine message sent because they had contact for a brief time but he himself had heard the tone that the Military Captain had used and recognised the message for what it was. A message sent as possibly the last one.

And just two hours ago he’d been sitting in his office at the Colorado Springs Police Headquarters when they’d received a telegram from the military. They received any number of them when urgent orders had to reach military personnel and the police were needed to deliver them securely. This could have been orders except the desk recognised the name as belonging to Josh’s wife and had brought it to him. Josh had checked the details of the message off to make sure before stewing over it for an hour. He’d seen hundreds of orders sent like this but to next-of-kin there were only a few things this could be and he’d gone to his Captain and requested the afternoon off so he could speak to his wife.

Thus he opened his front door and walked inside. “Jessy?” Josh called out.

“Kitchen!” She yelled back. He pulled off his jacket and hung it up by the door before heading through the small house they had bought together. It was just a small one on the suburbs of the city but it was in quick driving distance to Jessica’s school. It was a little further out from Josh’s own work but it was in a safe neighbourhood. She was going through a small pile of mail when he arrived and he was glad once again that the military didn’t send messages like this through the Postal Service or she’d have been alone to read it. “You’re home early.” She pointed out before looking up at his carefully neutral expression. “Is everything alright?” She asked as she stood up and hugged him and kissed him briefly.

“You know how the police deliver messages for military personnel on occasion?” He asked.

“Like those policemen delivered Harry’s orders.” She nodded as she spoke.

“One came in today addressed to you.” Josh told her and took her hand. “The Captain gave me permission to come home so you could open it.”

“For me?” She frowned. “You don’t think it’s a message from Harry do you?” She sounded almost hopeful and it pained him to disagree.

“Harry wouldn’t send a message like this.” Josh told her before pulling the small brown sealed message from his pocket. The letter itself was the envelope and it was little more than a print out folded in three and then sealed down with Jessica’s name and address stuck on the outside. “These aren’t personal messages.”

“You mean...” She went pale and Josh almost thought he’d have to support her. Josh nodded knowing that she’d jumped straight to the worst conclusion possible. That this was a letter informing the next-of-kin of the death of a member of the military.

“I suggest you open it right now, Jess.” Josh told her. “Before you work yourself up.”

“I’m not opening that!” Jess told him. “He might be...”

“Love, reading this isn’t going to make a difference to what has happened.” Josh told her. “Don’t you think you should find out what’s happened?”

“I can’t...” She shook her head and turned away, going to the cupboard and pulling out two mugs to make hot drinks like she did every time Josh came home from work.

“Jess, it has to be read.” Josh tried. “You’re the only family that Harry has and he deserves to have you know.”

“You open it then. I’m not touching that unless I know for sure it’s good news.” She told him primly but Josh didn’t take offence knowing that she was utterly petrified that in moments she’d discovered that her best friend had been killed in some war that nobody knew about and nobody ever would know about.

Josh sighed. “Alright but if anybody asks you opened it or I’ll lose my job.” Josh warned her before opening the seal before Jess could change her mind and bin the message all together. He scanned the contents with a glance looking for those telltale words but his eyes snapped to the term wounded in the line of duty and he sighed out in relief. Jess turned to look at him with panicked eyes and shaking limbs.

“What is it, Josh!?” She almost screamed at him.

“He’s alive.” Josh told her and saw his wife almost break. He’d known that Harry was important to her but she was so good at hiding her anxiety when he was on a mission that he’d missed how strained she’d been. Then again it was probably due to practice. By what Harry had told him when they’d met about his work his missions were never really all that safe. “It says “Captain Harry James Potter of the United States Air Force, in his classified duties for the governments of the United States of America and the United Kingdom of Great Britain, was wounded in action. Our respects go to his family and friends at this time and our best wishes to the Captain.”

Jess had tears running down her face by the time he’d finished the rather generic portion of the message and he realised right then why these messages always seemed so unemotional and almost routine. It gave strength to the family that such a thing wasn’t out of the ordinary. “There’s more.” He told her. “It’s signed General Jack O’Neil. It says “Captain Potter was wounded while putting himself in harms way to ensure the survival of the men and women under his conduct. We would like to invite you to Colorado Springs Air Force Hospital where Captain Potter is recovering.”

“Oh god.” Jessica gasped.

“There’s a number to call to arrange a visit.” Josh told her. “Do you want to go now?”

Jess barely answered him before she was running from the room to get ready to go. Josh managed a smile before picking up the phone to dial the number at the bottom of the message.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Colorado Springs Air Force Hospital

Jessy was escorted to the correct room with Josh at her side. There was a man outside the room wearing a uniform similar to Harry’s best uniform and he was a Captain too and when Jessy glanced at his flashes to find out which branch he was from all she found out was that he was a pilot rather than crew or soldier but then again Harry’s uniform never declared him as Black Ops or any other number of things he did for the Air Force.

The man stared at Jess as she approached the door before turning squarely to them when he realised they were heading for the room next to him. “You must be Joshua and Jessica Conway.” Jess nodded but glanced inside. “I was asked to meet you by General O’Neill. My name is Captain Iain Bennett.”

“You flew with Harry didn’t you?” Jessica recognised the name from Harry’s stories about his latest aircraft testing programme. That was about all she’d been allowed to know about it though.

“I was his wingman.” Iain told them. “Technically I still am.”

“A wingman?” Josh asked. “Aren’t you a little high up in rank to be just a wingman? Shouldn’t you be in charge of a flight or something?”

“Normally yes but with what we fly and what we were doing it for it’s not out of the question.” Iain explained. “Our planes are very advanced and it was their testing grounds so they wanted the best and to not be arrogant, Harry and I are the best.”

“Can we go in?” Jess asked.

Iain sighed. “I was asked just to tell you a few things before you go in.”

“What?” She asked impatiently.

“Harry wasn’t physically injured.” Iain told her. “At least not anything you can see. What actually happened is Classified as above Top Secret. All I can tell you is that he’s in a coma at the moment and has been since he was wounded. They’re hopeful that he will wake and see no reason for him to remain in a coma but they just have to wait and see at the moment.”

Jess sobbed slightly and Josh wrapped an arm around her shoulders and hugged her. “I’m sorry.” Iain told them.

“Thank you, Captain.” Josh nodded to him.

“Let’s go inside.” Iain offered and opened the door and led the way in. The room was rather plain, a blend between Hospital and Military efficiency but there were no flowers in the room nor cards. Jess opened her own card since Harry couldn’t do it and put it beside his bed even before she’d really taken Harry in. He looked to be sleeping and was connected to so many silent machines that they hadn’t bothered to put a shirt over his torso. Jessica shook but steeled herself and pulled a chair across to the side of the bed and sat beside her best friend.

“Were you flying?” Josh asked Iain. “I mean when he was injured.”

“I wasn’t on the mission with him, I’m afraid.” Iain told him. “Our flight is a four craft flight. The four prototypes to a new attack craft. Harry was the Flight Leader and I was his wingman. We had two new lieutenants with us as well. We were practicing combat manoeuvres over the Antarctic Continent when the test missile locked onto him. After that his plane was out of commission and with him available again they asked him to take part in the mission he went on. We were left to continue as a three plane flight.”

“Was he flying though?” Josh asked. “I’d imagine more injuries from a plane crash.”

“You’re right, it would be a miracle to get out of a crash without a scratch.” Iain nodded. “Harry was always just as good as Special Forces as he was a Pilot. That’s what he’s been doing for the last five months.”

“Doing what?” Josh asked.

Iain shook his head. “I’m sorry. I’d be breaking more laws than I could imagine possible if I say anything more than I already have.”

“That’s alright, Captain.” Josh nodded knowing that he’d answered a lot of the questions that Jessica would want to know and personally knew better than to ask where Harry had been stationed.

“His doctor should be in at some point in the next hour and he’ll be able to tell you a bit more about his condition and the hospital has been instructed to contact several people as soon as he’s awake, yourselves included.” Iain told them. “His commanding officer couldn’t return with him but I know he’ll want to speak to you. He should be due back in the next few days.”

“Thank you, Captain.” Josh smiled at him.

Iain offered his hand and Josh shook it firmly. “I’ll be around later. I’ve a niece in town I want to visit and I want to make the most of the weeks leave.”

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Three days later

Harry woke up in an empty room. It was dark but the light above his bed was on to give people from the corridor the ability to see him. He was in a hospital that had to be Colorado Springs. He recognised the features from his extended trip after what happened in Brazil. He raised a tired hand but even as he did he felt energy flowing back to him. It was like he was waking after being under sedatives or General Anaesthetic for an operation. He used the hand to pull the oxygen tube away from his nose and instantly the smell of lilies drew his attention to the vase on his right. Either somebody had lucked out and put those in here or more likely Jessica had been to visit.

There was a small table to the left of his bed, one of the ones on wheels that slid across the bed. He couldn’t sit up as he was now but he could see four cards standing on the top. He reached over and knocked them over before gathering them up and sliding them onto himself to read. He noted the letter that fell among them but pulled up the cards first.

He was a little surprised by how many he had and by the size of one of them, almost A4. He opened the first to find it was from Jessica and Josh and smiled before putting it back on the side, managing to make it stand up. The second was from Iain, Claire and Alex, his flight. He tried to put that up as well but only succeeded in knocking over the one from Josh and Jessica so gave up and merely placed it to the side. The next one, the larger one was a surprise. It was signed in name by what looked like the entire senior detachment of the Atlantis Expedition. Elizabeth, Rodney, Carson, Zelenka, John, Teyla and even Sergeant Markham on behalf of the Marines. He gave up reading the scientists names after the first ten and put the card to the side. The last one made him chuckle in amusement. It was from Neville, Luna and Hannah written all in Luna’s handwriting. She’d clearly sent it long before he could have been injured and that amused him more than anything else even though she’d clearly known he was going to be injured. He stared at his Goddaughter’s name for a moment before putting that card up with the other three and finally turning to the expensive envelope.

He opened it and pulled out the heavy paper from the inside that declared it as ‘From the Desk of the President of the United States’. It was rather a long winded and very formal way of writing and Harry ended up skipping through it to get the idea of what it said. Basically because his actions showed a willingness to go above and beyond the call of his duty the President of the United States was to award him the Congressional Medal of Honor. The highest award that a person could be awarded in the United States. His eyebrows rose up in surprise as he let that settle in on him before he put the letter down on top of the cards and went to reach for the nurses button figuring that it was about time they knew he was awake. He really wanted to see his best friend.

Before he could manage to press the button though his door opened and two men walked inside. Harry looked up at them and just as he was about to speak he realised that they didn’t work at the hospital and visiting was restricted quite a bit in the Military Hospital. He was about to ask who they were when one of them moved his hand under his jacket and the nurses button flew from Harry’s hand.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Two days later

Harry sat in the chair by the window in his room. He was wearing jeans and a t-shirt rather than hospital clothing since he wasn’t under any treatment or medication and was only there until his headaches cleared up. The electro-neuro chemicals had come down to a safe level and he’d be leaving the hospital soon and hopefully return to work sooner rather than later. There was nothing to stop him returning to Atlantis.

He’d been overjoyed to hear from a lieutenant from Stargate Command that Atlantis had survived the fight with the Wraith relatively unscathed. There had been casualties but he didn’t know who yet. He knew that John, Elizabeth and Carson had survived without injury since they were due to arrive to see him for the first time in a matter of minutes. Jess should be in to see him soon as well. She’d been in the room every time he’d woken up except for the first time and this morning when he’d been up early and gone for a shower and gotten changed so he could see his friends without the indignity of hospital gowns. Jess was excited to see him regardless of the situation but was still upset that he’d be returning to work sometime soon but had demanded that he stay with Josh and herself for the time being.

His door opened and he turned to take in the four people that walked inside. Jess was talking rapidly with Elizabeth about her church wedding a month ago while John and Carson were looking rather bewildered by the shorter woman. Harry smiled at them as Jess trailed off. Harry stood easily and walked towards them.

“Harry.” Elizabeth smiled and surprised him by hugging him. “It’s so good to see you up and about.” She said as she released him.

“I’m not that easy to keep down.” Harry laughed. “Just ask Carson, he’s tried.”

“We agreed not to mention that again.” Carson almost growled. “But aye, it’s good to see you.”

Harry nodded before faking a brace and a salute. “Major Sheppard.” He grinned.

“Captain Potter.” John grinned back before nodding and his face showed exactly how pleased he was to see Harry alive.

“So, Elizabeth?” Harry asked. “When can I come back to work?”

“Not until you get some leave.” Jess demanded. “I’m fed up with you not being around. You missed my wedding and you have to make up for it.”

Elizabeth laughed. “We’re scheduled to return in two weeks but we’ve got a lot of work to do before then.” She told him. “We’re going to need your help with some of that but there’s no reason it has to be full time. We’re going to take the time to visit family anyway.”

“You’re going to be busy with your flight too.” John told him. “Your plane needs working up and the other eight wings are now operational and need putting through their paces before they are released to the populace.”

“You mean I get to find out what he flies?” Jess asked excitedly.

“I’ve got enough ceremony thank you. There’s no way I’m showing up to a grand revealing.” Harry told them. “I’ve already got a visit to the Oval Office.”

John laughed but Elizabeth grinned. “Getting awarded the Medal of Honor isn’t a small thing, Harry.”

“You hush.” Harry told her. “How about we go out for a walk?” Harry offered and everyone agreed. They just talked about random things as they walked mainly about Harry and Jess’ history since they’d have to wait until she left before they could talk about their work.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

A few days later

Harry sat in the last meeting within Stargate Command. At least it was the last meeting he was due to attend before he flew out to Kodiak Island to rejoin his Flight and take command of his new squadron. The decision had been made to move three Flights of four each of the new F-304s to Atlantis, one of which would remain on Atlantis at all times while the other two moved between the city and the Daedalus when she was in the Pegasus Galaxy as her operations required. Harry would be given command of all of the F-304s operating in the Pegasus Galaxy and of the F-302s that were stationed there as well. Harry’s own Viper flight would be based with him in Atlantis and Harry was excited to have his flight with him, it was one of the things he’d really missed having out there and the heavy bombers would be useful against the Wraith.

Harry and John had spent a lot of the last few days going through the new military members going out and after John’s promotion to Lieutenant Colonel he would take official command of the military presence in the Pegasus Galaxy. Harry would focus more on the flight part of the military and they were bringing in a Marine Major, called Lorne, along with Captain Forks to help John out and also to head up a second team through the Stargate though it would be a military team for emergencies. They’d been reviewing files and forming units from either teams given to them and adding in expertise from every part of the US military whether they were navy, army or air force.

Today though they were discussing Carson’s list because he was having trouble cutting down the numbers that he wanted to bring. Harry had suggested they just bring all of those suggested but the others had suggested that the fifty on the list were a little extreme. Harry was browsing a copy of the list when a name made him gasp in surprise. “Olivia Fletcher?” Harry asked looking up at Carson.

“She’s young but I talked to her old professors, she’s the brightest student to go through medical school in their memory and I’ve looked over her work on genetic diseases.” Carson said. “She’s a must have. I wanted her on the team before but she was considered too young.”

“She’s twenty-four.” Harry told Carson. “That’s not too young.”

“You’ve read her file?” Carson asked.

“No.” Harry shook his head. “But from what I’ve heard about her from her sister I agree we need her on the team. She’s leading the way in research into curing genetic diseases. Not only could access to Atlantis bring about some major breakthroughs but having her with us with the Wraith could give us an edge.”

“So you think we should definitely take her with us?” Elizabeth asked.

“Wait, you said you’ve heard about her from her sister?” John asked.

“Jessica’s name was Fletcher until she married last month.” Harry sighed. “Have you approached Olivia yet?” Harry asked Carson who shook his head. “I’ll talk to Olivia, I’ve never met her but she knows about the work I do from her sister.”

“She’s definitely somebody I want on the team.” Carson told her. “We’ll contact her but you can go talk to her with me to offer her the job.”

“Jessica’s going to die of worry.” Harry sighed as he leaned back in his chair. “She’ll completely flip.”

“With both of you on a dangerous mission.” Elizabeth nodded. “I’m sorry, Harry.”

“I don’t think it would be anywhere near as bad if I could tell Jessica the truth.” Harry sighed. “Hey, maybe I can pull a favour with the President.”

John laughed but that suggestion broke the tension up a little bit and they continued their work but Harry’s mind was never far away from how he was going to tell Jessica that both her best friend and her only remaining member of family were going away, out of direct contact and into harms way, at the same time and to the same place. She was going to go out of her mind.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

The next day

Harry was flown by Naval Tomcat to Washington and he regretted not being allowed to fly the jet plane across the United States. He missed being in the cockpit of his own plane but this time tomorrow he’d be landing on Kodiak Island and ready to work up his Viper and start the brutal training program with the three F-304 Flights going to the Pegasus Galaxy. The Tomcat delivered him to the Air Force base where he was picked up by a car and taken to the White House and was surprised when he only had a few minutes to neaten himself up before he was escorted into the Oval Office to face President Hayes for the first time.

“Captain Potter!” The President was a man only slightly shorter than Harry but had a politician’s appearance. None of the crispness of military but well cared for in his appearance. “A pleasure to meet you.”

Harry snapped to attention and saluted crisply. “Relax, Captain.” Hayes told him. The door shut behind Harry leaving him alone with the President. Because he’d been awarded the medal for a classified mission the presentation itself was only to be witnessed by Harry and the President himself which was fine for Harry. It would still hit the papers along with his name but none of the details would be released. “Have a seat.”

“Thank you, Mr. President.” Harry nodded and took off his cap and placed it next to him as he sat on one of the sofas facing the President who had sat down quickly to allow Harry to do the same.

“Would you like something to drink?” The President asked. “Whisky perhaps?”

“As much as I would like to be able to say I have had a drink with the President I am to fly to Kodiak soon and flying and alcohol doesn’t mix, Sir.” Harry smiled. “I would however love a glass of water.”

The President nodded with a smile and went about pouring Harry and himself glasses of water. Harry took a sip before placing the glass down. “Now, I believe we’ve spoken before though in strange circumstances. You were in the air over the Nimitz Carrier Group when it was attacked I believe.” Harry nodded. “You were also the one to order them to abandon ship when you realised what was happening. I believe, as do many others, that your quick decision saved many lives that day as have more of your decisions. You have the ability to make hard decisions quickly and they have a habit of saving lives even at the risk of your own. That is why you’ve been brought here today. So that we can show you how much my administration appreciates what you do.”

“Thank you, Sir.” Harry nodded.

“This is especially so because what you do for this country doesn’t come with power, or fame.” Hayes smiled. “Tell me, Captain, why is it that you do it?”

Harry thought for a moment. “I suppose because when I was a child the Royal Air Force gave me a life. They took me from extreme conditions and helped me. When I came over to the US you did the same for me. I do this work because I am capable of it and it has to be done and I take pride not in the fame it might bring me but in how it helps others. People whose skills lead them in a different path, a path that doesn’t necessarily allow them to protect themselves or those they care about and wish to help.”

“I suppose Atlantis is a perfect example.” Hayes nodded. “The scientists working there under your eyes rely on you to protect them so they can do their work.”

“Yes, Sir. Exactly.” Harry smiled.

“Well when I heard about what you did in Atlantis I suggested we award you a medal. When the Senior Air Force Officer and my National Security Advisor agreed I asked to see your file and I’m amazed by it, Captain.” The President told him. Harry kept quiet. “I’m glad my predecessor’s administration saw who you were and accepted you into the country as they did and I spoke to the Prime Minister about you yesterday morning and he wished to send you his congratulations on your promotion.”

“Promotion, sir?” Harry frowned.

Hayes chuckled. “People are promoted for much less than what you have done for this country, Captain. Or should I say Major?” Hayes smiled and stood up and Harry followed suit and placed his cap on his head at the President’s suggestion. The President turned to a pedestal with a camera and turned it on so that the event was documented.

“Captain Potter, nobody can say that your life hasn’t been extraordinary and your perseverance through it, from your young childhood to these last few weeks speaks of your high calibre and fortitude. You possess a certain character that should be the dream of every human on Earth.” Hayes lifted a box from his desk and opened it to show the camera. “In honour of your sacrifices above and beyond the call of duty and your willingness to fight to the last breath to protect those under your charge I have the great pleasure and honour to present to you the Congressional Medal of Honor.”

Harry tilted his head so that the man could place it over his head on its ribbon. From now on whenever he wore this uniform he’d wear a small medal to show he held the medal. The President shook his hand before continuing. “Also in recognition for your unwavering efforts to better the United States of America which adopted you into her arms I promote you to the rank of Major, United States Air Force.” The President nodded to him and shut off the camera.

“I believe General O’Neill is waiting for you outside to officially promote you.” The President smiled at him.

“Thank you, Mr. President.” Harry nodded. “It means a lot to me.”

“Though something tells me not as much as it would others.” Hayes said though it was a query.

“I am grateful, Sir.” Harry assured him. “It shows that this country appreciates the work I do but I don’t do the work expecting a reward, I do it because I believe in it.”

“Ah, I see.” The President nodded. “I understand what you mean and if anything that reassures me that the future we have to look forward to will be a good one if there are more people like you out there.”

“I’m glad you understand.” Harry told him.

“So what can I do for you that will really pay you back for what you have done for a country that wasn’t even your own?” The President asked.

“I hate to ask because it seems selfish.” Harry paused but at the President’s nod he continued. “You see, Sir...”

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Kodiak Island – Early morning

“Attention on deck!” Iain snapped as Harry walked into the room and all of the standing officers snapped to attention. Iain saluted Harry who snapped off a return salute.

“Find a seat.” Harry told everyone simply as he took off his cap and put it on the podium. He’d arrived late last night and gotten some sleep before waking up to his first day as a Major of the United States Air Force. He was the only one wearing full uniform that morning along with his medals since he’d just been for a meeting with the General of the base that he knew from the last time he’d been stationed here as well as Lieutenant Colonel Carter who had always been the officer in charge of the development of the F304s. Thus he was still wearing his Military Cross with its royal ribbon, his UN Conflict medal, his Air Force Cross and finally his new Medal of Honor badge on its ribbon in replacement of the actual medal which was always hung around the neck.

Ten officers in the room took seats around the table but Harry remained standing as did Iain, his second in command. The group were all wearing US Air Force pilot jump suits with their names on the front and the flag of their country on their left shoulder just like the Atlantis team did. Ignoring Iain and himself there were three US Air Force, two US Navy, two Royal Air Force, one Royal Navy, one French Air Force and lastly one from the Russian Air Force. Obviously two of the US Air Force pilots were Claire and Alex. Harry’s flight would remain the same, the second flight, Cobra flight, led by Commander Justin Knight from the Royal Navy, would also consist of the two US Navy pilots and the Russian pilot and lastly the third flight, Adder flight, would be led by the final US Air Force man, a Captain that Harry didn’t know, and consisted of the two Royal Air Force pilots and the French pilot.

“With the exception of my own flight I don’t believe I’ve met any of you before and you all know that time is short. We’ve got eleven days before we board the Daedalus and head for the Pegasus Galaxy and I fully intend to get you all the last three days to visit your friends and families and relax before we ship out.” Harry told them all. “On the day of departure we’ll join the Daedalus in the black and practice bombing runs against her before we board so that we’re ready if anything happens on the voyage and I promise you I intend for Colonel Caldwell to try to shoot back. That’s our only chance to show the International Governments that their support in this venture is well placed. In this squadron we have representatives from most of the countries backing the Atlantis expedition and for the most part you are the only international military there. Even so I must press on you the fact that you will all follow the orders of your superiors regardless of nation. That goes for my own commands but also the expeditions military commander, Lieutenant Colonel Sheppard and Colonel Caldwell on the Daedalus.”

Harry turned on the screen that he knew Iain had set up for him and the three flights formed on the screen. “You’ve already been training in your three flights and I plan to focus on combined operations between all three flights.”

“What sort of training are we going to be doing?” Captain Brokewell, the US Captain in command of Adder Flight asked.

“That’s been left up to me and I won’t be telling you each mission until we’re in the air in two hours time.” Harry told them. “Fighting the Pegasus Galaxy isn’t going to be like missions on Earth, there won’t normally be hours of planning and you won’t be able to think things through in advance. The Wraith don’t operate like we do and I intend to get that into you by the time eight days is over.”

“What about practice?” The French pilot asked.

“Against Wraith Darts I’m afraid we’re limited, however in three days we’re heading out to the South Atlantic to meet up with the USS Ronald Reagan to train against her eight F302s.” Harry announced. “Now, I’ll get the chance to meet all of you individually in the next few days but I’ve got the work up of my Viper first so is there any questions now before we fly later?”

“Nothing at the moment.” Iain summed up when nobody asked anything.

“Good.” Harry nodded. “Try to enjoy the next three days. After that we’re flying to Colorado Springs for the afternoon and you’ll all be going through the Stargate to the Alpha Site to experience Stargate travel.” That was also going to be Harry’s opportunity for him and Carson to go recruit Olivia and with President Hayes’ newly given permission he’d also be telling Josh and Jessica where Olivia and he were going. “Right then, dismissed.”

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

A few days later

Harry glanced at Carson as they walked through the University Research Centre based on the outskirts of Colorado Springs. Half the reason Jessica worked in Colorado Springs was because her sister worked in the area. They were led by the lead researcher to the lab where Jessica worked and he kept eyeing Harry’s full uniform. Carson was wearing a blue suit and tie.

“This is the lab, Sirs.” The man told them and opened the door for them. They walked into an admin area with lots of computers and windows that looked out into what was obviously a clean area. The man walked up to the windows and a small intercom on the wall and spoke through it. “Doctor Fletcher, if you’ve got a moment, there are a couple of gentlemen here to see you.”

The five people working in the lab looked up and Harry scanned their faces before settling on one of the three women that he recognised from photos in Jessica’s house. She frowned but then looked at Harry’s uniform. She probably hadn’t recognised him even from any photos that Jessica had shown her of him because his cap was over his head with its visor shadowing his eyes. “I’ll be out in a bit.” She yelled to be heard before the man turned off the intercom and Olivia began talking to the others in the room.

“Can I ask what this is all about?” The lead researcher asked Harry.

“All I can tell you is that there’s a matter that we’d like Doctor Fletcher to have a look at for the military. We have already contacted her and are responding to her positive response.” Harry told him without expression.

“What kind of matter?” The man asked.

“The kind of matter stamped with a red ‘Top Secret’.” Harry told him bluntly.

“So you’re going to whisk her off to some secret military lab?” He asked.

Harry turned a hard stare at the man who was starting to become unpleasant. “We’ll require privacy to speak to her.”

“We can talk in my office.” The man told him.

“I did not mean to include you in that ‘we’.” Harry told him.

That hit a nerve but he was prevented from anything further when the door to the clean room opened and Olivia walked out, pulling off a disposable apron as she entered the office. “Doctor Fletcher.” The lead researcher spoke rather tersely. “These men are here to see you. I’m afraid I didn’t get any names.”

“Doctor Fletcher.” Harry greeted with a nod. “Perhaps you have a private office where we may have a talk?”

“Of course.” She frowned at Harry as if trying to recognise him and Harry knew when she did. Her eyes widened slightly and Harry nodded. “This way. It’s alright Rupert, I’ve got them from here.”

The man left the room first and headed left but Olivia led Harry and Carson off to the right and into a neat office a little further down the hall. Carson shut the door behind them. “Clearly you don’t take after your sister when it comes to neatness.” Harry pointed out. Jessica was invariably careless with where she placed things.

“I don’t know about that. I don’t really use this office that much.” She told him. “You’re Captain Potter then?”

“Major now actually.” Harry told her as he took off his cap and ran a hand through his hair. “Can we sit?”

“Of course.” She smiled and motioned them to a sofa. Carson sat down and Harry sat beside him as Olivia pulled up a chair opposite them.

“Olivia Fletcher, this is Carson Beckett. I’m afraid I can’t remember what letters he has after his name. We just call him Doc.” Harry shrugged. Carson sighed and reached over to shake Olivia’s hand.

“Ignore him, my dear.” Carson told her.

“It’s alright, Doctor Beckett. I’m well aware of Major Potter’s ways from my sister though we’ve never actually met.” Olivia told him. “And I know of you from your research. I was disappointed that I wasn’t able to reach you two months ago when my team made a small breakthrough on a point in your research that you were having trouble with.”

“Oh, what part?” Carson leaned forwards.

“Oh god,” Harry groaned. “It’s as bad as having Radek and Rodney in the same room together.”

“Major!” Carson complained.

“Do you think, just maybe, that we could get on with the reason we’re here, Carson? Or would you like to solve every problem in your research before we start?” Harry asked. “Because frankly Doctor Fletcher and I have a dinner appointment with her sister and brother-in-law tonight.”

“Do we?” Olivia asked.

“You’ll want one I think.” Harry told her.

“If you’re in such a hurry then be my guest.” Carson rolled his eyes. “Why I haven’t gotten used to you and Major Sheppard I don’t know.”

“Colonel Sheppard.” Harry corrected in amusement. “I’m the Major now remember?”

“Don’t.” Carson warned.

“Are you both finished?” Olivia asked in amusement.

“Right.” Harry nodded. “Onto business. You received a letter from the Air Force last week I believe and replied to say you might be interested.”

“Of course.” Olivia nodded.

“Well I’m going to give you the gist of it but until you agree to really listen and sign for clearance I can’t tell you all the details.” Harry told her. “You can still back out after that but don’t go too far lightly.”

“Go on.” Olivia nodded.

“Well, for the last six months a group funded internationally by the British, French, Russians, Chinese and of course the US have been operating a lab in a dangerous area. The work there has been ground breaking in about every area of science.” Harry explained. “Myself and Carson were with the first party to explore the area and it required a certain amount of isolation from the rest of the world.”

“Which is where you disappeared off to instead of going to Jessica’s wedding?” Olivia half asked and half stated.

“In all honesty at that time the governments believed that the expedition had been lost.” Harry told her. “At the beginning of last week we managed to make our way home but our footing in the area is still strong and now with renewed logistics between us we’re increasing the size of the expedition and Carson has been looking into both researchers and medical staff for the team that he will continue to head.”

“So wherever it was you went you vanished off the grid and then suddenly you find a way back and you come back in a coma?” Olivia asked. “Jessica was petrified you were going to die for days.”

“I will be the first to admit that the area is dangerous but not as much right now as when we travelled there without knowing what was there.” Harry told her.

“Can you tell me anything else?” She asked.

“All else I can tell you before you sign the disclosure is that it’s not only scientists like yourself going but a large military presence including myself.” Harry told her. “You’ll be protected by the best equipment and personnel that we have to offer.”

“Is it really that dangerous?” She asked.

“It is, dear.” Carson joined in the conversation. “I won’t hide that from you. I’m fully aware that without the protection of the military and people like the Major the expedition would have failed long ago.”

“But think of it this way, Doctor.” Harry commented. “The world is putting their best scientists into this program and they wouldn’t do that if they didn’t think they could protect them. That said nobody is going to argue with you if you don’t want to take part.”

“I think I want to know more before I agree.” She told him.

“You’ll need to sign this before I can tell you any of the details.” Harry told her. “And the details are where you’ll be going if you agree and what the big danger is.”

“And I can still say no after that?” She asked. Harry nodded before he pulled a small form from his pocket and laid it out on the table. She looked at him for a while before nodding almost to herself and took a pen and signed at the bottom of the form.

Harry nodded, folded it and put it back into his pocket. “You’re aware that after signing that if you tell another soul about what we’re about to discuss then you can be tried and convicted of treason by the US government?”

“I know.” She nodded.

“Alright then.” Harry nodded. “I’m guessing you have heard of the Lost City of Atlantis in books or in films?”

“Yeah, a city that was sunk to the bottom of the sea.” She nodded. “Are you saying that they’ve found it?” Harry nodded. “Where?”

“In the Pegasus Galaxy.” Harry said simply.

She rocked back slightly in surprise and blinked. “Uh...” She tried.

“For the last eight years the US Air Force have been using an alien device to form wormholes between planets in the Milky Way Galaxy and exploring other worlds and meeting many different cultures of aliens and learning from some of them and fighting others.” Harry continued knowing that he had her undivided attention. “Eight months ago an alien attack on Earth destroyed the Nimitz Carrier Group in the Pacific Ocean and six months ago myself, a team of Marines and a team of scientists went through a wormhole to the City of Atlantis in the Pegasus Galaxy on a one way mission if we couldn’t find a way home again. We now have a way to travel there and back whenever we want to and as I said before they are interested in increasing the size of the expedition.”

“Atlantis?” She asked after a moment.

“Is basically a spaceship the size of New York City, built tens of thousands of years ago by an incredibly advanced race of aliens that have now disappeared.” Harry continued. “They abandoned it ten thousand years ago and it has lain dormant until we woke it up.”

“The knowledge that these aliens possessed before they abandoned the city is amazing.” Carson told her. “Medical and scientific discoveries we couldn’t dream of before. That’s why we need the best and the brightest. To learn from what they left behind and to continue their research in a place where all of that is available.”

“Then what’s the danger?” She asked.

“Basically an alien race known as the Wraith.” Harry said seriously. “One that feeds off of the life force of humans. They have ruled the Pegasus Galaxy for over ten thousand years, harvesting from the human planets until they were forced to hibernate from lack of food. Now that we’ve arrived in their area of space they know of Earth and have awoken and want to reach it. A new feeding ground. That’s also why we need to be there. We can’t just back away because they still know of this galaxy and will do anything to get here. We have to learn what we can from Atlantis so that we can defeat them.”

“Defeat an alien race that’s over ten thousand years old?” She asked.

“Our ships are better protected than theirs and Atlantis itself is far more advanced. We just need to learn from it to really use it.” Harry told her. “So, are you interested?”

She stood up and moved to the window. “So you’re basically asking me to come along with you to a place that is more dangerous than anywhere on Earth for science?”

“And to indirectly protect everyone you love.” Harry stood up. “What has Jessica told you about my work?”

“She told me you test planes.” Olivia told him. “And that you fight in jungles and wars too. She said you were Special Forces.”

“She’s not wrong.” Harry told her. “But she doesn’t know everything. I fly advanced ships and always have, testing new jets. But the work I do for the Special Forces is because I’m Black Ops. I do the work that we can’t admit to. I’m basically a spy, insurgent or assassin depending on the day. I’ve been sent to kill Somali War Lords and a dozen other things the US can’t admit to. The point I’m trying to make is that I don’t do it for my own sense of achievement but to slowly better the world. I can’t do much but I can do my little bit.”

“I get what you’re saying.” Olivia told him before looking at Carson. “Is it worth it, Doctor?”

“To know that what we discover could be used on Earth to save lives?” The Doctor elaborated for her. “Yes it is. I’m no warrior, I’d quite happily hide behind the Major if guns start firing but I’m also aware that the Major and the Marines are as much dependant on us as we are of them. It makes any risk worthwhile.”

Olivia turned to Harry. “And what about you?”

“Me?” Harry asked with a smirk. “I’m a weapon. I go where I’m needed the most because I can carry out the task when nobody else could.”

“Alright, Major.” Olivia nodded. “I’d like to assist you.”

Harry nodded. “You know your sister is going to kill me right?”

“How’s she going to know?” Olivia asked.

“I’m pulling a favour from the President.” Harry told her with a shrug finally letting Carson in on the little secret. “Because you and I are the only family she had until Josh married her last month and we’re both leaving on a mission where we may not make it back he’s agreed to do me the one favour by giving her and Josh clearance for the details.”

“Hence dinner.” She rolled her eyes. “How did you know I’d agree?”

“I didn’t, but I’m off work for the evening and I was going to drag you to dinner with your sister regardless.” Harry laughed and turned to Carson. “Did you want to come with us or have the MPs drop you off somewhere?”

“I think I’ll come along.” Carson nodded. “If that’s alright with you, Doctor?”

“Of course, and please call me Olivia if we’re going to be working together.” She smiled.

“Then call me Carson.” He smiled back. “Now, how about we get going, the Major’s been complaining about lack of food all day.”

“The Major can hear you.” Harry commented even as he grabbed his cap.

“And I can tell you a bit more about our research.” Carson continued as if he couldn’t hear Harry who just rolled his eyes and put his cap on and held the door open for Olivia and Carson.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Four days later – Atlantic Ocean

“Cobra Flight, this is Viper One.” Harry called.

“This is Cobra One, go ahead.” He got his response from the British Commander.

“For exercise your target is a task group heading west to the Caribbean, composed of one US Arleigh Burke, two Type 23 RN, one Type 45 RN, one RFA support Tanker, one RFA Fleet Support and one RN Helicopter Assault ship. Contact at five hundred miles is Lima-one-two HMS Ocean.” Harry told him. “Be aware they will be training in aircraft avoidance and the warships will tag you. If you get tagged you’re out of there. Your task is to lock onto the RFA ships on their beam at one mile distance.”

“Cobra flight, confirm copy of information.” Knight sounded rather amused that Harry was sending his flight against a mostly Royal Naval Task Group. In fact Harry was going easy on them because since three of the flight were Naval they knew what the ships could do and how they were trained to avoid exactly the lock that Harry was demanding. For starters any time the F-304s came into view or were reported by the awesome radars of the Arleigh Burke or the new Type 45 RN destroyer the RFAs would change course on purpose either towards the incoming ship or away, basically to take strikes on a turning target preferably with the extra armour and ballast tanks on the bow.

Harry listened with only half an ear as the three other units of Cobra flight reported into their flight commander. “Viper One, we copy all information. Permission to detach from squadron.”

“Permission granted. Good luck.” Harry told them before turning his own plane slowly into the north, intending to fly over the task group at high altitude. They were stealthed to all but the new sensors equipped on most of the warships in the joint navies but even against sensors like the Prometheus and the Daedalus had the F-304s were hard to spot when they wanted to be difficult to find. Harry knew that Cobra flight would hit the deck and skim the waves and try to take the ships by surprise but he wasn’t going to go that easy on them. Pilots did operations like this against Naval ships all the time.

“Lima-one-two, this is Viper Flight approaching from the south.” Harry called on the safety channel already established between himself and the task group so that he could talk to them about the exercise without the other F304s knowing. They could probably listen in if they wanted but the idea of these things was not to cheat. All the ships down there would have a man on this frequency though.

“Viper Flight, this is Lima-one-two, go ahead, over.” Unsurprisingly it was a British accent.

“Our Flight is about to make their run. I’m about to spring my surprise on them though. Give my best wishes to the Auxiliaries. Out.” Harry told them before turning on his chat network with the other F304s but blocked out Cobra Flight. “Adder flight, block out all closed signals from Cobra flight.”

“Roger, Viper One.” Captain Brokewell confirmed for him.

“Cobra’s advantage over the ships is a little high for this tasking.” Harry announced. “Your mission is to protect the task group. Good luck.”

“Adder one, roger. Permission to detach.” Harry grinned but gave his permission and looked back to his left out of his own cock pit as the four planes of Adder flight banked hard to get away from the Vipers and accelerated. They’d have to rush if they were to get ahead of Cobra flight and protect the task group. That was why Harry had taken his time. The Captain of Adder flight would have to plan on the fly, literally.

“That was a little on the mean side.” Claire contacted him on the private Viper flight circuit. Harry just laughed and fell into reading his own radar and sensor output that already had the positions of the task group ships and their headings. He was being fed real time data from HMS Ocean, the helicopter assault ship, and with the subspace link he had to Cobra and Adder Flights he could watch the attack.

The attack went on for about an hour with neither flight having much luck but it was still good practice for them all including the ships as they manoeuvred across the water in response to the incoming planes.

“Viper one, this is Viper three.” Claire called him officially. “I’ve got a communication coming in from the Ronald Reagan. Flash.”

“Pass it to me.” Harry ordered. One of the pilots in the flight always monitored long range communications and then gave them to the others if necessary. Harry didn’t really mean pass the message to him but merely told her in that phrase that he’d find the signal and respond to the Carrier Group on that frequency. “CG this is Viper One, go ahead, over.” Harry spoke.

“Viper One, you have emergency tasking. Viper Flight set course zero-one-zero true. Locate bravo-alpha seven-eight-one last known travelling eastbound. Commercial flight not responding to communications and last spotted by another commercial flight heading west in wrong area.” Someone ordered and as they spoke Harry got the authorisation through the secure channel.

“Viper Flight has received information, changing course now.” Harry replied. “Flight will go supersonic in twenty seconds.”

Harry wiggled his wings and decreased his altitude even as he swung to the south of the besieged task group. “Safeguard. Cobra and Adder Flight. Viper flight has emergency tasking orders. Continue exercise under lima-one-two command and then return to CG.”

Harry heard their responses before activating the logic control on his Viper and Iain, Claire and Alex did the same and as they passed above the task group their wings folded up and they sped up to Hypersonic speeds to cover the ground faster with their radars and automatic interrogation systems to find the missing commercial flight.

It didn’t take long for them to find the commercial liner on their sensors. While flying over the north Atlantic Ocean they could detect every plane and ship between Europe and North America and it was merely a matter of finding one that fit the description. It was still broadcasting a close range AIS signal to say where it was supposed to be going and who it was but it’s course wasn’t the right one for landing at Heathrow Airport. Harry sent the Carrier Group the location and knew they’d disseminate it to the right people.

“Viper One, maintain cover but attempt to communicate with the pilot over radio.” He was told by the Ronald Reagan.

“Roger that CG.” Harry said before letting his Viper scan all frequencies to find something that the plane was using even as he tried the normal low frequency ranges that planes used. “BA 781, this is Military Flight V-1 calling you on LF range. Please respond.”

Even as he spoke the plane came into visual range. It was at thirty-five thousand feet, far above the clouds and even if his sensors hadn’t already determined what it was Harry could recognise it now as a Boing 767. Harry tried to call it twice more as they swung around behind it to stay out of view of the windows and then pulled up around it. Harry flew under its belly while Iain took position above it. Alex and Claire slid up into its wake, far enough back not to land in the jet wash. This way they could look for damage without giving civilians a view of the classified airplanes. At least they’d be classified for the next four days.

“Storm, I’ve got damage just aft of the pilot compartment.” Iain told him on the closed link. “I think that’s the comms gear compartment. Maybe a bad fire. That would explain the lack of response or location beacon but not their course.”

“Roger.” Harry told him to show he’d heard before he contacted the CG. “CG, this is Viper One. We’re in station around BA 781, out of sight, we can see possible internal fire damage to a possible comms compartment. Please advise course of action.” Harry’s instinct was to put his plane right down in front of the cockpit and get an answer that way even if it was through morse code with the tail lights but they were in classified planes so they might want Harry and his team to merely escort until a conventional jet could be vectored in to do that.

“Viper One, this is CG control. Contact to Pentagon authorises you to take all means required to establish communications to the aircraft and ascertain emergency and help as required. Seek advice from UK Military Air Control.” The voice told him.

Harry was surprised but then again they were due to tell the world about the Vipers in a few days anyway. It wouldn’t be too disastrous to have them seen helping a commercial flight in distress a few days early. It would be good publicity for them. “Roger CG. We’re moving visual to the plane to establish light communications and hopefully get them on VHF or HF bands.”

Because of the difference between high and low frequencies they were normally stored in different compartments and the VHF would be a mere hand held for talking to ground crews and a pilot wouldn’t think to use the extremely short range systems unless they were in sight of another plane. He set Alex the task of contacting the UK for their own orders before he increased his own speed minutely to slide out from under the large passenger aircraft and then pulled up about half a mile to the starboard of it.

“Viper three.” Harry called to Claire, “Take position ahead at half a mile, try to contact them with your tail lights. Get them to use VHF if they can.”

“Roger One.” Claire responded and with a deft manoeuvre slid over the top of Iain’s position and settled down ahead of the passenger plane. Almost instantly she began flashing a message, just a simple morse signal saying VHF over and over again.

Harry could see movement in the cockpit from where he sat and could see what looked to be a young man leaning up to the window to see better as well as a woman and another man. A few minutes later his sensors picked up a single click on a VHF frequency and zeroed in on channel sixteen. Harry put it through to his headset and used it to call. “BA 781 this is military flight leader V-1 on your starboard beam, please respond, over.”

“V-1, this is BA 781.” Surprisingly it was the voice of the younger man by the sounds of it and Harry could see him holding the hand held radio to his mouth as he spoke. There was no way a not even twenty-year-old could be the pilot to that plane. “Can you hear us?”

“Loud and clear BA 781. Air control lost contact with you on long range systems, what’s the situation and do you require assistance?” Harry asked.

“There was a fire.” The kid told him. “We think the cockpit was flooded with CO2 from the drenching system. They’re all...”

He trailed off but Harry didn’t have to really use his imagination to know where that was going. The scared tone of the kid’s voice was bad enough. “What’s your state now?” Harry asked to change the conversation.

“We broke into the cockpit once we realised. The plane’s on autopilot but we don’t know where to and I don’t know how to change the settings or find out where we’re heading.” He told him.

“All right.” Harry sounded calm but his mind was running away with him. “First off you need to relax a little. You’re not in any immediate danger and the autopilot will keep you in the air. What’s your name, and why are you in charge?”

“I’m not in charge!” The kid told him. “I’m just the only one here that’s ever flown a plane before.”

“Okay, calm down. What’s your name?” Harry pressed.

“Matt Walker.” Harry was told. “I’m training to be a pilot in the RAF. All I’ve ever landed is a glider and I’ve been in a Sea Harrier a few times but only flown as navigator.”

“Alright, Matt. Just sit tight while I contact long range.” Harry told him and made sure his VHF was listen only before switching to long range to talk to UK Air control. “This is Viper One, over.”

“Viper one, go ahead.” The response was fast and he knew by now they’d have a team at the ready just to focus on them.

“We’ve established communications with BA 781 on VHF channel 16 to a hand held in the cockpit.” Harry told them. “Flight crew are dead, repeat, flight crew are dead. They’ve had a fire in the long range communications gear and a leak in the CO2 dampers. The autopilot is in control and I’m speaking to an RAF pilot in training called Matt Walker. He’s only got very limited flying experience, noticeably landing in gliders.”

“Viper One. What is your assessment of the situation in regards to a possible hijacking of the plane and terrorist involvement?” Harry had been waiting for that and he’d already thought about it. Matt had already admitted to breaking into the cockpit.

“Air control, this is Viper One. I do not, repeat, do not believe that to be likely. I can see free movement of passengers throughout the plane and they are watching my plane through the windows.” Harry told them. “I’m certain of that.”

“Do you believe yourself to be capable of determining terrorist situations?” Harry might have got annoyed except the tone was that of a person just covering all bases.

“My name is Major Harry Potter, US Air Force Special Forces.” Harry told them. “I’m well trained and experienced in determining terrorist situations.”

“Roger understood.” Was the rather relieved response. “Try to establish any other information and we’ll get back to you once we have a plan.”

“Roger. Out.” Harry responded before turning to the Flight frequency to talk to the others. “This might get interesting. I think if the kid can take the controls we can talk him down onto a good sized runway. I don’t see any other option right now. I can turn their course by talking him through the autopilot but that won’t help him land.”

He didn’t expect a verbal answer but he got a click from each of them to show they’d heard so he changed back to the VHF channel. “Matt, are you still listening?”

“I’m here.” Matt told him. He seemed to have calmed down a little now.

“Alright Matt, we’re forwarding any information directly ahead to the UK who are deciding how to get you down on the ground but we need to give them a bit of information so I want you to sit in the pilot’s seat and look for the things I ask for on the console.” Harry told him.

“Alright.” Matt told him and there was a small pause as presumably he did just that.

“Okay, you can ignore the stick right now. First off can you find the fuel tank levels. They should be just above the throttle control in the centre.” Harry asked and Matt found them and reported the levels. Harry did this for almost ten minutes learning everything he could about the state of the plane and letting his Viper send the conversation on to the UK so they could take it into account. When they finished Harry cut the forwarding connection and focused purely on the kid. “Matt, that’s all of it for now.”

“What do I have to do?”

“Right now, nothing.” Harry assured him. “It’s actually going to be a little boring for you. This isn’t like what happens in films.”

“What happens when we run out of fuel?” Matt asked.

“You’ll be on the ground long before that happens, Matt.” Harry assured him.

“What’s your name?” Matt asked him.

“My name’s Major Harry Potter but you can call me Harry or Storm if you want to, that’s my call sign.” Harry told him.

“I know you.” Matt told him. “I went to the RAF academy and saw your name there! What are you flying?”

“They are F-304s. US built.” Harry told him. “My Flight are all around your plane. Viper Flight.”

“That’s a really cool plane.” Matt told him and Harry heard Iain laugh over the closed link.

“How about I introduce you to the others?” Harry offered before opening the closed link to include the VHF channel. “Ahead of you is Lieutenant Claire Fields.” He paused as she wiggled here wings slightly. “Viper four slide station off Viper three.” Harry ordered and Alex flew low under the plane and up to the port of Claire. “This is Lieutenant Alex Carlthorpe. And lastly just overhead of you is my second in command Captain Iain Bennett.” Harry introduced and Iain sped up a little bit to come out above the cockpit. “Two take station where three and four are. Three take the port beam and four take position five miles astern.”

It didn’t take long for them to move position. Alex and Claire broke away to port with Alex turning right around to take position as Claire slowed to take position even as Iain slide up and dropped down in front of the commercial liner. They were well practiced in manoeuvres like this one.

“Viper One this is UK Air Control, over.”

“This is Viper One, go ahead.” Harry responded quickly but checked that Matt wouldn’t able to hear the words first.

“We need to change 781s course to 108 degrees for a Mercator course to RAF Culdrose for landing.” They told him. “Can you talk them through that on the Autopilot?”

“I can talk them through it but with your permission I’d rather give Matt the controls for the turn so that he can get used to them while we’re over water with plenty of room. I don’t want his first time at the sticks to be when he lands.” Harry requested and half demanded.

“Roger, Viper One. Do as you wish. You have the track.” They told him.

Harry knew that that meant that as long as Harry guided the plane into Culdrose he could have Matt fly whatever course he wanted and at whatever altitude. “Alright Matt, you there still?” Harry asked on the VHF frequency but again let it be forwarded to the UK so they knew what he was doing.

“I’m here.” Matt told him.

“We need to change course. You’re going to land at RAF Culdrose. I could tell you how to get the plane to change course on its own but I want you in control for the turn so you get a feel for the plane’s handling.” Harry told him. “You ready?”

“I’m ready.” Matt told him.

“Okay, is there someone else in the cockpit so you can use both hands on the sticks?” Harry asked.

There was a pause before a woman’s voice came on. “Hello? My name’s Helen, I’m the chief stewardess.”

“Great.” Harry told her. “Sit down in the co-pilots chair if you’re not already.”

“I’m sitting down now.”

“Okay, Matt can you still hear me?” Harry checked.

“I can hear you.” Matt told him. It was obvious that Helen was pressing the button down to talk. Once they were on a better course he’d try to find a way to get a headset on Matt for when they landed.

“Okay, Matt, give the sticks a go. It won’t do anything to the plane, just give them a wiggle and get comfortable.” He paused for a time. “Once you’re happy just settle them in their natural angle and relax.”

“Ok. I’m set.” Matt told him.

“Right, Helen.” Harry directed to the stewardess. “Can you see the autopilot?”

“Yeah. It’s reading zero-three-zero.” She told him after a moment.

“Good, in the bottom corner is a small button that says auto slash in hand.” Harry told her. “Find that but don’t press it just yet.”

“I’ve got it.” She assured him.

“Matt, once I tell Helen to press that button the controls will go to the sticks and you’re going to turn them slightly to starboard. It’s not like the stick on a fight plane or glider because you’re not going to do a fast turn. The plane will tilt but this is going to be a very slow turn. What I want you to do is ignore the console and look up at Iain’s plane ahead of you. He’s going to do the turn and all you need to do is turn the plane so that he’s in the centre of your window at all times. Can you do that?”

“Yeah.” Matt told him.

“Okay, here we go then. Helen press that button for me and be ready to press it again when I say.” Harry told him and knew the exact moment she did it.

“I’m in control.” Matt told him.

“Right, just follow Iain.” Harry reminded him and without needing to be told Iain began to slowly slide to the right of the plane. Harry angled out so he was clear but stayed in plain view of the cockpit windows. The plane tilted as Matt started the turn and it overshot Iain and levelled out but Matt rightly didn’t try to turn back even though it wouldn’t have been bad if he did. He understood that there wasn’t any point. Iain’s movement quickly lined back up with the plane’s front and Matt started the turn again much slower, using Iain to guide him round on a steady course.

Iain settled down on the correct course and Matt finally settled onto the exact course. He’d managed it with only a couple of dips where the nose had dropped ever so slightly but by doing it that way he wasn’t trying to steer by instruments which was a lesson that every pilot learnt in the end. “Okay, Helen, turn the autopilot back on again.” Harry told her.

“We’re in auto.” Helen told him. “It says one-zero-eight.”

“Good.” Harry nodded. “Okay Helen, go find something for Matt to eat and drink if you could.” He assumed by the lack of response that she was doing just that or at least getting someone else to. “Matt? How are you feeling?” Harry asked.

“I’m alright.” Matt told him. “Maybe a little...”

“Scared?” Harry asked.

“Yeah.” Matt told him simply.

“Well you did well. You’ve got good instincts.” Harry told him. “So, how about you tell me something about yourself?”

“I’m nineteen, I’m in my first year of training. I went to the RAF academy.” Matt told him.

“What were you doing in the US?” Harry asked out of nothing more than to keep the kid talking. “A holiday?”

“My godfather’s working in the US on some long term classified mission and he got back a couple of weeks ago and flew me out to see him.” Matt told him. “He goes back out of contact next week though.”

“Does he enjoy the work?”

“I don’t think he’s ever been happier.” Matt told him. Harry found the details a little familiar especially with the timings but he wouldn’t ask for a name until they were out of this situation.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Harry came alive from a period of quiet two hours later as they approached the coast of the UK and he knew he should formally ask to bring four heavily armed stealth fighters into their airspace so he called ahead.

“UK Military Air Control, this is Viper one requesting permission for myself and three others to cross into your airspace with weaponry in cargo for the purposes of escorting BA flight 781 into RAF Culdrose.” Harry said formally.

“Viper Flight you have clearance to enter UK airspace with our compliments and permission to take any course or altitude while in our airspace for the purpose of safely escorting said flight into RAF Culdrose.” The voice told him.

“Permission to land at RAF Culdrose once flight 781 is down on the runway?” Harry requested.

“Permission granted.” He was told. “RAF Culdrose is darkening the area around it except for runway and approach lights. It’ll be as clear as can be for your pilot.”

“Roger and thank you.” Harry told them before switching to the VHF to talk to Matt who now had a head set plugged into the radio, as did Helen. “Matt, you awake?”

“I’m here.” Matt told him.

“We’re half an hour out now so we’re going to start our descent and I’m going to talk you through the landing but you’ll be the one doing everything and you’ve got to aim it. I think it’ll be a little easier because it’s dark out there.” Harry told him. “Culdrose has blacked out the local town for you and their own buildings so the only light you’ll see in the area is the approach lights and the runway. Iain’s going to be ahead of you taking you in again with his lights on so you know if you’re going too steep or too shallow.”

“Okay.” Matt replied. He was obviously nervous and Harry wasn’t surprised.

“I’ve gotten permission for us to land and we’re going to set down right next to you once you’ve stopped and I’ll see you myself down on the runway when you get off of that plane.” Harry told him.

“I’d like that, thanks.” Matt told him.

“Is Helen there?” Harry asked and received a quick yes. “Alright, time to do this the normal way. Get everyone strapped in and I hate to say it but make sure the cockpit crew are secured. I hope you understand why.”

“They are and I’ll just go back and get the crew to make sure everyone’s strapped in and ready.” Helen announced.

“And when you get back make sure the door to the cockpit is shut, we don’t want any light reflecting on the windows.” Harry told her. “Okay, Matt. We’re going to turn off the autopilot from here on out so take the sticks with your left and turn off the autopilot.” In this way Harry coached Matt in everything to do from the speed of the plane and angle of the flaps to his decreasing altitude as they approached the surface of the Earth. Harry got him used to glancing down at the console and taking in the level metre, altitude and speed in quick glances and merely had him follow Iain onto the right courses and altitudes.

It was a first time for Iain to come in like this too but Harry knew his second in command would manage it alright. It was just a very slow approach for them compared to their ability to come down hard and fast and throw their speed off in seconds.

“RAF Culdrose this is Viper Flight and BA 781 on approach trajectory, ten miles out.” Harry reported so that Matt could hear as well.

“Your approach looks perfect. Crash teams are prepped and ready to roll.”

“Harry?” Matt called him. “I can see Iain ahead but I can barely see you or the one on the left.”

“We don’t have wing tip lights, these are switchblades.” Harry paused for thought, they had tail lights and they were on but Matt couldn’t see them and he was clearly looking for that little bit of proof that Harry was there monitoring his approach even if he wasn’t speaking. “Alright, Claire, light ‘em up. Forward flood lights.”

“Roger.” Claire announced and together she and Harry turned on the two small but bright lights set into their noses designed for landing on unlit runways or even Aircraft Carrier decks. To Matt in the plane both Vipers were suddenly lit up by beams of white light that burst from just under their noses. Harry wiggled his stick a little to give the light a little bit of upwards and downwards movement before he steadied up again in the correct station.

Harry continued to guide Matt down towards the surface and soon the runway was clear directly ahead of them with darkness all around it for a couple of miles. It was a very intelligent man that had asked the local village to black out for the task and although there were a few lamps on down there it was obviously much darker than normal. Harry spotted the crash convoy down the side of the runway but their lights were off as well so as not to distract Matt but Harry could see them especially when the light from his and Claire’s beams hit the runway. Harry ordered Matt to pull up at the right time and Matt responded silently pulling the nose of the plane up and it settled heavily onto the runway.

Harry spotted the first problem just before the nose wheel set down. The plane twisted slightly and when the wheel hit the ground it juddered violently sideways but Harry ignored the plane as it tried to turn and had Matt hit the brakes ordering him to increase the reverse thrust until the plane came to a stop. Harry, Claire and Iain hit their own power and shot off in front of the plane so they were clear and started a slow turn around the runway even as Harry craned his neck to watch the plane come to a slow halt just on the grass to the left of the runway. The front wheel was still on the runway but the left wheel had come off and even though Matt had tried to correct for it the slight imbalance at the start had been too much. The plane pointed into the end of the runway but it was safely on the ground.

Light burst up all over the runway as flood lights came on and the town lit back up and Harry, Claire and Iain were joined by Alex on their second turn. Harry opened a connection to his own Carrier Group to report. “CG this is Viper Flight, over.”

“Viper one, we have been monitoring. Well done.” It was the voice of the Admiral.

“Base has given permission to land. What are your orders?” Harry asked.

“Go meet the kid, Viper One, and relax. Rejoin the group tomorrow.” The Admiral told him. “We’re happy for the F-304s to go public with this and we’ve got a man on the ground to handle the press.”

“Roger that, CG.” Harry replied. “We’ll see you tomorrow.”

Together they did another circuit of the airfield so that the crash trucks, ambulances and security trucks could move in and only when the trucks were all in position did Harry call the airfield. “RAF Culdrose, permission to land on runway nine-zero.”

“Viper flight, permission is granted to land on runway nine-zero. Obstruction at three quarter mark.” The controller told him. The Vipers didn’t need that long to land so the plane in the middle of the runway wasn’t a problem.

“RAF Culdrose, we’ll land in two pairs.” Harry told them before changing to the flight frequency. “Normal pairs.” Which meant that Harry and Alex would land first and only once down would Iain and Claire land. It was a tactical landing really. Harry angled his plane into a tight turn and lined up with the runway and Alex took position directly on his right beam level with him. They dropped low to the ground and Alex turned on his beam light to show they were landing and they dropped speed rapidly and both touched down with perfection. They rolled freely wing to wing until about the third way mark before Harry signalled to slow and both inverted their thrusters which because of what they were reacted instantly and their speed quickly fell away. In the end they took almost three times the run way necessary to stop and then used their engines to roll forwards until they were wing tip to wing tip about a hundred metres behind the trucks around the plane.

The Vipers looked huge from a single person’s view and a few seconds later even as a few uniformed people were beginning to move towards them Iain came up on Alex’s other side and Claire came up on Harry’s side, lining up across the runway. Again it was defensive because in this position all four could throw up their vertical thrusters and take off without their ion drives affecting each other but to the press by the plane it looked rather showy. Harry saw people walking out of the side of the plane and down the emergency slide but couldn’t see anyone that could be Matt, nor any crew but they’d be the last off.

Harry powered down the drive and watched as the power bled away and then he released the hatch. He hit the catch for the built in ladder and as he unbuckled himself from his seat and unplugged his comms and statistics monitors plates in the side of the plane twisted to give him a series of footholds down the side of the smooth plane. Harry jumped down the last few to land on the floor and a Squadron Leader of the RAF came running up, saw his Major tabs on his jacket and smartly saluted him. Harry saluted back.

“Major Potter.” The man offered his hand and Harry shook it. “I’m the on duty Flight officer. That was an excellent landing for the kid.”

“Where is he?” Harry asked.

“In the cockpit still. He’s a little shaken and he’s already seen the tv cameras.” The man told him. “The event hit the news about an hour ago along with details about your Flight and where the plane was to land. A little too much attention for my liking but they seemed confident in your ability to guide the plane down without trouble.”

“I’d like to go up and see the kid. Maybe I can coax him out a little easier than anyone else.” Harry told him.

“They’re just setting up the steps now.” He told Harry.

“And let’s not bring out the cockpit crew until the cameras are off?” Harry suggested. “Oh and no pictures of my planes from anywhere closer than a hundred metres and anything taken needs checking with Military Intelligence. There’s a lot of stuff in there we don’t want advertised.”

“We’d already banned photos but if you’re happy with them taking them from a distance we’ll let them know and I’ll put guards up.” He nodded before gesturing to Harry to follow him. Harry turned to Iain, Claire and Alex and motioned for them to stay and watch the planes and see to them. Eventually they’d need moving.

Harry was led through the press but he didn’t say anything to any of them and ignored the photos and quickly climbed the steps into the front of the airplane and met a steward at the top. “Major Potter?” The man asked and Harry nodded. “Helen’s with Matt up in the cockpit but most of the passengers want to see him. We’ve told them he’s a little shaken up right now.”

“That’s understandable don’t you think.” Harry pointed out. “I’ll find the way.”

He headed up through the seats to the broken cockpit door which stood open at the moment and he quickly entered the cockpit where a woman in British Airways colours was sitting opposite a young man with red hair and shockingly pale features though that was probably because he was in shock. She looked up at him and stood in surprise. Harry smiled at her but turned to Matt.

“I said you could do it.” Harry told the kid with a smile and Matt snapped his head up to look at him. “Good job, kid.”

Matt jumped up and before Harry could comment hugged Harry gratefully. “Thank you, Sir.”

“It’s Harry, kid.” Harry told him. “And you’ve nothing to thank me for. There are over a hundred people out there that think you are a hero. You stepped up and you did what had to be done. I might have helped guide you but this couldn’t have been done by just anybody.”

“The Major’s right. We owe you our lives.” Helen told Matt who pulled away from Harry and nodded.

“Right, well there’s a whole lot of grateful people out there and a lot of impressed press so how about we take you out and you can let them take pictures and smile and say how pleased you are that you were able to help save these people?” Harry offered.

“You’re not going to leave me to them right?” Matt asked.

“I said I’d stick by you until you were safe, that includes from the press.” Harry told him with a grin. “After we’re free of them we’ll sort out calling your godfather to tell him you’re alright and then we’ll sort you out some food. Iain, Claire, Alex and I will be going out for dinner probably so you can come with us if you’d like.”

“I’d like that thanks.” Matt nodded.

Harry led the two to the steps and walked outside. A camera went off almost immediately and soon a dozen more as Matt stepped out into the open and together they walked down with Helen behind them. She took place on Matt’s other side at the bottom of the steps. Quite quickly they were surrounded by cameras and reporters, some seeming to be live to tv stations.

Harry held up his hands to show he’d say something first before people began shouting question. “I think we can all realise how lucky we were today. You are reporting on a young man’s bravery and fortitude when you could have been reporting the tragic deaths of those on this flight. I don’t believe anyone in this crowd could suggest that Matt Walker is anything but a true hero that the United Kingdom, indeed the world, can be proud of.”

“How’s it feel?” A reporter asked Matt and held out his microphone.

“It still hasn’t really sunk in.” Matt said quietly. “I suppose I’m just glad to be alive.”

“Do you think anybody could have done what he did?” One asked Harry.

“I believe that anyone could have had the courage to step up in that situation and try to save the other passengers but had it not been for Matt’s basic understanding of aircraft this day might have turned out very different.” Harry explained. “That said, I have been flying aircraft for almost ten years and not once have I attempted to land anything larger than a C141 Galaxy. What Matt did shows his instinctual ability for flying and I’m sure the RAF will be interested in his career from now on just as I will.”

“Is there any truth to the rumours that your flight might have been responsible for the loss of the cockpit crew and that was why you were able to arrive so fast and why you’ve taken such an interest in the passengers safety?” Harry frowned over at the man that had asked the question.

“My flight was conducting air raid drills with a Royal Navy task group a thousand miles south of flight 781 when we received word that they’d lost track of the flight and we were asked to look into it.” Harry told them. “The pilots in my flight are the best in the world and have been testing the new craft for over a year now. We don’t make mistakes and we don’t cause accidents especially like this.”

Harry’s response was cold and it cut off any further questioning along those lines. “Now, if you don’t mind I believe there are many people that wish to thank Matt for what he did for them and they are all in need of food and rest. You are welcome to ask the US affiliate questions about our planes but any further questions to Matt will have to wait until he has recovered.”

Harry looked to the RAF guards who broke through the crowd and escorted Matt, Helen and Harry out to where the ambulances were stations and where the passengers stood.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Two hours later

Harry sat on the edge of his Viper’s cockpit as Matt sat in the seat. Matt hadn’t stopped talking about them for the last two hours so before they left for the Officer’s wardroom on the base so that the five of them could eat a very late evening meal he’d brought Matt to the hanger where his Viper was resting for the night.

“This is so cool!” Matt told him. “There’s like five times the stuff in here than in a Harrier.”

“Well it’s designed to go into space so I’m not surprised.” Harry said with a grin especially at Matt’s shocked look.

“Really?”

“Yeah, really.” Harry laughed. “So, how about we call that godfather of yours? It’s about six over in the US now so it’s an ideal time to try and I imagine he’s worried sick after seeing you on about every news channel in the western world.”

He’d found out in the last few hours that Matt’s parents had been killed in their home in Scotland eleven years ago and Matt’s godfather had raised him through school but beyond that Matt didn’t really talk about it. Harry was a little bewildered by the terrorist attack and something deep in his heart was pained by the timing of the attacks. It would have been just after Voldemort had been raised from his pseudo-death so there was a high chance that Matt’s parents had been killed in that horrible sport called Muggle-hunting that the Death Eaters had enjoyed.

Matt sighed and made to pull himself out of the cockpit. Harry laughed and put a hand on his shoulder. “You’re sitting in one of the most advanced pieces of kit in the world and you’re getting out to what? Use a cell phone?”

“Seriously?” He asked.

Harry laughed. “Seriously. You’ll have to power her up first, there’s no point draining the batteries for a long distance call.” Harry leaned down and checked on about two dozen different settings in the cockpit and Matt tried and failed to follow everything he was doing. Harry then leaned out and checked everything was clear before turning back to Matt. “Hit the red button under the cap.” Harry told him.

Matt glanced at him, shrugged and hit the button as ordered and then jumped as the Viper shook as the ion drive kicked in with a loud thud before quieting. Harry had turned it to its idling stage so the engines themselves didn’t kick in and as soon as the initial start up was complete the sound faded to a dull throbbing. “What’s this run off of?” Matt asked.

“Technically we’re not saying.” Harry told him. “But the closest thing to compare it to is a Nuclear Core. Like the submarines. So she doesn’t need refuelling.”

“Cool.” Matt told him and Harry laughed again. “I wish I could have one like this.”

“Maybe.” Harry told him. “I’ve got three flights under my control and one Russian, one French and three British pilots so far. And besides...” Harry trailed off as he reached over and flicked his left arm where his Union Jack sat above his Stars and Stripes. “So, the Ronald Reagan has given permission for you to just jack into the cell phone towers and dial your godfather.”

“Really?”

“You know, one day you’re just going to accept what I say the first time.” Harry laughed and Matt went bright red. “Okay then, let me just...” He trailed off again as he started using the touch screen in the centre of the console to select the correct signal intercept systems and finally had a connection via military systems of the US cell towers. He opened the lip on the number dial pad that was used for anything from course input to bomb activation codes and turned to Matt. “You know the number? Type it in, just like you would direct.”

Matt nodded and typed the number and Harry connected it and the speakers inside the cockpit just behind Matt’s head came to life with the sound of ringing. Harry checked more out of habit than anything else and saw that the line was secure and the Viper wasn’t detecting any intrusion into the signal along any of the route. A voice answered and Harry almost fell off of his own cockpit sill in surprise.

“Hello?” It was Carson. Carson Becket was this kid’s bloody godfather.

“Uncle Carson?” Matt asked speaking slightly louder than necessary with the sensitive microphones. Harry made a gesture to show he didn’t have to be quite so loud.

“Matt! Are you alright?” Carson sighed in relief even as he asked the question.

“Carson you old devil. You never told me you had a godson.” Harry spoke up making Matt look at him in surprise.

“Harry, you better be looking after my godson!” Carson told him.

“Hey! How do you know Major Potter?” Matt asked.

“We work together.” Harry told Matt. “On that mission that you mentioned earlier. I just didn’t realise you meant Carson. Small world I suppose.”

“That or I just can’t get rid of you, Harry.” Carson said in amusement. “So, Matt. Are you alright? I saw you on the news next to Harry.”

“I’m fine, Uncle Carson. I think I actually landed early.” Matt said with a grin and Harry burst out laughing.

“God, you’re starting to sound like the Major and you’ve only known him half a day.” Carson laughed but he was clearly simply relieved and Harry wasn’t surprised. “Well Major, you look after him for me.”

“Well I kind of have to now.” Harry made a dramatic sigh. “You’re the one that patches me up. Heavens knows what you’ll do to me now if he gets hurt on my watch.”

“Major. Be serious for a change.” Carson told him yet he still sounded a little on the amused side.

“He’ll be fine, Carson.” Harry told him. “If I can ever get him out of my cockpit again.”

Matt grinned at him. “I love you, Uncle Carson.” Matt told the Doctor.

“I love you too, Matt. Take care and I’ll talk to you as soon as I can.”

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

A few days later

Harry sat at the side of the table as he finished his food and merely sipped at the nice wine that the table was sharing. It was one of the last nights they had on Earth and tomorrow would be a day away from everyone else to relax before they boarded the Daedalus. Harry had come back to Colorado Springs yesterday while the other pilots had returned to their own homes for a few days with their families and John, Elizabeth, Carson and himself had gone out for the meal. They were in a nice restaurant not all that far from Harry’s apartment though he’d only stayed their last night and not the rest of the time. He’d either been at Jess’ new house or on Kodiak Island.

Carson was telling everyone about when he’d turned on the news the other day to find out about the emergency on flight 781. He’d been terrified to discover that the plane had vanished and the first thing he’d done was call Stargate Command to ask them to use the Daedalus to track down the plane. They were about to power up the ship which had been on the surface doing a work up but were stood down when Harry’s flight located the plane and reported in. Carson had promptly been informed by Stargate Command that a military flight had located the plane and were escorting it into the UK.

What he hadn’t know until he saw the plane on the news after it landed was that not only had Harry been the one leading the military flight but his own godson had been the one to land the plane at the RAF base. He’d almost died of shock when he’d seen Harry standing next to Matt on CNN.

Harry had been amused throughout the story and John couldn’t keep the grin off of his face as they sat opposite each other. As Carson finished the story with the telling of how Harry had contacted him from the Viper and Harry looked up at John and smiled. John shared the smile before Harry looked at Elizabeth as she spoke. “What are your plans tomorrow?”

“Oh, I’ve got a couple of SFs coming to my apartment to pick up all my kit so it can be put on the Daedalus. I’m not boarding until we’re in space. We’re going to try to get a few shots in.” Harry said before grinning wickedly at Carson. “It’ll be good payback to shot at the ship you’re in for a change.”

John and Elizabeth burst out laughing just as they were brought the bill for the meal and they worked out who owed what while Carson defended himself regardless of their continued laughing.

As they walked outside half an hour later after having another drink in the bar they split up and Harry found himself walking with John. “I’m going to walk back to my apartment from here, are you getting a taxi?” Harry asked him.

John glanced around before spotting the entrance the park and pulled Harry into it and walked a few paces before hiding behind a tree and motioning to Harry. Harry glanced around to see if they were being followed before moving a little closer. “What are you doing?”

“Harry, I’ve been thinking. We said on Atlantis that if we were on Earth things would be different. Well we’re on Earth now...” John told him.

“John.” Harry sighed. “In two days we’ll be back on Daedalus and even if it was another two weeks we’d still have our duty to consider. What’s more important to you, your duty or this...?”

“Until I saw you killing yourself in Atlantis and then lying in a coma in hospital I’d have said we couldn’t have both but now I say we can.” John told him. “If we keep it low key and control ourselves nobody needs know and we’re both capable of not letting it affect how we work.”

“You’re serious about this aren’t you.” Harry stated more than asked and John nodded. Harry sighed. “Let’s go back to my apartment and we can talk.”

“Harry, if we go back to your apartment there’s other stuff we’re going to do before we talk.” John told him with a laugh.

Harry stepped closer and smirked. “That was the idea.”

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

End Chapter