Chapter 1

Elizabeth entered the conference room carrying her data-pad in one hand and her much needed coffee in the other. She noted that Sheppard was already there along with Ronon and Teyla. They were all laughing over a shared joke. She smiled at the image as she greeted them.

"Morning."

Sheppard acknowledged her with a nod, "Elizabeth".

Weir returned his nod noticing that despite his mirth moments ago he looked tired. She made a mental note to talk to him about taking a few days off. Her attention was distracted as Rodney entered the room carrying his data pad and grumbling about his incompetent staff.

"What have they done now?" asked Weir not sure that she really wanted to know.

"Drank the last of the coffee I'm betting," suggested Sheppard.

Rodney gave Sheppard a glare before Ronon laughed and said "Sheppard's right."

Weir hid her smirk behind her coffee cup.

"I'll have you know my morning coffee is very important."

"I am sure that it is," stated Teyla.

"Okay. Have we all had our fun now?" asked Rodney as he sat down next to Sheppard.

"So Rodney, what's so interesting about PX3-M37 that you want to bump the visit to the Dalerians that has been planned for the last month?" asked Weir.

"Only one of the largest Ancient settlements in the Pegasus Galaxy. There is bound to be at least one ZPM, drones, puddlejumpers .."

"Breathe, Rodney."

"I thought you'd be more excited given weapons may be involved."

"10,000 years is a long time. Who is to say it is still there?" asked Sheppard.

"That's why we need to check it out. This is the best chance we've had for a long time to find what we need to defend ourselves against the Wraith."

"Okay," replied Sheppard.

"Okay Rodney. Send a MALP. If it checks out then you have a go."

Everyone stood to leave. Rodney was the first out the door saying "I can have the MALP ready to go in 15 minutes."

"John can I talk to you for a moment?" asked Weir.

"Sure. What's up?"

"You look tired. Is everything okay?"

"I'm fine."

Weir gave him her skeptical look.

"It's true. I'm fine. " replied Sheppard with a lop-sided smile.

"That may be but I think you've earned a day off. Lorne can take this mission."

"What?" Sheppard's smile left his face as he took in what she had said before challenging her. "I'll take the day off tomorrow if you do too. When was the last time you had a day off?"

Weir frowned and shook her head. When had she lost control of this conversation.

"I have far too much work to do to take tomorrow off and this wasn't about me. I'm not the one out there taking all of the risks."

"No you're the one who has to watch and wait not knowing whether we are dead or injured. And you're the one who has to make the final decisions that could result in people being killed. I'll take a day off when you do. We can visit the Athosians or the Dalerians. We could even sit out on the East Pier and do nothing."

Weir studied the serious look on Sheppard's face and thought about a lazy day on the pier. It did sound good.

"Okay we both take a day off once you've checked out this planet."

Sheppard smiled at her reply and followed her out to the control room where Rodney had a MALP ready to go.

"Good I was wondering when you two were going to get here."

"Just dial the planet, Rodney."

Rodney mumbled something under his breath as he selected the glyphs for the gate address. The wormhole established and he sent the MALP forward through the event horizon as Sheppard and Weir watched the monitor expectantly.

"We should be receiving a signal . . .now." The static resolved to a black screen. "Oh. I guess it's night." Rodney sounded a little disappointed.

"What about the other readings?" asked Sheppard.

Rodney glanced at the computer screen in front of him and replied. "Breathable air. Cool but not too cold. There is no cloud cover at present. No life signs near the gate." Rodney paused as he looked at the screen.

"What is it Rodney?" asked Weir.

Rodney turned to look at both Sheppard and Weir. "There is an energy signal in the direction of the Ancient settlement. We might have found ourselves a ZPM."

Weir had a smile on her face at the thought of a ZPM. Maybe their luck was changing and they would be in a position to at least mount a reasonable defense against the Wraith.

"How long are the nights on this planet?" asked Sheppard

"Let me see." Rodney studied the data for a while and made some calculations on his data pad. "I'd say about 12 hours but the night could've started 2 hours ago or 10."

"Either way we leave in 12 hours."

"We're taking a puddle jumper this time right? I mean the settlement is several kilometers from the gate and I need to take my equipment."

John rolled his eyes. "We can take a jumper."