Afterthought

by Annie

URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/asa/annie/aftertho.php
Summary: John and Rodney have a quick talk.

John walked into the control room, saw Rodney working on the city's automatic submersion sub-routine and walked over to sit next to him.

"Colonel Ellis says we did the right thing in making the first strike."

"Hmmm?"

"Elizabeth thinks we just angered Oberoth into retaliating."

"Hmmm."

"Rodney!"

"What?"

"Will you at least look at me when I'm talking to you."

Rodney looked up and saw John sitting next to him.

"I'm sorry, what were you saying?"

"Colonel Ellis thinks we did the right thing in making the strike against the Replicators and Elizabeth thinks we've angered them into attacking us."

"And what do you think?"

"I don't know. They both have valid arguments."

"What?" Rodney's voiced raised slightly, the disbelief clearly heard.

"You yourself wanted to know if it was the right thing to do."

"I know I did, but events have made it pretty clear we were right."

"So you agree with Colonel Ellis?"

"Yes, don't you?"

"I told you, Rodney, I don't know."

"Okay, look at it this way. Do you really think the Replicators didn't already have this planned? That in the few hours after Horizon was launched they managed to not only create their weapon, they stripped a ship and installed the Stargate into it."

"I suppose when you put it that way..."

"That they also managed to manoeuvre said ship into an orbit around the planet and attack us. Listen, we did the right thing. They probably planned to use this weapon against us all along, to keep us busy while they flew their ships to Earth."

John looked at his lover, at the certainty in his eyes, and smiled as Rodney continued talking.

"And here's an afterthought for you, we didn't make the first strike, the Replicators did. They're on their, what, third attack of Atlantis now when we've only gone after them the once."

"Yet another good point, Rodney."

"Yes, well, I'm always good for good points." Rodney grinned then turned back to the computer programme he was currently bending to his will.

"So, I guess I'd better leave you to it. Elizabeth will want to know how the plan is going and you only have ten minutes left of your hour." John stood, his arm brushing against Rodney's in a quiet show of support.

"Thanks, John."

Rodney watched as John walked away, then turned to Radek and asked how he was doing with bypassing the safety protocols.