Epilogue

"The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones."

June 16th, 2008
Miranda's Tea Cup, Outside Washington DC

"General, I must admit I'm surprised you agreed to see me."

Jack pulled the seat in front of him out with his foot and sat down lazily. This place was much too frilly for him and he felt very out of place in his dress uniform.

He'd gone over every report from what was being called the 'loyalist' Atlantis crew and they all said the same thing. "You really piss me off sometimes you know that?"

Woolsey sighed and took his glasses off. Jack wondered if the little tea shop he'd chosen for this meeting wasn't out of a misplaced sense of camaraderie. "I understand that General. Seems I have the habit of sticking my nose in places I really shouldn't."

Jack cocked his head and gave him a shit-eating grin. "No ya think?"

A waitress came up with a pad and a cheerful smile. The candle on the table seemed to flicker in her blue eyes. Jack realized that this place wasn't exactly the kind of place most high power business meetings would take place – maybe that's why Woolsey chose it. "Good afternoon sirs, My name's Wendy and I'll be your host today. Is there anything I can get you to drink while you make your order?"

Woolsey didn't hesitate. "Coffee, one cream, two sweetener."

Wendy's smile seemed unending and as she turned to Jack he couldn't help but feel the urge to suddenly claim he was diabetic. "And you. sir?"

Sir? ' "Coffee, black." It was horrible for him, but he needed a stiffener and it wasn't five o'clock yet. "And please, I'm only in uniform because I left my sweater at home. Call me Jack."

Wendy cocked her head as if mildly confused, but smiled warmly and nodded as she wrote it down. Jack couldn't help but see Woolsey give him an odd glare. "Okay. I'll be back in a few with your coffee gentlemen." She turned to Jack. "Jack."

Something's up, it's never this easy. "I'll be waiting." Jack replied in a much too cheerful voice. Woolsey remained impassive but Jack could see the confusion in his eyes. He looked at Woolsey and waited for Wendy to leave before asking. "This place? Really?"

Woolsey shrugged. "The IOA does not see fit to listen in on a midpriced tea shop on the outskirts of DC." Jack raised his eyebrows in surprise. "I think this conversation should remain private."

"Hm." Jack mused. "Okay. So what do you want to say?"

"I agree with them." Woolsey replied. "The renegades I mean, but I had my orders."

Jack snorted derisively. "So did they, and look what happened."

Jack noticed the odd glares from around the room. He imagined it wasn't often that a General in dress uniform and a bald man in a full suit sat and talked here. Mostly there were couples around. Jack shuddered thinking what these people might misconstrue.

Woolsey sighed and shook his head. "We still don't know exactly what happened after the last group was sent back. The Wraith were in the same system, and the Asurans were likely to find them. While the IOA is assuming the city was lost to the Wraith or Asurans, the Air Force is confident that Colonel Carter and Sheppard would activate the self-destruct before allowing that to happen."

"They made it…" Jack drummed his fingers on the table, a quiet sign of his frustration. "Wherever they're going, they made it."

"You seem confident. If you mean the supposed 'Wormhole' Drive', our top scientists assure us such a technology cannot exist." Woolsey quieted a moment before adding. "I'm not so sure."

Jack looked up at Woolsey and began to reconsider his options. Were his life a George Lucas film, he'd shoot Woolsey thereby avoiding getting hit by the Politician's own fire. Of course, it would then get edited many years later to make Woolsey miss the first shot, and then Jack would retaliate. He was glad they'd changed it back for the latest version he'd gotten Teal'c. "What makes you say that?"

Before he could say anything, Wendy came back with a tray alongside their coffees. "Here we go, sir." She handed the mug to Woolsey, setting it down in front of him. "Coffee, one cream, two sweetener." She turned to Jack and smiled as she picked up his mug. "One Coffee, Black. And…" Wendy then pulled a tray she'd hidden in the cart she'd brought. It had several long biscotti on it. "On the house, tray of biscotti for our men in uniform, sir"

Woolsey raised his eyebrows again and made no motion to take one. Jack simply smiled back and looked at Wendy thoughtfully. Mid-twenties, respectful, honorifics… must be ROTC. "Oh? That's a nice change from what I usually get around these parts. What's the special occasion?"

"None sir. Just house rules." Wendy seemed a little nervous, a bit of a change from her former state.

Jack decided to get to the heart of the matter. "You keep calling me 'Sir'. Do you serve?"

Wendy blushed slightly, and after a moment's hesitation nodded. "Yes sir, ROTC. Third year. I'm studying avionics and high temperature and reactive materials and start an internship at Andrews in the fall. I thought I knew most of the Air Force generals but I'm embarrassed to say I don't recognize you."

Jack furrowed his brow. Ha! Knew it. This'll be fun. "I'm not surprised." He made no other mention, no sense worrying Woolsey. "So you wanna fly and blow stuff up, huh?"

Wendy nodded and stood up straighter – Jack could swear she was repressing a salute. "Can't bus tables my whole life, sir."

Jack kept quiet and looked over at Woolsey. The politician merely shrugged. Jack turned back to Wendy. "Not trying to bribe an old General now, are we?"

Wendy shook her head, completely devoid of shame. "No sir, this airman would never think to stoop so low."

"So, what marks you getting? Boom Boom class ain't easy."

Wendy smirked and clearly stifled a laugh. "Straight A's sir. That's how I got the internship at Andrews."

Jack continued, Woolsey could wait a minute.. "Alright. I'm a little busy right now with my civilian liaison, but here." He fished into his pocket and handed her one of his business cards. Her eyes opened wide. She'd been gusty enough to talk to him; she deserved a chance. "Send me an e-mail with your service record and CSV. No explosives expert should be bussing tables." Jack then snorted. "Before that, I'll have a slice of white chocolate cheesecake."

Wendy nodded and quickly scribbled down his order. Jack wasn't sure he'd ever seen a woman that happy. "Yes sir, right away!" She turned to Woolsey and smiled as well. "And for you, sir?" Jack almost laughed at how it seemed an afterthought – but liked that she paid attention to detail.

Woolsey straightened his tie and deadpanned. "Just the coffee, thank you."

The woman quickly excused herself and scurried away, Jack could almost swear she did a little jump for joy as she entered the kitchen several meters away and yelped a familiar Woo-hoo. Jack just rolled his eyes.

When he turned back to Woolsey, the politician was blunt to say the least. "I didn't realize the Air Force hired out of Tea Shops."

Jack shrugged. "If she was being honest, we could use someone like that. Especially before they've become jaded like us." He snorted. "I've learned the hard way not to miss opportunities." Woolsey didn't press him and instead Jack continued. "You were about to answer why you think they made it."

"In all honesty, it's just a feeling." Woolsey sighed and shook his head.

"You? Feeling? My god, you are human."

Woolsey rolled his eyes. "That and I sincerely hope they did succeed. The IOA has been blindsided by this and Mr. Coolidge is under fire for his actions that led to this. Obviously I've made no mention of this to my superiors."

"Good." Jack hissed. "So you're safe?"

Woolsey sighed in relief. "Thankfully the IOA Supreme Council sees no need to accuse me. I went and followed orders, much as the loyalist crew did."

Jack scoffed. "Yeah, the Air Force is launching an investigation into the 'loyalist' crew." He sighed. "There's a lot of flak from them to the IOA for what happened. The Air Force isn't happy."

Woolsey nodded. "Indeed. This situation is going to be touchy for some time." He fished into his suit pocket and pulled out an envelope. Jack recognized the seal and letterhead of the Air Force. "In the meantime, I have something for you."

Jack accepted the envelope. "Oh?" he looked it over; there was nothing on it.

"This is a letter from Lieutenant Colonel Sheppard. He gave it to me right before I was sent back. He asked me to deliver it you."

Jack smiled and tried to hold in his laugh. "You mean before he booted your ass off the city, literally."

Woolsey groaned softly and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Oh, you've seen the video. Yes, apparently Sergeant Campbell has an interesting sense of humor."

Jack smiled and looked over the envelope. He noted that it was unopened. "The IOA hasn't read this? You haven't?"

Woolsey shook his head and became even more serious. "I assumed it was likely something personal. As you both are fully aware of the Deep Space Telemetry program, I saw no need to run it past the censors." He sighed. "Privacy is a privilege we cannot afford to lose."

Jack looked at Woolsey and could see that he was really speaking between the lines. Jack nodded softly in agreement and opened the crumpled envelope. Inside was a formal USAF letterhead and some scribbling.

Sheppard's handwriting was half-decent. The letter was formally addressed to Major General Jonathan O'Neill from Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard.

There were only two things on the entire page.

Mission accomplished, I'm sorry.

And

15h 17m 14.4s

21° 35′ 08″

Jack could tell they were stellar coordinates, with declination and right ascension. It took Jack a few moments, but he soon recognized them. His eyes widened in shock - It was one of his favorite things to look at in those few instances his rather large telescope could be used on clear sky nights. He realized just how unlikely it would be to ever see them again.

"General, are you alright?"

Jack snapped back to reality, it had been at least twenty seconds he'd been in a trance and Woolsey got worried. "Huh?"

"You… spaced out for a minute there. Important news I take it?"

Jack took a few calming breaths, his mind instantly going encyclopedic and his mouth on automatic. "Six hundred million…" Seeing Woolsey suddenly eye him worriedly, Jack focused. He crimpled up the letter and put it over the candle burning it from existence. A few patrons turned to look at the strange sight and he just glowered at them – no one decided to call him on it, not even Woolsey. "You were right. It was personal, and the IOA didn't need to know;" He sighed and rubbed his face. Six hundred damned million light years. Jesus H Christ. "At least not yet."

Sheppard had trusted him. Jack hadn't expected that of the Lieutenant Colonel. Even more, he'd accomplished his mission. Jack was worried at how broken up Carter was on that last call – he hoped Sheppard and Daniel would help her through it. None of the other loyalist Atlantean personnel knew where they had supposedly gone, but Sheppard had trusted Jack, and even more importantly, he'd trusted Woolsey despite the circumstances. It truly shocked Jack to the core.

Maybe it wouldn't be anytime soon, but someday Jack would tell them what the letter said. Until then, he would have to get an even stronger telescope. "Dick, take your politician hat off and tell me honestly. How do we fix the IOA?"

June 12th, 2008
1stt Day in Hoag's Object
Atlantis, Mess Hall Balcony

Sam shivered slightly as she stood on the balcony staring out at the ocean. The damage to the city was extensive, and the hyperdrives had been fried beyond a quick repair. There was no way to estimate the travel time they'd been in the wormhole so they'd just agreed it had to have been instantaneous. The idea of being six hundred million light years away from Earth was mindblowing, but slowly Sam was starting to get a grip on it.

It was still surprising that the Wormhole Drive had worked. It had used so much power at once that it blew out enough power conduits and capacitors that it would be months before Atlantis was back to normal. John had enough trouble using the stardrive just to land on this habitable rock in the middle of nowhere.

Normal. Atlantis was six hundred million light years from its original home, a totally new and alien galaxy. According to Radek and Daniel, there was supposedly an Ancient outpost on the mainland somewhere to the south, but right now all Sam could think about was what she was going to do now that everything she'd ever known was out of reach.

The solar system they'd ended up in was sparse, only 3 planets and all of them gas giants. The outpost mentioned in the database was in actuality situated on the moon of the largest ringed planet, a beautiful Saturn style blue gas giant.

The moon itself was around Mars sized, so gravity was a little lower and Sam felt just mildly queasy. She wondered how the Travelers were coping with the change. It would pass though, once the inertial dampeners and gravity plates were fully repaired. The starlight of the sky was enough to see, and Atlantis had turned down most of their lights. Sam had calculated that it wouldn't be long for the sky to light up, but not the way people might have expected.

She heard a distinct set of footsteps behind her. She recognized them amidst the dozens of others in the mess hall – everyone celebrating and a party being held. It was a little worrying that she recognized his footsteps now. "Hey."

"Hey." John replied. He made no mention of her seeming psychic ability and instead stood next to her. The large Mess Hall balcony had only a few people on it, but it was as private as Sam could get here.

They remained silent a minute, and John gripped the railing in front of him. "It's cold. Kinda strange, huh? I thought I put us down near the equator."

Sam nodded. The science helped, it was a distraction. "Yeah uh, this moon's rotation is pretty crazy, the seasons change every few weeks and we're in the middle of winter now. Could be worse though."

"Oh?"

Seeing that John didn't want to talk much either, Sam continued. "Well, it could be an actual ice planet."

"Hoth?"John snorted.

Sam winced. "And here I was hoping you wouldn't say it."

"Come on." John chuckled. 'This is me, remember?"

"Yup." Sam said simply. Yeah, it really is you.

Another moment passed, and John wrapped an arm around Sam. Sam sighed and took John's hand in hers that draped over her shoulder. She needed to get something off her chest. "John." she turned her head to look at him. "We need to tell them. About Rodney."

John nodded as he looked back at her. "Agreed, he deserves a little recognition." He sighed softly. "Just wish Jeannie knew."

Sam smiled and squeezed John's hand on her shoulder. "She knows. I uh, I kinda wrote a little coded note in my letter to her. She'll know how to read it. She'll find out."

John was speechless. Sam loved how he looked so utterly appreciative. "Sam, have I ever told you you're incredible?" Sam felt a little embarrassed, it was so easy to take it the wrong way. "I mean that. I think this place deserves someone like you. You can truly appreciate it."

Sam felt her cheeks blush and she receded into herself. "I told you, flattery will get you nowhere." She turned to John again. "But thank you."

John squeezed her again, now taking her other hand in his free one forming something akin to a pretzel with their arms. "So what are your plans? I'm thinking we set up some kind of memorial. Give these people something to remember Pegasus…" he paused for a moment and then smiled. "…and Rodney."

"I like that." Sam said. "I can talk to Daniel and see what the refugees think. I don't doubt they'll like it." She took a moment to think, and then changed the subject. "John."

"Yeah?"

"I don't think… I mean, we need to talk about, us."

John stayed quiet for a moment, but then to Sam's relief he spoke. "Yeah. I need time too."

Oh thank god. "It's for the best." Sam said. She squeezed his hand again. "I'm not saying no. I mean, like it or not, I think we can both agree we're…connected." Sam felt terrible in so many ways. It was something she'd wanted to say for a long time, but not in this context. She knew well enough to wait – work past her own internal demons before allowing anything to happen.

"Yeah." John said again. Sam almost felt like teasing him.

In fact… "You're very agreeable."

John chuckled. "I just think we're on the same page." He let go of Sam's hands and rubbed his face. "I'm still messed up, and… and don't be surprised if I want to talk sometimes. But I think I can work through it. There's a lot to do for the city and then I have to find someway to be useful again." He turned back to Sam. "Whatever we've got, I think it can wait."

Sam felt relief like she couldn't believe. "Thank you." She turned away. "I'd appreciate it if we kept things… private."

John scoffed. "Not like I'm a town crier."

Sam laughed. She hated that it was so easy with him; they just clicked. "I actually wanted to thank you for something else too."

"Oh?"

"Yeah." Sam lowered her voice, she didn't want anyone else to hear this. "Thank you for forcing my hand." She saw the amusement leave John's face. "I'm serious, John. It's been a long time since I've been in a situation where people don't automatically agree with me, or have me consider what kind of person am I for real. As much as it hurts, leaving Earth behind, I can't express what it feels like knowing i did it for those people." She motioned back to the mess hall. John just stayed quiet. "You have this ability to bring out the best in everyone. I'm just glad my best is able to keep up."

John didn't say anything, he just sighed softly and rubbed the back of his head in confusion

Sam could see her admission had really affected him. So she added. "I'm proud of you, John. Yes, you're an impulsive hero, but you don't do it in vain. These people have you to thank for saving them."

"What about the people who didn't make it?" John countered. Sam could hear the pain in his voice. "All the people who are dead because of what I let happen?"

"I don't believe for a second it's your fault." Sam replied. "Ignorance is the price we all pay for our exploration. We alerted the Goa'uld to Earth by accident years ago and it took us over ten years to stop them for good, but we did it." She shook her head. "Don't ever believe it John. No matter what you think, you aren't to blame for what's happened." She waved back to the mess hall. "I'm proud of you, and I'm sure so are the others. Don't ever forget that."

She didn't say anything else and turned back to the view. John stayed quiet as well and they both watched the waves crest on Atlantis' piers – a small island far off in the distance.

They stood together for another few moments before a voice cut what little privacy they had asunder.

"Aw, cute!"

Both John and Sam shirked their shoulders and turned, Mila had been the one to speak, but she was being carried on Radek's back. She had a bandage on her left hand, as well as another one on her head. Sam was the first to recover. "Mila, Radek?"

Radek smiled and carried the girl who was almost the same height as him as if she were no heavier than a small knapsack. Mila laughed. "Aw don't worry about me, nothing I haven't had before. I never got a ride like this though!"

Behind Radek, Larrin along with Cadman stepped onto the balcony both smiling. "Yeah right. You're lucky Reyna was so close. Don't you ever do that again you hear?"

Cadman laughed and elbowed Larrin playfully. "Aw come on, give the kid a break, she did save us all."

Mila became indignant even as Radek carried her towards the balcony and set her down. "You're damned right! And who you calling kid?"

Sam had to laugh; this whole experience was a gift. They'd escaped from death any dozens of ways. Not everyone had come through completely intact, but they had the time to put the pieces back together now. "Larrin, how are your people holding up?"

Larrin shrugged as she leaned on the railing next to Radek and Mila. Laura moved next to John. "Queasy. This place makes me feel like I'm falling upwards. But we're okay – our wounded are being treated and those who can are planning repairs to the city." She chuckled and motioned inside. "After the party of course. Those refugees can brew a mean drink."

"Got room for us?" Sam heard from inside. She spotted Mehra, Drake and Vega walking in. Vega and Drake both looked like they'd lost a fight, but Dusty held onto both of their shoulders and pushed them forward between them. "Draky and Vegabond had a bad night. Figure the fresh air will do them good."

John started to chuckle, Sam smiled seeing that John had apparently gotten over his momentary melancholy. "Great, the view's fantastic. And I think the people running the bar got ahold of your slug juice."

"Slivovitz." Drake corrected as he walked forward and took his spot on John's opposite side near the railing. "And yes, I noticed."

Sam noticed that he didn't use an honorific, but then again why would he at this point? There was no organization behind either her or John to ensure he followed orders. That time was gone. Right now, she was just Samantha Carter.

Behind the former soldiers, Ronon walked in next to Dr. Esposito who looked like she didn't know whether to be excited or grief stricken. Sam was a little dumbfounded how they all seemed to join in, almost like magnetism. "Doctor Esposito, Ronon. Good to see you both."

Ronon nodded as he joined up on John's side. "Lots going on inside. Refugees want to meet us all, Travelers too. Party's getting bigger and bigger."

Rafaela blew a hard sigh. "I thought maybe since I joined you guys right at the end they wouldn't know me, but everyone seems to want to thank me or give me a hug."

Mehra chuckled and shook her head. "I think they might be after something else, Doc."

"Hey." Cadman retorted. "Not that I don't agree, but keep the gutter in the gutter." She then started laughing. "Sorry Ella. Too easy."

Everyone gave a small laugh except for Sam, John and Rafaela. Larrin just shrugged. "Yeah well. You people will have to get used to my people. No offence, but we do outnumber you."

Sam said nothing, but let the people around her talk instead. To her amazement, it was Vega who replied. "Yeah, right. Already had five people offer to take me out. I thought doolies were bad." She turned to Drake. "Don't you get any funny ideas; I know how you operate."

John chuckled and said. "Well, this looks like the start of an interesting adventure." He turned out towards the horizon. "Alright, if I may have your attention, behold!"

Everyone turned and looked. Sam already know what John was waiting for – she'd been waiting for it too. The sky had slowly been brightening, and now past thc cloudbank a faintly darker blue shape crested up.

Cadman lost her humor and exclaimed. "Hey, what's that?"

"It looks like a wave, but it's huge!" Mila said, her voice sounded awes.

Sam had to admit, Mila's quickly recovering attitude was heartening. "It's the planet rise, Mila. We're on a moon. The planet happens to be blue."

Dusty blew a bubble with her gum and it popped loudly. "Planet rise?"

Radek finally spoke. "Yes, as this is a moon, we will have both sunrises and planet rises. Sometimes only planet rises when it eclipses the sun."

Larrin shivered and rubbed her arms together. Her light leather clothing didn't do much against the cold. She turned and looked back to the mess hall inside. "Chucky! Get your ass out here!"

Chuck appeared momentarily – a glass of Drake's Slivovitz in his hand. "Hah?"

Waving him over, Chuck slowly stepped out onto the balcony where the rest of them watched the slow and graceful planet rise. Sam had never seen something like this. The rings of the planet crested on one side, while the main body of the planet pushed up like a dark blue sun.

Larrin quickly and without a shred of shame, pulled Chuck close and wrapped his arms around her. "Come on, it's freezing."

Nobody said anything as they watched the planet rise and overtake the horizon. The Saturn like planet was disconcertingly beautiful. A tapping sound came from the mess hall and once more Sam knew right away who it was. She turned to the door and waved. "Daniel, I'd kill you for getting up in the condition you're in but you've got to see this. It's unbelievable."

Teyla helped Daniel in with one arm, and the other held her child close in a warm blanket. Daniel limped, but a cane kept him going. Sam knew Daniel hadn't been injured that severely, and he had a tendency to bounce back quickly. Daniel said. "Hey, I heard everyone was out here. Figured we'd join in."

"You are not exaggerating, Sam." Teyla said. "I have never seen something like that." She pointed out to the planetrise. The curvature of the planet was noticeable now

Everyone remained silent, watching the unreal way the gas giant in the distance rose inch by inch, the enormous ring now clearly visible in the dimly lit sky. It glowed with an eerie yet hauntingly beautiful blue sheen.

Of all people, it was Mila who spoke first. "It's beautiful."

Ronon growled. "Yeah, it is."

Sam smirked. What an odd group of people. Teyla said "We should name this planet, er, moon. It is going to be our new home."

Her words were both sobering and hopeful, something that the Sam took a few seconds to digest. The others did too as it took Daniel a few moments before he said. "Well, the Database called this outpost Eurynomestatis. I admit, it's a bit of a mouthful."

Larrin scoffed. "How about we shorten it to Yuri? Doesn't sound too bad."

Radek shook his head. "And name moon after Gagarin? No, we need a name with significance to us."

Sam noted the Earthborn humans chuckled, and Laura spoke next. "How about Yavin?" John, Sam, Chuck and Daniel all shot her disbelieving glances. "What? I know the planet's not the right color and there's no Death Star but it's better than Yurimenade-nade-statistics… whatever."

"No!" Sam shook her head and laughed. "Sorry but I already vetoed John's 'Hoth'. Radek's got the right idea." She turned back to the horizon. "How about Ionia?" She looked back for reactions, While most gave her strange glances, it was Daniel's disbelief that made her smile. "I'm thinking of the Ionian Islands from the Iliad – an epic poem from Earth. The hero Odysseus was lost far away from home. " She blew a stray strand of her hair from her eyes with a quick sigh. "I certainly feel like Odysseus right now."

Drake made a disagreeing sound with his throat. "I dunno, Ionia sounds so, Star Trek.' A few people laughed, but he remained calm.. "I don't suppose the database has any names other than Eurynomestatis?"

Daniel raised his eyebrows again. Sam was impressed too. "Wow. No offense Lieutenant but I'm impressed you can say it." Drake merely shrugged. Mehra gave him a playful elbow to the gut. "Nothing of interest from what I could see."

Radek grumbled slightly and spoke. "Actually, database says Galaxy is called Little-churos. I have no clue what it means in Ancient, Dr. Jackson?"

Daniel shrugged. Sam saw both Vega and Rafaela suppress laughter. At least Sam knew what a churro was. Daniel replied "I'd have to see what symbols it uses, but it sounds like Litichoro which would mean 'City of the Gods' or something to that effect."

Drake made a sound with his throat, and then shrugged a bit. "It's still a mouthful. Sounds pretty weird too to be honest. What'd we call this galaxy? Hoagie?"

Sam winced. Drake certainly didn't mince words. To her surprise, Rafaela spoke softly. "How about Saudade?"

Sam watched as both Vega and Daniel lost their smiles. Saudade? She wasn't the only one as Larrin noticed immediately and asked. "Sow-daad? What does it mean?"

Vega spoke quietly. "It's Portuguese. It's kinda hard to translate to English in a single word but it means something like sadness."

Daniel cleared his throat, groaned in slight pain but then nodded. "Yeah, it uh, it's supposed to mean ' a sorrowful longing for something that you know you'll never really get'. A few languages have words like that."

Everyone in their group on the balcony became very quiet. Sam had to admit, Rafaela had hit the nail on the head. The only sound was the wind and waves crashing hundreds of feet below them. Even the Travelers and Pegasus natives among them were affected by the translation.

John finally took a stand, and he spoke with confidence. "Saudade. It's got my vote."

Sam nodded in agreement. "Mine too."

One by one, everyone agreed. It was a perfect name Sam thought, and she was just about to take a moment to take it in when Chuck called out. "Hey, everyone line up on the railing. Gonna take a picture."

John groaned. "Oh seriously? With what?"

To Sam's shock. Chuck produced an electronic device from his shirt. It took Sam a second to recognize it and suddenly she felt ridicules. "Oh, you have got to be kidding me. You brought an iPhone?"

Chuck shrugged. "Not mine actually. One of the scientists left it. I gathered all the phones and PDAs we had left. Still a few left if you want one." Chuck then insisted. "And hey, figured I was coming to party. I don't have a Facebook or Myspace anymore, but I think we might want to remember this at some point." Everyone groaned and laughed at the ridiculous comment. Sam rubbed her forehead. Disaster awaits.

To her surprise, Chuck walked towards the messhall and then barked. "Hey Marks! Marks! Yeah! Major! Come on! Come here! I need you for a minute!"

He's drunk. Sam thought. It didn't surprise her that some of the crew might take things a bit more relaxed. Chuck especially. Major Marks joined them a few moments later with Katana and another Traveler behind him. Chuck quickly took the other Traveler by the shoulder and began to show him the iPhone while guiding Marks and Katana towards the balcony.

Marks turned to Sam as he approached. "The hell? What's going on, ma'am?"

Sam rubbed away the slowly approaching headache. She muttered. "He wants a picture. I can't really blame him." She turned to Marks and realized that she hadn't asked yet. "Actually, you've been pretty busy. How is Daedalus?"

Marks shrugged. "It's got no thrust to speak of now. I don't know what the Wraith did, but we burnt out our emergency thrusters trying to take off in those last few minutes. We're gonna have to talk about getting refined resources somehow to make repairs."

"Come on, Major." Cadman cut in. "We can talk business afterwards. I can give you a hand de-energizing all that ordinance if you want. I know you've got a smile in you."

Oh yeah, Relaxed is the new black. Sam thought to herself. "Thank you Captain." She then relented. "I guess one picture wouldn't hurt." Marks gave her a disbelieving look. "Much." She added which got a smile on his face. Katana seemed disoriented with everyone around, but shrugged and accepted the situation.

Chuck finished giving the rather confused Traveler a quick tutorial on how to operate the iPhone's camera. He looked at the device with more than a little skepticism but relented. Chuck moved over and took Larrin in a one-armed hug, telling everyone to move in closer.

Sam smiled cynically, but then lost it as John wrapped his own arm around her as well. On the other side, Mila scrunched in as well. Sam found herself in the middle of this ridiculous frame. She couldn't help it, and started chuckling. This was too good, too ridiculous, and too funny to be believable.

John whispered. "What's so funny?"

The Traveler seemed to move around to get a good shot, and then tapped the phone hard. Chuck groaned and shook his head. "No no Sylek, you have to tap it gently. It's a digitizer touch screen, not resistive!" He grumbled. "Couldn't wait a few weeks for the 3G…"

Sam just kept laughing, and hugged John back – laying her head on his shoulder. "Just smile, John."

Nobody said anything, and Sam just accepted the circumstances as the Traveler finally took a proper picture. It'd look terrible at only two megapixels, but Sam realized Chuck was right; she did want to remember this moment.