“So long, Rodney.” said John.
He left the chair and ran from the room.
“There's got to be a way to- Major!” yelled Rodney as he saw John go.
Knowing there was no more time, John headed for the gateroom as fast as he could.
“Colonel, we have a problem.” said Elizabeth.
“What is it?” asked Everett.
“We may need to give the order to evacuate.” replied Elizabeth.
John ran into the gateroom in time to hear Elizabeth’s words. “Elizabeth, wait.” he said as he raced past her.
He started up the stairs as she turned around, then stopped and looks at her.
“You can’t.” said Elizabeth, her voice filled with anguish.
“I have to, and you know it.” said John. His chest was tight with emotion but his resolve never waivered.
Elizabeth shook her head. “John. . . “ She paused for a long moment and then said, “Go.”
John nodded and ran up the stairs.

John settled into the pilot’s seat and quickly brought up the power. His hands moved effortlessly over the controls and within minutes he was airborne. As he cleared the atmosphere he cloaked the jumper and flew through the attacking darts.

“Hopefully if I take this one out, the other one will back off.” His voice was calm, quiet but inside his heart was hammering. He tried to concentrate on the mission but images kept flashing through his mind. Images of his time in Atlantis, the friends he had made and the enemies. He thought of the people he was leaving behind and the many things that remained unsaid and undone.

“You know, if this works. . . Somebody might have to do it again.” he said, trying to bring his mind back to the business in hand.

“Understood.” said Elizabeth.

Hot emotion washed over John as he heard the anguish and regret in Elizabeth’s voice. He felt slightly guilty at leaving her to shoulder the burden of looking after their people alone. He thought back to the arguments and discussions they had shared, the times they had stood on the balcony looking over the ocean and he felt once again the weight of his responsibility not only to her but to all of them. He thought of his team then and all the adventures they had shared off world, both good and bad. What would become of them once he was gone?

As he began the final approach to the Hive ship, John took a deep, steadying breath. In his mind he said goodbye to everyone in the Atlantis expedition, then added a silent goodbye to his father. He hoped his father would be proud of him in these final moments of his life.

Feeling the brooding presence of the bomb behind him he set the controls and prepared to go in.

“They haven't detected my approach. Weapon is armed and ready. I'm going in.”