“You want to go where?”

	“I told you, an Ancient research facility.”

	“That’s on a non-gate planet.”

	“Yes.”

	Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard had been walking down one of the many hallways of Atlantis when he was accosted by the city’s head of science, Doctor Rodney McKay. “How long?” he asked the scientist.

	“Huh?”

	Sheppard sighed. “Rodney, how long will it take us to get there by Puddle-jumper?”

	“Hmm?  Oh, about 638 years, give or take.”

	Taken aback, Sheppard stopped abruptly and turned to McKay. “638 years.”

	“Give or take.”

	“Rodney?”

	“What?”

	“No.” Sheppard continued on his way to the gym.

	McKay began to follow him again, “Colonel, there’s a very good chance of a ZedPM being left there.”

	“Rodney, 638 years.”

	McKay rolled his eyes. “Well, obviously its not going to take us that long to get there.”

	“No?  Well, how long then?”

	“10 hours.”

	“How do you go from 638 years to 10 hours?”

	Rodney grinned, “By gating to a nearby planet and traveling the rest of the way by jumper.”

	“So we’ll be catching a connecting flight and then heading where?”
	“The Ancients called it Galadon, but it’s been designated PX3471.”

	Sheppard recognized Rodney’s ‘lecture mode’ voice and had to stop the scientist if he was going to be on time for stick practice with Teyla.  “Sounds good, I’ll talk to Elizabeth.”

	“Good, good.  When do you think we’ll go?”

	Sheppard grinned to himself.  He loved nettling Rodney.  “I’m going to have to check my social calendar, but I think my Friday’s open.”  His words had the desired effect. 

	“Fantastic,” McKay said, his tone dripping with sarcasm, “I’m so glad you can squeeze this in.”

	“No problem.”  As he walked off, Sheppard shouted over his shoulder, “This better not take 638 years..I’m completely booked Saturday!”