�The Jumpers are equipped with drones,� Sheppard pointed out, immediately jumping to the defence of his beloved Puddle Jumpers.
Landry nodded. �They are. But you are limited in speed, manoeuvrability, and defensive measures. The 302�s, though not as intuitive as what you�re undoubtedly used to by now, are a more viable weapon in battle.� He located the file with the information Sheppard would need and handed it to the Major. �The Daedalus will be leaving a compliment of X-302�s in the care of Atlantis when it takes you all back,� Landry continued, �and, seeing as you seem to be checked out on any bird out there, Doctor Weir and I figured you�d like to get inside the cockpit of your newest ride before you get back to your war zone.�
Sheppard nodded, though he wasn�t sure how much training he would really require�flying had always been mostly intuitive for him, even before encountering the Puddle Jumpers on Atlantis that, quite literally, read his mind, and he had never been the type to learn from listening to an instructor, he was a kinetic learner; he learned by actually doing things rather than listening and reading and memorizing, though he was skilled at learning those ways, too.
�If you get a chance, talk to Colonel Carter about her experiences with the 302�s. You two seem to get on well with each other,� Landry said.
�Colonel Carter and I have known each other for a long time, sir,� John said, jumping to the defensive, mostly out of habit. Past CO�s had thought that there was something going on with him and Sam, and, while it wouldn�t be great for his career, it would be a harpoon to Sam�s career, one that she would, likely, not survive. John had had to face the thought of leaving the Air Force so many times that he knew he had options out there. And, while John knew that Sam had just as many, if not more, options open to her, the Air Force was her life, it was what she loved most, and John would do anything to keep Sam from losing that.
Landry nodded. �So your files say.� He took a beat and then said, �You�ll be at Peterson on time?�
�Yes, sir.�
�Good. Colonel Carter is due back in two hours. Talk to her, then head out,� Landry said. John nodded. �Dismissed.�
With one more nod, John executed a quick about face and left the office.
The gym was poorly lit, something that John had noticed was true of most of the buildings he had been in while back on Earth�though, admittedly, he knew that he had been spoiled by the lights on Atlantis that were, for the most part, controlled by his thoughts, adjusting to how bright he wanted the light to be with nothing more than a fleeting consideration. The room itself was fairly basic, some weight machines, some free weights, a boxing ring, two treadmills, a rowing machine, a row of punching bags, and a few other machines that John remembered once relying upon for his exercise�going to the gym was basically the only way to stay fit in Antarctica, going for a run outside not really being an option�but, again, John wasn�t used to having equipment beyond fighting sticks, floor-space, and some great running routes.
�When you said you wanted to hit the gym this isn�t exactly what I had in mind,� Sam said as she spun away from a high kick aimed at her shoulder.
�You said you�ve been keeping up on your hand-to-hand,� John reminded her, ducking under Sam�s responding punch. He swept his leg out to knock Sam�s legs out from under her but she jumped high enough to avoid his tactic.
Sam chuckled. �You�ve been training with an alien fighting warrior princess, John.�
�Oh, like Teal�c never taught you any moves,� John replied, rolling his eyes.
�Took him a few years to realize he wasn�t going to break the tiny blonde on the team by fighting me, but, yeah, sure, he and I�ve sparred a little,� Sam admitted. She arched an eyebrow at John. �Were you calling Teal�c a warrior princess?� John rolled his eyes in response. �So, really, this is how you relax now? You never used to be all that into hand-to-hand.�
John shrugged. �Things changed.�