Richard has been with the Expedition long enough to know that Sheppard wears his loyalty like a badge. He's loyal even to those of among them that he's never personally met. The fact that they're a part of the whole that is Atlantis is enough to earn them safe passage on the Sheppard Survival Ship. This knowledge comforts Richard while he waits.

All he has to do is wait. Sheppard will do the rest.

(Rodney has reason to feel betrayed. No one asked him first if computers could start talking back! He takes these things personally.)

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed it.