Prologue

A single Wraith stood in a lab, at a station, utterly alone. The Wraith had pale green-tinted skin with a design tattooed on his cheek and white dreadlocks. His eyes were yellow and had pupils like snakes'. The room was all grey metal, so that the ceiling looked identical to the floor. A few rows and columns of lab stations filled the room. The Wraith leaned against one farthest away from the door. Before him, vials of odd colored liquids and beakers of various things were spread out. Tubes connected the tops of some and some had caps, while others had nothing. In front of the Wraith, on the station, a sat a Wraith computer. It was a square of what looked to be rubbery skin with a small screen full of scrolling numbers with a small hand-pad. The Wraith seemed to be entering data in it, using only the pad. For a few minutes, he went on like this: just entering data while some of the beakers bubbled and made much noise in general.

Another Wraith, a commander by the look of him, strolled silently in through the metal door. He raised his head as he approached the scientist. The scientist looked up at him and stood up straight; the scientist had been slouching, even though he didn't know it. The commander said, "How are your experiments?"

The scientist bared his pointed teeth in a smile. "It goes well. The modification will destroy them all."

At this, the commander returned the scientist's eager smile, revealing his own enthusiasm. Walking back to the door, pleased and anxious, he responded wryly, "All hail the Ori."

Chapter One:

Dacey

Dacey stalked through the bright halls in Atlantis. Shaun ran up from behind, his footsteps echoed around him. People passing by stepped aside as Shaun nearly ran them over.

"Dacey! Dacey, please wait! Let me talk to you about it."

Dacey wheeled quickly and faced him. Anger spread across her face. "What is it, Shaun? Torren sent you, didn't he? That rat, I swear, one of these days..."

"Dacey, I know you hate Torren, but you have to suck it up. Please, give me a second," Shaun bent over and breathed in deeply. His panting slowly subsided. Dacey waited impatiently. She did hate Torren and wished he had stayed on Earth. Torren wasn't exactly cruel or anything, it was just his attitude towards everything and his personality in general.

"Dacey, listen to me. We can work through your anger. How about we go spar? That way, you release stress and I get a difficult practice." Shaun smiled like he had just thought of a Nobel Prize idea.

Dacey contemplated his proposal. She did like to spar. In fact, it was one of her favorite hobbies here on Atlantis. After a long pause, that stretched out, for what seemed forever, she said, "Fine. If he's there, I will hurt him. I will not hold back and you know it."

Shaun nodded vigorously. "Yes. In that case, do you want to change before we spar? I could use looser clothes. I could rip these. I accidently ordered the wrong sized uniform."

"Fine. I'll meet you outside the sparring room in ten. Don't be late."

With that, the duo departed in opposite directions. Dacey climbed up stairs and down another flight. Walking through a maze of corridors, she arrived at her quarters. The first time she had tried to find her room, she had ended up in a science lab. Dr. Keller had to give her a map and directions. It took her over an hour to find her quarters even with the map.

Stepping into her quarters, Dacey smelled the familiar scent of leather with a hint of metal. A picture of her father and mother smiled at her from a nightstand. She sat on the bed and picked it up. They looked so happy. The picture was the most recent her father could give her. Setting it back down, Dacey stood and walked to the small closet on the opposite side of the room. Searching through it, she found a leather tank top and skirt. The skirt went down to her ankles and had two slits, on the sides, up to her mid thighs. The slits helped provide easy movement. The skirt was Athosian made and perfect for fights.

Dacey stripped and slid on the leather outfit. With a rushed effort, her hair was placed into a messy bun. She had long hair because she had wanted to be normal. When she was young, her dad had told her short hair was meant for soldiers and to cut her hair when she wanted to be a fighter. Going back on track, she went to get her sticks. Taking her sparring sticks, she walked out and headed for the sparring room, her dark bun bobbing with every step. The halls twisted until she arrived. Shaun was already standing outside the door. His sticks were on the floor next to him.

"Took you long enough. Were you trying to look nice for me?" A sarcastic smile played on his lips at the last comment. His blue eyes seemed to emit the same tone.

Dacey snorted. "Of course, dork. Don't I look delightful? I always do." Dacey smirked as Shaun raised his hands, palms up, in defeat. Dacey teasingly punched his left shoulder.

"Of course you always look lovely, Dacey. You first," Shaun said as he held up his arm, indicating she should enter. With a smile, she entered. Shaun picked up his sticks and followed. He actually did think she looked nice, now that he thought about it. The skirt she was wearing swayed as she went into the room.

Inside was empty. Light streamed in through the window. The lights lit as they entered, illuminating the room with bright light. The two situated themselves on the floor. Stretching each arm, a stick in each hand and rolling her neck, Dacey took up a fighting stance. "Ready, Shaun. Attack me."

Shaun needed to be told only once. He jumped forward, swinging his sticks together at her ribs. Dacey blocked with both of hers and sidestepped. Pushing with all her strength, she forced Shaun a few feet back. Balancing he weight, Dacey took up a defensive stance. Shaun came at her again. Dacey twisted to the side and he landed on the ground, on his stomach. Dacey leaped on the opportunity. She twisted his arm behind his back and planted her knee on his back. Shaun rolled and managed to throw Dacey off. She hit the ground hard. The impact jarred her whole body. Shaun leapt on top of her. Straddling her, he held her arms against her sides. She was pinned. Struggling, he pressed down harder. Anger and annoyance coursed through her veins. She should be able to win every time. Her father was supposed to be the military man. Wrapping her legs around his waist, Dacey pulled him backwards. Shaun let go as he fell. This time, it was he who was on the ground. She straddled him, pinning his legs with her ankles. She grabbed his arms and pushed them against the cool floor.

"I've you pinned. Do you give?"

A few moments ticked by. Sighing he said, "Yes…" Instantly, Dacey let go and let him sit up. Still straddling him, Dacey sighed. "I know that look, Dacey. What are you thinking of?"

"Shaun, how can you read me so well? I mean, I can't tell what to do to calm you most of the time. Did you know you were the best kind of a friend a girl could have?"

Shaun smiled slightly like it amused him. He also chuckled before saying, "Oh my dear Dacey, I can read you because I have known you your whole life. Since I was 2 years old I have had the chance to learn your body language. I have and always will be your best friend. And yes, I know I'm an awesome friend."

After the short speech had concluded, Dacey hugged Shaun tightly. She whispered, "Thank you," in his ear. Both smiled as they separated. Dacey stood and held out a hand for him. Taking the help up, he brushed off his shirt. As they grabbed their sticks and began to leave, Zola and Wen came in, arguing furiously. Wen finally got a chance to yell and took it.

"I told you! I wasn't flirting with Torren! I was strictly speaking about business and the upcoming mission to the mainland. The Pegasus Galaxy isn't exactly safe. I was assigned to his team, for protection! What do you want me to do? Show up that day and not be very prepared? His life is in my hand!"

"No, but you could talk a few hours less. Five hours about the mission? He knows about as much as you. You were at the briefing!"

Fuming Wen retorted, "Why do you care? You guys are merely 'friends!' Or are you jealous?" Knowing she had a point, Wen glared at Zola, waiting for a response. Stumped, Zola just glared right back. Both girls crossed their arms across their chests to challenge the other. Finally, Shaun coughed to get attention. The girls turned, surprised someone else was there. Wen sputtered, "Umm…we… uh… were talking…"

The corner of Shaun's mouth twitched upwards. "Yes, I'm sure. We have to hit the showers; well, I do at least. You are in the doorway, so could you two move your fight to the hall or in the room?"

The two stepped inside the door and to the side. Trying not to laugh or smile, Dacey shuffled quickly to the hall. Shaun was close on her heels. Once the door had closed, the two of them burst into laughter. Wen and Zola always fought like an old married couple. Those two girls resolved one issue and found another. Dacey couldn't believe they were fighting over Torren. Dacey pushed the thought from her mind as she took hold of Shaun's arm to steady her. Laughing like mad people, the two stumbled down the hall in the direction of Dacey's quarters.

"Shaun, why do those two fight so much? They need to chill."

Shaking his head, Shaun said, "I don't know Dacey, but I do know they need to get over themselves. Maybe they could even act like friends, like you and I."

Dacey nodded, agreeing. Shaun was right by logic once again. She had to admit, he was a bright one. He took after his father, Rodney McKay, although, he was more handsome, with his light brown hair and crystal blue eyes. He also was kinder to people. McKay also lacked his son's physical strength. Shaun was better built; he got everything good from his mother. At the thought, Dacey grinned widely.

Her smile disappeared as she spotted the one person she hated more than the Wraith: Torren. He was nonchalantly walking down the hall with a look on his face that said he thought he owned the place. Since his mom was nice, kind and raised him like royalty, he was arrogant, self-centered, and thought everyone should treat him like a king. Dacey was one of the few, her and Wen, who let him know she what she thought of him. Dacey, even as a kid, hated him. Torren also made a habit of making her angry on purpose and then acting all sweet to his mom and everyone else. One time, he insulted her dad and so she punched him. He then went and got her in trouble with his mom! Shaun, Wen, Abbie, and Zola were the only ones who knew about what Torren was really like. She wished he would go back to his own planet, like Teyla.

Torren stopped a few feet away and smiled condescendingly at Dacey. He snottily said, "Well, hello, Dacey. I'm not surprised you're out taking a stroll with your boyfriend. I'll give you advice; you're too good for him."

Dacey's face flushed with anger and she started running at him. If Shaun hadn't grabbed her arms to hold her back, she would've hurt him. She could stand being insulting herself but, he had insulted Shaun. Do that, and you have an angry soldier on your hands.

Shaun whispered in her ear, "Don't do it. Walk away. You don't have to prove anything."

Dacey gave an exasperated groan and shook free of Shaun then turned and walked away. Stormed away was more like it. Shaun caught up with her and both began walking towards her quarters again.

Once the pair had reached Dacey's quarters, the door opened. Dacey waved a short goodbye to Shaun and stepped into her room. Shaun waved as the door shut. She flopped on her bed. Silence filled the air around her. Tiredness swept through her body like a hurricane. Curling into a ball, Dacey fell into a deep sleep.