5
"This is a bad idea," the Wraith commander murmured, arms crossed. Golden eyes flickered to the hallway on his right. "We should have sent them back the instant they came through the Stargate."
Kelsha shook her head, long hair the color of the sunset swishing over the black leather of her dress. "No. Someone must have told them where to find us and we both know that none of our contacts would do so unless they thought sending Sheppard and his team was important." Her voice held an echo to it that seemed more like a Wraith's voice than a human's. Blue eyes glinted with inner steel as she looked up at the commander who towered over her by at least a foot.
The Wraith bared his teeth in a quiet snarl. "After the last time we were sent a contact, you'll understand if I'm not too eager to expose you to danger again."
The skin on Kelsha's right arm seemed to burn all over again. She did understand, but a suicide drone wasn't going to keep her from hearing the team from Atlantis out. "I appreciate your concern…Commander…and believe me, I share the sentiment." She flexed her gloved right hand meaningfully.
Catching the movement, the Commander was quiet for a moment more before nodding curtly as footsteps echoed up the hall. "Very well, but I'm still not happy about this." Straightening his arms, he moved to stand protectively at her right side.
Cautiously coming around the corner, the Atlantis team raised their weapons unanimously when they saw them. Sheppard, at point, frowned in confusion. "You're Kelsha?"
"I am." Kelsha gestured at the Wraith next to her. "This is my Commander."
"But you're human!" McKay exclaimed before Sheppard could glare him into silence. "They didn't say anything…"
"We were expecting someone more…"
"Wraith?" Kelsha's brows came together in a frown. "I'm sure whoever gave your our location informed you about our work?"
"You make the Wraith turn on each other?" Ronan grunted, suspicion and slight admiration warring in his tone.
Kelsha nodded. "Precisely. It's a line of work that relies on unpredictability. Nothing should be as expected. If it is, we're dead."
The Commander lifted his head a little. "Now explain why one of our contacts was forced to abandon cover for you," he growled, never taking his eyes off Ronan.
The four shifted in uncomfortable silence for a while before Sheppard slowly lowered the muzzle of his gun off-center and straightened. "Couple of weeks ago two teams of my people went missing from villages on planets off the Wraith's radar. When we went to find out where they went, we found two Wraith outposts."
"My people have heard rumors about what you have done," Teyla cut in. "When word reached one of our allies, he led us to your…contact and we explained the situation just like we are explaining it to you."
Kelsha looked up at the Commander and locked eyes with him. Wraith outposts on planets the Wraith themselves had no interest in She raised an eyebrow in a silent question. Could they risk sending a scout to see if what the team was saying was true?
Reading the minute inflections on the Commander's face was as easy as if he'd spoken aloud. If eight of their people were missing, finding them could be a step in becoming allies. Also if the two phantom outposts were just the beginning, they needed to get a hint of what happened there so they could be forewarned themselves.
"Very well," Kelsha sighed and returned her focus to the team. "You've caught our interest. We will be sending a scout to validate your claim and when he returns, then we'll discuss this further."
Looking like he believed none of it, Sheppard smiled demurely nonetheless. "Great. So, if you don't mind, we'll be leaving now."
"No you won't."
Stopping abruptly, four pairs of eyes turned her way. "Why not?"
"Because you know this planet's address, we can't allow you to leave until we've moved to another one." Kelsha held her hands out in a peaceable gesture. "All of our potential clients are aware of this before they step through the Stargate. Didn't your contact tell you of this?"
"I guess he kinda forgot that little footnote," Sheppard growled and he eyed the two of them speculatively.
"If you are thinking about making a run for it, I wouldn't suggest that you try," the Commander added with false-politeness. "The moment you render either of us unconscious, fully-automated force fields will activate and you will be immobilized until you could be moved to a more...secure...location."
"Oh yeah?" Ronan raised his weapon and aimed it at the Commander's head. "I think you're bluffing."
The Commander snarled and stepped forward, but Kelsha held up a hand, stopping him in his tracks. "You don't have a choice, Ronon Dex," she began softly, but with steel in her voice. "Either agree to be held in a secure room or I'll be forced to separate all of you into your own private cells." When Sheppard didn't say anything, she frowned even further. "The only reason you haven't been separated as of yet is due to the fact that we desire to—how would you say it—'stay on the Atlantean's good side.' However, if you do anything to threaten us, we will gladly take the risk."
"Well, we don't respond nicely to threats either," Sheppard tossed back, but he motioned for Ronan to lower his gun, "but you haven't killed us yet."
"Precisely." Kelsha reached to a small glowing jewel on her glove and pressed it. "If you'll follow me, I will take you to the holding room. A security detail will be joining us shortly and they will take you the rest of the way." Turning around, she strode down a dark corridor without making sure that they followed. Soon enough, the thud of military boots soon joined her brisk ones. Teyla managed to draw next to her, a questions etched in her very posture. "If you have a question for me, ask, but you might not get an answer."
Jerking in surprise, Teyla nibbled her bottom lip briefly. "What did they promise you to ensure your…cooperation?" This was asked in a murmur with a backward glance towards where the Commander had taken the rear position.
"Nothing," Kelsha replied firmly. "As difficult as it is for you to believe, Teyla Emmagan, the Commander and I—and indeed, all the other Wraith and humans involved—have a mutual understanding." She tossed her hair over her shoulder, reluctant to speak more. The security detail would be there any minute.
"A 'mutual understanding?'" Teyla repeated dubiously. "Are you saying…"
Kelsha jerked her head in a no. "Part of the agreement is that none of the human contacts are fed on. Any breech of that will result in the death of the Wraith in question."
Teyla was silent for a moment. "How did you come to receive the Wraith's…respect?"
With the brisk and reassuring sound of boots, the security detail, two humans and two Wraith, met them at an intersection. "You requested us, Kelsha?" One of the humans inquired curtly.
"Please escort Colonel Sheppard and his team to the holding room and make sure that they are not to receive visitors unless it is me or one of the Commanders." Kelsha turned to face the team, head held high. "Please don't be difficult. If you cause problems, I will have no problems in ordering them to use whatever force necessary to make sure you cooperate."
Sheppard made a face. "Like we have any choice?"
"There's always a choice, Colonel. It depends on if it's the right one." Kelsha's lips quirked in a tiny, dry smile and she strode down the hallway to her right before she could give anything away, the Commander a step behind her.
