Born killer

Chapter 1

_Somewhere out in the Pegasus galaxy _

Sheppard stretched his muscles; all that paperwork seems to have developed a knot of tension in his limbs. There is no stress like the kind that comes from mountains of standard, ordinary, boring paperwork. He gently shakes himself back to the situation at hand. Eight week on leave trapped on the Hammond (Atlantis' newest battleship), two of which were at his brother's home dealing with private family matters aka money… sigh. Two months of all this real work had, been a too real of a situation. Sheppard's joy in life was the chase whither you were being chased by wraith or giving chase; it is what John lives for. As his team dabbled about in the ruins, Sheppard sees the scientist get excited and decides he'd better check this out. Sighing again John is glad his life isn't ordinary.

Standing beside the pit the archeologist dug, what apparently was an entrance. Examining the entrance, John noticed Mckay and Todd approach. Todd had been reluctant to help the scientists translate the ruins days ago, but since Sheppard got back from Earth and had a little conversation with the big wraith, he seemed to have gave in.

The ominous looking creature looks far more impressive in his leather coat than he ever could dress in a dusty blue jumpsuit. Sheppard smirked at the memory of how easily Todd agreed to behave himself for the promised return of his old clothing. For a few days after that Todd couldn't be more content since his humour also returned.

Todd's un-fortunate trip to Earth, locked in the brig of Atlantis, on its way to protect those humans' home world was not exactly how he deliberated. He didn't know the super hive had Earth's address, let alone that it had the power to get there. In his anger about losing his Hive, his alliance, his influence, he had knocked on Atlantis's front door and gave them what they wanted. If only, to destroy his enemy. Those actions lead to a ten month incarceration on Earth. However; that situation wasn't even close to the one he had with the Genii.

Comparing Todd's imprisonment was as fallowed: At the hands of the Genii Todd was beaten and tortured with starvation, locked in a 6x7 cell, wrapped in chains. He was prodded with electric jolts until he divulged information; only to be rewarded with 2 centuries of bleak solitude. The commander wasn't aloud to neither die nor be killed; spontaneous feedings were aloud when his captors had enemies to spare. To his misery he broke, sinking to the lowest of animals.

However, to Todd's gratification his imprisonment on Earth couldn't I've been more dissimilar. Todd was studied, but not with the same cruelty. Asked questions and samples taken but only by Dr. Jenifer Keller or Dr. Carson Becket. Both of which were gentle and courteous. Despite their studying Todd was content to exchange his spices physiology for the outings. His home in the Brig had been a short one, moved to a small room in the bowels of the city. Inside the room he was away from the guards' stairs and was able to move freely. The big wraith's calculating mind wouldn't let him forget about the starvation he endured in the hands of the Genii. Those fears however didn't come to light.

Dr. Becket for months prior to the super hive event had been negotiating and pleading his government for a temporary source of decent prisoner rations. And when a certain wraith fallowed Sheppard home he found himself a hot meal (so to say) at the door. Perhaps that was why Todd allows Becket to study him. As long as he kept his deadly nature under control and obeyed their orders; he'd be fed routinely once every 3 months as he instructed the Doctors. Healthy wraith that do not need to spend their energies hunting, fighting or healing can go without feeding for months at a time. Todd knew he could last longer without the need, but his sly mind thought better.

Now standing at John Sheppard's side looking down at the entrance of some labyrinth of a cave. Trying to find an interest in his work, Todd reflected on Sheppard's words, "You know those humans you like so much… cost quite a bit. And the I.O.A is thinking about canceling your gourmet cookie order." Unsure of John's choice in words, Todd got the just of what he was saying. Despite himself, he wanted to know why the humans would be no longer provided for him. That worried him. Perhaps being hand fed in captivity softened him, but he knew the dangers in his home galaxy were immense. Without an alliance he couldn't get intelligence and lacking that intelligence, Todd couldn't tell where the accursed Hoffan drug spread. His first free meal might very well be his last.

Sheppard informed the big wraith that his "cookies" were manufactured clones void of conscious. These clones were designed by some creature called Thor. (Sheppard thought it better than saying Asguard.) Created with Earth human genetics, these shells wouldn't be contaminated with the protein that has infected his galaxies' herds. Todd was awed by the Earth humans ingenuity with the complicated technology; although, his face revealed little of it. This safe source needed to continue until he found another alliance or Keller or himself perfected the retro-virus. Both seemed rather difficult to procure at this time he thought.

"Todd…" Abruptly, alerted by the human given name drew him to Sheppard crouching at the opening of the cave. John had not noticed that the wraith's mind was elsewhere. "…What do you think?"

Before the tall figure had said anything Mckay, stepped in affirming," there's an energy reading! It's faint thou."

Drawn back to his sense Todd half snarled," perhaps identifying this source will reveal the purpose of the structures." The script appeared meaningless, of what he could translate.

Sheppard, ready to be off, put a team together; to investigate how sound the construction was. Not his usual team being Tayla was busy with a one year old son. Tayla had requested time off to be with her people whom she had been parted with.

John would lead Mckay, Ronnon, Todd, two combat engineers, and another scientist, that Mckay picked. The trip back to the Pegasus brought plenty of new faces. After about 200 paces the engineers agreed that the structure was safe enough. Cracks appeared few and far between, but hey ruins were aloud to have cracks. It's somewhat implied.

So John gave the "ok" to Lorne's team. And a second group of explorers climbed into the labyrinth. Lorne's group was in charge of the archeologists making sure they didn't get dragged off by some giant spider or centipede. Lorne decided Earth was a rather scary place to live after watching "Monster bug wars" on some national geographic channel. And wondering if being on an alien planet was better than being in the Tropics, where a frog had poison potent enough to kill ten men. The Major shook his head, clearing the thoughts, smirking to himself.

Mckay was looking for away to get into the room; while Todd and the other scientist brushed dust off obvious consuls. Trying to depict what the room was used for. John was of course offering constructive criticism to Rodney. The Setedon took little notice of the room; his dark eyes watched the wraith move from panel to panel.

Ronon wasn't fond of the wraith and made sure the feeling was mutual. John, long ago decided that those two should never be left alone. Being that this was only their second mission, with the wraith. Ronon was troubled believing that John implying that there would be more. However, Ronon was leaning that the wraith wouldn't submit to captivity much longer. (At least he was quietly praying) He would be ready to fire the "kill shot" when the wraith attempts to escape.

It took 15 minutes to open the door of the power source. Rodney scanned the small space and reached for his diagnostic equipment, moving into the walk-in-closet size room. And began; intimately, searching for the source of energy that hid in the small space. Todd came in, looking over the room with a questioning eye. Finally his attention fell on Rodney and what he was doing on the floor. Rodney pushed the catches in the panel and a square pedestal rose from the ground. Obvious glee shows on Rodney's mug

Todd started," should you be doing that?"

Rodney's face changed; annoyed that he was being questioned. "I know what I'm doing", Rodney's grim feature spat flatly.

Only Rodney, whom is normally scared of daily life and flinch at the sight of a lemon, could stair down or rather up at a wraith when it questioned his intellect or method. Todd released a low growl at the man kneeling down next to the pedestal. The scientist was busy plugging in his device and didn't notice the wraith ominously standing over him with hooded eyes. Rodney mutters under his breath and continues to attempt activation of the pedestal. Trying to figure out what this thing is.

The power that moved the pedestal up was coming from the adjacent room. This "thing" was clearly suppose to glow if all the light is a good indication. Before Mckay could conclude to anything else, he heard his name being called.

"Dr. McKay, you should see this." The younger scientist seems excited about his find. That sparked Rodney's interest as well as annoyed him. Groaning to his feet Rodney stumbled out the door that had been pried open minutes ago.

Disgusted by McKay's difficulty at simply standing; had made the wraith glare after him. The proud wraith couldn't imagine allowing himself; to get that out of shape even in the hands of the Genii. Among his kind and brothers such a sickly displays were suicide; specially, if you had a position of power. He scoffed at the human who had just talked back at him making his patience wear thin.

Stepping around the strange technology examining with keen eyes, he heard the Chief Scientist berate the lesser officer that caused the fuss. Dr. Mckay undoubtedly, annoyed about something. Turning to shouts, Todd couldn't decipher what they were saying as the pedestal no more then a foot from his face began to glow.

At the same time the door was closing. All Todd could do was stand up, before a crushing light hit him. Blinded by the sudden flash he felt his mind go hot and all sensation left him, like a close range stunner but more painful.

_FLASH_