This fic is merely for entrainment only. I do not own Stargate Atlantis or is characters, just the one's I have made. This story time frame takes place after the episodes Whispers and during the Queen.
Chapter one - Caught
It was in the early afternoon, the day was hot almost reaching a high temperature of 90 degrees. However, the scorching heat did nothing to stop the hunter in his search for food. In the distance he heard the sounds of laughter from children. He thought about the pro's and con's of hunting for his own food from the wildlife, or he could steal from the humans. He made his decision. He would steel from the humans, but in the dead of night. All this went through the Wraith's thoughts in a matter of seconds. He was quick to leave before the villager's had spotted him.
While waiting for night time, the Wraith searched the surrounding areas for available water sources. He was able to find both within three hours. The Wraith found a cave, which was deep enough to provide the perfect shelter that he acquired. The down side the creek was a mile north of the cliff face. If the humans roamed, his shelter would be found and he either caught or killed. More likely killed on sight, if the humans had there way. That chance could not happen. He, the last member of his Hive, that Hive destroyed by one of the Atlantis ships, the Daedalus, no more then a day ago. The mere thought of it enraged his very being. He had lost his true mate, his Queen. He who had loved her, and he who would die and kill for her, and she the same for him, gone. A single tear of sorrow and great loss, ran down his left check as he thought of her. Her long fire red hair. How he would run his fingers through that hair, it's scent inviting. A sweet smile she had only for him. Her yellow green eyes like jewels, and her face of pure beauty, but that beauty hid a dangerous viper. Vicious, without mercy, but who's love was his alone. Quickly he recoiled that rage. It did him no good here, now. Looking to the sky he could tell that night fall was still several hours away. He busied himself for a short while in setting up a make shift barrier for the front of the cave with tree limbs. To help keep it cooler in the small cave, provide better cover and a means to keep the annoying insects at bay. Knowing that it was still several hours till midnight, Ji'tal relaxed himself best he could, and tried to get some sleep.
When Ji'tal finally opened his eyes, he had realized that dawn was quickly approaching. This was not good. He needed the food from the humans. Quickly he made his way to the village. Once there he stopped on the outer edge, surveying the area around the food storage building. The village was made up of brick buildings shaped into a condensed square with the food storage near the center. He saw a fence surrounding a brig-like area off to the outside of the square. That gave him pause. He could already hear the humans awakening in their barracks-like homes and getting ready for the day. He walked fast to one of the small outlaying buildings staying low as not to be seen. Once past the perimeter buildings he made his way to the building in which the people of this village stored there food, it seemed only an instant and Ji'tal was to the door. There was a lock on the door, but he made quick work of that, snapping it off easily. Once inside he saw that was not going to be as easy as what he had hoped. Up against the far left wall, was a set of stair cases. He knew he was close as the scent of the dried food filed his nostrils. The scent was coming from somewhere up stairs. Ascending the stairs he followed his sense of smell. Having walked around a corner his senses lead him to another door. This one unlocked, and the room filled with crates of different dried and fresh fruits and meats. He filled the leather food bag as much as he could with only dried meat and fruit. Unknowingly Ji'tal had been spotted.
Cannon early raiser that he was, made his way down to the food storage building. Upon arriving he saw the lock was broken. He thought this very odd, but not being very bright he continued into the building and up the stairs. It was as he was nearing the room that he heard movement from within. Now this was not right as he was always the first. Caution overtaking him, he snuck a look inside. His eyes widen in shock and terror as he made his way away from the room and out the building. A Wraith.
Some of the other men, who where on there way to the same building, had seen him rushing out of it in great distress.
"Cannon? What is it? What's wrong?" one man asked.
"Gather the rest of the men from the village, armed, and make sure NO one enters this building." Cannon said in a serious tone as he rushed towards Torrens home. He was the leader of there village. He was there in a moment. He didn't knock, he didn't wait. He just walked in.
"Torren I've spotted a Wraith in the food storage building. I've already had some of the men gather around the building, with weapons." Cannon said in a terrified rush.
"Good. We'll get rid of this abomination before it can hurt anyone." Torren said as he stood and withdrew his rifle from its proper place on the wall.
Within moments, the men of the village where gathering fast inside the building. But only one dared to enter the room. Rifle raised, Torren made his way into the room in a rush, right up to the Wraith, whom had its back turned, busy with steeling there food supplies.
Ji'tal stopped instantly as he felt the muzzle of a rifle being jammed into his back shoulder, his eyes were wide, wild with fear.
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"So who is this you're taking us to see again?" Lt. Col. John Sheppard asked, he looking to Teyla as they walked.
"His name is Torren. He is an old friend of mine. His people and mine have been trading together for many years." Teyla said with a smile as she looked to John, continuing in her walking.
"Oh." John merely said.
"How much further is it? We've been walking for fifteen minutes now?" Rodney complained slightly.
"Suck it up, McKay." Ronon said, a slight growl to his tone.
Teyla could not help but laugh low, her smile wide. "Its not much further Rodney."
Within five minutes the team had made there way to the village Teyla had told them of.
A young man, of no more then 18 years, came walking towards the team. Getting to Teyla, he hugged her, a wide smile on his face.
"It is good to see you again Teyla." Caen greeted to her.
"It's good to see you again, Caen. Where is your father? I wish to speak with him." Teyla said, looking to Caen.
"He's at the council hall. I can take you to him." Caen answered as he started walking.
"Yes. Please do." Teyla said as she and the rest followed.
As they walked to the council hall, Ronon being the ever vigilant person he was, stopped, kneeling down to the ground.
"Sheppard." Ronon stated.
John stopped, turning to look at Ronon. "What ya got?"
"Wraith foot prints. Three days old." Ronon said in a serious tone, as he stood, now on high guard.
"Yes, the Wraith. Not to worry. We have it contained in a holding cell, just at the southern edge of the village." Caen said as he looked to Teyla, Rodney, John and Ronon.
Ronon didn't wait, as he then in a rush made his way to the holding cells.
"You what?" John asked not sure if he heard right.
"We have a Wraith imprisoned." Caen said again, a frown of slight confusion on his face.
"I thought that's what you said." John said as he walked up to Caen.
"When did this happen?" Teyla asked in a rush.
"As your friend had said, three days ago. My father will be able to explain everything." Caen stated, as he started walking again. Teyla, Rodney and John quickly followed.
A moment later, they where at the Council hall.
"Father! Teyla is here. She wishes to speak with you." Caen said.
Torren, looked in the direction his sons voice traveled from. He walked over to them with a smile.
"Greetings Teyla. I hope you have fared well?" Torren said with a warm smile.
"Very. But first there is something we must speak of. The Wraith." Teyla said in a serious tone.
"Yes, him. Let us speak of this outside." Torren said as he lead the team out, and towards the holding cells.
"We caught him steeling from our food supplies, early dawn, three days ago. Damnedest thing, he gave up without any fight." Torren stated looking to all three.
"Wait a minute. You said 'steeling' from your food supplies. This one eats normal food?" Rodney asked in disbelief.
"Yes. As unbelievable as it sounds, its true." Torren said as he and the rest walked up to the holding cell and to Ronon, whom was staring death at the sitting Wraith inside.
The holding cell was a simple one, made of stone, box shaped. But one wall was cut out, bars in its place. The only way in or out, the steel door in the opposite wall.
"How do you know he eats solid foods?" Sheppard asked as he looked to Torren."Because he told us, and we've seen it." Torren said as he looked to the Wraith in the cell.
In the back left corner, the Wraith stayed quiet, sitting, his knee's bent, hands resting on his knee's, hair covering his face like a curtain. But his hair was different then other Wraith, as far as the bottom tips went, for it went from white, to a slight pink to a solid red in color. Slowly the Wraith lifted his head to look at the team. Instead of the normal yellow, the eyes they looked upon where a clear dark emerald green. His skin a light green, and his face young and handsome, with a petit goatee, it being a solid white. The clothing was the normal for a wraith. Leather black pants and the long coat.
"Hey." Sheppard said in a monotone, looking right at the Wraith.
Ji'tal turned his eyes right to Sheppard, silent still. He held his gaze with the humans for a moment longer before turning his gaze back to the ground in front of himself.
"Has he said anything since he's been here?" Teyla asked as she watched the Wraith.
"Only that he depends upon regular food for nourishment, as well as water." Torren stated as he looked to Teyla, and her friends.
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"Are you sure of this?" Woolsey asked as he looked to John from his seat behind the desk in his office.
"Well we didn't actually see him eat anything. But why would they lie about something like that? What good would it do them?" Sheppard answered with a question of his own.
"I have know Torren for over six years now, and he has never lied to me or my people before. I do not believe he is lying now." Teyla said putting in her own opinion.
"Is it possible for something like this to happen?" Woolsey asked turning his gaze to Dr. Keller.
"It could be. We know for a fact when Wraith are young they depend upon solid food. Its when they mature that they then have to feed upon humans. Its possible the switch never happened in him, though I wont know for sure without running some blood work first. Though this is the first I've heard of it." Dr. Keller stated.
"I've never heard of this happening." Ronon stated.
"Nor have I." Teyla said.
Woolsy turned his attention back onto Sheppard.
"I want you, along with Dr. Keller here, to go back to the village. See if you can get more answers. I want you to take some blood work." Woolsey stated looking to Keller. "See if we can figure out what's going on with this Wraith. If its true he never made the switch, I want to know why and see if we can use this on other Wraith."
oooooOOOOOooooo
"I see." Torren said after listening to Sheppard's explanation. "And you believe this is something wroth looking into?"
"We do yes." Sheppard stated quiet serious.
"It could possibly help save thousands of human lives." Teyla stated.
Torren was quiet for a few moments. Looking to Sheppard he nodded his head. "Do what you have to."
Sheppard having the go ahead, left, with Teyla in tow. Within moments they where at the holding cell.
"Alright doc, you have the go ahead." Sheppard said looking to Keller, whom was looking to the inside of the cell. He to looked and was a bit surprised. The Wraith was sleeping in the back left corner, his back up against the wall. Sound asleep from the looks of his deep breathing.
"Wraith." Sheppard said loud. The Wraith did not respond, or did he wake. "Crap." Sheppard grimaced. "Alright, Ronon and I go in first. Only after we have him with strained, will you be allowed in."
Keller merely nodded her head, looking somewhat terrified.
Caen, having been there the whole time, curiously watching walked up to the steel door, and unlocked it for Sheppard.
Ronon was the first to enter, his gun aimed straight at the Wraith, set to stun, per Woolsy's orders. He positioned himself to be standing to the Wraiths side, Sheppard coming in to be standing in front of the Wraith. Sheppard kicked at the Wraiths foot. A shift in his body and an deep exhale of breathe was all Sheppard got from the Wraith. Sheppard and Ronon shared equal looks of surprise.
Sheppard gave another kick to the Wraiths foot, this one harder. "Hey." he said aloud.,
This got the Wraith awake. Looking to the two humans, he was not happy. He let out a large snarl of displeasure, while at the same time tried to get back from the two, but his back only met wall.
"Stand up, slowly." Sheppard said, his P90 aimed right at the Wraiths chest.
With another loud snarl of displeasure, Ji'tal did as the human said, his palms held up and open.
"Move to the bars. Now." Sheppard ordered. He had seen the Wraiths palms, and the lack of a feeding slit in the right palm.
Ji'tal moved to the bars, keeping his sights on the two humans. "What do you want?"
"Your back against the bar's, arms behind. Now." Sheppard said. He wasn't going to answer any questions till this Wraith was restrained.
Loren was standing outside the cell, ready to do his part in this. Once the Wraith was up against the bars, his hands held behind his back, Loren pulled the Wraiths hands between the bars, cuffing them together. The bar holding the Wraith in place.
Ji'tal did not like this, his snarls letting this be known clearly. But nor did he fight it. He couldn't. He had to much at stake to be stupid and get himself killed. To much to protect. He would do as the humans said. For now.
"What do you want from me?" Ji'tal again asked, looking to Sheppard.
"Just here to collect some blood from you, and ask some questions." Sheppard informed.
"Such as?" Ji'tal growled.
"How is it you can eat solid foods?" Sheppard asked.
Ji'tal growled low as he stared at the human. It was then his attention was focused behind himself. A young female was messing with one of his hands, applying some sort of a reddish liquid to it. He let out a snarl of warning to her, as he tried to move his hands away.
"No, its okay. I'm not going to hurt you. I just need to take a sample of your blood." Keller said, hoping not to sound as scared as she was.
Ji'tal looked to her, eyes narrowed. A moment later he turned his head away from her. "Very well."
Keller seeing the Wraith wasn't going to fight, turned her attention back to his hand.
"Again how is it you can eat solid foods?" Sheppard asked again.
The hypodermic needle in place Keller set to work on filling the 6 blood collection tubes, it would take a few moments.
Ji'tal turned his attention back to Sheppard, silent as stone. He would tell them nothing.
Torren could see that they needed some help in getting information out of this Wraith. "Answer their questions, or I promise you this. You will not receive your evening meal."
Ji'tal hissed low. Damn the humans. He needed that meal, it was the largest one they gave him for the whole day.
"Answer the question." Torren said sternly.
Ji'tal's nostrils flared, his equivalent to a sigh. He looked to Sheppard.
"I have been this way all my life. For reason's unknown, my body never made the chemical switch. Other Wraith viewed me as weak and a mutation. They ordered my death, but I managed to escape. I have been on my own ever since." Ji'tal lied, but the humans did not know this.
Keller now finished collecting the samples, didn't bother to put pressure on the site, since Wraith healed instantly. She had listened while the Wraith spoke. It was after a moment she noticed how the site was still bleeding. Getting a cotton swab, she applied the pressure. He did not heal like he should have. She waited 30 seconds, before checking again. It finally stopped. Keller also checked his feeding hand. Nothing there. No trace that a feeding slit had ever been there. Getting her medical scanner out, she ran a scan of his digestive track. Sure enough it was active. The question was why. Hopefully his blood would hold the answers as to why the switch never happened. It was then she felt eyes upon her. Looking up to the Wraiths face, sure enough dark emerald eyes were watching her.
Keller couldn't help the blush that creped onto her cheeks as she stood, moving away from the Wraith, packing her supplies into the bag. She couldn't help but admit to herself, that he was attractive looking. For a Wraith, anyways. Though she would never admit this out loud. Looking back to the Wraith, he was no longer looking to her.
Ji'tal watched the female for a few moments. She had a soft gentle nature to her, that he had never seen before. He had seen the blush, but paid it no mind. He was still quiet tired. The night had been long and very cold, he getting no sleep at all. Ji'tal set himself down easily, into a kneeling position.
"Are you finished with me?" Ji'tal asked, looking to Sheppard. But Sheppard and the other human was gone. It was then that his hands were un-cuffed, and he released. Ji'tal wasted no time, as he quickly got to his feet and moved away from the bars.
"Yeah, we're done for now." Sheppard answered, back on the outside of the cell, Ronon with him.
Ji'tal, though no longer having Ronon standing over him, continued to watch the human with wary eyes. He had seen the looks, and knew by the humans body posture that he would not hesitate to kill him if given the chance. Ji'tal wisely kept his distance as he watched the humans pack up there equipment and leave.
oooooOOOOOooooo
"Alright, well I set up the computer to run a series of tests, looking for anything abnormal in his blood work. The down side, the results wont be ready till tomorrow." Dr Keller explained as she looked to the SGA1 team, as well as Mr. Woolsy.
"Understood. I want to be informed the moment you've found something." Mr. Woolsy said, turning his attention now to Sheppard.
"What?" John asked plainly, arms crossed over his chest.
"Were you able to get any information out of him?" Woolsy asked.
"According to him, he's been this way his whole life. Body never made the switch." Sheppard said, tone sounding skeptic.
"You buy it." Woolsy said bluntly.
"To tell the truth, I'm not sure what to think at this point. Just have to wait on the results. See what they say." Sheppard said, not sure what else to say.
Woolsy could only nod his head. Like the others he too would have to wait.
oooooOOOOOooooo
It had been several hours since the humans of Atlantis had left. Oh yes, he knew they were from Atlantis, there weapons and technology giving it away. Ji'tal looked to the bars, dark for it was night. He was highly agitated. The humans had failed to bring him his evening meal. Quite hungry he was. It was then Ji'tal felt a change in air pressure. He looked to the cloudy sky and took in a large inhale of air through his nostrils. A storm was coming.
True enough two hours later a sever thunder storm was upon the village. Ji'tal was tight against the back corner, doing his best to keep dry and warm. This storm had brought cold air with it. Not good for him. The storm continued in its rage. Lightning danced across the night sky and thunder clashed. The rain pouring, Ji'tal had not heard the fast approaching foot steps. It was only when something large had been literally thrown into the cell, that he reacted. He hissed a warning, but whom ever it was, had quickly gone. Ji'tal looked to the mass. It took him a few seconds to realize that what he was looking at was a bundled up fur blanket. He quickly grabbed it, inspecting it. No holes, no damage, no harm full substance he could smell, nothing. Back in his corner, Ji'tal wrapped the fur around himself. Better. He would not have to deal with the cold now, and he could only hope that when morning came so did some sort of a meal.
