Disclaimer: I own nothing of or about Atlantis, wraith nothing. Zilch, Nothing what so ever.

A/N: ok first fic due mainly to staying up too late while watching too much Stargate.

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There was an uncomfortable silence aboard the hive.

The young queen studied the large room. A few commanders and a scientist scattered the area. Everyone else was deep in sleep, building their strength for the upcoming culling. And they would need it if it was to be a success.

In two days time they were set to meet with two other hives for a whole planet culling, something that was becoming more frequent due to the lack of food. Few chose to talk of it, about their right to feed being gradually stolen from them by these new Lanteans.

Satisfied everything was organized , Carmiha left the control room in search of her own chamber. As she walked down endless hallways she could feel her strength weakening. She was unsure when the last time she slept was and evn queens were now forced to bear the burden of lack of food. She suddenly halted, almost walking straight past her chambers. She lazily waved a hand over the glowing panel on the wall, and instantly the door in front of her slid open. Once it had shut she allowed herself to fall onto the sleeping platform in the middle of the room.

It was not the culling that was wearing her out however, it was everything else. Carmiha was one of the youngest females to take power among her kind. However although she had a head start on everyone else it came with a price. Unlike other queens, she had no mate, no guidance, and her second-in-command was not her first choice by far. If it was up to her she would have him thrown in the nearest airlock, yet it was one of the few things she had no power over. It was not that he was a bad commander but he didn't seem too able to make a decision on his own and when she did offer advice he would ignore it. She had told him several times today, as long as those culled were not worshippers they would be acceptable for feedings, yet he continued to ask for what seemed like everyone. She shut her eyes in an attempt to sleep yet they refused to leave her alone. She sensed a presence at her door.

She let out a growl. If this was that particular wraith again, it wouldn't just be his pride that would be injured when he walked away he would personally make sure of it. Her hand flew over the panel on the wall.

"What do you disturb me with this time!" her voice was harsher than supposed to be, and she soon regretted it seeing one of the wraith closest to her stare at her in shock and confusion. He stood clumsily trying to get his words out while holding his head down in respect and fear. She chuckled at his modesty. Him, Daynygh, her longest childhood friend yet he still feared her.

It saddened her really knowing he would always fear her so much he could not bring himself to say what he really thought, but she couldn't help but laugh at him at this particular incident. He stopped mumbling as soon as he realised she was laughing at him. He stood up straight trying to hold on to the dignity he had left.

"The commanders wish you to know that they have finished their task and the culling has a greater chance of being a success now"

She smiled at him in a half hearted way. So that was why he was here. The others new disturbing her would end in a dire ending for them, yet were smart enough to realise she wouldn't harm Daynygh.

She bowed her head slightly in a thankful gesture before turning and closing the door as she entered her chambers once again. Daynygh remained at the door for a few seconds before releasing an amused grunt and walking away.

She laid on the sleeping platform once more. Maybe this culling would e a complete success, despite what the others feared. And besides they still had one more day before their skills and patience would be tested. So far their journey had been good. No opposition. Maybe for once they would have a peaceful culling.

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John Sheppard stood on the deck of the Deadalus, impatiently tapping his foot.

He couldn't wait to arrive on that planet just so he could hear someone else speak to him accept Rodney McKay, even if their tip off had been correct. He would rather face the wraith than another day of Rodney's scientific mumbo. They had only been aboard twelve hours yet already the babbling scientist was driving him insane.

But his thankfully the torment was nearly over; they would arrive there within the next few days. When they did, he could escape, talk to some new people…in fact he'd be happy to talk to a wraith as long as he didn't have to pretend to understand anything else about "highly-technical processes" or important scientific work that as McKay put it "he wouldn't understand if it slapped him in the face."

And maybe if he gathered all his strength it was actually going to be possible to survive this journey without gagging his dearest and most pig headed friend.

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A/n: ok just a first chapter to set the scene kinda…it will get better though as the chapters go on. :)

Another A/n: this has been redone, I didn't like it, and I may even redo it again…just advanced warning there )