Stargate: Atlantis- Collision Theory

Chapter 2

"In war, numbers alone confer no advantage." –Sun Tzu: The Art of War

The forest seemed to grow denser the further they walked. The suns barely made an impact through the shadows cast by the multitude of trees overhead. The air smelled strong of rotting vegetation, which clung to the dampened soil. Patches of moss littered the ground, climbing across rocks and fallen trees. This was probably the worst environment to clash with a Wraith colony. This was unfamiliar soil and that only meant they'd have the upper hand. That thought made Colonel Sheppard uneasy. Glancing to the human group ahead he just hoped they knew what they were getting into.

The whole while they walked through the forest Colonel Sheppard was trying to assess the newly added party members. He still didn't understand what had the Wraith so afraid. As far as he could tell they carried no weapons. He half expected them to start dancing through the woods. He wasn't so sure about that upper hand anymore. As his eyes continued to trace over them he noted one thing that seemed out of place. On each of their wrists a strange metal ring was set into their skin. For a fleeting moment he wished Rodney was with them so he could ask his opinion on the objects, but that thought passed quickly enough. He was enjoying the silence of the non-panicking group.

"What do you suppose those strange objects encircling their wrists are?" Colonel Sheppard suddenly asked and Teyla passed him a quick glance.

"I am uncertain," she replied, "Perhaps it is some form of adornment."

"Right..." Colonel Sheppard stated with a raised brow, "I've met tons of people who enjoy having metal grafted to their skin...although I guess if people get pierced just about everywhere this would be the next logical step."

"I'm afraid I do not understand your reference, Colonel Sheppard."

"Eh...forget it. We'll just go with the creepy bracelet idea for now."

Further and further the group proceeded into the forest. Suddenly the woman in lead came to a halt, forcing the party to a stand still. One of the men who had emerged from the gate slowly walked beside her and with a nod leaped up a nearby tree. As he scurried up the towering trunk he disappeared into the foliage covered branches. Colonel Sheppard starred up with a raised brow, now that he hadn't been expecting.

After a few minutes passed something fell with a loud thud from the treetops. Taken off guard Colonel Sheppard aimed his weapon, only to see a Wraith clawing at the ground to get away. Not far behind the soldier emerged from the leafy canopy. Dropping from above he easily landed with both feet planted firmly on the ground, where he now blocked the Wraith's retreat.

From the front of the group Commander Delacroix slowly walked towards the fallen Wraith. Towering over his pained form she blinked, overtly slow.

"Is your queen waiting for us?" she asked without glancing down at him.

The creature didn't respond with words, instead a furious hiss escaped his lips.

"I will not ask again..."

Still not meriting a response she reached down clasping at his head. The Wraith had little time to react to the quick movement because with a frightening ease she twisted his head. A loud crack emanated from his neck as it slid awkwardly to one side. As her hands pulled away the Wraith fell to the ground, limp.

"She is in the hive," the Commander said as she turned and began to lead the group into the forest once again.

It was somewhat chilling how calm she remained after killing someone...scratch that...something. It was a Wraith, but that didn't make it any less jarring to kill with that kind of proximity.

Continuing forward it didn't seem long before they reached a clearing in the forest. Light was trickling in from in front of them. It was startlingly bright in comparison to the surrounding darkness cast by the looming trees. They headed towards it and as the clearing became more visible Colonel Sheppard was suddenly aware of what they were heading towards. A mass of Wraith waited for them, guarding what appeared to be the opening to a Wraith colony.

"Great...more people wanting to kill me," he said with a scowl.

"I believe...at the moment, Colonel, those are the only people that want to kill you," Teyla piped in from beside him.

"Is that supposed to make me feel better? Because it really didn't..."

Gradually the group came to a halt before they emerged from the clearing.

"Are you going to hold up your end of this deal and get us into the hive?" the Wraith queen hissed from amid the group.

"I don't know...are you still going to give us what we came here for?" the Commander said without looking at the female Wraith.

"Of course...I would not go back on this deal," she replied with narrow eyes.

"I hope for your sake your answer is sincere," the Commander quickly said as she passed the Queen a sharp glance before walking towards the clearing.

Standing at the edge of the meadow Commander Delacroix looked out at the mass of Wraith. This was what Colonel Sheppard had been waiting for. He watched, unwavering, to see what they would do next. The woman stood calmly. Five against an army and they stood like they greeted an afternoon walk. Colonel Sheppard smiled to himself, still half expecting them to distract the enemy with song and dance.

"Proceed as planned," she stated in a direct tone, "Two to the right and two to the left. I'll drive through the center and keep that gate from closing."

The group suddenly dispersed and the Commander now stood alone. Taking a few steps back she took in a deep breath. Rocking on her heel her movement abruptly shifted forward. As she moved the metal around her wrists began to grow, seeping up over her arms. Inch by inch the metal seemed to spread across her, coating her in a metallic suit. The fluid metal stretched from her fingers, elongating them into sharpened points. Spikes began to bubble up across her back and arms. A high pitch screech emanated from her direction as her neck craned sideways. The profile of her face was now altered by sharpened teeth which were snarled as the sound continued to cry from her throat. Red markings suddenly began to streak the newly created armor. Glancing over Colonel Sheppard was not surprised to see the rest of her people had transformed as well. However, their armor remained unadorned by the same red markings.

"That's...interesting," he mumbled to himself as he watched the Commander and her troops hurl themselves into the hoard of Wraith.

"Adornment they most certainly are not," Teyla whispered having heard his remark.

"Yeah...if that's what the creepy bracelets do I might have to look into getting me one."

"That's assuming the device would be compatible..."

"I was only half serious..."

"I know," she said as she glanced in his direction, "It is the remaining serious part that has me worried."

Without a response Colonel Sheppard turned his head back towards the fighting. In the single moment he had looked away a few Wraith had already fallen. The soldiers used their elongated fingers and vicious body armor to tear into the Wraith that attacked them. Even as the Wraith onslaught never surged forward he still kept his gun trained on them. The last thing he wanted was a lone Wraith attacking them.

A screeching suddenly echoed from a Wraith as it fell to the ground. Slowly a loud creak sounded as the gate began to close. Much like a drawbridge it began to pull up from the ground to plug the way into their hive. Commander Delacroix immediately took note and lunged further into the Wraith, pushing towards the closing passage. Killing the Wraith who impeded her path she finally arrived at the drawbridge. Reaching out she dug her clawed fingers into the surface. They sliced through so easily. Then without a pause she started to climb the gate, reaching the top she disappeared behind the almost closed door. Some worry crossed Colonel Sheppard's face. There was no telling what waited on the other side.

The Wraith left behind had started back towards the gate. So many had fallen and they were apparently trying to retreat...too bad they'd closed their only way out.

"That's not something you see everyday," he whispered to himself.

It was a sight he wished he could see more often.

Suddenly the sound of sparks filled the air and the drawbridge slammed back down towards the ground, crashing on to a few Wraith who had taken arms under it trajectory. On the other side a small pile of Wraith had accumulated and the Commander now stood guarding the threshold. A handful of Wraith surged forward, making an attempt to flee inside. One by one they were struck down, falling with a heavy thud. In a matter of minutes the Wraith army had been over run by a handful of these soldiers. Colonel Sheppard was beginning to understand the Wraiths fear. It wasn't so misplaced after all.

At a standstill neither side moved. They all locked eyes and it seemed for a moment the battle was fought mentally, both sides trying to intimidate the other. Finally, after an equally small period of time, the Wraith began to lay down their weapons. It was odd to see them accept defeat.

Slowly the Commander began to walk amongst them. Nearby a Wraith suddenly stood training a weapon on her at point blank.