Once the initial shock of the unprovoked attack had sunk into the collective Wraith understanding, the tensions and animosities of the civil war were seemingly forgotten in the face of this common enemy. The initial dealings between hives and alliances were still laced with mistrust but as more hives and cruisers were attacked and some destroyed, either in engagements with Replicator ships or as a result of being ambushed, some of the old relationships began to be restored. A council of commanders modelled on the one that had overseen the Lantean war was called. The fact that some hives no longer carried queens complicated proceedings. Those commanders who acted under the orders of a queen expected their views to take precedence over those who did not.

It was decided that when possible hives and cruisers should travel in groups to avoid the risk of lone ships being targeted and destroyed. However final decisions on how these groupings would operate were left to the individual hive commanders. Many were reluctant to commit their safety to those who they had considered enemies until so recently and preferred to try their luck on their own. The divisiveness of civil war had infiltrated deeply into the Wraith consciousness. But specific groups were formed to carry out activities considered important enough to be put above politics. Some groups were assigned to protect Wraith home worlds, some patrolled the galaxy around the Replicator home world, and the rest were tasked with gathering whatever intelligence they could about the enemy.

But while concern over this surprise attack was genuine, concern over the extent of the threat was tempered by the knowledge that these machines had been dealt once before. What did a race as powerful as Wraith have to fear from an enemy that already proved to be vulnerable to their science? All they had to do was redeploy the virus and the Replicators would return to their home planet, oblivious once again to the existence of Wraith.

-oOo-

The Wraith's initial belief that this conflict offered an opportunity to advance his own agenda was not diminished as these plans were made but he had to consider the best way to handle the situation. While it was clear to him that the 'new' Lanteans were connected to this attack, as he listened to conversations around the hive others did not seem to have made this link. His fear that the one called McKay would manipulate the Replicator's base code to focus their animosity away from the humans and back to their initial target was probably correct. He could see no other possible explanation. The time may come when he must acknowledge that he knew more about these humans than he probably should, but at this stage he had no reason to doubt that the solution to this current problem lay within reach of their own scientists.

Not surprisingly, he had not been invited to any of the meetings between the commanders although he sensed that his presence on this hive had become common knowledge among the hives they had met with regularly since the first attack. He wondered how their commander was performing in a situation that would test all his skills and lay his inexperience open for all to see.

The Wraith knew that teams of scientists were being assembled at a number of different research facilities to work on finding out why the virus was no longer working. He also knew that his role as one of the scientists who had written the original virus coding made him a valuable asset but as yet he had not been approached to help. Was this due to his commander's inexperience or stubbornness? Either way it did not matter – if they would not come to him, he must go to them. He would offer his help but it would not be done modestly by seeking to find the commander in his quarters. No confrontation was needed here. It was important to the Wraith's longer term plans that all on board this hive knew exactly what he was offering. He knew the commander was at the helm of the hive meeting with some of his opposite numbers from other hives - he would not have a better time.

Each step he took towards the bridge reinforced his belief that this was the right course of action. And as he felt his confidence grow he suddenly sensed his mind being probed by a presence that until now he had only felt as something vague and ill-defined. Perhaps this opportunity would prove to be even more useful that he had first imagined.

-oOo-

This was the first time he had come onto the bridge since his return. The sights and sounds evoked some powerful memories – memories that further strengthened his resolve to stay until all his demands were met. There were two other commanders there - the Wraith was not familiar with either.

He looked around and realised all those who had played a significant part in his life since joining the hive were also here – his watcher, obviously surprised; his escort, also with a surprised look on his face; and the chief scientist who was clearly unhappy about something.

The watcher moved to intercept him before the commander became aware of this uninvited visitor.

"You will leave here now."

The Wraith laughed and spoke aloud to gain full effect – he wanted to make sure none were in any doubt about his purpose in coming here. "I have come to speak to the commander not an irrelevant underling such as you." He moved threateningly close to the watcher. "I will speak with him and your pathetic posturing will not stop me."

He now had the attention of all and, he could sense, the respect of those who had enjoyed seeing the watcher dismissed in such a manner. As his eyes bore into the back of the commander's head, he realised that most of the others on the bridge, including his watcher, had withdrawn several steps. The commander did not look at him as he spoke.

"What do you mean by coming here? Has some of your true arrogance started to rise from the depth of your pathetic being and led you to mistakenly think you have a place here? Or are you simply lost again?" He laughed and now turned to look at his supporters who echoed his derision.

The nature and tone of these words indicated to the Wraith that he could take the upper hand in this conversation if he could contain his own sarcasm to acceptable levels.

"I may have come to make sure you were still on board. For many of us with more experience, those of us who have served under..." He stopped as if searching for the right words. "wiser, more intelligent commanders, the sense of purpose and leadership on this hive is pathetic." Sarcasm despatched he moved to take control by putting the commander on the defensive.

"But I have come help you develop some sort of reputation. I am here to offer my help with this unfortunate problem we now face. I was one of those who developed the virus used against our enemy before – there are few in this galaxy who can claim this. You know this to be true and yet I am not the one you think to send to help those who to work to defeat our enemy this time. I wonder why that is?" The Wraith moved around to stand in front of one of the control panels and ran his hands over the keyboard. "Could it be that you are unable, or perhaps even unwilling, to put your personal feelings aside? Or are you just a fool?"

The commander flexed his hands as he took in the challenge that had just been made in front of some of the most significant members of the crew. He had effectively been accused of failing to put the safety of the hive above all other possible considerations – a failing that had led to the downfall of commanders with far more experience and respect than him. The sarcasm had disappeared from his voice when he finally answered.

"Your arrogance knows no bounds. Do not flatter yourself that your experience is that valuable – do you think that there are no others on this hive who can do this work as well as you?"

The Wraith looked at the chief scientist as he responded. "No." He turned and looked at the other two commanders who were watching with avid interest. "But this is not arrogance. It is the truth. Our scientists are good at what they can do – but they will be the first to admit their experience with this problem is limited." He walked closer to the commander. "They have never faced a creature that is devoid of life and yet has an insatiable hatred for our race. I worked on these things – came to understand the complexity of their design as we developed and tested the virus. I know how difficult it was distribute and activate this program first time around. Do you believe it will be any easier this time?"

He stood back and looked around at all those assembled. "And now you, one who has never had to face this enemy, one who has never taken a hive into a proper battle, one who leads through fear rather than respect, you say that my experience is of no value? Perhaps it is your experience that is of no value. Perhaps the time has come give command of this hive to someone with more experience in defeating an enemy rather than running at the first sign of trouble."

The commander's face contorted with anger. He let out a guttural growl and moved towards the Wraith lifting his feeding hand. Then he stopped.

The Wraith realised the commander was looking past him. He turned to see the queen.

The commander was the first to speak although the anger was still evident in the timbre of his voice. "My queen, you should not be here."

"Why do you think that commander? Is this not my hive? Are these not my loyal servants? Are you not my loyal servant?" The cold steel in her voice left no doubt about who was in charge. "Or could it be that you are afraid I will see some value in the words of your challenger?"

"Of course, we are all here to serve you and protect you. But there is nothing here that I cannot take care of – such matters are not important enough to trouble you."

The Wraith knew that the commander was taking a dangerous approach. He had learnt through his own mistakes that no queen takes kindly to being told that she should not worry about anything that happens on her hive, especially when she has clearly overheard discussion about how important this issue is to their whole race.

"I hear you speak of this enemy who wants to destroy us all and you say it is not important enough to trouble me. By what authority do you make this decision? And please, enlighten me about the type of problem you do consider important enough for me to be concerned about?"

"I do not think ..."

"Quiet! I have come to realise how little you do think and I will have to decide if I have further use for a commander who is a fool. Especially when I see others who may offer far more than you could ever." The queen nodded in the Wraith's direction. "He will go to assist with the research." She glared at the commander but her voice had dropped to a menacing whisper. "Do you wish to question my judgement?"

"No, my queen. Your orders will be obeyed without question."

She turned and left the bridge. The Wraith waited for a suitable space of time before turning to follow her. He had won a victory over the commander and he would not allow the magnitude or importance of it to be diminished by further conversation. Besides he sensed that the queen had not yet finished with him.

-oOo-

The Wraith stopped, smiled and took a deep breath. There was no turning back now – he was irrevocably set on either the path to regaining his power and prestige or the path to oblivion.

But this smile disappeared as he sensed his watcher closing in behind him.

"You think you have won a victory. But it will not benefit you if you're dead?"

The Wraith knew he had two choices – keep moving and ignore this comment or stay and finish this now. He chose the latter option. Taking another deep breath he turned.

"Are you the minion sent by a desperate master to finish the work he is now afraid to do himself? Or are you here in a pathetic attempt to please your master and make up for your failure in allowing me to even reach the bridge?"

"I am here to make sure you cause no more trouble on this hive. I have had enough of the clever words you use to confuse me. I warned you of the fate that befalls those who upset me."

The Wraith smiled but there was no humour behind the mask. "Your threats hold no fear for me. You are an insignificant underling who lives on brutality and the fear you can instil in those you consider weaker than yourself. You need to be put back down in your place."

This time the watcher laughed his voice thick with ridicule. "And I suppose you believe you can be the one to do this?"

The Wraith looked closely at the watcher and realised that what he felt for this one went deeper than the general distain he felt for those who had not earned his respect. His dislike was akin to the feelings he held towards those humans who had imprisoned and tortured him for so many years. He must deal with this now and lay to rest some of the ghosts that continued to haunt him.

He moved quickly to slam his tormentor back against the wall and began to feed. The look of shock on the watcher's face as he realised what was happening heightened the Wraith's need to be rid of this one for good. The watcher tried to struggle but the Wraith was too strong, too determined to be deterred from this course of action. He looked into the other's eyes and saw the shock turn to terror and felt nothing.

The Wraith let the lifeless husk fall to the ground and looked at his feeding hand. He had just crossed a line and moved to a place from which he could never return. He had fed on humans who had annoyed or angered him but he had never taken the life of another of his race for those same reasons. He had taken his sense of frustration over being denied the opportunity to seek retribution from the Genii leader Kolya and used it to fuel his anger here. Clearly, his old attitudes and ideals were changing in ways he was only beginning to understand. But as the energy continued to surge through his body he knew he would prefer not do such a thing again – unless the situation offered him no other option.

He kicked the body to one side. It would be discovered soon enough and he had no doubt he would be seen as being responsible for the deed. But there were few others on this ship who held his former watcher in any degree of esteem. Certainly non who would challenge him now that his position on the hive had been acknowledged so publically by the queen.

-oOo-

It was not long before he sensed the summons from the queen. Even as he waited he had begun to feel her presence infiltrating the hive. He strode through the corridors to the throne room and remembered his last journey down this path when he had clung to the shadows, hiding his identity as closely as possible. There was only one warrior keeping guard at the door and he moved aside without question to allow the Wraith passage into the chamber.

She was sitting on the throne with her eyes closed.

"Did you go before my commander with the aim of demeaning him?"

"No madam, I merely went to offer my help."

She laughed – a long deep laugh that came from deep inside her. He had never heard a queen laugh before, not even his own, and wondered if it was something they forgot as they got older. When he thought of other queens he had known he was sure this was the case.

"To help who – yourself or my hive?" She stood up and walk around him.

She saw a tall, strong male who exuded more age and experience than any she had ever known. He was bold too, despite the fact that he had just come within seconds of possibly losing his life. Admittedly his hair could do with some work but he had an interesting tattoo - overall she found his appearance pleasing. He carried himself with the confidence of one who had seen much and fears little. She felt a degree of trust in him that she had not felt since she arrived in this hive but she also knew that she should not and must not trust him too far. Her sisters had warned her about males such as this – old, clever, cunning creatures who survive through their ability to turn even the bleakest situation to their own advantage. There were not many of them in the galaxy but they had to be managed carefully or they would not hesitate to sacrifice even their queen to their own ambitions.

He saw a young queen whose experience and maturity matched his expectations. He was impressed by her appearance. She was taller than he had expected and her long black hair was braided with green ribbons. Her gown was also black with panels of green and sat low on her shoulders. As he responded to her mind, he was surprised to find a level of cunning that he had not expected from one so young. He also felt a structured mind that had not yet become closed to new ideas such as he would find in an older queen – a mind that could still be influenced by one with the right experience.

He knew exactly how important this interview was to his future and discreetly waited for her to start the conversation. She had finally decided to assert her position, but still had doubts about how she should control the hive. He knew that if he upset her or pushed her too far at this stage she would take him down without as much as a second thought.

"I have sensed you since you came on board. I did not know who you were but I knew you were much stronger than any other on my hive. I also listened to your thoughts about me. You had no respect for me. Did you really think I allowed my commander to dominate me without understanding what I should be doing?"

The Wraith bowed his head respectfully – clearly he had not fully understood the situation here. "I saw only what you allowed me to see madam. I would never underestimate a queen - even one as young as you."

"I have heard how well you practice to deceive and manipulate others with your carefully chosen words." Her voice was hard and cold and he had a glimpse of the formidable queen she would one day become. "Do not think you can manipulate me or you will pay the price."

"I misunderstood. It will not happen again." Still his head was bowed. They were playing a subtle game. Both sensed that they were destined to form the bonds of leadership eventually, but knew that skillful manipulation was an integral part of that relationship

"No, it will not. Or you will meet the fate you so recently handed out so arbitrarily to the one who annoyed you."

"I..."

"You took it upon yourself to take the life of one of my crew. My commander will demand that you be punished."

"That decision is yours not his. I believe that one would have fed on me if I had not acted first – I was merely defending myself."

"He was a member of my hive. Taking his life is just part of the pattern of disrespect you have shown to me. I am one of the first queens to come to a new hive since this civil war began and my sisters told me to watch and learn about all of my followers before I moved to assert my position. And yet you saw this as weakness."

"Now that I fully understand, my queen, I consider it a wise strategy. But I continue to believe your commander thought he could control you in a way that does not befit one in your position. It was not your weakness I saw but his inability to develop the sort of relationship a good commander needs to be able to serve his queen properly."

"I was starting to become annoyed with him, yes." She returned to her throne. "I suppose you see yourself as one who could develop a relationship that would allow you to serve me properly?"

He lowered his head in respect. "My queen, I would gladly serve you and your hive but for now we have a more pressing problem. This enemy will not..."

"Yes, I understand fully the urgency of the task ahead of us. We will be setting a course for the facility in which you will work – it is well away from the home world of these Replicators. I'm sure there are others there who will welcome your experience. In fact I believe there are some there with whom you would have worked before." She looked down at her long elegant fingers. "And I will be pleased to have you off my hive until the commander learns to control his anger towards you. But do not imagine your contact with this hive to be at an end. You will return here when your work is finished and any success you have will be counted as success for this hive."

She closed her eyes – he had been dismissed. The Wraith turned to leave but was stopped by one final question.

"Would you have pushed my commander to the point of threatening your life if you had not known I was standing behind you?"

"That, my queen, is something neither of us shall ever know."

-oOo-

The Wraith stood watching a group of the hive's warriors practice hand-to-hand combat. He wondered who had ordered this activity – clearly it was not one who understood the strength and determination of the enemy they were now facing. They had spent so long as undisputed masters of this galaxy, they were ill-prepared to understand, let alone counter, such naked, unprovoked aggression.

He wondered if they had lost their ability to look beyond their own society and too easily dismissed the other occupants of the galaxy as irrelevant. Had they had become sure that nothing could threaten their superiority that they had become complacent. Certainly, this civil war had changed attitudes towards each other but not their attitudes to other species. Their relationship with humans was premised on fear and subjugation. Wraith depended on humans for their survival but they gave very little thought to these creatures. They knew most humans thought of them as cold, evil creatures but they did not care. Why would they – they held the upper hand in this relationship, so to speak. These 'new' Lanteans were proving to be a nuisance but they were weaker than the original Lanteans and lack the resources to launch a serious attack. But these Replicators were different.

But he had to acknowledge that he was amongst the few who seemed to understand that defeating this enemy may not be as simple as just reactivating the virus. The few who remembered how many had died before these machines had been neutralised last time, who understood that these machines were now operating under an attack code with the sole purpose to exterminate Wraith. This enemy would not be placated or forced to run from the galaxy – they had to be either neutralised again or totally destroyed. This would be a war that must be won.

AN: I think this is the penultimate chapter but you just never know...