Reflections of a King
By Abby Ebon
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Note; within this chapter you will have to at least be aware of some of the "main characters" for the Wraith. I will title them as so, Hive Keeper, "Rising", who will be called "Keeper".
"Survivor", who has no other name, but starred in the episode "The Defiant One".
Then there is "Todd", who if you don't know is the Wraith captured and caged with John in the episode "Common Ground", he also plays rolls in "The Seer", "All My Sins Be Remembered" and "Spoils of War" thus far.
There is also the Wraith turned 'human', "Michael", who you aught to know. I will try my best to describe them memorably, but I do advise you research their appearances for yourself.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Facing What You Fear
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"This is a most unusual request…" There was no dismissal in the eerie amber gaze that met his own. Lush blue skin showed her health, though the dark red of her hair was most unusual for one of their kind, there could be no doubt, however, that she was Wraith – just as he was.
"Keeper, you must see – as I have – that awakening the kindred has, in large part, only resulted in their deaths. I do not question that at the time your actions appeared to be the correct ones, but the fact is we are dying still…" He kept his voice mellow, not accusing – to do so would do no good for his plan.
"Beware you tongue, 'Todd'…" She sneered, using the name the humans had given him. He did not take offence, to some length he thought he had earned that name; he had been a worthy ally.
"Be that as it may, I see no other way we may survive. I know you are aware that Replicators act on behalf of humanity against us. It is no secret that they claim an alliance with Atlantis." He continued softly, if it came to it he would take his people and his ships before Atlantis and seek their favor. Still, he did not want to be the only one of his kind to do so.
"So, to protect ourselves – our reign and lineage, you propose we go to Atlantis ourselves – not to gather information for an assault – but for favor?" She made it sound ridiculous, but he had prepared for such and was not offended by it. With wary eyes she traced the marking on his right eye.
An arch above his brow and the three points along his nose and cheek, otherwise his hair was the common silver of their people, though his skin a healthier pale then the dark grey-green it had been when he had encountered John in captivity. There were those of his kind who did not think him worthy of the marking, though the Keeper had never shown herself to be one of them.
"I do. The poison spreads among those who feed off those who are protected by the Replicators. If we no longer feed among them – if we go to Atlantis to make arrangements for an alliance in which both sides prosper…then we will survive." He finished softly, for that was the point of coming forward with his idea – foolish as she thought it.
Keeper held only three ships, she knew herself to be at a disadvantage, even one such as he held at least a half a dozen or more. Clawed fingers tapped a rhythm along her chair as she thought of all the advantages and disadvantages to this alliance – and the proposed one to go to Atlantis. It could mean survival – or death, or worse – in her mind – capture. She had, after all, tortured one of their people – Wraith had died for less.
She had something he did not - knowledge of the Ancients, not passed down the generations, but from a source who had lived during those days, thrived during them. She beckoned him forward, even now after rescuing him, he chilled her. The scent of age and death rolled off him in waves. He had fed on his own people to stay alive – the taint of it would always show in his coloring, the lime green that looked almost oily, it had left no doubt in her mind that he would do so again to survive. He had earned the name she had given him within her own mind – Survivor.
"What do you think of this?" She asked, voicing her question for she did not want to linger within his mind. He glanced only once to the image of 'Todd', as an acknowledgement, before answering her.
"It is foolish to think we will go in expecting an alliance where they have nothing to gain, and we have everything to loose." His words made since, and she could see that 'Todd' agreed. He had a good relationship with Atlantis all on his own – he hadn't thought of what they had to offer in an alliance that would mean the survival of their kind – which, she knew, Atlantis wasn't that keen on preserving in the first place.
"It depends on what they need." 'Todd' acknowledged with a nod.
"They seek the death of the anomaly, Michael…" She stated softly, and the other two nodded in agreement, thoughtful. They had nothing to loose by forming an alliance and getting rid of Michael – if they desired.
"That would only be for the short term." Todd mused, eyes distant as he considered possibilities.
"So, we are agreed – it is an alliance we seek with Atlantis?" She asked after a time, to confirm her sensors read Todd's half dozen ships headed in the direction of Atlantis. With her own three, she followed. It had been all the answer she had needed. After all, Todd would not compromise Atlantis, if it came to destroying her rather then see them betrayed – he would. Of that, she had little doubt.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Reese smiled pleasantly beside Harry, awaiting contact with Earth – and Daniel. It was, after all, the least they could do to cement the alliance with the Asurans. Besides, the look on Daniel's face was on he knew would be worth it. Finally, the connection was cleared, and Reese seemed to bounce in place with her excitement.
"Hello?" It was Daniel's voice; Harry didn't have to guess to know that. In a few moments the visual cleared confirming his thoughts.
"Daniel! Hi, it's Reese, guess what? The Asurans are Atlantis' - and your, allies now, aren't you proud of me?" Reese positively beamed, in the face of her enthusiasm Daniel chuckled. It was likely he had known who he was getting a call from the start, even though Reese had asked for it to be a surprise.
Their relationship, Harry knew, was something like siblings, with Reese trying to impress Daniel, or measure up to him. Harry had a hard time stifling laughter, though Daniel looked pleased for Reese's sake.
"Yes, you've done wonderful work from what I've read of these reports." Daniel finally answered, Harry didn't know if the delay was from the distance or was because Daniel hadn't spoken right away. It didn't seem to matter to Reese either way.
"Enough about me – how are you? They let me read up on what's been going on at Stargate Command since I've been out of touch, still doesn't measure up to a first hand account." Reese blurted out, seeming unable to help herself. Harry touched her shoulder to let her know that, now that the connection was established, he would let her have the illusion of privacy. She shot him a look of gratitude as he left. It wasn't as if their communication wasn't being listened in on from both Atlantis and Earth security. She knew that, but she had learned the hard way that it was the thought that counted.
Atlantis, almost sleepily, reached out to him reassuringly. It worried him that Atlantis was behaving so sluggishly, but he knew it had to be an affect of the defensive measures they had taken. It had drained resources, but Atlantis – he knew – would recover. For the moment he stayed with Elizabeth and the others he had come to Atlantis with, it would take some work to develop trust between the Asurans and everyone else, but it wasn't impossible now that they had a common goal – to disable the Wraith.
"All personal on alert, report to positions – Wraith Hive ships approaching." Harry swallowed, knowing that Atlantis would not be that much of a help in whatever would happen next. Hurriedly, Harry went to where he knew Elizabeth and the others would be. Reese, he know, would join them shortly – she would be very upset that her first communication with Daniel had been cut short.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"We are attempting to contact them – if they don't answer we will assume hostile intent." Elizabeth told Harry once he had appeared; Leo and Tigr looked grateful to see him. They had known he'd be safe, for the Ancients trusted the Asurans far more then Elizabeth's people did and hadn't expected trouble.
So Lt. Ford, Laura, and Halling had been with Leo and Tigr with Elizabeth, attempting to calm her after Harry's "stunt" with the Asurans. He didn't think she had quite forgiven him for the scare, but she had welcomed him back warmly.
"Communication has gone through, with reply." Reported one of the technicians, sounding surprised, Elizabeth turned toward the communications screen, and awaited the response. Harry glanced only once toward Leo and Tigr to know they too were curious to what the Wraith wanted.
"Atlantis, this is…Todd, I bring with me my allies who seek an alliance with you and the… Asurans…." John's lips twitched in amusement to see the Wraith – who he considered a friend - attempt to be diplomatic.
"If you are fired upon by one of our vessels, be assured the vessel will be destroyed," Todd continued, this time more firmly, "please reply."
"Outgoing message from the Ancients..." Another technician reported moments before it was displayed.
"On behalf of the Tau'ri and Athosian who occupy this world, we will listen to your request for alliance, be warned, hostile action of any kind will be returned in force." It wasn't a voice Harry recognized – but it was one of the council, Aial he thought her name was.
"Is it usual for them to speak on his behalf?" Lt. Ford asked with a nod toward Harry, Leo and Tigr shrugged, knowing their place was to protect him not to wonder at the policy.
"It could be protocol, as he is out of reach." Tigr suggested softly, watching with the others for the reaction of the Wraith to find their ancient enemies returned. Harry wondered if it mattered that he hadn't wanted the Ancients to push themselves upon the Wraith first thing.
"We have become aware that the Asurans act against us on your behalf. We seek to avoid the conflict they have created. We wish to survive." It was not Todd that answered this time, but a Wraith that made the spines of John and Rodney stiffen, recognizing him. It didn't take the others long to put together the pieces, all of them had mission reports from any Wraith encounter. Ronan in particular looked startled, though they had all thought that Wraith to be dead.
"This is an admirable goal. What in your ability would you offer us in an alliance?" Aial asked, managing to convey interest, though no clear eagerness for such an alliance.
"Protection, we have more ships then both Tau'ri and Athosian – we have heard of a conflict contained within the home galaxy of the Tau'ri. We would lead support to this cause." Todd stated, interrupting the other Wraith from continuing conversation with Atlantis.
"We shall discuss this at length with our neighbors, when we have reached a decision, you will be notified." Aial finished, then cutting communication with the Wraith. It wasn't much of a surprise when they contacted Elizabeth to speak with Harry.
It was how he found himself, much later, with a pouting Reese and his two guards (and Ford, Laura, and Halling following as well, much to Reese's amusement) on a Jumper headed back toAlta.
Before he had left, Elizabeth had called a meeting to discus the pros and cons of having an alliance with the Wraith –or, more accurately, this fraction of the Wraith. They were still in conflict. Harry knew that if the Ancients were willing to let a small fraction join them, there was hope. Teyla and Halling had been clear from the start that they and the Athosians would follow Elizabeth, so it looked like something of a domino effect.
It depended, Harry knew, on how his people took to the idea.