Queens
Author's note: Sigils in use for easier identification of wraiths now. Human Stain by Kamelot was inspiring when I wrote the misanthropic part.
Disclaimer: the Stargate franchise and aliens that they created are the property of MGM. This is just a fictional story made out of fun and has no profit or commercial value derived from it. The OCs are mine.
The Battle of Cassius system had inflicted heavy casualties on the Wraiths and Lanteans.A population of half a million used to live in the cities. Now plumes could be seen from the planet's surface. Debris of both Wraith and Lantean ships were now scattered around the surface. All surviving Wraith ships had moderate to severe damages. None escaped unscathed. Some cascading explosions were still happening in a Hive ship from afar. Those were minor ones compared to what was seen.
Swarms of fighters were going to and fro, culling the conquered population. The Lantean gate in space will repeatedly dialed in to prevent Lantean cloaked vessels from escaping. A few were caught. Lanteans abandoning the planet's hapless population. Those captured Lanteans now shared the same fate with the trapped population.
Signs of cowardice were common amongst Lanteans. Not much difference from the humans. Often, the Wraiths on the ground found mostly the old, the very young, the sick and pregnant females left by those able to escape. Most of which could not be fed on. Even male Wraiths would lay their lives down for their mates, breeders or Queens. Human men appeared to discard their pregnant mates or children during a culling. Despicable.
The culling beams now made a difference. They were now able to sweep up the more edible ones in their escape. The old, young, and pregnant females were probably sifted through in the busy holding cells now. The young and pregnant females will be released to repopulate the world. The old were given to the cloned Wraiths. For Wraiths, surrender meant death. So best to take down a few enemies if death was imminent.
Stormy Sky, the Third Commander was silently surveying the damage around from the view screen of the bridge. The inseparable duo were now sullenly reporting what looked like a neverending list of damages. Their fleet alone lost five cruisers which were despatched under the Queen Mother. They only have eight cruisers left. The others fared equally badly with several cruisers gone. Three Hive ships, ran by Queen RedAura's breeders were destroyed.
Five of their Wraith Cruiser Commanders and their deputies ordered all of the surviving Wraith pilots to fall back and protect Origin of Fire's Superhive, Ascension. Before deliberately ramming their cruisers into the Lantean targets. Some at the battleships. Two went into a suicide run on the planetary defence systems. They did what all the Cruiser Commanders of their reinforcement fleet did, when there was no probability of survival.
The worse news was that Queen Glacier was in a severe condition, rumoured to be barely hanging to life. Normally, Wraith Queens would grab the opportunity to annex power. Annexing a Hive now was not on the list of priorities. For the sake of unity against a common enemy. Their Queen, Origin of Fire, was busy in the Throne room in communication with the others. Both her Consort and Hivemaster were there. This was serious. To discuss about the possibility that Queen Glacier might not make it.
Third Commander, three hyperspace windows detected on long range sensors. Cipher quickly reported from the console. If those were Lantean battleships coming in, they were all in trouble.
Stormy Sky quickly informed their Queen while setting off the standby alert. Noises were heard in the corridors. Wraiths were busy making their way to their battle stations.
Channel all available power to weapons. Destroyer to dock. It can act as a cover. Send three platoons of fighters to guard the aft rear. That was her order. The aft rear was the most battered area of their Superhive. Drone damage. Had their Hive been an ordinary Hive ship, they would be all gone.
Queen Glacier was still hanging on but barely. Her wounds were too severe. The burns were one thing but the wound on her head and her feeding hand were another. The other Queens refused to render assistance except for Origin of Fire and Queen Scourge. To the rest, it was of no concern whether the young Queen will die.
If the young Queen Glacier died, her surviving ships would be taken over by Queen Coldamber because the rest dared not challenge her. Origin of Fire knew that it meant Queen Glacier's Wraiths would be used as weapons fodder. The first wave. Young Wraiths. She remembered her youth once. A distant past. The hunters...one of them she called brother. All young ones sent early to their deaths in battle. Queen Glacier was also near to her daughter's age. Barely out of adolescence. Sent to fight a war. An unintentional but likely death sentence for a Young Queen.
There is another way but the fatality is high. The last resort. Tangent proposed the idea in the Throne room. It was do or die now. She had summoned Tangent, her Master of biologicals, to consult.
They knew what Tangent was proposing. Light Wind and Dark Waters shook their heads. The famous last resort of legends. None they knew personally witness or underwent that process. It was not their Hive's problem. And they do not intend to take on the problems of another Hive. Unity or not.
Dark Waters hissed softly. Tangent had a point. If Queen Glacier's young foolish Wraiths keep gifting, she will still die. If they tried the last resort, she may survive. If she dies, the blame may be pinned on them.
What is the last resort? Origin of Fire asked. She knew nothing of it.
If a Wraith cannot regenerate due to certain inflicted injuries, the Iratus queen is the last resort. Tangent explained. The process was excruciating and the fatality was extremely high. Once the Iratus queen started feeding on a Wraith, they must be able to withstand the afflicted pain long enough to pull the Iratus queen out. Most could not.
Origin of Fire frowned. She remembered the humming Iratus. But Iratus do not harm Wraiths. Unless triggered. They protected me before my feeding slit open.
Well, my Queen, male Iratus do not. However the Queen Iratus will. The reason why you are not harmed then was because you were not near the eggs and you were also not full grown. They do tend to be ... more aggressive towards females. Queens, even of their progenitor, do not tolerate a Wraith Queen. A common enemy was the reason why none of the Wraith Queens were displaying open hostilities. Tangent was well aware of how even Wraith Queens reacted normally. A few Wraith Queens had an evolutionary throwback in which even their daughters were seen as a threat. Fortunately, most had a maternal instinct but during mating season, the instincts would flare up and their children would be in danger. Even in Origin of Fire's case.
Now where are we going to find one Iratus queen?
Tangent answered quickly. My Queen, my junior cleverman has two in stasis for his study on increasing regeneration.
Headstrong, his junior cleverman, was obsessed with that aspect of Iratus physiology. Origin of Fire gave them the freedom to do whatever they wanted on the understanding that the Hive would come first. So Headstrong jumped on the opportunity. And got his pet Iratus. Five of them. Finally there was use for at least one.
And how dangerous is it to transport OUT OF STASIS?
A Queen Iratus on the loose was worse than having a rival Wraith Queen on board. Origin of Fire was not about to put her Wraith crew at danger. There were two young ones on their Hive...there was a chance that the Iratus Queen could go after them. According to legend, Iratus Queens left Wraith children alone. Male Iratus left all Wraiths alone unless they deliberately antagonise it.
My Queen, the stasis pod is portable.
My Queen, it is not a problem of ours. Light Wind and Dark Waters tried to dissuade her. There was no benefit. Especially if Queen Glacier dies.
It is not but still...my orders stand. Send one over.
Yes, my Queen and may I suggest sending one of our experienced clevermen with a security escort there?
Why? She was already doing one favor. Surely they need not interfere more than they should. Her ship needed all the clevermen onboard to fix the damage. They were stretched too thin and the hyperspace windows were detected. She saw no need to place her own crew at further risk.
Because her clevermen are also probably too...inexperienced. Dark Waters answered for Tangent.
Queen Glacier probably picked out of the younger attractive clevermen. Not the older clevermen. The other Wraiths could all tell by looking at the demeanor of Queen Glacier's young Consort and his blades.
Six Hive ships with thirty cruisers on approach. Cipher reported. They had been monitoring the scans closely.
Weapons fully charged. Solar Flare updated the Third Commander whose eyes never left the visual. They were not going to take a chance with unknown Wraith factions.
Stormy Sky, what is the status? A burning presence entered his mind. Origin of Fire asked from the Throne room.
My Queen, more Hive ships. And did the Queens notify you of any more joining in?
No. But I will contact them now. We are sending a scout ship to Queen Scourge's Hive.
Yes, my Queen. I await your orders then.
The old Wraith Leader sat on the chair, deep in thought. His Wraith Commanders were territories of the old Wraith's faction were destroyed by Lanteans. Every structure gone. The defence system breached. The planet was levelled. There were 20,000 Wraiths and a million humans on the surface. Of the 20,000,more than half were Wraith children. Next generation eliminated. All casualties of war. On another planet, there were barely any survivors. Just six breeders, and a handful of wounded humans too weak to feed on. They took the breeders and left the humans to fend for themselves.
Only one Queen responded to his request to meet on her Hive ship. The rest snubbed him by refusing to grant him an audience. A Queenless faction was of no consequence to the uppity Queen-led Hives. The Wraith-Lantean war had taken a toll on his faction. The survivors were all breeders who can barely control a cruiser. Best kept for breeding in their ships. He had lived so long, only to see this bitter end.
A dark haired young woman, dressed in a smart leather uniform dress suit, was entering the meeting room with five Wraith Commanders. The famed worshippers he had heard of. His faction did not use worshippers. Food was still food, no matter what one called it. The Queen was probably entering soon. He felt the strong presence of one. One whose mind was all of a fire. Something which he had not felt. Perhaps if he was fortunate, it would be a Primary.
Something was strange about this worshipper. She stood proudly at the opposite end of the table. With a glance as though she was the Queen herself. Such impudence should never be allowed or tolerated. However it was not his Hive.
Welcome to my Hive.
He looked around for a Wraith Queen. The burning presence had grew in strength.
It was the woman. He had heard of rumors, one of Wraith but looked like a human. Once defeated a Queen in challenge. One who raised herself from the bottom, like male Wraiths. Unlike most Wraith Queens who were born into the position. The Zero point module obtainer who was known to three factions. She had the gene. Her reputation preceded herself. She did not even look the human age. The Wraith in her eternally youthful. Like a young human. Wraith wise, her age made her young compared to the lifespan of an older Queen who lived for centuries. So the rumors were true after all.
Her Hivemaster was also a known Wraith Commander in the Battle of Asida, Xerhas and Syra systems. They had previously fought together. In the distant past. The rest of the senior Wraith Commanders were experienced Wraiths. Again, unlike a foolish young Wraith Queen of her age, this one was surrounded by experience.
Greetings, Queen. He stood up, a little shocked but he nodded in recognition. Respect must be given when respect was due.
Let's get on with your proposal. She wasted no time. Like a Wraith but without a Queenly air. Most Queens would make him kneel before even considering an interaction if he was fortunate to get an audience.
Her counterproposal was being considered. The old Wraith in front of her was discussing it with his Commanders. Admirable. Their faction had adapted to their predicament and survived as long as they did. Their homeworld was destroyed but they still held on by venturing into Lantean territories using carefully calculated risks. Survivors like her.
Guerilla tactics would be useful in the war, the Lanteans needed to be thinned out. The old Wraith's troops were used in teams to hunt. Much like the old ways. They even made a sport out of it to survival. The other Queens despised them for not going down with their Queens and ignored their requests to team up as equals. Older Queens bored Origin of Fire. She was not interested in their politics or gaining a Primary position. Younger Queens were useful, behaviorwise. She could curb any undesirable behaviors in her daughters. Like admiring silly prey fashions in the instance of Queen Glacier. Dressing must be practical and smart. Leather was durable. Not fabrics.
Origin of Fire sized up the old Wraith and his delegation. His clothing was patched hastily. Part armor, part leather. The crude stitching was visible in some. It meant that no worshippers were on his ship for a long time. His other Wraith Commanders had old looking black leather uniforms. The old Wraith was far bigger and taller than Firebolt who was the biggest Wraith in her fleet. Neat and clean but exposed to the elements.
With due respect to you, Queen. If we accept your proposal, it will mean that you are in control of us. Unacceptable.
With due respect to you, Old one. The other Queens in this fleet will object to you joining in. Without you recognising a Queen. Besides I have no interest in your faction. Yours and mine are too far away. Annexation is not beneficial to both parties. Strength is in numbers. She had a point.
On advice of her Hivemaster, it was better to pad their fleet now with the old Wraith's side. Their faction only sent a Hive ship with a rapidly depleting amount of cruisers. More losses will be anticipated. They had no real say in any Queen discussion. With those Hive ships seemingly under her command, she would be sitting on par at least with Queen RedAura. Amassing firepower mattered.
The old Wraith's fleet were already losing ships without any backing. That was the reason why they seeked out others to join. He was trying to hide the real reason from her. Her Hivemaster had already appraised her about the Old Wraith's faction and situation. They were once flourishing. A dominant power with fivefold the amount of ships they held. Now sadly reduced to six Hive ships and a straggling mess of cruisers which seemed battle weary.
Loss of all Queens. In a miserable state of existence. Her Hivemaster had vouched for the old Wraith. In the height of glory, the old Wraith was an effective war monger. Loyal with the wisdom of the old. A rare find. The old Wraith would not have abandoned his Queen unless ordered to do so. Refugees from Wraith cities were more readily accepted by Hives than Wraiths from Queenless Hives.
Queen, if we are excluded from the discussions... it is...
The old Wraith was insistent on it being an affront to his authority. He had a right to sit next to a Queen. That right should be given in recognition. He still had his pride. His faction used to be a very strong one. Used to. Past tense. History was of no consequence to her.
Your Commanders are welcome to form a part of my delegation. Old one, you will be automatically included. However politics are tricky... a pretence would have to be made. And most decisions are made by a certain clique. Even I hold no power. My appearance is merely...a courtesy to my faction. She explained patiently.
Queen Coldamber and Queen Siren were the ones in control. Always making the final decisions. Queen Scourge, Queen Glacier and her were just ignored mostly unless Queen Coldamber had a use for them. In her case, Zero point modules. In the other two's cases, they were usually made the second wave after breeder controlled Hive ships went in.
Just out of curiosity, Queen. And why is your ship named after a Lantean obsession. Ascension. A thinly veiled insult. Calculated at assessing her immediate response to insult.
By blowing up their ships, cities and outposts...my ship had helped them to ascend faster on a mass scale. Her response was swift but polite. Sarcastic even. She aimed for galaxy wide Wraith styled ascension impact. Corporeal form to non corporeal energy Lantean dribble... Just like energy transform to another.
Heat energy to potential energy like some of the energy sources on her ship. Even quantum vacuum energy, from the zero point modules, were converted to heat energy for her sublight engines. Then heat energy in the sublight engines were converted to kinetic energy for propulsion. So vaporising Lanteans into heat and light was just an energy change, a Wraith styled ascension, to her. Same concept as Lantean Ascension.
A few snickers were heard amongst the Wraiths in the meeting room. That logic was hard to fault since Wraiths had no idea of Ascension. Ridiculous but logical. Or perhaps an embittered sense of Wraith humor. The old Wraith sensed that it might be an acceptable option with this fairly reasonable young Queen. The only alternative to getting annexed or being killed. Or both.
Queen Coldamber watched Origin of Fire's contingent of Wraith Commanders with curiosity as they entered the Meeting room. It was not the usual contingent she was accustomed to. Unfamiliar faces. One was an old Wraith. Six additional Hives and thirty cruisers just came under Origin of Fire's command.
She glanced across Queen Glacier's side. Queen RedAura was also studying Queen Glacier. The young Queen had survived her wounds. She had not expected her to survive. She appeared only weakened. No ill effects, save for a small scar on her neck. There was only one thing which could inflict a familiar scar like that. Female Wraiths did not usually have scars unless an Iratus queen inflicted it. The young Queen was also quieter than usual. No chittering about irrelevant topics.
The other Queens greeted each other silenty with nods. The aftermath of the battle made all of them busy with repairs. Most of the Wraith ships were now replenishing the prey stock. Fresh from the planet. Four Hive ships have already started extraction of minerals with beams to refuel. The system was now secured with Wraith satellites deployed from Queen Siren's faction. No claim was made yet but it was obvious.
We just received news from the Wraith network. The main assault fleet is now in thirty cycles from here. The Lanteans are now asking for a diplomatic meeting.
They want peaceeeeeee. Queen Coldamber looked like she was choking at the thought of peace.
Telepathic murmur broke out.
Peace or pieces? Origin of Fire raised her eyebrow. She prefer leaving the Lantean ships in pieces.
The main assault are asking for volunteers amongst Queens. To negotiaaate. Queen Coldamber was hissing at the thought of negotiations. Her expression was more of disgust. She made no effort to hide it. Lanteans were pathetic in her eyes.
Queen RedAura stood up. I vote for Origin of Fire. Three other Queens raised their hands to show their approval. Queen RedAura made it sound so glorious. Origin of Fire was not fooled by the overglorified self serving vote. They knew that it was high risk.
I am only good at stealing their Zero point modules. Origin of Fire shrugged. Her Hivemaster was growling. It was a dangerous mission.
Well, they just want to...talk. A gag was heard from Queen Coldamber's throat. The main assault fleet was led by a Primary Queen of another Night faction. A one stronger than her. Suggestions had to be accepted.
Queen RedAura studied Origin of Fire's face. Well, they might find discussions comfortable with ...a Wraith who has...similiar looks to them. They will be surrounded. You will be provided with escorts. From each of us.
Another self serving suggestion. It meant that they did not completely trust her enough to relay the details of ...the peace talks with the Lanteans. They wanted their own trusted Wraith Commanders to report. Fill in anything missing to their Queens.
And what will stop any of Wraiths from blowing me out of space when I am there...talking with Lanteans?
It was a valid point. Given the amount of hatred towards Lanteans and the numbers in the main assault fleet, it may happen. Given her recent personal experience, all it took was an overenthusiatic Wraith Cruiser Commander to fire on a Lantean ship she hijacked for their fleet.
It will be on an uninhabited planet of our choosing. The others are scouting for the appropriate setting. With a Lantean gate. And a cruiser may accompany you down.
There was no backing out of this. The older Queens have already decided. It did not matter if she was a lowly Wraith fighter pilot or a Queen, she was being ganged on by a group of Queens. Doing their dirty work.
I will go with her. Queen Glacier volunteered herself. The other Queens were surprised but none voiced their disapproval. Including Origin of Fire. These two did not matter if they were lost.