Chapter 25
Night Fury.
The last of the chevrons on the gate activated and the machine spit out a big stream of matter resembling consistency turbulent water.
Richard Woolsey looked at the main controller.
- Code colonel Sheppard - told him sergeant Maranzano.
- Shut down shield - ordered the Commander of the station and approached the stairs leading down towards the gate, waiting when from the calm already surface of the event horizon will emerge newcomers.
The first person who walked through the gate was John Sheppard. Behind him came the other members of his team... everyone except Teyla and Mo. Woolsey looked at them and walked quickly forward, concerned about this fact.
- Where are...? - he said, but the colonel would not let him finish.
- On the Todd hive. Mo prepare Teyla for the meeting with the Gray Council Wraith - he explained.
His tone clearly indicated that he is not happy with it.
- But why?
- Please ask Todd. It's his fault. He said something and now the Council wants to talk... with his new Queen, which is...
- ... Teyla - Woolsey finished for him to frown on his face.
- Exactly.
- So, Mo now whom pretend Teyla?
- Yes. Todd decided, that only she can teach Teyla everything in order to meet with the Council, without any worries... Or rather, no larger mishaps, such as Mo said - he said.
- And what Mo about this? At the news of Teyla?
- As you might guess, she was not happy - Keller interjected. - But Todd talked to her and apparently she agreed. Anyway, she said that this, what can Teyla, at all to no avail her to meet with the Council. She was even surprised at what miracle we managed to fool the previous Primary.
- This is getting out of control - said Woolsey.
- I also think so - said John. - But Teyla believes that this may be a unique opportunity.
- The question is: whether the risk is worth it - not change a gloomy tone of the station Commander.
- Exactly - also murmured Sheppard.
Woolsey looked at him, somewhat surprised that the opinion of colonel extremely coincide with his. He wanted to say something, when the gates again began to activate. The man looked at his watch.
- Who this time? This is not the time to back our people - he influenced and moved back to the control center.
Sergeant Maranzano looked expectantly at the laptop monitor, waiting for active the last chevron. And as soon as the event horizon took on the form of the well known gently water rippling sheet, he turned on the shield, waiting for a signal from the other side. However, what took delivery of the sensors, it was not what he expected.
He looked with a slight disbelief at Woolsey.
- This is Travelers code - he said. - They asked for the talk.
- Please turn on the main screen - told Richard and turned into a large monitor.
The sergeant nodded, and after a short while, the screen flickered, revealing the face of a young woman.
-... Miss Larrin - said finally station Commander, surprised her view of the. - What a surprise... Something happened that you contact with us?
- Hello, Mr. Woolsey - she said with a slight smile. - I know that we talk only when we need help, but please believe me that it does not depend only on me...
- I understand. You have your superiors - he finished for her with a polite smile.
- This is right... Tell you the truth, this time they do not know about our conversation... I'd prefer to stay that way... if all goes well.
- Of course... What is the problem?
- In our ship. We have a problem with it and I thought that maybe your engineers will be able to help us - she said, and looked away, shaking her head slightly. - We send you technical details broken system and the coordinates of the planet on which we orbit.
- And you think, that we help you.. again, and you tricked us… again? - Sheppard said sarcastically, standing with folded arms.
- Colonel - admonished him Woolsey.
- What? This is true. Whenever we encounter them, are trouble, and at the end they throw us out and disappear without a word of "thank you".
- Only you, Sheppard - woman scoffed. - Besides, I direct my request to your command and he has the last sentence - she added with a sneer, and then looked at the balding man. - I hope that our last cooperation somewhat eclipsed the previous... misunderstanding.
- Misunderstandings!? - colonel snorted. - You imprison me... two times - he reminded her.
The woman on the screen slightly raised eyebrow with an ironic smile on his face.
- Apparently everyone gets what he deserves - she said. - Besides, it seemed to me that you like it.
John Sheppard wanted to answer her, carrying a hand, but Woolsey forestalled him.
- I also hope that our relationship will be based not only on... emergency, Miss Larrin... We will as soon as possible to gather the appropriate team and help you in everything.
The woman looked at him and smiled, politely.
- Thank you, Mr. Woolsey... So we wait - she said, and throwing last, a brief look colonel, she hung up.
The Commander of the station looked at the soldier and grimaced slightly.
- What?... She started it - he began to explain.
But Richard did not answer him. He looked only at McKay.
- Doctor, please review the submitted information and gather team - he said.
- Send it to my lab - Rodney said, and walked toward the stairs.
.
.
Skyfall stood on the side of the throne room, leaning against one of the organic pillars and watched with amusement as the Moonlight tries to transform a human female in a Wraith Queen.
In truth, Teyla Emmagan quickly distinguished itself passed her teachings, but her careful, balancing of each subsequent movement and words meant, that fast in her behavior could be seen a... unnatural.
Fear of the meeting of the Council was stronger. The fear of human before meeting face to face with so many Wraith Queens.
- It's the biggest stupidity I have ever heard - murmured finally grimly Sunblaze, standing next to the Commander of his arms folded across his chest. - The Council makes our gut... No, they gutted us personally.
Skyll looked at him.
- Apparently it was supposed to be a lot of fun - he reminded him. - Since when are you so pessimistic? - he sneered.
- From now on.
The Wraith Commander corner of his mouth smiled and looked back toward the throne. Mo just looked ironically at Teyla and shook her head.
- I think we should start by learning to block thoughts - she said, and the woman looked at her in surprise. - Let's take a break, you connect to the Atlantis and ask what your son - she suggested calmly and suddenly looked at her sternly. - And then you come back here, we focused on the task - she added a little stiffly and turned on her heel, heading towards the exit.
- I'm focused - Teyla protested, moving behind her. - And my thoughts in no way impairs the...
- In anything? - snorted female Wraith, pausing. - You transmit on half the galaxy... Believe me, if I this picked up, my grandmother and the rest of the Council to do it even faster.
- Until now, I had no problem with blocking thoughts from the Wraith.
Mo moved closer to her.
- Until now, you had no contact with the Council - she said ominously. - These are no ordinary Queens. Most of them are Second or Third Generation, and they remember the days before the war. And their abilities are much larger than most of the Wraith. Even Queens Wraith are not delighted when the Council calls on them against his face, because they know that they can not hide anything from them... On your place I'd started assume, that this will be a disaster, not that: it would be somehow.
- So why are you helping me? - said a confident tone Emmagan.
- Because then surely it would be a disaster - almost murmured Mo and moved on.
But as soon as she turned toward the door of the throne room, from the darkness emerged Starburst. The female stopped again at his sight.
- Are you alright? - he asked calmly.
- It depends on what you're asking - she snapped. - We're taking a break, Teyla must relax and connect with Atlantis.
- I just finished talking to them - he said. - They come for you two. Colonel Sheppard wants you to join them in repairing the ship Lanteans. He believes that your knowledge could be useful.
Mo looked at Teyla.
- Alright... I think both of us will be useful respite - she said, and then moved into exit.
Wraith Commander watched at her for a moment, then turned to Teyla.
- What happened? - he asked. - She does not seem to be satisfied.
- I think she is disappointed with my... skills - said the woman. - I get the impression that she does not believe in the success of this mission - she said.
- I know her well enough to know that if they did, she would long ago have told us about it - assured her Starburst. - But she's still here, practicing with you for hours. It's a good sign.
- You think so? She still corrects me and we practicing over and over again the same thing.
- Just so you instilled in these behaviors if they have always been a part of you. They can not look at learned. They must become part of your nature.
- I know Mo again say it to me... But sometimes, when I too much empathize with the role, I feel that I lose my humanity...
- Good. You can not be a human pretending Wraith... You must become a Wraith, if this meeting has be successful. You stop to defend against this and let this happen to your nature. On the those few days you stop being Teyla Emmagan and become a Steelflower.
- She also telling me this - the woman said.
- Then you should start listen to her. Mo probably is demanding, but it's for your own good... and you're not afraid, Mo not let you lose your humanity - he said a confident tone, and glanced sideways at two Wraith.
Emmagan influenced this and also looked that way. This time it Skyfall was the Wraith with the good humor, and Sunblaze with a grime.
Commander smirked corner of his mouth. His cool, sophisticated look has always meant, that pierced her cold shiver. He awoke in her anxiety, and even some fear. Maybe that's why, despite assurances by Mo and Todd she feared, that he might betray their plan.
Starburst growled softly and looked at the woman.
- You should join yours. It will give you a little breathing space - he said, and walked to the door.
Teyla glanced again at the two Wraith and caught up with him, going into the hall.
- Repairing about whose ship said John? - she remembered.
- He called these humans: Travelers ... You probably know about who he talking?
- Yes, we met them a few times. They live for generations on ships.
- Oh, they... We call them: star-walkers... Mo have their weapon... The same which uses Ronon. But I do not know how she got it... Probably during someone harvest.
- But they do not have a seat on the planets.
- But a couple of times they tried to make them - he explained calmly. - Do not forget, that Mo has more than two hundred years. Probably she sometimes stumbled on them during her travels - he added with a slight smile.
- You're right - she admitted and was silent for a moment. - How well do you know her?
Starburst glanced sideways at her and smiled slightly.
- It depends on what you want to ask.
- Overall... In general, she does not have resistance to tell us about the Wraith, but about her family she reluctantly says.
- Maybe that's why that they died with hands the people - he said sarcastically.
.
.
Stargate floating in orbit around the planet, which only moon surrounded by a wide belt of small asteroids, and distant blue sun cast its light through it.
As soon the device has stabilized spat out a stream wormhole, it allowed a small machine emerge from its depths.
Moonlight looked through the front porthole jumper. She knew the place. As a child she flown here with her father, and later with the blaze. Water in the local ocean was warm and full of amazing creatures - just in time for the long swim and dive.
Humans would call this trips vacation, she thought and pointed to a slight shadow in the distance.
- There they are.
- Where? - said John, and appeared viewport computer map of the area. - You have good eyesight.
- Our eyes more quickly get used to sudden changes in light intensity - she said, almost casually, and looked at the console. - I think they call us.
Sheppard looked at the flickering light and the thought of turning communicator. The holographic map of the planet turned into a picture of a young woman.
- Finally - she threw a sneer. - You did not know what to wear?
Mo snorted under her breath. The colonel gave her a brief, grim look and then turned to Larrin.
- Do not flatter yourself - he retorted.
But the woman ignored him, focusing her attention on the female behind him.
- Again, you bring Wraith? - she said reproachfully.
Again he glanced at Mo for his eye.
- She will help us. She knows the Lanteans technology - he explained. - She is the chief engineer for their hive.
- The queen? Engineer? - she snorted. - You think I'm an idiot?
- Mo in not the queen - he said with satisfaction. - She did not undergone change and she does not feed on humans, so the others Wraith decided, that she could not be queen.
He waited for her scathing retort, but she just stared uncomfortably in a female.
- She helps us to Atlantis - Teyla interrupted. - She really knows very well the technology Ancestors - she assured calmly.
Larrin looked at her and twisted her mouth into a slight grimace of displeasure.
- Third hanger - she said and hung up.
Moonlight patted Sheppard on his shoulder.
- I see that she straight adores you - she snorted and went back to his seat.
- It's upon seeing you she lost her mood - he pointed out to her.
- And you expect that she will welcome Wrath with open arms? - she retorted.
- No. ... - he said. - But after such a long association she should be a bit more confidence - he murmured, heading towards a destination machine.
- You met her only twice - McKay said sarcastically.
- And every time we've been through a lot.
Female Wraith grinned.
- Someone crush on... no reciprocity - she noticed, amused.
- You're wrong - again murmured the colonel, but it's even more claimed her in her opinion.
- In the fact, that you crash on, or that without reciprocity? - she asked sarcastically.
- You should not have to analyze data which they have sent us... or something like that? - he asked, slowly fly into the indicated hangar.
- I already analyzed them - she said, still amused.
- So, you analyze it again - he said. - That we also need to hit the Wraith with an ironic sense of humor - he muttered, landing in the hangar of the ship. - But that's family - he influenced, turning to her with a chair. - Todd also is malicious.
Mo did not answer. She just smiled broadly, showing her sharp, white teeth.
Sheppard winced slightly and stood up. The others do the same, moving to the rear hatch jumper. None of them, however, is not expected to view which revealed falling down the metal plate: the group reinforced the stun guns Travellers. Leading them Larrin... with not too satisfied face.
The newcomers instinctively froze, and the woman suddenly raised her hand and fired. Bluish energy missile hit a young female Wraith who wavered on her feet, but did not fall. With difficulty maintaining balance, Moonlight looked menacingly at Larrin and growled a warning.
- Hey, hey! Are you crazy! - called John, jumping forward and extending his hand. - I told you that she is harmless.
Larrin looked at him grimly.
- Tell that two thousand of our people - she hissed.
- What are you talking about?
- She's a Night Fury - woman snapped, gesture of head pointing Mo. - ... As our ancestors called her. Every Travelers knows who she is.
- You know her? - Sheppard asked incredulously.
Larrin went to a young female with a look of anger on her face.
- Only with the story... 60 years ago we set up on one of the planets colony. Lived in there nearly two thousand people... She destroyed it in one night... That's why we called the Night Fury.
- Mo? - he was surprised. - Are you sure it's her?
- Yes - she hissed, not taking his eyes from her. - One of the few survivors is my grandmother... She described her very accurately... In any case, she may confirm this. She's still alive.
The colonel looked at Moonlight.
- Is it true? What say Larrin?
But Wraith female did not immediately respond. Yet for a moment she looked calmly in the furious eyes of the woman, and then she turned her head to Sheppard.
- Yes - she said calmly. - It is true. I led drone attacks on their colony.
John stared in disbelief at her... and Larrin with rage.
- Take her to the cell. The Council will decide what to do with her - she ordered her people.
Several armored men without saying perform her command, still pointing to Mo with their guns.
- Wait a minute. What do you want to do with her? - colonel said, moving for Larrin.
- She will be judged for her crimes - she hissed.
- Judged? You mean convicted? - he pointed out to her. - Following this path, you have to arrest every Wraith in the galaxy, who commanded during the harvest - he said teasingly.
- Unfortunately this is not possible, so at least we judge her... Justice will be served.
Sheppard grabbed the woman by the arm, forcing her to stop and turned to face him.
- You do not want justice, only revenge - he said. - We are talking about something that takes place from time to time on a thousand different worlds: about Wraith harvest. She is Wraith, and although she does not feed on humans, they do it her kinsmen. It is logical that she takes part in the harvest... And this were sixty years ago. How your grandmother could then have been years? Ten? It's a long time. She could remember something wrong. She was just a kid.
But Larrin persisted. She pulled her arm from his grasp.
- If you want, you can defend her on the trial. She has a right to counsel, as everyone - she said dryly, and walked away.
- Well, we have a problem - murmured McKay.
- John, they could not arrest her - she said Teyla upset. - Without her, a meeting with the Wraith Grey Council will not work.
- I know - he murmured, wondering and after the moment he came for the jumper. - I'll talk to Woolsey. He has been skilled at such... judicial processes.