Notes - it helps to have read the three short stories in the series prior to this one, but it's not essential so here are some quick explanations:

Solis - the wraith word used to mean 'mind'. Wraith communicate mind-to-mind and each mind has an individual 'feel' or 'shape'. For Nexus, he can also 'see' what each solis looks like (in his own mind).

Filum - the connection from one mind to another. This appears to Nexus as a thin string going from one solis to another. Multiple connections active at the same time give the appearance of a net.

Stella-tenux - the name Nexus gives to his map of minds. Literally means 'star net'. Nexus can close his eyes and visualise his environment as a dark sky. Within this, he can see pale images of rooms, halls, floors etc and can locate individual minds within this mental map. He can also see any active connections between those minds.

Chapter 1: the Meeting and the Naming

Nexus attends his first senior staff meeting and meets the team of Lanteans who he'll be working with. As expected, this does not quite go as planned…

"-and as you can deduce, well, I don't suppose you actually can as this is truly revolutionary work that I'm showing you… I mean, no one in Atlantis, wait, in Pegasus, nay no one in two galaxies has even contemplated calculations of this nature."

It had been like this for the past hour and it didn't look like the physicist was coming to any sort of conclusion. At first, Nexus had found the human mildly entertaining. His fast manner of speaking coupled with a wild flailing of limbs was amusing.

But now Nexus wondered how the Commander had ever endured the past meetings of these humans.

The Scientist continued, "Anyway, if Todd's information is correct, we really need to find this lab. I need to get the rest of the data to work out what kind of weapon the Ancient's were developing."

This human has some nerve questioning the data transmitted by the Commander!

The wraith thought it best to interrupt the man's endless presentation. "Excuse me, Dr…?"

Rodney shot the wraith a withering look. "I told you my name already."

Nexus schooled his expression into one of innocence. "Did you? Oh, yes. Dr McKane."

"What?! No!" Rodney strode around the table to stand over the wraith officer, hands planted firmly on his hips.

"Forgive me, Dr..?" the wraith simpered.

"Is it really that hard to remember?" The scientist's face was beginning to take on a rather comical red hue.

The wraith tilted his head thoughtfully. "I would not have thought so. Perhaps you are just not that memorable."

"Not that-? What?!" He was waving his hand dangerously close to the wraith's face. "And here I thought wraith were meant to be intelligent?"

Nexus narrowed his eyes at the irate scientist, a low growl emanating from deep within his throat. "That was not wise, human."

Across the table, Sheppard tried to warn his friend. "Rodney-"

Rodney waggled his finger in the wraith's face. "No, seriously. Aren't you guys always going on about how smart you are? Or is that just the rest of them? Great. We get lumped with the one intellectually challenged wraith in the entire galaxy."

Looking as though he'd like to find a new location for McKay's finger, the wraith growled as he rose slowly out of his chair.

"Hey, Tom!" The wraith whipped his head around to glare at the Colonel. "Yeah, not a fan of people getting your name wrong, huh? How's about you sit back down and let my buddy here finish his presentation."

Ronon aimed his gun right at the wraith. "Just say the word, Sheppard."

Nexus didn't move.

"Nexus." The calm tone of Teyla's voice cut through the tension in the room. "We all must take heed of what to expect on this mission before we journey to the other side of the galaxy."

Nexus took a deep breath, inclined his head to the Athosian and lowered himself back into his seat. It was strange to be in the presence of a human queen.

"Thank you, Teyla. It's nice to know my work is appreciated," Rodney nodded to his team leader. He turned back to the wraith. "Once again, and this time nice and slow for my simple friend - my name is Dr. Rodney McKay P-"

"PhD PhD," chorused the members of his gate team. Rodney huffed, unsure if he should be flattered or offended.

Sensing the likelihood of another argument erupting between wraith and physicist, Mr. Woolsey intervened. "Thank you, Dr. McKay. Why don't we take a short break from the the conjecture regarding Todd's data. In fact, I'd like to take the opportunity to go over this quarter's budget."

The resulting tableau of resignation around the conference room prompted Nexus to withdraw into his stella tenux for a chance to regain his composure.

At the end of the table, the Colonel was lounging in his chair. The Satedan seemed determined to test the structural integrity of his - balancing it back on two legs. The Scientist sat hunched over his laptop, fingers flying across the keys. Only the diminutive Athosian maintained a graceful posture and gave the Leader her full attention.

Mr Woolsey's voice dropped into the background as Nexus gazed across the table at the Colonel's 'team'. Tilting his head to one side, he allowed his consciousness to dip into the dark void.

The ghostly negative of the conference table appeared in his mind, bordered by tired red and grey soli. Narrowing his focus, Nexus blanched at the hateful white emanating from the Satedan. Thankfully, the Athosian's regal jade orb brought balance to the group, hovering near the expedition Leader.

Framed by the white and green soli, perched the startling revelation that was the Scientist's mind.

At first, the solis was a site of such chaos that Nexus could barely make sense of it. Electric orange pulses raced along elliptical paths at a jumble of angles. To get his bearings, Nexus tried following a single pulse, but zooming in only revealed a series of nonsensical incomplete calculations. So many pulses generated an internal noise-

rust-frustration-explain… lemon-bitter-incompetant... copper-fear-anger… blush-failure-irritation-THINK… orange-why-how-why-how-why...

-and the warring assault of emotions obscured his vision. Encased within the overlapping circuits lay the core of the Scientist's solis. Nexus tried to focus his mind but the speed of the man's thoughts blurred his vision entirely.

Nexus withdrew from the aggressive solis when his energy weakened. He realised he was quietly panting and had completely lost track of the meeting.

"Might we return to the most pressing topic and the purpose of this meeting?" Teyla was watching Nexus with an unreadable expression. The wraith averted his gaze.

"Very well," Mr Woolsey agreed. "Dr McKay."

The scientist rolled his eyes as he stood up. "Well, I was getting to that part before we had to backtrack to basic introductions. You see, the information we received from Todd while he's been gallivanting around the galaxy isn't exactly complete. The-"

"Dr. McKay." Nexus took care to enunciate each syllable to convey just how tiresome his report had become and precisely how much effort it was taking to remain civil. "The Commander is not gallivanting. And if you cannot correctly interpret the information I would be happy to look at it for you."

"The information, as I said, is incomplete," rebuffed the scientist. "The next time you communicate with your illustrious leader, do convey the importance of bothering to check the download has concluded before he wanders off to the next lab."

Nexus forgot all thoughts of self-control and roared, "do not dare sully the Commander's abilities! He is far more committed to this endeavour than-"

"Alright, alright. Nexus, buddy, calm down," placated Sheppard.

Nexus rose to his full height and glared at the Colonel. "Do not tell me to calm down, Colonel Sheppard."

Ronon rose to his feet, fierce eyes sighting down the barrel of the gun aimed at the wraith.

Sheppard reluctantly got to his feet and shot the wraith a withering look. "There's no need to go and get all upset because Rodney dared besmirch the good name of the almighty Todd."

"I can fight my own battles, thank you, Colonel," McKay turned to the wraith, "particularly against a touchy member of Todd's fan club."

Nexus sensed their soli around the table, judging him, wishing him away from their precious meeting.

Warning red, white-hot hate and orange noise. Barely discernible was the Leader's muted grey concern. But the worst came from the female; sickly green pity.

Nexus closed his eyes and channeled his rage into forging a filum, ready to lash out at the three men.

He coiled his embarrassment around his filum, accelerating its strength with fury, ready to strike.

Nexus! NO MORE!

Nexus reared back physically as a pale green filum whipped forth from the Athosian, the resulting pain biting through his mind. He stumbled back into his chair gasping, eyes watering.

The other humans looked at him in shock.

"You will conduct yourself with the appropriate restraint, young officer," admonished Teyla. "Your Commander will be displeased if he hears of your mental… exploration."

"But I-" Nexus asserted.

"I am not interested in your excuses," she replied. Sensing his coming protest, she continued. "Furthermore, when your attendance is required you will not arrive in damaged attire."

His hands flew up to grip the lone, ruined Iratus bug at his throat.

Off-hand gripping his clasp like a life-line, Nexus stuttered an apology. "Forgive me, lady. I forgot myself. Perhaps I should take a moment."

Without waiting for a reply, Nexus turned his back on the slack-jawed expressions of the men, and strode out of the conference room. He ignored the guards following closely on his heels as he made his way down the nearest hall.

Mind sweeping, he desperately sought out an empty room. Somewhere, anywhere he could regain his composure.

Sensing an empty space, Nexus whirled to his left and strode through an open door. He spun to face his guards.

"There is no one present and no other way to exit this chamber. Might I have a moment alone?" The guards dutifully checked the room, nodded and took up positions outside the door.

Nexus allowed himself a deep sigh, one hand worrying at his father's clasp. How could I be so undisciplined?

His other hand kept clenching into a fist then stretching out, fingers splayed and tense. The feeding hand flexed in time with his pacing. The Commander said they are not to be underestimated. He said not to touch their minds without permission. How could I be so stupid?

Muttering to himself under his breath he made promises to improve his self-control. To work on his patience and get through his time in Atlantis. Oh, Commander. "Why did you choose me for this?"

"Maybe because you take it so seriously?" A voice called out.

Nexus froze. This room was supposed to be empty. He had swept it for soli and it was completely devoid of human minds. Has someone born witness to my unravelling? Unacceptable!

He closed his eyes and swept through again.

Nothing. No, wait. There!

Tucked into a corner alcove over by the window was the weakest solis he had ever sensed. A sallow little something, no bigger than his fist.

Nexus opened his eyes, glancing toward the open door. Apparently, his guards had not heard the feeble voice.

He stalked slowly around the corner to the unfortunate woman tucked into the window seat. He towered over her and relished the moment as her eyes traveled up his tall, looming frame.

"Did you speak to me, human?" Nexus demanded, careful to keep his voice low.

"I- I- apologise for intruding," she stammered.

"You assume to know anything of consequence?" He sneered.

"I- well, I mean, um-"

"What was that?" Nexus hissed. He leered at her, enjoying a sense of regaining the upper hand as she shrank back from him. "Suddenly nothing say, stella-nix?"

The woman nervously tucked some hair behind her ear before replying quietly, "sorry, what did you call me?"

He leaned forward, his voice a malevolent whisper. "Sssstella-nixxx, little human."

"Little star? Why would you call me that?" Her curiosity clearly piqued, she seemed to forget for a moment that she had a wraith bearing down on her.

Momentarily perplexed, Nexus mentally shook himself. "Your understanding of wraith is lacking, woman. 'Nix' can indicate size, but in this context it is clearly used in the negative."

"Come again?" she queried, fiddling with her pen.

"In the negative - meaning 'nothing', 'naught', 'null'," his frustration grew with each word. "Your mental signature looks like a pathetic little parody of a star. You are practically a nonbeing, a nothing. A stella-nix."

"Oh, I see." She stared up at him with hurt pooling in her pale eyes. "To answer your question, I was merely suggesting that your Commander probably chose you to be here because it seems to mean so much to you to do a good job."

For a brief moment, Nexus felt sorry for taking his frustrations out on a well-meaning, if misguided, human.

"Well, then. I'm to be stella-nix, a star of nothing?" Shaking off her hurt expression, she narrowed her eyes. "You're Nexus, right? Well, then, I suppose that would make you stella-Nex."

A pause. "What? I do not-"

"Your understanding of Ancient is lacking, wraith." Lifting her chin in defiance, she continued, "Nex - the root of your name. Meaning 'slaughter', 'blood of the slain' or... 'death'. You are practically a warning, a bad omen. A stella-Nex."

The wraith officer looked troubled. "You are likening my solis to a 'star of death'?"

"Well, I suppose. If you want to be all dramatic about it," she said. "Although... I prefer Death Star."

Spying a flash of amusement in her eyes, Nexus felt as though he'd missed something important.

"I do not understand."

"Well," she glanced down at his collar, gesturing towards his clasp, "I was going to go with iratus-viridi-cimex but that's quite a mouthful."

"I am not a- a-" he stuttered in his haste to translate, "-an angry green bug!"

"So, Death Star it is then."

With that, she looked down at her work, making notes and definitely not looking back at the wraith.

Feeling thoroughly dismissed, Nexus turned on his heel and stormed out of the room, his guards hurrying to keep up.

He paused outside of the conference room. Resigning himself to his decision, he gripped his clasp and twisted it carefully.

The iratus broke off his collar and lay sadly in the palm of his hand. He tucked it away inside his jacket, pausing a moment to feel the reassurance of his father's gift resting against his chest.

Smoothing his hair and straightening his coat, Nexus entered the room and quietly took his seat.

NOTE:

"Death Star" - The Death Star is a reference to the Star Wars movies. It was a space station, roughly the size of a moon, that could destroy whole planets.