Black and White.

Chapter Eight.

Disclaimers as per previous chapters.

AN: I have decided that this story takes place prior to the SGA episode Trinity as I just do not think that Rodney would be so keen on Ancient energy weapons afterwards!

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"Are you sure that you recorded this data correctly?"

Rodney McKay munched a power bar while standing at the back hatch of the Puddle Jumper, gazing towards the distant mountains where the firing had taken place. Behind him, in the 'jumper, two of his fellow scientists passed a silent glance between them which eloquently conveyed their feelings about how the CSO was questioning their competence… again.

"I should have been here. I wish I could have seen it! Whatever it hit was completely obliterated – there are readings of fragments only. Where is 'jumper Two, I want some remains!"

John Sheppard was sitting on a nearby rock, ostensibly checking over his P90, and actually watching Rodney get excited over, what appeared to be, a new Ancient weapon. He was inwardly seething at this lack of activity but knew the need for the scientists to investigate what had happened. After the weapon had fired there had been a tactical retreat back through the Stargate, followed by a heated discussion as to what should be done in the face of an apparent confrontation between two sets of unknowns. Too many unknowns, Sheppard had thought. And the result was a beefed up military team plus scientists to work out what they were up against. They had returned as the sun rose over the distant mountain range and John had been struggling to contain his restlessness as the others worked.

Rodney's earpiece crackled, it was 'jumper Two.

"Doctor McKay, we have recovered a few fragments that survived atmospheric descent. Scans are confirming them as Wraith technology – it was large vessel, sir – possibly a Hive ship."

Rodney whistled and conveyed the information to the others.

"A Hive Ship?" John Sheppard was amazed. "What is going on here? I thought the Wraith were involved in firing the weapon – why destroy other Wraith? Aren't they going to act like insects or something, you know, bees all working together?"

"Even a bees' nest will descend into anarchy when there is competition over food or succession." Rodney said thoughtfully. "It's beginning to look like we've got a major power source here and a working weapon that has survived these millennia. Assuming that Beckett has activated it – we've got ourselves a major kill. Way to go Carson, I didn't think you had it in you!"

"He doesn't." Sheppard muttered. "Carson would never have done this voluntarily. You know that."

The smile faded from Rodney McKay's face. Yes, he did know.

"Have we gathered all the data that we can from this location?" Sheppard enquired, ignoring Rodney's look of dismay.

"Just processing the last scan." Rodney spoke reluctantly.

"Good, in that case I will arrange an aerial rendezvous with 'jumper Two and we'll head for the mountains." John rose and stretched his stiff limbs.

"Wait, wait a minute – that place appears to be the site of an energy weapon, possibly some defensive outpost – it might be defended with other weapons apart from the main beam."

"That's a calculated risk we have got to take Rodney, if we are going to retrieve our people. Remember Atlantis was down to just a few dozen drones when we found her – it's most likely that this much smaller installation is completely depleted. But I'm going anyway – you coming?"

John shouldered his P90 and signalled to Ronon and Teyla, who had been watching the clearing where the Puddle Jumper had parked. He walked past Rodney onto the 'jumper.

A range of emotions flitted across Rodney's expressive face but finally with a muttered curse he tossed the scrunched up bar wrapper onto the ground and followed John onto the Puddle Jumper.

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Carson was drifting. It was a comfortable place; if he stayed here he was removed from the pain. He could document too well what was wrong with him. The lacerations on his wrists, neck and forehead were throbbing. The site of the telepathic device added another ache which seemed to blend with a nausea inducing headache. He knew that his body was parched with thirst, his throat swollen. Blood sugar levels were low from lack of food and a nice shower and trip to the bathroom would'na go amiss. But if he stayed in this grey place it all faded into the background, along with the memory of the dying Hive Ship.

Unfortunately, every now and then he found himself conscious and back in the control chamber, still trapped in the Chair. Nothing nice was happening there.

He opened his eyes. "Arguing" Wraith was standing before the leader, speaking angrily. "We must leave immediately as soon as we have hidden the traces of our presence."

"There is no need." The other returned calmly. "The beacon is now broadcasting as that of the Hive ship, continuing the pretence that all is well. We have time at our leisure. I wish you all to feed – your hunger is irritating." He was speaking to all the other Wraith.

"Then we will make arrangements to leave and rejoin our ship. When we carry our knowledge that the Ancient City was not destroyed back to the Hive, all honour will be ours. It will initiate a journey back to the planet of the hidden Ancient city to gain access to the Stargate."

"Will you join us in feeding?"

"No, I wish to take advantage of this situation to examine the Ancient technology that is here. It is rare to get access such as this," The leader of the Wraith was looking at Carson as he spoke, his face breaking into a meaningful grin, "and then I shall feed!"

Beckett's thoughts were fuzzy, he was almost beyond terror – there had been heated discussion back in Atlantis as to whether the Wraith fed on the psychic energy that fear of them engendered, in which case this one was having a feast.

He opened his eyes again. He must have lapsed back into unconsciousness but something had awoken him. The noise began again – it was screaming. Human screams – a young woman's voice echoing from one of the corridors nearby. Alice! God no! The pain of it lanced through him as the screams died away. Another voice began to cry out – a man – the Wraith were feeding and Carson had to listen.

It seemed interminable and Carson longed to slip away again, to die – anything that wasn't listening to his team being murdered. Suddenly a cold taloned hand gripped his face forcing him to look into the eyes of the leader of the Wraith, who seemed to be taking pleasure from the sounds.

"To think what a prize I have discovered on this volcanic mud ball." he hissed. "We came here to check on the health of a herd prior to culling and discover that the Ancient City had made contact, that it and its inhabitants had not been destroyed. I had seen the scans taken of the City and knew that some of the new humans possessed the ability to use the technology. We also knew of the existence of this weapon, had done so for millennia and that it might still be functional, but had no way to use it. This meant that the weapon could be operated if I worked out a way to lure you here. It was too easy. And now we will take your City and open the way to the new feeding grounds.

"I had to seize this opportunity – it is hard to join with another Hive, to regain the position of power that was once held – the success of this plan – the destruction of a competitive sister ship and the knowledge of the new feeding grounds will ensure my return to power."

Note to self, Carson thought with weary despair, remember to tell no one about the existence of Atlantis even if they are very friendly and put garlands of flowers around your neck.

The Wraith were going to take Atlantis and then Earth and he could not tell anyone, couldn't even move.

"And now you are going to take me on a little tour of the systems here. I have a priceless chance to see the Ancient device through your mind." The grip on his face was removed. Beckett closed his eyes and tried to steel himself for the mental invasion that he was not going to be able to prevent, but nothing happened. He opened his eyes to see the Wraith frowning and looking at the consoles across the control room. Carson not been aware of it, but an alarm had begun to sound. Presumably summoned by the leader, the other Wraith appeared from a nearby corridor and hurriedly resumed their stations.

"What is it?" The leader demanded.

"There are two craft approaching by air. They are not our ships."

"What terrestrial defences remain in this place?"

"Drones – but only a couple."

"We only need a couple. Let them get nearer, to be certain of their destruction."

Beckett could not help himself; he pulled at the straps even though they sent spikes of pain through him, where they had cut deeply into his skin. He knew, Oh God! He knew who would be on those craft. Sheppard, Teyla, Dex and Rodney. The Wraith would force him to fire the Drones. He was going to kill his friends.

TBC