He looked at Elizabeth. She was nervous, even as she tried to hide it. He wasn't very surprised. While he was reassured by the teeth-armed Marines who surrounded them and the gate, Elizabeth simply never lived up to the idea of the weapons that were there to protect her. Most civilians couldn't do it. Yeah, and he didn't even mention that a strange and damn dangerous visit awaited them today.
Todd, the damn Wraith who has been trying to convince everyone for months that he wants to be an ally.
It started quite inconspicuously. He just left his subcutaneous transmitter on so they could watch him and his hive wherever he moved. At first it caused confusion and panic at the base — John was pretty sure that was exactly what Todd was waiting for, and somewhere a few thousand light-years away he laughed at them, grabbing his stomach — which slowly turned to confusion and ended with the constant question 'What the hell? does it mean? ' Then came the haunting ten-second activation of the gate, coincidentally from the planets where Todd was, and brief reports. And then there was another panic, confusion, Rodney running from computer to computer, shouting something about the need to better secure communications and computer viruses oddělen and separate computers. In the end, it turned out that these are only gateway addresses. It took five messages - five weeks - for Elizabeth to decide to send at least a probe to the first one. It was not a trap. It didn't seem that there was anything dangerous there, so in the end she sent a team that, upon returning, reported the finding of the wreckage of an ancient laboratory. This was repeated for other addresses. Ancient artifacts, ruins, damaged devices and similar things. A paradise for archaeologists, linguists and people on Rodney's team.
According to Elizabeth, it was a strange gesture of friendship or something, so she decided to answer it. John had nothing to say. As for him, he had no idea what Todd was watching, and he wasn't at all sure he wanted to find out. Everything about the wariths, and especially this one particular one, was just one big problem. But Elizabeth was the commander, and if she decided to send back a formal thank you, what should John say? He just mentioned that it was a really bad idea, and when Carson got involved in it all with his genetic therapy and the alleged chance of working with wraiths and turning them into harmless monsters…
Yeah, that's why they were standing here waiting for Lorn's team to come back at all.
"They're four minutes late," Elizabeth broke the tense silence and looked at her watch.
"It is possible that the Wraith changed their minds," he suggested calmly, though he was also worried about the delay. Lorne was reliable, very accurate, if the other party was late, he would know right away.
"Or they've become an appetizer and we'll be the main course," Rodney said, a lot of irritation and nervousness in his voice, but also a small thorn of panic. "I already said it's a bad idea…? No, not a bad idea at all. We were completely skipped when we invite us to visit the Wraith. Again! We haven't learned that since the last time? Really, right? I have to mention betrayal, computer viruses, constipation. Atlantis… Well, just these insignificant, only life-threatening, trifles ?! "
"It's not exactly the same as the last time," Teyla said, as always in a calm voice, though John could hear deeply sincere concern somewhere. "We've met Todd before. He saved John's life and didn't endanger ours, even if he had a chance. He's also been trying to gain our trust for months. At least it's unusual behavior for the Wraith, and it's worth finding out why he's doing what he's doing. . "
"I don't trust him," Ronon summed it up briefly.
"No one at this base, but Todd seemed really interested in the offer." When she said that, he looked out of the corner of his eye at John.
He fidgeted slightly. He didn't like her look, which again made him feel like a boy and made him tell the truth, even if it was uncomfortable or was supposed to bring him other problems.
"It's not quite like I know him - he's just… less annoying, snarling, and Wraith at all than other Wraith."
The gate finally activated.
"Contact from the outside!" the atrium resounded.
John raised his weapon, ready to pull the trigger and fire a shot at the first wraith who passed through the gate. Instinctively, he noted that each of his men did the same. The click of the fuses was the most soothing sound in the world. And the electrical noise of the activated shield was just a bonus.
"It's Major Lorne," the command center said again. "They report that the contact was successful and without any complications. All three Wraith surrendered their weapons, were searched, and the major is waiting for orders to bring them in."
Elizabeth nodded seriously, then took a deep breath and stepped half a step ahead of John. Embodied embodiment.
"Turn off the shield!" she ordered.
The shield turned off with a slight blue flash. At that moment, John tensed every muscle in his body in anticipation.
Lorne emerged from the gate first, his back more precisely, and then the rest, including the aimed P-90. Next was two members of his team, followed by… Todd. He walked through the gate in one long step and stopped just behind the puddle. His eyes flashed quickly
taly around. John knew very well what he was doing. He saw it on his face. He calculated how outnumbered people were, looked for escape routes and evaluated the situation. As a proper commander, with only a little wild gleam in his eyes that always reminded him of stray dogs. In the darkness, when a man was on patrol in the cold of Afghan night, they stared at him from the darkness, and they could be very dangerous. More than once he experienced that a child from the village had disappeared, and after a few days they found only his torn and drunk corpse.
Finally, the yellow Wraith eyes looked straight at him. He repaid Todd staring without the slightest hesitation or fear. And he certainly wasn't going to be the first to look away… which, surprisingly, didn't have to be, because the wraith's eyes narrowed and he opened his mouth slightly, just to show a small glimmer of teeth moc John could very well imagine the cold breeze and the characteristic heavy sweet smell that from the Wraith breath linul… he felt so alive… and suddenly it was all gone. Todd looked away from Elizabeth and walked in her direction, his hands slightly away from his body and his palms up in such a peaceful gesture as the wraith could.
As he moved, his two guards stepped out of the gate. Soldiers who were almost zí naked. Aside from the strange masks, without which he had never seen a living Wraith soldier, they wore only something like a gray-gray shirt made of strange material. It almost looked as if it had been sewn from stripped snakeskin, so with its strangeness she fit into leather pants and high boots that would fit a knife at least two and a half palms long. That was all, no plates on his chest, no black armbands, of course no visible weapons… just nothing. They looked almost vulnerable and a little grotesque. Like those steroids puffed up by muscular fighters from public fit cars who managed to lift fifty kilos like nothing, but the bullets were as big as acorns and wouldn't last a minute in a man-to-man fight.
"We shouldn't have let him bring them here," Ronon muttered.
Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced quickly in his direction. He did not have his weapon with him. Elizabeth didn't want to, because she knew Ronon's nature and knew, like John, that he would shoot first and then be interested in orders. It would be enough for the wraiths to make only one wrong… or unfortunate movement, and it would be over. He had to admit that such behavior would probably not benefit the relationship. Not that he wondered if they would have a good diplomatic relationship with the Wraith, but it was his job to gauge the base commander's intentions and do everything he could to keep the situation going according to his orders. So he agreed that Ronon would not take his weapon with him. Not that their Conan couldn't find a hundred or one other way to kill any of the Wraith.
"It was his condition. One of the few," Elizabeth replied emphatically, though only half-mouthed and in a low voice.
After Todd's Wraith bodyguard, two other members of Lorna's team passed through the gate, and the blue horizon disappeared behind them. There was a tense silence, interrupted only by the distant hum of the sea and the beeping of computers in the control room. No one dared move or enter that chosen moment until Elizabeth finally moved forward. The world seemed to move again.
"Welcome to Atlantis. I'm Dr. Elizabeth Weir, the commander of this foundation," she said formally.
Todd — to the surprise of many who could see clearly on their faces — slightly, though he bowed his head clearly and looked down briefly.
"I am honored to finally meet Sheppard's Queen," he replied just as formally, his voice low and every word carefully spoken so that it was clear and distinct and not lost in a growl and hiss.
"I prefer to address 'Dr. Weir,'" Elizabeth said smoothly, but clearly enough not to doubt that the address 'Queen' would be considered an insult.
Todd must have understood quickly and nodded slightly again.
"As you wish," he replied, still hungrily, though this time with a slight growl. What he didn't like was not clear to John. That is, if the growl meant that he didn't like something and not just that something surprised him. During those few meetings, he had the impression that he was beginning to have a little knowledge of the Wraith, but again he could not say that he really knew him. He was a damn slippery bastard.
"How do we call you…?" Elizabeth asked after a short pause.
"My name would be unpronounceable for you," Todd replied, baring his teeth in a smile as if it were something incredibly funny - no, it wasn't. No one laughed or smiled, which elicited an irritated snort from the wraith's lips before he continued, "John Sheppard should have called 'Todd.'
Todd returned the ball to Elizabeth, who caught it without blinking.
"All right, I take note and thank you for your helpfulness, Commander."
The Wraith growled slightly again, but this time the corners rose in a wandering smile.
"It's not my only helpfulness," he said, raising his fodder hand so that everyone in the room could see it. At that moment, John understood the arrogance with which he batted Elizabeth's expression of gratitude. That bastard he did something that no one would expect from him and that definitely had a proper diplomatic caliber. He wore a fingerless glove that perfectly covered the feeding hole, and its edges disappeared under the hem of the lowest black leather layer of clothing, which literally clung to Todd's arm. At first glance, it seemed like it would take him a long time to take off his glove. For the other, it was clear to John that there must be a catch. Like a wraith able to feed through a glove.
"Rodney, check it out," Elizabeth ordered, her thoughts probably running in the same direction as John's.
"What?" Rodney snapped. "Why me? Can't it…"
"Rodney!" he reprimanded him sternly.
McCay made a poisoned face, which usually obscured his fear, reached to his waist, and carefully pulled the scanner closer to the Wraith. But he didn't forgive himself, "Sure, sure.… There's no one else at this damn base who can pick up the scanner, read a few details, and then get a hand. Hand," he said sharply as he stood in front of Todd, then stopped and visibly bowed. when his brain caught up with his mouth and he realized with whom he was talking, "please… ehm…"
Todd made a small amused sound, vibrating in his chest. As if he had swallowed a still-living dog, trying to make his way out. Slowly, he reached closer to Rodney. He swallowed again and very carefully brought the scanner as close as necessary. It only took a moment for Rodney not only to withdraw his hand, but quickly backed away from the wraith.
"It's an artificial polymer. It's similar in composition to" hmn, "Rodney muttered in surprise, staring at the scanner screen with the look he had when something caught his eye. "Actually, it's basically antique material, of which even this scanner is just a little dirty. I think it was originally really some piece of antique equipment that wraithi-"
"It is safe?" Elizabeth interrupted his speech.
"What?" Rodney blinked in confusion, then realized what he was asking and shook his head in the way he indicated that the question was really stupid. "Of course yes… to ninety-seven… or maybe ninety-five percent-"
"It's completely impossible to feed," Todd said in Rodney's next speech, waving his hand impatiently. "Take it as a sign of our goodwill and an effort to give you a little sense of security in our society," he said the last two words with a strange undertone, as if they didn't go through his mouth at all.
"We definitely take that. And this is our expression of goodwill again," Elizabeth agreed, then motioned to everyone in the room. "Drop your weapons."
One by one, the men lowered their weapons, exactly as instructed, but it was clear from them that they did not like to do so. John dropped his P-90 last. Who knows why Todd gave him a crooked smile that slowly widened into a real smile that might have looked pleased if it hadn't had sharp teeth.
"John Sheppard," he said with a small nod in his direction.
"Todd," he replied, proud that he had managed to hide his surprise. In fact, he didn't expect Todd to pay more attention to him than just the long first glance. And he was, well, it was a bit of a mess on both sides, so it didn't count as a real interest in his person.
"Well, now that we've finally done all the unnecessary courtesy formalities; can we finally focus on why I'm here?" Todd asked with clear impatience. "My time is limited. Although I've had a lot of breakfast today, so many people," he looked around emphatically, "can be a little distracting."
Elizabeth pursed her lips, certainly dissatisfied and perhaps worried. Ronon growled so that not even the Wraith would be ashamed. Teyla made her disagreement clear, but at the same time she remained calm. It was Rodney who did not hesitate to show how Wraith's words upset him, and he began to look around anxiously, especially at the Marines, whose nervousness was literally seething. He's weird. John was probably the only one who kept calm and understood that it was just fun.
"I have a similar feeling when I come to the canteen early in the morning," he said a ruthless and utterly dark joke into the atmosphere, which was again tense to the point of bursting.
All eyes were on him at once. Yeah, it wasn't as funny as he hoped it would be, but it served its purpose. The unnecessarily inflated bubble burst, which was nice, even though he earned a stern and disapproving look from Elizabeth. So at least one person W amused the Wraith. At least it seemed according to Todd's snort.
Elizabeth cleared her throat and turned to Todd again.
"All right then. Please come to me. We'll talk in more peace and privacy."
They headed up the stairs, a cordon of Marines with weapons at the ready. Elizabeth was the first to follow, followed by Todd and her men in tow. John followed them immediately, watching them closely. At the same time, he realized Ronon walking by his side, Teyla following him, and Rodney closing their procession.
The conference room door opened quietly in front of them.
As Todd followed Elizabeth, his men stepped out of line and stood aside or. John immediately focused on them and gripped his weapon in anticipation of some betrayal, but the Wraith did nothing suspicious. They just stood up and remained motionless.
He exchanged a look with Ronon that said it all; they both wondered when the hell Todd had instructed them? Wraith telepathy was just fart. One expected their commander to at least look at them, wave his hand, or whatever it would be possible to tell what would happen — but this was frustrating. The training John had had no effect here.
The door behind them closed inaudibly again, separating them from both the Wraith and Marines, as well as the sound of the control room. The conference room wasn't completely soundproof, but it was pretty close. Even the alarm siren sounded only quiet.
No one had to ask Teyla and Rodney to sit down in their usual place, it was enough for Elizabeth to head for her own. John and Ronon didn't want to sit down, they stood a short distance from the door, and they both watched Todd cautiously, who - surprisingly - waited for Elizabeth to stand over her chair before choosing a place directly opposite her. And again he stopped in the middle of the movement, his head tilted slightly, so that he suddenly looked like a statue.
Elizabeth was clearly hesitant before falling in her chair, and Todd immediately imitated her.
"I suppose I don't have to introduce Teyla, Ronon and Dr. McKay to you?" Elizabeth said half-questioningly, nodding slightly at each named.
"Oh yes, McKay," Todd growled, staring at Rodney. "I've heard of you before."
"Seriously?" McKay blinked in surprise before he realized what Todd had said, and a smug smile spread across his face. "
"From what I know you're very capable-"
"Yes, I certainly am," McKay agreed, not even knowing what, and his smile was more elevated with each word.
"- in complaining and talking unnecessarily in situations where it is necessary to act quickly." He looked sideways at John.
Rodney displayed a plethora of expressions, from surprised to shocked, through utterly confused, to indignant.
"That's ridiculous! I don't know where you heard it! I'm the best at my job! I can easily dispose of the entire hive myself!" he shouted with all his might, earning Todd's slightly raised eyebrows and Elizabeth's disapproving look.
"I think, Rodney, that 'Elizabeth tried to intervene, but Todd didn't give her a chance.
"I've heard of that, too. You loaded a primitive explosive device on an antique plane and penetrated the hive's vent. Wait, wait. It was actually Sheppard."
"Yes, yes it was," Rodney waved wildly, "but I could do it too… I would just do it more… elegantly and less… hrrr on them! I wear shorts on my pants and sacrifice my own life for you all," this time he snorted, "For example, I would build a program that would attack security protocols…"
Toddy was in a snort.
"You would never get to the Wraith's central computer from the outside, and I doubt you would dare enter the hive on your own. You would quickly serve a small snack to some Wraith."
The first spots popped up on Rodney's neck, indicating that he was boiling. When he took a breath, John decided to intervene.
"Come on, boys," they both looked at him after being addressed, "It's clear to me that you have a scientific contradiction here, and if guessing keeps you going after dinner, you can get involved. But now we have something important to solution."
He had known for a long time that McKay could look offended like John's four-year-old niece, but it never occurred to him that Wraith might look offended. And yet he would swear on his own life that this was exactly what Todd looked like.
"Thank you, Lieutenant Colonel." Elizabeth nodded gratefully at him. "To return to the subject, Commander; as you know, this is not the first time we have tried to work with the Wraith, and our experience has been, to put it mildly, bad."
"They installed a Trojan horse on our computers," Rodney explained.
"I already know where the master plan for the elegant destruction of the hive came from," Todd said.
McKay took a breath to protest, but Teyla overtook him.
"Many lives have been ruined on both sides, and I'm not talking about centuries of oppression of all the people in the galaxy."
"That means Teyla says it's hard for us to trust you again, and we're going to want more than just working together on a retrovirus."
John raised an eyebrow because he had heard something like this for the first time, and he was the military commander of the base. That's why he was able to live perfectly with Todd's surprise and distrust.
"Cooperation?"
"An alliance, to be more precise," Elizabeth said matter-of-factly, keeping her eyes on Todd, utterly masterfully ignoring not only John's but also Ronon's and McKay's confused look. Teyla was the only one who seemed to suspect that the Commander of Atlantis wanted to suggest such a thing.
"Do we want an alliance with the Wraith? Really?" Rodney said, of course inappropriately and angrily, but at least this time he expressed the emotions of almost everyone … Maybe all of them. Teyla looked as composed as ever, but he couldn't imagine being on board as stupid a plan as the Alliance.
"Yes, we really want him," Elizabeth replied sternly to Rodney.
"But it's crazy!"
He had exactly the same opinion and did not intend to keep it to himself.
"I have to agree," Todd overtook him. "So far, we have no reason to attack Atlantis and its people, but a long-term alliance with you would do us no good."
"On the contrary. I think it would be good for all of us," Elizabeth said firmly. "If the retrovirus works to suit both sides, you will need help securing another source of food for your hives. We have business contacts on many planets and people trust us."
"We can help you get to know human culture - human habits - our way of life," Teyla added.
"What? That sounds ridiculous!" snorted Rodney, who had obviously not yet received word that Elizabeth was serious and should support her. John received the message, but he didn't think it was a good idea, so he expressed support by keeping quiet.
"Exactly. No one would want to associate with the Wraith," Ronon growled, folding his arms across his chest.
"And most Wraith wouldn't be interested in associating with people, whether it was good for them or not," Todd agreed, but he seemed slightly interested because he leaned over the table - to John's surprise, he didn't expect the Wraith to perhaps he was just considering a long-term alliance. "I would have to convince them. Guarantee for you. My trip here has not been very welcome anymore. Therefore, it is obvious to ask what would you like in return for your long-term help?"
"Your knowledge of the Wraith," Elizabeth summed up briefly.
"Ahhh, yes. I see," Todd said dangerously sweetly, rising smoothly. "I can't say I wouldn't expect that, but I thought you'd be a little more restrained. However, I appreciate your open sincerity, even if it's not much fun." The smooth kindness turned into a mocking kindness, and Wraith raised the corner of his lip, showing a few sharp teeth. "It was a pleasure to meet the Queen of Atlanta," Elizabeth addressed the Queen deliberately and very provocatively - "even if it was just a short meeting."
The cloak swirled around Todd as he turned to leave.
"Wait. I think there's a misunderstanding," Elizabeth called after him and stood up.
"Believe me, I understand very well. It's not the first time I've sat at this table." Todd looked at her askance, but at least he stopped on the way to the door. "Under the auspices of the alliance, you will want to know the weaknesses of the Wraith, how to use them effectively, and perhaps to kill our own brothers on your behalf, in exchange for mercy," the word spat, like something most disgusting. for something less than the Wraith and dependent on your help. "
"You're killing each other already. What's the difference?" Ronon asked mockingly.
"Difference!" Todd moved in Ronon's direction in one long, quick step. He didn't try to raise his feeding hand, but he was threatening enough for a sharp blade to appear immediately in Ronon's hand. Even John instinctively raised his weapon, but did not prepare it to fire. He just aimed his barrel at the Wraith, so to speak, below his waist. He knew, quite confidently, well, almost certainly, that Todd wasn't going to attack because he kept his hands lowered along his body.
"The difference is that we can choose freely," Wraith finished the thought, of knowledge in a quieter, smoother voice. "We are not animals trained to kill for others."
"Strange that you -"
"That's enough, Ronon," John interrupted before he could mention that it was Todd who had been "trained" by Genai to feed on command.
The Satan looked back at him in surprise, probably not expecting John to reprimand him. He couldn't do otherwise, not because Elizabeth had a plan and Ronon's insults wouldn't improve the situation, but mainly because he remembered those few days in Genoa Prison very well - and not just because of the disgusting feeling of being drought dry by the Wraith - he remembered the look Todd had. Were it not for the view of an animal driven into a corner, which has already resigned itself to everything, even for the defense of its own life, it would never have offered it cooperation. He knew, but he certainly wouldn't admit publicly that he understood Todd's feelings very well and that he sympathized with him then.
"I never intended to suggest that we would be less than equal partners," Elizabeth said.
"Equivalent?" Todd repeated without stopping to stand against Ronon, looking out of the corner of his eye at Elizabeth. "I don't think there's anyone in this room who really believes we're equal. Whether human or Wraith."
Todd had a point. They would have killed each other recently, now they would last about five minutes without aimed weapons. It was a hell of a long way to stay together in one room unarmed. Something like real trust couldn't be talked about yet.
"I admit. You're probably right about that, but I'd like to change that. If you sit down again," Elizabeth said, motioning to a chair, "and you listen to me, I'll pretend to imagine our alliance."
"And if I don't want to listen? "Todd asked, turning his head to her this time.
"Then we'll let you go freely to whatever address you say," she replied before turning to John and Ronon, "Lieutenant Colonel. Ronon."
She didn't have to say what she wanted from them, John knew right away. He stepped aside so that the door was completely free and dropped his weapon to his side again. Although he hesitated, Ronon eventually followed his example, slipping the knife into a hidden holster on his forearm and clearing the way for Todd.
Surprisingly, the Wraith did not roll out, as might be expected from the way he demanded free departure. On the contrary, he stood stiffly, a little forward, ready to defend and attack. Time passed, the silence lengthened, and it began to be like an itch that made John tell a joke. He knew it would be a really stupid idea, so he'd better pursue his lips and make every effort to force himself to be silent.
Finally - finally! - Todd slowly straightened to his full height, letting his hands fall completely free along his body and slowly turning his back on the door. And just as slowly, one step by step for the Wraith, he walked over to his chair and, in a smooth motion as if he had no bones, fell on it.
"I'm listening," he broke the silence, and with a small bow and a free gesture, he indicated that he was willing to listen to everything Elizabeth wanted to tell him. She sat down and folded her arms on the table.
"Let's look at the situation in this galaxy realistically; if something doesn't change fundamentally, the war between humans and the Wraith can only end with the extermination or departure of one of the races. And it's not certain who wins. exterminate each other. "
Todd let out a muffled growl coming from the depths of his throat, but he didn't protest or comment on Elizabeth's words.
"A retrovirus that would relieve the Wraith of their specific dietary requirements is a step forward, but it is not a solution in itself. Even if you don't have to feed on people and people stop worrying about you, that doesn't mean the Wraith and people can live in It takes something more… you need to get to know each other. And yes, be willing to unite against a bigger enemy and believe me, "Elizabeth said very seriously," that there are enemies that are a threat to the Wraith as well. we are fighting one. "
The reports of the Ori were more unrealistic to the people of Atlantis, something like reports of traffic accidents in a neighboring town. It seemed too far away, despite the Ori having ships capable of traveling between galaxies and building supergates, so perhaps they could become a problem for the Pegasus galaxy.
"And if the retrovirus doesn't work?" Todd asked.
"There will still be a mutually beneficial alliance."
"How beneficial?"
"For example, we could agree on a list of planets where your hives will not be harvested," Elizabeth suggested, which sounded quite reasonable and feasible. They could protect at least a few defenseless civilizations, such as the children's planet. It was a hell of a lot, and John would definitely prefer to just dig the Wraith out of Pegasus, but somewhere it had to start.
"In exchange for what?"
"A safe haven in the orbit of this planet," Teyla suggested.
"Help with technology development," Rodney suggested. Todd snorted, and Elizabeth raised her eyebrows a little questioningly but dismissively. "What? The Wraith have the same engines, weapons, and I don't know what the last time… how many? Ten thousand years? Surely something could be improved there. Plus, isn't it true that you lack technicians? Ha?" Rodney trumped.
"You don't know Wraith technology," Todd said.
"Maybe not as good as your technicians, but I'm a genius and I'm learning fast."
"Military aid," John added.
"That would be something we would have to discuss thoroughly," Elizabeth said sharply, glaring at him. It would not be the first time that the Allies had provided weapons or provided technologies that were weapons, or were willing to fight the Wraith. Although Elizabeth avoided it whenever possible and tried to spread pacifism through the galaxy, when there was no remnant… Sure, the Wraith were something other than humans. Would John never provide them with really dangerous military technology, but kick some other hive with Todd's hive? Yeah, he could live in peace with that, because…
"Come on, Elizabeth," he stretched, deliberately clearly contemptuous, "It's better to help Todd kill others and then have only his enemy than a hive literally around every corner of the galaxy."
"I can only agree with that," Todd agreed.
Elizabeth didn't look excited, but she nodded at last.
"Well, we're willing to offer you military assistance if," she said, "you really need it. Just as you don't want to fight our wars, we don't want to fight yours to me."
"That sounds reasonable, and interesting," Todd added with a small grunt that didn't sound so grumpy as biased, "but it's a matter of thought for a long time. I need time to consider your offer."
"I understand."
"We should start talking about your retrovirus now." Todd motioned with his gloved hand, about aby stressed what the retrovirus project is about.
"Sure. But I'm not the most professional person to talk to you about it." Elizabeth stood up. "That's Dr. Beckett."