Chapter 2
Personal sample.
Skyfall leaned back in his chair and looked out the window at the planet on the orbit - a greenish globe dotted with patches of blue waters. But his largest charm was the ice ring glittering in the rays of the double sunrise.
Moonlight liked these solar system, he thought, other than the most common... Others, like she was different than most of the Wraith.
From messenger in his work-desk came a quiet tone, snatching him from thinking. He started it.
- Yes?
- We've just received a message from Sunblaze - said voice his communication officer. - He went on her trail...
- And? - he demanded a complete statements when the Wraith silent.
- Apparently she was encounter with another hive fighters - he said reluctantly.
He clenched his hand into a fist.
- I understood - he hissed. - Inform me as soon as he'll know something new.
- Of course - the officer said, and hung up.
- Stupid girl - he growled under his breath.
He was angry, even though he knew that these messages did not render anything. More than once he has already stated that she had more luck than brains... and she always had a plan.
As her father.
He went to the window, crossed his hands behind his back. Were it not this one thing, she could to be a great Queen. She inherited the best qualities of their parents... it was really such a big waste of potential. He did not remember that any Wraith was so thoroughly educated as she. She was good, both in science and in the fight... In the beginning, because she wanted to... later, because she had to prove their worth... and survive.
But she at child was very smart, always asked a lot of questions... often uncomfortable. She watched all with attention. He did not know a child who would be so interested in everything, like she. She sat for hours in his lab, first watching carefully what he does, and then helping him.
He smiled to himself. He remembered when she as being only three years, came to his lab with her first "serious medical problem"…
.
"…It was already late and he had just finished with his son some research, when the door opened and the little girl ran inside, keep in the hands of her mascot.
- Skyfall, Skyfall! - she called and hardly climbed on a chair, standing on it. - You must help me - she said with complete seriousness.
He glanced at her only corner of his eye.
His son seemed to be more interested, but he said nothing.
- What's so important, that you come here at this time, instead of sleep? - he asked calmly.
- I need medicine. Mom is hurt and I need to heal her.
Just now he brought her more attention.
- Get hurt?
- Yes. In her hand - she said, showing her little hand. - She cut up and this does not want to heal.
Skyfall smiled, slightly amused.
- Are you sure that she's hurt? - he said curiously.
- Yes - she said with exasperation.
- This is not the wound… - Sharpeye said, but his father cut him just one nasty look.
- And what is it? - girl asked with interest.
Skyfall looked at her and sighed heavily. She was too small to explain her this. The rules clearly said, when the Wraith children are informed about "diet" adults. Anyway, no child is interested in this so early. They took it as something normal... Or at least he did not hear anything like that.
But this little-one always noticed the things, that others often were regarded mind.
- This is not a wound, but… the scar... you see - he showed her his hand. - All these have. It's a hallmarks of our hive - he lied.
Moonlight looked at her small hand.
- I do not have such - she said, disappointed.
He smiled slightly and stood up to take her in his arms.
- As you grew up, you too will be have such - he said. - All adults have it... Now come on, I'll take you to your room, before your mother finds out - he said and walked out into the corridor.
- She will be angry - she giggled.
- Definitely - suddenly said another voice.
They looked to the left, where aimed in their direction Nightwind. Dressed in their bright coats, she marched proudly through the corridor. Her dark hair with a slight admixture of white were tied in part to the back of the head.
Skyfall bowed formally.
- My Queen…
But she ignored him, looking at his daughter.
- Why do you not sleep, Moonlight? - she asked sharply, although her voice could not feel anger.
- I wanted a cure for you.
- The cure? - she asked. - For what?
- I thought that you are hurt in hand and this does not wanted to heal, so I wanted from Skyfall medicine.
Then the Queen looked at her Cleverman.
- Ah, yes... It's nice that you care about me - she said, and took her daughter in her arms. - But I do not need medication.
- I know, mom - said the girl. - Skyfall explained everything to me.
The Queen gave him a stern look.
- Really?
- Yes. It's not wound, but scar... hemal... - she could not say the word.
- Hallmarks - helped her Skyfall.
- Yeah, yeah... who have all the adults on our hive. And when I grow up, I will be had such too - she said with pride.
- It's true - acknowledged Queen. - But now you're still a child... and child should sleep from a long time.
- I'm sorry - said an innocent voice, and even more innocent face.
- I forgive you this time - she said with mock severity. - Excuse you only reason your deed... but just this time - she reserved, threatening finger.
The girl smiled at her.
- Yes, mom - she said, and hugged her tightly.
The Queen turned on her heel and walked back down the corridor toward the transporter.
Moonlight looked over her mother shoulder at the Wraith officer and waved him lightly."
.
Lineth took the plate and went for washing dishes.
Doctor Beckett watched intently female Wraith, and finally asked:
- Your hand? You said you'd never been through changes... tried to find out why?
Moonlight smiled gently.
Her gestures in behavior of were so unlike the Wraith, notice the man, but they fit into her... In fact, had it not been slit on her cheeks and cat's eyes, she would look almost like a human.
- Yes. But it's not that simple... I tried to conduct my own research, but they always destroy everything. As if they were afraid of what I can discover... For them, I am a flaw. Freak of nature. Mutant. They tolerate me because I'm useful, but carefully watching my every move.
- And yet you're still alive - influenced.
- Only with my mother and my Keeper... You should remember my mother, Doctor Beckett. She was on Atlantis - she said calmly, though with an ironic smile.
The doctor shuddered.
The female again smiled and tilted her head slightly.
- You're awfully tense, Doctor Beckett. Is my person so depresses you?
- You are Wraith... and in addition daughter THIS Queen… What do you expect?
- Well... I'm sorry. Due to the impossibility feeding, I'm not really used to the view of fear on humans faces... And as for my mother, you do not worry, I do not want revenge - she still provided a calm voice... and still with the same smirk. - I long time ago get over her loss.
- We call her Mina... You like her have unique for Wraith skin - he said.
- It's in our family trait - confirmed the female.
She did not move from her place. Preferred to keep a distance, that the doctor seemed to be safe.
He paused, nervously playing with a spoon
- Why you just not ask, Doctor Beckett - she said with slight amusement.
- About what?
- About this, what absorb your mind of the beginning: a sample of my DNA.
He looked at her in surprise. Again she smiled.
- The only thing that separates me from the rest of the Wraith, is the lack of nutritional slot, Doctor Beckett... the rest remains unchanged. My telepathic abilities are the same as the other females of my species.
- I'll remember that - he mumbled.
- I understand how valuable it would be for you, these DNA. Especially since from what I know, now I am the only one... subject. For over two hundred years, I eat like a humans, so I'm good research object.
- I would not call you so.
- The personal sample? - she joked.
Beckett smiled.
- The unusual being - he said. - Your DNA is indeed priceless. Would help us understand what affects your conversion. I would be very grateful if you agreed to help me in my research. You've done this before, so you know about that... I'm afraid to just ask: what you want in return?
- Results of your research on this topic - she replied without hesitation. - I want answers: why this am I?... In return, I offer you as many samples as you need.
- Why you are interested in my research? - he asked with a little trepidation. - You want to create a retrovirus?
- It's also. But above all, I want answers. And among Wraith I do not get them. So I left my hive... Truth be told, I was looking you, Doctor Beckett.
- I understand - he said, reflecting on her proposal.
It was very tempting deal, but knowing the Wraith, he was afraid of second bottom of the story. And this woman was certainly Wraith. In truth, with a very human touch behavior, but still a Wraith. Whenever they trust to one, they burn up. Why then this time had to be different.
But what she offered was worth in his opinion the risk. They take appropriate security measures, and nothing should happen... he hoped.
- I agree - he said.
- I am glad - she said with a slight smile and held out her hand.
He looked at her with mixed feelings, but squeezed in a gesture of good will.
- And now, please forgive me, but I wanted to wash - she said, standing up.
- Of course... Lineth will show you the bathroom. It is small, but adequate... The local people have the opportunity to use the geothermal water.
- I do not have high requirements, Doctor Beckett.
- Please, call me Carson - he said.
The Wraith female just nodded her head slightly and followed the woman.
She led her to that room in which stood a small, cast-iron bathtub, sink and toilet. She turned on the water and pulled out from the cabinet two towels.
- We have some oils and bath salts, if you wanted to - she showed bottles and containers stacked on the shelves.
- Thank you.
Lineth smiled unsteadily and walked.
Moonlight looked at to essential and chose one of the bottles, poured into the bathtub. Then she took off her clothes and has developed a bandage. The wound almost healed, but still could see the scar... and still hurt. The skin always healed faster than internal injury.
She turned off the water and stepped slowly into the bathtub. The water was very warm, but pleasant. She dipped carefully and rested her head on the edge. Through a small window fell the sun's rays, and from outside came the sound of playing in the back garden of children.
She looked out the window that way. Through a straw curtain she noticed in the back garden as a young woman comforts her child, who was hurt in the knee. She smiled at the recollection of similar scenes from her childhood.
At the hive she knew unless all the nooks and crannies, technical tunnels, the room... and even a secret passage. She wandered after them since she remembers, and always come back with some scrapes. And in
truth, her mother never regret her because of this, but she always tended her wounds.
As a Wraith female she was lucky, she could spend more time with her mother than male children, whose education mainly dealt with their fathers and humans Keepers.
But she was to be in the future a Queen, so as soon she grew up a little, her mother took over part of their responsibilities, teaching her how to be a Queen.
She closed her eyes, remembering those times.
Then she still loved her mother unconditionally, just like any child…
.
"- …What are you doing, Moonlight? - asked the Queen from her throne, taking eyes away from the tablet.
Sitting on the floor, at the foot of the throne podium, four year girl, looked up from her piece of paper.
- I draw us, as we both sit on the throne and to give orders - she said with pride and showed her mother work.
The Queen came up to her and crouched, watching intently drawing.
- It's beautiful. I order it framed and hang in my chamber - she said with calm, and her voice filled with pride. - But being the Queen is not just giving orders. You should know everything what happens on your hive. Have knowledge on any subject, to wisely manage all... Every Queen must be wise, therefore receives a thorough education - she said and took her daughter's face in her hand.- I think you'll be a great Queen, Moonlight. You are very smart child... You're my pride.
- Mom? And how long do you have to sit on the throne and gives orders? - suddenly asked a little girl.
Nightwind with difficulty refrained from snort of laughter.
- Why do you ask?
- Because it's probably tiring - she said. - And you're still alone.
- That is the role of the Queen. We are only few, so we manage our hive alone.
- And why you can't work with other Wraith? Dad is working. Fly the fighters on secret missions with Skyfall and others... I also wanted do this… Can the Queen fly fighters? - she asked excitedly.
Nightwind sighed and shook her head in resignation, standing up.
- The picture of father - she said irritably. - It is no wonder, that you still wander somewhere... I just hope that it will pass you, when you grow up.
- I was not so sure whether to end her father's fault - said suddenly another woman's voice.
Moonlight take the breath. She had never seen this Queen, but she knew who she was.
Her grandmother walked calmly, dragging her broad at the bottom, dark-violet coat. Queen's dark brown hair tied in part to elaborate hairstyle, contrasted with sand skin and green eyes.
- Mother - Nightwind official said. - I do not sense when you came.
But she did not answer, looking closely at the child.
- You've grown since I last saw you... Do you know who I am?
- Yes... You are Nightstorm, my grandmother - she said calmly, standing up from the floor and looking closely at newcomer female.
The Queen smiled a little corner of her mouth.
- She did not afraid to me - she said. - Your older daughter almost cried, when she saw me... At least this one are successful you.
- Thank you, mother - almost muttered Nightwind.
But she ignored her again, still attentively looking at the little girl.
- Tell me, child, why would you want to fly fighters, like your father? - she asked calmly.
- It's more interesting than sitting on the throne and giving the orders.
- More interesting, you say - she seemed to think about something.
- She is only four years old, mother - interjected Nightwind. - She yet does not get it...
- You're wrong - interrupted her, not taking her eyes with Moonlight. - She understands more than you think... If she will be still developing at this rate, she will be my worthy successor to the Grey Council - she said with pride.
The younger Queen opened her eyes widely, looking in disbelief at his mother. She wanted to say something, but it just came into the room one from her officers.
- My Queen, I'm sorry this intrusion - he said, without raising even his eyes - but they called us from the planet.
Only now he looked for the second Queens.
- Finally - Nightstorm said and walked towards the door. - You take your daughter. Let she have learn. It will be useful to her in the future…"