Chapter 5
New places.
Moonlight went to the back of the jumper. The hatch was open. She looked there.
- You should not be here - suddenly said colonel Sheppard.
She looked behind the jumper. He walked calmly toward her.
- I was curious. I've heard a lot about them, but I had never seen before.
He stopped in front of her, looking intently for a moment.
- You're strange Wraith.
She smiled.
- Because I'm curious of different things?
- Overall... Usually you act more like a human - he said.
- This is supposed to affect my human keeper. She was a daughter, a year older than me. We brought up together, so I picked up from her human behavior.
- That's what I'm saying. Wraith never used that word: picked up.
Mo smiled even wider.
- If you want, I'll show you the jumper - he said, and went inside.
As soon as he crossed the threshold, the lights lit up. She followed him, looking intently at the hatch first transport, then the cockpit. Then she sat in the copilot's seat.
- Amazing machine - she finally said with fascination, looking at the control desktop. - You know, colonel, that we almost met a few times - she said suddenly, looking at him with a tilted head. - I was, for example, on hive of my mother, when she flew on Atlantis… In database my hive, we still have the data, which they then stole you.
Sheppard looked at her.
- You mean daily Aurora and addresses of the planets.
She smiled, amused.
- Relax, colonel. Flight to another galaxy far is beyond our capabilities... Since the death of my mother we conduct rather… partisans life - she joked. - Our feeding grounds were looted by other hives. And that hive without a Queen can be easily taken over, we need to avoid encounters with others.
- I do not understand you - he said. - You have at your fingertips killers your mother, but you're talking to me as if nothing had happened.
- Killing you will not bring them to life - she said calmly. - And long time ago I have already finished my mourning… Besides, it's only temporary relief, and then the pain of loss back... I do not hate you for it, even I understand: it is war, and these are the rules. Now I have to take care of those, who survived, but I'm not doing it right, as long as I do not deal with myself... And for that I need you... So - she spread her arms lightly - the circle is closed, colonel Sheppard.
Again he looked at her intently for a moment, wrinkling his forehead.
- You're strange Wraith - he repeated, and got up from the chair. - Come on, we'll find you a room.
Now she seemed to be surprised.
- I can stay? - she asked, following him.
- Otherwise, I would put you in a cell and not in the room - he said with a mischievous grin. - It seems that next to my room is one free. And opposite living Ronon, so we will have you constantly keep an eye on.
- I do not doubt - now she snickered.
They left the hangar, back to the gate room, and then on to the conveyor corridor, to residential section. News of the arrival of a female Wraith on Atlantis were given already spread all over the base, but still at the sight of her many stepping back a step. They looked at her with a mixture of concern and fear. She felt as when she as five year old girl for the first time visited by human settlement.
Father took her with him on one of the trade planets Wraith, where ordered clothes and food for worshippers - the only people what she had seen so far. In truth he was not responsible for such matters, but he decided that it might be useful for her lesson. That she should slowly learn the inner world, after which she will be move sometime…
.
"…The first pass through the gates was an unforgettable experience for her. She was not afraid, on the contrary, she was fascinated by this phenomenon, but after leaving it ran out of breath. Father smiled at her, slightly amused and gave her his arm. She marched proudly at his side, happily jumping up from time to time.
Before them marched four masked soldiers, Supplying Officer and Watchmaster - a chief of security. And behind them Skyfall and Anatea, her babysitter, who was selected for her little Mo new clothes.
Gates were on the edge of a small lake, and on the other side of the destination - a lot, like the human settlement, city, full one or two-storey buildings and with cobbled streets.
On the shore of the lake playing with children of different ages, which with interest looked at the newcomers. This settlement does not have to be afraid Wraith raids, until inhabitants serve them.
They entered the main gate of the city constitutes a powerful stone arch.
Moonlight looked at the firmament, covered with strange reliefs. It was all new to her and completely strange, so she absorbed every detail of her eyes as if she had seen them for the last time.
As soon as the gate was a large square full of stalls, and on the ground floor of each building was a shop. Everywhere people bustling, not paying much attention to the group Wraith. It was for a girl like a big box full of gifts.
Icestorm finally stopped and looked at his daughter, covering her small face in his hand.
- You'll go now with Ati, choose clothes for you, right?
Mo shook his head and walked over to the woman, grabbing her hand. Then they both went into the main square, and further between buildings, to enter at the end of on stone stairs to one of the shops.
He it was a little out of the way, but had everything a worshipper needed - the shelves were full of children's clothes and toys.
Standing behind the counter of an elderly woman looked with interest to their customers, currently the only ones in the whole store.
- This is a Wraith child? - she asked. - I've never seen any... She's lovely - she added with a smile.
- She will be less adorable when she grows up - Anatea said, looking around. - I need clothes for her... The best that you have.
- Of course... This way, please - she pointed the way, starting from behind the counter.
Moonlight went to one of the shelves, looking at lying plush pets. Finally, she ran to her keeper and pulled her for a long tunic. Woman looked on down.
- May I choose one? - Mo asked, pointing to a shelf of toys.
- But only one - reserved a woman.
- All right - she called and ran back with a small.
The saleswoman looked at her.
- Really, charming child. It was surprising that she grow up to be like that...
She did not finish. Anatea nudged her hand and threw a warning glance. So they came back to browse clothes.
Moonlight pulled out from between toys the green pet and looked around. Through the open door she saw playing in the street opposite the children. They were of all ages. She went to the stairs, still watching them carefully. They just started to poke some kind girl.
She was probably at her age, she had worn clothing and red, messy hair. She gripped something firmly in the hands - something that the rest of the children tried to take her.
They finally broke her little, rag toy. The oldest of the boys looked at her, then tore and threw away. At the end he pushed the girl. She fell down, and the group ran somewhere in your site. Fiery-hair girl raised her two pieces of rag doll and hugged tightly to his chest, starting to cry.
- Do you want mine? - Moonlight said, standing in front of her.
The girl raised her head. With her large, gray eyes flowed with tears. She looked at the new green toy, which gave her Mo.
- That I got from my dad - she whispered through her tears.
- Maybe can fix it? My dad says that everything can be fixed if you know how.
The red-haired girl looked at her doll.
- You think so?
- Yhym... My keeper can sew, she will fix it - Mo answer. - In the meantime, you can take mine.
The girl smiled slightly, wiping tears from her cheeks wet. She had dirty hands, so on the occasion she has become dirty her face. Then she took a new toy.
- Thank you.
- Please... I have a lot of them - she said, and cocked his head slightly. - I am Mo, and you?
- Lyliana, but my mom calls me Lyli.
She wanted to say something else, but again in the street appeared a group of children. The oldest boy was smiling maliciously, walking slowly toward them. Lyli got up from the ground.
- This mascot is much better than your old rag - he said, stopping in front of the girls, then grabbed a toy
and snatched it Lyli.
- Leave it. I gave her it - said firmly Mo.
- Look. Just a little Wraith and already want to give order - the boy sneered, moving his attention on her. - Maybe you also already want feed on of me, huh?
- Feed on? - she repeated, not knowing what he's talking about.
- Suck the life out from me - he said, bringing his face close to hers. - As adults Wraith, with their suction cups on the hands - he said, wearing his arm in a gesture as if trying on to feed on her.
- You are stupid. This is not none suction cups - she said still firm voice.
- You're stupid - he said, and pushed her firmly back.
She struck back against the wall and moaned softly. A group of kids started to laugh, but then they stopped. Their eyes widened further. From the mouth of the Wraith girl came out blood.
They looked down. On her bright clothes on the heart height appeared a dark spot the blood.
Children retreated a step.
- You killed her - said with dismay the smaller of the boys.
- Let's get out before coming adults - said another, and the whole group quickly scattered over the area.
On site there is only Lyli.
- Mo? What is it? - she asked, touching it gently.
The girl looked at her.
- It hurts - she moaned.
- I'll call my mom, wait - she said, and ran toward the nearest door, calling her mother.
Soon, she ran out of the building witch a woman. She had the same long fire-hair as Lyli, but hers was as carefully pinned. Her long, straight dress was contaminated with flour. She walked gingerly to wounded Moonlight and looked at her.
- Gods - she said, straightening up, and then turned to his daughter: - Wait with her here. I look for adult Wraith. They will help her.
Lyli just nodded, watching as her mother runs towards the main square mall.
- Much does it hurt you? - Lyli asked.
Mo nodded her head. It was hard for her to breathe already.
- Do not worry, my mom finds yours - comforted the girl, smiling.
Moonlight did not answer. She was getting weaker, and slowly her legs bent under her. She looked toward the store. Picture became less clear, but she was able to recognize even the tall figure of a black coat, who had just appeared in the end of the street.
Skyfall went quickly and the accompanying him red-haired woman with barely paced him step, almost running. Just behind them she saw the security chief and two soldiers.
The officer stopped only when the Wraith girl and looked exactly what happened. He growled menacingly. In her back thrust itself protruding from the wall piece of metal rod, piercing through her chest.
- How bad? - asked Darkstone.
- Right next to the heart - Skyfall muttered. - We must get her off of this.
- Let's call help from the hive...
- There's no time. She is getting weaker - the officer stopped him firmly and grabbed the girl, preparing to off her with rod. - Help me. She can't move.
Darkstone also stepped forward her and held little female.
- It will hurt - Skyfall warned Mo. - But you'll be brave, right?
The girl again nodded. The officer smiled at her and took a deep breath, then slowly began to move away her from the wall. She moaned louder, but she did not scream.
She stopped slowly no longer feeling anything.
Watchmaster took off his coat and laid it on the ground, and Skyfall carefully arranged on it Moonlight.
- What happened? - Darkstone growled, looking sternly at a redheaded woman and he get up.
He stood over her, so she stepped back, scared, but the road has replaced her two soldiers. She fell back at them.
- I do not know, my Lord. I found her... It's really not my fault - she assured horrified when drones grabbed her by the shoulders.
- Leave her - Skyfall hissed. - Now we have to help a little. You questioning her on hive.
Darkstone growled ominously to the woman and returned to the officer crouched next to him.
- What do you want to do?
- She is very weak. She will not alive to return on the hive... Is only one option - he said and put his hand on her breast.
- It's dangerous. She's still a baby. What if...
But Skyfall silenced him with a stern look
- You want argue this in this way to the Queen, when the little die? - he growled.
- No - said Wraith, although reluctantly.
The officer moved his gaze back on Moonlight and smiled at her gently.
- Everything will be fine. As soon I heal you, all right?
The girl did not answer. She looked only at him half-conscious look. Again, he took a deep breath... and slowly started passing her his life force.
He did not know personally case that process was performed on the child. Opinions on this subject were in fact divided. Children Wraith devote special attention to avoid such cases. Some medicals believed, that the transfer of the Gift of Life to the child, could affect his development. Was feared, that this may too early start the process of Conversion.
In addition, children reported the eating habits of adult Wraith after the tenth year of life, when they began the biological sciences. Then their mind was already developed enough to safely take it. In to do young children as Moonlight feared mental shock at the sight of the victim devoid of life force.
In addition, there are psychological aspects of relationships, which was born between the done and donor. The effects of access by a child, especially so small, in the mind of an adult Wraith, so far been considered only theoretically.
Mo widely opened eyes and mouth, when in her little body began receiving Wraith life force. She felt calm and relaxed. The world once again began to do clear. She looked at Skyfall. His face was mild. He smiled gently at her. She was too young to understand this, but at the moment she felt as if on the whole world were only the two of them... and nothing else mattered.
- What happened? - Icestorm called on the back, entering the alley along with Anatea and two soldiers. And then he opened his eyes widened at the sight of his daughter lying on the ground. - Mo! - he called and ran to her, kneeling beside. He stroked daughter's head and looked at his friend. - Slowly, take your time.
- I know - he said, concentrating.
The girl did not respond to the presence of her father, still staring at the science officer... and he on her. He tried to prevent her young mind from receiving unwanted memories; but, in this short time, she had almost a full view of his past life… and he had hers.
It was strange, he thought, because somewhere in her subconscious even remaining fragments of memories from the end of her fetal life. He heard a noise and saw a snapshot of what she then receive.
Finally Skyfall slowly pulled his hand. On the chest little girl remained a little bloody footprints.
Icestorm took his daughter in his arms and looked uncomfortably on Anatea.
- Where have you been? - he growled.
- I chose for her stuff... I do not know when she... - she began to explain, but he did not listen, moving the way back.
- Move - Darkstone growled on her, and then glanced at the red-haired woman. - You, too.
- No, please, sir. I did not do anything - she said, when two soldiers grabbed her by the shoulders. - Lyli! - she looked for her daughter by her arm.
- Mom! - called girl, not knowing whether to run or stay behind.
- Please, my lord, she have only me... Lyli!
Skyfall grabbed the child by the arm and pulled her.
- Come on - he snapped dryly..."
.
…Colonel John Sheppard stopped in front of one of the many doors arranged symmetrically on the length of the corridor and touched longitudinal control panel. Metal plats bounced on side, revealing even the big room. It was in the bed, a table and two chairs, and just to the left of the entrance to the bathroom.
Moonlight went to the large window, where stretched a view of the entire Atlantis.
- It's huge - she said with delight.
- Yes, it's true... I hope that the quarters is agreeable to you? - he said with a sneer.
- Sure - she said, still admiring the view.
- Sure? - Sheppard snorted under his breath. - Like I told, you are strange Wraith.