Chapter 10
Ties - part 2.
Teyla Emmagan came to the laboratory, looking for two main doctors Atlantis.
They stared at one of the monitors, analyzing the research results. They were accompanied by Lineth.
While holding on hands of her son, she walked over to them. They looked at her, interrupting their conversation.
- There are already some results of her research? - she asked.
- We just analyze it - said Jennifer. - They seem to be very interesting.
- This will help us with the retrovirus?
- I would say that even very - Carson added and switched to a different image. - We pre-compared her DNA from other samples... Preliminary analysis has identified several differences, that may be relevant to our research... For example, those on a protein, that activates the DNA sequence responsible for a change... diet Wraith.
- Who surprisingly - Keller interjected - her DNA has a more balanced ratio between human and Iratus DNA... which could explain, for example, her more human appearance - she said, looking at the young female.
She was sitting on one of the subsequent tables, watching something on the laptop.
- However, it may take some time before we know what factors led to the mutation - Beckett finished. - But even so, her DNA is still a source of knowledge.
- And what did she say? - Teyla asked, looking at the Wraith.
- Most of the things she already knows, so we gave her a laptop containing files with the history and contemporary knowledge of the Earth - says Jennifer. - She asked for it... She very fast reads and learns... In general, I would like to analyze the later work of her brain. I hope that she will agree.
Teyla did not answer. Thanks for the information, and only went to the Moonlight. For a moment she stared at the side of what she just read.
- I'm starting to understand why such aggression in Wraith - Mo suddenly said. - We have to get you... People destroy not only each other, often for trivial reasons, but also their own planet... And you call us monsters - smiled to himself.
- Not all people are so...
- Same as Wraith.
- You are to feed us. Treat like animals - she snapped.
The female looked at her.
- And you are able to slit another man's throat for looking at you the wrong way... Tell me, Teyla Emmagan, and therefore we different?
The woman did not answer. She did not know what to say. There was no specific argument that she could use.
Moonlight looked back at the monitor laptop.
- I just look at the information about the atrocities of war on Earth... It really is... unbelievable, what they're two-faced - she said sarcastically. - Not to mention the approach to other species, even those domesticated animals... Maybe you should also look yourself this, before you start calling again Wraith murderers... For every your outrage, I could quote a few sayings on topics earthly hypocrisy.
- Each of us has a dark side - she said.
Mo smiled slightly and looked at her again.
- The problem is that neither side wants to admit to them.
Teyla seemed to be surprised by her statement. She was silent. Now she also did not know what to say. She knew that the female Wraith is right on these issues.
Her attention attracted appearance in the laboratory of three men who came to standing at the monitor doctors. She focused on the conversation, but Woolsey also asked about the preliminary results of research, so he received a similar response as she is.
Suddenly her attention caught her son crying. Other persons in the room interrupted the conversation, looking at her.
- What happened, Torren? - she asked anxiously.
Child cuddle up to her, still crying, so she began to calm him.
- What happened? - said John, coming to them.
- I do not know... he suddenly began to cry.
The colonel wanted to say something, when his eyes caught the image on the laptop screen, which was watched Mo. It was archive video from her mother hive, after using a retrovirus on the crew, and notes Beckett.
- Where did you get it? - he asked with a sharp tone of voice.
She did not answer. She sat only, clenching her hands into fists. Only then Teyla felt her anger. She was furious... It had so upset Torren, she thought.
Sheppard looked at the doctors.
- You gave her access to our files?
Beckett went first to see what the colonel asked.
- This is my old laptop. I have uploaded her the data on our history and culture for which she asked - he said. - I forgot about this file...
He paused. Moonlight just got up from her chair and turned to the colonel. Her face drew the rage. She tightly clenched her hands into fists. Carson scared, that she was going to attack...
But she only came closer to colonel, staring at him very uncomfortable.
- Do you killed my mother, John Sheppard? - she hissed from behind the teeth.
Ronon Dex came to them quickly, pulling out his gun.
- She attacked colonel Lorne - Teyla interjected.
- Answer me, human! - she shouted imperiously ignoring the words Emmagan.
Sheppard watched in her eyes for a moment. Although she was a Wraith, her look was more human than he expected, he thought. He could see the anger in them... but also something else.
He grabbed the gun a friend, forcing him to give up the weapon.
- Yes, I killed her - he said finally calmly.
Mo snapped furiously into his face, and then she get past him and quickly left the ambulatory.
- Mr. Ronon, please go behind her - told Woolsey. - Before she would do something to someone...
- Leave her - said the colonel. - You unnecessarily infuriate her only... Let her be alone.
- She is mad as hell - began the Commander of the base, pointing behind her hand. - If was not Ronon, she would attack you.
- No - replied calmly John. - She just wanted to confirm the information from me... She's angry, it's true... but when she looked at me, in her eyes I saw more pain after the loss of her mother, than anger at her killer... I even felt it.
- John is right - Teyla interjected. - I also sensed this... Let's leave her alone... Let her calm down.
- I hope you do not you're wrong - said Woolsey. - And you do not give her more of these files for viewing.
- I'm sorry, my mistake - he said Carson.
Moonlight fell on one of the empty terraces station, leaning against the railing. She was breathing rapidly, and with her eyes wet with tears. She wanted to cry and scream at the same time. Her heart and mind filled with rage and despair. She live short time, as on Wraith, but she had already lost most of the person who were important to her... which she loved.
She recalled how more than two centuries ago, a similar anger she felt for her mother. It was after the accident on one of the Wraith trade planet, where she met Lyli and her mother…
.
"…When she woke up, she was in her room. The room was not large, but it was enough for her. She looked around, then got up and walked to the next room - quarters her mother. Each Queen on her own way take care of the offspring. Some almost at all, entrusting this task father and worshiper, others, like Nightwind, recognize it as a necessary step in preparing child to role to play in adult life... especially in the case of daughter to the role of the Queen. Daily being with her adult Queen, in her opinion, have a positive impact on the education of her daughters in this regard. Therefore, both Mo and before her half-sister, from birth lived with their mother. Nannies dealt with young females only during the day, when the Queen was busy with his duties.
Chamber was spacious, with a huge bed with four-poster under the window. On the walls were paintings, and carvings, and on numerous shelves stand books, both written by the Wraith and humans. Nightwind valued art, which she also instilled her daughters. The entire complement decorative wooden desk against the wall, and a big trunk at the bedside of her mother. The Queen held in the various items, which Mo often liked to browse - it was for her a small mine of treasures that hid her mother.
The room was also empty. So she left on corridor. It was the Queen's personal passage, directly linked to the throne room, which is what led the girl.
Side, single door, opened in front of her. Two soldiers was raised from the ground dried body of a woman.
After the dress she recognized her human Keeper.
- Ati! - she cried and jumped up.
Nightwind looked at her daughter, and Icestorm caught her in the middle of the road.
- What did you do to her?! - she exclaimed through her tears.
- It's a punishment for her insubordination - Queen hissed. - She not ensured you and you nearly die, so she paid for this with her life.
- But I walked away! It's not her fault!
Female Wraith went to her daughter. Girl cheeks were wet with tears. The Queen slid a finger under her chin and lifted her head a little.
- So, let this be also lesson for you, that you should listen the adults - she said dryly. - It will be a good lesson for you on the future, how to deal with an incompetent worshipper, when you will be Queen.
- I will be not kill humans !...
- Enough of this! - ordered the Queen, furiously. - We'll talk when you grow up - she said, and then she glanced at the cowering in the back of the room a woman and her daughter.
Only then Mo noticed that there are standing, looking at everything with fear.
The Queen approached them slowly, watching them carefully.
- What's your name, human? - she asked finally an imperious tone.
- Minarea, my Lady.
- Are you a cook? - she said, glancing at her clothes stained with flour.
- I'm learning... But on Sateda, my home world, I was a nurse - she humbly explained.
- This is why you know how to deal with my daughter... That's good. With her ability to... troubles, you can come in handy - she said. - From now you'll be her keeper... Just do not let me down as the last - she almost snapped, pulling his face to hers.
A woman opened her eyes wider, scared.
- Yes, my Lady - she almost whispered.
- My Commander will lead you to the level of worshippers... They will take care of you two - she added, glancing with distaste for them. - And now... all go out - she ordered, returning to her throne.
The participants bowed to her, although she did not pay any attention, and they left the room. Icestorm grabbed her daughter by the hand and pulled her with him. She followed, though reluctantly, glancing grimly over her shoulder at her mother.
When they entered the main room worshippers, the humans inside looked curiously at the newcomers.
The room was large and served as a dining room. Continue along the main corridor, there were sleeping rooms.
Mo know this place very well. She often came here with Ati. Just as she knew a woman, who had just walked up to them and nodded her head.
She was of medium height and looked about forty years. Her black hair was tied in part to the back and reached the shoulders, and the dress was a long blue tunic and narrow trousers of the same color.
- This is Nilima - Icestorm said. - Other worshippers call her mother, because she is here the longest. Of all the things you pay for it.
- Yes, my Lord - Mia said shyly.
- You're a Mo new keeper and that's all it is your activity, so you have to listen to only three of on hive: the Queen, me or Nilima. If anyone tells you to do something else, you immediately reports it to me or part of Nilima... You understand?
- Yes, my Lord.
- That's good - he said and looked at the other woman. - Make them order, and then show her quarters Anathea. Now they are living there.
- Yes, Commander - she said obediently.
Wraith looked at his daughter.
- Are you coming or staying?
- I'm staying - she said, still angry at all.
The officer snapped only under the nose, and then left the room.
Nilima looked validly on her new charge.
- Where humans kept you two? In the barn? - she snorted. - Come with me - she said and headed into the room. - Malik, find them some decent clothes - she said. - Simanis, Keyna, prepare the bath.
Minarea glanced at the young woman, who get up quickly with their chairs and ran quickly ran to their assigned duties.
- Later I'll tell you all the rules prevailing in the hive - Nilima continued, entering the main corridor quarters. - I heard that you saved Mo lives.
- I just brought help - she said a little scared, carefully observing the way and passed a single door.
- Most humans would not do that for fear of the Wraith... What's your name?
- Minarea, but my friends call me Mia... and this is Lyli - presented her daughter. - I did not know that on Wraith ship is so many people.
- Probably a lot of things you do not know about the Wraith - she said mysteriously and went to one of the rooms, where the two girls set before pouring more water in two bathtubs. - As a Mo keeper, you'll have a bit more privileges than most of the worshippers, so appreciate it... Mo is usually polite, but very curious, so everywhere her full - she went on, looking like two girls hanging on the bathtub and splash in the water they arms. - I can see that she likes your daughter. It's good. She will have the company... She's a little... different, than most Wraith offspring.
- What's that?
- A more open to contacts with others, so she acquired a lot of human behavior, which you do not see in other Wraith - she explained. - And as I said, she is very curious. She is also very intelligent, even for a Wraith child of her age. Anathea often had trouble answering her questions, so in such cases she her reference was to her father. You do the same.
- Of course.
Minarea wanted to ask you something else, when the girl suddenly pulled her dress. She looked down.
- May I take a bath with Lyli? - she asked.
The woman did not know what to say, so looked at the worshipper.
- You can - said behind her Nilima.
Mo smiled, happy and back to her new friend. The two soon began to undress, and young worshippers helped them get into the bathtub.
Nilima placed a screen around the other.
- Bathe now. Malika just bring you new clothes.
The women nodded her head and only obediently went behind the screen.
When a couple of hours later, she has put her daughter to sleep in their new quarters, a small Mo still was of them, lying next to. She accompanied them all the time, showing Lyli the various corners of on hive, in the places they visited along with Nilima.
She had never seen a Wraith ship and the magnitude of her terrified. So many levels, so many corridors in which it was easy to get lost. It was all so foreign to her... and strange. This place terrified her, although worshippers Mother assured her, that she will be led much better lives than ever before. Wraith were generous to their loyal servants. But it's very tough on those, who failed them, as Minarea already convinced at the outset.
The only thing which fortify her at this moment, it was a smiling faces of two girls, which always stuck together, like best friends... like sisters, she thought and smiled at them gently, covering them.
- Tell us a story, mom - said Lyli.
- My dad also told me stories - Mo cast.
- Wraith have stories for children?
- Nope. Such stories of his adventures - she explained. - As he flying on various missions. He is an intelligence officer.
- Who that mean? - asked Lyli.
- He examines the different planets - explained her mother. - I do not know any of these stories, but I knew a lot of fairy tales. Do you want to hear?
- Yes - said excitedly girl, looking at her intently.
- Well... A long time ago, on a distant planet, there was a little princess... "
.
.
- How you walked here? - Sheppard suddenly asked, carefully climbing to the top.
Mo looked up from the horizon and looked at him.
She was sitting on the cornice of one of the towers of the city, looking at the vastness of the ocean.
- We often flew with my father on the trips in mountains and we climbing - she said, looking slightly amused as he clumsily tries to settle down next to her.
- You could not go above? - he muttered, glancing down.
She looked up.
- It was possible, but here it is a good view - she said.
- It was irony - he said.
She smiled at him slightly, and looked into the distance again. The colonel did the same.
- Indeed, a good a seat - he said.
For a long moment they sat in silence. Finally he moved his gaze on her.
- Listen, when it comes to your mother...
- Do we can not talk about this, colonel? - she interrupted him calmly, not even looking at him.
- Sure - he said. - And call me John.
She smiled broadly at him and moved her gaze on him.
- Knowing the human habits, you probably expect me to now I was presented.
- It would be advisable.
- It is not enough you, Mo?
- This is not your real name. You know my, so I'd like to know yours - he said with a smile.
- Maybe one day - she said mysteriously. - So, to make it fairer, for now I remain in determining: Mr. ...But I do not think, that you come here for this? - she said.
- No... I wanted to clarify the matter with your mother... but you do not want to talk about this.
- Why would you care what I feel? I'm Wraith... According to humans, we do not have feelings.
Sheppard became serious.
- In the laboratory, it seemed to me that I felt your pain after her loss. On your face was angry, but in the eyes... I know how you feel, Mo. I felt the same way, when my father died. We not too much lived in accordance, but he was my father... and I was not with him in those last moments.
She did not answer right away, again, looking at the ocean.
- If I would be with my mother in her last moments, we did not talk now, colonel - she snorted lightly. - But I understand what you're saying... I know what happened, and with one hand I do not have to blame you. She tricked you and attack... Everyone would be defended on your site. Both, Wraith and human. It is in the nature of both species... As I said, I was on board her hive when she arrived here. I went back to my ship, when they stopped at the edge of the galaxy. I had to prepare her other hives and wait for the message.
- How much does she have in total?
- Five... The one that you destroyed as first, also belonged to her, and not to other Queen. It also was a hoax, part of the plan. Then they destroyed a empty transport ship, without delegation - she explained. - After you destroyed the two more hives. It was only my and one more, who joined to another Queen, after the death of my mother.
- I thought that each Queen has only one hive.
- Their amount depends on... how you call it... social position. For a long time are also tied alliances between Queens.
- Yes, we know. Todd, is one of such alliances.
- Todd?
- I called him so... You do not present themselves, so I had to give him a name - he muttered. - Maybe you know him? He has a tattoo around his left eye in the shape of a star burst - he said, gesturing with his finger in front of his eye.
- Oh, he - she grunted under his breath. - Yes, I know him... unfortunately.
Sheppard grinned, amused by her expression.
- I see that Todd is not just us he's under the skin - he snorted. - What did he do? - he interested in.
- It his soldiers shot down my fighter.
- They wanted to catch you? Why?
- It does not matter - she said.
- And so it looks like a conversation with you - he said sharply. - Whatever you ask, either you lie or you avoid the answer.
She growled softly under her breath and looked into the distance.
- He needs new drones - she said after moment, though reluctantly. - I had him… make them.
- Oh, I see... It a sensitive issue for you? I mean Wraith females.
- Not really.
- So what's the point?
She looked at him sternly.
- He captured me and treated like this... how you used to say? - she wondered. - Ah, yes, like a cow reproductive performance… This is humiliating. And he dared to do it just because I'm Protheu.
- Protheu?
Mo raised her right hand.
- The Wraith call so such like me. It means: weirdo, misfit - she explained. - I have more rights than the worshipper, but much smaller than Wraith males.
- I see... You had to be hard... live despised by their own species.
- I got used to - she said. - Besides, my hive is a scientific entity. Most of the crew are scientists who... have a different perspective on some things than others. They also considered to be outcasts of society - she said with a hint of irony. - Some Wraith's hard to adapt to, rather harsh, rules prevailing on hives, colonel. So they were sent from ship to ship or ground bases. And until at last they ended up in us. If they comply with the basic principles, they can calmly deal with their research... That is why most of them treat me normally. I am similar to them, not acceptable to the general.
- However, you have to be hard... It was expected that you will be Queen - he said.
She smiled a little.
- You knows best what it's like to disappoint the expectations of the family, colonel. Your father probably also had other plans for you.
He furrowed his brow.
- How do you know?... Did you read my mind? - he was outraged.
- Only your files.
- How?... You break into our database? - he growled.
- It is not difficult... You have poor security - she said sarcastically. - But calm down. I didn't steal nothing. I read some of the records - she assured.
- Why?
She shrugged her shoulders.
- Out of curiosity... You're not tempted to read a Wraith files?
- And you have such a file?
She smiled broadly at him.
- Each one... Even your friend, Todd... He even has an interesting files - she snorted.
Sheppard looked at her with a clear interest.