Chapter 12
The first meeting.
- What did you do with them? - she asked with a hint of sadness in her voice.
Sheppard looked at her questioningly.
- With worshippers - she explained.
- We buried them - he said. - The Wraith killed them?
- Well, I guess that themselves killed - she said. - The retrovirus is quite strong and quickly began work on the Wraith. I do not think, that at this time anyone thought about getting rid of worshippers.
- The mass suicide worshippers - he said.
- They believe hive for their home. The attack on the hive is also an attack on them... Military rule number one: do not let the capture alive... because you can tell a secret your enemy.
John smiled a little.
- Good point - said, and suddenly cocked his head slightly. - Now my question: how long you know Todd?
- Why do you ask?
- Sometimes we... work together, so take the opportunity, that you're here, I'd like to know more about it than, I already know... just in case.
On her face broke into a mocking smile of amusement.
- You want to know if you can trust him?
- Among other things - he admitted reluctantly.
- Trust between Wraith and Wraith is very different, than between human and Wraith, colonel Sheppard.
- I guess it... But still, I want to know what you know about him.
She smiled softly and looked back toward the ocean.
- As I have already mentioned you, we had almost met a few times - she said after a moment. - The first time was shortly after your arrival in this galaxy. When you're saving yours, you killed the Dream Keeper… Todd was one of the Sleepers... Like our First Navigator.
Sheppard looked at her in surprise.
- You were there then?
- Yes. I was just running through the woods, and therefore we... passed up - she said. - I flew out there sometimes... how do you call it?... Ah yes, on service... I was knew good systems of this hive, so when something was spoiled, called me in for repair.
- I see that you are familiar with many things.
- My mother told me as a child: that if I want to manage my hive well, I should be aware of it as much as my crew - she said, glancing at him. - Besides, I've always liked to learn various things. You would be surprised how many times this knowledge saved my ass - she joked. - How your proverb says: If you want it done right, do it yourself.
He looked at her, frowning.
- How much do you read these files, which gave you Carson? - he asked.
- A lot. I read quickly… Your encyclopedia I read in the night - she explained quietly.
- The whole? - he was surprised.
- As I said, I read quickly... Besides, I do not need to sleep as much as humans, and I have a… photographic memory, how many Wraith... So you call it, right? - she made sure.
- Yes.
She smiled a little.
She remembered that day.
How could she forget him.
She lost then another person close to her. Redswan was sometimes rough, but she was a good teacher.
It's amazing how many times her crossed paths with the paths of this human, she thought now. Like he was a purpose for doing so...
.
"…She arrived on Dream Keeper hive day before, on a routine review of the stasis chamber systems. That evening, she chose to just go running, when she saw how drones trudging to the cell some humans. But she did not pay much attention… Another supply of food.
- You better bring with you a stunner. There is again a local ursies - warned Quickblade, pulling his out of the holster, when she passed him in the corridor.
- Thanks - she said, pushing the gun behind her back. - If I not back in an hour, you can start celebrating - she scoffed.
He looked at her ironically.
- I'm afraid that you're like allergy... I've never get rid of you - he talk back, pulling up his face to hers.
She smiled broadly.
- In time for everything can be found a cure.
- I wanted to - he scoffed and stood up, moving on with his hands clasped behind his back. - Do not break out, like last time. I will not again pulled out you of a swamp - he added.
- Apparently the mud is good for the skin - she called after him.
He stopped and turned sideways.
- Excrement of avibu also... bring it to you? - he sneered.
- No, thank you ... for the dubious pleasure - she said and walked away, past the upcoming Starburst.
He glanced at her and then smirked to Hive Watchmaster.
- You afflict her again? - he said.
- I disappoint you, but not this time - reply slightly mockingly Quickblade.
- This is a miracle - almost snorted in the same tone Commander.
Officer smiled with a sneer corner of his mouth.
- I did not know, that you so care about her?
- I think it understandable. She is my sister's daughter.
- Which each time reminds you of the fate of Brightstar.
Starburst growled warningly, but the older Wraith apparently ignored it, again smiling ironically.
- Just leave her alone - Commander growled.
- You are wrong, thinking, that I have something into her... On the contrary. I like her... She reminds me of someone, who long ago was close to me - he added mysteriously, patting him on the shoulder, and then past him, moving in his way.
But Quickblade knew that in one case Starburst was right: he and Mo were not always able to communicate.
He remembered how at first, she irritated him.
She was sometimes arrogant, but not because she is a female, but because of her knowledge, that she absorbed like a sponge. It was enough to show her something new to see in her eyes the flames.
She reminded him of himself from the past.
She reminded him that those, who have gone...
That's why her presence for a long time it was annoying to him…
The first time he saw her when she was ten years old. Nightstorm brought her to a meeting with Redswan. Already then both believed that Moonlight should sit down sometime in the Grey Council. They observed inherent in her potential. And most of all resemblance to the First, which in the future would make her a good supporter….
…That day, little girl quickly became bored conversation between the Queens, so she visited with interest the hive, encountering him finally. He did not like children, and this was extremely annoying. He had never met so inquisitive young female. She walked behind him, asking a whole lot of questions, until finally he snapped at her, annoyed.
She looked at him then with those big green eyes, and said calmly in the world:
- Just say you did not know, I ask someone else.
Then she turned on her heel and walked away.
He looked at her, totally confused... and shook his head in exasperation, growling to himself and returned to his duties…
…They met again until five years later, when she arrived with a Skyfall to review the broken subsystem.
He was surprised by her presence, contrary to Redswan - she closely followed the fate of a young female and she knew exactly what she can do.
So he did not ask questions... but at some point he noted, that Mo was alone with energy converters…
- Where is Skyfall? - Quickblade asked.
She pulled her head out of a technical channel... he could hardly refrain from laughing, when he saw her grimy face.
- I do not know. I'm not his keeper - she said, slightly annoyed. - He went to check something with buffers compensating chambers. Apparently one is failing... Can you give me tee-distribution? - she said, pointing to the spread on the floor tool.
He looked around at them.
- It's long, black on the left - she added with a hint of irony.
- I know - he snapped.
- I can see that - she talk back. -...Thanks - she said, when he handed her the tool and she hid again in the channel.
- Are you sure you know what you're doing?
She did not answer right away. Again, she stuck her head, giving him a nasty look.
- Are you asking because of my age or because I'm female? - she hissed, clearly annoyed by his question.
He hesitated.
- …The both reasons - he admit.
- If you believe that I do not know what I'm doing, it can better get away from here... before something blow up - she scoffed and went back to her work.
Officer just growled under his breath and left her alone…
When Skyfall returned two hours later, Mo sitting on the floor, calmly finishing her meal.
She looked at him grimly.
- What? - he asked.
- You flew here to review the hive... or her? - she snapped.
- Do not be arrogant - he reminded her. - Besides, it's none of your business.
- I do not like when someone makes me a fool... Her Commander walked in here at times and wanted to know where you went - she said, angry. - I had to make up some story.
- He bought them?
- I think so - she said.
- So, you discover your new talent: prattle - he sneered.
She growled at him a warning, but he ignored it.
- You scanning the system? - he asked calmly, coming to the panel.
- Imagine you, that even I fixed it - now she scoffed. He looked at her in surprise. - Was spoiled only two relays... Nothing complicated... like for a young Wraith female.
- Do not overdo it. You know, that I never would so said of you. You are smarter than many adult males.
- But he thinks so - she snapped.
- Who? Quickblade?... Since when do you care about others opinion? - he snorted slightly, by analyzing the course of repairs that she carried out..
- Because it's annoying - she hissed.
- I must admit I'm impressed - he changed the subject. - Well done, Little One - he added with a grin and ruffled her hair.
Moonlight pretending mad, although recognition of mouth Skyfall always been important to her… tickling her ego. She knew him well enough to know, that it's hard deserve his praise.
- You should stop treating her like a child - she said suddenly Redswan.
They looked at her as slowly and gracefully glided toward them. Both instinctively straightened up at the sight of the Queen.
She came to Mo, take off her hair from her shoulders.
- Someday she can be your Queen - she said, circling the girl and stopping behind to her. She put her hands on her shoulders. - And then you'll have to start listen to her. And not the other way around, so far - she said, with a slight amusement.
Mo rolled her eyes.
- I can see it now - she snorted.
- What's so funny? - asked the Queen.
She turned to her.
- That he will ever listen to me - she said, jerking a thumb on Skyfall. - Besides, I prefer a painful truth than blind obedience - she said. - Good advice is underestimated by most of Queens, because of their arrogance.
This time Redswan smiled, slightly amused.
- I see that the teachings of your mother and grandmother in your case it was not a waste of time... What's your half-sister.
- Please - she snorted. - Flo is... - she paused. - Let's say, take out of her instance is a bad idea.
The Queen looked at her intently for a long moment.
- Come with me. I want to check something - she said, and started toward the door.
Mo glanced quickly at the officer, then she caught up with the Queen.
- I wonder, that you have the capacity your grandmother in such a young age - said Redswan. - Both in terms of the fact, that the other Wraith hard to feel your presence... what can be sometimes very useful... just like your telepathic abilities. I want to see how you will deal with controlling the chambers.
- Why? - she was surprised.
- Your grandmother believes, that in yours interests... well, as she described it: you would be bored to death, as a Queen… So, I offered her, that I check your suitability as Wraiths Keeper - she said and stopped in front of the main door of the chamber hibernation.
The door opened to reveal a circular room with thousands of stasis cell. More than a dozen levels were combined spiral walkway and several bridges. They came on the one, which led to the control panel.
- Maybe it's a little calm your mother, that you would prefer to roam the technical channels, than to prepare for the role of the Queen - she added.
- As shown in everyday life, being Queen is no philosophy. Shall be her even an idiot, just because she is a female - said Mo. - Without her, crew survived on hive... Queen without her crew... Well, I dare say, to calculate their numbers was not enough to me one hand.
- Nightstorm was right. You have sharp tongue, like your great-grandmother - she said with slight amusement. - At the Queen this could be an asset. Beware, however, that once this did not cause to you trouble - she warned calmly. - Now place your hands on the panel and focus. Feel them... All of them...
…Redswan words rumbled in mind Moonlight both then and now, when she came to the hive, weaving a narrow path through the trees.
Moments before, she stopped and focused mind, when intro to her ears came the sound of explosion and above the trees appeared in the smoke. Someone attacked the Hive of Sleeping.
She growled and jumped up. She was only a few meters from the hive. But when she reached the place, it was too late. Redswan lay on the ground, with a large stab wound.
Two Wraith kneeling beside her, looked at Mo. They picked up. Young female walked slowly into the body of Queen and she fell to her knees.
- Find them... all of them - she snapped.
They did not answer. Just nodded their heads and hastily left the room to let in pursuit fighters.
Moonlight looked for a moment on Redswan, fingers stroking her face... and suddenly she remembered about stasis chambers.
She looked up.
These closest the room are already activated. It was too late to put to sleep again are in their Wraith... But she is more...
She focused on... For most was not yet too late to stop the process.
For the first time she is fully enveloped her mind the whole system... alone. It was not as easy as when helped her Redswan. Despite many years of practice self-control stasis chamber systems turned out be to her real challenge.
So, she was sitting on the ground, focusing all her attention on one thing.
She did not know how much time passed before she fully tackled in the acquisition of control of the system, but when she opened her eyes, Quickblade knelt on one knee in front of her.
His face and hair were blackened.
Mo looked at him with some surprise.
- Are you hurt?
- It's nothing - he said. - Were you able to control the rest of the chambers?
- I think so - she said, standing up. - Did you catch them?
- Unfortunately not - he snapped. - They ran through the gate?
She frowned her brow.
- Our fighter?
- No… They had their own ship... From the description it resembled Lanteans vehicle - he said reluctantly.
- Are you sure? - she said in surprise.
- So say the pilots.
Moonlight was confused.
She did not know what to think. Could Lanteans back... after ten thousand years?
But why?...
She interrupted her thoughts, feeling that he was losing control of the system... She focused on him again, and then looked at the two soldiers.
- Put her on the table - she instructed calmly and she looked at the officer. - You inform Council. They should know what happened... Maybe they want to... - she did not finish, looking sadly at the Queen, and from her eyes flowed tears.
She grabbed her hand.
She could not believe, that she was dead.
She was one of The Oldest.
One of the Second Generation, born before the war like her grandmother.
She formed the core of the Grey
Council, with her calm and logical approach to problem solving...
And she was Mo teacher…
She thought about Clearcut. Doc will breaks down, when he learns of the death of his older sister. With all that he once knew, only remaining him Nightstorm and Redswan... and now she's gone. It will be a blow for him, she thought.
- Milady? - suddenly someone said, throaty voice.
She looked up. The doorsteps of the room were several Wraith.
They beckoned formally heads as she looked at them.
She did not know them. They had to be one of the sleeper, she thought immediately.
One of them opened his eyes wide at the sight. He was as tall, medium build. His long white hair decorated with silver streaks, surround the upper half of his head, tied back in a bun composed of numerous, thin
dreadlocks reaching down to the waist. The second half of the hair was short bevel, showing an interesting pattern. Right eye Wraith adorned tattoo in the shape of a star with a few thin, wavy tails... Like a comet, she thought.
But she had never heard or read about the Wraith, who would carry such a name.
Quickblade also looked at them.
- You wait in the throne room - he said. - I'll be right there - he said and put his hand on Mo shoulder. - If you did not give advice, let me know. We switch the computer compartment support hibernation.
Young female smirked.
- So, it could be better to I immediately see if it ever work - she snorted. - In order to then there was no big surprise - she said and patted him lightly on the shoulder.
He nodded his head, slightly amused.
Coming out of the room, Mo looked at the Wraiths group and they're at her. On their faces was outlined clearly surprised... and she guessed why.
They walked her their gaze, and then looked at the Commander of Dreams Keeper.
- Who is she? - asked confused Stardrift, coming to him.
- Moonlight is not a Queen, if this is you talking about - he said calmly. - She was a Redswan learner as a Wraith Keeper... She is Protheu.
- A female? - he said, clearly surprised.
- Yes...
The Wraith grinned corner of his mouth.
- Grey Council had to be very surprised - he almost snorted.
- To put it mildly... They do not know what to do with her. Opinions were sharply divided.
- I guess so... What is she doing? - he asked.
- Everything - Quickblade he said calmly, going into the corridor.
- Everything is very broad and vague concept at the same time.
The officer smiled corner of his mouth.
- Her case is all the more surprising that even the Council itself associated with her high hopes... They even assumed that one day she will sit in her... She is very intelligent... and annoyingly curious. As a child interested her the various issues and she would like to learned them... Hence blow for everyone, when it turned out that she is Protheu... Her breadth of knowledge is broad, but mostly she deals with technical matters. She has a knack for fixing things... Apparently, just like her great-grandmother... As always says Nightstorm.
- She's Nightstorm granddaughter?
- Yes... So anyway, I advise careful how you will be treat Mo - he warned, glancing over his shoulder at the others. - She is Protheu, but she still belongs to the Nightwatchers Clan... I thought you guessed by the color of her eyes... and after that, as you looked at her - he added, glancing on Stardrift.
- I had a suspicion that this might be she... but I was not sure - he said.
They entered the throne room. It was lost in the dark, but as soon as they crossed threshold, the lights started to light up...
After a few hours of the attack on Hibernation Hive it was still a little chaos. And although most of the damage in the middle has been almost completely removed, yet been those created on the outer hull of the explosions.
Moonlight finished repairing the computer control systems stasis cells. She fixed them on she as much as she could. They have not been used for thousands of years, so she was not sure how long they will be able to work. So she still preferred to personally control everything... as long as she could... And the longer was she doing this, the less attention had this sacrifice, she noticed.
On entering the room where she had left the body Redswan, she saw her half-sister and two soldiers, who had just tried on prevent the Keeper body.
- You do not dare touch her! - she snapped.
- You will not undermine my orders... Protheu - said haughtily Nightflower.
Mo came up to her.
- The decision what to do with her body, not yours, but the Council - she not resolved.
Queen growled a warning, trying to dominate over her, but young female only smiled mockingly.
- Please, throw out her body if you want to - she gestured hand. - I happy to see how you explain it to the Council.
- You little, arrogant... - she tried on to strike her hand in Mo face.
- You even not dare - Nightstorm suddenly snapped, coming into the room. - Maybe she's Protheu, but she's still your sister.
- Not for me...
- And she is under my protection - again interrupted her sinister grandmother. - And you do not forget about it... NEVER - she said, stopping in front of her.
Nightflower was clearly angry, but she said nothing. She knew that this would be very detrimental to her... and maybe even fatal.
Nightstorm moved while looking on her second granddaughter.
- Quickblade told me, that you stop the process of awakening in most hibernation chambers and in case you checked the computer systems... Very well - she said proudly. - I see that Redswan managed train you in the right.
- It's not a stunt - snorted under her breath younger Queen when her grandmother went to the friend's body.
Moonlight looked at her half-sister, and tilted head slightly.
- If you think so, then go ahead. You control the system yourself - she said, and merged with her telepathically, to give her control over the system.
Nightflower only smiled wryly... and suddenly she moaned, when Mo no longer support her in this action. The legs buckled under her and spun in her head. She grabbed a table to keep from falling.
- Do you still think it's as simple as that?
- Take it… from me - she said with difficulty, starting now slowly kneel on the ground.
But a young female just watched her with amusement.
- Mo. Take over the system, before everything falls - Nightstorm interjected calmly, without even looking at them. - Including with your sister - she said sarcastically.
She shrugged just shrugged and then merged with the mind Nightflower.
A young Queen breathed a sigh of relief and quickly clear straightened. Again, she was furious that... that thing... humiliated her.
The Older Queen suddenly raised her head and looked toward the entrance to the room. The other two females looked in the same direction.
The Wraith, who was standing there, nodded his head.
- Stardrift - she was a little surprised to see him.
- Welcome, Nightstorm - he said with a slight smile as he approached to her.
- Stardrift? - Mo repeated, surprised, looking again on her grandmother, and once on Wraith.
She had heard and read about him.
He was one of the first with the Third Generation. In a direct descendant of the Shortcut, the brother of one of the First Nine Mothers, Guide. According to the known her records, Stardrift was highly acclaimed navigator, who has trained many Wraith also worthy of recognition.
- Stardrift was my First Navigator - said calmly the Queen. - Already during the Great War... He belongs to the Third Generation of the Wraiths.
- Yes, I remember with records - almost muttered Mo. - But you never mentioned about him - she said with a hint of irony.
- Maybe it's because, before my hibernation, we had a... more vigorous exchange of views - he said. - It was just before you were born - he added, glancing at the young female.
- Really? - she snorted, folding her arms across her chest. - And I always get wigging… for sharper exchange of views - she added ironically and turned on her heel, left the room.
- Wigging? - Stardrift repeated, with slight amusement.
- She's too much rotates among the humans and purchased from them a few... habits - muttered embarrassed Nightstorm.
- I can see that... or rather, I hear - he snorted under his breath. - I think indeed you're right: a picture of your mother - he said..."