Chapter 18
Deals - part 1.
- Do not kill the messenger - said jokingly Sunblaze, belaying with the hands in case.
To his relief Moonlight just quietly snapped, annoyed. So he loosened and then focused his attention on the colonel.
- Who else knows? - asked a female.
- Everyone - said the young Wraith.
- Great. And here someone secrets surface - she snapped.
- Speaking of which - he turned toward her, folding his arms and stood with his legs apart. - I am deeply touched that you left out me on this issue - he said.
Mo looked at him with amusement.
- If you have not noticed, I skipped all on this issue.
- That's right. Even me. It hurts me, that you do not trust me.
She again gave him an ironic look.
- I did not tell you because you want to go with me... and I'd have to babysit you.
- I do not have to baby-sit - he said with still mock gravity. - I am perfectly manage myself.
Moonlight snorted.
- Just as the Hellion Prime?... Or the Everlasting... or during an expedition to the...
- It was sporadic cases - he interrupted her.
Now he really felt insulted. She mentioned about it in the presence of human. In addition stranger.
- Really? Interesting, because I have a whole list of them - she scoffed.
The Wraith growled, unhappy. She mentioned about it in the presence of human. In addition stranger.
- It's your brother? Or something like that? - interjected John.
- You spit out these words, John Sheppard - she said. - Thank goodness I am not related to him.
- I think I guess what you mean - he snorted lightly.
- Are you ashamed of me? - asked curiously Sunblaze.
She again gave him a grim look.
- If I was ashamed of you, you're nowhere would not fly with me - she retorted.
- So the, you really love me - he said with a broad smile and spread his arms to hug her.
She stepped back.
- Go away from me, plague - she protested. - You gallivant who knows where, and now you want to hug? Such dirty? - she pointed at his dusty coat.
He looked at him.
- Indeed, it lightly get dirty - he admitted and shake it his hand. - It's all Kiryk fault. He always chooses DETOUR way - he underlined word.
- Kiryk also is here?
- Commander sent us together.
- Great. A pit that not the whole battalion. They are less obvious in eyes than you two - she said. - Anyone else?
- No - he said cheerfully, shaking his head.
- Only we... But I saw him.
- Who?
The Wraith looked at the human.
"Starburst" - he said telepathically, and immediately said aloud:
- Kiryk go after him.
- Great. Yet here his was missing - she said again and shook her head, resigned. - I think it's a bad day for the trip. It had to stay in bed.
- About who are you talking? - colonel demanded explanations.
- Todd is here.
- Todd?... He came to shop? - he snorted.
- Todd? So called him humans? - Wraith chuckled.
- This is his invention - she pointed a thumb at John. - In old English means: fox. And this animal is considered on Earth be a symbol of cunning and craftiness - she said.
- Really? - they asked both at the same time and looked at each other.
- It fits to him perfectly - Sheppard said.
- Indeed - Wraith said.
Moonlight frowned.
- I thought that's why you call him so - she was surprised.
- No... It was a random name that came to my mind.
- Really?... You was would good Vocator - Sunblaze said.
- Who?
- Vocator. Gives names. In you, humans, doing this parents. In our usually Vocator.
- Why?
A young Wraith opened his mouth to explain it to him, but Mo grabbed his arm.
- You do not go with him in such discussions, because we will stand here until tomorrow and explain to him our customs - she said. - Where did you seen him lately?
- Who?... Oh, him. Near the main square.
- Lead - she said.
The Wraith nodded and led the way.
- What do you want to do? - Sheppard asked, catching up with them.
- Discuss with him certain question.
- You mean this injection?
- What is injection? - interested in Sunblaze.
- It does not matter - she murmured.
The young Wraith looked at the colonel with a look of expectation on his face.
- Something on the basis of the female hormone fertility... estrogen...
- Shep - she snapped at him, but it was too late.
The pilot grinned a grin.
- He injected you this? - pilot snorted and put his arm around her. - Poor thing... It had to be funny - he patted her head.
Moonlight looked grimly at the colonel.
- Thanks - she growled and pulled away from each other Sunblaze. - Now he will be making fun of me for another week.
- I'm starting to feel that I am in a hidden camera - he said. - Another Wraith with a sense of humor.
- I am afraid that we are the exception to the rule - male said with a broad smile and stopped right in front of the main square. - There he was - pointed to the buildings on the opposite side.
But the place that indicated it was empty. They looked around. Then Mo grabbed them and pulled back.
- On the right, on end of the square - she said, and the three of them looked cautiously around the corner.
Starburst was accompanied by two officers and four soldiers.
- Probably around is a few more drones - Wraith said.
- Handy to some kind of diversion, so he was alone... I too would gladly exchanged a few words with him - said Sheppard.
Moonlight murmured thoughtfully under her breath and glanced quickly on the alley behind them.
- You owe me, John Sheppard - she said and grabbed his arm.
- What?... What are you doing? - he called when she pulled him toward the side entrance to some cantina.
- Your diversion - she said. - And you do not disclose to - pointed the finger on Sunblaze.
The room into which they entered, was poorly lit. On many tables were only a few men. They looked with interest on a couple who just came to the center and right then exit through the main entrance to the terrace.
A female turned colonel his back to the square and suddenly hit him with full force her hand in his chest. The blow was so strong that was thrown him far back. He fell to the paving and groaned in pain. He did not even notice when Mo was right on it.
-... And keep your filthy hands off! - she said sharply, point a finger at him.
- I'm sorry - he groaned, still trying to catch his breath after the blow.
Corner of eye both noted that this scene certainly attracted the attention of Todd. Wraith nodded, and one of the accompanying him officers moved immediately with the soldiers in the direction of pair.
Moonlight pretended to just go away, when her attention was drawn to a group of approaching Wraith. She looked away, for them, right on the Starburst and suddenly jumped up to run, darting nimbly in a crowd. Officer and drones moved behind her.
Looking at everything from hiding Sunblaze, smiled to himself and also began to move, back alley they came.
Sheppard sat on the ground, catching finally normal breath, and he was just stand up, when someone threw a shadow on him. He looked up to see Todd amused face.
- I think you chose unsuitable female - he sneered.
- Obviously - he groaned, standing up. - I did not know that she is Wraith. She did not look like one of you - he pulled a farce.
- She's a little... different - he said mysteriously. - I see that you hit finally one of our trade planets.
- Accidentally... Interesting place, I have to admit.
- Neutral ground, so be careful with guns - he warned.
- I hope that this advice also applies to you.
Todd smiled slightly.
Moonlight turn sharply to the left and then immediately hid in the alley, reaching for shoes for his thin metal stick, parting them. The officer and the soldiers ran beside her. Just like she counted.
She ran after them out of the closet, almost ahead of last two drones. Relatively smooth, paved surfaces allowed her to perform agile slide between them. She slashed their feet with sticks. They fell hard, lapping heads to the ground.
Standing close to people, quickly hid in their homes at the sight of a fight.
Not waiting, a female straighten up. Two more soldiers just was turned away at her. She jumped up, dropping weapon and a strong grip she bumped their heads together. They slumped to the ground, stunned.
The officer reached for his weapon, but suddenly someone grabbed his wrist and lifted his arm up. The bolt fired into the sky. Wraith looked surprised to the right to see Sunblaze.
He sneered and one swift motion twisted his arm back, knocked on his knees and took the gun to shoot out of him. Energy charge shocked officer but not stunned him. He turned on his knee to the attacker, growling, so young pilot fired again. This time Wraith fell unconscious to the ground.
Sunblaze looked at Mo and grinned.
- It started missing me of such action - he said.
The female shook her head with a slight amusement.
- Sometimes I wonder what a miracle you're still alive.
The young Wraith's smile widened, showing his sharp teeth, and suddenly froze, open his eyes wide. Mo held her breath, and on her face broke into a fear.
One of knocked down of her soldiers, sitting on the ground with a raised rifle.
A knees buckled under Sunblaze.
Moonlight went up to him to support him, at the same time grabbing the gun who he held. She fired of it twice into drones. The soldier fell back onto the paving.
Young Wraith sat on the ground, barely keeping his balance. Mo looked at his back. The wound was extensive and deep. Apparently the gun was set to kill, and not, as standard, on stun.
- I think you foretell - he whispered with a slight smile, and fell to the side.
The female upheld him, that he did not hit his head on the stone surface, laying him on his back slowly.
- Why do you always have to pack up in trouble? - she asked, pretending to be angry, although on her face drew a deep concern.
- Look who's talking? - he retorted.
- You have to feed, the wound is too deep - she said, and raised his hand, putting it to her chest.
The male pulled his hand away, but she held it.
- I will not feed on you - he growled, although with difficulty.
- And you can see here a cocoons granary? - she scoffed. - Besides, I'll be fine. In a few hours I will regenerate... And you will not survive without feeding.
- No - he replied firmly, again trying to withdraw his hand.
- Do not argue with me, Blaze - she snapped, angry.
He looked hard at her eyes.
- I said no... I will not be preyed upon you.
- What's the difference who...
She did not finish. Behind her came the sound of feet. Someone was running toward them. She looked over her shoulder. It was Sheppard and Starburst with his second officer.
- What happened? - exclaimed the colonel. - We saw a bolt in the sky.
Moonlight confronted Wraith Commander an unpleasant look.
- One of your drones shot him in the back - she snapped. - Rifle was set to maximum.
- I assure you it's not my order - said Todd. - They had to catch you alive.
She did not answer. Just looked back at her friend. His head tilted to the side. He lost consciousness.
- Blaze! - she said, trying to revive him. - Blaze!
But he did not respond.
She swear under her breath and no longer wondering, pressed his hand to his chest.
- Wait a minute. What do you want to do? - protested Sheppard, kneeling beside her.
- That's what need to - she said, focusing on connection thoughts of a young Wraith.
His mind was weak, but the body even weaker. She felt she clearly. She could not wait any longer. No problem she took control.
She opened her mouth wider, as if she wanted to catch breath, when began to work hand-fed, slowly sucking the life out of her. Colonel anxiously watched as her smooth skin wrinkles slowly.
Someone else came running from a side street, almost bumping into a group of women running the main walkway.
- Kiryk? - Jennifer said surprised, looking at the targeted to them with a gun man.
- Dr. Keller - he just nodded his head and ran quickly to the two young Wraith. - What happened?
- His crew does not listen to him again - Sheppard said, gesturing head pointing to the Commander.
Kiryk only gave him a grim look. Sunblaze just suddenly opened his eyes, picking up a deep breath of air intro his lungs. He looked a little confused and kept eyes on Mo. Her face was covered with wrinkles, dark hair almost completely turned gray and eyes misted over.
- Enough - he whispered, looking at her in horror, and he wanted to take his hand, but she would not let him. - Get her! - he growled.
Starburst moved forward.
- Do not touch her! - Kiryk snapped, and jumped to Moonlight to get out of her grasp Wraith hand. He held her to not fail. She was very weak. - It's all your fault - he said, taking a female on his hands.
Sunblaze closed his eyes for a moment, breathing quickly. He could not look at what he did... even if it was unconscious.
Ex-runner sat Mo against the wall and brushed a strand of hair from her face. She smiled at him gently, so he do the same thing.
- You rest - he said and looked at the others. - She needs food and drink. The best high calorie... Near is a shop - he pointed out the direction and reached for something in his pocket. - For this you will buy everything there - he said, holding on outstretched hand a few silver coins.
Teyla came quickly and took the money, and then moved with Amelia in the designated direction.
Keller went to the female.
- I have a candy bar. It is sweet - she said, pulling it out of his pocket and unpacking.
Kiryk thanked and put it in Mo mouth. She grabbed the bar slowly shaking hand.
- Great work, Todd - Sheppard said, and looked at the young pilot. - Can you stand up?
- I think so. The wound is almost healed.
Colonel held out his hand. He grabbed her and groaned as the man pulled him up. Then they both came to Mo.
- That's not his fault - he said heavily. - Drones are often so react when no one controls them. They do what they were created: they kill.
- Do not make excuses for him - Sheppard pointed her finger firmly. - If not for his silly ideas of forcing you to produce drones - he threw a meaningful glance Wraith -... would not be the whole thing. And so, you look like my great-grandmother, and he almost kicked the bucket.
Moonlight smiled slightly.
- But now you know how the Wraith in old age - she joked and coughed when he ran out of breath.
- Save your strength - Jennifer instructed. - Your body has not yet recovered from the last one.
- What are you talking about? - interested in Sunblaze.
The woman looked at him.
- Todd gave her a substance, that resulted in the collapse... She almost died two days ago due to a too high amount of adrenaline in the body... and now this. I am afraid that her body as soon not be able to regenerate.
Young Wraith looked uncomfortable to Commander and growled, moving in his direction.- Blaze - admonished Mo, but he did not listen. - Blaze! - she repeated firmly. - Leave him alone. It will not help. You're still weak.
He stopped just before the Starburst, looking him hard in the face. They were similar increase, so he had no problem with that.
- I should now feed on you and give all your energy her - he snapped.
- It will not be necessary - Todd replied calmly. - I can myself help her - he said and walked towards the female to kneel beside her. For a moment, watching her intently. - How did you know, that I order to grab you?
Moonlight smiled slightly.
- I saw you during the escape, as you talked to your First - she said.
- Well, yes - he said with slight amusement.
- Why this whole charade? After all, you're the Queen, who can create to you a new drones?
Sheppard and Keller froze on those words. Hovich looked at them a little surprised their reaction. Starburst grunted softly under his breath.
- It's complicated - he said.
- Complicated? - she snorted lightly. - And what's complicated?
- She's... busy - he said reluctantly.
- Busy? - she laughed for a moment and looked at him closely.
- It's just... Let's just say that contact with her is difficult.
- So you plagued into disfavor - Sunblaze snorted, standing over him with his arms crossed over his chest. - It must have been pretty good action, if someone from your position endanger the Queen.
Todd looked at him grimly.
- You could say - he grunted and looked back on Mo. - That's why I need you... Even though I did not want anyone to know about it... especially your grandmother.
- It was not enough to ask? - she asked most peacefully in the world.
Wraith looked at her in surprise.
- Just like that?
- It's probably easier to spit out with yourself request, than all this masquerade with kidnapping - she said sarcastically.
- And would you agree? Just like that?
She shrugged her shoulders slightly.
- Yes.
- Why? - he asked suspiciously.
- And why not? The family should be supposed to support.
- Are you related to him? - said surprised Sheppard, but they ignored his words.
Starburst watched intently for a moment Moonlight. She looked at him quite calm.
Someone ran up to them. The female looked at the two women.
- We have food - Teyla said.
- It will not be necessary - Todd said, still looking at Mo. - So we have a deal: I will lead you to the... previous state, and you take care of the drones?
- If you answer on my question.
- You're not serious - Sunblaze protested, but she just gave him a quick look.
- What kind?
- Why do you need a new drones?
The Wraith growled softly under his breath.
- Let's say that on result of certain actions we have them... deficit.
- What do you mean? - interest in the colonel.
- Someone kicked his ass pretty well lately, destroying most of the drone, so now he is practically defenseless and in the event another attack he does not have to send someone to fight - said with an amused young Wraith.
- Really? - Sheppard said with interest. - It seems that you have AGAIN bad luck... what Todd? - he sneered.
- This time - he snarled briefly and looked back at the female. - And so? Is it a deal? I help you and you help me.
Moonlight smiled slightly.
- You know what that means?
- Yes - he nodded curtly.
- In that case... it's a deal - she said and held out her hand.
- Are you kidding? Do not include any deals with him - protested Kiryk, anticipating in this Sunblaze. - It's all his fault, and you want to help him yet?
She looked at him with a slight smile.
- Relax... I already included the worse deals... It's only a few hours of sitting in a chair... Almost as long relaxing - she joked and looked again at the old Wraith.
Todd shook her hand with a slight smile, then put a hand on her chest.
Moonlight's eyes widened when the life-giving forces began pouring into her body.
She looked straight into the eyes of a Starburst... and he in her, watching like her skin on her face smoothed out slowly, and the hair again become dark color.
During those few short minutes, they both could look into the mind of the other.
Look deep into its inside.
Get to know her thoughts and feelings.
And they both had the impression that throughout the world there was no one else.
Only two of them.
They were one...
But and so each of them felt, that this second carefully hides something important.
Deeply, inside.