Chapter 19
Deals - part 2.
Starburst slowly pulled his hand.
For the first time he felt embarrassed by what he saw.
He hoped that the connection of Moonlight will be different than the other Wraith... but... he did not expect this.
Her thoughts, her way of seeing the world... all seemed so simple. Such... transparent.
As if she understood everything better than others.
For her, everything was very closely related.
He had forgotten what it's like.
Living among the stars, the Wraith have lost too much in their disputes and fighting. And now, when he touched her world, he again felt like during escape from Genii prison, when after a long time he saw stars.
And he felt calm...
Only once he felt something like this...
He looked at the Mo.
She smiled softly and put one her hand in the chest, and the other pulling in his direction.
- Thank you for Sharing - she said, and nodded her head slightly.
The Wraith smiled at slightly. Hardly anyone remembers the old custom, he thought, and made the same gesture.
- Thank you for Sharing - he responded with the same gesture of the head, then stood up and offered his hand Mo, helping her get up.
- What was it? - finally said Sheppard.
- You would not understand - said Starburst officer. - You are a human.
- Telepathic link - Hovich interjected. - For a moment, their minds were put together in unity. They could see world through the eyes the other. Maybe even their lives. - The others looked at her, surprised. - I guess after the way they looked at each other and added to the Wraith telepathic abilities - she explained.
- And yet human understands - said with a sneer Sunblaze.
- In that case, I sorry for you - colonel snorted, looking at the Mo. - It must been awful to have an insight into Todd mind.
But she only smiled corner of his mouth.
- On the contrary, Colonel Sheppard - she said calmly.
The man looked at her confused.
- Probably a matter of taste - he muttered. - But now you know all his secrets - he said, glancing mischievously at Todd.
- That's all for what he'd let me.
- So, it does not work exactly that way?
- Depends on whose mind is stronger - Sunblaze said. - But this is not getting about to know someone's secrets. Especially by force... But getting to know the other person. The specific ties with her... And some secrets should remain secrets, colonel. Everyone has the right to this - he said and followed after Mo into the alley.
Sheppard looked first for them, and then the other two Wraith.
- They are starting to scare me - he said, shows a pair of thumb for leaving. - They have experienced a revelation or what?
- Maybe - Starburst replied mysteriously, and looked at his subordinate. - You gather them - a gesture of head he toward the soldiers. - I prepare a hatchery - he said and walked in the opposite direction.
- And for a moment I thought, that I was beginning to understand them - muttered colonel again. - Let's find Ronon and McKay - he added and moved in the same direction as the two young Wraith. - I think you kept wrong group, doc - he said to the doctor Hovich.
- Why?
- I just found out that our Mo have really that on name... diminutive - he said with pride. - And they have a naming-man... some kind: Vacator.
- Vocator! - corrected him on the front Sunblaze.
- I they have ears like a radar - Sheppard muttered, what slightly amused the doctor.
The Wraith pilot glanced quickly over his shoulder, making sure that humans are far enough and looked at Moonlight.
- What kind of worse deals you saying? - he asked gently. - With Thunderstone?
- Yes - she muttered.
Sunblaze not asked for anything more. It was their secret. The rest of the spun only speculation.
But Commander figured out what Mo do.
He remembered well the event. Both of them remembered... It was hard to forget...
It was a hard time for their hive. After the death of Queen Nightwind, her feeding grounds took her older daughter, Nightflower. Moonlight had no right to them. She was not a Queen.
The same thing happened to the surviving hive. Only they refused. They knew what would happen if Nightflower was discovered what crew Invention doing.
And joining the fleet Nightstorm was also risky. Here again, the Council would have a full view of their research. And some of them were... well... rather anyone not allocated to the taste, thought with amusement Sunblaze.
Thus, they became outcasts. They rely only on themselves. A single hive without the Queen, without their feeding grounds, with a group of scientists with mad ideas, by the standards of the Wraith. It smelled like a disaster from the beginning.
And so they began to conduct guerrilla life. Sneak up on feeding grounds others.
For the first few months it worked. Then the other hives to work out their strategy, so the trouble began. They lost most of the drone. It was getting harder to steal them humans. It was then that Moonlight has become adept at creating drones. Some of them have begun to serve as a food source. But they could not demanded of her that she sat all days in the hatchery. They needed a new strategy... or a new source of food... maybe even alternative source of food.
Of course, the idea of the Doc with a retrovirus-based on Mo DNA, not very fell Skyfall to his taste. He decided to wait out a difficult period. The whole crew has been in hibernation mode, There was only a small group of worshippers, still serve them, and Moonlight. They do not have to worry about food.
Stay also Sunblaze, although the Commander did not know about this. He persuaded Mo, that hive needs second pilot… a good pilot... actually, he did not even have to convince her. She well knew that.
In this way, the entire hive almost froze. It became strangely empty... and quiet. Although there has never been a full crew, it nonetheless. Only two of them and worshippers, busy with their daily duties. So they began to fly on reconnaissance. Each explored different area so as not to waste time. But human worlds were decimated. And those with more population well guarded….
.
"- …You listen the silence? - he asked facetiously, standing next to her on one of the largest platforms in the hangar.
It was her favorite place. Come here whenever she wanted to be alone.
And sometimes they both sat there for hours, discussing or playing games.
- In fact, I do - she said, looking somewhere ahead. - Sometimes I have the impression, that the hive speaks to me... but I do not understand this.
- You mean the noise in the background?... You should know that it is normal - he said with slight amusement.
- Yes, I know. But when you listen to it... Anyway, no matter - she said with a slight smile, looking at him. - Did you find anything?
- Yes, with hive on orbit - he muttered. - I'm starting to wonder about the proposal doc.
Moonlight raised an eyebrow with interest.
- You would voluntarily been Protheu? - she asked with a sneer.
- It's better than starving to death. Do not you think?
- You can always go - she suggested.
But Sunblaze snorted loudly.
- Are you kidding? And where do I go? For some mannered Queen, like your sister, who directs the hive according to their own whims, instead with common sense? - he sneered. - No, thanks. I'd rather fall here of hunger... I wean're to listen too stupid orders - he said, and immediately noticed a meaningful glance Moonlight. - I'm not talking about you. You are aiming for logic, like your grandmother. But most of the younger Queens that remained... well… I'll leave it without comment - he bared to her sharp teeth.
- Well, you may go to the hive my grandmother - she said.
This time he looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
- I have a feeling, that you're trying to get rid of me, Moonlight from the Nightwatchers Clan.
- Oh, how that came to your mind... Dragonfly from the Silverdracon Clan.
- I suppose it after topic of our conversation - he retorted with a smirk.
- I think you have hallucinations from hunger - she said with a note of irony, turning to the transporter and patted him on the shoulder, moving from the spot.
- I knew you could not live without me - he called, following her.
- Yeeees... like no ulcer on the ass - she scoffed and went into the transporter room.
Sunblaze ran to her and stood beside. The doors slid shut and the beam moved them to the main level, close to the bridge.
- I met today Thunderstone - he said finally, when they got there.
- And? I concludes on your face, that this was not a social gathering.
Mo looked at him with a slight smile.
- Since when are you such a default? - she snorted.
- I know you too well. I know when something does not give you peace - he said. - What does he want?
- He repeated his proposal... The same as Fireball - she said calmly, looking at him sideways.
She knew how he would react... and she had been right.
- What the... - he stopped short of complete sentences. - I hope you send him to hell - he snapped.
- In fact, he gave me an idea...
- You must be joking! - he almost cried. - You even not think about it. I forbid you to go near to him, you hear? - he threatened her finger.
- You forbid me? - she repeated with slight amusement.
- It's not funny, Mo. - Sunblaze growled.
On her face suddenly appeared serious. She looked him straight in the eye.
- Our situation is even less. The whole crew is in hibernating. We have no food supplies. We have no feeding grounds. We can not forever be held them in chambers - she pointed to the side, as if they was there.
- But that's not the way...
- His mind is weak... I can fool him - she cut him off.
Sunblaze looked at her for a long moment.
- No - he replied firmly, but calmly and walked to the side of one of the control panels.
- I do not ask for your opinion, Blaze. And even less for a permit - she said. - I have already made my decision... I only inform you about it - she said and walked toward door.
The Wraith jumped up and blocked her way.
- You do not dare - he snapped.
- Stand back, Blaze - she said, but he just stared at her relentlessly. - Get out of my way - she snapped, and her voice boomed in his mind.
For the first time Moonlight has used on him her abilities. Until now, he was once subjected to the mind of the female - it was his mother. But this time he stood up to the strength... But it was hard.
The mind Mo was strong, too strong for him. And this effort drew now on his face, while her was completely calm, as if she did it casually. He felt like every second his resistance decreases as she effortlessly press him in the ground...
And then she stopped. She slowed tether.
He breathed a sigh of relief and looked at her in surprise.
She took a step forward and took his face in her hands.
- We have no choice, Blaze - she almost whispered, looking at him pleadingly. - I do not have a choice. A Thunderstone found a rich feeding ground. Very rich. I saw them. We can fill the cocoons in the granary and not worry about wrestling for a long time... Or give them all retroviral treatment. This is the only option. And I will not do it without their consent.
- We'll find another way...
- No, Blaze. There is no other way. And you know it. For several months we were scouring the galaxy and nothing... Or we give hive either Queen.
He did not answer, just look at her. She was right, though he would not admit it even to himself. For him, the price was too high.
He grabbed her hands and sighed heavily.
- Are you sure, that you give handle him? He is an experienced officer. He can not be so easily fooled.
She smiled gently.
- But his desires are stronger than common sense. It gives me a significant advantage. I can use it against him.
- I do not like it...
- I also not delighted think insight into his... fantasies - she scoffed. - But in the current situation... That opportunity may no longer to send.
- Commander would be furious...
- He does not need to know. Nobody has to know... I think of something.
He did not answer. He knew that and so he did not dissuade her from this idea.
Even Skyfall would not do that. When she's on something prejudices...
- I'll make cocoons - he said finally, reluctantly.
She just nodded with a slight smile and walked past him, leaving the bridge…
He did not see her again after that. She locked herself in her quarters. But mind he felt her presence. She had not slept. She meditated, trying her best to calm. Anyway, that night, neither of them slept. Sunblaze sitting on the bridge, trying to find something to do.
In the morning, he noticed the coordinates of the flight, which sent the Moonlight by running automatic pilot. Flight took them with two hours.
Then she got into a fighter and flew away.
In fact, he could not remember what he did then. Probably wandered around hive aimlessly.
He remembers only that he was just in the hangar, when at one point flew fighters. Full fighters, starting with the unloading. Then the soldiers began to move all to cocoons storehouse. And he just watched as one by one they carry unconscious humans.
- Wake up them - said at the back suddenly Mo.
He looked at her. She seemed to be calm... but something in the expression of her eyes denied it.
- Do not tell them anything - she added. - I'll be there soon.
- Mo? - he called, grabbing her arm when she wanted to leave.
She looked at him and smiled gently. He let her go.
- Wake up them, Blaze - she repeated, and walked down the corridor.
Sunblaze just growled under his breath and headed for the transporter, and then the hall from hibernation chambers, starting wake up part of the crew.
Translucent walls of cocoons started separately extended to one after the other, and the organic wires to the exchange of body fluids, remove from the Wraith and withdraw into the chambers.
Skyfall was one of the first to leave stasis cocoons.
He looked surprised at the young Wraith.
- Something happened? - he asked, walking over to him anxiously.
- No... We have a grub - he said with a forced grin.
But the Commander frowned head, as if he sensed that something was wrong, looking closely Sunblaze. The Wraith tried hard to stay calm... but he could never pretend to Commander. This his penetrating gaze. He always felt like he easily overexpose him inside out... After all, he was once one of the best intelligence officers. He knew the different ways... to acquire the necessary information. And he did not have to use this force.
- Where is Mo? - he finally asked suspiciously, but calm.
- I think in her...
He did not finish. Skyfall went right to the exit.
- She said she's coming! - he called after him, but the Commander had vanished around the corner. - Damn - growled under his breath and returned to service stasis chambers.
Hot water ran down her body, but she did not help wash away this dirt. She still could feel the touch of his hand. His smell... His glance, full of desire.
This thought still returned to her mind… and the memory of this, as he watched on her, since she went to his quarters, pretending to be proud.
But she just felt more and more disgusted. To him... and to itself.
Thunderstone in appearance was far less grotesque, than his former Commander, but it was just a pretense. Many years of service to Fireball hive conformed him to the nature of to Lord Wraith.
He was of medium height, fairly well built, with long hair and dreadlocks piled in the back of the head. This included only the upper part of the skull. The rest was shaved. It was decorated with a tattoo running down on neck and lower down, on the back.
He smiled with satisfaction the sight of her, and measured carefully his gaze, sitting at his desk - one of the few things in his sparsely equipped quarters, the main ornament was all kinds of weapons. Then he got up and walked slowly to get around her. She tried not to shudder with disgust when he grabbed his hand her hair and sniffed.
- You smell nice - he whispered in her ear. - A beautiful smell of a beautiful female.
He ran his fingers along her arm up and down.
- And very delicate skin - he said with satisfaction.
She wore a outfit in shades of green, emphasizing the color of her eyes - leggings and tunic consisting of a corset revealing little her arms and reaching to the ground two piece of cloth, both front and rear. Everything is properly emphasized her body shape.
- Fireball was right, you are very appetizing morsel.
- Lucky for you, he not live to see the time to find that out - she said, smiling at the corner of her mouth.
- Indeed - he said, smiling broadly with satisfaction and took her hand, leading to the bed.
He sat down and pulled her to him. She leaned over him, sliding her fingers along his face. And then he slowly sat up on his legs... and kissed...
…The memory of this immediately caused by Moonlight retch.
She ran out of the shower, to threw on the toilet.
She was wrong. She thought it was going to be easy... but it was not. Deceitfulness Thunderstone vision moments spent together practically no different from that, if she did it for real. His mind was very sensitive to her influence, it is true, but in her plan she forget one thing: she had to look deep into his mind, to discover his desire... order to illusion was real for him.
Yes, about this one thing she forgot, arranging her plan.
Or maybe she preferred not to think about it?... Because then, she would not decide on it, and her crew are still stuck to the cocoons…
Skyfall went into her bathroom.
She sat on the floor, naked... retching into the toilet.
He grabbed a towel and covered her with him, crouching next to it.
- Where did you get them? - he asked. - From feeding grounds your grandmother?
- Are you crazy? - she said, without raising her head. - This would mean joining to her fleet. And then the Grey Council were full of insight we're doing - she looked at him grimly. - You know what they would do with half the crew?... With you, that you let them do it?
- So how do you get these humans?... What have you done, Mo? - he demanded answers.
For a moment she looked him hard in the face.
- That's what I had to do, so that you do not have to starve.
- What's that? You tell me, or I have to pull out this from Blaze? - he did not change the authoritative volume.
She gave him a brief, grim look and stood up, tying a towel.
- Leave him alone. He does not have anything to do with. It was my idea.
- I guess - he said, also rising. - But certainly he have the information that I want to achieve.
Moonlight smiled slightly confused as Commander.
- Sometimes not knowing is a blessing - she said mysteriously and went to the bathroom door. - Can you get out? I want to get dressed.
- First, you answer my question - he growled, standing over her.
Again, she had to raise her head to look him straight in the eye.
- And what will you do with this knowledge, Commander? - she asked calmly. - If you react, you expose all of us... Some things better not move. Let them remain as they are... Besides, it was just... a one-time deal.
Skyfall looked at her, as if he trying to guess her thoughts. Find the answer by examining all the pieces of the puzzle, which had.
- What did you do? - he snapped, grabbing her firmly by the arm.
But she did not respond, only looking him in the eye with a slight smile.
And suddenly it dawned on him. His eyes widened.
- I'll kill him - he growled and pushed Mo aside, to get out quickly from the bathroom, and then from her quarters.
- Skall! - she called behind him and ran into the corridor. - Skall!
But he was not listening, walking quickly in the direction of the transporter.
She swear under her breath and went back to the headquarters to dress quickly pants and shirt, and then ran back into the corridor, and then into the transporter.
The level at which there was a Commander fighter, was empty. Skyfall was already in the machine, getting ready for the flight. Furious, he did not even notice when Mo ran up, jumped inside.
In one swift movement she reached for the knife in his shoe and pushed him to the chair, pulling up blade to his throat.
- Get off me! - he growled and grabbed her around the waist to throw her out of a fighter, but she pushed him back to the seat.
- You're not fly anywhere - she snapped, still holding the blade at his throat.
Her voice boomed in his mind... but then she slowed her telepathic tether, and her face softened.
- Nothing happened... It was all in his mind...
- It does not matter - he interrupted, still angry. - He used the fact, that I was not there. Only because this he dared to...
- And what do you do? On what basis would challenge him?... I am Protheu, remember? Worth as much as a worshipper. Even if you win, they'll kill you for unfounded duel.
- It does not matter... - he growled, trying to get up.
- But have matters to me! - she interrupted him again, pushing back. And then her face was sad - You are my only family, Skall. If you die, no one longer remain to me.
Yet for a moment she looked into his eyes, then stood up and gave him a knife. He took it slow and relaxed muscles.
- You are needed here - she said calmly. - No one will maintain this mess in check just like you... And I did what I had to - she said, glancing again firmly in his eyes. - It was a one-time deal, but thanks to it you have a food supply for a long time... And I would do it again if it depends on this your fate... So sit on your green ass and do not spoil it... Let Thunderstone think it really happened. Let even this boast, I do not care. It is important, that you do not need any longer to sit in the damn cocoons - she said irritably, and jumped out of the fighter, moving along the platform.
Skyfall stood up and put the knife back into the shoe, looking at her like she leaves. Then he jumped out of fighter and caught up with her, grabbing her arm to turn to face him. He wanted to say something... but then he saw tears running down her cheeks.
He sighed heavily and put his hand on her wet hair, hugging her close.
At first, Moonlight tensed muscles... and then suddenly she loosened them, as if the whole weight of the situation finally fell with her. She snuggled into him tightly, and tears once again flowed from her eyes.
- Just promise me that when again you'll have a brilliant idea, first you agreed upon it with me... Agree?
She smiled through her tears, slightly amused.
- Agree.
- Good... Oh, and what is the official version of what to inventories?
- That I unofficially asked my grandmother for help.
- It may be - he said."