Chapter 20
Point of view.
The hatchery chamber door slid open and Moonlight went inside.
The room was not different from others similar to it, what she saw. There was only a throne standing on the podium and the combined organic conductors with what was hiding translucent wall - the heart of every hatchery: cocoons. On the side was a small desktop, allowing for manual control systems.
The female sat back in his chair and before Starburst anything could start, organic vines started to surround her, forming a dense covering of.
Sheppard grimaced at the sight.
- It hurts? - he asked.
- Sit down and see for yourself - she replied with a smirk on his lips.
- No, thanks. I rather not use - he said.
She smiled and looked at Wraith Commander.
- We may begin - she said, and closed her eyes.
Todd started the machine, analyzing readings.
Doctor Hovich came closer.
- How does it feel? - she said.
- She can not hear you - said the Commander. - She fell into a kind of… lethargy, which allows her to insulate themselves from distracting ambient noise and focus only on the one activity... It's quite exhausting task - he said and pointed to the door. - I'll show you the room where you can wait until she has finished... This may take some time.
- I sit here - said calmly Sunblaze and sat on the platform on which stood a throne.
Kiryk without a word took the place of the other.
- How do you prefer - almost muttered Commander and moved for the exit.
The others followed him, on corridor.
- So - finally began slowly Sheppard. - You and Mo you are related?
Todd looked at him.
- Something like this - he said.
- What's that? - asked the colonel.
The Wraith growled softly under his breath, unhappy.
- Her grandmother... she adopted me at the beginning of the war. I belong to a family, but we are not biologically related.
- You are her... foster uncle - he said, as always cheerful.
- You could say that - said Starburst and stopped in front of one of the doors.
These slid open to reveal the room in which he stood only a table and a few chairs. All made of the same organic material as the whole hive.
The Atlantis team entered.
- I ordered to bring you something to eat - Commander said and closed the door, then looked at his officer. - You bet on watch drones. It's better that they do not prowl around the board - he said and walked away.
The Wraith did not even had time to answer.
So, he touched only the control panel, blocking the door, and went on his way.
Sheppard glanced at the door, when intro his ears reached this quiet, although a disturbing sound. He went to the panel, but this did not respond.
- This rat shut us - he said and looked at the others. - McKay?
- I'm going, I'm going - he said, a little irritably. - I will try to open it - he added, reaching into a backpack for his laptop. - But it might take - he noted.
- Do not rush. And so we must wait for Mo.
- Everything on their ship is organic? - Hovich asked, stroking his fingers table.
Only she carefully watched a room, studying every detail. The others began to sit on the chairs... touching these organic structures with some anxiety, and even disgust.
- Most of the stuff - Teyla said.
- Amazing technology… Their knowledge of the genetic manipulation of these organisms, it must be fascinating… And these shapes ... Have you noticed that many elements of their clothes and things refers to the Iratus shapes?
- Somehow I do not specifically thought about it - said Sheppard. - You're new here, but please, believe me that your... fascination of the Wraith over quickly... Especially when one of them will try to feed on you - he added with a mischievous smile.
- I am aware of this risk, colonel Sheppard - she said calmly. - And do not like it differs from the observations of predators on Earth. In any case, there is a risk that the object of observation attack... It's an occupational hazard, every scientist working in the field.
- We'll talk at the end of the day, doctor Hovich. When you will find out, that the Wraith are not like Mo... She's like... home kitten... The others are a bunch of hungry lions.
The doctor smiled only slightly.
- You trying to intimidate me?
- I'm trying you realize, that you are no longer in your cozy office.
- I mean, already on the field, colonel, and I assure you that the Goa'ulds are probably just as nasty as the Wraith.
- It remains to be seen - he just muttered and sat on one of the chairs.
Hovich wanted to add something... but she stopped herself.
.
.
Teal'c as the last passed through the stargate, and after a while the tunnel is closed.
After more than a day spent in the field, the whole SG-1 team were greeted with a warm welcome inside Atlantis.
The Commander of the station went to them slowly up the stairs.
- The expedition was a success? - asked, as always polite, Woolsey.
- I think so... - said Jackson.
- And only you - Mitchell muttered.
The man looked at him askance.
- I was not complaining - Vala said.
- Because you the whole day lounging in the sun - continued the colonel.
- You too could do so, instead of wandering in the woods - she talk back and looked at Woolsey. - He is angry, because he ran into some pit, and we had to pull him back - she snorted.
- It was a trap - he growled.
Daniel turned back to Richard.
- In any case, these ruins is a mine of knowledge... I gladly will go there again... with another team - muttered at the end, throwing them a meaningful glance.
Mitchell wanted to say something, but Carter was faster.
- How's your team?
- That's right, I start to worry a little - he said. - They had to check in fifteen minutes ago.
- They are certainly a lot of fun - Colonel waved. - And certainly better than I do - he muttered. - Especially women... you know, SHOPPING - he pointed out with amusement last word.
Carter gave him a grim look.
- What's that supposed to mean?
- Nothing. Such a joke.
- Joke? Really?
- Really - he began to explain.
Woolsey shook his head in resignation, stop paying attention to this argument and started back up the stairs.
- I hope they're okay - he said to himself. - And have fun better than I do.
.
.
The young woman came hesitantly into the hatchery, carrying a tray of food and drink.
She was small and rather low. Her short, dark hair seemed to be in a slightly rumpled, contrasting with the creamy colored tunic and trousers.
She glanced quickly around the room slightly slanted eyes.
Wraith walked along the wall there and back, with his hands clasped behind his back, while the man sat
calmly next to the throne, cleaning his knife.
- Do you can sit on your ass? - almost snapped Kiryk, giving him a grim look.
Sunblaze stopped and looked at him.
- I'm bored - he said.
- I can see that - replied in the same tone of the ex-runner.
The girl came up to him and cleared her throat to draw his attention. He looked at her.
- Commander ordered to bring you a meal - she said politely.
Kiryk smiled and thanked, receiving from her tray. There were some fruit and bread.
The girl looked with interest on the throne, and sitting in it female.
- You've never seen anything like this, right? - Sunblaze unexpectedly asked, leaning into her ear.
She almost jumped, scared. He did not even noticed when he stood behind her. She looked at him over her shoulder. His face bore a smirk.
- No, my Lord - she admitted hesitantly and again looked at the Moonlight. - Is that hurt her? These all... links in her body? - she said.
- According to her, the feeling is more akin to itch - he said. - These... links, as you called them, place on her body type of substance mitigating effects of the merger. But the whole process is very exhausting, so, after its completion, the Queen must always regain her strength... feeding on - he emphasized the last word, saying it next to her ear.
The girl jumped up again and went back to fall directly on him. This caused her even more uncomfortable... and at the Wraith amusement.
- You do not scare her - muttered Kiryk and he get up. - Do you know where led the others?
- Yes. They are not far away. I just bring them a meal.
- Can you take me there?
- Of course - she said with a slight smile and looked uncertainly at the Wraith to nod his head, then she moved into exit.
Kiryk followed her, but before he reached the door, Sunblaze jumped to him and grab one of the remaining fruit.
- You are switching to alternative food? - man snorted.
- No... I just killing time something - he said with a broad smile and stuck his sharp teeth into the fruit, going back to his place at the throne.
Kiryk shook his head in mild amusement and went out into the corridor.
He immediately guessed where the Wraith holding the other... the entrance was guarded by two armored soldiers, who had just waited for a group of worshippers leave the room. And only they.
When he came closer, drones looked at him, but did not react calmly letting him go inside. Then they closed the door behind him.
People gathered in the room looked at him with interest.
Kiryk settled into the nearest chair.
- And how was... production? - Sheppard sneered.
- I do not know... ask her - cut Kiryk.
- I'd do it, if not... two small problems at the door.
The man smiled.
- After six years, it should not surprise you that neither... nor surprise - he said.
- But it still annoys us.
- This is just understandable - he muttered, returning to his meal.
- I need to contact with Atlantis... You can talk about it with Todd? Apparently allow you to walk everywhere - said unhappy colonel said.
- I will tell it to him.
- How's she doing? - Jennifer said. - I know this is an exhaustive process.
- The readings are normal. Do not worry, Blaze check them every now and then. If something had happened, he immediately turned off by it - he assured her.
- That's good... Though, I still think, that she should have at least a day of rest... after all.
- Mo be stubborn. It is difficult to dissuade her from something, if she decides something - he said. - That's why she went to Atlantis... although the Commander was against.
- Speaking of which - interrupted Hovich, sat closer to him. - Could you tell me about them. About Mo. I have the impression that this hive is a little different from the rest. I came to this galaxy to learn more about the Wraith before... - she looked at the colonel - they completely exterminate their
- Hey. They feed on people - he protested.
- And we're animals.
- Not from a biological point of view - she knocked firmly and again looked at Kiryk. - You agree?
- Are you a historian?
- Xenobiologist... I study...
- I know what that means - he muttered, interrupting her. - It's like irony, but most of my knowledge I
won at the Wraith... When they stop treat you like the food... they are sometimes even friendly - he added with a grin snappy.
- I did not mean to offend you - she said apologetically, and immediately she said with enthusiasm: - That's why I'm interested in your opinion. It should be the most objective. You were a runner and now they treat you like a member of the crew.
- Only one hive... and that's the difference.
- But still is a very interesting change of perspective perception of them.
- But always human perspective. The more detailed information you should rather turn to Mo... or Blaze - he suggested.
- I already spoke with Mo, but she not all of my questions wanted to answer - she complained.
Kiryk smiled.
- It should not surprise you. She does not know you... Overall, she is very open to contacts with people, but she knows the boundaries... You must be patient.
- It's not a matter of patience... But time... I was sent here only for a month.
- For a month, a lot can happen - he said mysteriously.
For a moment there was silence. Kiryk noted, however unpleasant look Ronon. He raised his eyebrows slightly.
- Yes?
The others looked at Satedan. He sat in his chair with his arms folded across his chest.
- I still do not understand how you can work for them - almost growled. - They are Wraith. They hunted for you to fun.
Kiryk straightened.
- And why did you work together with a... Todd?
- Only occasionally... In the last resort.
- I also work with them only occasionally... if they themselves ask for it - he said calmly.
- But you live in a hive.
- I lived - corrected him. - And that's just for your own safety. For some time now I live on one planet... And as for our cooperation... Well, when I saw you last time, I smacked it to anyone who suggested, that I work with Wraith... But on the other side of the stargate I met Mo, and suddenly everything changed. I never even came to my mind, that before the Wraith hunters will save me another Wraith... And even more altruistically. She just kicked their ass and went on.
- You should go the other way.
Kiryk smiled.
- But the gates were in the same direction that she was going - he sneered. - I have found that they, too, are like people: they are better and worse among them... After all, they also have our genes - he added sarcastically.
- The Wraith are Wraith. There is no better or worse.
- Think and tell yourself what you want, I do not care. The rest of the Wraith does not interest me. But the crew of this particular hive I will not let you insult - he said gravely. - I know them almost two years and to be honest, now I trust them more than you all... You surprised by how little our differences. People and Wraith... And what I learned about them... Well, it's very have changed your point of view - he added mysteriously.
- What do you mean? - said Sheppard.
Kiryk smiled corner of his mouth.
- Let me just say that what we know about the Wraith from remittances is not only one side of the coin, but only a small part of it... On the Mo hive I get to know the Wraith, who has ten thousand years holding a photograph of a man with whom he worked before the war... Blaze, which I would have no hesitation entrusted my life... Or their Commander, whose other Wraith would eviscerate alive if they knew to what research he allows his scientists. - A man got up from his chair and took a tray of food in hand. - On the a matter of fact, you do not know anything about the Wraith - he said and moved for the door.
- And suddenly you become their fan? - Ronon sneered.
Kiryk stopped and looked over his shoulder.
- No... I still despise them for what they do... But not all... The knowledge I got at the them, let me look for it from a different perspective - he said calmly and touched the panel.
The door slid open a moment, revealing one of the soldiers prepared to fire a rifle. However, the sight of a man he lowered the gun, allowing him to leave.
- It was interesting - almost snorted Sheppard.
- Rather scary - McKay muttered. - They did him some brainwashed or something?
Doctor Hovich looked at them.
- A not occurred to you that he is right? What we know about the Wraith, is only a collection of myths, a brief account Lanteans and our guesses... And what if the truth is for us to just uncomfortable?
They did not answer.
A woman grabbed her bag and walked to the door, touching the control panel. And this time out waiting for a soldier ready to shoot.
- I need to talk to him - she said, crossing the threshold, but she right away stopped when drones launched a rifle. She looked at the man. - Mr. Kiryk! - she shouted. He stopped and looked at her. - Please. I'd wanted to finish our conversation! - she explained.
- Let go her! On the my responsibility! - he said to the soldiers.
Holding a gun drones pulled away, letting the woman go. She ran quickly to the man.
- Thank you.
He did not answer. He entered only into the hatchery.
Sunblaze still sitting on the platform of the throne... or actually almost lay on it, with his legs stretched out and propped up on one elbow. He looked at them with interest.
- Oh, you brought me a snack - he said with a broad smile and almost jumped up from his place. - How nice of you.
Hovich did not react at first, but when a young Wraith walked toward her from the predatory eyes... she hesitated and stopped.
- You stop fooling around - muttered calmly Kiryk. - I'm sorry. Apparently he is today the day on frightening people.
- Oh... - murmured the doctor, relieved.
- Who said I'm kidding - the pilot continued, stopping in front of her.
The woman opened her eyes wide, confused.
- Blaze - reminded him stoically man.
The Wraith grimaced and turned on his heel, returning to his seat.
- You begin to resemble the Commander - he pointed out to him the way. - Can not even joke - he growled under his breath.
- You're scaring her.
- And that was the point - he said with a meaningful glance and gesture of the hand.
- Well, you find yourself another game.
- But this I like - he said with a broad laugh, showing his sharp teeth.
Kiryk shook his head in resignation.
- As a small child - muttered, sighing heavily and sat down on the platform. - Doctor Hovich have some questions for you - he told him.
These words were interested in some of the young Wraith. He looked at the woman.
- What questions? - he raised some eyebrows.
- Nothing that would exceed your ability of reasoning - man sneered.
- Ha, ha, ha. Very funny - talk back the Blaze.
This time it Kiryk grinned.
.
.
Sheppard turned back to the screen that appeared Woolsey's face.
- Colonel. We began to worry.
- We had... an unexpected change of plans.
- I can see that...
- But do not worry, everything is under control - assured him instantly officer. - We just popped in for a little visit to Todd... By the way, it turned out that Mo really have such on name... It some diminutive.
- Yes, I know.
- Since when? - he asked surprised.
- From yesterday.
- She told you?... Suddenly it turns out that everybody knows except me - he protested.
- Maybe if you did not insist so...? - Woolsey suggested.
- It does not matter - muttered John, unhappy.
He wanted to have something to add, when the back of one of the officers Wraith turned to his superior.
- Commander, I'm picking up a hyperspace window - he informed him. Starburst approached him. - This is another hive - he added after a moment, watching intently reading.
- Whose?
The officer looked back to the desktop.
- Mo - he said. - ...They call us.
Todd growled softly under his breath and looked at Sheppard and Woolsey.
- I'm sorry, but you must finish this lovely conversation - he said, and broke the connection.
A human face on the screen disappeared, and after a while instead of the Wraith's face appeared.
- Where is she? - Skyfall growled.
- She is fine - Starburst assured calm tone. - But she is now a little... busy.
- Yes, I've heard - he interrupted, without changing his tone of voice. - I want to talk to her. Personally... Wake her. I'll be there soon - he said and hung up.
Todd growled again, unhappy, and Sheppard raised some eyebrow at him.
- Nice guy - he sneered, pointing his thumb off the screen.
The Commander gave him a grim look.
- You'd better get back to your own, John Sheppard... He will be also nice to you, when he finds out, that you are from Atlantis - he said mockingly.
- Good point - said the colonel and moved toward the door.
Starburst looked at his First Officer.
- Bring him here - he said. - And then you all go out.
The officer was not happy about it, but he nodded and went out into the corridor.
He knew well enough Skyfall, to be aware, that a confrontation with him now, when he was angry... will be unpleasant.
.
.
Samantha Carter came into office.
A balding man with glasses looked at her, taking a break from his laptop.
- I heard that Sheppard's team went on Todd's hive.
- Yes... We were just talking when came another hive, and they broke the connection - he explained calmly. - Apparently, it was a Mo hive...
- Yes, I know.
The man looked at her questioningly, raising some eyebrows.
- Vala was around - she explained.
- I understand - he said. He did not need any more explanation. - In any case, the moment I see no need for that, but I instructed colonel Lorne, that his team was ready... just in case.
- Our team also reports its readiness... Just in case... We have a lot of experience in similar situations.
- Thank you, colonel Carter.
She smiled slightly and turned on his heel, but stopped in the doorway.
- Do you think it would work? - she said and added right away: - Cooperation with Mo... And I'm not talking only about the retrovirus, but in general.
Woolsey sighed, wondering for a moment.
- On one hand, I have fear, after our experience with Todd and Michael... but on the other... We've never met Wraith like she... And that's also slightly worrying - he added.
- I understand... I feel the same.
- I think we all have this feel - he said with slight amusement. - Her person seriously wavered in our representation of this species.
- Exactly - almost muttered a woman with a slight smile and left.