Chapter 22
You scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours.
Starburst stopped at the chamber in which he ordered the closure Sheppard team.
Two soldiers immediately came down out of the way. The door opened and collected in the midst people looked at him.
He looked around. They were the only humans with Atlantis - that's good, he thought. Although he was not sure if he could talk freely with the new doctor.
- Apparently, you wanted to talk with me about the Grey Council, John Sheppard - he said.
- Yes... I was advised that I should speak with you in this issue. Apparently you can contact us with them, because you belong to the Clan of this Queen, which we worked two months ago. So you get better connections... You probably remember. Lantean station with the inter-dimensional bridges generator… which you blew up.
- It is not we - he assured him calmly. - The turned to self-destruct program...
- Let's say I believe you... But never mind... Vi said, it was out of this whole Grey Council we should talk about the retrovirus.
Wraith grinned corner of his mouth.
- And you think that THEY will want to talk with you about it? - he snorted. - About mass conversion the Wraith in... I do not know in what.
- But you want to do it yourself - colonel reminded him. - And you even taken the first steps.
- And I come out badly on this - he growled.
- Yes, I remember... We help you how we could.
- Somehow... strange coincidence… your help always not do the best for me ends - he said teasingly.
- I could say the same about you - replied in the same tone Sheppard.
The Wraith Commander smiled.
The others listened in silence throughout the conversation.
- I suppose you probably will want something in return - the colonel went on calmly.
- The Queen, about we're talking, belongs to Grey Council - said calmly Starburst. - But for now... let's say that I slightly undermined her confidence... But if we play it right, we can both gain a lot.
- I feel trouble... but go ahead.
- The Queen wants to meet with the new Primary.
Everyone, even the Wraith, look at Teyla, waiting for her answer. A woman sighed.
- I'll try to play my part as best - she almost muttered, though she did not look pleased.
- The problem is, that this time it will not be that easy - continued Starburst. - Queens from the Grey Council are the oldest Wraith Queens. They know the genealogy of each Queen... as the one under which the impersonated Teyla. Besides, their minds are stronger than younger Queens. If they sense that something is wrong... no problem will break your resistance.
- But you have a plan? - Sheppard said sarcastically.
Wraith looked again at the colonel.
- This is one person who can help us. Prepare adequately Teyla for her role... She knows the genealogy of Queens as well as the Council.
There was silence, but everyone thought about what he says Todd.
Sheppard could not believe what he was hearing.
- You quite mad! We have to tell her, that Teyla pretend your Queen! - he pointed toward the door. - It is better to immediately shoot us all. You said, that her grandmother was some head honcho among the Wraith. There will be places in the galaxy, in which we will be able to hide when it will release.
- That's why we need her help - Starburst continued calmly. - If the Queen wants to meet with Teyla as Primary, may also be on it and the rest of the Grey Council. And Mo is the only person who can prepare her for this meeting.
- And you think, that after what you did to her, she generously to help you? - snorted Sheppard.
Starburst smiled mysteriously.
- Do not know her like I do. Managed by her this same logic, what our ancestors... She's mad at me, it is true, but common sense will take in her up... Otherwise she would long ago taken revenge on you for the death of her mother and others, John Sheppard - he added with a hint of irony. - … Besides, I get the impression that she is considering seriously the issue of a retrovirus. She is very interested in it, so she'll
understand why I did it. She knew the previous Primary, and knows that she would never agree on our plan.
The colonel did not answer. He seemed to think about it all, just looking intently at his friend.
- I will be not risk Teyla life - he said finally. - If this Queen is as you say, the risk is too great.
- Are the Primary I can propose to the Council a plan of retrovirus? - asked Athozian woman.
- Teyla...
- This could be our only chance, John - she interrupted him. - The Grey Council is obviously the highest authorities of the Wraith. If they even take into account our plan, it has a much better chance than in the case of a small alliance Primary.
- You're risking your life - he said, leaning toward her. - You have a son...
- I'm doing it just for him... and for other children in the galaxy. To more none of them not have to be afraid that the Wraith feed on their parents - she said firmly, looking him straight in the eye. After a moment, she looked at Todd. - Are you sure that Mo will be able to teach me everything?
- Yes... What's more, I think it will be good if two of you will go to the meeting. Then the Queen will be less suspicious - he said.
- Why? - Ronon said.
- Because she is her grandmother...
- Great! There are yet some revelations, which you forgot to mention us?... As usual - pointed out by John.
- The Queen with we worked, is grandmother Mo? - McKay said.
- Yes - Todd said calmly.
- That means... Oh boy - he moaned and leaned back in his chair.
- What does it mean? - Sheppard said.
- That Todd is uncle Mo - Jennifer said. - Referring to the human affinity - she added.
The colonel looked at the Wraith.
- Yes, I know it - he muttered. - And he using her for your dirty tricks. What species are you?
But Starburst looked at him calmly.
- After ten thousand years, observe human behavior and spend a little time on your planet I say that better than yours - he said. - You hate us for who we are, but we do not have senseless murders or rapes... Even our worshipper we treat better than you are to each other.
- And you are sneaky, not familiar with the honor life suckers.
- But yet we still cooperate... John Sheppard - he said with a small, malicious chuckle on his lips. - Why? Because the ends justify the means? Or maybe we have more in common than either side wants to admit?... You forget that the Wraith, except Iratus genes also have genes Lanteans and humans. I wonder which of these traits we inherited by your race? - he sneered.
Sheppard was to say something, outraged, but Teyla ahead of him.
- You will be yet long insult each other, or maybe we finally present Mo the case? - she huffed, irritated by their behavior.
Colonel settled back comfortably in his chair, folding his arms across his chest.
- You go for her... I prefer not be around when she gets mad - he said.
- I'll go with you - suddenly Ronon said, standing up. - Just in case... if she was mad - said with a slight smile.
- All right - said indifferently Starburst and led the way.
The door opened in front of him, letting all three go out into the hallway.
- It would end badly - said the colonel, as the door closed behind them.
- He will help us, and we him - said Hovich. - You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours... as the old proverb says.
- But the deals with Todd always ends badly.
- He also not coming out to them preferably - jokingly said Jennifer.
Sheppard looked at her grimly, but said nothing…
Going into the hatchery, Starburst felt less confident about his plan to see Mo standing at the control panel with her friends and with his first officer. He was not so sure whether the female agrees to help them... but he had no other choice.
He lately often is himself repeated, he notice in his mind.
He came to them a calm pace.
They glanced at him.
- Both series soldiers promise to be very well - informed him immediately Bullseye, clearly pleased.
- It was supposed to be a compliment? - said sarcastically Moonlight.
- ...Something like that - he said with a slight smile and went back to analyze the data.
This expression... a sense of humor with his old friend, a little surprised Starburst. He noted that the Wraith completely ignored the taunts of Mo, and even seemed to like to joke with her.
Commander never previously noticed that his first officer so behave. And they have known each other for ten thousand years.
- Very well - almost muttered and looked at the other two. - Can you leave us alone?
Everyone, even Bullseye, looked at him in surprise.
The officer immediately guessed what was going on, and without a word, nodded slightly, and then left the chamber.
Blaze and Kiryk do the same.
- I have a feeling that this is serious - said female. - You want me permanently employ to produce a soldiers? - she joked.
- No... It's about something else - he said.
Mo looked at Ronon, slightly confused what can want from her three of them.
- You see... arose some... thing... - began Starburst, although he did not know how to say it.
- Maybe it's better I'll explain it to her - calmly suggested Teyla.
- I'm starting to be afraid - said Mo, looking at them suspiciously.
- Believe me, that after all I'll be more scared of you - said the woman and began slowly to explain her whole thing.
She talked about how began their collaboration to spread among the Wraith retrovirus. As Todd for a long time pretended, that his Queen is still alive and how she, Teyla Emmagan, became the Queen then took place Primary.
Moonlight listened attentively, although her expression troubled little Teyla. She was not sure if the female in a moment not explode with fury.
On her last words Mo stared in disbelief at the Starburst.
- You killed her?... Are you crazy?!... Do you know what others do with you, if the issue arises!
- It will issue not if you will not tell anyone - soothed her Teyla.
Mo gave her a stern look.
- I do not have anyone to talk about your scheming - she almost snapped. - My grandmother can easily scan your mind... human.
- That's why I want you to prepared her for this meeting... - began Commander.
- You want, you want... I also would much wanted - she hissed, clearly angry.
Starburst first heard in her voice Wraith Queens typical note disdain for others. Disdain and pride. Even her eyes reminded him that he still has to deal with the female Wraith.
Even then, on the bridge, her voice was softer.
May be she is a Protheu, he thought, but the way her upbringing as a future Queen, has just made itself known.
And he knew her well enough to know that this means that Mo is really very upset.
- Only you can do it - she said Teyla, still calm. - Todd said that you are familiar with...
- I do not want to have with your conspiracy nothing - she snapped, pulling up his face to hers.
- Get away from her... Wraith - Ronon growled, eloquently putting his hand on his gun.
Mo looked at him.
- You think I'm scared of your toys, Ronon Dex? - she said with a hint of disdain. - I had such a long time before you were born. - She again looked at Teyla. - I have enough my own troubles. And... arrest warrant on me of Grey Council is definitely not this about which I dream.
For a moment she stared hard into Athozian women eyes. Emmagan felt a stabbing her shudder.
A female Wraith then threw last, grim look Commander and started toward exit.
Teyla wanted to follow her, but Todd grabbed her arm.
- Leave her, I'll talk to her - he said.
- Do you think she'll listen you? We'll be lucky if she does not betray us... I could feel her anger. I think she could hardly refrain from turning our necks... all of us - she stressed the last word.
- I know, I also felt it... That's why it would be better if I talk to her - he said calmly. - Go back to your chamber. It is better that no one soldier was accidentally shot you, thinking that you escaped - he added with a touch of irony and a small smile on his lips, and also left chamber.
Before leaving on the corridor he located Moonlight telepathically.
She walked quickly down the corridor, clearly angry... although the word weakly indulged her current condition, he thought.
"Wait" - he said to her telepathically, but she did not react.
"Mo, wait" - he repeated, but also this time to no avail.
So, he said in mind her full name. Annoyed, she stopped and looked back, waiting on he to catch up her.
- We do not have anything to talk about - she snapped, folding her arms across her chest.
- Not here - he said, glancing at himself and walked over to her quickly to catch the arm and introduced into one of the empty rooms. - The walls have ears, as humans say.
- Rather hive - she snorted lightly. - And the answer is still NO. I could help you with soldiers, but that's suicide... Where did you came to such a stupid plan?
- Necessity... You should understand that. After all, you went, behind the back Skyfall, to the New Lanteans to ask them for a retrovirus - he said calmly. - Which suggests that you also think of the use it on the Wraith from your hive.
She calmed down a bit.
- It seems to be our only option now - it almost snapped. - Despite support from my grandmother, they lack food. And we can always count on her generosity. The treatment is reversible. I'll try to convince them to it, if I tell them it's a temporary solution.
- And there will be temporary? - he asked curiously.
- …Who knows what the future will bring. Perhaps the retrovirus is actually the only option for the survival of our species - she said, looking him straight in the eye.
Starburst felt that her words are true. She believed in what she was saying. Like he, she also pinned high hopes on retrovirus as an alternative to the Wraith... alternative to vision of total extermination.
- You know, therefore, that what I did was the only possible solution. Removing Solarwind and replacing her by Teyla was necessary. You know her. She never agreed to a retrovirus... The mere mention of it would cost us the loss of head. Maybe if the command came from the Grey Council... but not as a draft young Queen… And the more so as my suggestion.
- Why do not you go with this for my grandmother? She is reasonable. The Council has long been looking for alternative ways of feeding the Wraith.
- Alternative, yes - he said. - But to deprive them of that - he raised his right hand - that's different. I will not risk, until I well be not sure that the treatment is safe... You know what happened last time.
- You mean your little treatment? - she snorted. - Yes, I remember. After all I took you out from the Argelum with Bullseye... To this day I do not know how the doc know where we have to look for you - she said.
- I owe him my life - he said. - Treatment was effective, but without your help... Well, let's say we do not talk now - he added with a slight smile.
- You know that you have a remarkable ability to making yourself trouble - she pointed out.
- Apparently you also - he noticed somewhat maliciously.
- Maybe it's a family - she snapped.
Starburst smiled.
- It's just that we're not related.
- In a certain sense we are all one big, loving until it hurts family - she scoffed.
- And you very well know the prevailing in her rules. Some even better than I do. You were taught that as a child, because you had become Queen... No one else, to whom I trust, not prepare Teyla better for this meeting.
Moonlight did not answer right away. For a moment she stared at him intently.
- Why do you trust me? I could tell your plans grandmother.
- But you will not. Our paths intersected often enough over the years that I could meet you. Your father had taught you the rules of the Old Code. Betraying us would be against this rules... Besides... our Bonding confirmed me in that confident.
Mo narrowed her eyes slightly.
- Did you just try to affect my compassion? - she asked sarcastically.
The Commander smiled broadly.
- Did I made it? - he asked, somewhat jokingly.
She growled softly, resigned, shaking her head.
- I well be regret it - she murmured. - When will be this meeting?
- It is not yet established, but the sooner the better.
- So, we have no more 2-3 days... Awesome - she muttered with disgust. - Well, this will be fun - she sighed.
- Thank you - he said.
Mo looked at him. She knew that they were sincere words. She could see it in his eyes.
- Do not thank me, just pray to all the gods of you known to be worked out - she said. - I have to get out of my hive few things useful to us - she said. - I know all of the details that you previously said Teyla, and she has to listen to me unconditionally. If it is to have any chance of success, she needs to start thinking like a Wraith Queen... At which of the Queens she impersonated? - she asked, glancing at him.
- Steelflower from the Silverdracon Clan, daughter Silverdesert...
- Her cruiser crashed from twenty years ago... clever - she said.
- Sheppard team met Steelflower. A human man took care of her. Unfortunately, she took the unfinished Dr. Beckett's retrovirus and she began to change into a monster... They had to kill her.
- Well, it's even better. This gives us a margin of error.
- What do you mean?
- Upbringing by human. All her... tripping, can be easily have explained... You found her and learned how to be a Wraith Queen, but the way upbringing by human has left its mark on her... We will hold this line... In fact, it suggests to me an idea - she added a slight smile. - Everyone always bemoaned to me, that I too behave like a human. That is why we say, that you asked me for help in her... restoring the Wraith community. You thought, that I would be the better teacher than the Wraith, because I preferably understand her human behavior. In this way, we both make friends... And in this way we will explain why I will accompany her to the meeting.
- Clever... But are you sure that you want to go with her? - he ask.
- This will be the best way out. Grandmother would be less suspicious, and I'll set her that Steelflower is a bit... different, so grandmother look at her gracious eye. And if she will be have blooper, I'll try to explain her somehow.
Starburst smiled.
- Apparently you did not want to have anything to do with our... scheming - he noticed teasingly.
- But if I already entangled into this, let it make any sense - she said. - Silverdracon is Blaze Clan - she said. - I have to ask him about a few things - she said and walked out into the corridor.
He caught up with me and grabbed her arm, forcing her to stop.
- You want to tell him? - he was worried.
- I trust him implicitly... And you trusted me, saying all this, so you trust me and in this aspect - she said calmly, and he released her. - In addition, the more of us to confirm the credibility Steelflower, the better for us.
- I hope you did not wrong - he said.
- If I had any doubt, I would not pulled into this Blaze - he assured him stoically. - Tell Teyla on my terms. I'll go on my hive to take the necessary things - she said and walked on down the corridor.
Starburst looked after her as she walks away.
He was not wrong about her, and he was glad that he risked pulling her into this.
He was very impressed with how easy she adds new elements to this charade, so that the whole has to be the most reliable.
Those who did not regard her as the Wraith, they were wrong, he thought.
Moonlight was thoroughbred Wraith - she just confirmed it... once again.