Chapter 27
War crimes - part 2.
"…Queen Nightwind came to the bridge her hive, completely ignoring the officers, who at her sight stood almost at attention.
- Where is Moonlight? - she asked ominously her Commander. - Just do not tell me that in the engine room, because I right now come back from there - she said before he could utter a word. - Does anyone in this hive is able to tell me where my daughter! - she almost yelled.
For a moment there was dead silence. Everyone present on the bridge Wraith afraid to speak, for fear of confrontation with furious Queen.
- From yesterday dock leave only one ship - finally began hesitantly Second Navigator. Nightwind looked at him coldly, with a look demanding specifics. - Skyrim he had to deliver cargo on Stellarguardian...
- When he flew away? - she interrupted him.
- With an hour ago...
- Immediately contact with him - she ordered.
- Yes, My Queen - officer nodded meekly and quickly began dialing a command. - He not responding, My Queen - announced her second navigator.
- And what with the localizer?
- Off - he said, and looked at her with some apprehension.
He could swear, that Nightwind until flushed with anger. She pursed her lips and looked at her First Officer.
- You order all our ships to fly immediately to the Hyanivis - she ordered. - Let them prepare for a possible combat with human ships. Starwalkers may have some in orbit.
- Yes, My Queen - nodded his head officer.
Communications officer immediately sent her orders to other ships from the Nightwind fleet, and the Second Navigators prepared her hive to jump into hyperspace and after a few minutes greenish gate opened before them. The ship turned toward them with accompanying him three cruisers, to quickly disappear inside the tunnel.
.
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Skyrim just finish transfer obtained previously life force to his supervisor, while when Mo upheld Wraith Commander all the time. Some wounds on his body healed, but the more serious was still visible. With such serious injuries, both external and internal, for Skyfall will be have to something more than the life force of two humans - they both knew it.
In truth, he regained consciousness, but he still barely prevailed over his own body. Return with him to the fighter will be difficult... a lot difficult.
The Wraith officer looked first at a young engineer, then as a female.
- What are you doing here? - he managed with difficulty, worried.
He wanted to get up, but every movement gave him pain. He propped himself up on his hands.
- Save your strength - Moonlight said, grabbing him by the shoulders.
- Get out of here, immediately - he snapped.
- Without you two, we is not going anywhere...
- This is not a request, but ordered - he did not change the tone, getting up to look hard into her eyes.
The sight of his wounded face made her pain and infirmity gripped her throat and stomach. She could not help him. In truth, she could share with him their vital forces, but then Skyrim would be the only one The Wraith capable of fighting and effort. And they have yet to return to a fighter.
So, she took the most serious face, on which she now could afford and look at him as stubbornly.
- We are not flew here to the leave you both - she said firmly, and she wanted to get up, but Skall grabbed her by the arm.
- You do not understand - he said more calmly, and his eyes saddened. - There is no longer whom save, Mo.
The female sat back on the floor, looking up at him incredulously. Those words sounded such ominous, that she with all her might repel from each other that thought.
- Icestorm? - almost whispered finally Skyrim.
The officer glanced at him, then back to the female.
- I'm sorry Mo, but your father is dead - he said sadly and apologetically at the same time.
After all, he promised her that they will be cautious. That they both come back... alive.
But she said nothing. She could not utter a word. She looked only at Skyfall blankly, and her eyes more and more overlap mist of tears, which finally ran down on her cheeks.
Now it's the sight of her face ripped his heart.
- I'm sorry. I did not keep my word - he said finally.
- What happened? - asked Skyrim, but now probably it did not matter.
One of the oldest and most experienced officers Wraith is dead. This was a serious blow to their communities.
Skyfall looked at him.
- They put on the gate device informing them of their activation - he started. - They shot down a fighter as soon as he left us in the mountains. We thought it would convince them, that that was all... But we were wrong. They sent up in the mountain all the patrols and a few hours later they caught us... At first, they kept us together, but then took your father - he looked on Moonlight, but she still did not seem to react to the outside world, lost in despair. - Questioned both of us a long time and finally they took him to the main square, tied to a pole and... - he paused for a moment. - I saw his eyes how they shot to him like for target practice... and after began to celebrate - he hissed through his teeth, angry, and looked sharp on Skyrim. - You have to run. Before they realize that you're here. I will be just slowing you two. So, take a Mo and run away...
- I will not leave you here - female suddenly said, firmly, and put his arm on the her neck. - I will not let them kill you - she said and began get up, but his weight hampered her.
Skyrim immediately confirmed the officer on the other side, help him up.
- Mo...
- Shut up - she scolded him. - Today you listening me - she snapped and nodded at friend.
They walked to the door.
A young engineer looked cautiously out. Street was still empty, and the soldiers celebrate in the main square.
- Empty - he said, and was just to move on, when Mo suddenly stopped and looked up. - What happened? - he asked worried.
- Hiveships - she said. - Four... and cruisers... My mother fleet - she said at the end.
This fact worried her even more, than the problem from getting to fighter. Nightwind probably be furious, that her own daughter had disobeyed her order.
A moment later, she felt, that her mother looking her for thoughts.
But she could not see the relief, which appeared on the Queen's face, when she found her daughter.
- She lives - in the voice of the Queen also clearly stood out relief. However, soon after Nightwind again took imperious look and tone. - Send out all...
- My Queen, one of the cruisers and all squadron from our hive set off to the planet - interrupted her one of the officers, reviewing incoming data quickly. - They had received orders from the surface.
- Moonlight - said the Queen. - Send the other fighters - she finished the order. - They must be in trouble if she calls support.
The First Officer, without a word made her command.
On the surface a young female looked at her friends.
- I have called cruiser and fighters. They'll be here soon... You wait here, inside - she added and removed Skyfall arm from her neck.
- Where are you going? - almost growled officer, grabbing her arm when she exceeded the threshold.
- Starwalkers soon realize, that they are being attacked, and will be turmoil... I'll look father. I will not leave him here - she said and walked out into the street, throwing the hood over his head.
- Mo, wait! - he called after her, but she did not react. - Go after her - he said to Skyrim.
- But...
- I said go - he snapped.
A young engineer sighed.
- Could you two once decide on one version - he said, and gave his superior a weapon.
- Do not be to smart, but keep eye on her.
- I'm coming, I'm coming - he mumbled and also throwing the hood over his head, walked out of the building.
Above the village right now sounded a siren's and in the windows of buildings began to light up the light. Residents of the colony woke up, plucked from a dream, begin in a hurry to leave their homes, looked in the dark sky.
Celebrating until now soldiers, now ran on the main street, starting direct everyone to the shelter in the largest building.
Someone began to climb on roofs, to sit behind the massive guns, getting ready to fighters attack, the others moved to the armory.
In this all fuss Moonlight still went to the main square, completely ignoring the surrounding chaos. Even here she sees a stone column about which was talking Skyfall... and hanging there figure.
One of the running in the opposite direction soldiers grabbed her arm, turning face to him. How was his surprise when, instead of the expected human face, first he saw the light glowing eyes, and then face the Wraith.
The female growled and quickly reached for the knife. A man groaned, when the blade was stuck in his chest, and then was taken out. Mo knew exactly where to push, to death was quick and quiet. Not waiting, she walked away, while soldier first fell to his knees and then forwards.
Coming from the back Skyrim looked only on lying soldier and quickened the pace, caught up with the female only a few meters in front of a stone column.
- Mo, let's go - he said, grabbing her arm.
- You had protect Skall - she snapped, freeing herself from his grasp.
- He told me to keep eye on you.
- I can handle myself, but he is seriously injured - she said, and moved on, slowing with each step.
Her heart pounded harder and harder, and some invisible force was clutching her throat and stomach as she was approaching the figure hidden in the gloom, hanging from the column on his hands, fettered with rope. The head and long white hair hung limply down. And when Moonlight stopped right in front of the body, she could see plenty of holes in Icestorm clothing, which left a metal bolts, which Starwalkers used, shooting to him.
She covered her mouth with her hand, trying to hold back a cry of despair... but it did not stop the tears. With a trembling hand she touched the leg of her father. She could not believe, that anyone is capable of such cruelty.
First bit, and then tied to a pole and used as target practice - Wraith female had never met with such bestiality. And humans them call monsters, she thought, and anger grew in her with each new second.
Somewhere on the side corner of her eye, she saw a rope tied to a pole on which hung Icestorm. She cut it with a knife one swift motion and the limp body hurtled down.
She immediately fell to her knees next to, reverse her father on his back and brush away shaking hand hair from his face.
This, what she saw, she had seen before... in her dream: scarred, bloodied face.
She did not even know when the area sounded her scream, drowning in her ears all the other noises. And when her screams fell silent, she looked through her tears on the running on the street panicked humans. But the sound still not reached to her ears.
From one of the roofs have fallen just the first shots in the direction of incoming fighters.
Moments later, the rest of the guns fired.
Moonlight looked for a moment on the exchange of fire, and then turned her attention back to the street.
At the same time, to see the approaching toward her four armed soldiers.
- Take them alive - ordered one of them. - It's a female. She is valuable for the Wraith.
Skyrim turned in the same direction and raised his Starwalkers rifle, ready to fire, when suddenly one of the fighters fired into the approaching men.
And when the clouds of ground fell, after the soldiers not remained even a trace.
Young Wraith looked at Mo.
He had never seen her like this. Her wide-open eyes, pursed lips... every bit of her face beat furiously as she sat on the ground, holding in her arms the father body.
He was even able to swear, that she is a whole trembled.
- Destroy them - she said unnatural, throaty voice. - All of them. Without mercy. Let they serve the Wraith as a food.
Skyrim looked up.
Fighter squadron flew just over the main street, leaving behind a masked Wraith soldiers.
He knew that now it Mo appears commands all around, directing drones to buildings and machines to fight. And he knew, that now is best to leave her alone.
Confrontation with furious Wraith female was the last thing he would wanted.
So he stood there, watching for any of the Starwalkers did not try to kill her, while the darkness of the night pierced the sounds of humans screams, shots and Wraith fighter engines.
He stood, watching as Mo all time covers her father body, sitting under a stone column on the ground, in the full silver moon light..."
.
...Moonlight looked down, barely holding back the tears with welled in her eyes.
She did not know what made her more pain: the memory of her father or of all those humans, who become that night food for her brothers.
- ...Harvest lasted until morning - she said at the end. - And when we finished, in the whole colony not stay even one adult human, and all the buildings were destroyed… In the meantime arrived two Starwalkers ships, but at the sight of four hiveships they did not even try to fight.
- You see, she confessed - Larrin snapped. - For the death one Wraith she ordered kill nearly two thousand civilians. Only a handful children surviving.
Richard Woolsey looked at the woman.
- I understand you bitterness - he said calmly. - But truth be told, in part, I also understand her behavior. Truth be told, the human history is full of such stories. And the wars, which have taken an thousands of lives, broke out of the more trivial reasons.
- You excuse her? - said indignantly Larrin. - She just confessed to genocide.
- One of the thousands that have taken place in this galaxy for the last ten thousand years, during the Wraith harvest. For you this is a crime... for people living on a planet, almost… everyday.
- But we will not tolerate such crimes - said another voice from the back.
Already graying, dressed in a long, dark blue tunic woman who came into the room during the story of Mo, now moved closer to the bars.
- No, while I still have something to say. This female is responsible for the death of my family and hundreds of other people from that colony - she pointed with her stick on the Moonlight. - She'll pay for what she did - she said, looking directly at her.
But Mo not answer, still sitting on the bench. She knew, that any argument, no matter how logical, it will be rejected by these women. Left her only hope, that those, who will her judged, will be less eager for revenge.
- This female saved your life - said a man's voice suddenly.
Woolsey did not even notice when the elder, a tall man entered the room. He was wearing a two-piece uniform with dark, thick material.
- I'm Ke'nall, Marysa brother - he introduced himself with a slight smile and nodded in the direction of Woolsey.
The Atlantis Commander said the same thing.
- What are you talking about? - demanded explanations Larrin.
- Your grandmother was only six years old and she remembers most of the stories of our mother...
- So there, survived someone adult? - interjected Richard.
- Yes. My mother and a few other...
- But almost two thousand were killed - Marysa snapped. - Also our father.
- No - he said with a mysterious solemnity and sadness at the same time. - Our father did not die at the hands of the Wraith. He was killed by his Commander - he said and looked at Woolsey. - I was almost fifteen years, and I remember that day. Our device, installed on the gate, detects their activation. Rangers left high in the mountains told us about a single Wraith fighter. They shot down him, but moments before fighter had something dematerialize. So, the captain ordered, that all the troops went on the a search. Round-up lasted all night. I think that the Wraith did not have much chance, because our people have a tracker animals, which we stumbled upon this planet... They brought their early in the morning, chained... I do not know what it was about, but after a few hours, my father came home clearly angry. He was looking for something, and then left in a hurry. I followed him to the headquarters of communication. I watched him through the side window. At one point come the captain and they started to argue. My father wanted to inform our, that we capture two Wraith and how they are treated. He said: "You do not interrogate them, only torturing. Just for fun." …The captain claimed, that the he wants first pull from Wraith some useful information, but my father did not believe him. So ,when he came to the communication device, the captain stuck a knife in the back. Then he ordered his men to take the body and told my mother that one of the Wraith killed him, trying to escape...
- Why did not you tell me then? - Marysa surprised.
The man looked at her apologetically.
- I was afraid. I was afraid of him, and what he could do to our family... You were too young to know about it, but the captain had a bad reputation. He liked to drink and get into a fight. My father once told our mother, that because it the Command sent him to that planet. They wanted to get rid of him, because he made only problems, and in the space this is dangerous… And he took it as degradation and was angry because of it - he looked on the Woolsey. - I have seen what the soldiers did at those Wraith, especially her father - a gesture of his head he pointed on sitting in the cell a female. - I have never met with such cruelty. I have heard, that the Wraith can regenerate their wounds, but those two were so long beating, that they were no longer able to do that. Their internal injuries had to be even worse than outside... And then soldier tied her father to a stone pillar and started shooting to him. First, from energy weapons, then on the metal balls... Some people tried to protest, that it was not can be. That children can see it... But the captain and his men were so drunk, that they told them to go home. And for those, who still protested, they started threatening weapon. So they went... What they had to do.
There was a dead silence, which was interrupted only Larrin.
- It still does not excuse her actions - she pointed a finger on the Moonlight.
Ke'nall looked at the young woman.
- Honestly? When I look at it in retrospect, I think that in her place I would have done the same thing, if I was found such mutilated body my father's... Trust me, honey, and so beaten human being to death in a few hours... Her father lasted all day... I think he died hour before the Wraith attack... I know, because I was there at the time - he looked at Mo. - I wanted to give him water. I did not know, that he did not need it. He smiled slightly and thanked... He was calm... I remember as I was surprised by his calm and gentle look. In the stories of elderly, Wraith were like rabid beasts... and he... he just smiled. - For a moment he looked straight into the eyes of the female. - You got his look. So calm and gentle - he added.
From Moonlight eyes streamed the tears, though she tried very hard to make it not happen. But the memories and emotions were stronger than the art of control over them, which she learned since childhood.
- I still do not understand what this has to do with us - Marysa interjected. - The fact that we survived.
The man looked at his sister.
- Together with a handful of people we hid in our basement, which father has prepared for such attack - he said. - The entrance was well hidden, so we hope, that they will not find us… One of the bricks on the street level, could be pull out and watch what happens. The rest sat silently in the corner, but I watched. I saw her and the entire attack. I even saw like one of the Wraith soldiers feed on the captain, and I enjoy it... Mother told me to push the brick. They could not listen the screams of people... All was quiet until the morning. So, I pulled out the brick again to see what happens... One of the Wraith officers ordered check again houses and basements. He said, that people are often hidden room in their homes, where they can hide during the harvest...
Mo also remembered it, but she specially did not mention about that. She knew, that for Larrin and so did not have to matter. But maybe when tell it a human who survived those harvest.
The officer about was talking Ke'nall, was Darkstone, she reminded herself…
.
"… Hive Watchmaster came just to the Skyrim and motioned his head toward on her.
It seemed to her, that she can hear their conversation from afar.
- What about her? - he asked.
A young engineer shrugged.
- I do not know. She does not react to anything - he almost said. - I only know, that she has long time ego ceased to guide soldiers and fighters. But all this time she's just sitting... Absent.
- Do you think she was crazy? - asked almost in a whisper older Wraith.
But Skyrim gave him a nasty look.
- And how would you feel if you found your father in that condition? - he growled.
- I just... No matter - he said. - Get her out of here. Soon we fly away... We search the buildings yet... Humans often have some hidden room in which they try to hide during the harvest - he said in a tone as if this idea he not very liked.
Up to now Mo ignore the conversation, and what is happening around.
She had long time ego cut off her mind from the outside world, and this what she had seen, seemed to be more like an unrealistic dream, viewed in the short snapshots. But now, when dawn broke, more stimulus began finally reach to her. Voices and images became clearer... and real. At first, she just watched soldiers and some officers. And then she started to listen to their conversations... return to the living.
She did not know why she stopped gaze at that building.
He's not unusual differed from the others. At first, she just looked at him. And then, by passing soldiers, she saw a small hole just above the ground... and gazing through the restless, blue eyes. They stopped on her in this some moments, after when she saw them... and they opened wide, full of fear. Fear, that Night Fury immediately indicate on them her soldiers, and they intrude in home, taking this one to whom belong those eyes. Him and his family.
For a moment it seemed to her, even through all that noise which resounded around, that she heard a rapid heartbeat. It seemed like he was going to jump out from chest... And then heart frozen, with bated breath.
This short moment, both for her and for those blue eyes, seemed to be an very long.
- There is no one - she said, when Darkstone began to issue orders to the soldiers. Wraith officer looked at her in surprise, as a Skyrim. She moved her gaze on him. - Everyone hid in that building - a gesture on head she pointed on shelter behind her, to which ran in the night humans.
- Are you sure? - he asked calmly.
He did not doubt her abilities. She's always much better was able to detect the presence of humans than any other known to him Wraith. But the condition, in which she was most of the time, could affected on her current assessment of the situation.
She looked him straight in the eyes, taking a firm expression.
- Yes - she said, confident. - This planet is already dead as before - she said, and looked for the next few drones. - Tell them to take my father's body to my mother's hive.
Darkstone nodded to the soldiers and they lifted the Icestorm body.
Moonlight stood up with some difficulty. Sitting up all night a little stiffened her muscles. Skyrim steadied her as she swayed.
Hive Watchmaster gave telepathic orders to other soldiers who began to return to the freighter.
- Your mother wants see you two - he added.
- I guess - she muttered grimly.
Disobeying an order of the Queen, even by her own daughter, could not be tolerated.
- Oh, do not be so pessimistic. I think she is very pleased with the way you lead the attack - he told her.
But she frowned in expression of disapproval.
- It is not to be satisfied from what - she almost snapped. - Died almost two thousand humans. This is not a reason for satisfaction... There are no winners and losers... They are just lose... Because on this planet everyone has shown, that inside them is a monster - she said sadly and walked to stand behind the settlement freighter.
Wraith officer followed her, muttering something under his breath. But she was not paying attention to it now. She glanced over her shoulder on the hole in the wall of the building. Blue eyes were still there, watching her. She turned quickly eyesight, so as not to betray the one who was hiding there..."
.
… Ke'nall looked at Moonlight.
- I have long thought about what you said then - he added. - And finally, I understood the meaning of these words. We consider you as monsters, because you feeding on us... But after those events, I realized, that among the people also are monsters. - He looked at his sister. - I remember when you were standing next to me and you held my hand. And when she looked at me, I squeezed you tight, until you moan... At that moment I was sure, that they will come right after us... But she just looked at me with those big, green eyes... eyes full of sadness... and then I realized, that she suffers the loss of her father as much as we do. And that's what unites us: the pain of losing a loved one. - He paused and looked at Larrin. - I do not excuse her. I just know what she felt... Just like I know, that her death will not change anything. And maybe even cause us trouble. Do you think, that when others Wraith know that we killed her, just waved their hand on it? She is a Wraith female. The Queen... And Colonel Sheppard told me, that her grandmother is one of the most important of the Queens of the Wraith. What do you think will happen, when she finds out about this... judgment of her granddaughter's?... Based on what I saw on that planet, the family ties among the Wraith are as strong as among us. I'd do anything to hunt down the killers of my granddaughter.
- The Council already knows everything... - began Larrin.
- I'll talk to them. They are sensible, they should understand my arguments - he said calmly. - We recently lost enough people and revenge Wraith is the last thing we need... And the death of one female, after sixty years and so not help no one.
- Personally, I would prefer that there was a judgment - Marysa said. - It would be a precedent... But I also agree with my brother. The risk is too big.
- So, we let the Wraith still feel unpunished? - protested a young woman.
- If I may say something - interjected Woolsey. - I think that judgment will harm us more than you think... As you mentioned, Mo is important among the Wraith. But in contrast to the other she does not need to feed on humans. It's a natural mutation, and an amazing opportunity for us... As you know, we have long been working on a retrovirus that caused by the change... the nutritional needs of the Wraith. With varying degrees of success. But her mutation can be the key to this... Her crew, like many other, more acutely felt
a significant decrease in the human population in this galaxy. We know, that the Wraith are looking for alternative sources of food... but so far from little success. Retrovirus may be their salvation. And that is why Mo come to us.
- She wants a retrovirus for her crew? - Larrin was surprised.
- Exactly... What more. She can help us convince other Wraith to this idea... So, you can see, that living she can be much more useful.
- Do you will tell that our Council? - Ke'nall said. - It might convince them more than my words.
- Of course - Richard nodded. - Without her our research can again get stuck in place for a long time. I am willing to talk with anyone it will be necessary, as long as you would let her go... And in the meantime, can you let her out from cell? - he asked Larrin. - These preventive measures are not really necessary. Besides, she flew here to help in the repair of my people, so keep her here is just a waste of time, that she can spend on repairs.
- You vouches after her? - she asked a little surprised.
- My own head - he asserted calmly, though he really hoped that she did not realize how much he is upset.
Larrin looked at Mo.
- My men all the time will be keep eye on you - she said dryly. - One false move, and they will shoot.
- I understand - said calmly female, nodding her head slightly.
The woman did not answer. Just touched the control panel and the metal grating jumped to the side. Moonlight came out, all the time measured by Larrin contemptuous look. She could feel her anger perfectly. And she knew very well, that if it were up to this woman, she would have been dead a long time ago. Without playing in judgment.