Chapter 34
The various reasons - part 2.
The corridor ended in a big room, like the observation deck.
Skywalker paused for a moment in the shade, in the doorway, watching for a moment Moonlight.
She stand, lean on one from the number of columns, and looking towards the ocean and distant horizon. Warm wind tore some of her hair.
She looked sad, plunged in his thoughts.
Ever since he met her, she was always cheerful, full of optimism and life... and even sarcastic. Therefore, depressed view of Mo was for him something surprising. Worst of all, he felt sorry for her.
Through her human behavior, he even did not realized, when he start to like her, and now he felt compassion for her... for the Wraith...
It was a strange feeling ... and a little disturbing... he think so - he decided.
He approached her slowly.
She even did not pay attention when he pulled up behind her.
- What's the problem? - he asked after a moment. - Now at least you will have equal rights with other Queens.
- It's not about rights - she said, not even looking at him. - Have long I got used to that, they treat me like any other Wraith... The problem is, that if the Council final confirm they decision, for me is so... - just now she turned to him, and he realized, that she was crying. Her eyes were a bit a bloodshot and swollen from tears. - ... It's as if you was suddenly locked in a small room and they told you to fill out a pile of paperwork... I will not be able to do things that I did the last two hundred years. Queens do not repair ships, and not race with other fighters. They are not sent on a missions and no escape for trips - again she looked toward the ocean. - They just sit on the hive and seem commands - she snarl.
- Does not sound too pleasant - admitted grimacing a little face.
- This is right - replied in the same tone of voice. - The same law that theoretically give the female more power... they limited them. The Queen is responsible for the entire hive or even their fleet. This is eternal leadership ... I do not want that. Let Skall shows, I prefer to repair ships.
- It might not be so bad - he tried to comfort her. - You can always stay with the old system and only on the outside to pretend otherwise ...
- It will not go, Shep - she interrupted him calmly, and turned back to him. - Not in the society Wraiths. Sooner or later everyone will treat me like a Queen. They get used to it. It is in our mentality - she said. - You can not be friends with your superiors. You go for a beer with his friends, with equal right, but not with your ... general - she said and walked slowly along the columns.
He thought for a moment, then caught up with her.
- You can not refuse?
She smiled slightly, as if he said something funny.
- From the Great War, the role of the female Wraith hive is a command ... and the role of the male serve his Queen ... I had not heard about the case, to some Queen ... abdicated, as you say.
- It must to be a first time - now he certainly joked and was pleased that his words brought with her another smile. - Besides, may be Council do it only temporarily?
But she shook her head, pausing.
- This can not be undone - she explained. - Even if they do it only because of the shortage of females, it is an irreversible decision. If the Council determines that I can be the Queen, it will be a lifetime... job. With us there is no such thing, as a dismissal of the Queen. You can degrade the male, but not the Queen ... At most, you can kill her - she added with a wry smile.
- The more I learn about Wraiths, the more I got confused - he admitted. - These all your rules... some of them just like those before hundreds of years ago on Earth.
Moonlight smiled, slightly amused.
- A bit of good manners will not hurt you - she scoffed.
He smiled and wanted to say something, when his attention turn to two upcoming Wraith.
One of them he recognized - it was Skyrim.
He met him on the Mo hive... and before on that planet, where they put the Wraith changed in people after the attack on the Nightwind hive.
Skyrim was furious when he accidentally found out, that Moonlight and others want to work with Atlantis, after what humans have done to him and others. And if not Mo intervention, a colonel probably would be dead now .
Then Sheppard first time saw and understood how much value is for Wraith friendship and trust. And how much they can respect their leader and his decisions... even if they do not agree with them...
And he also learned, that this particular hive, is directed slightly different rules than the other...
.
"- ...They used a retrovirus to us and killed your mother - Rimi growled, pointing his finger at colonel, still disguised as the Wraith, while Mo stopped him from throw up on him with fists - and you want to help them? Help to implement their mad plan to change all of us humans?... You completely out of your mind?
- Watch your mouth - Skyfall growled and approached him about the step.
On his words, the young Wraith mastered himself a bit. But Moonlight just calmly pulled her hand in the direction of the Commander, and then looked at her friend.
- I know what they did... and I still remember this - she said gently. - But I also understand their point of view. By ten thousand years Wraiths feeds on humans, as they on animals. We are a threat to them, so they try to fight with us... But the war is not anything good for both parties.
- They want us to change in someone like they - he hissed through his teeth, although it has a more calm tone. - And you want to help them?
- No - she denied calmly, spinning her head. - Not because I want a retrovirus. I did not do this anyone of us. I think you know me enough?... I just want retrovirus to deprived you all this, what is now our biggest weakness - she added, then slowly raised her hand, free from the feeding slits. - Perhaps as a temporary solution... or maybe permanently. The decision will belong to you all. But for now I see no other solution to protect you from starvation... Our supplies are running out, again, Rimi. And we do not have our own feeding grounds.
Skyrim looked at the inside of her hand and grabbed her gently, moving his thumb over the place, in which should be a long scar.
For a moment he was silent, with face look, as if he wondered about something. He knew, that in one Moonlight was right: their stocks are running out, and no one in the Invention will not allow her to re-gaining food for them.
Not her own cost.
- Clearcut wants to fine-tune a retrovirus, so that was the most safe - she went peacefully. - Please, Rimi, trust me - she said, almost pleadingly. - You know that I did not do anything, what could harm you all... Can you trust me? As a friend... not as Commander.
Only then Wraith looked at her. He was serious, but calm. He put her hand to his own chest.
- I will always trust you ... Both as a friend and as a Commander - he said, and smiled slightly. - I will not change this even your most stupid idea - he sneered, which amused her a little.
- Thank you - she said.
- One for all and all for one, remember? - he added.
- This is from "Three Musketeers" - interrupted surprised Sheppard, frowning.
Mo looked at him.
- To me it was also surprised when I found these words in your database - she said. - I know it from my father, and he from Avatars... But while taking into account the fact, that time for the Avatars is not such restriction like for us, and that they also knowing your culture, then it ceases to be so surprising.
Skyrim measured Colonel grim gaze.
- You know that they will kill you all, if it gets out? - he muttered, glancing at Mo and then at the Commander.
- Therefore, the less of us knows, the better - said calmly officer.
- None on Invention not betray your plan, sir...
- It's more about your safety - he interrupted him this some calm tone. - The less of crew know, the better for them. Nobody would be to accuse you, that you have helped us.
- With all due respect, sir, but it probably does not matter much - he said. - When managed us to get away with Hightower, I knew well, that the only safe place for me, will be this hive. hat the on all other, they would be treated me as on Battlestar: as a food... as a human. Only here does not matter what New Lanteans have done with me. For you all I am still the Wraith... because most of our crew the rest of our society does not accept... with different reason... And because only on this hive's Queen understands, what it means to be an outcast - he added, glancing with a slight smile on Mo.
- Once again you call me a Queen, and I will crush your bones - she pretend angry, thrusting her finger in his stomach, and he bared her teeth in a wide smile.
Sheppard frowned.
- Wait. You said, that the Council divest you the Queen rights, over two hundred years ago - he remarked, confused.
- It was the decision of us all - explained Skyfall. - No other Queen would not be accepted us, due to... inconvenient members of the crew of this ship... Maybe as a food... and join to the Nightstorm fleet, or another of the Queen of... well, let's say that they control, which they would imposed on us, not much conform us. We too accustomed to having a free hand... as you saying... However, the majority was still tied to the awareness, that each hive has his Queen. Until now, it was Nightwind, but when she die... well, on our hive was only one Wraith female - he glanced at Moonlight.
- And in this way they set me up in this honorable position - she snorted sarcastically. - But my room I still must clean up myself - she said teasingly.
- Otherwise, the entire crew would be cleaned ONLY your room... you muddler - talk back her Commander, baring her a wide smile...
He remembered those events.
It was only a few days after, when Mo get stocks for them food from Thunderstone. No one spoke aloud how she did it... but most was guessed. Especially after this, how he reacted to this information.
Most of the Wraith for decades have become accustomed to the fact that this Wraith female is Protheu, and they still treat her with due respect... even if most other Wraith eager would to see her as their... personal worshiper. But fear before the Grey Council, and because of the protection of Nightwind, no one has ever dared on this what do Thunderstone...
Except that in this case the situation was complicated by the fact, that Moonlight has consented to it. Nobody's forced her. She has not been kidnapped. She went to the Worldstamer Hivemaster... and came back from there, as if nothing had happened.
He remembered, how was then angry then... and he knew that if Mo can not stop him, he was long dead by now. He had no reason to attack Thunderstone ... In addition to his own rage at what the Wraith suggested Moonlight.
That day Clearcut called him to the throne room. When he come on the place, he understood why exactly there. It was the largest room in the hive, which could accommodate everyone.
- What is a gathering? - he grumbled. - Are you planning a rebellion? - he sneered.
- No... not yet - replied in the same tone Doc, slightly amused. And then he sobered. - It's about Mo - explained calmly. - You know that we can not join another hive or alliance because... well, we all know from how many reasons - he added, smiling corner of the mouth and glancing at the collected others Wraiths. - We are outcasts, as you slice it. We have to take care of themselves... Create a separate hive... with his own Queen - looked pointedly at the Commander.
Skyfall almost snorted.
- You want to do with Mo the Queen?... I wish you good luck. You will be really need it, because you will be have to catch her and tie her to this throne - motioned his head toward the other end of the hall.
- It is not mean, that she would be like the other Queens - Stardrift interjected. - I know that she sooner would have killed us all, than gave up seat on this throne... just... most of us will be feel more... comfortable, with awareness, that we still have our own Queen.
- It would be just so... official title - added Clearcut. - Besides, what she has done for us... From many thousands of years I have not seen, that a Wraith female was able for such sacrifice. She act according with the Old Code, which inculcate in her Icestorm. And now not many knows, that it is there a information about the Hive Keeper. It allows us to give this title of the Wraith, which particularly distinguished himself for his hive. And most importantly, it can make not only the Queen, but also the entire crew, unanimously... A Hive Keeper, in accordance with the Old Code, is almost the same rights as the Queen... The provision was introduced during the Great War, on the case if a hive lost his the Queen, and for various reasons could not have a new one.
The Commander did not answer. He seemed to wonder about their proposal.
- Hive Keeper? - he repeated at the end and shrugged. - As for me is good... And her also present it in this version… It will sound much better than The Queen - he snorted.
- Great - threw Clearcut and patted him on the shoulder. - Now you may tell her it yourself... because she already goes here - he added with a big smile.
Skyfall first opened his eyes wide in surprise, and then he wanted to say something, but he could not. The door behind him was opened and entered into the Moonlight.
He turned to her quickly, and she looked with surprise at the gathered Wraith... And then she smiled, amused.
- A do some fete? - she joked.
- No... but all in all a good reason to celebrate - Commander admitted, although the role of which will transmit its news, not suited him.
You looked at him expectantly, but he still did not know what words to use.
- So? That's what's going on? - She asked.
Skyfall glanced at Clearcut and others standing closest to him, then cleared his throat a bit.
- So ... In view of recent events ... you know, our fleet no longer exists, and we are... out casters, and we now need to take care of themselves. So we decided to make some changes.- Somehow it sounds suspicious to me - she said slowly, looking at him uncertainly. - Should I be afraid?- Do not. Not quite ... In fact, this change applies to you...
- Me? I mean?
But he did not answer right away. Again he glanced at the other, and then looked at Mo... and suddenly grinned, baring her teeth.
- Congratulations, you have been chosen as the Hive Keeper - he said quickly and slapped her in the arm, then walked around hastily to leave the room before she could react.
- Hive Keeper? - she repeated confused and looked behind him. - Stop! - she demanded.
He stopped abruptly and cursed under his breath. She hoped that disappears quickly from the eyes can before it realizes what's the catch.
- Hive Keeper? - Repeated. - What does it mean?
The Commander sighed and looked at Clearcut.
- Doc... will explain it you? - A gesture pointed to a friend. - Top of us know the old Code.
- Thanks - he muttered through his teeth.
- Not at all - talk back the Wraith.
Moonlight looked again at one, then the other.
- Judging by your reaction, I'm here a trick - said and crossed her arms, looking suspiciously at Clearcut. - So. What's the catch? - she again demanded explanations.
- In principle, nothing - he lied, although he hopes that convincingly. - It's... an honorary title for exceptional contributions to the hive... Old privilege.
- Honorary? ... That's why it combines, which will be the loser and tell me about it? - She pointed out, folding her arms across his chest and again glancing at both.- But so unlucky? - Lied again, trying to be relaxed and cheerful. And then sobered, seeing her gloomy look.
- Oh boy - he groaned.
Moonlight she looked at the other... and they, like one man stepped back a pace. Female slowly nodded her head and turned to the Commander, with an eloquent expression of the face, pending clarification.
The Wraith sighed, resigned.
- It was supposed to be the ... cover for the grant you the title of the Queen - he muttered reluctantly.
- Queen!... Are you crazy, or what?!
- This is our joint decision - Stardrift said, stepping forward. - Look, for most of us, the loss of the Queen is very... discomforting matter. So when Doc told us about the old recipe, we found that sooner haven for something like this...
He paused, seeing her gloomy look.
- Title Hive Keeper can give the entire crew, in a unanimous vote, for exceptional contributions to the hive - Clearcut finished. - And what did you do for all of us - he said, standing in front of her.
- She did what I considered to be necessary and I do not expect anything for it ... End of story - grumbled.
She did not want to talk about it. Nobody wanted. For all it was a very unpleasant subject.
- I know, my dear - he said gently. - Just ... We are all in your debt, and ... we did not know how to make it up ...
- Certainly not nominating me at the Queen - she snarl.
- It's not - he said calmly. - As already mentioned, the title of Hive Keeper is honorable. In ancient times, it was the biggest honor for Wraith due to exercise its privileges. The above has only his own Queen. Even the other Queens could not have authority over the Wraith ... This long forgotten recipe from the Old Code, of the Great War ... In later times this record has become uncomfortable for most of the Queens, but not removed it from the Code.
- Guess why he was uncomfortable - she said a little sarcastically.
- But to us is very useful ... you allow the preservation of the existing position ... and gives us ... well, if it specify? ... Substitute Queen? - He joked.
- Substitute of Queen? - she repeated, slightly amused and shook her head, sighing heavily. - I felt that something was up to. From two days Everybody was ... weird.
- Apparently conspiracies are not our forte - Clearcut snorted and put his hand on her shoulder. - But just so we can show you our gratitude ... Having the Queen's more kind of ... a side effect. An additional benefit due to the fact that you're a female ... But I can assure you that our main intention was to honor all that you did for the hive after the people destroyed the fleet of your mother.
Moonlight sighed again.
- I suppose, and so I have no choice, since it ... unanimous conspiracy - all faced look, chilling little eyes.
- I am glad that finally you understood - Doc said cheerfully, patting her on the shoulder.
Regarded him with gloomy eyes, and he bared her teeth in a wide smile.
- But if anyone called me the Queen ... it will break all the bones and will shoot into space - she noted.
- Consent - said pleased. - My congratulations... Hive Keeper - formally added and nodded his head.
- Okay, okay... You do not accustom too much into this - she said, pointing at them square.
- As you wish... - suddenly threw Sunblaze, embracing her arm - ...My Queen - sneered, and she looked up at him grimly. - It means Hive Keeper - went that quickly improves your mistake and bared her teeth in a wide smile.
Moonlight lightly shook her head, amused.
Hive Keeper, she thought.
On the one hand, she was honored with this title... and understands the reasons others on the Queen... but on the other hand... She just hoped that everyone will still be treated as so far, and not as... Queen.
Commander approached her and nodded his head slightly, with a slight smile.
- One for all and all for one - said Skyfall. - In the words of your father.
- One for all and all for one - repeat chorus others.
The female grinned, amused.
This slogan was a bit strange in my mouth Wraith. In typical hiveships this rule did not apply for thousands of years. Furthermore, as many of its similar recorded in the Old Code.
But their hive was not like the other... from the crew starting, and ending with the prevailing rules here…"