Chapter 36
The family secrets.
Skywalker looked for the outgoing Nightflower Commander, and then with disbelief and anger on Starburst.
- What do you mean: they fighting? - he said and wanted to come to the door, but the Wraith stopped him.
- Stay here - he said calmly. - You can not go in there.
- They kill each other - growled John. - It's a duel to death and life...
- Yes, I know - muttered Starburst. - Mo made Steelflower an oath of loyalty, so Nightflower challenged her to Death Duel. Mo was designated as Teyla Blade in this fight. She have better chance to defeat her half-sister. She knows her fighting style.
- And what if she loses? - hissed the colonel.
- I do not need to tell you what will happen then. You know the rules.
Sheppard gritted his teeth. Yes, he knew the rules... too well. He knew them, when Wildfire challenged to a duel Darkspace.
- Nightflower is better in close combat than Mo... - began Ember, but the older Wraith silenced him with a grim look.
- For Mo benefit is presence of two other Queens - he said. - Nightflower will have to fight clean, which increases the chances Mo - he said and looked at Skyrim. - Tell our ships. Let they wait for orders... if Mo lose, let they immediately jump into hyperspace. We'll meet in the assembly point. Bullseye will give you the coordinates.
Young Wraith without a word he nodded and walked down the corridor towards the hangar.
Starburst looked at Sheppard.
- I hope that Daedalus is willing to take us just in case - he said.
- You do not worry about your butt - John sneered. - We keep our part of the deal.
Commander smiled corner of his mouth.
- About this I am worried a least.
The colonel seemed to be a little surprised. These words were not in Todd style, he thought. He was always most worried about his own skin.
So, what changed this time? What could be more important to him, than his own life?
Alabaster? - he remembered about the young Queen.
Maybe.
In the end, she was his daughter.
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Whiteraven growled loudly.
News which just gave them Clearcut, definitely were not on their wishes.
- With this female always was trouble - Icesea growled and looked at Nightstorm. - Your daughter meant well, but it was necessary to immediately kill a child. Humans scientists warned, that clones are often emotionally, and even psychologically unstable.
- Yes, I remember - said Nightstorm. - But it's Nightwind paid the ultimate price for its decision, depriving her daughter from the birth all rights, from the moment, in which she insisted regarded Nightflower for her firstborn.
- I wonder after who she inherited this stubbornness? - snorted slightly Clearsky.
Mature Queen looked at her, but said nothing.
- Now it does not matter - said Whiteraven, firmly cut off this conversation. - Let's focus first, how stop this madness, before Nightflower kill Moonlight.
- You assuming, that Mo lose? - Sunrise was surprised.
- She is a good fighter - Nightstorm interjected. - But just in this one Flo is better than her - she admitted reluctantly. - Mo rarely was winning with her...
- Because Flo cheating - reminded her Silentnight.
- Yees... so I hope that the presence Alabaster and Steelflower stop her from this... which increase Mo chances of winning - she said.
- Still, one of us should supervise this - said Firerain.
- Yes, it's true - she admitted and get up. - This is my family, so I go - she said and walked in the direction of the transporter, thoughts back to the events before two thousand years.
The planet… properly a gas giant moon, which they accidentally discovered, surprised them on many issues. Human community inhabiting it did not have access to the stargate system. This was to protect them from detection by the Wraiths. And for hundreds of years it managed to them, allowing them to develop the technology enough, that they were able to build their own star ships with hyperdrive.
But the same technological developments allowed them also to carry out genetic experiments, that would lead to the destruction of the Wraith - creation of a retrovirus - like action of the vaccine Hoffan, but harmless to humans.
During one of his interplanetary expeditions, they captured Wraith and a few masked soldiers, basing all their research on their DNA samples. But, as in the case of New Lanteans, retrovirus discovered that the Wraiths female may it be immune. Therefore Lunaris residents, as they called their moon-planet, have focused their research on female, creating numerous clones only one healthy female, which managed to them breed...
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"…Soldiers still scoured the building, when Nightstorm and Clearcut directed straight to the main lab.
The battle lasted two days. They had to call in reinforcements, because Lunarians weapon turned out to be advanced enough, to quickly cope up even with hundreds of fighters Wraith at once. That meant, that even if a new feeding ground will be not able to compensate them the losses incurred, destroy him will be in the interest of all the Wraiths - so advanced human society could seriously threaten them... to this they could not happen.
The same laboratory was on a deserted island, far from the mainland and discovered by accident, sensing the presence of clones kept in there Wraiths. There were dozens of them, in different ages. Most unfortunately, was eliminated by the humans before soldiers seized the building. But one baby escaped death - thanks to her keeper, who hid with him in front of her own people in one of the seaside caves. But on her misfortune, Nightwind sensed the child's mind and sent the soldiers. And when Darkstone came back, he held in his hand a bundle, and the soldiers lead the captured young human female.
The Queen walked over to her Hive Watchmaster and repealed the blanket. Large, yellow eyes of baby looked at her. Had no more than three months.
- From where did you have her? - snapped the Queen.
- She was breed in the lab - she said, scared. - This is a clone, like dozens of others. But only this one managed to me save... It's just a baby, and they ordered to kill them all... Unscrupulous. Like animals... I could not look at it - she said sadly.
- Leave her child and order bring here our best Clevermans - Nightwind snapped to the Wraith. - Let they check, what these humans were doing here - she instructed and looked at the woman. - Do you know where they are killed?
- Two levels down. Gassed them in cells in which they were kept - she said.
The Queen looked at her Commander. Icestorm was examining the partially destroyed the lab. Humans tried hide traces of what they were doing here... but fortunately for the Wraiths they did not manage to destroy everything on time.
The officer walked up to her.
- Two levels in down supposedly are body held here Wraiths - she said calmly. - Check it out... But be careful. Apparently they were gassed, so the gas could still be there.
Icestorm just nodded and took with him a dozen soldiers and two officers.
Nightwind looked again at the young woman, nuzzling the baby as their own. She walked over to her.
- You are responsible for her - she hissed. - Do not try to escape, because your death will be very slow and very painful... You understand, human?
- Yes - she almost whispered, frightened.
The Queen wanted to say something else, when the corner of her eye she notice her mother.
Nightstorm stopped in the doorway, watching intently room full of sheets of paper and damaged equipment. Then she went to her daughter, and looked at the woman holding a child.
- It's true what says the initial report? - she asked. - They cloning here Wraiths?
- Yes... But it seems, that all of them humans could kill - she said, and walked over to the young woman. - It is possible only clone which survived - she leaned harder blanket, showing mother a little one.
Mature Queen came closer, looking at the baby. The girl looked at her. She looked normal, like any other Wraith baby. Her mind did not stand out anything special, she thought. It was perhaps a bit weaker... but that's all for the moment Nightstorm was able to feel it.
- Investigate it - she instructed Clearcut. - I want to know exactly what they was doing here - she said, looking around. - Let death Bluemoon and her crew will not go in vain - in her voice was feel the irritation.
- Of course - Doc nodded slightly and looked at the human female. - You will go with me - he said, and walked toward the exit.
Two soldiers came up to her, and one of them push her rifle, ordered to follow for the officer. The woman clung tighter child, but did not protest. Obedience was now her only hope for survival.
Nightwind looked behind them, and then at mother.
- Anyone else survived? - she asked.
- Unfortunately not - almost muttered the older Queen. - Hivehealers examine the remains and the cannons... Midsummer says, it's very interesting technology.
- Midsummer delights every advanced human technology - Nightwind snorted.
- And this is why she is more prudent, than the rest of us. She knows what humans are able to create, if they do not stop in time... On the orbit is perfect example... Skyfall said, that the satellites were camouflaged, and hive sensors did not detect anything... which suggests Lanteans technologies. Hive was attacked, when they approached to the moon.
- Maybe you're right... Skyfall is a good technician and Commander. Certainly he not flew closer, if anything worried him... Unfortunately Starburst does not accept this note. He is angry at him because of the death Firedust - she added a more somber tone.
- Yes, I know - said Nightstorm. - Today, many of us have lost someone close - she said sadly.
Nightwind not answered.
The death of her nephew and other Wraiths from crew Firafly, was too depressing and she did not want to talk about it.
- Mother, I have a request of - she said after a moment, and the Queen looked at her. - If Sunrise agrees, I wanted to take Skyfall as my Cleverman. He is a very good technician.
- All right - she said, a slight nodded. - I'll talk to them... It might even be a good idea. Useful him some work, and Icestorm will have an eye on him.
Young Queen smiled slightly and also nodded as a thank, going back to watching the room.
For many consecutive hours, the best scientists the Grey Council, searchable laboratory and they carefully gathered all retained records, both on paper and computers.
In the words of a human female, two levels below Icestorm and his men found a dozen bodies Wraiths in different ages - mostly males, but also a few females. They all looked the same.
In the corridor also lay a human bodies - apparently not everyone managed to evacuate in time, and they also were gassed.
But the next level turned out to be even more surprising. Sizable room was full of different sized glass vessels, filled with preservative-liquid, which kept the bodies of the Wraiths, which killed in result carried out on them research, or unsuccessful fetuses.
But the biggest surprise of all was a cryogenic chamber, which was housed captured ten years ago the Wraith.
His condition was serious, but not critical. Two captured during the attack on the lab soldiers was enough to put him back on his feet.
Blackout, the donor DNA for all clones, and later regarded as the biological father Nightflower, seemed to be even more surprised by the presence of the Wraith fleet, than they finding him…"
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Moonlight roll up quickly and stopped for a moment in the crouched position, breathing heavily.
In truth, her physical condition was impeccable, but a few decent punches, which inflict her Nightflower, weakened her. Her body cope well with injuries... but unfortunately always less than other Wraiths.
The Queen smiled mockingly, seeing the tiredness of a young female.
- Do you have enough... Protheu? - she scoffed.
- No way - she retorted and get up quickly to attack.
At first it seemed that it Mo come out victorious in this battle, but a moment of inattention caused by the advent of the chamber Nightstorm made, that young female distracted and lost the advantage gained. Nightflower immediately took advantage, grabbing a half-sister by the arm and throwing her in one of the columns.
Moonlight struck with a vengeance in organic but hard structure. Force of impact was so strong, that for a moment to bewilder her. She swayed on her feet, unable to maintain balance and she fell on the knees at first, then completely sitting down on the floor.
She propped her hand aching head.
Nightflower glanced at the newcomer Queen, walking slowly, with satisfaction, to the dazed Mo.
- You came to see the end of IT? - she asked with a sarcastic smile.
- Immediately end this madness - snapped Nightstorm. - After all, she's your sister.
- Half-sister - she corrected with clear anger in her voice.
- But still, sister... Tell me, from where so many hate is in you? - she said, more calmly.
- And I do not understand why the Council still keeping her alive, since this... female, double dishonor our mother... and our Clan - hissed younger female. - First of all, at all coming into the world, as a second daughter... And then, as a Protheu.
- You think it's as mistake?
- Yes. You break for her our eternal principles... Why? In what she is better than the others... From me?
- In anything - admitted calmly Nightstorm. - But you're wrong, thinking, that we only for her broke our rules... It's the same thing we did for you ... two thousand years ago.
Nightflower not answered, startled by her words as much, as the others gathered in the chamber.
- ...I do not understand - she said finally. - What are you talking about?
The Queen came closer, calm, with gentle expression.
- You are not the biological daughter of Nightwind - she said. - We found you. You were a baby and your mother decided to consider you for her firstborn... - she interrupted. She did not want to talk too much. - So, from a biological point of view, Mo is the firstborn.
- So, who is my mother?
- We do not know...
- I'm sure you know - she growled and grabbed a young female by the hair, tilting her head back and moving closer one of the blades to her throat. - Tell me, or I'll slit her throat on your eyes - she threatened.
- We really do not know... - she interrupted, when Mo gritted her teeth, and on her skin showed a light cutting and with him a bit of blood. - I swear! - ensure, scared Nightstorm, extending her hand, as if this had to stop an angry Queen.
- You do not have mothers, Flo - spoke up suddenly from the side male voice, and with a shadow a side entrance, emerged middling tall officer Wraith.
Teyla looked at him as the first... and slightly wrinkled her brow. She thought she knew him from somewhere. That she met him... but she could not now determine when and where.
Mo also look at him, just like the others. She very well knew the father of her half-sister. Once there he was a Blade of their mother, an excellent and valued strategist. But when Nightflower reached the age, at which she could have her own hive, Blackout has become her Hive Watchmaster on Starscreamer.
- What do you mean: I do not have a mother? - she said, with a mixture of disbelief and amusement. - You too lose one's mind?
- Blackout, do not - almost whispered pleadingly Nightstorm. - It will not solve anything... It does not matter...
- I'm afraid it has, Milady... And it significant... I has long been observed her. Her condition deepens... - Wraith said calmly and looked at his daughter. - Nightstorm does not lie. She do not know who is your biological mother... because you do not have her... Two thousand years ago I was caught by a humans, which in hiding from us, managed to create technologically highly advanced society. High enough, to threaten us. They tried to create a biological weapon killing the Wraiths, but harmless to humans. For their research they used clones that were created from samples of my DNA... you're one of these clones, Flo. The only one that survived the attack. Humans killed the others, before our fleet conquered the planet. Survive only you, thanks to your human keeper, Finis.
- You lie - she said, shaking her head in disbelief.
- No... We can easily check it, if you want... Nightwind accept you as her firstborn, because she knew, that the other Queens will demand your death, when they find out who you are... What you are...
- You lie! - she repeated louder.
- ...She do not have the heart to condemn to death an innocent child...
- You're lying! - cried Nightflower, lifting up the dagger, which has so far she kept on the Mo throat.
A blow from the top, set straight into the artery of the neck, would be very accurate, if Moonlight not caught her sisters hand just a few centimeters before the Blackout neck.
Nightflower eyes widened in surprise, and then she snapped angrily. But she could not do the next move.
This time it a young female was faster. These few minutes of respite allowed her to regain some strength.
She twisted the arm of the Queen quickly, forcing her to release the blade from her hand, and then she kicked her knee in the belly.
Nightflower moaned in pain, but then she swung the blade of second knife, kneeling. Moonlight let go of her hand, to escape from the dagger. This allowed her sister to straighten violently and ask her a punch in the jaw. Young female staggered backward.
- Immediately stop - ordered furiously Nightstorm. - Both of you.
The Queen straighten up abruptly and looked at her angrily. In her eyes you could see only madness and fury. Even her mind was insuppressible by her grandmother... like a wild, rabid animal.
She grabbed the knife by the blade, getting ready to throw him... and suddenly she froze motionless, opening her mouth.
She looked a little in down, just like the others.
From her chest stick out only a petite handle.
She looked away... to her father.
He threw a dagger.
The deathly silence interrupted twang metal blade failing on the floor of the room.
The world spun around the Nightflower, and legs begun to sag under her.
She felt that she was losing a balance.
Someone took hold of her, before she fell to the floor, so limp as her weapon.
- Flo! - called Moonlight and looked at the others. - Do not just stand there. Help her - she said and grabbed the handle, to pull the blade from sister chest.
- Leave - almost whispered the Queen, grabbing her hand. - It's too late.
- No... They will heal you. You only need a feeding - she said, and again looked at the others. - Why do you stand? Help her! - she repeat, not understanding their behavior.
- In dagger was poison, Mo - Blackout said calmly. - Hoffan plague. It released in the time push the blade into the body.
But she shook her head, and looked down at her sister, feeling like her eyes fill with tears. Only after these words she understand, why no one wanted to help her. The officer had to warn the others, she thought. Only she rejected this information - her mind was too busy thinking about the wounded sister.
- No - she whispered at last, trying to hold back tears, when she looked at the limp already body of Nightflower, whose gaze stuck somewhere in the top. - No - she repeated more quietly, and this time she have not been able to stop the tears.
In the throne room again fell deathly silence.
Nobody even flinched by a good minute. Everyone looked just on sitting on the floor Moonlight, still holding in her arms the body of her sister. But for her this minute seemed to last much longer.
She flinched, when someone's hand rested on her shoulder. She turned her head slowly to the side.
For a moment she looked at the Wraith with disbelief on her face.
- You killed her - she finally said quietly to the Blackout. - Why?
- Flo of child easily falls into a rage - he said calmly. - Over time, this process deepened... Humans, who created my clones, have noticed, that many of them are emotionally or mentally disturbed. Perhaps because of faulty cloning procedure or due to force the faster growing in the different stages of life... Or maybe both of these factors at once... preserved too little results of their research to say it... The fact is that over the years this process deepened in Flo, although he performed phases... But you know well, that after the death of Nightwind, something... broke in her.
- Mo. That's what here happened... - Nightstorm began, but paused for a moment, then took a deep breath and looked at Steelflower with seriousness. - Council favorably considered the proposal to give Moonlight the title of Hive Keeper... Officially, she will be the winner of Death Duel, and because she oath of loyalty to you, automatically you take everything, that belonged to my granddaughter... I'll take Sunshine with me. Along with losing her mother, she lost all rights to this hive... Although she have a luck. She is still a child. If she was older, her life also would be belong to you - she added, looking at her meaningfully.
Teyla's eyes widened.
- Are you suggesting, that I had to right to kill her? - she asked incredulously.
- That is our law. The daughter of the defeated could endanger the position of winner in the future... Ask Moonlight, to she supplemented the gaps in your knowledge - Queen explained calmly and looked at Skyfall. - The Council condition to recognize the Mo title is, that your hive had a Primary... Moonlight has already made an oath, so if you agree with her decision, you need to complete the procedure.
- I understand, Milady - he said calmly and bowed slightly.
- And I think, that I do not have to tell you all, that what we were witnessing here, is to remain among these walls - she almost snapped, measuring them all with a warning look, and then she walked toward the exit.
The door slid open before her, revealing standing in the hallway Wraith.
- Take care of the body - she just muttered to her son, and moved on.
They looked after her first, and then into the chamber, where near the throne, Moonlight was still sitting on the floor, holding the body of her sister.
Steelflower crouched in front of her, and put her hand on her. Young female looked at her slowly, almost blankly.
Her eyes were red and swollen from tears.
- I'm so sorry, Mo. - Teyla said with concern.
But she did not answer. She did not even react, as if those words at all to her did not make it.
Starburst walked as the first in their direction, and after him the other two young Wraith. Moments later, two masked soldiers entered the room.
Nightstorm stopped before the door of the transporter. These slid open, letting go from inside one of the scientific officers her granddaughter.
Silentwind was older by almost a thousand years by his Queen, and slightly taller than her.
Rather slim, with long hair tied in part to few thin braids. His beard was decorated with a single, thin braid and a tattoo, which was the complement of this, who was on the right side of his face.
He looked a bit surprised at the Queen and bowed.
- My granddaughter... - she began, but her voice broke and the words barely passed through the throat. - You have a new Queen - she said loudly. - So, you do not tell your daughter. We tell her that Flo... that she was urgently sent to one of the research base of the Council - she said, and she entered into the transporter. - ...Then I'll think of something - she said, and the door slid shut, before the Wraith could say anything.
She wanted to start a transporter beam telepathically... but her mind was still circling around the events of the throne room... and the memories.
She raised a hand to start the device manually... and suddenly she realized, that all her hand trembles.
She looked at her for a moment, trying to control her emotions, and then she turn on the device.
Alabaster looked toward her father sadly.
- She...
- Yes, I know - Commander muttered and went to Mo. - Soldiers will take her body...
- No - snapped firmly young female, looking at him uncomfortably. - I bury her together with our mother... I know where she is - she said calmly, lowering hers eyes, and then she looked at Blackout. - Flo would like this - it was more a request than a statement. - She's still her daughter... and my sister - tears again flowed from her eyes.
The officer nodded, with a slight smile.
- Of course.
- But so far it will be better, if Sunshine would not see the mother's body - remarked, still calmly Starburst. - I'll take her on my hive. And then we'll take her where you want.
Only then Moonlight nodded slightly and let masked soldiers take the body. On the telepathic command of Commander, a soldier took the body gently in his arms and walked out from the room by the side entrance.
Starburst raised dagger lying on the floor and looked at him closely.
The blade was not distinguished by anything in particular, but above it were something, like two long spines, almost like a Iratus jaw - they insert poison in the body. They were also useful in battle, helping to snatch away enemy weapon from his hand. The end of the dagger's reminded the tail Iratus, curved downward.
- Your work? - he asked, glancing at the Blackout.
- Yes - said briefly officer.
The Commander smiled slightly and held out his hand towards Mo.
- Do not sit here like this... Now you're officially Hive Keeper. Such behavior is not...
- My sister's dead - she snapped again, looking at him uncomfortably and she get up itself. - I do not care protocol.
- But others do - he reminded her calmly. - I understand your pain over the loss, but we stick to the procedures...
- How can you be so... cold? - she interrupted him, frowning slightly eyebrows.
Starburst did not answer right away, looking for a second straight in her eyes. His face seemed to relent... and become serious, she thought.
- One hundred years of war, too much death and ten thousand years of practice, my dear - he almost muttered.
This time she did not answer... but from her eyes the tears flow again.
She lowered her gaze.
Commander sighed and slipped his hand into her hair, grabbed by the neck and moving closer to each other. The second hand he pat slightly her back, when she clung to him tightly.
He knew that she was needed this right now... and he was the only male in the room who could afford it with of so many witnesses.
He was her uncle, so this gesture on his side, there was nothing inappropriate.
- I just... I can not stop crying - she sobbed.
- I know - he whispered and kissed her gently on the head. - ...I know.
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"…The door slid open and Blackout came into the atrial stasis chambers sector.
The room was not large, with irregular, round shape, barely lighted from top of a pale-yellow light from the columns.
In the middle stood oblong, meter high organic construction - the sarcophagus, in which was placed the body of his daughter... Yes, it was probably this word, he remembered: sarcophagus... Anyway, it sounded better, than: coffin, he thought.
He walked slowly closer. The upper part was covered on the half transparent, organic diaphragm, through which he could see only the outline lying in sarkofago person.
When almost two thousand years ago, he first time held her in his arms as a baby, he did not even have thought, that this will be her end.
He remembered how stressed out he was, when Nightwind gave him a child. He had never hold a baby, and he did not know how to behave. But then, when the big, yellow eyes a little girl looked at him... all stress suddenly disappeared, and permeated him the blissful peace.
It was one of the most beautiful moments in his life. Now he knew what it feels like every parent holding in his arms the baby... totally defenseless and completely dependent on him... and smiling to him.
- What name you give her? - Forecast asked, peering over the shoulder old friend for a little girl wrapped in a blanket.
Blackout looked at him a little surprised.
- I thought that was your job?
Wraith shrugged indifferently.
- The world will not collapse, if you give her a Voca - he said calmly. - Anyway, it's... unusual child, so, the name she also can get in an unusual way - he said, and smiled slightly.
- I have no idea what Voca she could get - said at the end of Blackout. - Nothing comes to my mind.
- Do as Avatars... They gave us Voca on the spur of the moment... You get your name, because of the atrophy memories, which you had at the beginning... What is the first thing, related which her, comes to your mind? - he asked.
Blackout looked at the little one, wondering for a long moment.
- The human female said, that the in the cave, in which she was hiding, growing flowers blooming at night - he said finally. - They have fluorescent properties, and little one still was stared at them...
- Yes, I saw them - Nightwind said. - They are beautiful.
- Humans gave them a name? - asked Forecast.
- No... They just called them: night flowers - Wraith said.
- Nightflower? - Forecast repeated thoughtfully. - Hmm, I think it's a good Voca for her - he said with a slight smile, and patted a friend on the shoulder. - My congratulations... Daddy. Here is your daughter: Nightflower…"