Chapter 39
Mystery of the Vallen Mountain.
Coming around the bend rock, winding paths, leading directly to the cave, they stopped in front of jumper, partially hidden inside of it.
The entrance was about five feet tall and at least the same width. They looked inside, but no one was there.
Clearcut walked calmly inside, pulling the hood. Here, the light was not so bright, ceasing to dazzle his eyes. And the deeper they went, it was darker. Only the size of the cave did not change for several meters, to finally shrink in the long corridor. At the end he saw the pale glow... and could also hear distant whispers.
He quickened his step. The voices were getting clearer, with each of his steps, until finally he was able to identify two of them: McKay... and Hovich. He remembered the voice of this human female. Permanently imprinted in his mind... just like her image... so similar to HER.
After a few meters, they entered to another cave, this time much larger, illuminated by numerous torches. At first glance, there was nothing special here: just a big hole in the rock, with some stalagmites and stalactites on the sides, on the end which was a large rock slab covered by some sort of signs. Under it stood a group of people... and one Wraith.
Clearcut looked at him, but only after a long moment he recognized the Rainsong, the grandson of Queen Rainbow.
He was young, still a teenager. Tall and slim, with long hair tied in a thin dreadlocks, like Sunblaze. He helped McKay with the apparatus, which New Lanteans brought from Atlantis.
- ... I'm sorry, but it does not work in this way - Rodney snapped irritably to the officer standing over him, and when he turned head, he saw emerging from the corridor figures.
He stood up, looking at them carefully. Most of them he knew... but the one person he saw for the first time: a Wraith female in a burgundy outfit.
At her sight he swore under his breath.
The others looked in the same direction... and on their faces appeared in the same expression of concern at the sight of the Queen.
- Damn... Who is it? - Mitchell growled.
- This is Todd's daughter - a young Wraith explained in a whisper.
- But what is she doing here? - he hissed. - It starts out of control - he muttered.
Rainsong did not answer, too absorbed fact arrival to them a Wraith Queen... Like others. About presence of Moonlight he knew from McKay, but the second female unsettle him... Even if she seemed, that she is perfectly orientate in the situation.
He glanced at the human warriors, who instinctively put hands on their guns.
And only Dr. Hovich seemed to be calm, more interested one of the Wraith officers, than young Queen. She smiled gently and nodded to Clearcut... but he completely ignored her.
When the group stopped, a young Wraith bowed formally, presenting telepathically themself. Alabaster answered him nod of the head, smiling softly.
And then his eyes stopped on Moonlight. The boy stared at her as if in some amazing phenomenon. In truth, human scientist tell him about her remarkable resemblance to Kate, but only now he realized, that it was not exaggerated words.
Until a nudge with elbow by McKay awake him.
- John?... Can we talk? - Carter said, stepping aside. - What's she doing here? - she whispered, when he stood before her.
- Take it easy. It's Todd's daughter. She can help us - he said calmly.
- In what? In larger problems? - almost snapped Sam, angry.
- For example, in your contacts with the Council - said the Queen unexpectedly. They both looked at her and she smiled slightly. - Wraith have a good hearing - she said carelessly. - You must stand a much further, so that we do not heard anything.
Samantha seemed to be a bit confused. She grunted softly and returned to the group.
- I am sorry, but this whole situation...
- Believe me, colonel Carter, I know exactly how you feel - she said. - I also was not thrilled ideas of my father... but it happened, so now, the only thing we can do, is to ensure, that the consequences will by the least... for all of us - she said and looked at the plate.
Was covered with a letter reminding the Wraith writing... but slightly different, she notice. Below was a drawing showing a figure in a flash of light, and in accompanied by two four-legged animals, resembling predators called in this galaxy: laupus.
- A little a lot of us here - noticed suddenly Sheppard.
- You brought here... this whole trip - Mitchell retorted, pointing at the Wraiths.
- Increased number of… persons, can be useful in case of trouble - said calmly Teal'c.
Both men looked at him as if slightly surprised.
- You predict trouble? - asked Cameron.
- Based on our past experiences? - he answered with stoically. - Yes.
- Good point - said the colonel, though reluctantly, and looked again at all this assemblage of people and the Wraiths.
It was a very strange sight... very, very strange, he thought..
- This is seismic scanner? - interested in Ember, coming to the device standing before Rodney.
- Yes. We was tried a more advanced technology, but nothing works - he said. - I only know that there is something... but I suspect, that it is protected by a kind of force field, that does not allow to penetrate further... That's why I wanted used this... At least we know where it is, and how shape have... I hope - he said.
- Clever.
- Do not praise him, because he again fall into self-admiration and he will be play the wise guy - Sheppard scolded him.
- Ha, ha... very funny - he said with a wry smile McKay and back looked at the Wraith. - You know about this?
- I've seen similar devices...
- This is my science officer - interjected calmly Starburst. - He may help you.
- Um... we will see - almost Rodney muttered.
- For sure. He is one of the best scientists of my father - praised him Alabaster. - He has a good chance to be soon Cleverman.
- What does it mean? - asked McKay, looking at Mo.
- This is our equivalent of your academic title - she explained. - But not so easy to get it... This is a very prestigious title. It comes from the Voca of the Wraith, whose inventions have helped us to survive the beginnings of the Great War - she explained, and looked with a smile at her friend. - If Em really get this title, he will be the youngest Cleverman in the history of the Wraiths - she said, patting him on the shoulder.
- So, how old are you, in this case? - said the scientist, smiling indulgently corner of his mouth.
- I have 458 - Wraith said calmly.
- Sooo, how old is the oldest Wraith?... If I could know? - interested in Hovich.
Moonlight glanced at Clearcut.
- Doc?... How old is the First Generation, I'm confused a little bit? - she said.
- Let's see... 985 when the war broke out... Well, if I something not shook… 11.041 years - he said.
In the cave fell deathly quiet. Gathered in there humans looked at the Wraiths with a look of disbelief on their faces.
Finally Vala whistle ended their dismay.
- Not bad - woman said. - Do you not get bored?
- We hibernate from time to time - Mo said. - Someone, even after hundreds of years... It, inter alia, allows to rebuild the humans populations after the harvest.
- Charming - she admitted with typical to her sarcasm, what a bit amused young female.
Moonlight had to admit, that she liked Vale... She do not know exactly why, but she liked her... Among other things just for her sharp tongue.
- It is more similar to our writing, than to the Lanteans - she said, changing the subject. - You managed to decipher the inscription?
- Yes... - said Daniel. - In general, tells of the arrival of Avatar, ONE, in a flash of blinding light, accompanied by two four-legged creatures - a finger he pointed on the image. - Amazingly resembles how Kate appeared here... and she has two dogs... It's domesticated animals - he added, glancing at the other Wraiths. - Therefore, no wonder that the locals people took her as an Avatar, on the basis of the figures... Next is the mention of the great changes, which are to take place. Rebirth of the entire galaxy under the leadership of Avatars... and here already used the plural, not singular… I checked a few times to be sure.
- And this text? - Alabaster asked, pointing.
- Well, like a poem ... I do not know how else to define ... It sounds something like this:
When you meet Avatar on your way - look straight into his eyes.
Open your mind, and show him what you hide - deeply inside.
Only then will open the gates - right at your feet.
Then you may go down - to know the whole truth.
But when the door closes above you - stay calm,
Because you still have a chance to get on.
An the hope is all, what you have left.
And your last hope is go by the wall.
- It's a song, that my grandmother often sang to me, when I was little - said young Queen, paying attention to the metal, spherical object located just above the inscriptions.
She stepped closer, and suddenly central part of it, flashed of the bright light, and a wide radius started to move up and down on her body.
Frightened, she pulled up a step.
- Take it easy. It's just a scanner - explained Jackson. - Us also scanned...
- Genetic compatibility: 96% - interrupted him suddenly like a woman, electronic voice. - The margin of error not accepted... No Access.
And then there was dead silence. Everyone looked surprised at the device... and after a while with each other.
- O-K... That was not before - said finally Daniel, stepping closer.
- Access to what? - asked Vala.
- Good question - Mitchell muttered and looked pointedly at McKay. - Can you enlighten us, genius?
- I told you that it's not that simple - he said, slightly annoyed. - I only know, that there is something there...
- And this... something, scanning you all... but only on her reacted? - interested in Sheppard.
- In principle, only us - said Sam. - Mili and David did not approach close enough - she noticed and looked at the young woman standing on the side.
- For me it's a novelty - Mili said. - I come here since childhood and this device never... speak up, after scanning the people.
- As say Mo, this writing is more similar to ours, than to Lanteans - Starburst interjected. - May be this scan responds only on the Wraith? - he suggested.
- Worth a try - McKay said, and looked at Rainsong. - Young, stand there - a gesture of the head he pointed to the stone plate.
Wraith twisted his mouth in a grimace of displeasure, but came closer, standing a facing a scan tool.
- I do not see the point... - he began, when the beam was moved over his body.- Genetic Compatibility: 88% - cut him the same electronic voice. - The margin of error not accepted... No Access.
- Even less than she - Rodney muttered disappointed.
- Father? - Alabaster said, looking at the Commander.
He went to the wall, allowing the device to do the same procedure as they did.
- Genetic Compatibility: 96% margin of error ... not accepted ... No Access.
- Compatibility genetic, but with what? - asked suddenly Hovich. - We can just scan all and it turns out that none does not fit.
Skyfall looked at the oldest amongst them Wraith.
- Doc?
- Why are you asking me? - Clearcut surprised.
- Because I have a feeling that you know something... As always - he said with a hint of irony.
The officer growled softly under his breath, grimacing mouth at the same expression of dissatisfaction, as before Rainsong and he looked at the young female.
- Let Mo try - he said.
- Why she? - he surprised.
- Because I also have a hunch - also said sarcastically older Wraith.
- You do not have hunch. You just always something know... but you never say from where.
- Because it's just called a hunch - talk back.
- Never mind the details - interrupted them John. - Mo, you try? - he asked.
The others looked at her. She sighed and walked over to the machine. Radius scanned her first down, then up, and after a while, once again sound a women voice:
- Genetic Compatibility: 99%... The margin of error... accepted... Granted access - voice said, much to their surprise.
The stone slab begin to crack in half, then both parts collapsed a bit and started to split up on the sideways, showing carved in the rock shelf... and on it statuette representing the same form as in relievo.
It was less than half a meter tall and made of dark blue material, that Mo see for the first time. Statuette showed a woman in the company of two dogs... or wolves, she thought, remembering this animals from the Earth database on Atlantis.
- Now what? - she finally asked, glancing at them.
- Look into the eyes of the statue? - proposed Teyla.
Moonlight raised some her eyebrows.
- So says the text - Alabaster said. - What you have to lose.
- My life? - she snorted, but she came closer and leaned slightly to look straight into the eyes of statues.
Were made of a crystal, glittering gently all the colors of the rainbow.
And suddenly they fired from them streak of light, hitting straight into the eyes of a young female. She tried to pull away... but she could not. Some invisible force holding her in place. And the more she tried to break free, the more her body pierced the sharper pain.
- Do not resist - Jackson suggested. - Open your mind... As the text says.
She obeyed him and calmed down. To her surprise, it worked. The pain quickly subsided.
And then she felt like someone had scanned her mind, looking of information about her ancestors... about her parents... her grandparents...And suddenly radius disappeared, releasing her.
She stepped back and stumbled a bit, trying to recover balance.
- Are you all right? - asked Alabaster, holding her.
- Yes ... The Dr. Jackson advice acted - she said, still a bit dazed. - It was a strange feeling... like someone was scanning my mind...
She did not finish. Part of the floor under her feet collapsed suddenly a few inches and on loose surfaces appeared a quadrat.
Both females jumped quickly to the side, out of his area, and then the stone slabs began to slide slowly on sides, revealing concealed beneath them another, this time a single disc. It was made from the same material as the strange statue.
They came closer... and almost in the same moment another layer of rippled very gently, and then seemed to start to crumble into dust, revealing a staircase leading down.
- ... Open your mind, and show him what you hide... deeply inside - quoted Daniel inscription on the wall. - Only then will open the gates… right at your feet. Then you may go down... to know the whole truth
- Who's first? - asked Mitchell.
- May be Mo? - proposed by McKay and he immediately added, seeing their gazes. - Apparently this whole security responds to her, so it would be logical to she go first.
- Rather safer for you all - said Mo, again looking down.
- It is also - admitted carelessly Skyfall, and she gave him a grim look. - Ladies first - he said with irony and pointed calmly motioned way.
Young female growled softly under her breath and took the first step... And when she saw, that nothing is happening, she slowly moved further down. The deeper she went down, the stronger her eyes began to glow a soft glow, allowing her to see in the dark. - Who's next? - Sheppard asked, glancing at the others.
- Humans - Alabaster muttered and followed You.
- I would say: guys - Carter corrected her, moving behind her with Teyla.
- I suggested to some of us remained here... just in case, to possibly get help - said Teal'c.
- You're starting to scare me - said McKay.
But Jaffa smiled to him corners of the mouth.
- Good idea... Big guy, you're go with me - John slapped his friend in the chest, glancing at going down two Wraith.
- You too - he nodded at Clearcut.
- I do not... feel such need - Doc said calmly.
- But I do - concluded the colonel. - Like Skall, I feel that you know more than you say... so, you are going with us - he added with a smile.
Wraith scowled, muttering something under his breath, but he walked slowly down.
- And you try to... not spoil anything... or blow up - he said at the end to the McKay and taking from Cameron rifle, he walked up the stairs, made from the same material, as the hiding them before plate.
- Can someone give me a flashlight...? - called from the bottom Sam, but before she finish, someone handed it to her. She glanced sideways, to see the Skyfall shiny eyes.
- ... Thank you - she said, surprised by what she saw. - Your eyes ...
- Something's wrong with them? - he asked mockingly, knowing full well what she meant.
- I did know that they... glow in the dark.
- Twilight is our natural environment... And like all creatures moving in such a light, we very well see in the dark.
- But it do not look for refraction and reflection of light within the lens - she said.
- No, this is luminescence...
- Maybe later you finish this scientific chat? - Sheppard interjected them. - Now let's focus on this - he said, lighting up a wall in front of which was already Moonlight.
It is only now they noticed how big is the chamber, to which they went down.
Samantha came closer to ending the only cavities in the wall, touching the rough surface covering the whole cave.
- It's like Tok'ra crystals forming the tunnels - said Daniel unexpectedly.
She glanced at him over her shoulder.
- You noticed it too?
- Yes. After the floor gave way.
- Who are Tok'ra? - interested in Alabaster.
- They are symbionts, appearance resembling snakes - he said. - They...connect to the host nervous system, sharing with him his body and memories ... The opposite of Tok'ra are the Goa'uld, who take total control on the host.
- Sounds terrible - she said.
- What sounded this song? - Mo asked her.
- But when the door closes on you, stay calm. Because you still have a chance to get on ...
She paused, realizing the importance of words which she just said, and looked quickly behind... just like the others.
- Let someone stay on the stairs... - Moonlight started hurriedly and she jumped up, but it was too late.
Leaving part of the group at the top, dark structure quickly closed up again entrance to the chamber... and soon after, the two stone plates slide up on her.
Female swore under her breath, and quickly informed the Wraith higher up about the humans observations, hoping, that it will help other to find a solution for this situation.
- They stuck there! - shout Rodney. - We need to get them out.
- How? - asked Mitchell. - The device responds only on Mo... And she is at the bottom - he noticed the same irony.
- I do not know how... Use C-4...
- A very scientific approach - Vala snorted.
McKay looked at her ironically.
- I do not think that it worked - Ember interjected calmly, looking at the place where he was opening.
- Dr. Jackson and Colonel Carter believe, that this structure is similar to the crystals, which use... Tok'ra?
- How do you know? - McKay was surprised
- Mo just told us - almost muttered Rainsong.
- Well, yes. This your telepathy - now he muttered.
- Maybe laser... or something like that? - proposed Kiryk.
- Sooner sounds weapon - Ember said. - Most of the crystals is sensitive to a sounds... We only need to find a suitable frequency.
- Sonar? - suggested Rodney and walked to the device.
- A good start - admitted Ember.
Level down, in the darkness lit up only by the light from two flashlights, the remaining part of the group went back to inspect the wall.
- ... Hope is all you have left - said Daniel. - And your last hope is to go through the wall.
- I do not see anything here that reminded the plate in advance - said Skyfall, watching stone walls. - ... Or even control panel - he said.
- So far the suggestions were hidden in the text - Teyla said.
- Maybe this time it is... Going through the wall can mean a hologram - she suggested looking at Mo. - We once met such technology.
- Worth a try - female admitted and she move on the wall... to stop on her painfully. - It did not work - she moaned, clutching his sore nose. She looked at Alabaster. - Maybe you have an idea? Your grandmother did not tell you anything?
- Unfortunately not... But Steel... I mean Teyla - she improved quickly herself, accustomed to her Wraith name - may have a right, that the solution is in the text. So far that was.
- This and I know - she said Mo, rubbing her nose.
- I'm sorry, but I'm not so familiar to pack into trouble, like you - she scoffed.
- Enough move sometimes your butt outside the hive - snorted Mo.
The Queen seemed to be offended by her words, put hands at the waist.
- You think I'm too comfortable to move outside the hive?
- I did not say it...
- Just do not begin to fight - snorted calmly Skyfall, still watching the wall.
Alabaster scowled and she wanted to react, as it would do it any other Queen on her place, hear such blatant mockery of the mouth her subordinate... when suddenly she felt someone's hand on her shoulder. She looked away, right on the calm face Clearcut, who shook his head slightly with a light smile.
"I know that normally such behavior would be unacceptable... but the years have done their habits... I know something about this" - he said to her softly.
She sighed softly.
"Yes, I know. Your relationships are based on a slightly different basis "- she said. - "I'm sorry, I'm upset our situation."
"That's understandable, my dear... You do not you're used to the dangers... For us it's nothing new, so we can keep the calm."
She smiled at him gently, and then she walked to the Moonlight, still staring at the wall.
- ... And your last hope is go by the wall - said a young female and sighed, resigned. - Well said... The last hope.
Alabaster furrowed her brow and she wanted to say something, when suddenly the wall, against which they stand, budge... and started to recede quickly, leaving behind a long tunnel leading slightly in down.
- What did you do? - asked surprised Carter.
- Nothing ...
- Last Hope - Alabaster repeated. - So was called the last hiveship, who built Avatars before they leaving - she added with a triumphant smile. - The greatest of all.
- ...But he was destroyed at the beginning of the Great War - Clearcut finished. - Shall we? - he asked, pointing to the hallway hand gesture.