Chapter 40
Dungeons and dragons.
The corridor led tens of meters down, tilted at a gentle angle, and ended in another chamber.
What they saw there, stunned them. A giant cave hidden somewhere inside the mountain, was covered with the same crystal, what corridor, but much brighter and more coming in the violet. The entire interior was lit by the lights placed in numerous, large and small columns, shining pleasant yellow light.
The main column seemed to create the skeleton of the entire structure, creating a slightly oval dome and propping the ceiling, under which all connect to one another, forming a sort of upside-down wells. However, there was not the light.
Between the columns around the entire interior, the statutory two levels of terraces leading to the side rooms. The railings also serve as additional lighting.
However, most attention attracted large platform on the middle of the cave, around which there were plenty of control panels - at least for this it looks, from the place, where they stand. Everything was done with this mysterious crystal.
They left from the corridor slowly, almost reverently by going into a big cave. Only then they saw on the side a stargate. But there were different from than those that they knew - like something between the gates from the SGC and those on Atlantis, Carter thought, and she walked over to one of the control panels at the platform. At first it seemed that this is just another, rough plate, full of bigger and smaller cavities, but as soon as she touched one of them, its surface rippled gently, and to her surprise it change in a screen, showing a diagram of a some device.
- Liquid crystal screen? - she said, more to herself than to the other and she touched a rectangular recess on the right.
It reacted in the same way, but this time changing into something far more like keyboard. The others followed her example, by running more panels. Some of them have been changed in the screens, the other in panels in various kinds.
- Who would build it? - asked finally Alabaster, saying aloud the question that all of them preoccupy the minds.
- Maybe it's some experimental facility Lanteans? - Sheppard muttered, looking around. - Upstairs are the next rooms - he added, pointing to gesture of the head.
- I do not think, that it was the technology of the Ancients - said Jackson. - It's not like anything created by them... It's completely different... style - he notice, also looking around. - I was tempted to even say that the more it reminds me of organic constructions, which created Wraiths.
- Columns and lighting definitely remind them - Moonlight admitted.
- Is the Wraith ever experimented with crystals? - Carter asked, turning to the Starburst.
- From what I know, it not - he said. - Our technology has always been based on organic... Unless that before the Great War - he said and looked at Clearcut.
The Wraith raised a bit his eyebrows, but he seemed completely disinterested in what they found.
- No - he replied shortly. - Wraith never experimented with crystals.
- But you know who, right? - Skyfall interjected with a derisive smile.
Doc looked at him calmly and sighed under his breath.
- Yes. I know who.
- Doc? - said impatiently Mo.
- What?... He asked if I knew WHO, and not that I have to say WHO - he said blithely.
- Right now took you on clinging to words? - she scoffed, folding her arms across her chest.
He bared his teeth in a wide smile, and then looked at the main platform.
- Nu 'Ada had such technology - he said with a strange hint of nostalgia. - They were able to connect with each other technology derived from Lanteans, organic and based on such crystals... Their technology mainly based on nanotechnology, including organic.
- Are you saying, that the ancestors of Harrigan were more technologically advanced than Lanteans? - Sam was surprised.
- At the end... Yes.
- So, why Lanteans not use their technology? - asked Daniel. - Why we do not encounter on their technology? The only thing we have found so far, was that station... and now this outpost.
- And why did you not encounter too often Lanteans technology?... For the same reason as in the case of Nu'Ada: because most was destroyed during the Great War - Clearcut calmly explained. - In fact, the only remnant of the Lanteans is Atlantis... And why Lanteans not using Nu'Ada technology?... Ask them about it... I do not know. I'm not one of them.
- I think I know what it is - said suddenly Skyfall and touched the screen, at which he stood.
Surface platform undulate gently, as previously dashboards and glowed a soft light ... And then started to emerge from her different size and shape of needles, to create a model of the structure, reminiscent them Atlantis. But when those same spies have become more accurate shapes, and even colors, they quickly understood, that this is a completely different construction.
In the middle was located nine towers, each supported on the intertwined each other, high pillars. The central tower, the highest of all, was connected bridges with eight other, which surrounded her, and with were also connected to each other. The next buildings, getting lower, were arranged in a similar way, so that every time they create more and more octagonal. The last three towers again became higher, and the shape of the last one, brought to mind sail attached to a tall, slightly curved mast. They were even able to see the details of the design, which the inner part resembled a huge of the window, imitating the structure of insect wings.
The whole looked like a spider web, consists of a total of eight levels surrounding a central tower, forming around her octagonal star, which is the basis for all construction. These eight arms formed in it only sharp edges. Everything else seemed to be smooth and rounded, undulating and twisting sometimes with each other, imitating their shape and construction the organic structure.
Entirely complement the omnipresent vegetation and water.
- It's beautiful - almost whispered at the end of Alabaster, with the breathlessly watching the mysterious city.
- It's true - admitted Teyla. - I have to admit, that so far Atlantis was for me a miracle of architecture... but if this city actually existed, had to be... wonderful.
- There was. It is Noridos - almost muttered Clearcut. - ...The capital of Nu'Ada - he explained, seeing her a questioning look.
- Have you seen him? - asked Daniel.
- Yes... But it was a long time ago - he muttered, as if reluctant to think about those times.
- I'm not even able to imagine what it must have been a wonderful sight, stand there and look at it - said with delight Moonlight and she glanced at him.
But the old Wraith did not answer her, staring blankly in the model of the city. His thoughts wandered entirely elsewhere, stopping at the memories dating back thousands of years. And judging by the expression on his face, they were painful memories, she thought.
- This place can be something of our Great Library - noticed a sudden Starburst.
- The last database of Nu'Ada - admitted Skyfall.
- Do you know what this means? - asked Samantha.
- Trouble - threw Ronon.
Carter looked at him and was about to chide him that he can not appreciate the treasure trove of knowledge that can be hidden in this place, when I suddenly noticed that Satedan reaches for his gun, pointing into one of the corridors. She looked in that direction, just like the others. Sheppard and Skyfall instinctively reached for their gun, target them in the same direction.
At the entrance to the hall, located exactly opposite to that, which they came, it became four Wraiths soldiers, targeting to the group with they weapons. They armor, however, differed from those known people, creating a mixture of metal and organic structures, tightly covering almost every part of the body. Also their masks resembled the helmet hides the entire head.
But the figure, who emerged from behind them, even more surprised everyone. Tall, slim Wraith with long, graphite hair and a like Moonlight complexion, looked at them calmly his gray-blue eyes. He was wearing a two-piece uniform with leather and material.
- When I sensed your presence, I was surprised, that you were able to get in here - he said with a slight smile Quickblade. - But when I saw you... - shook his head in amusement, looking directly at Clearcut. - I admit, that I was amazed.
- You work for her - snapped Doc.
- How do you figure? - he sneered.
- You should not have done that. It's dangerous... A retrovirus is not ready.
- You're wrong... It is fully ready - he said calmly, raising his hand, which was not even a trace of the feeding slit. - We have gained the results of the Empathy research...
- And how many times have you had to repeat the procedure? - he interrupted him calmly. - Believe me, that a retrovirus is not ready - he insisted on his Clearcut. - Even Empathy knew it. But only further research and analysis made us aware of what in it lack... the same basic element that allowed us to exist: Avatars energy, which they feed the First Generation to grow up in cocoons.
- So how do you explain her existence? - he said, a little angry, pointing on the Mo. - You are wrong. It in Moonlight DNA is hidden a missing element... And the fact, that you came out here from the top, only confirms it... Therefore I'm taking her with me - he added suddenly with gravely, and unexpectedly fired to her from his pop-blaster.
Energy missile hit straight at the young female... and Teyla, who tried to push her to the side, to run through after their bodies. Both fell limply down.
Ronon fired first, but the bolt instead of a soldier... hit in the surrounding him forcefield... Exactly the same, as Sheppard and Skyfall missiles.
Surprised , they repeated the attack, which, to their disappointment, ended the same way.
Starburst grabbed her daughter by the arm and pulled her down. Group quickly hid behind the platform, to avoid counterattack from the Wraith stunners.
- Do not stop shooting - called the Colonel.
- From where they have it? - Carter threw.
- Maybe they found it here? - Starburst said, glancing at the soldiers.
One of them came to unconscious Moonlight... and for a moment he wondered whether to take her or Teyla, then he grabbed both, and flip them over his shoulders.
His Commander was already at the gate control panel, selecting the address on a small DHD.
The other three soldiers did not interrupt shooting, while they slowly retreating towards the gate, protecting the Commander and his companion carrying two females.
Unfortunately, in contrast to them, two people and the Wraiths did not have a protective force field, which allowed them follow after the attackers. Therefore, they still hid behind the platform, whilst the gate ejected already stream of energy. And when only the tunnel stabilized, carrying Moonlight and Teyla soldier crossed gate the first.
- I'm sorry it has to end this way! - called from the gate Quickblade. - Goodbye, old friend - he added, and also entered the tunnel.
The other three soldiers gave the last series of shots and moved by their Commander.
Using this moment of calm, Skyfall sprang up rapidly from the place, and right behind him Sheppard. Both ran inside the gently undulating, blue surface, which moments later dematerialized just a few meters in front of Ronon. Satedanin stopped and swore under his breath... almost at the same moment as Clearcut, who stand up from behind the platform and opened his eyes wide.
Wraith did not even notice when Quickblade had materialized on the platform of big, round device, pulsing faster and faster bright light. He had to do it from the gate panel, he thought.
The device looked like a Wraith sound bomb, but it was made of crystal.
- Is it... - began Starburst.
- Get out! - called Doc. - Immediately! - he growled, starting use one of the panels to entry a commands.
Almost all of them without a word walked over towards the corridor, from which they came. Only the Commander stopped at Clearcut.
- What are you doing?
- I'm trying to reduce the range... Run away - he growled.
Wraith hesitated at first, but then without a word he ran for the rest. Moments later, Doc finished entering the new commands and also jumped up, running in the corridor.
The device flashed the last, bright light... and then shot out a wave of energy, which quickly engulfing the entire cave. For moments the entire crystal structure flickered gently, spreading quickly this reaction not only in the cave, but also in the corridor and the hatch closing the entrance to the chamber.
The hatch spread on, again revealing stairs.
Covered entrance stone slabs, have been removed with the help of C-4. Only in this way McKay and Ember could try to open a crystal layer using a reprogrammed sonar. So now, when the input flickered, Rodney interrupted his argument about the Wraith work, and both instinctively stepped back, looking like crystals recede.
- You made it - said Vala and she slapped Ember on the shoulder.
- ... I do not think that it was our merit - he said.
- As it is not our?... - McKay protested, but he not could finish.
On the stairs just now ran Alabaster. Gathered around the hole persons retreated, surprised. Only Ember immediately held out his hand, to help her get out from the chamber.
- Thank you - she said with a gentle smile.
- What happened? - asked concerned about Mitchell.
- A sound bomb - said shortly young Queen and looked down.
Ember wanted to say something, when up the stairs ran Sam and Daniel, and a moment later Ronon and Starburst, stopping at the last step.
- Where's Doc? - asked Alabaster.
- He should be here soon - said Commander, looking expectantly down. - He stay to reduce the range of the bomb.
- And if he does not have time? - asked concerned Hovich, looking at the Wraith. - If we go from the stairs, the entrance will close - she said and went down a few steps lower, gazing expectantly down the corridor.
But no one came out.
- You'd better come upstairs, Dr. Hovich... - said calmly Starburst.
- I think I see someone - she said, crouching.
Anxiety on her face disappeared, when in semi-darkness she saw a running figure. Wraith was just a few meters from the cave. Alaya smiled, happy and wanted to go up, when suddenly her attention was attracted to a strange glow rushing behind Clearcut. She narrowed her eyes to look at this phenomenon better... and then she realized what it could be. There were two possibilities: either it is a shock wave of sound bombs or worse, the corridor starts to shut down.
- Hurry up - called the Wraith, going one step higher, but it was too late.
Wave energy reached a Clearcut at the same moment, in which he ran into the chamber, knocking him to the ground, and immediately afterwards the doctor Hovich.
Standing with one foot on the first step Starburst, retreated rapidly, when the dark crystals suddenly started to close up.
In the cave came the deathly silence, interrupted until by Alabaster.
- They stuck there - she almost whispered in disbelief, and at the same time with dismay looking at her father.
- Why you raise leg? ... - said reproachfully Ronon.
- He done well - Carter interrupted him firmly and looked calmly at the Wraith. - Otherwise it would cut his leg - she added. - Hatch and so would closed up...
- The entrance had to close due to a stun wave - said Ember. - Kind of security... But we'll find a way to get them out from there, Milady - he added, glancing at Alabaster.
The Queen nodded only her head, smiling gently. She was sure that the Wraith will keep his word. She believed in him. In the end, he was one of the best scientists.
Just like her father.
.
.
Skyfall woke up first and jerked jumped up, looking around.
He stood on a large plain, covered with low grass, and high on the blue sky above him was two suns... and a few dark shapes.
He glanced down at the unconscious Sheppard. Quickblade soldiers surprised them, when they only cunning through the gate. Their stun guns have to be set to maximum power, since the single shot fallen the Wraith, he thought, and poked foot the human. And when he did not react, he did it more strongly.
The man groaned and opened his eyes, jumped up suddenly, to aim with his gun straight in the Wraith face.
- Be careful with this... human - Commander growled and started toward the distant tree line.
- Where are you going? - said surprised Sheppard.
- After Mo. They took her to their base - he said.
- How do you know?
- Because I know where we are... Technicians utilize this planet as their main base, because they know that most of the Wraith will not want to come here.
- Why? - asked the colonel, still standing at the gate.
Skyfall stopped and looked at him, slightly annoyed.
- We are on the Draconis... Planet inhabited by some of the most dangerous animals in the galaxy - he explained. - Many of them may swallow up you in full as a snack - he added and moved on. - You better go back to your people, before you finish in the belly of one of them.
- No better call for backup? They also have Teyla!
The Wraith again turned to him, irritated by this discussion, and wanted to say something, when suddenly something caught his eye in the sky... something very quickly coming to them, lowering the flight. He raised his gun and fired. The bolt hit in the flying giant, but did not much impression on him. Creature just swayed slightly and shook his head, but then regained balance, turning back to the next attack... directly on Skyfall.
- Select an address! - he shouted.
- Which one?
- Any one! - he said, waiting for the creature will be close enough, to begin to ran.
He had an idea... and he had hope, that the human will understand what it is.
John chose the seven symbols on the DHD and stopped his hand over the central, spherical crystal, looking like the Wraith running straight to the gate. And just behind him the great winged beast with a long and strong beak.
- Now! - shouted Skyfall and suddenly jumped to the side, seeing as human touching crystal activation the gate.
The energy beam fired directly in the beast, which did not manage to pull up in top. Big lump of meat fell limply down, when retreating beam of Stargate, took part abdomen of the beast.
Sheppard came out behind the DHD, looking at dead creature.
- It looks like a... pterodactyl... or however they was called - he muttered and looked around. - I also know where we are... Although recently there were more trees - he noted. - I chased us T-rex.
- Technicians have to cut them out... And since you met dracons, then you know, that this is not a safe place - said the Commander and returned to his journey.
- Hey! Wait! - called him colonel, and caught up with him. - They also took Teyla, so I'm going with you - he said firmly. - You call these creatures dragons? - he interest after a while.
- Yes. Some of them are the symbol of a few of our Clans.
- They look like creatures that have ever lived on Earth - he said. - We called them dinosaurs... They extinct millions of years ago.
- So, it is possible, that it Lanteans brought them to this galaxy... From what I know, they came here some three million years ago, when their world mastered the epidemic, called the Great Plague, and their home world was covered a thick layer of snow.
- I think it is called the Great Ice Age... But dinosaurs became extinct much earlier.
- And do you know how long on your world lived Lanteans? - he asked curiously. - Besides that, of certainly not extinct all at once.
- Fact - he said.
Skyfall smiled corner of his mouth.
- In that case, if you know, what creatures they are, it is better to check how much ammunition left you... And start to save her - he added.
- Because here you will be need her not only on dracons.
- I understand that you have a plan? - he asked, looking through your weapon.
- Yes... is called: improvisation - Wraith said calmly.
- Great - John muttered and looked around. - But I guess at least you know in which direction to go? - he preferred to be sure.
- Yes ... In those mountains - pointed distant snowy peaks.
- Are you kidding? This is two days on foot! - noticed colonel.
- So you better hurry up... human - answered maliciously Wraith and quickened his pace.
Sheppard scowled and caught up with him.
.
.
Carter began to pick Atlantis address, before colonel Mitchell started to landing jumper near the gate.
A large, flat clearing where stood Gate of Ancestors, as the locals people called stargate, allowed them to land safely.
As soon as the tunnel of the gates stabilized, Samantha switch on the holographic screen, on which for a moment's appeared face of Amelia Banks.
- I have to immediately talk with Mr. Woolsey - she said, on what the woman nodded and turned on a tiny handset, hung in her ear.
- Mr. Woolsey, colonel Carter wants to speak with you immediately.
- I'm coming - said a male voice from the handset.
They did not wait long... besides Atlantis Commander was practically behind the wall, so that the man had only moved from one room to another.
- I understand that something happened - he said, looking at the screen.
- Unfortunately... And it's a lot - she said. - It turned out, that this whole bas-relief, is part of the device opening the entrance to the hidden in the mountain Nu'Ada facility... A rather some kind of... treasury of knowledge... Something like our Great Library of Alexandria.
- Nu'Ada are supposedly the ancestors of Katherin Harrigan - he noticed.
- Yes... An that's why I'm starting to suspect, that her appearance there was not so accidental - she said. - It is possible, that at this mountain is a device that which to redirect tunnel of the interdimensional bridge right there... Maybe Nu'Ada before the war, tried to bring their people, but to no avail, and they left in this mountain something, that worked on the bridge as magnesium... In any case, when we went downstairs, we found that we are not alone.
- Technicians - Cameron muttered.
- And how they got there? - asked Woolsey.
- Through the gates... They were inside the mountain... This fraction of the Wraiths begins to worry me. They can be a bigger problem, than the rest of the Wraiths. Apparently, they merge with each other various technologies, including Lanteans... and apparently... unfortunately, they are pretty darn good at this - he said reluctantly.
- Todd says, that the Council is preparing for war with them and get together a fleet - added Carter. - That's why they called Teyla... as the Queen of the Wraiths, because theoretically lead a several hive... including with two, improved by Kate... They want to introduce these modernizations on other ships.
- Somehow I see this idea in black - now the Commander of Atlantis said grimly.
- At the moment we have other problems - said Sam, and he looked at her. - The Technicians kidnapped Teyla and Mo. Supposedly they believe, that Mo DNA may be the key to stability in their own retrovirus... It turned out, that they have placed in life our plan... We have seen effects... But the conversation with the Technician and the Doc, concludes that a retrovirus is still not ready as it should. It turns out, that from time to time, they have to reiterate the procedure.
- And what with Teyla and Mo?
- Sheppard and Skall managed to run through the gate behind Technicians - Mitchell interjected. - Unfortunately, the planet on which is their base, apparently teeming with dinosaurs... Wraiths call it Draconis...
- So Abe and Max want to send there his own people, but could use them our jumper, because the one who have the Wraiths, is broken - added Carter.
- Who is ABE? - asked Woolsey.
Sitting in the cockpit of the jumper pair glanced quickly at each other.
- Todd's daughter - Cameron muttered.
- You have there Wraith Queen! - said loudly in disbelief Richard and almost paled.
- She flown in behind Todd and Mo - Samantha replied calmly. - She says, that she not betray us... Mo trust her.
- They are probably... kind like cousin? - colonel looked at her, to be sure.
- As if... Todd is not the biological son of Mo grandmother...
- Less behold - interrupted Woolsey. - Are you sure that this... Abe, certainly she not betray us?
- In return, she told us some interesting facts about the Council... - she began. - Anyway, now, and so we have no choice - she said.
- Too true - muttered the man with the frown on his face.
- The problem is, that Abe must tell the Council what happened, to they gave her the Wraiths, who already were on the Draconis and know the area... and more importantly, who know the Technicians base - added Mitchell.
- It's all definitely getting out of control - Richard muttered, shaking his head in resignation. Then he looked again at his interlocutors. - There is no other way?
- Abe says that it does not... Anyway, the Council and so knows about our dealings with Mo and Todd... not everything, of course, but they know - said colonel Carter. - Abe also believes, that the Oldest Wraith know what was hides in the mountain, but because of protected her force field, they have never been able to get there... In truth, we were able to go inside, but Technicians launched a sonic bomb, that caused that entrance has closed. Now Todd and his engineer help us release the doctor Hovich and Doc...
- Release? - he interrupted her again.
- Oh yes, I forgot to say about this - said Sam. - Unfortunately, Alaya and Doc did not have time, and they stuck in an underground cave.
- Please tell me that's all? - he said, almost pleading.
- ...In fact... I think so - she said calmly.
Woolsey raised little his eyebrows, but did not comment on her words, looking at them for a moment.
- All right - he said finally. - You have the freedom of action. Do what you need to release them all... I'll ask colonel Caldwell for support... Just be careful... I've had enough of revelations today - he almost muttered on the end. - In case of any trouble, you inform us.
- Of course - said Sam. - Oh, was I forgot... I send you a list of things, that we will be need - she said, pressing on hers laptop the "enter" and then hung up. She looked at Cameron. - It went better than I expected - she breathed a sigh of relief.
- I thought, that Woolsey get a heart attack, when you mention Abe - he snorted and grabbed the rudder to lift the jumper up and turn back towards the mountains.
Awaited their a lot of work, and they could not afford to waste a time... whose they not have too much, to save Teyla and Alaya.