Chapter 41
Actions and reactions.
Moonlight suddenly opened her eyes and jumped up to a crouched position, looking around.
The cell was submerged in the twilight... as well as leading here corridor. But surprisingly, the bars were not organic, but metal. Similarly like the control panel and some parts of the walls.
She growled under her breath. That meant she would not be able to connect to the system telepathically.
She glanced to the side. Right next to her lay still unconscious Teyla. She nudged her lightly.
- Teyla?... Teyla, wake up - shook her harder.
The woman gasped, then suddenly opened his eyes and stood up quickly, sitting down on the floor.
- Where are we? - she asked, looking around.
- In Technicians base - Mo said and sat down next to her.
The woman looked in the direction of the metal grids and frowned, glancing again at the female.
- The Technicians combine organic structures with the metal, to a greater extent than we do - Moonlight explained calmly. - From long time they perfected this process, but the Council decided that it is unnecessary for us. Even when arrived humans from Earth... and then the Civil War broke out, and Technicians as the first separate from us, and formed their own alliance under the leadership of Midsummer. They believed, that the rest of Wraiths commits a colossal mistake, underestimating the new enemy... Then we lost most of our... engineers, able to repair the hiveships.
- That's why you call them Technicians? Because they repaired hiveships?
- Not quite. Earlier they were called Hivehealers or Keepers... but when they went away, and began to use its technology to combine elements of organic and metal, then we began to call them Technicians - she explained. - And I do not know what they did, but their hive seems to be... dead... I do not feel it like we feel hiveships... Technicians are also others... Their minds... I can not even call it.
- Yeah... I sensed it, too - said Emmagan. - This is probably the retrovirus... You saw what he did with this Wraith? He was more like... you, than others Wraiths - she said. - Do you think it really finished?
- I do not know... Clearcut claimed, that did not... and I believe, that he knows, what he said... Skyfall said serious, that Doc sometimes seems to know more, than he wants to tell us.
- Or than he can say - said Teyla, and Mo looked at her, raising an eyebrow slightly. - Until now you thought, that the Invention is your mother's idea, and this time it turned out that this is a Council command... And from what I saw, I think Clearcut closely cooperates with the Council.
- That's it, and I know - she snorted lightly.
- But you do not know of Invention. He nothing said to you... because the Council could forbid him... The same can be with other things. The Council may not want, to this information reach a wider range, than is necessary... You said, that Clearcut working on a retrovirus, and this is why you contact with us. And now it turns out, that the Council has long knew about this.
- I'm starting to get the impression, that the Council knows many things... which we think, that they does not know - she said.
- The more I learns about Wraiths, the more I conclude that... it can be a very likely hypothesis - Teyla admitted with a slight smile. - ...You know that Wraith? - she asked. - He seemed to be familiar.
Moonlight looked at her.
- Yes. It is Quickblade. Blade of Queen Redswan... and her Commander.
- Redswan? Dream Keeper?
- Yeah... He disappeared shortly after the outbreak of the Civil War. We thought he was dead... and yet it turns out, that he joined the Midsummer... Although I do not understand why - she said sadly. - He never did not support her ideas.
- And what can we expect from Midsummer? - she asked with some concern in his voice.
- Certainly nothing good - almost muttered ominously Mo.
Emmagan not answered. She also not asked for anything more. That's one finding of a young female explained her everything. She knew, that Mo not said it her unnecessarily. But now Teyla even more affirm in her beliefs: they are in really serious trouble, and probably only a miracle will be able to save them.
The miracle called John Sheppard. He never left to them here. He will be try to release them both by all means. This one she was certain.
And only this one thought gave her courage... and hope.
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Alabaster never seen, to her grandmother was so irate, as now.
The events of the cave at Vallen, which young Queen just summarized the Grey Council, clearly precipitated out of balance not only Firerain.
But at this moment, when she looked at her grandmother, she could have sworn that in her eyes she saw fire... the fire of rage, which Queen barely refrained from issue it on the outside.
Initially Alabaster was not sure if she should talk about it to the Council. She was afraid of their reaction. Their anger. But her father convinced her, that they have no choice... Besides, the Council from the long time been aware of his dealings with the New Lanteans.
Nightstorm always been inquiring and she quickly became aware of, that her son had been taken on aboard of Atlantis on the Earth... Ever since he was imprisoned by the Genii, and no one could find him for almost two years, the Queen very closely followed his fate... especially after the death of her daughter...
- This is too much - snapped Icesea. - Midsummer gone way too far... It's open war, when she kidnapped ours.
Alabaster shivered. Although she knew, that the look of the Queen was not directed to her, it's still a cold shiver through her. Even dress the older Queen, in shades of silver and blue, was not so cold, as the icy gaze and voice the Icesea.
- Do not let yourself be provoked - tried to calm her Clearsky. - Midsummer's at it counts... that we will run into a rage and we begin to act without thinking.
Her voice was gentle and calm... as always. It sounded like soothing music. There seemed to be not even so guttural, as in most of the Wraith.
She's always been a mediator in various disputes, softened the wrath of other Queens of the Council... She was the voice of common sense.
She was like an oasis of calm.
Like a clear, cloudless sky.
And such meaning of her name, like everyone else, knew the young Queen: this one, whose mind is pure and calm, like a cloudless sky on a clear day.
But once Alabaster asked her grandmother where it really meaning her name. She knew the story, that before the Great War, Voca was imparted by Avatars, and this for various reasons. And Oldest never presented a different full name. They do not have to. Everyone knew them. They were from forever.
That day Firerain seemed to think for a while, and finally told her granddaughter the story of Clearsky... as they found her some two hundred years before the Great War in the wreck of the cruiser. Nobody knew who she was... who was her ancestors. At the time, females were significantly more than today, and some Wraith for many years traveled by the galaxy, without contacting the other, and after returning brought with them their offspring.
Perhaps Clearsky was just such a child... a child of travelers, but no one was able to confirm that. Even she herself. Because in the crash she completely lost her memory.
One of the Avatars had said, that her mind is like a newborn baby's mind: no memories, no regrets and concerns. As an unwritten book... As cloudless sky on a clear day, in which she liked to stare, when they brought her on the Patria... Full of calm.
Therefore, gave her Voca: Clearsky.
- You propose to wait? - asked Whiteraven.
- No... But we must act prudently. Remember that we have our people there - said Clearsky. - Whatever we do, we must also think about their safety...
- Do you have spies in the ranks of Midsummer? - Alabaster interjected, surprised.
Other Queens looked at her as if she completely forgot about her presence.
- Yes... from a long time - admitted reluctantly Nightstorm.
- So they can help us release the Mo...
- It's out of the question - interrupted dryly Darkflame. - They too long worked on Midsummer trust... - she looked at Nightstorm. - I'm sorry, but I will not sacrifice it even for your granddaughter... We must find another way.
- I agree with you - awarded the Queen. - I do not want to miss so many years of work... We have to think of something else... send someone there, who will do it quickly and efficiently.
- Maybe the Raptor and Tracker? - suggested Sunrise. - They have the most experience in such actions.
- ...It's also - said slowly Nightstorm. - But I thought also about someone else. About someone, who Midsummer does not expect, or whom she disregard - she added with a snappy smirk. - Probably she will be expecting them alone... but not cooperating with us.
- You want to send New Lanteans? - Whiteraven said, though this idea clearly she liked.
- It is wise? Do we may trust them? - asked pessimistic Rainbow.
She was the youngest Queen in Council. She took place after the Redswan death.
Alabaster poorly knew her. More from the tales, than in person. But she had an opinion prudent and composure... The Council would never have accepted to its members impetuous Queen. Each of them had to take decisions on all Wraith. Therefore, as long as it was possible, any new, elected to the Council of the Queen, was one from the Oldest. They had the knowledge and experience accumulated over millennia. The experience from before the Great War, when the galaxy looked completely different than it is now. And this knowledge and experience gave them a sober look at the world... as well as other, than were the younger generations, which often turned out to be very useful.
- They took one of them. For sure they will want to release her... as always they do - said Nightstorm. - We can use them for our own purposes.
- I will send with them Raptor and Tracker - Whiteraven said. - They are best suited for this task.
- I agree ... I'll tell them - said Nightstorm and walked towards the side exit.
- I will pass the message my father...
- You, my dear, stay here - Firerain said firmly. - Tours with your father, are not the best idea... He can afford to risk. But you have a little son.
- I will contact with Stardust - said Sunrise. - Let he organize a rescue for his son - she giggled, standing calmly from the throne and moving in the same direction as Nightstorm.
- About Skyfall you would a least worried - Darkflame snorted. - Fortunately he not have the same ability to pack into trouble, as his father!
- Thankfully! - said, amused Sunrise, not stopping.
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Clearcut twitched and opened his eyes, which immediately adapted to the prevailing around the darkness.
He groaned, sitting up slowly. His body still felt the effects of a meeting with the wave of deafening. It was stronger than he had expected.
He looked around and his gaze stopped on the stairs leading to the exit of the chamber. Someone was lying on them. After shaped and uniform he recognize only, that it was one of the humans female. He came to see which one, turning her carefully on back. His eyes widened at the sight of doctor Hovich, and then he put his cheek closer into her mouth. She was breathing, she was just unconscious, he thought with relief and gently brushed her hair from her face.
She flinched and blinked her eyes... and then she felt the stabbing pain of the whole body.
She swore in Czech language.
- Believe me, not only you are feel so - said a guttural voice in the darkness.
She looked sharply in the direction from which was coming, but everything what she was able to see in these darkness, was gently glowing eyes of the Wraith. She got up quickly... and again she moaned.
- This is effect of stun bombs - Clearcut explained. - I'm afraid that it was stronger than normal, so for a long time you will be feel like this.
- Doc? Is that you? - she made sure.
- Yes.
- I'm sorry, but I completely do not see anything... except your eyes... and I was not sure the voice.
- You do not have to apologize, doctor Hovich - he said calmly and gently grabbed her arm. - I'll help you walk to the wall... Three steps down - he inform, raising her slowly.
- Now I know what it means to be blind - she said.
- Blind humans opening their mind to other sensations... and sharpen they remaining senses, mostly hearing and touch.
- Yes, I know... but it's a long process. And we rather not have such much time... And certainly not me - she snorted, allowing Wraith the lead her.
- Others certainly find a way how to open the entrance - he consoled her and put her hand on the wall, that she could sit under it. - Good news is, that the crystal apparently well filters the air here.
- How do you know?
- When input opened up, from the chamber does not come out the stale air, what always takes place at the opening of such facilities - he noted.
- As in the old tombs.
- For example.
- But you still have a better chance of survival, than me - she said. - Wraith do not need water or food... human food - she added quickly.
- And now I will little comfort you, doctor Hovich. I from long time not... feed on - he hesitated for a moment before using this word.
- Oh... It is a consolation? - she asked with a note of irony.
- I mean... I wanted to say... in the sense, that not only you have a vision of death by starvation here - he began to explain, not knowing how to extricate himself from his unfortunate expression.
- Yes, I understand what you want to say - she said, amused. - And please, tell me Alaya.
He looked at her and smiled slightly, although she was not able to see it.
- My Voca is Clearcut - he said.
- I... Why?... I'm sorry, but you surprised me - she said finally, completely surprised. - I heard, that Wraiths are quite reluctant to disclose their names.
- Well.. because when I presenting myself to the another Wraith, I explain him importance my Voca, as also from whose Clan and hive I come, and what I do - he explained calmly. - In contrast it, the word: Clearcut, basically anything say you about me.
- Yes, Mo told me about it... That's why I'm surprised, that you said it to me - she said.
- Well, since we already have here both starve to death, then at least you'll know, with who you dying - he snorted sarcastically.
- It has to be this comforting message, I understand? - she asked, slightly amused. - Knowing, that I will not die here alone?
- Yes - said blithely Clearcut.
- Well... right now I feel better - she muttered sarcastically.
- At least you still not lose a sense of humor - he noted.
She smiled, amused... and then there was complete silence.
The walls muffled every sound, which could get here from the top. Therefore, when the Wraith spoke again, the women until jumped slightly.
- Forgive my previous behavior - he said. - A bad way to get acquainted.
- You no need to apologize... I understand why you reacted like that... I should be wiser, and predict, that if I look like someone's doppelganger, you will not be thrilled to see me.
- But it's also not your fault... The Commander explained to me, that he only mention you about your remarkable resemblance to her. How could you know, that I'll react so.
- I'm really so similar into her? - she asked cautiously, looking at him.
Earlier she could only see his eyes, looking somewhere ahead. But now he looked directly at her.
- Extremely - he said. - When I saw you... Suddenly, all the memories came back. As if she never died.
- I'm sorry... I did not mean to upset you... I thought, that it might be an interesting meeting, if I so remember this Lantean.
- Her name was Mishka - said slowly. - ...Her family had lived from generations on the Patria... Only she and her sister survived... Mishka died at the end of the Great War, and her sister was taken by Lanteans on Atlantis, presumably as a prisoner.
- That's how long lived Lanteans? - she asked, intrigued.
- Most quietly live to over two hundred years old... But not because it they both lived so long.
- Ah, yes, I remember from the report of colonel Sheppard... the Gift of the Life, is not it?
- Yes... That's why.
Again there was silence.
Alaya shivered and wrapped her arms around her. Suddenly through her body penetrated the coldness, though she did not know whether here is cold, or is it a delayed reaction to the body's not he sonic bomb.
And then she felt the Wraith carefully covers her arm.
She looked at him in surprise and smiled gently, completely surprised by his gesture. She moved closer to him and rested her head on his chest.
That's odd, she thought, but she felt completely safe in his company.
- Do not worry - almost whispered Clearcut, reassuringly. - They pull out us from here. There are the best scientists of our worlds. They something come up.
- Yes, I know - she said, and closed her eyes.
She was tired, and her body was still sore.
Again she shivered.
The Wraith took her second arm, moving closer to him, to warm her.
.
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The fighter was approaching fast to the mountain, hiding from millennia the secrets long forgotten civilization, to slow in her near, flying over the Wraiths freighter, and then flew a little higher and materialized on a wide rocky ledge its cargo.
Stardust looked only at the jumper from Atlantis and went into the cave, where the team of Wraiths and humans is still trying to force the crystal to reveal the entrance to the underground cave. Even from a distance he heard McKay's trying to prove his right two Wraiths scientists. But while Starburst slowly began to lose patience, it seemed that the young Ember still keeps calm... at least seeming. Only Rainsong completely ignored the words of a human scientist - after a month spent in his company, he learned to ignore most of his speeches, paying attention only to what is really important.
- The last time when I left you both, you get to the another dimension - said from afar Wraith, whom they knew as Max. - Now you close someone in a cave... What's next? - he asked ironically, stopping in front of the group and looking directly at McKay and Rainsong.
- This time it's not our fault - Rodney protested, but soon he calmed down. - It's your buddy, who kidnapped Teyla and Mo.
- Unfortunately - he said. - ...We received a message from Atlantis. Soon they send equipment for which you asked - he added. - The Council also proposed the help. Some of our scientists have studied these crystals.
- So you met with them before? - interested Samantha.
The Wraith smiled mysteriously corner of his mouth.
- Personally I met those, who created them, colonel Carter...
- So Abe was right, The Oldest know what is here? - Daniel interjected.
- We presumed, that this place may hide outpost of Nu'Ada - he said calmly. - But protecting it field and crystals, prevented us examine this place... and no one was able to get there.
- Those Wraith passed through the gates - reminded Jackson. - It seemed to be... more primitive, than those, that normally we see in this galaxy.
Stardust again smiled slightly.
- Yes, it's true, it's... an older model of the gate. In this way are activated those newer... We call it "Back gate" - he explained. - Have been placed in the whole galaxy before the Great War... Unfortunately, access to them safeguard the special codes... Technicians had to get the code for these particular gates. I suppose, that they, or from long looking them... or they stumbled on it quite by accident.
- Who put these additional gates on the planets? - asked Teal'c. - The Ancients?
- No... This is the work of Nu 'Ada... Lanteans did not know about them.
- But for what purpose they did it? - asked Mitchell.
- ...I do not know - he said. - We found out about them by accident, in time of war. To some of them managed us to get the codes. Sometimes we use them.
- Now it is probably less important - Rodney interrupted. - We have a bigger problem. Your buddy got stuck there with our doctor, and given the fact that the crew Mo suffer recently at the... lack of food, I would prefer to open the damn entrance before he... wants to complement his nutritional deficiencies - he said at the end, returning to calibrate the device.
- I assure you, Dr. McKay that this does not happen - he said calmly Stardust.
- How do you know? - Vala asked suspiciously.
Wraith looked at her and smiled slightly.
- I've known him for a long time and I'm sure - he assured her. - Let's say, that he have his reasons for not doing so.
- I hope you do not mistaken - almost snapped Ronon. - Otherwise I can assure you, that it will be his last moments - he said, holding his hand on his gun.
- Do not need to worry. Your friend nothing threatens... at least not from the Doc.
This time it Satedan smiled derisively, looking firmly into the eyes of the Wraith.
- One thing puzzles me - Sam interrupted them. - If this is facility of Nu 'Ada, why biological scanner reacted to Mo?
The Commander smiled broadly.
- I was wondering when you ask for it - he said, as if slightly amused. - Before the war, many of us have worked with Nu'Ada scientists... Then our DNA... slightly different from the current one. It was very close to the Mo DNA.
- You had a retrovirus, which eliminated your need to feed on people? - she asked surprised, clearly interested.
- Yes, but it was not a retrovirus what you are trying to create... Nu 'Ada discovered, that it is possible to develop individual retrovirus, not causing side effects, based on our own DNA every Wraiths... But it was a tedious and long process... Unfortunately, in the case of the creation of retrovirus for the entire population, Nu 'Ada also had the same problem as you... There was too many factors causing unwanted side effects... - he glanced at the Starburst.
- I guess, that you does not have kept this retrovirus - snickered maliciously Mitchell.
- And here you are wrong, colonel - he retorted.
The gathered in the cave persons looked at him clearly surprised... even the Wraiths.
- The Council still has it, right? - asked Starburst, although it was more a statement than a question.
- Yeah... Even during the war, we tried to improve it... to eliminate the lengthy process of creating an individual retrovirus. But always there were some problems. Keeping as many of our ability, while eliminating the need to feed on humans, engender more problems than we expected... So, finally we abandoned the study, recognizing, that find satisfactory us solution is impossible... And the next generations was no longer interested these study - he said.
For a moment there was silence.
- In the cave, your friend mentioned, that Technicians must periodically re-applying a retrovirus - said after a moment, Daniel. - Is it the same was in your case? Before the Great War?
- No... The vaccine was made only once and durable.
The scientist frowned.
- Then why did you started to feed on the people?... Or maybe just some of you were transformed?
Stardust smiled slightly.
- If it were, it would not be possible, that by almost a thousand years on our planet lived humans... safely - he said. - No. All Wraith have been subjected this procedure.
- So what happened, that you again... you know... - he not finished, raising his hand slightly.
- A side effect of war.
- What's that? - continued Jackson.
But the Wraith just looked at him with a strange face expression, and then he went into the machine, watching it in intently.
- ...And what have you got? - he asked.
McKay twitch, plucked from reflecting on the words that he had just heard.
- We already eliminated quite a number of frequencies on which the crystals will not respond - Ember said, walking over to him. - But the two gave some effect.
- What's that?
- Crystals... ripple slightly - Rodney almost muttered. - Now we oscillate at this frequency range of sound waves. But it could take hours, before we find something. The correct frequency may differ from another microns.
- But it's always a start - noted Wraith, crouching beside him.
- If you'll continue to sit here, you can finally give us address this damn planet, on which your buddies took Teyla? - Ronon growled, coming to him with anger on his face.
- I've already explained why this is a bad idea - he said irritably Starburst.
- Yes, I heard. The terrible beasts - cut with irony warrior. - You forget only, that Sheppard was stuck on this planet.
- The same as Skyfall - now snapped Wraith.
- Maybe you two want sticks, so that you may wallop one another? - snickered maliciously Stardust, paying the attention of all. But he just calmly looked at Carter. - It's true, Draconis is a very dangerous place... But mostly for pedestrians. But your jumper has a good chance, flying camouflaged... Even that, he not will be detected by the Technicians.
- Do you think it worth the risk? - asked Sam.
- Yes... I can give you to help two of our scouts, who were already on Draconis and know the planet.
- We can handle ourselves... - Ronon growled.
- We with happy accept your help - she interjected with a slight smile and glanced meaningfully on warrior, then she looked in the direction of her team. - Cameron, you and Teal'c go with them. There you will be more useful than here.
- You took it of my mouth - he threw pleased and moved as first towards the exit.
- McKay, you also go - said Sam.
The scientist looked at her in surprise.
- Me?... But why?... We have here a lot of work, before...
- You can be helpful in Technicians base - she explained. - We can handle here - she assured him.
Rodney get up, though not very eager for this trip.
- Are you sure?
- Yes. Go.
- All right - he almost muttered and followed the others.
- Colonel Carter, I ask for permission to join to your team - said Kiryk. - be helpful.
- Of course... - she only nod, when the man jumped up, caught up the group.
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Skyfall stopped at the edge of a wide, but shallow river, carefully observing the opposite shore. It seemed to him, that he heard something moving among the dense vegetation. But even his eyesight was not able to catch any suspicious shapes.
Sheppard ran on shore covered with gravel and stopped, leaning his hands on his knees, catching the breath.
- Could you slow down a bit...
- Shhh... - Wraith growled.
The colonel straightened up, looking in the same direction, but he also did not notice anything between the dense ferns growing between tall trees. Their crowns were so dense, that busily absorbed most of the light, so that even in the middle of the day, on the bottom was twilight.
- Do you see anything? - he whispered finally.
- Yes. At least three... You retreat very slowly - Commander whispered, starting cautiously keep pushing back. - When I tell you, run away as fast as you can. Dodge among the trees and look good shelter.
John without a word made his instructions, but still did not see anything suspicious on the other side of the river. But he did not want to argue with him right now. He knew, that the Wraith had far better eyes than him.
- Now! - Wraith suddenly cried, and turned sharply, starting a run.
Sheppard did the same, corner of his eye seeing by few seconds what emerged from the trees: three meters tall, bipedal beast was partially covered with feathers, and his head was adorned with wide leather collar, decorated with small horns on the ends. His coat color was in shades of green and gray, complemented by the bright spots imitating streaks of light falling on the ground through a narrow gap in the trees - perfect camouflage for forest predator... who now chased them along with his buddies.
John Sheppard did not remember, that ever in his life he ran so fast. Even the army of Wraith drone was not as bad, as what chased them... and especially jaws that thing, full of big, sharp teeth. He even no longer felt tired after an earlier run, which now seemed to be for him a calm run.
From the corner of his eye he saw running ahead, on the left, Commander of the Wraiths. He deftly dodge between densely growing trees, as the colonel... With this slight difference, that it came out to him much smoother, noted John.
One of the predators jumped over disputes knocked down a tree trunk in the chasing of Skyfall... and soon after he stumbled on another. Wraith even did not react, when just behind him, came the sound of broken wood, crushed by two-tone piece of meat.
And then, on the left, attacked the other predator. Skyfall fired into his open jaws of a ray from his blaster. The animal roared and stopped abruptly, shaking his head. Unfortunately, temporary pain and bewilderment was all over the effect of weapons, what predator felt.
Wraith also stopped and fired two more times, straight in the head of creature. As in every case, so and for dracons it was a weak point. And even if their heads covered with a thick skin, the energy bolt penetrates deep into the body, through the eyes. It gave Commanders a moment advantage.
John turned sharply to the right, and hid behind a tree. He had to rest for a while. Running at full speed through obstacles and scrub forest, neatly put a strain on his strength. Besides, the dinosaur was already running behind him. Sneaking through the trees began to be ineffective. After all, it was they natural environment, he thought, so they was accustomed to such slalom. Fortunately for colonel, this particular reptile, or was not experienced, or had a not good reflexes, because after a while he realized, that his victim had disappeared. So he stopped and looked behind him, looking around.
Colonel prepared his weapon to fire, breathing heavily.
- Point at the jaws! - said somewhere from the side a Wraith voice, when the predator began to charge straight at the man, opening his jaws.
Sheppard focused and after a moment he pulled the trigger. Quick series of missiles fired straight into the
animal, but not immediately hit the target. Dinosaur twisted his head suddenly, stopping... and then he fell down, falling almost at the soldier foot.
His heart was pounding like crazy, when he watched the feathered creature... and his big teeth.
Skyfall stopped at the tree, looking at the dead beast.
- Nice shot... as on human - he said.
- I'll take that as a compliment - John managed, still breathing heavily.
The Wraith smiled ironically corner of his mouth, and he wanted move on, when suddenly he caught a glimpse of upcoming from the side of another predator.