Chapter 42
Enemy of my enemy...
Moonlight flinched first, when to her ears come the sound of approaching footsteps... much faster than Teyla heard them. She picked up so slowly, moving her hand on the wall.
The woman looked at her in surprise.
- What's going on? - she asked.
- Someone's coming - said Mo.
Emmagan got up quickly, staring down the corridor. Only now she heard heavy footsteps. Moments later from the corner came their owner, and followed by him two soldiers. At first she thought, that are a Wraiths drones, but when they approached, she quickly realized how wrong she was. Their faces no longer hid the mask, and now she could easily see them, opening her eyes wide at the sight of a dark-gray skin and red eyes.
She knew them. She met them already... on board an alternate version of Daedalus. She had no doubt that it is the same creatures... But from where they were here?
Quickblade stopped in front of the bars, and his gaze fell on Athozian women. He smiled corner of his mouth.
- It seems, that we've been through this before... human - he noticed. - Six years ago?
- Indeed - she acknowledged, and he smiled again.
- But this time you did not count on the help of your friends - he scoffed and glanced to the side. One of the soldiers touched the control panel and the metal grating spread apart. - Midsummer wants to talk with you - he said.
Mo walked up to him slowly, looking straight into his eyes.
- How can you work for her? - she asked in disbelief and with a hint of contempt. - She's crazy. She will destroy us all.
- You are wrong, my dear... She will help us rebuild what Lanteans and humans divest us ten thousand years ago - he said calmly and moved away little.
Standing next to him a soldier, gripped a young female by the arm, and led her down the corridor. His companion did the same with Teyla, and Quickblade moved at the end.
Nearby transporter took them straight to a room, full of various devices, made by both the Wraith and Lanteans, which apparently someone painstakingly brought together in one piece... and whoever did it, he was a genius, she thought. For now, she had never seen so many devices built by these two races, cooperated with each other... and apparently without problems.
Behind one of the control panels stood a young female, with fair skin, which waist length, dark-red hair was tied in a simple bun. She was wearing a black uniform with rusty insertions, knee-length.
Moonlight never met her before... but she recognized her tattoos, whenever she looked in their direction. It was Firesky, daughter of Midsummer, age similar to Alabaster.
Apparently her Voca means: that one, which ignites the sky, she remembered, and quickly sent Teyla telepathically all the information about her, which she could recall now. About her, and her much older brother, Waterfall, which is probably also somewhere here, she thought.
- Put her there - said female, pointing at a small, round platform in near.
Her voice was gentle, far less guttural than the other Wraiths. Just like the voice of Mo and her grandmother, thought Teyla.
A soldier without a word made her command, leading Moonlight to the indicated place, while Firesky introduced to the computer last command.
- Do not move. It's just a scan - she informed and launched the device.
At the edge of the platform, flashed a yellow light, forming a circle, which suddenly shoot up. More than two meters high cylinder of transparent energy, trapped Moonlight in his interior. For a long moment the surface seemed to be waving it up and down, until finally the device has switch off.
Double wing of the doors slid open, and someone entered the room. Teyla and Mo looked simultaneously in that direction. High Wraith female with long, wavy silver plated hair, was dressed in a bright uniform with gauzy tunic.
Their outfits definitely different from those, that wore the other Wraith, thought Emmagan... Just like their physical appearance - they definitely looks more like Moonlight, than another Wraiths. Even their skin was not olive-gray, but more... human.
The Queen stopped in front of Athozian, and then the woman noticed another difference: the color of her eyes... were cornflower and vertical pupil surrounded by yellow rays.
So, the use of a retrovirus, which created Technicians, not only abolished the need to feed on the humans, but also restored them some human qualities, as various hair color and eyes, both, females and males - she thought with interest.
- You seem to be surprised... Teyla Emmagan - she said, slightly amused.
Her voice was also softer... more feminine. As her daughter.
- You look a little... different, than the rest of the Wraiths - she said calmly.
- Yes... I too was surprised... palette of colors - she said, and walked slowly towards Mo. - Only on Quickblade it did not do no impression... But he was born before the Great War, so for him it was not a surprise like for us - she stopped in front of the scanner and glanced at the Wraith. - How old were you when the war broke out? Thirty?
- Thirty-six - he said.
- I had only six years old, so I do not remember much... even the faces of my parents - she added, thoughtfully, and after a moment she looked straight at Mo.
- You expect sympathy from us because of that? - scoffed young female.
- You should asked your grandmother about the beginnings of the war... and the time before - said calmly Midsummer. - Maybe then you will be have a little bit of respect for those times.
- You're wrong. I respect our history. My father told me a lot... But this, what you experienced then, does not justify your current actions - she point out her. - You want to trigger another war...
- I want to get back, what humans and Lanteans took us ten thousand years ago - she snapped, interrupting her. - And you do not tell me about respect for our history, because you do not know nothing about it... This, what teach you The Oldest, is just the tip of the mountain. All the rest is elaborately hidden among the understatements, uncomfortable for later generations. We so much accustomed to the current situation, that it what was, had long ceased to interest us. A later generation do not even know what was our life before the Great War. Almost a thousand years history of the Patria went into oblivion... But I will change it. I restore the memory of our ancestors, and those, who sacrificed their lives to save us... The only difference is, that I will not let humans forget who they are for the Wraiths... We are for them the punishment for the sins of their ancestors, and will remain so... I will not allow history to repeat .
- If you really want to return the times from the Patria, you would not planned to enslave the humans - she pointed her Mo. - My father told me, that they also lived on our planet. Humans and Lanteans.
The Queen looked at her with a little surprised by her words, and then she smiled corner of her mouth.
- I see, that Icestorm threw you a little more light on that period - she said.
- Yes... Although the information gave the more questions than answers - admitted reluctantly young female.
- Yes... The Oldest are a lot accustomed with... understatements different facts - Midsummer said, smiling mysteriously and walked toward her daughter. - How analysis?
- Her DNA is consistent in more than 99% - said a young female, looking at her mother with a slight disbelief and excitement at the same time. - Not surprisingly, the bio-scanner on Vallen accepted her... In fact, only a few gene sequences are inactive - she said and looked back at the screen. - But I do not understand why.
But the Queen only smiled indulgently.
- I'd assumed, that it is a doing of the Grey Council.
Firesky looked at her in surprise.
- Do you think, that Nightstorm would do it her own granddaughter? - she asked.
- She'll do anything, to stick to the guidelines... This is for her priority... You forget, that sacrificed her own daughter for this purpose.
At these words Mo frowned.
- What are you talking about? - she interjected, wanting to get off the platform, but the soldiers immediately blocked her way.
The Queen looked at her over shoulder with a sneer.
- Ask your grandmother - she said. - Certainly she with happy tell you about it... Do not get me wrong, I really admire her and the rest of The Oldest what they did over the last child thousands of years, to everything was as it should. It's really a huge burden... But the cycle is completed, and it's time for a change... And I do not have time to explain you these all historical complexities - she added sharply, and again looked at her daughter. - Perform accurate analysis. I wants to know what they did her... to be able to remove it. To the completion of the retrovirus, I need have her pure DNA - she added and turned to the prisoners. - Human females you also scan... Her mind is strong. It's unusual for a human... Her DNA also may be useful - said Queen and walked toward the door to stop halfway. - Oh, I was forgot. My son has located the male Wraith and New Lanteans... I guess, that they are your friends - she said with a sneer. - As far as the local animals not will be faster, you can soon expect the company - she said and left the room.
.
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Daedalus jumped out from hyperspace window, just behind the second moon of the planet, slowing sharply and immediately turn on the camouflage.
- Status? - asked colonel Caldwell.
- I think that they did not detect us - said sitting on the right side of Marks, reviewing readings from the sensors of the ship.
- I would stay that way - almost muttered Commander. - Contact me with jumper - he added.
Major wordlessly made his command.
- Jumper, here the bridge. We are on the spot - he said.
Cameron just glanced at coming on board three Wraiths. He had to admit that he had never seen anything like it. Their one-piece outfits clung closely to the body, like costumes divers from Earth, but clearly they were made of thicker and definitely with the organic material. They consisted of two layer: the main underside in a black suit, and additional, top layer, with a dark-violet color, strikingly resembling pieces of this, whereof were built walls of their hiveships.
- I think we can move - he almost murmured, looking at this phenomenon of mixed feelings. - I even do not ask what's with this... costumes.
Raptor smiled sarcastically corner of his mouth.
- Just leave us along the way, and we will get you the entrance to the base of Technicians - he summed calmly and looked at Kiryk. - Blink, I think it is yours? - he said, giving him a teleport device. - Shockwave improved efficiency this device... It may be useful to you soon - he said.
- You expect such trouble? - said reluctant, runner.
- It's Midsummer... Probably I not exaggerating, when I say, that freaked her more, than his time Rushwind.
- Yes - muttered the man. - I heard about that.
- Well, fools never missing - interjected calmly Tracker, adjust his glove and looked at Kiryk with a smile.
- You are really... weird... Until creeps me go through, when I listen to you - said Cameron, shaking his head and turned toward the control panel of puddle jumper.
- Calm down, colonel... more than once creeps will go through by you - said with note of irony Raptor, and sat calmly at the end of the bench.
They left the hangar of Daedalus, and Mitchell launched camouflage, moving in the direction of the planet.
- So, where you need a ride? - asked finally colonel.
- The base is located on a large lake - said Tracker. - You drop us there. They have a underwater hangar, but it can be opened only by a code... which we do not have... or manually... And this is our job - said Wraith.
- Great - he said. - I guess, that you are there really well versed.
- It happened to us a few times to visit this place - said calmly Raptor.
- The young too? - he interested in, glancing over his shoulder at Sunblaze.
- No... But once must be a first time, right? - tossed carelessly Tracker and slapped tight young pilot in the back.
Colonel snorted under his breath and shook his head.
- Only this I need: the Wraith with a sense of humor - he mumbled, focusing back on the flight.
They approached the upper layers of the atmosphere and he slowly directed towards the great expanses of the pale yellow clouds.
Rodney leaned to Kiryk.
- Blink? - he said questioningly.
- This is my Voca - almost muttered the man. - Because of this device.
- Wraith gave you their name? - surprised McKay. - I did not know, that they give them to people.
- Very rare, but it happens - he said calmly. - Voca is suitable only the people, who they respect and believe them be trustworthy.
- Not only, that you work for them, but you also accept their name - interjected Ronon, although more with accusingly, than with the surprise in his voice.
Kiryk looked at him grimly.
- You have a some problem? - he growled.
- They really did to you brainwash - he said. - Have you forgotten how they hunt on you? - pointed out to him.
The man rolled his eyes, irritated and settled himself comfortably in place, and leaning on wall.
- I will not be again discussed with you on this subject - he muttered.
- Wraith worshiper - he muttered contemptuously Dex and also leaned against the wall.
The man growled, angry and was to respond, when suddenly he saw an outstretched hand towards him, leaning forward Teal'c.
- Whatever the reasons as had Mr. Kiryk to working with the Wraiths, it is his choice, and we should not judge him, Ronon Dex - reminded him calmly Jaffa. - You forget, that we just do the same thing - he move his eyes, pointed at the two Wraith sitting on the last positions.
- Do not remind me - Ronon grunted.
Teal'c shook his head slightly, resigned and settled back comfortably on the bench.
.
.
Waterfall sharpened image in his electro-binoculars, watching with interest, as the two intruders struggling to escape from the chasing their two-legged beast.
Tall, slim Wraith with long silver-white hair falling to his shoulders like a billowy waterfall, he smiled corner of his mouth when John Sheppard slipped on the moss, trying to suddenly changing the direction of the run.
Predator ran past him, giving the man the precious moments to find shelter in a fairly deep, rocky slot in the ground, which he noticed almost at the last minute. He got up quickly... and then he felt stabbing pain in leg - apparently during the fall he twist his ankle, he thought, and he swore under his breath, slipping in crack.
Dracon ran closer and closer head to the ground, trying to reach his prey three-toed paws, but rocky gap was too deep. Its sharp, curved claws moved just half a meter from Sheppard's face, staring at the yellow eyes of the beast. It's funny, thought the colonel, but the same nasty look has the Wraith, he snorted silently and smiled corner of his mouth.
Predator suddenly roared and stood up, backing a step away from the crevice. John strained his eyes, to see what is the reason. And then he saw a figure in a black cloak, clinging to creature neck, who helplessly tried to shake off the intruder.
Two blade of Skyfall daggers, was pushed into the hard skin of the predator to the same handles, which Wraith clutched tightly in his hands. Still writhe with anger animal, approaching or moving away from the crack. The last, rapid movement of his neck, predator finally got rid of unwanted ballast. The Commander fell with a vengeance to the ground, and rolled on the edge of the crevice. Dracon growled and walked quickly towards him. Slightly stunned by a heavy fall, Wraith glanced at him.
And then one with foot of the giant stood too close to the gap. The wet ground made, that the creature slip and swayed, to a moment later lurched to one side, when his leg lost contact with the ground. When two-ton mass hurtled down, a big claws of three-fingered paws, reached the body of the Wraith, pulling him along down the crack.
The roar of pain Skyfall seemed to be louder, than the roar of the falling creature, which struck a rock and wedged in it.
Sheppard cringed up at the bottom, to avoid the blow a dinosaur paw, then looked in the direction of the Commander. He snarling like a dying animal, lying on its side at the bottom of the crevice and holding his hand on his stomach.
- Are you all right? - he asked.
- ... No - said after a moment with a clear effort.
- And you may get up?
- ... No - he repeat and looked at him.
The Wraith left cheek was torn by one of the predator claw. In truth, the wound was not bleeding, but the
Skyfall face still adorned a large scar... and that meant, that he is not able to cure himself, thought John and looked down. From between the fingers pressed against the belly hand, oozed blood.
Colonel swear quietly.
- You get hit hard?
- Let's say, that only a miracle I'm not gutted - he said, breathing heavily.
- If you can move away and get up, I somehow pull out you - said the man, looking first into the crevice, and then up, in the place, where still wiggling dinosaur not will be able to reach them.
- ... Forget it - he said. - I have a broken leg, three ribs and dislocated shoulder.
Sheppard looked at him and grimaced.
- This time you won ... And I was worried about my twisted ankle - he snorted, and Wraith smiled.
John wanted to add something, when a series of energy discharges, wrapped beast body, one after the other. They both looked up. Predator hung limp, not roaring and not wriggle already. At first Sheppard thought about Ronon, but when the shooter showed up in the their within sight, he began to regret, that Skyfall wounds inflicted by dinosaur are not his only concern.
Waterfall crouched at the edge of the crack and smiled, amused.
- And you two apparently are regarded as some of the best - he scoffed and shook his head. - Pathetic - he said to John, and fired from his blaster.
The man immediately sank to the bottom of the rock crevices, and Wraith stood up and looked at the accompanying him soldiers.
- Get them out from here - he ordered.
.
.
"...Clearcut still sitting on the ground against the wall, eyes closed. He do not want to look at what lay on the other side of the room... the dried body with face twisted in pain.
No, it was not even longer body... just dried chip.
Something what a few minutes ago was a living thing... and then... became his meal.
The memory of that moment made, that he felt nauseated again. The problem was, that his stomach was completely empty, so he even was not able to vomit.
Just like a few minutes ago he was unable to stop himself. Burning him, devouring him from the inside hunger, penetrating like the worst pain, completely take possession of his mind. He felt, like it not his hand was sucked up to the man breast. As if he was looking at it all with eyes someone else, when smooth skin a human's face suddenly began to ripple and fall, and hair graying.
He felt like in a nightmare.
But he felt relieved, when burning him hunger started to disappear with every second, with each sucked out from his victims breath of life. Relief, instead the contempt for his own act.
He leaned his head on his arms, trying to chase away those thoughts. But now, when the hunger disappear, and his mind was clear again, he was thinking rationally again... Now these thoughts burned him from the inside. Thoughts, called remorse. But he had no conscience.
Not after what he have committed. He, who should heal... and not to kill...
He did not even react, when the door mired in gloom of the room, flew open, letting in a wide streak of light.
Tall male looked first at-dried human body to the ground, then moved closer to the young Wraith.
- And yet you were hungry - he snorted.
But he said nothing. Did not even look at him.
At this moment he hated him for it, that he closed him here... with this man.
And he hated himself for what he did to that man.
- Used to have to be the first time... So you stop feeling sorry for ourselves and get up. You're not the first, nor the last - he poked neatly leg his foot. - Get used to the think, that now your dinners will be looks like this.
Clearcut looked at him grimly.
- How can you be so cold?... I am Life Keeper. I swore to heal. Not kill.
- But mommy dinners with meat of animal you do not despised? - sneered Wraith, but soon he softened, sight seeing friend. - Explain it yourself, it's normal food chain, where the stronger eats the weaker - he said, calmly.
But he did not answer. He lowered his eyes and just rested his head against the wall.
There was another dead silence.
- Here, have a drink - said finally the pilot, handing him the bottle and sat down across from him. - After my first time I got drunk unconscious.
- Great. Not only that, I just become a murderer, it's still I will be a alcoholic - he snorted and took a sip.
- For none of us it is not easy... but with time you get used to it - said Icestorm. - We have no other choice now.
- It has to be an excuse for... that? - he motioned his head toward the dried human body.
- If you're asking me do I'm sleeping well?... That I can tell you, that from longer time works for me only decent shot from the stunner - he said sarcastically.
- Indeed... comforting - muttered sarcastically Clearcut, wincing a bit and again he gulped a large part of this, what filled the bottle.
In truth, alcohol never acted on them like the people or Lanteans... but now drinking was for a young Wraith more psychological than tangible meaning..."
.
...Hovich looked at him sympathetically.
- How old were you, when the war broke out? - she asked.
- For the two months ended up 26 years - he said.
- The whole life was before you - she said sadly. - Now, when I know more, I'm not even able to imagine what it must have been a traumatic experience for you all... While always puzzled me if on the beginning Wraiths have any scruples... when you have to change your... diet - she said quietly.
- Currently, depends on upbringing... but then. Then... we tried to avoid this topic. For each of us it was some trauma... I remember, that a few from us for long time was feeding by force... A few took their own lives in suicide attacks on our enemies, to not have to feed on humans. However, in most cases, the instinct of self-preservation turned out to be stronger than scruples... Our species from the beginning had to fight for survival. And this struggle has become our second nature... and this time was no longer Avatars, who would help us. For the first time in a thousand years, we had to rely on ourselves.
- So long they lived among you? - she asked with interest.
- Yes. They became our support, our guideline... our parents... But when the war broke out, they had to left us... They could not interfere in the conflict - he said, and looked at her. - You've never wondered, from where humans in this galaxy know your language? - he added with a slight amusement.
- We decided, that was created by Lanteans, as the common language for all human communities - she said. - And when they returned to Earth, taught him our ancestors.
- No… This was one with Avatars language, in which they where spoke - he explained. - They taught us him, and the first Keepers, and then the humans, who settled in the Patria. Until with the time he was become spread across the galaxy. And when Lanteans left, this language has become dominating.
- Because you have used him?
- Yes. Old types of writings remain, but the main language of force in the galaxy has changed.
Alaya wanted to ask something, when suddenly the wall of the cave flicker gentle colors of the rainbow, and over the stairs appeared a small hole, letting inside a streak of light.
- ...You succeed - they hear from the top of a weak voice of Vala.
They both leaned forward, but before they could stand on their feet, the hole closed back.
Maldoran looked reproachfully at Carter and helping her Wraiths.
- What have you done? - she rebuked them.
- Crystal stopped responding to this frequency - Ember said calmly, while analyzing the data displayed on a laptop, which left McKay.
- Let's try again - said Sam, standing at the device, resembles a small satellite dish, and she pointed to a place, where there was a descent into the cave.
Made quickly makeshift device was connected to the seismograph, and has only meant to direct sound wave of the appropriate frequency in the designated place. They did not need anything more. They had only to force the crystals above the stairs to step down, to release Dr. Hovich and Clearcut.
"Set of two microns less" said the Stardust to standing opposite Ember.
Young Wraith looked at him surprised. Firstly, because the fact, that he spoke to him in his mind, which meant, that he did not want the others heard him... Secondly because how confident sounded his words. As if he knew, not guessing.
The Commander smiled a little corner of his mouth, and Ember only nodded his head slightly, and made his command.
- I start again - he informed and push enter.
Seismograph buzz quietly, as every time, and after a while they saw on the ground the first reaction.
Crystals wavered, much stronger than before, and then began to recede, creating a hole almost completely revealing stairs leading down.
Samantha looked expectantly at Ember.
- The readings look good - said Wraith. - There is no hesitation, like last time... The hole appears to be stable - he said and looked at her with relief.
The colonel smiled, pleased, and come to the hole.
- Alaya? - she asked with note of concern in her voice, trying to see anything in the darkness of the room.
But when appeared on the steps petite figure and face of a woman, she breathed a sigh of relief.
- I suggest to hurry, colonel Carter - Ember said. - The readings look good, but you do not waste time.
- That's right - she granted and held out her hand. - Hurry up, before the entrance closes again.
The woman ran quickly up the stairs, grabbing her hand. This one thing she do not need to repeat her. Alaya wanted as soon as possible to get out of the trap. In truth, accompanied by Wraith she was felt safe... but anyway, this underground chamber was not a place where she wanted to spend more time.
Carter pulled her and Hovich almost jumped out of the last step on a rocky floor of the cave.
- Thank you - she said with a smile and looked down at the coming Wraith.
- Crystals begin to fluctuate - Ember suddenly cried.
Clearcut hesitated, pausing. He do not know, whether it is safer to remain in place, or move on. If the input will closed, before he enter on the stairs... Well, he preferred to not even think about the consequences.
- It is impossible - said surprised Stardust, and jumped to a young scientist, hastily reviewing the data. - Stay on the bottom...! - he exclaimed, turning in the direction of descent, but he did not manage to finish.
The crystals moved slightly, reducing the opening, and then cover him completely.
Everyone stared in disbelief at the place, where a moment before there was a hole. With disbelief and relief, that at least one of them could go out... and the other has not been cut in half.
Samantha ran to the laptop.
- What happened? - she asked, also looking at the readings.
- I do not know... Everything was fine... and suddenly readings came off the scale - Ember said and looked at the older Wraith. - Now what?
Stardust passed a frown.
- I must to analyze the readings - he said firmly. - We will be try to frequencies in this range... There are not a lot of them. Some should work long enough, to Clearcut could go out - he added, glancing again at the laptop screen.
He did not understand what went wrong.
Frequency was correct. He knew her. And yet, for some reason, the crystals stopped respond to it as they should.
Maybe it's because of Technicians, he thought. Or maybe sonic bombs?
Whatever the reason was, he had to find a solution as soon as possible. Otherwise Clearcut may be stuck there forever.
Carter and Ember stood on both his sides, starting analysis of the collected so far readings .
Alaya looked at Vale, and then in a place where there was a hole, and she crouched down, putting his hand on the crystals. They were smooth and cold.
- Nasty place to die - Maldoran said, crouching beside her. - Even for the Wraith.
- They pulled him out of there - she said, not taking her eyes from the ground. - Sam is a great scientist. And they also seem to have a good knowledge.
- Are you worried about him - Vala said with a slight smile.
Her words did not sound like a surprise or objection. They were just statement.
Only then Hovich looked at her.
- It may sound strange... but I like him - she said quietly. - He was very kind to me... - she smiled slightly at the sound of this words, and again looked at the crystal plate. - However strange it sounds - she admitted.- But by this time spent down there, I think I learned more about the Wraith, than Atlantis expedition all those years.
- Not as scary as he is painted? - asked with a slight amusement Vala. - Kate Harrigan said so, when we were last time with Daniel on Atlantis, to talk with her - she explained, when Hovich looked at her questioningly.
- Yes, exactly - she said with a gentle smile. - This Polish saying.
- How do you know?
- I come from the Czech Republic... It's southern neighbors of Poland... I was few times in Poland.
- I toured the two galaxies, but they by long time not let me to travels on the Earth - she said with a sneer Maldoran, on what Alaya smiled broadly.