Chapter 44
The strategies.
Midsummer leisurely paced the corridors of her base.
His organic structure was mingled with metal elements, both human and Lanteans construction. Also the lighting was much brighter than on hiveships - now, after using a retrovirus, their eyes much better endured bright light. And yet, the corridor leading to the cell, was still immersed in the gloom.
But it was more psychological than pragmatic approach. The prisoners kept in such conditions felt more threatened, confused and lonely.
Teyla looked in the direction of the cell bars on the form emerging just from a distant, brightly lit lobby. But she did not need to see exactly who is coming. From a distance she sensed Queen of the Technicians. Her mind, though different than the rest of the Wraiths, still was as cool, as the minds of most of the Queens, with whom she had contact in the past.
The female stopped in front of the bars, looking haughtily at the two prisoners. She was looked on pleased. Holding her hands clasped behind her back, she seemed to contemplate this view.
- I have to admit, that the preliminary results are better, than I expected. Your DNA, particularly Moonlight, gives us high hopes for the completion of work on retrovirus - she said.
- We have to congratulate you? - asked ironically Athozian women.
Midsummer smiled corner of her mouth.
- No... This is just for your information... So, that you know, how significant will be your contribution in our case - she said with a sneer. - Now I regret, that forty years ago I helped Silverlight in Conversion of her son... You would be now great progenitors of a new era the Wraiths.
Moonlight frowned.
- I do not understand... What do you mean: help in Conversion? - she asked.
The Queen again smiled sneered corner of her mouth.
- Oh, yes. I forgot, that after all you do not know nothing... After your case, among the Wraiths prevailed a little panic, and the Council ordered, that the DNA of each adolescent was studied in detail. It quickly became clear, that you not would be the only one, in recent times, fortuity the Protheu. Those, in whom were diagnosed this... defect... were subjected to gene therapy, which helped them pass Conversion. In total, to the outbreak of the Civil War, there were five... One of them was to be your best friend, Sunblaze. But his mother secretly asked me for help. She did not want, to let others know, that also her Clan was affected by this... plague, as she puts it.
A young female did not answer. She did not know what. Midsummer words surprised her more, than anything else in recent times.
Blaze also had to be Protheu? This thought made, that in her mind reigned utter confusion. She was friendship with a many Wraiths, but with him, from the beginning, connect her strong bond. Despite the fact, that he was a "full-blooded" Wraith, he understood her better, than anyone else. And she his. Their perception of the world was always very similar.
Is it possible, that the Protheu "mutation" was something more, than just a lack of the feeding organ on the hand, she thought. Maybe it, what another Wraiths considered as a weakness, also influenced the way of thinking and seeing the world? Other, than in the rest of the Wraiths... wider, beyond the existing standards. Because Blaze, although forced to feed on humans to survive, never treated them as inferior. As breeding animals... Just like she did.
Her thoughts interrupted, coming from down the corridor, sounds numerous steps.
Midsummer looked in that direction by the arm.
- I also have good news for you - she added. - My son found your friends.
Both women looked at the approaching group. Two soldiers sustained almost limp body the Wraith, and two other lead a man.
Walking at their head Waterfall, sneered, when they stopped in front of the cell.
- Your rescue team - he snorted.
Moonlight in horror looking at Skyfall. He was unconscious, and his mind was weak. Very weak.
- What have you done to him? - she exclaimed, looking unpleasantly at the officer.
- We? Nothing... This is the work one of the dracons - he replied, amused, and touched the control panel.
Grids slid open instantly, and two soldiers went inside, leaving the body on the floor. Moonlight immediately knelt at the Commander, carefully turning him on his back.
- On Mother Iratus - Mo gasped at the sight of his wound, then she looked reproachfully at Queen and her son. - Why you have not helped him? He barely alive.
- I'm sorry, my dear, but we are not currently able to do that - said calmly Midsummer, when one of the soldiers pushed Sheppard to the cell.
Grating slid shut again.
- And I will not sacrifice for him one of my soldiers... But you may feed him yourself... if you want. You will quickly regenerate, I think... Despite your... defect, as charmingly call it others - she added mockingly and turned on her heel to leave.
A young female again looked at Skyfall. He was wounded, covered with dirt and blood, lying limp on the floor. She held out her hand in his direction, but she hesitated. She was afraid to touch him, as if in this way she could do more harm him. His view made her pain... The pain, what she was felt only once in her life: at the sight of mutilated bodies father.
- Skall? - she whispered, but she not received response.
Teyla sat on her feet beside her.
- He survive without feeding? - she asked with concern and compassion in her voice.
- No - Moonlight shook her head, fighting back tears. - The wounds are too numerous, and he last time feed a month ago. He is too weak.
- I'm sorry - Emmagan said, putting her hand on her hand.
Once, she probably would have killed the Commander... and it's not out of mercy, but out of hatred for the Wraith, just because he is one of them... But it once was, and last months made, that her approach to them... at least for some of them, has changed and today she feel sincere compassion for the young female.
She was the Wraith, but her emotions were no different from humans. She could only better control them... or rather conceal from others... But now her pain was for Teyla as easily perceptible, as the Wraith easily perceive human emotions. The pain, which she would feel, if it a John was on Skyfall place, and she could not have help him in any way.
Moonlight analyzed for a long time the wounds on the Commander body of , looking at him with tears in their eyes, and then she grabbed his hand.
- Are you crazy? - said the colonel, stopping her.
He knew what she wanted to do.
- He will not survive without feeding...
- I know, but look at him. In this state, he suck up with you the whole life - he said firmly, still holding her wrist.
- His mind is very weak. I can easily control him.
- How long? When he began feed on you, he will become stronger and you weaker. And then you lose control of him.
- I take a risk - she insisted.
- But I do not.
- John... let her - interjected calmly Teyla. - Her mind is stronger, than the other females with whom I had contact... Anyway, on her place, I would do the same for you or anyone else from us... I will support her, if she start to lose control of him - she assured.
Sheppard looked at her for a moment, and finally let go Mo hand.
- Alright.
Athozian women nodded with a smile, then looked at the Wraith female.
- I'm ready - she added.
She did not answer. She unbuttoned quickly jacket and put Commander feeding hand to her breast.
Teyla almost shuddered how easily Mo took control of the Skyfall. And then she withdrew, right on the border to staying with him in telepathic communication, like an observer hidden in the shadows. The feeling, that accompanied feeding time, was not too nice. It enough her this brief moment, in which Mo felt, like her life force suddenly begin to leave her body. Emmagan preferred not to feel what was to come later.
Skyfall suddenly opened his eyes. A sudden rush of life-giving forces, stimulated not only his body, but also his mind. He looked at the young female in the time, when her face began to slowly cover the first wrinkles.
- No - he whispered firmly, trying to take away his hand, but she held her tightly. - Mo, stop - he said, again trying to wrench his hand from her grasp, but to no avail.
Her hug became stronger, despite the fact, that her body of every moment was losing precious strength.
Long time ago, when she was a child, he was the one who saved her life... and this, who controlled the giving the Gift of the Life. But this time the roles are reversed.
She looked at him with severe firmness, like a Queen on her unruly subordinate. She never before looked at him like this. Even when she was angry at him.
And then he felt, like their minds unite even stronger in one.
His resistance was vain. He only feel as he loses control over his own body, as if he stood aside, and watched as her mind became his mind... Her thoughts his thoughts... Her desire, his desire... until finally they become one, and she was able to read his mind like the open book.
Now she could see his every memories, his every thought and dream, if they belonged to her... even those hidden very… very deep inside.
And just the fact, that he was only observer, with which she can do what she wants, bother him. Because now she could discover this, what he from so long time carefully hiding even before himself.
.
.
Alabaster entered the cave at a time, when Clearcut ran up on the stairs.
Previous experience, after which almost not lose top of his head, gave him clearly to understand, that he should definitely hurry up, to leave the underground chamber.
Stardust shook his head with a grin.
- From a long time no one raised my adrenaline like you today - snorted Stardust.
- And what? Did you miss that feeling? - he talk back.
- Nowise not... Well to see you... in one piece - he added with a note of irony.
- Good to be in one piece - summed Clearcut.
Looking at them Vala leaned to the Daniel, folding her arms on chest.
- Something I do not understand - she whispered. - Apparently, the Wraith are surly and did not have a sense of humor. So, how you explain this? - she asked, pointing finger at them.
- They not behaved so earlier - said Jackson.
- I do not know. I noticed something else last time, were we was here.
The archaeologist looked at her grimly.
- The next time you will stay in the base - he said, not knowing what to answer, and walked over to Sam.
Maldoran smiled with satisfaction.
- You likes it annoy him, is not it? - remarked suddenly amused young Wraith.
She looked at him and smiled.
- Yes - acknowledged with satisfaction. - It's my hobby.
- Hmm, Kate says the same thing about our Commander... Humans females have a strange way of showing interest in the other person - he summed up, and went to the Stardust before the woman could answer him, completely surprised by his words.
- I'm glad to see you again among us - Alabaster said, stopping in front of two Wraiths.
- Thank you, Milady - Doc said, with a slight nod.
- Unfortunately, I do not have good news - she said and looked also on the others. - The Wraith Council decided to send on Draconis all hiveships, which are near the planet. If sent team fails to free our people, we have order to bomb the Midsummer base... even at the cost of ours - she said reluctantly. - Nightstorm personally lead the fleet.
- I understand, that we have to join to them - said Stardust.
- Yes ... But that's not all - she said, and looked at her father. - The Council wants to know, if your Queen also joins.
Starburst growled under his breath. It was the last thing, which he needed now.
- Well, you have a problem, because your... Queen... is on unannounced visits to the Mid - Max snorted, on what the others looked at him surprised. - What? For a long time I know about everything from Kate - he added calmly in the world.
- Who else knows? - asked concerned Carter.
- Take it easy. Just me, Wildfire and the young - motioned his head toward the young Wraith. - Although he more because he saw the movie... during your staying in the world of Harrigan.
- "I am your death. That's all you need to know "- quoted amused Rainsong, trying to speak even more guttural voice than his own.
- And by the way... It was the elder son of Skyfall, so honestly, I'm surprised, that he helps you. Even due to the Mo - added Stardust.
- Well... I think we should talk later, whom else from you... we have on conscience - muttered Sam. - Just in case.
- I agree. It would be reasonable move - Wraith said with a strange smile. - But for now, more I would be worried the Council decision. I fully understand it... but on the other hand, sacrifice anyone for this matter, will not benefit our further... contacts.
- Yes, you're right... So, let's try make sure, that does not come to this - she said and walked towards the exit.
- Where are you going? - Daniel called after her.
- We're going to Draconis - she said.
Alabaster looked first at her, then at the others.
- Did you hear? Move. We have missions to perform - she said and followed Carter.
Stardust looked at her with amusement.
- I have the strange feeling, that your daughter become fond such actions - he snorted and followed her.
- Unfortunately, It looks like - Commander muttered.
He begin slowly yearn for the old, peaceful life, when everything was in its place: when humans were just a meal, the Wraiths take care about their business... and Queens do not chased across the galaxy for adventure.
.
.
Camouflaged jumper still hovered in front of large, organic gates leading to the underwater hangar Midsummer base.
Colonel Mitchell began impatiently tapping his fingers on the control panel. Three Wraiths some time ago had disappeared in a small tunnel, which according them, was the drainage channel from inside the station. Now, however, he could not be seen, nor them, or any signs of intervention... nothing, except for those weird fish floating around jumper.
- Will you stop? - said McKay. - It stresses me - he said.
Cameron looked at him grimly.
- I'm stressed, that nothing happens... - he just started, but before he could finish the sentence, massive gates twitched and began to slowly open. - Finally - he added, looking intently at what was beginning to uncovered.
A large chamber was filled water, but it did not differ practically nothing special from other interiors of the Wraiths ships. Main construction as always resembled huge skeleton of the animal, although this time the wall, instead be covered by the leather-like sheets, were also made of the same material as the skeleton. It was logical, in such high pressure on the surface, which was formed under the influence of the water filling the hangar.
Somewhere at the top, on the surface of the water, flickered pale lights. In the glow of one of them, appeared a figure, pointing the hand, to they flow out the surface, then disappeared in the gloom.
Mitchell grabbed the rudder, and flow to the inside, and then turned jumper to the up.
Gates started to close up automatically.
As soon, as they were just under the surface, colonel cautiously emerged vehicle from the water. The surrounding pool of the hangar wide bridge, was completely empty. On two of the five platforms, stood the Wraiths fighters. Apparently they were used to swimming under water, he thought, and lifted jumper above water, to embed it on one of the empty platforms.
- Now what? - whispered McKay.
- We wait until they come - Cameron muttered and walked toward the hatch jumper.
There was another dead silence. Everyone seemed to be listening attentively, as if in this way they were able to hear what can happen on the outside.
Therefore, when after a long moment, finally there was a strong knock on the rear hatch, almost everyone jumped in their seats. And certainly did it Rodney McKay, almost holding his breath.
The colonel glanced at the others and stopped his gaze on Kiryk. Men just nodded his head in agreement, and touched his bracelets, to dissolve into thin air.
Mitchell touched the control panel. The quiet hum of the mechanism began slowly lowering the gangplank.
And when a jumper hatch finally fell, their eyes appeared something a completely different, than they expected: four soldiers in dark gray uniforms, who targeting in them with the guns.
McKay eyes widened up. He swore under his breath. He recognized those soldiers. He remembered them very well. They attacked him and the other on board an alternate version of Daedalus.
Their red eyes stared at them unpleasantly, contrasting with dark-gray skin.
- Damn Wraith. Set us up - Ronon snapped, raising his arms.
But he could not shoot. The energy bolt one of the soldiers was faster, immediately knocking him to his knees, and then to the jumper floor.
The colonel glared at the soldiers... and then he saw her. She stood calmly at the back, looking at them, her big eyes with incredible green-yellow color.
Her facial features and the light color of the skin, in contrast to other Wraiths, was more human... Just like in Mo, he thought.
- You will finish like him - said almost human voice, when she coming closer. - Or you will go calmly with me - she added, stopping at the foot of the hatch.
Mitchell looked at her outfit. Was like one of them, which wears Moonlight... Could she also is Protheu? But a young female never mentioned, that any other Wraith female had the same "defect" as she did. And she certainly did not omitted to this information, if she knew about it, he thought.
He lowered his rifle. Even if somehow they would able to shoot all the soldiers, it still noise will take attention of others in the base.
The other two, reluctantly followed in his footsteps. Also were well aware, that they had a better chance of getting out of this situation if they stay conscious.
One of the soldiers gathered their weapons. Only then female pulled away and pointed them the way a hand gesture. The soldiers immediately surrounded them, and she moved as the first, a long corridor.
- You look a bit different, than the others Wraiths - finally said Mitchell. - Like Mo.
Firesky glanced at him.
- This is due to a retrovirus - she said calmly. - Of course, appropriately nuanced. Your introduce too many... side effects.
- So, you are now like Mo?
- Almost... Unfortunately, our retrovirus is also not perfect, and every six months we have to repeat the procedure.
- I thought the Wraiths rejects the idea of such changes - he said with a note of irony.
- Not all... Just like in humans, some of us are more open to innovation... and some stubbornly stuck in outdated beliefs, and they probably never would admit, that before the Great War we did not have to feed on humans to survive.
- Yes, I heard - he said, and she looked at him, clearly surprised. - From Stardust - he explained.
- Really? - she said. - One from The Oldest told you that?... Interesting. I thought that they stubbornly hold to an ideology, which they themselves introduced after the outbreak of war... Besides, just as is surprising, that you know his name - she added.
- Lately you are more eager to telling your names - he snorted.
- My mother will be not-less surprised than I - she seemed to ignore his attention.
They stopped in front of the door, which slid open, revealing a small transporter chamber. Firesky hand gesture invited them inside. They entered as the first, and after them soldiers, standing behind their backs. Once the female took her place at the ahead of the group, the doors slid shut, and the beam moved them to another level of the station.
Raptor watched them carefully out of the closet, and then he looked at his brother, watching the unconscious Satedan.
- Leave him alone. Probably soon they send someone after him - he said, walking over to him. - Take only his weapon.
- They set the stunners at maximum... At least we know what to expect - muttered Tracker and get up.
- Now what? - almost whispered Sunblaze.
- We're taking C-4, and get out of here - said Raptor and as the first came to the inside of the vehicle. - We have our own part of the task to be performed.
The door slid open again, revealing another long corridor, at the end of which stood two soldiers, guarding the entrance to a room.
Firesky pointed the way a hand gesture.
- My mother is expecting you - she said and moved first.
The whole group left the transporter.
"We just go to the main engine, Mother" - she said in her mind to the Queen. - "There are only three... Runner we had to stun."
"I understand. The soldiers will take care of him " - answered her calmly Mid. - "I'm interested only one
human" - she added.
- Your mother's Midsummer? - asked the colonel, and Firesky glanced at him with interest. - Apparently so is called the Queen of Technicians - he explained. - ...What do you want to do with us?
- That depends on you - she said mysteriously, glancing over her shoulder with a disturbing smile.
- So, I'll ask another way: what you want from us?
- Cooperation... And more specifically, only from one of you - she said and looked straight at McKay.
This surprised at first, and then frowned.
- Great - he said. - Let me guess: I have to fix something - he said sarcastically.
- I would say rather: improve something - she said. - Our best scientists have been working on this for years, but none of them had never had such access to the Lanteans technology, as you... doctor McKay.
- You integrate your systems with Lanteans technology? - he asked surprised.
- Yes. This allows us to obtain a much more efficient devices, than those based only on organic technology - she explained.
Another door slid open in front of them, but this time revealing something totally exceeded their expectations: a huge room full of various devices, both organic and made of metal and other materials, and in the center of this collection, has become a giant, slightly flattened metal oval.
Everywhere bustled Wraiths, all changed by a Technicians retrovirus.
Teal'c glanced quickly around the room, assessing their number. But what surprised him, he noted there also a several females.
- Oh, boy - Rodney groaned, looking at something, that at first glance it looked to him as a power generator.
He did not have to wait long for confirmation of his conjecture.
- Our newest core hyperdrive - Firesky said proudly. - When it will finish, our vessels will not have to interrupt the flight to regeneration and cool the reactor... They will even capable to the intergalactic flight - she added, glancing at them with a sneer.
- You want attack the Earth? - threw concerned McKay.
- Calm down, doctor McKay... At the moment the Earth did not care us - she assured him. - It was just a statement.
- Sure - snorted Cameron.
- I may assure you, colonel Mitchell, that our priority is this galaxy - said unexpectedly on the side, another woman's voice.
Was much more mature than Firesky voice. They looked in that direction. Tall, slim female Wraith, walked slowly toward them, with dignified step, smiling slightly. She did not seem to be hostile, on the contrary... It was definitely an unparalleled view... and disturbing.
- We do not have quite as far-reaching plans - she added. - As far as we ourselves do not you force to... We do not need to feed on humans, so we are not looking for new feeding grounds.
- So we have to give Pegasus a walkover? - Rodney snorted.
Queen tilted her head slightly, stopping in front of them, as if reflecting on his words.
- As far as I well understand, it's about surrender without a fight - she said. - Yes, it would be a reasonable strategy from your side. You have no reason, to be interested this galaxy... From what I know, you have enough problems on your own - she added with a sneer.
- And we just like that, have allow you to extermination of people in this galaxy? - snorted Mitchell.
Midsummer smiled, clearly amused.
- If such a information submitted to you, it means, that introduced you in serious mistake... I never planned extermination of the human race. Quite the contrary. We believe, that you can still be very useful.
- You are talking about slavery? - said dryly Teal'c.
- I did not... put it in that way... I would say rather: controlled cooperation... The benefit for humans will be the end of the harvest, and therefore, calmly, long life. However, unwise on our part would be allow them to free development... Unfortunately too highly developed technology in human hands usually have a tragic end. For themselves and the environment... You not matured yet to certain cases.
- You say this from personal experience? - asked ironically McKay.
- Yes... You will recall Dorandan planet? - she asked mockingly. - This is just one of the many human civilization, which led to their self-destruction... And believe me, that for ten thousand years I've seen them a lot... But back to our main topic - she looked proudly at the reactor site. - As mentioned my daughter, the reactor is our latest work... Unfortunately, despite our efforts, our lack of knowledge about the Lanteans technology still make us... problem... But you, Dr. McKay, has many years of experience in this field.
- Forget it! I will not help you - he said, as if amused by the thought. - You do not think, that so, from the goodness of the heart, I'll get to work?
- Of course that not - the mysterious voice said the Queen. - I thoroughly understand, that you need a proper motivation for this - she said, and suddenly out of the side emerged a large group of soldiers, to fire with their guns to all, except McKay.
Three men immediately fell to the ground.
- Our sensors are much more sensitive than those on hiveships... We have detected your presence as soon as you entered the planet's atmosphere... Anyway, it was predictable, that you will want to free your people... Wraiths would consider attempt to rebound their for too risky... and expensive. But not you. You never leave yours... Right, Dr. McKay?
- I will not help you with this generator - almost snapped Rodney.
- You will - her mocking smile and self-confidence alarmed him again, causing a cold shiver through him.
He wondered what the Queen will do this time... and he did not wait long for an answer.
Someone put a cold metal object to his neck. And then he felt a slight twinge. He groaned and turned away, disgusted, grasping the place of the bite.
Firesky smiled uncomfortably. In her hand she held something, what looked like pneumatic syringe.
- What you injected me? - he asked.
- Retrovirus. Created specifically for you, Dr. McKay
- Threatening to kill me will not help you - snorted.
- Oh, you will not die, Dr. McKay - Midsummer said calmly. - This retrovirus is not deadly... I hope so - she snorted lightly. - He's just... put some changes in your DNA.
- Changes? - he repeated. - What changes...?
He paused, looking at her intently for a moment... and suddenly he opened his eyes wide with disbelief. In that moment he realized what was this retrovirus.
The Queen smiled broadly, seeing the expression on his face.
- You want change me in the Wraith? - he almost whispered with a mixture of disbelief and horror.
- Yes... The process has already begun.
Rodney gritted his teeth, trying to control the raging thoughts, and keep cool. Firmly furrowed brows.
- It does not forced me to work with you - he growled.
Midsummer smiled slightly and moved closer, standing in front of him.
- Please remember, Dr. McKay, that as the Wraith, you will begin to feel irrepressible desire for feeding, when hunger begins to digest and burn you from the inside, like a fire - she hissed through sharp teeth. - This feeling is very, very unpleasant, and you will be willing to do anything, to get rid of it, when your need to satisfy the hunger will be so great, that outshine everything else... even the greatest friendship... And then I'll close you in one room with one of your friends - she looked at the unconscious men's. - We will see, how long you will be able to control this hunger - she said and looked coldly at the soldiers. - Take him to the lab, and lock in a cell... It will be a long and painful transformation - she said, again looking at McKay with a sneer.
Two soldiers grabbed him by the shoulders, and moved out of the room.
The Queen looked at him, and then at her daughter.
- Keep an eye on him. From the beginning we have to control him, if our plan is to succeed... I do not know how this substance will work for him.
- Of course, mother - she replied with a slight nod of the head, and left engine room.
Midsummer smiled corner of her mouth, and looked back with pride on the reactor.