Chapter 45
Troubles.
Kiryk looked cautiously into the corridor, leaning out a bit from a small cavity.
This part of the station was much less guarded, but still every few meters he encountered on a patrol.
Two soldiers turn just in another corridor, so the man decided to leave his foothold. Somewhere here he had to meet with the three Wraiths. The problem is, that he was not sure do he was on the right level.
The plan was simple... in theory.
Step one: Wraiths are hiding in underwater hangar, before the soldiers did not take New Lanteans from the jumper. For the Council, it was obvious, that the Midsummer will be expected rescue team from Atlantis, after as her people kidnapped Teyla Emmagan, and colonel Sheppard stuck on the Draconis. They were not sure how quickly the station sensors detect the presence of the jumper. Therefore was assumed, that almost immediately.
Step two: Ronon allows to stun... It was a little dull Technicians vigilance. Midsummer far less feared problems from the New Lanteans, than the former runner. Stories about this, how he beat the Fireball and several of his best hunters, long circulated among the Wraiths. They considered him for a hard player.
Nobody knew, do Technicians only recognize Kiryk. Therefore, he had to hide himself with the help of his teleporting bangles... The best before Greys Soldiers see the crew of the jumper.
Step Three: Wraiths set up a explosives from the jumper in strategic places on the station...
The third stage was to take place right now, except that, still was still missing the main point: the three Wraiths, he thought, starting at to be upsets their absence.
Someone tapped him on the shoulder. He almost jumped and spun around, taking aim from his gun. But immediately afterwards he breathed a sigh of relief, seeing Sunblaze grin.
- You want to I get a heart attack? - he rebuked him, leaving the weapon.
- You want to be caught? - sneered pilot. - You become a careless - he noted.
- Apparently I go out from practice - he muttered reluctantly and looked for him. - Where are Tracker and Raptor?
- Setting C-4 - he informed. - They sent me for you. Time for the main generator.
- So, let's hurry - said Kiryk, and walked in the direction from which come Blaze. - Even here is a lot of soldiers. Technicians had to strengthen the guards.
- Yes, I noticed - now Wraith muttered reluctantly. - Moving the corridors is harder, than Tracker thought... We must be careful... So, your toy will be useful - a gesture of head he pointed out the bracelet and smiled slightly.
Reaching end of the corridor, they looked cautiously around the corner, and making sure that it is empty, they moved on.
.
.
Skyfall sat next to a Moonlight.
She looked better, although still like the old woman. Her face and neck were covered with slightly faded, wrinkled skin, long dark hair become now almost completely turned gray, and always full of life eyes now seemed to be tired and hazy.
Giving him the majority of her life forces, led to the fact, that now her body barely was able to regeneration. The truth, him, her dedication allowed to cure most of the wounds, but it led her to the brink of death. He was furious at himself... that his recklessness led her to this state. Once, by his inadvertently, he lost his Queen, and then he vowed, that he not allow for that the second time... But as may see, he can not keep any of the promises, he snarled silently at himself.
- How do you feel?
- Like sucked to the ground? - she joked wearily, trying to smile.
But his face immediately told her, that Commander was definitely not willing to jokes.
- It's not funny - scolded her softly. - And what you did, was stupid.
- Not at all... You can always count on me - she said wryly and looked at him.
He wanted to say something, but standing on trellises colonel was faster.
- Come on - he said. - She saved your green ass, so at least you could be a little gratitude - rebuked him.
- Mind your own matters, John Sheppard - Wraith growled.
- Currently my matters are also your matters - he said and smiled.
Skall only growled a warning, and again looked at the young female.
- You're just like your father - he said. - His irrational ideas were often the reason for our dispute.
- And how many times these irrational ideas saved your... green asses? - she asked calmly.
Commander smiled the corner of his mouth.
- Many times - he admitted, with slight amusement, remembering those times.
- Now you also still alive, so maybe these ideas are not so irrational - she said quietly and closed her eyes.
She was tired. Very tired. And sleepy. She knew, that she should not fall asleep now, but her eyelids were getting heavier. She had to rest... even for a moment... So, to quickly regenerate forces...
.
"…She ran corridors of hiveship.
Strong shock almost threw her against the wall.
Everywhere was chaos. Wraiths and humans were running in different directions, trying maintain balance with each successive shock. They were under fire and nothing to indicate, that this will end.
She pushed herself the hand away from the wall, and she ran on. Somewhere here should be a transporter chamber, she thought, which soon as she reaches its final destination: the Queen's chamber.
Turning in another corridor, she suddenly realized, that here there is no one. Everyone headed towards hangars. Ordered to evacuate, and the deeper in the hive she walked, the corridors became more and more empty. Until finally was only she.
- There is a transporter - said suddenly from behind a voice and a hand pointed to a distant, single door.
Moonlight turned, to see the owner of the voice. Wraith female was slightly lower, had long, black hair and calm look. She wore a two-piece outfit, similar to that, what had Firesky, or what she always wears.
She knew her from the stories. It was Rushwind, from Third Generation. One from The Oldest.
She walked past her and ran toward the front door indicated. Young female caught up with her, and when she entered the small room, the radius moved them both.
When the doors slide open again, they showed middle size, oblong room, at the end of which was another, this time a much larger door - the entrance to the Queen's chamber was at in half open, but the prevailing gloom everywhere around them, let them see only the outline sitting on the throne of the person.
Both moved over to her.
- Si'yama! - called already from the threshold Rushwind, but no one answered. - We have to go!... The ship did not withstand to long this fire - she said, when they stopped in front of the throne.
Sitting on him calmly female, had a closed eyes, and her face with gentle features, seemed to have a bluish tint in the this pale light. Moonlight barely saw a maroon color of her long, wavy hair, falling over her shoulders like two waterfalls.
Queen did not even flinch.
- Si'yama - repeated more calmly Rushwind.
- Yes, I know - she said.
Timbre of her voice surprised Mo. There was a not guttural, as in other Wraith, but definitely softer... like her own voice. More... human.
And then she opened her eyes, which sparkled in twilight, bright light. But it was not the same effect luminescence typical of the Wraith. No... her eyes just shone like two suns.
- On the Mother Iratus... You... - whispered Rushwind.
- Yes... And I can not stop this - she said calmly, and smiled gently. - But I can stop them... Allow you to safely evacuate, before come after you our ships... they are on the way.
The female went to the Queen and crouch down front of her.
- And what will be with you, sister? - she asked anxiously.
The Queen looked at her and took her chin gently her hand.
- I'll join to the rest... But I will always watch over you... Please, take care on the girls... They are so small, but so much evil already they seen - she said, and looked at Mo. - Do not let, that this war destroyed their fragile minds of children... That I fear the most... Let they remember who were their ancestors... and in what they believed - she added.
- Of course... Brightlight - said a male voice and Mo suddenly realized, that she uttered these words.
The Queen smiled slightly and nodded her head slightly.
- Thank you... Carehand...
Young female frozen for a moment... and then it seemed to her, that she was leaving her own body, to look at them from the side... But it was not her body. A person, whose eyes she had seen everything so far, was a high, portly Wraith of matted hair reaching his shoulders... her grandfather.
Mo looked at the Queen.
Brightlight... she read about her. She was a Midsummer mother. She died at the beginning of the Great War, in the Battle above the Femos. She sacrificed herself, directing hiveship on enemy ships, allowing her crew safely hide in dense clouds of gas giant, until not arrived after them other hives.
But why she dreamed about it?
How is that even possible?
- Go now - urged the Queen. - I do not know how long I'll be able to hold them back - she said and looked at her sister. - Go, Rushwind... You were like a sister to me... Now be a good mother for my little Mid...
The younger female nodded her head, barely holding back tears and stood up. For a moment she looked still on the Queen, and then she ran towards the door of the chamber, and on to the transporter.
Beam took them both, when they stood in the middle of the chamber…"
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...Mo opened her eyes and suddenly looked around. Again, she was in the cell of the Midsummer base.
Standing at trellises Skyfall, looked at her and walked quickly, crouching down in front of her.
- How do you feel? - he asked with concern.
- ... I had a strange dream - she said, slightly hoarse voice, and cleared her throat.
Her throat was dry and the words barely was leaked to the outside.
- Strange? Why?
For the last two hundred years he had time to convince, that Moonlight mention such matters only if it seriously concern her... and when, according to her, it have importance... The last time it was so before her mother's death.
- I was... my grandfather... We were on the Brightlight ship... someone attacked us... Grandfather and Rushwind wanted to take her... but she... - she paused and furrowed her eyebrows slightly. - Her eyes were so strange... glittered like two suns... As if the light mined from her inside.
- You dreamed about the battle above Femos? - he was surprised. - Maybe you read about this recently...?
- Believe me, the last time I read about it two hundred years ago - she snorted lightly. - No, it's something else... It was very realistic... As if I saw memories of my grandfather...
- Memories are inherits only in the female line...
- I know - she almost huffed. - That's why I say, that it was a strange dream - she added, more calmly.
- You are tired. Your mind relieve...
- It does not matter - she said, interrupting him and she started to get up with some difficulty.
The Commander helped her to stand on her feet.
- Do you think that your dream has any meaning? - interjected Teyla.
Moonlight looked at her.
- I do not know... Brightlight was Midsummer mother... After her death, it Rushwind took care of Mid. Her and Solarwind... My grandmother once mentioned, that her mother's death was a big trauma for Mid.
- Great - said the colonel, leaning against the grating cell with his arms folded on his chest. - Wraith Queen with problems after childhood trauma, which wants all to kill in an act of revenge - he snorted lightly.
- You thinks it's funny, colonel Sheppard? - spoke up suddenly from behind a male voice.
Everyone looked down the corridor, where a coming solitary figure in a long coat. The contrast between the semi-darkness prevailing in the cell, and bright light in the depths did, that they were not immediately able to recognize who it is. Only when the figure stopped in front of the cell grating, face Wraith became clear to them.
- Because for me none war is not funny - added gravely Raptor. - And especially when it affects also on the children... We did not start it all. Only greed and envy of those, who attacked us.
- You feed on the people... According to you, Lanteans they had to passively ago? - talk back the officer.
Wraith came up closer to the rods, looking furiously at Sheppard. John saw, that is hardly refrain to him before the outbreak of fury.
- The only thing, which Lanteans, it was passively watched , as Patria was attack, and subsequent on the campaign against us - he hissed through his sharp teeth. - We not feed on humans before the Great War, John Sheppard - he said and raised his hand, revealing a feeding slit. - This... This is the work of your ancestors, who, not being able to get what they wanted... they decided to take it by force.
Colonel frowned, looking at him with a mix of surprise and disbelief.
- I do not understand...
- Raptor... This is not the time for lectures from history - threw the back slightly indignant male voice before the Wraith could answer.
Commander glancing back over his shoulder.
Another person, who came closer cell, put a hand on his shoulder, then looked calmly at the prison.
- Excuse me, but my brother has sometimes lousy sense of timing - Tracker said and walked over to the control panel in the wall, to open the grate. - We'd better hurry. We have yet to find the others - he said, and threw a meaningful glance his brother, and led the way.
- Other? - asked the colonel, following behind them.
- Colonel Mitchell, Dr. McKay, Teal'c and Ronon Dex - he explained. - Blink found us alone - he added with a broad smile, looking at the man standing at the end of the corridor.
- For now, I managed to get lost the Midsummer soldiers - Kiryk said. - But we should hurry. The winning streak may not last long... - he paused, seeing the face of a young female. - What happened to you? - he asked.
Only then the other Wraith looked at her.
- Skall was attacked by one of the dracons - she almost muttered. - He would not survive without feeding... And I'm the only person who could help him.
They looked at the Commander, whose face still was adorned by scar from predator claw. Moonlight was not exaggerating the seriousness of the condition it was Wraith, they thought, since he was not able to heal so superficial wounds. Whole obtained from young female forces had to be devoted to the healing of many serious injuries.
- Well - said, amused Sunblaze. - Now you look more adequately to the age - he sneered.
Moonlight looked at him grimly, so he baring his sharp teeth in a wide smile.
- Be serious - Tracker chastised him and looked around. - Way is clear... Let's go - he added, and again led the way, all the while carefully watching and listening.
He did not want to meet with Midsummer soldiers. Although, as he notice, in this part of the station, there were very little of them. Or Queen is too sure of herself... or is it a trick, he thought, which was less optimistic perspective.
They have yet to release the second team.
.
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Four hiveship left hyperspace, going out near the second moon of the planet. Immediately afterwards appeared the next three, to jointly direct to the lonely ship from the Earth.
Nightstorm walked over to the large window of her flagship hive, looking at the planet floating in the distance.
Draconis. The last time she was here as a child, when their educator told them about evolution. She was delighted all of these creatures. Like all children. But then they all were safe on-board the ship. Those, who dared to move there on their own feet, was either insane... or they ask about death.
- I have a bad feeling about this - said the Queen.
Standing at her side Wraith, glanced at her corner of his eye.
He was her height, medium build, and his long to the waist hair, were tethered in thin dreadlocks and uptight in a bun a leather thong.
He served her faithfully since the outbreak of the Great War, first as an advisor and Strategic Officer, and then, after five thousand years, as Commander of her hive... He took the position after Carehand death - her Favorite, Hivemaster and main engineer at the same time... The Oldest never limited to one function. They were always much more versatile than later generations.
- As for the success of their mission?
- Overall... Midsummer is unpredictable - she said, and looked at him. - I remember the last conversation with her in the Hall of the Nine... In her eyes was madness... She kept saying, that my mother announced to her, that it was she who will someday lead the Wraiths.
- Yeah... I think I know of what she was talking... Your mother told her this, trying to comfort her after Brightlight death.
- But my mother had a gift, as Destiny... Maybe so her words were not empty - she said.
- Are you worried, that it may become true? - he asked.
- Yes... And it will mean the end for all of us... The Wraiths and human - she said reluctantly. - I am afraid, that Mid deeply believes, that my mother announced her fate... Her destiny.
This thought haunted her for several months, since the Midsummer movements have become increasingly bolder. Just as terrified her thought of another civil war. She prayed to the gods, of all known her, to this did not happen... And to the Last Hope returned as soon as possible. Before it will be too late.
- I will alert the other, to they remain on standby - he said, and nodded slightly head.
- Windforest? - she stopped him. - Connect me, please, with Daedalus... I want to talk with colonel Caldwell.
- Of course - he nodded his head again, and wanted to leave, but suddenly he stopped and looked at her. - Do you really want to attack the base... if our not coming back?
She turned her head. In her eyes he saw a deep sadness.
- You know, that I do not want this - she said. - ...But we may not have a choice.
The Commander smiled.
- You already undertook many difficult decisions... and always proved to be correct. I am sure, that this time it so will be - he said, and walked toward the exit, leaving her alone.
- I unfortunately do not have that confidence - she said to herself, looking out the window again.
With thoughts pull out her flickering on the side screen, where after a short time appeared face of the Communications Officer.
- My Queen, we have contact with Daedalus - he informed.
She just nodded, and the screen flickered again, changing the image. This time it appeared the face of a human male in a military uniform.
- Milady - he nodded as a courtesy.
- Colonel Caldwell... again we meet in difficult circumstances - she replied with a gentle smile on her face.
But it was not malicious, quite the contrary. Nightstorm liked this human officer. To some extent, she even respected him. He was a good and prudent soldier... and as she often had to make unpleasant decisions. She had time enough to meet him in a month, when Wraiths and New Lanteans together worked on the construction of the interdimensional bridges generator, to bring to home their people.
- Yes... Atlantis has already informed us about your plans.
- Please understand, colonel, that this might be our only chance at inflict serious blows Technicians...
- Please, believe me, I fully understand the seriousness of this situation - interrupted her calmly Caldwell, which caused a slight surprise on her face. - And the opportunity which presents itself... Please just give our people time to get out from there... before you start shelling - he added.
- Of course, colonel. We also have a hope to get them in time.
The officer again nodded slightly.
- Thank you, Milady... Caldwell out - he threw and a screen, on which was the face of the Queen, turned off.
- Sir? Do you think she spoke honestly? - Major Marks said.
The colonel looked at him.
- I hope so - he almost muttered. - So far she keep the word.
- But then the rate was not so high - he noted.
- Yes, it's true... And that's what worries me - he said, as if lost in thought. - I'm going to my cabin. Tell me, if anything was happening - he instructed and left the bridge.
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.
Midsummer walked slowly to sitting on the floor and shaking Rodney.
On her lips showed a little sneer when ostentatiously she put feet, circling over him like a vulture over carrion. But he was not looking at her. He was too scared view of his hands in a little olive color, whose fingers were ended a claws. On one of them showed a small, long scar - his new feeding organ, he thought with horror, through which from now on he will have to take food... human vitality, sucked out of the body. Like a spider sucking juices from their victims... Yes, he thought, it was a good comparison.
His mind raged. Raged and burn, as his whole body. Like a firestorm digestant him from the inside, or a storm at sea. The pain, which it was accompanied, became unbearable.
Storm. Water. He tried to recall these images, as if they were able to quench raging into him fire. But to no avail. Hunger increased ... and with it the unrestrained desire to satisfy him. To extinguish this fire... At all costs.
How they could do this to him, he thought.
How they could change him in the Wraith, and then let another Wraith, keeping here as a prisoner, that he feed on him... several times... until his own body was no longer capable of regeneration, and began to demand to supply him with the necessary nutritional substation ... Substances, which now he would have to suck out from a man.
- The fire... Can you feel this? - continued the Queen, still circling around him. Her words were ringing in his mind, resounded like an echo. - Do you feel, as it digests your bowels? This hunger... hunger so strong, that digests your body and mind... But you can easily satisfy it - she said and stopped.
The door to the lab opened, and entered into the two soldiers, lead colonel Mitchell. He had gagged mouth and tied back hand.
One of the soldiers forced him to kneel. Just before Rodney.
- You know how to do it, right? - said slightly derisively Mid and she bent over McKay. - You know how to satisfy that hunger - she almost whispered in his ear. - How quench digestant you fire... It's so easy - she said quietly, grabbing his hand and raised it slowly up. - Just one move...
Her voice echoed again in his mind, tempting. He has long ceased to protest - it only weakened him, it took his precious energy. But now with hardly he resisted even that voice, stopping his hand just before the colonel chest. Instructions on how to counter the power of the Wraiths telepathy, which gave him Harrigan, were good, but did not include such situations.
With each word of the Queen, his pain and hunger seemed to grow. He felt that his body begins to digest itself... Maybe it can even happened now, he thought last ounce of strength. Maybe this is, what causes this horrible, stabbing each the cell of his body and burning him pain. It would make sense...
- Just put a hand... - she repeated calmly. - You hear the beating of his heart? How to speed up? This fear... and adrenaline... He is strong... Well satisfy your hunger...
For a moment Rodney fought with her, looking directly at the colonel... but the pain and the embers was unbearable... so finally he gave up.
- I'm sorry... but I can not so any longer - he whispered and let the Queen put his hand to his officer chest. - Please, forgive me...
Mitchell's eyes widened, feeling like with every seconds his body leave the life-giving force.
- Yes... That's right - Midsummer praised him. - Feel this strength... His vitality... Only they satisfy your hunger... Only they extinguish a fire... Can you feel? Can you feel, like it slowly disappearing? Can you feel the flowing force?... Is not that great?...
But he did not answer. He just looking in despair, as the Cameron body is shrinking and wrinkling, and his hair cover gray... more and more... until finally there is only a skeleton, covered tightly with a layer of skin.
Last breath of life, which made a colonel, meant, that McKay felt, like the entire contents of his stomach rise in his throat. He took his hand from the dried body and he threw himself to the side, to throw up.
The Queen looked at the soldiers, and told the head gesture she ordered to drag out officer body from the laboratory. They without words have done her command.
- Congratulations, Dr. McKay... You just became a full-fledged Wraith - she said with satisfaction. - And now we will back to our case... Unless, you want to feed on another of your friend... Maybe this time a female? - she said mockingly. - This little Athozian looks full of life.
Rodney gave her a grim look, still leaning on his hands.
- Go to hell - he growled.
- As you wish - she also said calmly and left the room.
Standing outside Waterfall looked at her expectantly.
- Did it work? - he asked impatiently.
- I think so... He sucked the colonel to the ground - she said sarcastically. - Give him a moment, and bring him into the engine room.
- Yes, mother - he said with a head nod, and walked into the lab, wincing at the sight of what the this human had left on the floor.
One of the soldiers held Cameron, and the second opened the cell grating. And as soon as his companion pushed firmly the Colonel inside, he quickly closed the entrance.
Teal'c threw them equally grim look as Ronon, then untied the rope embarrassing colonel hands behind his back. The officer pulled out the gag from his mouth.
- You quickly back - remarked somewhat ironic Dex. - What happened?
- I'm not entirely sure... but I think, that they pump in McKay with some hallucinogenic drug.
- Why do you think that? - asked Jaffa.
- Because that he behaved like a Wraith on the... craving... and probably he sucked the life out of me - he almost snorted. - Midsummer still talked to him - twirled his finger in the air a few times. - I guess, that because it they gagged my mouth. So, that I did not say anything.
- If you are right, in combination with their telepathic abilities, such hallucinogen can have much more influence on the mind...
- Ever since you were such an expert? - colonel snorted.
- The use of such substances is one of the oldest ways to pull information from a prisoner without the use of force - he said calmly.
- Before they moved me, I heard like she was blackmailing him, that again will bring him one of us to feed... I guess that's the way he wants to force him to cooperate.
- Hyperdrive generator - Teal'c remarked.
- Yes... I'm afraid, that McKay would go on it - he said. - I saw it in his eyes, when he thought, that he sucked out life of me.
- We need him to get out - Ronon growled.
- That's and I know - retorted Cameron and grabbed the bars, looking into the distance. - The question is: how? The base is in the half from metal. It will be harder than ever...
He did not finish. The whole structure shuddered suddenly, when from the distance came the quiet sound of the explosion.
- Our boys? - he said.
- I think so... It sounded like an explosion inside the station - Jaffa noted.
- I hope that they not goof up... - murmured the colonel, but before anyone could answer him, the lights within range their sight flickered several times, and then all went out.
On whole station becomes utter darkness.
Only in the outermost sections, where additional lighting accounted sunlight coming through the windows, could be see anything.
"What happened?" snapped the Queen.
"Damaged is the main generator, and the spare not want to switched on" replied the First Officer. "We have to manually turn them on."
"Then do it!" she snapped in his mind, until her voice was pulsing in his head as echo.
"Yes, My Queen" he replied obediently.
"Waterfall... There must be more of them... Find them" she instructed her son.
"Yes, Mother" he replied briefly and moved on down the corridor.
Midsummer looked at her daughter. Both have become in the main engine room, transformed for the purposes of their work in great technical laboratory. And although it had its own generator, it and so, far only, they been able to turn a few emergency lights.
- You order immediately to set the soldiers before the cells - huffed Queen. - I'm sure, they will be try to set them free... Set also soldiers before the machine room... I'll be watching Dr. McKay - she said and looked at the scientist in sneer.
- In your place I would be more worried about station - he retorted a mocking tone. - On jumper was a lot of C-4. So this is probably only the beginning of your problems.
As if to confirm his words, the entire structure shuddered again as a result of another explosion.
This time it was much closer.