Chapter 46
Hide and seek.
Lieutenant-colonel Evan Lorne looked out by front jumper porthole on hovering in the sky column of smoke.
- Torres, I think it's our sign - he said into his radio, and after a moment he looked at his team. - OK, ladies, enough of this laziness. Time to get to work - he said, getting up from his chair and headed for the back of the jumper. - Today we'll be Santa's - he joked, when the hatch fell down.
The others smiled, slightly amused, and when only the metal plate touched the ground, they raised weapon, slowly going out.
Hidden so far inside the masked machines, they were safe, but now, moving among the trees, they could always be discovered. However, they had to hurry if they want to perform the task, before the Wraith restore their systems to the work. Including outside sensors.
Temporarily were blind, but nobody, not even the officers sent by the Wraith, were not sure how long this state may take.
But not only they were in such a situation. Three men trapped in one of the cells, tried in vain to see anything in all-encompassing darkness.
Something rustled, then there was a faint click, and after a moment of darkness began to glow delicate, pale blue light.
Ronon Dex moved them closer to his face. It brought to mind emerging from the darkness phantoms, when the light sticks held by him, was getting stronger.
- Hold it. I have to detach explosive from the belt - he said to Mitchell, giving him their makeshift lighting.
- In truth, I wonder where they took all this gadgets - said the colonel.
- Maybe from some of the conquered planet - Satedan he said, unbuttoning his thick leather belt with pants.
On its underside was the attached thin ribbon, which he quickly unhooked, and then stuck it to the bars, making a meter in diameter circle. Finally he fasten on the short, hanging end a small clip. Throughout the ribbon flashed a brief flash and the material taut rapidly, forming a perfect circle.
Ronon stand up quickly, to move away from the bars. The other two did the same. Moments later, the circle began to glow and quiet sizzle, sinking deeper and deeper into the metal until it finally broke through to the other side. The sound of metal falling to the ground, fortunately not made too much noise, muffled by the organic substrate.
Dex took from colonel luminous sticks and walked outside as the first, moving quickly the short corridor, leading to their cell. As soon as he was at the end, around the corner emerged two soldiers, even more surprised by his presence, than he them. It gave him a few seconds advantage. He dropped his makeshift lighting, and with a momentum he threw himself on the first of them, throwing him against the wall. Soldier until dropped his gun. However, he not had time to take it, attacked by Satedan.
The second soldier wanted to capture a former runner, but before he could attack, Jaffa hit him with full force in the chest. Soldier until staggered backward. Then he looked at Teal'c his red eyes, and growled furiously, moving on him. Both warriors clashed together, like two titans in the battle of life and death.
The first two shots from a Technicians rifle, knocked down a Ronon opponent, which soldier caught by the throat. The next two do the same with the second soldier.
Both warriors looked slowly at Mitchell.
- What? - he said. - We do not have time for this... You will play with them another time - he summed up carelessly and picked up the fluorescent sticks, moving on.
Jaffa grabbed a second gun and caught up a friend.
Base was still mired in the darkness, when they entered into the next corridor. And then, somewhere in front of them, there were two pale dots, approaching quickly.
In truth, their eyes adjusted to the darkness, but lack the more powerful light made, that they practically were not able to see anything beyond the contour of the approaching figure. So, they cling to the walls, and raised their guns, ready to shoot.
- Just try, Mitchell, and you will feel a stabbing pain in certain parts of your body - said the unexpectedly familiar, feminine voice, when the lights stopped in front of them.
- Mo? - asked the colonel.
- Not... British Queen - she said mockingly, and suddenly shone his flashlight in the eyes. - You expected someone else? - she snorted.
He covered his eyes a hand.
- Not in the eyes, woman - huffed and took her flashlight, to devote in corridor. - Where's the rest? - he asked, seeing that she came alone.
- Part of a few meters away... The rest went set the last of the C-4 - explained Mo. - Where's Rodney?
- Midsummer holding him - replied the Teal'c.
Moonlight swore under his breath. They looked at her surprised. First time they heard cursing the Wraith.
- What? - she said. - Apparently, who lives among wolves, learns to howl - she replied carelessly and walked back down the corridor. - You know where we they hold him?
- Most likely in the main engine-room - said Cameron. - There they have a great laboratory. They're working on some new generator. Midsummer wants to force McKay to work... What she may do - he said reluctantly.
- Why do you think so? - she asked.
- I think she gave him a some drugs, and convince him, that he is the Wraith - he explain. - I think it works, because on my eyes Midsummer convinced him, that he feed on me... You know what it could be?
- Unfortunately, no. First time I hear about something like this...
She did not finish. The lights in the ceiling flickered suddenly, and then slowly glowed pale light. In truth, there was not so strong, as the previous one, but sufficient to timely see who moves corridors of the station.
- Damn. They launched a one generator - snapped the colonel.
- Fortunately only one smaller, judging by the light - she said. - That's good, because there still will be partially blind. Power is sufficient only to maintain essential systems - she added and suddenly she saw a look of colonel. - What?
- What happened to you? - he asked cautiously, watching her face intently.
Although it was no longer covered the whole range of wrinkles, she still does not look like the young Wraith female who knew, but for someone much older.
- I decided to change the image - she joked and went further, speeding the pace.
A few feet away waiting for them other Wraith, looking carefully around, whether come Midsummer soldiers.
Sunblaze looked at them first and then suddenly told them to stop hand gesture. The all four of them first froze, and then clung to the wall, listening. Someone was coming. They heard clearly numerous, heavy steps.
They raised their weapons, preparing to attack.
Moonlight was not sure who first opened fire, when two first soldiers emerged from around the bend. Anyway, it did not matter. They must as soon as possible to kill all warriors, if they want to get on...
Quickblade looked at the Queen from behind his console.
- Exchange of fire at the sixth deck - he told her, at the same time focused on readings. - They break through. With the whole branch stay only three soldiers.
Midsummer growled softly under her breath. If the prisoners so soon escapes from their cell, this meant, that someone helped them, she thought, furious.
- It's not important - she snapped. - I already have what I wanted... Strengthen patrols and guards in front of the engine-room and in the middle. Probably they will be try to free McKay - she hissed through her teeth.
- Yes, My Queen - he replied obediently, nodded slightly and hastily sent a command to the other soldiers.
They were far more intelligent than the drones used by the Wraith, but like they, those also was led by officers. With this small difference that does not telepathically, but using computers - in their bodies were microscopic nanites, and on the side of the head a small external receiver. And it is precisely because of these nanites their skin was dark gray, and eyes were blood-red.
But their advantage was the fact, that when communications have been broken, the soldier were able to act autonomously, performing inflicted the earlier orders or through a telepathic link with the officer.
Two years ago Technicians have borrowed this technology from accidentally trapped Asgardian, who are stuck in the Pegasus galaxy during the Great War. Amazingly, these little gray creatures were very willing to cooperate. Probably they felt, that cooperation with the Technicians can bring them tangible benefits. They do not have to be afraid, because Technicians do not feed on humans, and their goals were similar: to survive... at any cost, no matter the cost.
One of them was standing next to McKay, analyzing introduced by the amendments to the scheme of generator.
Quickblade was still smiling at the thought of memories of a time, when the doctor first saw the Grey Man. His eyes widened up, and the lower jaw fallen. He looked very funny, thought Commander, sending the last orders to the soldiers. Then he glanced at the second monitor, showing signs of fighting a few levels above the warriors. Just was killed the last of them...
Shots subsided and fell almost deathly silence. It was an amazing, almost overwhelming contrast to the noise of which were heard even before the moment.
Sunblaze looked at the Raptor and the two began to get up. At first they were not sure if someone with Midsummer soldier not remain alive, waiting when the prisoners reveal themselves, and then shoot to them. But, much to their relief, nothing happened, so they left their previous shelter.
- Let's go - threw Raptor. - We still have a little job...
- Midsummer have McKay - said from the back Mitchell, coming to him.
- Yes, I know. Mo told us - he explained. - Tracker and the rest will take care of it. Using Kiryk teleporting device... We will join to them - he said and walked quickly ahead.
- In the engine-room probably is full of Mid soldiers - stated the colonel. - Even Kiryk not slip in there imperceptibly. The more that they certainly well watch our genius.
- That why we need a little diversion - he said with a mysterious smile.
- What a diversion?
Wraith glanced at him.
- Apparently you likes risk... I'm sure, that you think about something, colonel Mitchell - he added, patting him on the shoulder, then quickened his pace.
They had not gone too far, when in the depths of the corridor showed up another group of soldiers. This time more numerous, starting another exchange of fire.
In all this confusion it seemed, that only the colonel Lorne and his men easily overcome railways sections of the route, which left them, to get near supports of Technicians station. Some of them were immersed in the water, others stood on the massive boulders embedded deep in the ground. Land on the island, especially here at the shore, was muddy in some places, so only in this way the Wraith could protect their base from uncontrolled collapsing into the ground.
Stopping for the wide tree trunk, Lorne looked around carefully. He nowhere saw the even a single soldier on outside, guarding the entrance to the station... What does not mean, that no one was here, he thought and reached into his pocket for the life detector. On the small screen devices show up a number of dots. Three of them were scattered over a larger area.
- They are on the other side - whispered into the handset in his ear. - Perez, take care of them in case of trouble - he added, glancing sideways at one of his men.
Young soldier was lying on the ground, just nodded his head to confirm, and looked through the viewfinder of his rifle, to locate the soldiers of Technicians.
Lieutenant Anthony Perez joined the crew of Atlantis just a few months ago, but has quickly gained recognition as a military one of the best snipers. And this mission, if he will perform it well, may be his chance for promotion. He focused so, intently watching the walking on the other end of the station, dressed in the gray uniforms soldiers.
Lorne hand gesture instructed the rest to moved on, and he left his hiding place. They must as soon as possible to attach explosives on support elements of the station. Inside the team expected, that at the appropriate time the whole structure collapses to the ground... and Lorne team give them support, when they will be leave the interior.
Tracker stopped and spread his arms, not allowing the other three to go. For a moment he listening intently, then glanced over his shoulder.
- All right... They went - he whispered, and moved on.
- I did not hear anything - said surprised Skyfall.
- Because you listening wrong - the officer said calmly, glancing at him with a small sneer on his lips. - The laboratory should be at the end of the next corridor - he added. - Entry will probably be well guarded, so we do a little workaround - he said and unexpectedly turned into a side, in a narrow corridor ended single wing door.
Wraith opened it, revealing a small, completely empty room.
- Great. Now what? - Sheppard muttered, wincing.
- Now, colonel, we will play in the magicians - said with a slight smile Tracker and looked at Kiryk.
Men came to the wall, becoming his back to her, and raised his arm with his device to teleportation.
- You stand as close as possible and grab me - he instructed them, and when they put hands on his shoulder, he turned on the bracelet.
All four vanished, in to a second later appear in a completely different place. It was long and narrow, running in both directions. Above them hovered, suspended from the ceiling, thick organic vines. Some of them seemed to be on half transparent, shimmering pale-yellow light.
Now Sheppard understood what he meant old Wraith... and why Kiryk ordered them to stand close to each other. The corridor was only a meter wide, so after teleporting someone of them could get stuck in the wall.
- Technical channel? - said surprised Skyfall.
- Yes. We are behind the wall of that room... The laboratory is in that way - added Tracker and he went as a first.
- You have very detailed plans for the station - Sheppard noted. - But what if in the meantime Technicians have changed the placement of the rooms?
Wraith grinned corner of his mouth.
- Fortunately for us, do not do it too often - he said calmly. - And after each such change we get new plans from our contact.
- In such a case, it must be someone close to Midsummer - noted Skyfall.
Tracker glanced over his shoulder.
- Yes... Very close - he said cryptically, beating another slight bow the technical channel.
Moonlight stopped as first, just around the corner the intersecting corridors and looked carefully into this, which led to the underwater hangar. Before the door was only four soldiers fully armed. She frowned, concerned. Such lack of prudence does not fit to the Midsummer, she thought. Along the way they also not encountered the more patrols, than those, which they defeated on the beginning.
So, or Midsummer has more to worry about, than the cut off refugees the road to the jumper, and she focuses its troops near the engine-room... or is it a trap, she thought reluctantly.
But whatever the reasons was, they and so would first have to get there, to perform the plan of colonel Mitchell. Personally, she thought it was too risky... but it could help them in the making to even more confusion at the Technicians station, and thus enable a Tracker group in release Dr. McKay.
Now they just have to wait, until the Raptor team gets into the hangar by technical channel from an adjacent room, so they could attack the guards from both sides.
- Only four - she said, abutting the wall. - This is a really stupid idea.
- That was the original idea for the diversion of colonel, but later we found, that it too risky - Teal'c whispered - And distracts us too much.
- And we are far from the road to escape - finished Teyla.
- Indeed... But now it may prove useful in freeing Dr. McKay.
- Yes, I know. The more confusion, the better for us - murmured again Mo. - Worries me only the number of guards. Midsummer is not stupid to put on the entrance to the hangar just four...
She did not finish. From behind the door came the quiet sound of a firefight. Young female looked at the other two.
- And you jinx - Emmagan said.
Moonlight did not answer. She activate weapons taken away earlier from one of the dead soldiers, and she went out of the closet, opened fire.
Standing outside the door guards just opened them, to see what is going on in the hangar. This careless move facilitated the task of the group. A series of shots quickly knocked down all four of them. But in the hangar were apparently far more troops, on which indicated still ongoing there exchange of fire.
They broke up from the place, running to the door. Teal'c clung to the wall and peered cautiously around the corner, to assess the situation quickly. Both groups stood on opposite sides of the hangar, hiding behind machines to avoid hitting the opponent's weapon.
- Five of the left - he informed and leaned out quickly to give first shots.
Moonlight and Teyla cunning quickly to the other side open door. A piece of the wall, in which was hiding the door wings, allow them to safely hide behind it, giving sufficient shelter from the shots from the hangar. In this way also they both may open fire to the Midsummer soldiers.
And yet, the vast majority of attackers, Gray Soldiers of Technicians repulsed the attack for a long time, before the last of them was finally knocked down.
The silence, which fell in the hangar, at first was astounding.
Teal'c looked at Mitchell and nodded, carefully leaves his hiding. Someone from the guards could still be alive. So both groups hastily approached the soldiers lying on the ground, all the while pointing to them with their gun, to shoot if necessary.
- I think they are dead - said at the end of the colonel.
- I hope so - replied in the same tone Raptor and looked at the young Wraith. - Blaze, give me a C-4 - he added.
The pilot nodded and reached under his coat after fastened to the belt explosives.
- This is the last - he informed and tossed it to him.
- Enough - said the officer and quickly entered the inside of the jumper to move the hatch cover in the floor of the passenger.
- Are you sure that's enough? - Cameron asked, looking like old Wraith enters the small hole.
- Yes... I told you, that I got to know the structure of jumpers before the war with Lanteans. I know what I'm doing - he replied indifferently, focusing on connecting the explosive with power source to the machine.
- That's why I ask. It was ten thousand years ago...
He did not finish. Raptor looked grimly at him over his shoulder. Cameron smiled.
- I'll shut up - said the colonel, and left the jumper, to come to watching the entrance to the hangar Teal'c. - I hope that McKay did not introduce too many modifications, before we get him out - he muttered.
- I do not think - said calmly Jaffa. - After all, he will try to play for time. He probably knows that we escaped.
The officer wanted to add something, but interrupted him guttural voice of the Wraith coming out from the jumper.
- It's ready - he said. - Enough activate the detonator - he added, throwing him a small device.
Colonel caught it easily on the fly.
- Great. Let's get out of here, before they send someone - he said and walked down the corridor.
Others followed in his footsteps, holding the gun at the ready.
Raptor did not know, why he glanced back. Just something made him turn around. The feeling... or something else... something what was hard to name and define. But whatever it was, it gave him a chance to react in time, when one of the seemingly dead soldiers, sitting against the wall of the hangar, just raised the gun, pointing straight at them.
- Look out! - called Wraith, raising one hand his weapon to the fire, and at the same time jumping to Ronon, to push him against the wall.
The man collided with an organic construction firmly enough to moan softly. Impact force slightly stunned him for a few seconds. But yet he saw as two bolts of energy wear off through the air only on centimeters. And then one of them hit straight in the head of a Midsummer soldier. He had not seen only as the second stopped on Raptor breast, leaving behind a large, burnt wound.
Moonlight watched as the officer staggered, then fell to his knees. Stunned by what had happened, she had the impression, that she sees everything in slow motion. Even her scream seemed to her to be strangely distorted. As if it was not come from her throat. But before she could run up, Raptor, one of the First Wraith, glanced at her over his shoulder the rest of the forces.
"Run... Run for your lives... That's an order" somewhere in her mind sounded his words, and then he fell on the floor, right on the edge of the platform.
Limp body slid into the water at the moment, when Mo fell to the ground, trying to catch him.
- Raptor! - she repeated, pulling out her hand helplessly towards the water.
"Raptor" she sobbed in her mind.
But he no longer heard. And did not react. So, she could only watch as his body falls limply to the bottom. Long, white dreadlocks, surrounded his face, and still open eyes, stuck at one point.
- Mo, we have to go...
These were the first words that reached to her. She looked up at lifting her from the ground Sunblaze. In truth, her body reacted to his movements, but her mind was still too stunned, so that she could fully own moved from the place.
- He... - she whispered, when her friend led her down the corridor.
- He ordered us to run - he finished for her emphatically. - So you move your ass - he almost growled.
- Sheppard?... Lorne?... Ready? - Mitchell threw to the radios.
- Ready - rang out from the device sequentially male voices.
- Launched, Lorne - he ordered, running along the corridor in the direction from which they came to the hangar.
The colonel did not wait for a repeat. He looked only at his men and nodded. All unlocked detonator transmitter and launched it.
The explosions occurred one after another. Clouds of fire rose rapidly to the top, entangling part of powerful supports, upon which was standing the whole station.
From between the crowns of the trees soared up into the sky the whole swarm of small, emitting from each other in a panic almost deafening sounds... And then around came the shrill screech rubbing against each other metal, when the entire structure began to tilt to one side.
Midsummer looked around, trying to locate the source of an explosion that shook seriously the entire station. She started to say something, when suddenly she felt as the floor beneath her feet begins to bend. Present in the engine-room persons, started to look around, even more confused, and after a while they start to slide and lose their balance.
The Queen caught quickly located her railing, just before organic-metal construction with a unimaginable bang fell from one side to the ground. The fall shook the station even more than explosions. Everything that was not permanently attached, including the crew, was thrown from place to place. Several major elements entailed or crush a few located in the engine-room Wraith, and damaged wiring and equipment started to sparks or explode in a small, but dangerous explosions.
The entire station was chaos, which McKay watched in horror, firmly holding on to the railing on which he fell along with a small Asgardian. But perhaps the first time not he was in the panicked, but this gray, treacherous shrimp next to him, he thought.
Quickblade looked at his Queen, on the face of which was outlined to the same horror, what on the face the human scientist.
- They damaged the supports on the left side - he said.
- I see, you fool! - she huffed angrily. - Send all the troops! They have to find them!... I WANT THEIR HEADS!