Chapter 47
Hide and run.
He watched helplessly as image over him starts to blurring like a surrounding him water.
In his ears still rang the beating of his heart... getting slower and slower... until finally stopped completely, and there was only dead silence... and with it the darkness.
"... not your time" - said somewhere in his mind fuzzy, feminine voice.
It seemed to him, that some of his muscles reacted slight contraction of these words... and then from the surrounding him darkness began to emerge slowly bright light, wrapping him more and more. It was nice and warm, shutting him from the cold waters of the lake, filling the station hangar.
"Your time has not come, my love" - the voice repeated, this time more pronounced, resounding above him, and after a moment with the light emerged a figure.
She was shining the same light, but he still recognized her. He knew her very well. Her delicate features and long, thick curls surrounding her face, which seemed to float like on light wind. She smiled at him gently... and then pulled her face to his, to gently touch his lips her own.
This same warm, that fence off him from the cold water, now was slowly influenced inside of his body, reaching to every parts. To the each cell.
.
.
It was so nice... and soothing, he thought, allowing to this feeling fully absorbed him...
- Now what? - threw Sheppard, looking at the Tracker, when the first explosions were heard.
But the old Wraith did not answer, looking somewhere ahead blankly. So colonel nudged him.
- Hey! Snap out of it. This is not a time for meditation - he added.
The Oldest looked at him, but his gaze was as absent. Then John realized that something was wrong.
- Raptor's dead - said Skyfall, before the colonel could ask a question.
- How? Well... yes. This your telepathy - muttered the officer.
He wanted to add something, but Tracker forestalled him suddenly, going back to the real world.
- I'll try to locate Dr. McKay - he said, focusing.
Of the hundreds, sometimes panicked minds at the station, he trying to find just the one, that was their goal. Unfortunately the human mind is not accustomed to telepathic contacts, so it's was much more difficult to locate, than the Wraith mind... even if the mind thought, that now is the Wraith.
- I found him... Three hundred meters to the right - he said, and this time he looked at Kiryk to show him what he saw.
The ex-runner repeatedly has trained such shares. Mainly under the eye Tracker and Raptor. They showed him in his mind the purpose, and he had to go there. All this in order to be useful is in situations such as this.
The Oldest Wraith from the beginning were fascinated not so much his device at the fact that it works at all...
.
"- …Have you ever wondered why the device reacts for you? - Shockwave asked him during their first meeting.
It was two years ago, when Mo was first time brought him to the planet of the Wraith Grey Council. Then he hid his device under coat sleeve. They both prefer to exercise caution. Do not risk, that The Oldest will want to get information about the place where Kiryk received his handheld teleporter.
But to their big surprise, the accidental discovery of the device by a Raptor, caused greater consternation because of its owner, than because of the existence of the teleporter.
- No - he replied. - But judging by your reactions, I begin to infer, that not everyone can use it.
Wraith grinned corner of his mouth.
He was of medium height and stature, and his white hair was cut short, stuck out in all directions. He not wore a long coat, like most of his brethren, but cotton shirt with narrow sleeves, and long, leather vest with quilted items.
His lab was large, full of a variety of devices coming probably from many different worlds. Just like on Invention, thought then Kiryk.
- It's true - he admitted. - This is a very old device. Or at least his prototype was designed and built thousands of years ago... even before the Great War... And as a Lanteans technology, also this device responds to a particular gene... Do you know what are genes? - he make sure.
- Yes. Mo and the rest are good teachers... and very patient - smiled Kiryk.
- That's good. You'll save me a lot of time - he joked. - Usually humans with underdeveloped planets have considerable difficulty in understanding certain things... I remember a female worshipper, which long could not understand, how functioning of her body can manage such small elements - he snorted slightly at the memory of those moments.- But back to your teleporter... As I mentioned, it was created a long time ago and responds to specific gene is all the more surprising, that those who possessed it, extinct long ago.
- And I have this gene? - he asked.
- Apparently... Since the device works - he said calmly, giving him a bracelet. - I examined them carefully. Is no different from the original... which means, that one of your ancestors, thousands of years ago, belonged to one of the most developed communities, that saw this galaxy.
The man looked at the device, and then put them on the shoulder. Bracelet immediately wrapped around it, like a wild vine tree.
- Do you know how was called these people? Where they lived? - he finally asked hesitantly.
- Of course... I'm one of the First - reminded him calmly in the world, slightly amused. - I repeatedly visited their planet... They called themselves: Caeli, which in Lanteans means: the heavens. They inhabited moon of one of the gas giants... I can show you it, if you want... But I'm afraid, that you do not find anything except the ruins... Unless you find anything after such a long time - he said pessimistically.
Then Kiryk long wondered about his proposal. Until finally chain of events decided for him, and he not have time to go on the mysterious moon... "
.
…He do not know why he now reminded ourselves of this. Maybe it's a sign that, after all, he should find this lost world and see what he finds, he thought... and then he focused on the spot, which showed him Tracker. But when the station began to tilt to one side, he instinctively began to look for any point of support.
Fortunately, the technical channel, there were no moving parts and power cables was securely attached, so none of them began to spit sparks and lightning, which could threaten them. The whole station creaked and shuddered, leaning to one side, to finally hit with a deafening thud on the ground.
And then there was silence.
Tracker looked at the others.
- Everyone are all right? - he asked undertone, as if his voice could be heard through the thick wall.
- I think so - said Sheppard, still lying on the ground.
Wraith seemed to listen for a short while.
- Doctor McKay remained in the same position - he said at last. - He is based on the railing - he added, glancing at Kiryk, and pointing to the place in his mind. - I think it is a good time to take him from there. Before they come to their senses.
The man nodded his head and focused on the site, that pointed him Wraith. And then he vanished into thin air, to moments later appear next to Rodney.
He looked at him in surprise... just like Asgardian.
- Intruder! - shouted at the same time, in which Kiryk caught McKay for his arm.
Based on the railing Midsummer she have only time to look up, to see how two people melts in the air on her eyes. And then in the whole engine-room sounded her furious roar, that could be heard even in the technical channel.
- Get them! - she cried after a moment. - They can not be far away!
- I think she is pretty pissed - Sheppard snorted, standing up, when right next to him appeared two men. He pulled hand to one of them. - Get up, we have no time to rest.
But McKay looked at him. His eyes, full of sadness, recalled the colonel what did with him the Queen of Technicians.
Rodney got up slowly on its own.
- You're not the Wraith - said flatly John, pointing a finger at him. - They just do you brainwashed.
- But I can see... - he started, raising his hands of mint skin.
On one of them was a long scar - its new organ to feeding.
- Believe me, you're still a man... It's just illusion - assured him and grabbed his sleeve, pulling for each other.
Tracker and Skyfall just moved out of place. They must leave the technical channel, and get to the agreed place, to finally leave the station.
- Are you sure?
- Yes... Have I ever lied to you?
- Well...
- In serious cases - added Sheppard.
- Nooo... - said McKay. - But I see it... - he went on his.
- Because they pump in you a hallucinogens, and did to you telepathic brainwashing.
- Really? - he threw clearly surprised. - Wow... and everything was so real... even feeding on the Mitchell.
- You were feed on Mitchell? - asked with a slight reproach colonel, glancing quickly at him over his shoulder.
- Hey! She forced me - protested immediately McKay. - You do not know how real was the sensation of hunger... and a desire to cater it... Wow, now I know how is feels the Wraith on hunger - he have a sudden revelation.
- Yes. It's probably a fascinating experience - almost muttered John. - Maybe someday you will write about this even scientific work... If we get out from here - he muttered.
- We have an escape plan? - Rodney reminded him with irony.
- Yes, but it has been slightly modified in the meantime - interjected calmly Kiryk. - Because of YOU.
- It's not my fault... - he protested again, but he did not manage to finish.
Leading their Wraith just stopped.
Tracker touched skin covering the wall. At this point it seemed to be more flexible, than this before, bending under his touch.
- I think it's here - he said, and reached for the shoe after a small knife.
- You think...? - whispered Sheppard, but the Wraith immediately silenced him with a stern look. Colonel winced only slightly and reached for the radio. - Mitchell?... Launch what you got - he said to the device.
- You got it - said a familiar voice from the speaker, and after then its owner unlock the detonator.
Receiver attached to the hidden in the floor of the passenger hatch power systems, flickered quickly several times.
Still, attached to the platform in the underwater hangar, jumper was the only machine, that remained in place after, as the station has been deprived of left brackets. Launched by Cameron, soon after they arrival, magnetic clasps, allowed jumper to avoid the fate of darts, which slipped into the water.
A powerful explosion rocked once again the whole station, but this time causing far greater damage than the previous. A giant crater, which appeared in place of the hangar, made that the cold waters of the lake with a vengeance stormed inside, flooding the closest corridors, and then burst to the up, absorbing all they encountered on their way. Even the Gray Soldiers.
But this explosion not only damaged the hangar, but also the room above him on a few levels higher altitudes. Column of smoke and fire burst to the outside, lifted-up high to the sky.
Colonel Lorne and his men looked down from their seats to the phenomenon of mixed feelings. So powerful explosion could cut off escape route to their people ,who were still inside.
- It's Lorne... You live there? - he said into the microphone of radios.
And then he listened. In the first few seconds he heard only a faint popping sound, but then, to his relief, by distortions, the familiar voice of Sheppard:
- Yes... but we're a bit busy - he said, between heard shots in the ether. - We are approaching slowly to the exit... You get ready to cover us.
- Roger that - Evan replied briefly and hung up. - You have heard. We had to cover them, before they reach here - he turned to his men and prepared to fire at the enemy.
A series of subsequent explosions, resulting from the explosion jumper, ran the entire length of the station. One of them came dangerously close to the fugitives, knocking down in truth a small squad of the Technicians soldiers, which they encounter, but also left a ruins of metal elements from the structure.
Skyfall raised his head first, and then looked at lying under him Moonlight. As soon as he saw the explosion, he hid her his own body. The Gift of Life, which she gave him, made his regenerative system work at full capacity... for the first time in a long time. In the contrast, her body still slowly returning to normal... which probably will last a long time. Therefore, if the force of the explosion was to harm them, Commander had a much better chance of rapid regeneration of wounds, than a young female. At least this way he could repay her for the sacrifice, he thought.
- Are you all right? - he asked worried.
- Yes - she moaned. - But if you could... go down of me? You are heavy - she added.
- Of course... I'm sorry - he said briefly and got up, to help her.
Others also began to get up slowly, looking around through a cloud of smoke and dust.
- It was close - said Sheppard, giving Teyla a hand to help her up.
- I think it's the end - she notice, listening intently.
For the first time, from many minutes, was a silence.
- Maybe... but I prefer not check it - said Tracker and moved on, breaking through the thicket of fallen metallic elements and organic skeleton.
Emmagan followed right behind him, and then the rest of the group. The ruins was stretched for several meters, greatly hindering and slowing their escape. In addition it was ended the dam with damaged parts, completely blocking the their way.
Old Wraith swore under his breath.
- Is there another way? - asked Mitchell.
- Unfortunately not... We could turn back, but then we risk of meeting with the soldiers - he said, and suddenly looked at Kiryk. - Blink, like your toy?
The man looked at the bracelet.
After the improvements introduced by the Shockwave, he was able much better control the power level of the device, with a small pointer of its height.
- It is more than three-quarters of the power - he said.
- Should be enough - told cryptically Tracker and looked through the fallen items in the corridor behind the barricade. - This takes us to the other side. Only on the distance this rubble.
Kiryk approached, also watching the way.
- All at once? - he asked with a slight disbelief.
- Yes... enough is enough power... At my request, Shockwave removed the collateral that previously did not allow for such maneuvers without fully charge the device.
- Really? - was surprised McKay. - Hmm, he must be really good - he said.
- One of the best... But there is one drawback - he added less optimistic.
- Bracelet completely exhausted and will be quite useless... to the next charge - noticed from the back Blaze, a little grimly.
The officer looked at him and smiled slightly.
- Yes... The charging will last a very long time, so whatever will happen, we will have to fend for themselves.
- That's nothing new - said with a note of irony Sheppard.
Kiryk straightened and lifted his arm a little. The rest surrounded him closely to be able to touch him. And when all were ready, the ex-runner took a deep breath and turned on the device... praying, that Tracker was right and the device worked properly.
Moments later they were on the other side of the rubble. Everyone looked at themselves very quickly, that certainly they still are in one piece.
The Oldest glanced quickly down the corridor and gestured of his head he pointed the direction.
- Out there... out should be for tens meters - he said.
- So we better hurry - said sudden Mo, looking in the direction from which they came. - Soldiers are coming - she added.
They looked in this same direction. A Grey Soldiers were moving at a fast trot straight at them, opening the fire. And if not wall with destroyed elements of the station, probably most of the energy bolts would reached this goal. But and so a few of them managed to slide through gaps in the rubble. The slots were too small for the escapees, but enough for spherical bolts from the stunners.
The first missiles shattered against the wall, somewhere in the distance, but flew dangerously close to the group. They immediately spread out, clinging to the walls to avoid being hit, and began to run away. Exit from base was near, but Gray Soldiers closer.
Tracker first came to the door. Were closed and the control panel in the wall, damaged - so, he had no possibility opening them telepathically or even manually. The only thing left to them is to try to spread the door. He grabbed the edge of one wing, and Skyfall for the second, pulling with all his might. Two plates twitched slightly, creating a small gap, through which get to the inside a light beam. Ronon and Kiryk joined them, trying to push the door in the wall.
One of the soldiers slipped the grenade between the thick, metal and organic bars. A large explosion shook the corridor, and after a while was hear, like something heavy falls on the ground. And when the cloud of dust and smoke subsided enough, to once again was visible what was behind it, they eyes again appeared heap of broken structural elements... but this time in a different configuration, allowing Midsummer Grey Soldiers, one after another, pass on the other side.
- Pull - Tracker growled through clenched teeth, while others raised their weapons and opened fire.
Technician soldiers moved quickly over towards them.
Through dimness in the corridor, with both of its ends, started to rush the energy missiles. One of them almost hit Teyla. Only a quick reaction of John allowed her to avoid being stunned. Colonel quickly pushed the woman back, nearly pinning her to the wall, but thanks this they both escaped the hit. Energy missile disappeared into the wall just behind Sheppard.
Emmagan looked up, little confused proximity a man.
- Thanks - she whispered.
- Not at all - he replied in the same tone, looking at her carefully, and after a while he pulled away.
The door creaked heavily, when the two wings have decided to finally give way, and slide into the wall. Twilight in the corridor filled glow of the sunny day, blinding at first not only escapees, but also the Grey Soldiers.
Shots subsided for a moment, giving group the chance to evacuate.
- Move it! - strongly rush them Tracker, hurriedly pushing people closest to him on the outside.
- I do not see anything - Rodney groaned, covering his eyes with his hand, when the old Wraith grabbed him by the arm and pushed straight into the glare of the sun.
- Just run! - Blaze commanded him.
the sense
Someone ahead them, and after a few meters crouched, turning the front to the station. Only then Rodney recognized Tracker, which raised his rifle and fired. The man did not turn around, but he guessed that the Technicians soldiers had to be right behind them... what after a while confirmed the first energy bolts flying over his head.
A young Wraith glanced to the side.
- Mo! Take him! - he said and suddenly stopped like the old Wraith, crouch down and start to shoot to opponent.
Moonlight without a word grabbed McKay's arm.
- Do not slow down... We must as soon as get behind the tree line - she instructed him.
- I can not run faster - he almost growled, still obscuring his eyes with his hand.
Although his eyesight was beginning to get used to the new light, but the sun still blinded him enough, to impede his movement.
Looking from up on this all Lorne, hid the binoculars and grabbed the rifle.
- Time for us, gentlemen! - he said and also fired.
Automatic weapon did much more noise, as opposed to the Wraith stunners, but also had its advantages. Shot have a much better chance to eliminate an opponent permanently, without the fear, that after a few minutes will get up, again ready to fight. The trick, however is, that to hit in the right place - preferably in the head.
- Lau... Run the engines - Lorne threw to the radio. - Soon we will be there.
- Yes, sir - replied a male voice from the microphone, and the only remained on board jumper soldier, began to run the machine systems, lowering in the same time the cover.
The vehicle, resembling a cut from one side obliquely a tube, once again become visible from the outside. Just like the second, standing near him.