Chapter 49
Profits and losses.
For a brief moment colonel Lorne had the impression, that the entire cockpit fill deathly silence, which again broke a loud alarm sound.
Both machines shot out from the gate straight into cosmic space, and the officer immediately slipped engines. A large cloud of smoke burst again on both sides of the hull, and accompanying its inside jumper discharges, strike several soldiers. Their companions immediately rushed to their aid.
Then, the whole apparatus refused to obey and shut down. Inside the jumper again there was silence... and darkness.
- Lorne? Are you okay? - said to the radio Sheppard, but despite expectations, nobody answered him. - Must them fall communication - he snapped.
- Our jumper also barely works - Cameron muttered.
- I will notify the repair station to send for us tug-ship - Tracker said.
- Let they prepare also on repairs our ships - Mo added. - I think, that a few has been hit firmly.
- For sure - almost muttered the old Wraith and focused on his task.
Sheppard looked through the window, trying to locate the second jumper on the background of several hiveships located in geostationary orbit of the Council planet.
- There - pointed female. - They drifts.
- We also will be soon - Mitchell muttered, as if in answer to his words, all the systems on board the machine started to shut down. - Power supply quite died - said, also staring through the window, but now on big construction, who had just begun to obscure the full view.
Orbital repair station Wraith resembled the shape of a giant, flat crab, whose bent legs dangling limply in outer space, and at the ridge there were several barnacles.
- There is a huge... Bigger than hiveships? - he asked.
- Yes... And probably now the last, what exists - said Mo, stepping closer. - There used were four, but always controlled them Technicians. This stay only, because they did not have the courage to come here for it... I served on it for almost two years... It's a completely different story, than the repairs on the hive.
- I wonder if they allowed me to see its - suddenly said McKay, becoming next to her and also carefully watching the station.
- I can ask... If you promise not to blow up nothing - she scoffed.
Rodney looked at her grimly.
- Ha, ha, ha... very funny.
- I laugh - said ironical Cameron.
Scientist want to say something, when suddenly the whole jumper trembled, and above them the sounds of something, which rubbed against the hull.
- It's just a tug-ship - explained Mo and sat on the nearest free seat.
Sitting on one of the remotest places Ronon, watched all the time on Raptor. Old Wraith tried to ignore it, but in the end even he could not resist.
- Yes? - he finally sighed heavily. - Again you have a problem, Ronon Dex? - he asked calmly, but with a note of irony.
- Only one - he said. - Why did you do that? - he asked.
- What?
- Why you take that shot? - he asked typical for him, a slightly somber tone.
- Oh ... That is it - almost muttered officer and smiled barely noticeable corner of his mouth. - What? You so hurry for a meeting with your ancestors in the afterlife? - he snorted.
- No... But this is not the answer.
Old Wraith shrugged indifferently.
- Let's say that this old habit... from such action.
- Protect the people? - almost snorted man.
- No... Protect brothers in arms... You doing the same thing, right? - he pointed out, again with a slightly mocking tone. - And on this mission we were one team.
- Wraith only protect themselves - grumbled ex-runner. - You do not care about people.
- Really?... Well, I wish that no one did not said me this the last eleven thousand years - Raptor snorted and settled himself comfortably in his seat.
- Mock of me, Wraith? - growled Dex, leaning forward.
- Ronon... - Sheppard admonished him. Satedan glanced at him, and the colonel shook his head only slightly. - Give it up, huh?
He did not answer. He gritted his teeth only, grimacing in a grimace of displeasure and clenching his fingers on his arms. He had a great desire to shoot with its straight in the mocking smile Raptor... but then he would not be better, than those, who he hated: the Wraith.
Anyway, something in the words of the old Wraith made, that he was even more confused, than in the past, because of his behavior.
"It is a pity, that no one did not said me this the last eleven thousand years" - these words still echoed in his mind.
.
.
Midsummer come to one of the few still active monitors, breaking through the scattered everywhere, both metallic and organic elements.
The bridge looked the same as the rest of the station: like one big battlefield. Bustling around the Wraith tried to activate quickly as many was possible systems, but with every minute it became clear to them, that they might have to leave this place. After all these explosions, which presented them a team from Atlantis, and the envoys of the Grey Council, months of hard work can be now thrown down the drain.
The Queen looked at the picture showing the face of a fragile, gray beings with large black eyes.
- Your plan failed - Asgardian said. - I heard that the humans escape.
- Your also - she hissed through her teeth. - I heard, that all their ships managed to escape - she said mockingly.
- Attempt to destroy them, would result in even greater losses - he said indifferently. - Was with them the human ship, equipped with our technology.
- Yes, I know... Daedalus - grumbled Queen. - We met several ships New Lanteans.
- So, you know what I mean... They both, however, we know where they went. If we attack no...
- No - she interrupted dryly. - Now the most important thing is for me to recover as much of the our research. Generator were severely damaged, but we are able to quickly rebuild them. Without them, our ships will be weak and we can not attack the Council base... or at least weaken their fleet. And without a significant victory and a demonstration of strength, indecisive Queens will not join to us. And only thanks to they support I can take over all.
- All right... I proposed, however, as soon as you can leave this place... Before Council will send a larger quantity hiveships here - he noted.
- You think I'm stupid? - she huffed. - Of course I'll do it... I would have acted myself in this way. Finish off the beaten, before he could get up... It's not they win this battle, but we do.
- I would say, rather, that after this challenge, is a tie - noted Asgardian with a note of irony.
The Queen growled a warning.
- You better find for us a new planet, on which we will be able to resume our works - she hissed again for that and hung up, looking at her daughter. - In their case, I'm starting to regret, that I am no longer able anyone to feed on.
- Not only you, mother - she snorted lightly.
Midsummer gave her a grim look, so younger female immediately sobered.
- I already ordered the evacuation - Skyfire added. - One from our hive already fly for us.
- Very good... We need to rebuild the generator as soon as possible... It is our priority - she added, more calmly. - Revenge on those gullible fools may wait.
.
.
Teyla improved the skirt of her creations and took a deep breath.
Dressed in her new outfit in the colors of graphite and violet, she stood in the private chamber of the Queen on board Unbroken, getting ready for a re-encounter with the Grey Council.
Hiveships and Daedalus only recently returned, and Nightstorm already demanded a meeting with Steelflower. But no one had any idea why this urgency and what may be the reason. Even Todd seemed to be surprised by the request of his mother, she noticed. But he had no choice, and he must to immediately
send for Emmagan on a repair station, aboard on which the crew of both jumpers were waiting for the return of the fleet. He could not, so far, to play for time. Wraith were convinced, that Steelflower took part in the battle with a fleet of Midsummer over Draconis, leading Unbroken and Starscreamer.
Chamber door slid open and to the inside has entered Mo. On her face there was no trace of the effects, what resulted after putting almost all her life force Skyfall. Again she looked young and full of life. And again she seemed to be in a good mood, smiling brightly at the woman.
- Are you ready? - she asked.
- Almost - almost muttered Teyla, and lifted from bed a small silvery object to apply it to her neck.
She closed her eyes for a moment, when the device instantly clung to her skin, and then let in the body of microscopic connection. It was the most... inconvenient moment the whole process. She could not say, that somehow especially unpleasant. She not felt a pain, or greater discomfort. Just... it was a very strange feeling - yes, it was appropriate to define that moment, she thought.
Later, the entire process has already ran fast. Microscopic grid holographic quickly covered her entire body, but it was almost imperceptible, because Teyla had to raise her hands to see if the device is already running. She looked, like her skin ceases to be slightly brown, to take a more olive color.
- Really, it's amazing technology - said with delight Moonlight. - I need to examine this device, as soon as I find a moment of time.
- Yes, it's true .. a masterpiece... as Rodney said - she said. - And a godsend for us. I can not imagine, that I have to move every time the operation again to change in Steelflower.
- It's true. Now at any time you may start this device and become a Wraith... You should thank for this extraordinary gift Kate Harrigan.
- Yes... I very liked her. Besides, Torren also... From the beginning, I did not understand why she working for the Wraith. But the more I learned about her, the less it have a matters... Anyway, at first she did it to protect people from Vallen before harvest. That was the deal with Vi... I mean Wildfire - she improved herself. - But then, I think, she also liked it... Rodney also is delighted your technology, and those two, in this regard, are very much alike. They just love these things... Just like you - said with a slight smile.
- I would like live to see the day, when we can all get together to discuss various technical problems... It would be like before the Great War - she said suddenly. - My father told me about it... About the meetings of scientists, also Wraith, which discussed various issues... My mother, as usual, was irritated due of these stories - she smiled slightly, with nostalgia. - She always said, that those days are long gone and will never come back. And the memories of them not help us in any way... But my father always had hope, that once again will be like before the war. At least partially... In fact, so far I thought it unrealistic. Not after ten thousand years of hatred... But now... Now is the chance, that such day finally will come... It would be great, you do not think?
- You are dreamer... How's your father - joked Emmagan. - But it's true, it would be great if those days could come back - she admitted. - And if we actually ever lived in a side by side in peace, I now beginning to understand, why The Oldest behave... differently, than the rest of the Wraith. The memory of those days is still stuck somewhere deep in them... Maybe even sometimes they yearn for them - she said.
For a while both were silent. Deeply in heart Teyla wanted to it was true, but the reality of everyday life quickly pushed this wish somewhere deep. It was a beautiful dream... but only a dream. It would take a lot of time and a lot of work to this day could ever exist.
But maybe Mo is right, thought a woman. May be is a chance for this? If such things happened once before... it is hoped, that they can be repeated.
- Let's go - she said finally. - Better not keep your grandmother waiting to long.
- It's true - admitted Mo and both left the room to go to the transporter room.
The beam moved them directly to the hangar, where the small freighter were waiting with Starburst and John... again in the guise of Skywalker. Colonel and this time insisted, that he will not allow Teyla alone go to the planet of the Council. In truth, his fears for her safety eased somewhat after the recent events, but still was risk of failure and the discovery of they small ruse by those, who may will not be as forgiving as the Raptor or Alabaster. And then, Todd's presence, may not be enough, told them firmly John on the repair station.
When only two females approached to the freighter, the all four came on the board. Sitting in the cockpit Sunblaze glanced at them.
- We may fly - said Commander.
The young pilot just nodded his head and started the engine. And as soon as they sat on the benches in the passenger compartment, the machine lifted up and fly slowly toward the main gate of the hangar.
- You know, that they again may not allow you to enter the Hall of the Nine?
It was more a statement than a question from the Mo.
- Yes... But just as then I could be close - he said gravely.
Young female smiled slightly, but said nothing, relying comfortably against the wall. At first she thought, that care Sheppard about Emmagan is result of his sense of duty as Commander of the group... and friendship. But the more closely she watched their relationship, the more she was convinced, that there is something more. The support, as he had given her, regardless of her decision, it was something more than just friendship. Something much deeper.
But John is an honorable man, and he would never try purloin woman to another man, she thought. And Teyla still feels connected with the Kennan... even if he was increasingly critical of her decisions and actions.
Jennifer mentioned, that this state of affairs persists after the return Atlantis from Earth. Apparently Kennan was furious, that Teyla risked the lives of their son... and this, that they could stay in another galaxy a very long time, cutting Torren from his roots.
Kennan has changed, once admitted Emmagan, quite by chance. Changed, since the time, when Hightower transformed his and other Athozian in hybrids. He became more impatient. More... impulsive. He was not aggressive, but he was not also this peaceful, a reasonable man in whom she fell in love. Frustration for what was done with him, slowly grew... As once in Michael, Teyla said. And with frustration appeared hatred and desire for revenge. The problem is, that he did not take revenge on who. Hightower was dead. So, remained already only the other Wraith... Only that, the Atlantis expedition, began increasingly seek to reach an agreement, than to continue the fight. It also more and more did not suit Kennan...
Mo glanced at Teyla. She seemed to be mired in their own thoughts. Her Wraith eyes almost no betrayed emotion - like a real Queen, she thought with a slight amusement and got up to go to the control cockpit.
Blaze looked at her corner of his eye, absorbed piloting the ship. She sat next to him.
- You was good - she said. - On Draconis. Perhaps, however, you have the makings of the Watchmaster - she chuckled lightly.
- Nah... it's not for me - he said calmly. - I prefer to fly fighter... Less large vessels... but it also can be. Chasing around, when from each side they trying to kill you, is not what I want to do.
- Piloting the fighter during the fight, practically different nothing - she noticed the note of irony.
- Yes, I know... But I feel safer in fighter - he said, and grinned at her wide.
- I too do not feel safe, when you're not focusing on the fly - she cut in.
Once again he grinned, and focused his attention on the pilot.
- Maybe we should start to do the windows in smaller ships? - Mo said.
- With a holographic display, as in jumpers... I like this idea - he admitted.
- I had to borrow one from Atlantis... for example - she said.
- And they borrow it to you?
Young female looked at him ironically.
- Owww... I see... BORROW - he said, amused.
- You will not be... BORROW, nothing - said the back of Sheppard.
- Miser - she muttered under breath.
- You can take this one, that we have - said suddenly Starburst stoic voice.
All four of them looked at him in surprise.
- You have a jumper? - asked John. - From where?
- Does it matter? - he said with a note of irony.
- You stole?
Wraith looked at him with a small sneer on his lips.
- I would say rather, that I... irreversibly borrowed.
Mo snorted, amused.
- It works, although? - she asked.
- Worked... When I borrowed him... Now I'm not sure. Ember tinkering with it for a long time.
- Great - she threw overjoyed with a grin. - So I will visit you soon.
- You know, that you are always welcome on my hive - he said politely, nodded head slightly.
- Yes... Especially when you need to produce few drones - sneered colonel.
Starburst gave him a brief, grim look, but quickly mastered the emotions.
- This is a matter between us...
- She almost drop off the hooks, because of you... at our station - pointed out to him. - So it has long ceased to be a matter only between you ...
- It does not matter - Moonlight interjected calmly. - You can not shift back to what has already happened... But you can try to fix it... I understand why he did it. I do not approve this, but I understand... My crew often had to take difficult decisions in order to survive... He did the same for his crew... And I know, that he would never hurt me. He was careful. Even too much. He handed me too small dose of sedative. Only because it I regained consciousness and escaped. If he did not care, I could still sleep soundly in the hatchery.
For a moment Sheppard watched her intently, as if he analyzing her words, and then curled his lips in a slight smile.
- You are too lenient - he said, and again settled himself comfortably on the bench.
- Maybe - she admitted calmly. - But you should enjoy with it, because only thanks this, you're still alive... John Sheppard - she added with a note of irony.
He looked at her a little surprised. She gave him a small, mocking smile, and turned to the ship control panel, to look at the readings from the external sensors on the side sliding screen.
The man knew about what she was saying. He killed a lot of Wraith, which she knew and with whom she was friendship. But above all, he killed her mother. If she behaved like any other Wraith... from a long time ago he would been dead. Even if she had to pay for the vengeance of her own life.
Flight neared its end. Transport vessel was approached for landing.
In addition to the external transformation, John decided also this time take care about internal change - he again take substances, which activated in the brain area responsible for telepathy. Thanks to this he was able to sense the presence other Wraith. And in the ground-based of Grey Council were a lot of them. A really a lot. Hundreds minds even to him were easily palpable. Now he know what has always feel Teyla, when nearby was the Wraith, he thought.
The ship settled slowly on the airstrip just off the base, and when only hatch dropped down, they left its interior.
Outside was waiting for them one of the officers in the company of a few soldiers. Sheppard had already learned, that here is not a sign of lack of confidence in the newcomers, but show respect for the Queen. No welcoming committee would be recognized in the Wraith community for disregarding, and thus an insult.
The Wraith bowed formally, pointed the way, and went as first. Drones surrounded the guests, like a shield, holding their stunners raised at the breast.
Beam nearest transporter took them straight to the long terrace, which had a view of the sea and shining in the distance, slowly taking place sun.
A few meters away stood two persons: one in dark purple coat, looking out at the horizon, and the other in maroon, gauzy dress with long sleeves. A gentle breeze swayed the long, wavy hair Nightstorm and Alabaster. Mature Queen seemed to be lost in her own thoughts, just not paying attention at first on newcomers.
This is not what they expected. They were sure that awaited for them the next meeting with the Grey Council, and in the meantime it turned out, that waiting for them only she... and it in a very intimate place.
- My Queen - said gently Windforest.
Female flinched and looked at them, as if a little surprised, only now aware of their presence.
- Leave us alone, please - she said calmly.
The officer nodded and went along with masked soldiers.
Nightstorm watched for a moment on all four.
- Excuse me this rush... and these circumstances... This is not an official meeting, which you'd expect, but I have a reason.
Starburst slightly furrowed brow. His mother was clearly something edgy, even though she tried to hide it very well. But he knew her better than others. He was her son and know when something's bothering her... like now.
- What is it, mother? - he asked worried.
She looked straight at him. He do not remember when last time he saw in her eyes this, what he saw now: the same nervousness, which was in her manner and voice.
- Probably is here a Midsummer spy...
- Probably?
- After the leaving of our fleet, someone send a coded transmission on Draconis - she said. - Unfortunately we do not know who... It was done with public terminals, so it could be anyone. The transmission contains brief information: a list of hive... Including with Daedalus.
- You also have a spy in the ranks of Midsummer - Steelflower interjected. - It is logical expect the opposite situation - she said.
- And so it was all the time... but now we have this certainty - she explained.
- So what's the problem? - asked Starburst.
- The fact, that this information was known only a very small group... practically outside the Council, knew about it only a several Wraith - she said reluctantly.
- You have a mole in the Council? - suddenly threw Skywalker.
And then he blanched... Just like the others.
Heart came up to his throat, and legs almost buckled under him. First, the words of colonel completely not fit to the terminology used by the Wraith... and secondly, his behavior was very inappropriate. Lower-ranking officer would never allow himself to such tactlessness. So now, those few seconds waiting for a response Nightstorm, it seemed to them to be an eternity.
But to their surprise, the Queen raised only her one eyebrow, looking with interest at the young Blade.
- Mole? - she repeated.
John felt like dries his throat, and words can not get out.
- Forgive me, Milady - he said with contrition, bowing low. This behavior seemed to him the most appropriate to try to justify himself and somehow get out of this situation. - Recently I spent too much time with humans... Forgive me, please...
He did not know what to say. He did not know what explanation will be suitable for the Wraith Queen. For the first time he felt like a kid caught on something inappropriate. He felt like his heart begin to pound harder and harder with nerves and blood hit to his head.
- If you mean a spy... yes - she said calmly, pulling the thread. - And I'm afraid, that this may be one of the Grey Council - she said reluctantly.
- But why did you call us? - Starburst asked, trying to keep the conversation going and not to show this, how stress they just survived in connection with a big mouth of Sheppard.
And what relief in due with reaction the Nightstorm.
- You have been with me when it happened - she explained, glancing at Alabaster - so, you are only familiar with details, above suspicion ... And this is why I wanted to ask you to back on Draconis... I doubt, that Midsummer was still there... but you might be able to find something... Anything, that a guiding us on track - she said and looked straight at Steelflower. - You are very young... but very matured a mind. I know, that you still hesitate whether you should join to our fleet... And believe me, I understand that. Times are tough, and the made decisions even tougher. You were not brought up on a Wraith Queen, but I can see, that you're trying your best to meet those obligations. And like any good Queen, first of all you want to protect your crew... and they want protect you - she looked at the two males. - Believe me, also, that if the Grey Council and its fleet will cease to exist, no one in this galaxy will no longer be safe. Neither the humans... Neither Wraith... Not even New Lanteans - she added ominously. - Midsummer wants to take revenge at all, and the technology, which she discovered on Vallen, make her soon a very powerful... So, if we not join forces to stop her, while it is still possible... Well... we might as well end our life right now.
Steelflower silent for a moment. The words spoken by the Wraith Queen, as proud as Nightstorm, confirmed, that the issue is much more serious than they previously thought. For a long time they already heard mention about Technicians, both, from the people, and from the Starburst, but so far was believed, that it is more an internal problem of the Wraith.
Unfortunately, after the last events, found that, the threat may also reach the human worlds. And she could not let that happen.
- My fleet is to yours commands, Milady - she said.
Nightstorm smiled slightly.
- Thank you... my child - she said with relief.
My child - repeated in thought Teyla. It sounded so strange from Wraith mouths, she thought.
Certainly in society Wraith such a term for someone much younger by The Oldest there is nothing strange. Grey Council is still perceived as the successors of First Nine Mothers, so the more they have right to call so the younger generations... But if Nightstorm knew the truth about who she is talking, she would be not so nice.
At the very thought of what could become then, Teyla Emmagan shivered inwardly.