Aundama - Part Five
The last missing co- ordinates on Sheppard's arm. A moment to reflect that Dr. McKay was so innovative in their means of provision. This time, care to slowly relinquish Sheppard from the mind control... perhaps... he owed him this much...
"Sheppard?" Concern as the Colonel slumped forward, and Todd, surprised, instantly supported him in his arms. Sheppard's eyes fluttered open.
"Todd?" The human was clearly still dazed, not even registering that the Wraith held him.
"You remember where you are now, Colonel Sheppard?"
"Sure... sure... that was... that was one helluva ride..." Todd stood, then, to leave Sheppard sitting unaided.
"Hmm... indeed. You should rest now. I have my hive to attend to." Sheppard simply nodded, hardly seeming to comprehend.
Todd turned away from the bed, heading for the door. He had controlled his voice. Controlled his face now. Even his walk would be a stagger if he did not make the effort to conceal it. This whole procedure had depleted his energy far more than he had anticipated. So exhausted. So drained. Towards the end… towards the end it was as if he had been… dying… dying Sheppard's death with him… and there existed the burning desire to feed… if not Ronon… a drone then would have to be sacrificed…
"Damn it, Todd! You have to take me with you!"
He paused in his steps. Sighed deeply. This sudden outburst. This argument. He had expected it. But he had also hoped that Sheppard would not recover sufficiently to make it.
"And I have said, that I would not," he reminded Sheppard without turning.
"What is it!? You don't trust me?! After… all this?! You think I'm after this weapon?! Is that it?... Todd?!!" The chains clinked noisily behind him. Desperately pulled. "Todd?! You gotta let me go with you! This is Rodney! I need to be in on this for Rodney!"
"You will slow us down! You are weak!" he retorted verging on contemptuously. And he continued to the door, careful to use strong strides.
"Oh, and you're not, I suppose? Come on, I've…" sensed it. The voice quiet. And Todd stopped again. He peered back at Sheppard. It was no surprise that Sheppard had, indeed, sensed his fatigue. He leaned back heavily against the door frame. After all, there was little point in concealing it any longer. Unable to hold himself steady. Faint. Perspiration at his brow. And the room spinning. The hunger and the thirst deep inside gnawing.
"And then, is it not enough that I do not feed upon you? Feeding would, after all, renew my strength." A look of shock briefly on the Colonel's face. "No. Sheppard. It is not you that I do not trust. It is I."
"Hey, then… let me come…" uncomfortable with the awkwardness.
"To assist me? You wish to come for my benefit? For me?" smiled Todd wryly as he finished Sheppard's sentence.
Sheppard's eyes narrowed. "You still reading my mind?... But… we're practically blood brothers here… that's how this whole Gift thing works, huh?"
"Blood brothers?"
"Yeah, picked that up from old westerns I watched as a kid… perhaps you wouldn't understand…" An image in Todd's mind. Of human aboriginals. Exchanging brother vows. The drawing of blood on hands. The clasping of hands to seal the bond. The mixing of blood. The analogy was not so incorrect.
"You are offering to help… because of me? I am truly… touched…" Lacing his tone with sarcasm. To hide… to hide he was… truly touched… that Sheppard could be so honest…
"Well," said Sheppard, with an expression that he'd regretted admitting so much… "how about for me then? Let me come for me."
"Your attempts at persuasion do not cease to amaze me… there seems no limit…" his amusement at Sheppard's inventiveness was certainly rallying his strength.
"Hell, do this for me… I just want to see these guys' faces when a whole hoard of Wraith descend on them."
"Revenge, Sheppard?"
"Yeah, revenge. I want to kick ass. What's wrong with that? Hell, it seems like the best reason of all."
"And your morality at Wraith taking human life?"
"Just flew out of the window… anyhow… if I'm there, they'll be less for you to finish off."
"I do not doubt it." And Todd walked off into the corridor beyond, raising his voice so he could still be heard. "But, as I have formerly pointed out, you are weak!"
"Todd! Hey, Todd, I'll eat now! I'll eat all the goddamned popcorn you want me to! Todd! Todd! Don't you dare leave without me!" And Sheppard was heard frantically pulling against the chain again.
"I will consider all that you have said! But…" and he re-entered the room, scrutinizing Sheppard, tilting his head to gauge the Colonel's reaction to his counter-argument.
"It would be unwise of me to release you, do you not think, Colonel Sheppard, when you have declared your intention to kill me at your earliest opportunity?" And, with that, he turned on his heels and left finally, with Sheppard's shouts echoing behind him down the corridor.
"Todd! It's still for Rodney! More than anything! It's still for Rodney! Todd! Listen to me, damn you!"
Friend. Aundama.
And the Wraith had permitted both the Ancients their freedom. All those years ago.
-oAo-
"What made you change your mind?" As his hands were freed of the chains.
"There is no reason. I merely considered all that you said, as I indeed promised."
"Come on, Todd! This is me you're talking to! I know you… there's always a reason… you've actually got to have my help… and that means…well, that means there's gotta be a really big sort of reason why…"
And Sheppard began to wolf down the bowl of… meatballs in tomato sauce. Hey, not a favourite of his but it'd pass. Aware suddenly of the three Wraith in the room eyeing him up… hungrily?
"You guys not eating, huh? And here's me hating to dine alone." And he shrugged and carried on spooning up his meal.
Todd suppressed a growl, rumbling deep in his throat. In a don't-push-me-too-far sort of way. There was still Ronon in the cells, after all…
And suddenly, Sheppard paused with his meal. Frowning. A thought flickered across his face. Todd saw it. The same image. The same picture of Ronon in the cells. He must learn to close his mind. How much would Sheppard now discern if he did not? This was going to prove most inconvenient.
"Is anything concerning you, Sheppard?" He asked innocently.
"No. Nothing. Just… nothing." He resumed eating, speaking with his mouth full. "Actually, about helping out, I've changed my mind. I'm not doing it."
"Sheppard?" growled Todd again. With some annoyance. And a lot more menace.
"I should watch that… growling… that could be habit forming, you know," pointing at Todd's chest with his spoon.
"Sheppard!" With even more menace. His fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. "What is the meaning of this?!"
"Oh, and why should I tell you why I've changed my mind, when you won't tell me why you've changed yours?"
"I was about to explain."
"Oh yeah?!"
"Yes."
"And you decided to do this explaining, what, ten minutes ago?" He was finishing eating and starting on the drink. Some sort of cherry-flavoured soda-cum-sports drink that made him wince it was so sour. Where did Todd get the idea from that he liked this stuff? Now Ronon, on the other hand…
"I had every intention of explaining." Only because it was unavoidable.
"Go on, spit it out. What's the deal this time?" Because that's how it always was with Todd.
"I will permit you to accompany me on this mission if you can persuade your Stargate Command and their allies to clear the area and leave it to my hive to secure the release of Dr. McKay and the destruction of this weapon."
Whoa! And Sheppard slowly put down his drink. "SGC are in the area?"
"You remember, Dr. McKay said he might attempt another Wraith distress signal? Apparently, he achieved this objective and it has caught their attention. The vicinity of the complex is demonstrating a high degree of military activity. This is in danger of putting this whole mission in jeopardy. Once suspicious, these people will surely make their escape through their Stargate taking Dr. McKay and any of the work he has undertaken thus far, with them."
"Then let SGC take over. They can jam the 'gate and move units in."
"It is true they have the technology to do the former, but our beaming technology is by far the most superior means to access this place undetected, and ultimately that fact alone will ensure success. If the weapon has already been completed, it is probable that any incursion will result in a premature deployment and Earth and its whole solar system will be destroyed."
"The Daedalus-"
"-is midway between Atlantis and Earth." Another ten days then.
"The Apollo-"
"-Also in Pegasus… the one that you call Michael…"
Sheppard nodded. He remembered that both the ships had been asked for. But how the hell did Todd find out this stuff?
"SGC will want this weapon. They won't quite so readily just sit back and let you destroy it. Or trust you to destroy it."
"Then we will not tell them of its existence."
"You expect them to believe that you're doing all this just to save Rodney?"
"Then you must convince them that I do indeed intend to destroy this weapon and this will be of benefit to everyone concerned. You will, after all, be accompanying me and will be able to ensure this outcome."
"You can radio SGC?"
"Provided we de-cloak, yes."
"They could just blow us out of the sky. It's probably you they're looking for anyway. And they probably won't buy it that I'm not dead."
"I am confident you will make your best endeavour to convince them."
"Right. Lets get to that radio. I need some clothes."
"We have them ready."
"You want me to wear that?" One of the other Wraith, had stepped forward, offering one of those long, very heavy,leather-looking tunic-things. Embellished with straps and a belt, it had to weigh, what, thirty pounds? No way... but he'd seen at first hand what little damage one of these Grade A1 tunics could take at the receiving end of a P90 and suddenly, with the absence of a tac vest, it seemed like a very good idea.
"There is nothing else. I was able to obtain food from Earth but neglected to find you clothing."
Sheppard pulled a face. "Didn't feel the need to look that far ahead, huh?"
Todd made no response, ignoring the clear accusation in Sheppard's voice, that once Rodney's location had been determined, Todd would have no further use for him. He indicated instead to the third Wraith, carrying a black shirt, loose black leggings and boots.
Sheppard stood beside the bed, the ill-fitting smock sitting at a clumsy angle across his shoulders, wincing, rubbing his wrists, marked with red and sore weals, the result of far too many unsuccessful attempts to escape. One day... one day he was just going to have to find out how Houdini did all that stuff...
"You require bandages for those, Sheppard?"
"No. I'll live."
"Hmmm… You realise the urgency..." Todd, hinting, gesturing to the clothes now laid out across the bed, feeling impatient that Sheppard wasn't already dressing.
"Right. You guys… er… going to watch while…"
Todd let out a snort and glared crossly at the Colonel for time wasting.
"Right." No option then but to undress in front of these three. He promptly turned his back and pulled the smock over his head.
Todd glanced away. He'd had enough dealings with humans to understand their sense of decorum but... this was not out of politeness. It was simply… difficult to remain impassive in front of the other two Wraith. To keep his thoughts hidden from them… his mind flooding with too many… too many new emotions, that would condemn him in their eyes… for what was this?... what was this?... admiration?... when he sees Sheppard's naked back?... and then… quickly succeeded by sadness… that he, a Wraith should succumb to… such admiration for this human… no, shocked… this should not be so. This sentiment should be an anathema to him. An abomination. Completely abhorrent. But... but he is tempted to look again. Despite all the recent hardships Sheppard had endured… the muscle tone… across the arms and shoulders… the backs of thighs… across the hips… as the Colonel deftly pulled on the leggings and tied them at the waist... admiration. He recalled that he had encountered this fleetingly with Teyla… but on that occasion, Teyla had been totally transformed into a Wraith Queen…
And then, his mind flooded with the familiar Wraith emotion… fully aware he was sharing this experience with the other two… he swallowed hard to fight it… the lust to feed… and he remembered the past… if he could feed on this human… this particular human… it would be pure, pure ambrosia… it was probably good that Sheppard had his back to them at that moment…
On went the shirt… and then Sheppard seemed to struggle getting into the leather tunic. One of the other Wraith stepped forward to assist and proceeded to tie up the stiff buckles at the front. Sheppard allowed it and didn't fight him off.
"Heck, Todd, it's nearly as hard as getting into a space suit! How do you guys cope? Hope this didn't belong to a dead Wraith?" Buckling on the belt as he talked.
"No. It was made especially for you." And Sheppard started and looked up sharply. That was… that was just about the last thing he expected Todd to say. He'd been measured up while he slept? "It fits you well, John Sheppard." His stature fitted the Wraith coat well. Pride. Todd was now feeling pride mingling with the other emotions. Proud of this choice of fellow warrior. But endeavouring still, to keep these thoughts away from the other two.
"Todd! What the hell!" A look of alarm on Sheppard's face and he took a step backwards. Todd had removed his knife from his belt. Too suddenly perhaps judging from the Colonel's expression.
"Be calm, Sheppard. I simply wish to trim the bottom of the coat. You are somewhat shorter than a Wraith." Todd stooped down to complete his task whilst Sheppard smiled weakly at the other two Wraith, who stared back stonily. Hell, he was starting to feel like a kid being dressed for that first big day at school. Pretty soon they were going to give him an apple for teacher. Todd stood again and surveyed his handiwork. Then, reversing the knife and holding its blade with fingertips only, he presented its handle to Sheppard.
Sheppard hesitated, questioning the gesture with a look.
"You want me… to have… your knife?"
"I have others…" said Todd lightly, "however," he added as Sheppard accepted the weapon, "this is an especial favourite of mine that has been in my possession for thousands of years."
Then, he didn't let just any old person have it. Damn. Sheppard nearly felt like handing it straight back. All this. All this. The clothes. The dagger. Was all an honour thing with Todd. Was all a Wraith honour thing. And he wasn't sure if he were ready for this… didn't think he could ever be ready… He stared down at the heavily ornate dagger, its handle intricately carved with… bugs.
"Todd… you're not… you're not trying to make me… make me into… you know… a Wraith worshipper?"
He'd have to watch out if he saw anything like Wraith enzyme in the offing.
Todd wouldn't meet his eye.
"No. You are in need of clothing and weapons. If they are Wraith, then it will simply make you more acceptable to the others… that is all…" Sheppard wasn't sure he could believe that. He laid the dagger on the bed ready to stash later into his belt and sat down to haul on the boots. Discovering that despite its weight, the coat was soft, supple and flexible. As were the boots. And that was good as it had been looking like his feet were in for some rough treatment without socks. Hell, Sheppard! You're starting to sound like McKay. Rodney. Remembering what this masquerading as a Wraith was all about.
"There is one other thing I would like you to do… also to ensure your acceptability…" and Todd looked at one of the other Wraith now carrying a pot of black, well, gunk was the word that came most readily to Sheppard's mind.
He frowned. This wasn't how he remembered the enzyme to be… but still hoped like hell he wasn't going to have to eat whatever was in that pot.
"What is that stuff?" he asked, screwing up his face, more than ever so slightly fidgeting to pick up the dagger and put it to good use… but it couldn't be harmful, could it? Not after arming him with a knife… but there, what these guys did for kicks… chasing runners round on planets… you could never be too sure…
"Pigmentation. We use it for our marks."
"You're going to… give me… a Wraith tattoo?" It was weird how he got the words out. Surprised didn't come close. He knew his eyes just grew large and wide. His hand was firmly on that dagger handle now. Sort of reflex action. Sort of. There was no way he was gonna have a Wraith tattoo. Come on Sheppard… you've just been beaten… to death… you can be braver than that, buddy… what's a tattoo to make you more… amenable… it's not like… it's not like… they're gonna carve… John hearts Sue on his backside…
"We haven't the time. We intend to simply paint the marks. It will stain but will not be permanent."
"You the in-house artist, huh?"
He allowed the Wraith with the pot to approach, to turn his chin so his head was in a comfortable working position and to begin carefully stroking on the paint with a small brush around his eyes. Occasionally the Wraith, that Sheppard was tempted to call Pablo, looked up to study Todd's features.
Todd explained. "He is copying my own markings. These have not been used since the destruction of my original hive. I thought it was fitting as I am, in effect, vouching for you and taking you under my protection."
Hey, Sheppard didn't particularly care if it then meant he was safer in these guys' company.
And then it was weird. Todd took the brush from Pablo's hand and commenced to finish the markings.
Sheppard stiffened, resisting the urge to pull away. In his head then. A memory. Two boys in a tree house. Stripped to the waist. Grey toy daggers tucked into belts. Crudely crafted bows hung over shoulders. Pared twigs for arrows strewn across the planked floor. A band of cloth snuck from their mother's needlework box twisted around their foreheads. A single feather stuck in each. One boy, the taller, David, held a jar of squashed blueberries. Three bold dark stripes down either cheek. With a finger dipped into the juice, solemnly marking the face of the younger boy, John.
Now we are more than brothers, we are blood brothers also.
"Just so," said Todd, understanding, completing his work, replacing the brush back into its little pot.
"When are you going to quit with the telepathy stuff?" Nearly an insult back at Todd. Nearly angry that Todd was still messing with his mind. He hated it that Todd had been allowed to see so much... while he was captive... Hell, he'd hate if one member of his team had ever seen so much... The Wraith had no right... no right to... hadn't earnt the right to... He stood abruptly, remembering to pick up the dagger and tuck it into the sheath on his belt. Yeah, he knew he was deliberately breaking the mood, but he just wasn't comfortable with this… with Todd getting that… close… not that he wasn't grateful for having his life saved… but Todd had no damned right...
"Do we get to go now?" He saw it. Briefly. As Todd was quick to conceal it. The flicker of hurt in the Wraith's eyes. "Look, we have a deal. We help each other…"
"And then… all bets are off," concurred the Wraith, nodding.
"Yeah… All bets are off…"
-oAo-
"Sir?"
"Yeah!" O'Neill was as ratty as hell. He'd just missed lunch because of the flight and someone had been sent for sandwiches, but somehow they seemed to have gotten lost. In translation probably.
"We've just received a message from Sgt. Harriman, sir." Though these guys spoke excellent English. Couldn't organise a sandwich but spoke good English, you had to give them that...
"Yeah?" The tech. frowned. The Norwegian probably not accustomed to a General who spoke so casually… tight-assed… stopped himself… remembering Sam saying once he was too quick to judge… but he always got so goddamned hungry and irritable after a flight…
"He thinks you should take it yourself?" and the tech handed him the head set from the neighbouring console.
O'Neill clumsily put it on, and Cameron appeared then, so he lifted one side enabling his Colonel to listen in.
An excited Harriman at the other end. "You're never going to believe this, sir, but two minutes ago we received an IDC from, well, you're never going to believe this, sir."
"Go on, surprise us... you're just killing us with suspension…"
"IDC from Colonel Sheppard."
"No. Not surprised," said the General flatly.
"You're not?"
"No."
"Oh… Well, er, it's been verified and sourced virtually to the same co-ordinates as yourselves, give or take a few hundred miles. In orbit. Can you take the call, sir?"
"Patch him through."
"General O'Neill, sir?" Came the familiar voice, moments later.
"Sheppard? Care to tell us what on earth's going on? And this had better be good… something along the lines of saving the world, galaxy, universe, against all odds, would do nicely…"
-oAo-