"Welcome to my ship, John Sheppard!" the tall Commander greeted with open arms. The small Tau'ri delegation stepped out of the puddle jumper, wary of the Wraith standing before them. John knew that he couldn't trust Todd as far as he could throw him, and considering their size disparity, that would have not been far at all.
The three Wraith led them to a sort of conference room, where an intricately sculpted table lay surrounded by a few chairs, all made out of what looked to be mahogany or some other precious wood. Probably stolen from some human mansion, they liked to do that, John thought.
They sat down around the table and started negotiating. Engrossed in the talks and the Commander's engaging personality, no one paid attention when the small woman in the black leather jacket rose and quietly leaned against one of the ship's walls.
She had convinced Elizabeth Weir to include her in the delegation for "study and cultural exchange" purposes. That made no practical sense, of course, at least not in this particular situation, and John, less sensitive to a little "mental persuasion", had objected. But he couldn't see a downside to it, so he had finally relented. Daniel Jackson was annoying in that way too, maybe they were all like that.
Emily found the thinner pocket in the wall membrane, and tucked her hands behind her back to touch it, closing her eyes. A primal shiver went through her as she lost herself to the ship. YES. This was right. This was what she'd been curious about, what she'd craved, what she came here for.
The Just Fortune called to her, nudging at her, curious and friendly, and told her of her needs. She guided her new acquaintance through the bridge, the crew's quarters, the engine room, the hibernation pods and feeding pens, and then showed her the malfunctioning systems and the gash that had been left in her side by the last battle, that the crew had quite competently fixed, but where the Just Fortune was still hurting.
Emily praised the work and tried to soothe her and give her confidence in her crew and in the future, then directed the maintenance crew to the hidden break in the hibernation pods' fluid circulation conduit that they had been unable to find. She had to be very careful about it, and her featherlight instruction left them confused. They felt the presence, and did not understand it, yet they were compelled to go, so they went. It would not be the first time the Commander temporarily brought a Queen on board that they knew nothing about. He was a strange one for sure, but they trusted him with their lives.
Relaxed and pleased with the connection and the results, she thought of the man who was waiting for her in his own Hive many lightyears away, and, through that connection, her heart contracted painfully. Something was wrong. Very wrong.
She took the Just Fortune to hyperspace.
As expected, it did not take long for a very alarmed Todd to rise from the table, slamming his fist on it and glaring, of course, at John Sheppard.
"Sheppard, I trusted you! Again! What are you doing to my ship?" he bellowed.
"What the fuck, Todd? Are you insane? What the hell would I be doing to your hive, and why would I even want to?"
"My bridge communicated we just went to hyperspace out of the blue, do you dare tell me you had nothing to do with it?"
"Sure I dare! I'm fucking standing right here, as are all my people. What the hell would I have to do with it?"
The Second snatched the tablet out of McKay's hands.
"You had him insert a virus into our systems", Kenny hissed angrily.
"It's notconnectedto your systems, idiot!" McKay spat back before Kenny's threatening stance and raised feeding hand brought him back to reality.
The Just Fortune dropped out of hyperspace and Todd stormed out to the bridge.
"The ship is powering main cannons, Commander", the young man at the weapons console announced desperately. "I cannot stop it, I am locked out!"
Roaring, the Commander pushed him aside and started working furiously to regain access to the systems.
Two Hives were battling outside and, to his despair, the Just Fortune's cannons started firing at the closest one. Battered by cannon fire from both sides, with her defenses stretched thin, the strange ship soon gave, and the Just Fortune's thrusters engaged, swiftly backing her away as the other Hive exploded.
"Commander, the surviving Hive is hailing us."
"Accept."
The proud, angular face of a raven-haired Queen appeared on the screen before them.
"I am Queen Bel'anna of the Adventure. We were attacked by intruders while surveying our feeding grounds. Your assistance was most welcome and we convey our gratitude, but who are you?"
Todd bowed ceremoniously, his visage not giving away his inner confusion.
"My lady, I am Commander Koreyn, of the Just Fortune. Pleased to have been of service."
"Where is your Queen? Does she not deem me worthy of talking to?" she spat at him.
"My Queen is not currently on board. She is on one of our other Hives. But we saw that you required assistance. One of my officers served aboard the Adventure, and he knew you were worthy and within your rights. He advised that we help."
"Who is he?"
"His shortened name is Rennen, my Lady, he was a Blade under your command."
The Queen seemed to telepathically confer with her Commander, who shrugged.
"My Commander does not remember him, and neither do I. But we have seen many come and go over the years. In any case, we give our thanks. What do you require in exchange?"
"Only that you assist us in our time of need, my Lady."
"Fine. But I will discuss the terms with your Queen. Make sure she contacts me when she is available."
And with that, she cut communication, and the Adventure opened a hyperspace window. The Just Fortune reentered hyperspace as well, on her own, as she had done the first time. And a short while later, they were back where they started, with Todd being none the wiser as to what had happened to his ship.
"We have control again, Commander."
Todd snarled. After such a long and eventful existence, he understood and could predict most situations, and so was quite mistrustful of the few things he didnotunderstand. And Sheppard had a habit of undoing him, incredibly so, and incredibly often. Perhaps that was part of his appeal... but it certainly was infuriating.
"Take the bridge", he told the aforementioned Rennen, the young Blade who currently served as his Third in command, and left angrily, coattails fluttering in his wake.
"Well, Sheppard, it seems you little trick did not work", he spat once he rejoined the Lantean delegation.
"Again, I have no idea what the hell you're talking about."
"We prevailed, and got ourselves an alliance out of it."
"I mean, good for you, buddy. Now can we get back to the talks we're actually here for?"
Frustrated, Todd hissed and sat. Sheppard seemed sincere… And why had he done this? It hadn't hurt them, it hadhelped.Perhaps that is what he'd meant to do, and could not admit it out loud? Koreyn vowed he would get to the bottom of this.
Smiling slightly, with her eyes closed, the small woman was still leaning on the wall of the Just Fortune, caressing and praising her for a job well done.