Chapter 14

Todd was in a contemplative mood as the hive orbited the world where Sheppard and his unknown companion were being held. Looking down through a portal from one of the hive's viewing platforms, it seemed like just one of the many blue-green planets that supported human life throughout the galaxy. But for him it represented much more. It held the key to his future.

He flexed his hands slowly, one of the strategies he employed to relieve the tension that went with commanding an alliance. There was no doubt the rescue plan they had devised would be simple enough to execute. Indeed, it was already in play. They had arrived at this world unannounced, a risky but necessary strategy. His Second had worked quickly to nullify any potential danger by contacting the commander of the laboratory to seek safe harbour for his hive while they discussed a proposal for collaboration. Hints were given that their commander was off hive and the Second was taking the opportunity to look for support should he choose to launch a coupe and take command. It was also hinted that he might have some technology to share if they reached an agreement.

No, the problem, his problem, lay in the actual strategy itself. While he had few doubts about his crew's loyalty, in the current atmosphere of distrust, it was risky for any wraith commander to allow his Second to contemplate even a sham betrayal. It planted seeds that had the potential to blossom into full blown rebellion given the right circumstances.

Sensing his Second's arrival, he turned from the portal.

=I want to discuss the finer points of this plan.=

The Second nodded. =I thought we had finalised all the details.=

=No, we finalised all the details that the humans needed to know. But I want to achieve more than just rescuing a human, even one for whom we will no doubt have further use.= Todd turned back to the viewing portal and waited until the Second stood beside him. =This incursion offers the opportunity to strike a blow against the capabilities of this alliance. As well as rescuing the humans, I want to know exactly what they are doing here.=

=Ah, I see. I had not contemplated such a bold move.=

The Second's response carried a tone of admiration that brought a satisfied grimace to Todd's face. =That is why I command and you follow. I did not take leadership of our alliance by following safe, conventional paths. As agreed with the facility commander, you will take a shuttle down there with an escort of warriors. The two humans and I will be rematerialised inside the facility just before you set down. But I also want the two darts that will accompany you to carry additional warriors.=

=Such a strategy carries dangers for us both. Commander I will be unarmed and you risk being captured.=

Todd nodded in agreement. =Yes, it does. But only if we diverge from our agreed course of action. This facility was built to a standard template so we know its layout. We know where you will meet with the commander and the offer of technology will ensure his chief scientist also attends. We can assume the humans will be in or close to the holding cells rather than the feeding pods. Of course timing is critical,= he turned to look his subordinate directly in the eye, =as is our shared commitment to ensuring nothing goes wrong.=

x-X-x

While he was no stranger to being tied in a chair and interrogated, Sheppard had to admit this was a variation on the usual situation. With only a couple of exceptions, he was generally accompanied by others from Atlantis. People he trusted, people from whom he drew strength when the situation seemed all but lost. This time though, in this unknown place he genuinely felt alone. Even though a rescue by Atlantis had always been a very distant prospect, he had refused to give up hope. But sitting here, unarmed and helpless, his spirits were spiralling down to a level he had seldom, if ever, experienced.

They had been taken from the cell to this larger room and sat on a pair of wooden chairs that stood side-by-side in the middle of the room. A third chair stood in a corner, waiting, Sheppard assumed, for their interrogator. He had no idea how long they had waited but his arms had started to ache so it must have been quite awhile. Tanus seemed disinclined to talk so Sheppard left him alone with his thoughts.

The arrival of a single wraith brought this solitude to a sudden end. It wasn't the commander who had given the order to bring them to this place, but the way he strode into the room projected authority so obviously one of some high rank.

Hissing softly, he spent several moments surveying the prisoners before he pulled the chair in front of them and sat down.

"Colonel Sheppard." he finally purred.

"Yes," Sheppard replied shortly, trying to keep the emotion out of his voice. "Any chance we can be untied?"

"Oh, yes, when I am ready to return you to your cell."

"Well, we'd both appreciate it if that could be sooner rather than later."

"The timing of your release is entirely in your hands Colonel. All you have to do is answer my questions to my satisfaction," as the wraith paused, a grim smile touched his face for a moment. Then his attention turned to Tanus. "Although I am afraid you are not the prize here Colonel, I am far more interested in the information and secrets your Lantean companion holds.

"You are wasting your time, wraith," Tanus spoke for the first time. "I have nothing to say to you or any of your kind."

Sheppard turned to look at Tanus and saw a profile set in grim determination. Again, as when they had first encountered the wraith, Sheppard was surprised by Tanus' arrogant, dismissive tone. He certainly didn't sound like the seemingly naive Ancient who'd been so eager to help and had asked so many questions. Perhaps for the first time, Sheppard got a glimpse of Tanus' true nature, of a man prepared to sacrifice his life to protect the secrets of his people.

The wraith laughed, a harsh, humourless sound that reverberated around the small room. "Ah, so your Lantean arrogance still burns after all this time. We once had ways of dealing with that and I am sure they will still be effective."

Without warning the wraith leaned forward and struck Tanus across the face with the back of his hand. Sheppard flinched as the Ancient's head snapped back and he let out an involuntary cry of pain.

The wraith sat back to examine his handy work. "You should know that I will have no hesitation using any means at my disposal to make you talk."

Again Sheppard looked across at Tanus. Trickles of blood were making their way from his nose and mouth as he spat out a broken, bloodied tooth. Sheppard couldn't remember ever seeing a wraith strike a human like that before. Their usual modus operandi, certainly in the situations he'd seen, involved threats to feed, either on their target or on someone close to them. Perhaps being confronted with one of their old enemies brought out a different, more unpredictable side of the wraith.

"I have no fear of death and so I have no fear of you." Tanus stated.

The room filled with an angry hiss before the wraith turned back to Sheppard. "I have no doubt, but what about you Colonel Sheppard? Are you as foolish as your Lantean friend?"

"He is no scientist, he is a mindless soldier, he knows nothing about Atlantis or any of our technology. Killing him would serve no purpose and it most certainly would not make me any more likely to tell you what you wish to know." Tanus replied before Sheppard had a chance to answer the wraith's questions.

Not exactly what he was going to say but he agreed, at least in part. "He's right, I don't do science."

Again the wraith surveyed them both in silence. Then standing abruptly, he turned and left the room in the same brisk manner as he had arrived.

"Well," said Sheppard. "I don't think we've seen the last of him. Are you okay?"

Tanus took a deep breath. "I am fine thank you Colonel. Yes, he will be back and he will not be alone. You do understand Colonel, that if the wraith learn more about the technology on Atlantis and the various bases we had around the galaxy, it is your people who will suffer."

"Yeah, that had occurred to me."

"Then I assume you are also willing to give your life to protect your people?"

x-X-x

The three members of the mismatched rescue team paused momentarily after they had rematerialised in the wraith facility.

Todd growled softly as a rush of excitement flood through his body. This was the first clandestine mission he had been on since he took control of the alliance and he had forgotten the feeling brought on by the potent mix of fear and exhilaration.

Eager to quell the apprehension he knew was waiting to surface, Collins recalled the words of his mentor, Daniel Jackson, before he'd left the Milky Way. You'll probably find yourself in some sticky situations but you've got the strength and the training to survive. This was without doubt a sticky situation and he knew he'd need to draw on every shred of courage in his body to keep up with the two seasoned warriors who stood beside him.

Ronon was pleased to be off Todd's hive and finally taking action to retrieve Sheppard but he was all too aware of the dangers that lay ahead. His suspicions of Todd remained high too. The wraith was far too confident and Ronon had a niggling feeling something else was going on here. That suspicion morphed into something stronger as he looked around just as several wraith warriors materialised.

"They weren't part of the plan," he whispered.

"No, but I thought it wise to bring some extra backup, just in case." Todd replied.

Knowing that using his telepathic powers would increase the risk of them being detected, Todd merely nodded towards the warriors who now stood behind him. Just as he expected, all but two of them moved swiftly to integrate themselves into the dark nooks of the facility's structure.

Satisfied that they would not be detected, he titled his head back and took a deep breath while getting his bearings. "Follow me," he whispered.

"You sure you know where we're going?" Ronon asked.

A subtle hiss followed Todd as he set off down the corridor with his two warriors leaving the two humans to follow. They moved cautiously, pausing at each corner to make sure the path ahead was clear.

x-X-x

As Sheppard noticed the shadows flicker in the corridor outside the door, a cold shiver ran down his spine. He closed his eyes. It was highly unlikely that their interrogator would be in a better mood than when he'd left them so abruptly. He sighed, suddenly overcome by the fragility of his own mortality. Was this it then? Had he seen Earth, Atlantis and all the people and things that were important to him for the last time? Was he finally going to cash in his chips in this insignificant wraith facility in goodness only knew which part of the galaxy. It seemed unlikely that Tanus would change his attitude towards their captors so, for once, he really was a minor player in this confrontation. A bystander whose only role might be to sacrifice himself for the greater good.

"John Sheppaarrd, I am pleased to see you still alive."

Sheppard's heart lurched and his eyes flash opened in response to the familiar but totally unexpected voice.

"Todd, Ronon, Collins," he whispered as the three figures became clearer in the muted light. "How the hell d'you find me?"

"That is not important," Ronon responded as he and Collins moved round to the back of the two captives and began to untie the ropes. "We have to get you out of here."

"Well, you won't get any argument from us."

As the ropes fell away, he arose quickly to stretch and rotate his shoulders, eager to get the stiffness out of his muscles.

"No," Tanus declared defiantly.

All eyes swung round to look at the stranger who remained seated despite having been untied.

"What'd you mean, no?" Sheppard asked, taken aback by the passion behind Tanus' response. All eyes were fixed on this stranger so an introduction was in order. "This is Tanus, he helped me escape the Ancient facility, he's a—"

"Lantean," Todd interrupted, his voice quickly muting into a growl. He moved quickly to stand directly in front of Tanus and the pair surveyed each other through narrowed eyes, both exuding an air of intense distrust and dislike.

Tanus rose to his feet and spoke first. "I will not leave the place with him."

"But you must come with us, there is so much we can learn from you. You can't stay here." Collins's voice echoed his amazement at coming face-to-face with an Ancient.

Sheppard nodded. "He's right, you've got to come with us. Look, I know what you told me, how you feel about wraith, but this one is different. We sort of trust him, well, to a point anyway, he's the one who found your facility."

"And that makes him all the more dangerous Colonel. I will not leave with him. I will not escape from my enemy just to place myself in the hands of one who is obviously far more devious." Tanus stated stubbornly.

Todd nodded then walked back to the door and glanced quickly into the corridor outside. "Very well, leave him here," he growled. "We do not have time to pander to his insecurities."

Sheppard bit his lip thoughtfully. Based on the interest the wraith of this facility had shown towards Tanus, he suspected Todd's easy dismissal was just a ploy. Besides, Tanus had risked much to get them both out of the Ancient laboratory so he couldn't just be abandoned. "No, I said you would make it back to Atlantis and you're going to do just that."

"Enough! We do not have time to argue, Sheppard," Todd grunted as he drew his stunner and fired at Tanus. A gasp of surprise filled the room as the Ancient crumpled to the ground. "He is just stunned. If you wish to risk your life saving him, it is your choice"

x-X-x

Standing in what looked like the facility's main laboratory, the Second was confident he projected just the right mix of apprehension and confidence as he looked at the two wraith facing him. If they sensed anything else, it would mean disaster for this mission and death to all involved. He would not allow that to happen.

It was the taller of the two wraith, obviously the facility commander who made contact first. =I must say I was surprised to receive your communication. Your alliance has just dealt us a costly blow, yet you seek to abandon them. Why?=

The Second relaxed slightly. It was the first question they had anticipated and practiced on the hive in preparation for this meeting. =Our commander takes many risks, chances that I am beginning to feel are unnecessary to win this war. Despite the misfortunes you have just suffered, I suspect you are more than capable of recovering.=

The commander nodded and grunted in agreement. =Our leader also takes chances but not, I suspect, as many as yours. But why have you chosen to contact me? Why not the commander of one of our hives?=

Another predictable question. =Because you are isolated enough to allow me to meet with you safely. None of my alliance know I am here and so there is no possibility of them finding us during their patrols. Besides, if our negotiations are not successful, I can simply leave, safe in the knowledge that while you could attack my hive, you lack the firepower to destroy it totally.= The Second felt his confidence grow as he realised how comfortable it felt using the term, my hive.

The commander nodded and huffed quietly. =A sensible strategy. You are obviously one who considers all the risks before embarking on an action. That is a skill my leader demands in his hive commanders.=

The Second bowed his head in response to this sign of approval and respect. Not that he needed such acceptance, but it was sensible to acquiesce to this one's higher rank. So far all was going to plan and he meant to keep it that way. No alarms had sounded and he could not sense his commander's presence in the facility which meant the rescue was also proceeding as planned.

The second wraith took a step forward and looked the Second up and down in a manner that demonstrated distain rather than respect. =So this technology? What does it involve?=

Tilting his head slightly, the Second returned the arrogant stare. =We have not yet reached an agreement and yet you expect me to reveal such secrets?= He would have great pleasure putting this one in his place once he was part of their crew.

=Forgive my chief scientist. Like many of his kind, he has a brilliant mind but lacks the skills of diplomacy.=

The Second growled softly before nodding his head. =Very well. Perhaps we could discuss your work here before reaching a final agreement?=

x-X-x

Todd led them quickly through the corridors of the facility, stopping briefly to avoid a couple of lone wraith. To his surprise, the Satedan had shared his views on abandoning the Lantean but Sheppard was adamant his new friend was too valuable to leave behind which was no surprise. Collins had agreed with Sheppard and so got the job of carrying the unconscious human.

As they approached the point where they had entered the facility, the addditional warriors emerged silently from the shadows.

"So, why are they here and what's the plan to get out?" Sheppard asked.

"I have some further business to conduct before we leave," Todd replied casually as he walked ahead and looked down another corridor. "It will not take long and, based on the sparse number of wraith we have seen so far, you will be safe here. Provided of course, that you keep quiet and remain out of sight."

"No, the plan was that we'd rescue Sheppard and then get out of here."

Of course, the Satedan would be the one to object. Turning back to face the rest of the party, it was no surprise to find that one's weapon pointed in his direction. Humans really were so utterly predictable.

"I am changing that plan," he stated briskly. Now was not the time for lengthy explanations.

"No," Ronon repeated, his face a mask of aggression as he pointed his weapon towards Todd. "You come with us now or you stay here … forever."

"You can kill me Satedan, but do I really need to remind you that I am your only way off this world."

"Ronon, stop!" Sheppard exclaimed as he moved next to the Satedan. "Just hold on, how long is this little change of plan going to take?"

Todd sighed. So clearly, an explanation was needed. "As part of the subterfuge used to mount this rescue, my Second is here on the pretence that he wishes to depose me and bring my hive into this alliance. I must go and make sure things are progressing in the right direction. It will not take long and it will be done far quicker if I did not have to waste time explaining myself to you, Sheppard."

"Okay, but we humans believe there's safety in numbers so we're coming with you."

Todd growled harshly. It would be so easy to dispose of these human pests and just take what he wanted from this facility. But that would be an act of impulse and he prided himself on never acting on impulse. "Very well, but you will keep quiet unless you want us all to be killed."

Without waiting for a reply, he started down the corridor with his warriors close behind. As strength of the Second's aura's increased with every step, he kept his mind closed to all other wraith. Surprise was the key to success.

Finally, he stopped, sensing that their destination lay just ahead. "We are here," he whispered. "I will do this alone."

x-X-x

Sheppard watched as Todd took a deep breath, straightened his back and walked into the room ahead. His phalanx of warriors followed, weapons raised. Not one to obey orders, especially from a wraith, when he felt a different course of action might be useful, he looked over to Ronon and Collins.

"Don't know about you but I'd feel much better if I was in there knowing what was going on."

Both Ronon and Collins, who was now supporting a very drowsy Tanus, nodded in agreement.

Taking a couple of steps forward, Sheppard peered around the door into the room the wraith had just entered. It looked like some sort of laboratory, similar to the control rooms he had seen on the hives. There were four wraith and a number of warriors, situated around the room. He recognised the two wraith facing Todd as the facility commander and the one who had questioned them earlier. It appeared that Todd had the upper hand based on the number of weapons pointed towards this pair.

All eyes turned in their direction as he moved further into the room but it was Todd who spoke. "You were told to wait outside," he snarled, momentarily taking his eyes off his adversaries.

Sheppard just shrugged while Todd's attention returned to the other wraith. "Tell me, did you really believe my second-in-command, one I hand-picked, would betray me so easily?"

The facility commander snarled deeply, the look on his face indicating it was more in response to his own lapse in judgement than anything else. "I had my suspicions but I considered it worth the risk. Such a defection would be to our advantage and it was likely other hives might follow. That would have allowed me to regain my position as a hive commander."

"Ah, so ambition burns within you." Todd took a few steps forward, emphasising his height over these other wraith. "That makes you dangerous. No wonder you are relegated to this backwater of the galaxy. But, enough of this banter. This is a research facility and I want the results of that research."

Todd nodded to his Second who moved over to one of the consoles. Glyphs started to appear on various screens, falling like raindrops in a summer shower. "The data is being transmitted to the hive," the Second announced while keeping his eyes on the console in front of him.

"So that is why you are here," hissed the commander. "Or are you here to rescue humans?" he sneered dismissively.

Todd glanced in Sheppard's direction. "They are of use to me but that is of no concern to you."

"So you were unaware one of the humans is a Lantean?"

"Yes," Todd purred. "An unexpected bonus, one that I would rather be in the hands of my alliance rather than yours."

"The transmission in complete," the Second announced before moving back to stand beside Todd.

"Good."

What followed took the humans completely by surprise. Todd and his second raised their stunners and fired at their opposite numbers. Within seconds an alarm started to echo through the facility. Sheppard was still unarmed so he fell back into the corridor outside, pulling Tanus with him. But Ronon and Collins remained in the laboratory, exchanging fire alongside Todd's warriors until none of their adversaries remained standing.

"What the hell are you doing?" Sheppard shouted as he and Tanus moved back to survey the carnage.

"You have nothing to worry about, you will make it out of here safely," Todd purred confidently.

Before Sheppard could respond, the familiar sound of wraith darts, a sound he usually associated with death, filled the laboratory and within seconds the only occupants were the corpses of the dead wraith.

x-X-x

While it was always good to be home, Sheppard found it especially reassuring to walk into Woolsey's office and see him sitting behind his desk, leafing through a folder holding paper copies of the day's mission reports. Sometimes, he mused, the little things in life assumed far greater importance than usual.

Woolley looked up and immediately closed the folder. "Ah, Colonel, come in. I think on this occasion, saying 'I'm pleased to see you' would be a gross understatement. Dr Keller has given you a clean bill of health?"

It was clearly a rhetorical question as he wouldn't be standing there if she hadn't, but Sheppard nodded anyway. "Yep, no ill-effects so I'll be back on board first thing tomorrow."

"Good to hear," Wolsey smiled as he motioned to a chair on Sheppard's side of the desk. "Please, sit down, I wanted to have a chat with you before we do the formal debrief in the morning."

"Yeah, I kinda thought you might."

"Let's deal with the formalities first. You and the marines went missing with you were listed as MIA. I felt it was the appropriate action until we had more definite evidence about your, er, situation. Is there a chance the others are still alive?"

"No." Sheppard grimaced. Memories of the way Tanus had sacrificed the marines in order to escape from the facility he saw as his own prison flashed into his mind. He was torn between telling Woolsey the full story of his escape and protecting Tanus' reputation. But he owned his life to the Ancient and telling the whole story would not bring the marines back. "They died at the same time as the wraith, I only survived because they wanted to know who we were and why we were there."

Woolsey frowned but Sheppard sensed he was not prepared to push further right now. "Very well, I'll leave it to you to inform their families?"

Sheppard just nodded. The full details of their escape would unfolded over the next few days but first he wanted to make sure he and Tanus were telling the same story.

Woolley leaned forward and put his folded arms on the desk. "Now, our Ancient visitor. You probably won't be surprised to hear that the IOA wants him on earth. I told them in no uncertain terms that would not happen until he had provided as much help as he could here on Atlantis."

A frown immediately ploughed its way across Sheppard's forehead. For some reason, he felt it his duty to protect Tanus. "He's not a specimen to be studied. Sure, I know he's looking forward to working with us here but the bottom line is this is his home. Helping me escape from their facility means he can't go back there so I told him there'd be a home for him here."

"I'm afraid that wasn't your decision to make Colonel but we also have another problem. Any idea where Todd was heading after he so kindly dropped you all off here?"

Sheppard chuckled softly. "No, he didn't volunteer that information but he was pretty pleased with himself."

"Really?" Woolsey's eyebrows arched up. "From what I've seen, he always seems to be quite pleased with himself."

"Well, this time I can understand why," Sheppard smiled. "He wiped out a research facility belonging to a rival alliance, disposed of the facility commander, persuaded the head scientist to join his hive, and got all the data about what they were working on. So, he's got a new project to keep him occupied and that's good for us 'cause it'll keep him out of our hair."

"Any idea what that project might involve?" Woolsey asked.

Sheppard leaned back and shook his head. "Nope. Collins asked questions but Todd wasn't giving up any info."

"I take it Todd knows that our new arrival is a living Ancient and that he came from the very Ancient facility where this whole rather distressing episode began.?"

Sheppard nodded. Woolsey seemed to be joining the dots on a picture he had already drawn. "Oh, yes, knew as soon as he saw him but he downplayed it, pretended he didn't care if we rescued Tanus or left him behind. I know what you're thinking. If he knows Tanus is here on Atlantis, he'll try any devious plan he can to get him."

"Yes."

"Right, so I've got a plan of my own," Sheppard stated confidently. "I owe my life to Tanus and I'm going to do everything I can to make sure he's looked after now. While it's pretty unlikely Todd would ever attack Atlantis, there's still a chance, especially if he starts winning the war. So we need to anticipate that might happen. Tanus can't go back to where we found him but a few years back we came across a world protected by an ascended Ancient. She'd annoyed the others and had to keep watch over that world as punishment. I was thinking that'd be a sanctuary for Tanus, he could live there but return to Atlantis if he felt homesick or if we wanted his help or advice."

The room was quiet as Woolsey digested the details of his plan before nodding slowly.

"I think you're right. Todd has his hands full right now and we owe Tanus for your rescue. We'll work out the details tomorrow but for now I need to finish reading these reports."

Sheppard didn't need to be told twice that the meeting was over. As he stopped at the door and turned back to look at Woolsey, an smile spread across his face. Woolsey was still his bureaucratic self. Tanus was already working with McKay and Collins to unlock more of the secrets of Atlantis although it seemed the ZPM technology was beyond their reach, for the time being anyway. And Todd was out there somewhere fighting a war that might still see him lose his life or become the most powerful wraith in the galaxy.

It was good to be home.

x-X-x

A/N - so there you are dear reader, even though Rodney doesn't have his hands on the ZPM technology, all is back to normal in Pegasus, relatively speaking anyway. I feel I owe Dr Collins an apology as his role in this little tale ended up being far less important that I originally intended. That is because the story is shorter than I first anticipated but having come back to it, I wanted to finish before inspiration deserted me again. Anyhow, I hope you've enjoyed it and thank you to all those readers who've left reviews over the years.