Chaiya surveyed the assembled people in the Council Hall.
"Considering the stories about that planet, it's strange that you have positive expressions on your faces," she remarked.
"And what else should they be, considering that we found naquadah deposits, and not deeper than a couple of hundred meters from the surface?" I asked, taking a sip from my glass. Milk in the Pegasus galaxy is hardly different from what I'm used to. Except, thanks to the Lantian food synthesizers—raw milk can easily be turned into pasteurized and doesn't taste like the local equivalent of cow's milk. And also, I am grateful to the higher powers that this is not the galaxy where youngsters drink blue milk and then blow up combat planetoids.
"According to preliminary estimates, they will be enough to build the necessary number of hyper-reactors for the 'Hippaphoralkus'," Trebal had a smile on her lips. "And yes, don't worry—you'll have enough for the fabrication of generators for the 'Satellite', the wraith cruiser, and much more."
"Oh," Chaiya smiled politely. "Thank you for your concern about me. I couldn't sleep without thinking that you are taking care of my professional duties."
"Always welcome," Trebal continued to smile.
Yes, I can understand her.
At the moment, the only serious reason preventing her battleship from lifting into orbit is precisely the lack of energy for a good battle. The ship's technical team was able to implement some of the modernization solutions manually, without using the chair and re-planning with its help. The modernization is not complete and the systems are not optimized overall, consuming more energy... But the discovery of naquadah is a good sign. A long-awaited bright spot.
Even if it's short (and it's never otherwise for us), it's still there. And if there's really a lot of naquadah...
"Ihaari," Chaiya addressed the senior engineer, who was literally falling asleep before her eyes. "I don't see joy on your face. Unlike most of those present."
"Well, it's not them who spent all night deciphering the wraith scientist's log, analyzing soil samples, and calculating the production of parts for hyper-reactors," Ihaari put his hand to his face, hiding a yawn. "And, by the way," he looked at Teila. "There are some clarifications regarding what I said in the laboratory."
"Will I turn into a wraith?" the Athosian woman asked quietly.
Kirik and Alva, sitting next to her, refrained from commenting. It was also difficult for me to resist the thought that if it happened, she would be the only wraith queen worth looking at.
Looking away, I noticed that Trebal looked at me with curiosity and jealousy, then at Teila. Then her fleeting gaze fell on Chaiya.
The Proculucian, sighing, closed her eyes and shook her head.
"No," Ihaari yawned again. "The genetic changes in you are so small that it's hardly possible."
I didn't mention that Earthlings did that.
"Then what are we talking about?" I asked instead, for more important information.
"Well, for starters, it's worth noting that before the wraiths cleared out the humans on that planet, the wraith scientist released some of them through the gates," Ihaari said. "These were, by the way, the most capable individuals he obtained during his experiments. Which, by the way, he himself stopped."
"He himself?" Alva was surprised. "Didn't you say it was an attack?"
"Didn't I say I read the log very superficially that time?" the engineer clarified. "Now I've studied it more. So, the wraith, before he met his brethren, voluntarily stopped experimenting on humans. Because he got something completely different from what he wanted."
"Can you be more specific?" Chaiya asked.
"He wanted to make people 'tastier' and worked on their mentality," Ihari reminded him. "So that the Wraiths would better feel how their victims suffer. But, instead, he got into what he shouldn't have. Namely, the realm of telepathy."
"Excuse me, I don't understand," Tayla said.
"But I do," Kirik said, leaning forward. "Our friend in the basement, like all Wraiths, can project various visions, sounds, and so on into the minds of his victims."
"To confuse the victim," Alvar supported. "Only this quickly becomes useless for those who have survived their attack a couple of times."
"And Wraiths also communicate telepathically," I finally understood what was going on. "And they can control people, as happened on the drill."
"Exactly," the engineer yawned. "Wraiths can't eavesdrop on people's thoughts, for example, if they just walk by. But if they concentrate, they can get into their heads. Well, and people, as we know, are not yet developed enough to read even each other's thoughts. Mikhail, you can't, can you?"
"I'm picking up the thoughts of someone present who wants to smack you properly for your prolonged chatter. Oh, no, not just a smack, but wants to wring your neck."
"Are you kidding?" Ihari flustered, looking around. "Hey, what are you guys doing?! We're one team. And I'm explaining so that everyone understands."
"For which I am personally grateful to you," Tayla said.
"As am I," Alvar supported.
Kirik merely nodded, as did Trebal. The gazes of their comrades crossed on me.
"Come on," the guys clearly didn't appreciate the joke.
"Forgive me for my thoughts," Chaya suddenly faltered, looking at me. "I didn't think Mikhail could do that..."
I think if the Wraiths had attacked us right now, we would still be looking at the quiet Proculucian. And I was just joking!
"Ahem," Ihari coughed into his fist and even perked up. "In general, the Wraith stopped for the reason that his experiments led to people learning to connect to the Wraith's telepathic channels."
"You mean Tayla can not only sense Wraiths but also connect with their minds directly?" Trebal whistled. Should I tell her that whistling doesn't bring money?
Oh, right... Where do we have money from!
"We practiced enhancing her sensitivity through meditations as part of the Ascension study program, but the fact that she can directly penetrate the minds of Wraiths, not just sense their emotions, was shocking even to Chaya. Looking at me, she asked:
"Did you know this?"
"Yes," there's no point in evading. "This trick has been pulled more than once in known events. Only rarely did Tayla manage to keep her thoughts to herself at first. She connected to the Wraiths, and they connected to her. She took a little information from them, and they took from her. I didn't voice this information for no reason — the work on Tayla's mental enhancement, which Chaya is conducting, shouldn't make us think that we can use her as a receiver of Wraith thoughts at any moment."
"We can and will," Trebal said sharply. "Do you realize what an advantage that is? To know their plans, where they will strike, where their bases are."
"We won't, as long as I'm in command here, and Tayla isn't ready," Trebal didn't like the objection. "Do you realize what a disaster it would be if they found out about Taranis, Ermen, Dorandan, and so on?"
The half-blood fell silent, then nodded in agreement.
"Yes, you're right," she agreed, looking at Tayla. "Sorry, I didn't mean for it to sound like we're using you. I'm a soldier and I'm used to thinking in those terms."
"I understand," the Athosian said. "I'm also a soldier, in a way. And I understand that such possibilities can help us. But the last thing I would want is to harm you by not being able to control myself. I... I'm afraid that a Wraith might take control of me, as happened with my people on the drill platform. I don't think messing with a Wraith's brain is a good idea."
"Not when you can give something away, you mean?" Kirik clarified. "Or when he can tell someone of his own what he learned. Because, for example, if you could get into Koschei's head and learn everything he knows... We can shoot him and no longer fear that he will betray us."
"It's worth a try," Tayla said, looking at me.
"We'll discuss it later," I decided. "Ihari, do you have anything else?"
"Only a guess," the senior engineer said. "What if those Taken, about whom that woman told Tayla..."
"Charyn," the Athosian prompted.
"Yes, her," Ihari nodded. "So, what if those people aren't evil in themselves? Let's say they were the strongest products of the experiment. And, unlike Tayla, they didn't need preparation to connect with Wraiths. Maybe they could even pick up their thoughts from many light-years away..."
"And closer to the point?" Trebal became interested.
"I'm leading to the fact that these people could be evil because they heard the thoughts of Wraiths or were under their control," the engineer said. "And, as we know, two groups of test subjects left that planet. One was released by the Wraith himself, the others escaped during the raid. Considering that Tayla can only sense Wraiths, then, of course, I'm not a biologist, but I'll assume that she is either a descendant of a weakened genetic line of the first, or a stable line of the second. I want to say," he looked at Tayla, "that from what I've read in that laboratory journal, there is not a single hint that humans were purposefully created as monsters, evil by nature. So, don't worry that one night you'll wake up with a feeding suction cup on your right palm and want to drink the life of one of us as a midnight snack."
"Thank you," Tayla managed to say. "This information... is reassuring."
To offer a bet now that she was being disingenuous would be completely tactless. But, I think, everyone present already understood what was what.
"Alright," Chaya said. "I think we've closed this issue, haven't we? Let's move on..."
"Not entirely closed," I interrupted the Proculucian, looking at Tayla. "We were talking about teaching Tayla to safely get into the minds of Wraiths, right?"
The Athosian shivered.
"Yes," Trebal voiced the general confirmation. "But you yourself said... Wait, do you have another idea?"
"There is," I sighed. "For now, Koschei is needed. And getting into the head of an old and experienced Wraith, who undoubtedly broke even Lantians, is not the safest undertaking. Not to mention that it will take a lot of time until he is our prisoner and helps with bringing people back to life. I don't want to offend you, Tayla, but giving him access to your mind now would be too dangerous for our safety."
"You haven't offended me," Emagan said, and this time her words sounded sincere. "I was just thinking myself that it's a bad idea. Perhaps when he's no longer needed by us..."
She fell silent, shuddering uncontrollably. It seemed she wasn't at all thrilled about mental contact with Wraith minds. It's hard to blame her for genuinely fearing her prospects. Considering what the Taken did, what happened on the drill platform, and the fact that in any case her heritage comes from Wraith followers... It's frankly not easy for her.
We definitely need a psychiatrist before we become like Private Kucha, giggling in the toilet hugging a rifle.
"I suggest we start with something simpler and safer," the proposal didn't cause a stir, but only for now.
"We're actually developing a raid against Wraiths," Kirik reminded, who was in charge of the combat part of the operation. "We already know that the weakest Wraiths are soldiers who wear masks. It's likely that they won't offer as much mental resistance as a commander or queen."
"The conversation isn't about Wraiths now," I objected. "It's about us."
"Excuse me?" Chaya tilted her head.
"Think about it," I suggested. "Wraiths can't just read our thoughts as they pass by. They need to concentrate. And, apparently, this ability doesn't work as reliably as a Kalashnikov automatic rifle..."
"If only we knew what that was," Alvar chuckled.
"Tayla has abilities similar to Wraiths," I continued to develop the thought. "Which clearly need to be trained. Breaking Wraith minds is a strong blow to the psyche. After all, they think in different categories and are quite far from us..."
"Allow me to clarify immediately," Chaya interrupted me. "The genetic code of Wraiths matches the average human DNA by ninety-seven percent, if we take a simple Dorandan technician and Tayla, for example, as a comparison. So they are not that far from us."
"Which confirms the theory of their originally human origin," Ihari added grimly.
"And, since Wraiths also need to work hard to hack our brains, maybe, so as not to traumatize Tayla, she will practice on us?" I voiced my thought. "It will be much easier for her to master this craft and learn to look into the heads of sentient beings. And it won't cause great shock in the future. After all, it's a matter of habit, training. We'll prepare her like this — from simple to complex. We are humans, almost identical to each other in DNA and brain development..."
"Someone had better keep quiet at this point," Trebal chuckled. "But, actually, yes, it's a very interesting idea."
"I agree," Chaya frowned. "It's strange that it didn't occur to us before."
"Only no one bothered to find out Tayla's opinion," Kirik remarked, looking at the Athosian. "After all, she will be the one straining her brain. And, apparently, few can guide her in this. Except for a Wraith, and he can't be trusted much."
"I understand everything," Emagan said. "Both the danger and the advantages it gives us. Don't take my silence as a refusal or dissatisfaction... I don't have that. I will be very glad to be useful not only with a rifle and as a trade intermediary. I think I just need to sleep on this thought so that everything I've learned about myself, about my ancestors, comes into harmony with my inner world. Give me some time, okay? And then we'll start training."
"I think that will be the most reliable way," Chaya concluded. "And, with that, let's perhaps conclude this matter. As soon as Tayla is ready, we will begin. In the meantime, we have other things to do. Mikhail, you wanted to raise the issue of replenishing our combat units?"
"For starters, we've already left quite a mark on other worlds, and the Wraiths could easily get offended and start looking for us. That's why we left Ermen," I reminded. "But, as practice shows, we need more soldiers directly. With all due respect to Tayla and her people, we cannot be sure that what happened on the drill won't happen again. Consequently, we need soldiers who listen to orders and are ready to fight Wraiths the way we tell them."
I had already learned my lesson from what happened.
By betting on one "excellent" plan, we almost lost everything we had on that drill. And almost released the Queen of Death into the galaxy.
We need to change our approach to preparing missions that we plan ourselves. At least — to have a couple of backup plans in case everything goes to hell.
But, at the moment, excluding the Athosians, all our combat strength that really has field combat experience, not switching buttons on board a ship, is me, Tayla, Kirik, Alvar, and Trebal. Moreover, as soon as the battleship is back in service, her place will be on the bridge.
Kirik is currently doing well in ensuring the city's security and teaching the Ancients at least some self-defense skills and how to shoot firearms or Wraith weapons.
For obvious reasons, I ordered him and Alvar to stop such training with the Athosians.
Considering that there should always be a technician on the team capable of repairing or breaking something from a scientific point of view, Ihari is best suited for this position.
This is how the reconnaissance team was formed so spontaneously...
But, what will we do if we fall into an ambush? Will we call Kirik and a team of semi-trained Technicians again, who hit the target next to them from a firearm from ten meters away? Simply because they know about recoil, but are not used to compensating for it...
We need more soldiers.
There is a cyborg, who should clearly be a good death machine.
And there is...
"And what do you suggest?" Chaya asked. "I don't think you want to team up with the Jenai."
"Only if we are threatened by an unstoppable mortal danger," I assured her. "No, I want you to try working further with the fugitive tracking beacon. I'm sure we can find a few guys who have nowhere to go, and they won't mind fighting Wraiths."
"Speaking of which," Alvar chimed in. "Good plan. After all, we need to understand that as soon as we have fighters or the need arises to pilot a 'thranta,' I'm no longer of help in ground combat. 'Fugitives,' I think, is not a bad way to get skilled warriors."
"I'll return to New Athos and try to find good and loyal men ready to fight alongside me, despite dreams or anything else that might confuse them," Tayla said.
"But first, we need to work out one quite obvious option," I looked at Ihari, then at Chaya.
"I've almost figured out how to create a new virtual environment," the senior engineer groaned. "But, seriously, we don't need it tomorrow, do we? Besides, we haven't fully figured out what replacement to make for it..."
"Ihari, you, like all of us, need to rest," Chaya said, not taking her eyes off me. "Some of my projects can work without direct participation. I'll handle the virtual environment for the cyborg and the remaining crew members."
As well as controlling repair work, creating surveillance drones, dissecting the database, assessing the danger of remaining laboratories and suspended projects in Atlantis...
We are once again facing a shortage of manpower. And we can only get it through Koschei for now. And he needs bad people to feed. In turn, to get them, we need fighters. And we can find them only if the people we have switch to other tasks...
A vicious circle, from which I've thrown out about two hundred secondary problems.
"If you don't mind, I'll take on the analysis of warships, outposts, and other military property," Trebal volunteered. Chaya nodded gratefully.
Some of the burden fell from her shoulders.
A very small part, but still.
"I'll go with the group to mine Naquadria," Alvar volunteered. "Since combat missions are on hold, I'll work as a miner. If no one minds, of course."
"I think the technicians need a break from combat training," Kirik stated. "For now, I'll take care of guarding Atlantis. Anyway, we have sensors working, and guests can only arrive through the gates."
It turns out, I'm the only one left without intermediate work. It's even awkward.
However, there is always work for someone who pilots a "jumper."
"If that's all, then let's get back to our business," Chaya said with a hint of a smile. "And, also, Misha. Could you stay behind?"
Usually, such phrases don't end well. Judging by the looks that everyone except Tayla, preoccupied with her problems, was giving me, I'm not alone in my opinion.
When the revolving doors of the Council Hall closed behind the others, I looked at Chaya with a smile.
"Do you think it was a good idea to invite me on a date so unceremoniously?"
The Proculucian didn't appreciate the joke: her face remained as stern and focused.
"Do you think it's a good idea to turn Tayla into an interrogator who can get into the minds of our human enemies?" she asked in an icy tone, piercing me with her gaze.
Damn.