Chapter Text
The low thrum of the Hive ship's engines changed pitch almost as soon as it maneuvered into position in the shadow of Earth's only moon, as power was shunted to the systems most in need of repairs. Between the damage it had sustained during its battle with the Earth ship, Daedalus, and the condition of its outer skin, flayed raw after hurtling through hyperspace at unheard of speeds thanks to its ZPM-enhanced systems, the ship had been pushed to the limits of its endurance. Like all Wraith vessels, this one still required time to recover from the ravages of interstellar travel in spite of the heavily-modified Ancient technology which provided almost boundless energy to draw from. So while its hull regenerated and integration with the alien power source it had been forcibly bonded to was completed, it crouched, as patient and forbidding as the creatures it carried, awaiting the command to begin the assault on the unsuspecting planet below.
Meanwhile, within the Hive itself, a thrill of barely-contained excitement rippled through the collective telepathic awareness of the thousand or so Wraith who called it home, driven by the breathtaking realization that they had finally succeeded where all others had failed. For some unknown reason, fortune had smiled upon them and favored them with not only the highly-coveted coordinates of Earth, itself, but also a ship capable of taking them there in less time than they'd ever dreamed possible. They were the triumphant conquerors of the Milky Way; the first ones to reach the bright azure-and-emerald jewel of a planet all Wraith had been seeking since first learning of its existence five years earlier – and it was as ripe and ready for the taking as they had been led to believe.
With its rich, almost unbelievable, promise of humanity counted in the billions almost within their grasp, the usual swell of elation which preceded a culling was magnified a hundredfold, inciting the already-volatile crew that prowled its corridors to random displays of violence usually reserved for Wraith from rival hives - and human prey. After the recent uprising and the ensuing struggle for the ship which had followed, it was no surprise that the Warriors were agitated. Almost half their number were either dead or imprisoned for choosing to side with the old Commander and protecting him until he could make his escape, and with no way of knowing for certain if all those loyal to him had been discovered among the rank-and-file, mistrust ran almost as deep as the eagerness that burned through their veins like wildfire.
Golden cat's eyes glowing faintly in the ever-present gloom that pervaded the Hive, a lone Wraith made his way down an empty, door-lined corridor, his calf-length coat swirling around his legs as he moved silently and swiftly toward his destination. Not that stealth was usually required in the midst of a Hive readying itself for battle – or invasion – or in this case, both, but he had been reduced by adverse circumstances to skulking like an intruder in the shadows of a ship he'd served on with pride for many centuries. Fortunately, between the dissonant cacophony of the alarm reverberating off the spongy, organic walls, and the chaos of Warriors running this way and that as they scrambled to their assigned stations, no one noticed a solitary figure veering off the beaten path.
As he traversed the winding hallways, he realized for the first time that the claxon which echoed throughout the ship, calling all fighters to their Darts, was fainter here – less of an impossible-to-ignore demand and more of a whispered suggestion. And why would it need to be more – especially in this sector of the ship? The cells on this level were labs occupied by Scientists, Researchers – Thinkers. Historically, this caste was not expected to lift a finger. The job of defending their home fell to others - to ones such as him.
He was a Warrior, bred to protect. Even now, he struggled against the instinctive desire to sprint to the Dart bay, only the urgency of his self-appointed mission keeping him on-course. Otherwise he'd already have taken to his craft so he could fulfill his function – to fight, to defend - to die, if necessary, for Hive and Brethren.
If it were up to him, all Wraith, whether warrior or scholar, would be trained to take up arms in defense of the Hive, and he was convinced that the outcome of the mutiny would have been much different if more than a third of the crew hadn't sat out the fight. But that was precisely what had happened, and he could almost guarantee, based on their lack of involvement when the true Commander of the Hive had been toppled, that other than a few of them looking up or exchanging concerned glances, not one of them had stirred when this new alarm had begun to sound, either. The disparity angered him, as it always had, although that didn't stop him from snorting with grim amusement at the ironic reminder of the patent inequality Wraith society's caste system was built on, so perfectly illustrated by the muted signal. Far be it for the beautiful minds of the scientists and researchers to be disturbed from their profound thoughts by the intrusive call to action that others had no choice but to answer.
The creature paused in the shadows across from the door he sought, brushing long, snow-white dreadlocks back over his armor-clad shoulder as he glanced nervously up and down the hall to make sure it was empty. At the moment, there was only one beautiful mind he cared to disturb, and this might be his last, best chance to do it.
Ascertaining that the coast was clear, he crossed to the lab door which drew back at his wordless command when he approached, then whooshed shut behind him as he stepped inside. With guarded thoughts and silent feet he stalked as soundlessly as a predatory cat toward the unsuspecting figure bent studiously over an Ancient artifact and transcribing notes onto a tablet at the far end of the room.
Tall and spare, with straight, steel-grey hair hanging halfway down his back in a soft, loose ponytail, the erstwhile prey suddenly tensed as he caught the hunter's scent, half-turning just as powerful arms enfolded him from behind.
The tall Wraith stiffened.
“Are you insane?” he hissed as he plucked at the warrior's hands splayed possessively across his abdomen. “He will smell you on me, for sure.”
The warrior chuckled softly as he loosened his hold enough for the distraught archaeologist to turn in the circle of his arms, his smile fading as furious, copper-colored eyes searched his face, flashing dangerously.
“He has already warned you that the next time you came near me would be your last.”
“That's only because he knows you desire me as much as I do you,” the shorter, stockier male replied warmly, pulling his willowy companion to him as he'd dreamed of doing for so long. “You do not wish me gone, and the only power he has over you is the mark you bear.”
“Yes,” the scientist grudgingly agreed, his anger dissipating with a wistful sigh as he settled his hands tentatively on the other's biceps. Even through the Wraithskin coat he could feel their sinewy strength, and he wondered how he was supposed to maintain his distance and resist temptation, when it insisted on looking for him. “His mark – and our laws. He would be within his rights to slaughter you where you stand for simply daring to embrace me, and beating me to within an inch of my life for letting you.”
A shadow of distress flickered across the tall one's handsome features before he shut it behind an impassive mask, and his russet gaze shifted to focus on his pale, blue-tinged hand where it gripped the warrior's arm like a lifeline. “In fact, it required... more from me than I care to relate, to keep him from killing you the last time you trespassed.”
“What!” the fighter exclaimed, reaching to cup the other's clean-shaven chin between a gentle thumb and forefinger, while his anger ratcheted closer to the killing edge. “Look at me,” he murmured softly as he tried to get the reluctant archaeologist to face him. “Leo,” he finally purred, resorting to the pet name he'd bestowed on his tall friend long ago. As he'd hoped, the shock of hearing it spoken aloud brought the other's wide, surprised eyes back to his. “Why didn't you tell me?”
“What good would it have done, Marcus?” Leo snarled, emphasizing his private name for the warrior with acerbic sharpness. “If you'd known, you would have challenged him. After all I'd already endured to save your life, I didn't want to risk you throwing it away in a fit of rage.”
It was Marcus' turn to sigh as he tenderly trailed his fingers down his companion's prominent cheekbone. The scientist's fierce expression seemed so out of place on his delicate features, but the fighter knew that for all his deceptive fragility, Leo was stronger and braver than many who claimed to be seasoned veterans. That he would face down the wrath of one as formidable as the Wraith who had claimed him for the sake of keeping Marcus alive, touched the warrior so deeply he could scarcely breathe for the emotions that clogged his throat.
“Don't you know yet that you're worth it?” he whispered intimately as he brushed his thumb across Leo's soft, full lips.
The tall Wraith's mouth quirked into a smile at once skeptical and alluring as the tip of his grey tongue flicked out to touch the pad of Marcus' thumb. Eager to take him up on his unspoken invitation, the warrior leaned in to taste Leo's forbidden lips when the Hive lurched as the engines sluggishly began the massive job of propelling the behemoth forward from a dead stop, making it pitch and yaw before inertial dampeners compensated. The pair broke apart as they attempted to keep their feet on the rolling deck, Leo instinctively grabbing the tablet as it tipped off the bench and carefully setting it farther back from the edge.
The warrior snarled, desperately trying to regain his composure. The scientist was too damn distracting for his own good. “We have to go,” he growled as he wrapped a powerful hand around the other's upper arm and tugged him toward the door. The ship was moving from its hiding place behind the moon and heading toward Earth. That meant the attack was imminent. It was now or never.
“Wait,” Leo snapped angrily, shaking off Marcus' grip with a snarl of his own. “Where exactly are we going?”
“We're getting out of here,” the fighter murmured urgently as he tried to take the other's arm again. “Time is of the essence. We need to do it now – before either one of us is missed.”
Leo resisted a second time, bringing them both up short. He grabbed Marcus' shoulder and swung him around to face him. “What are you talking about?” he asked, alarm rolling off him in waves. “You don't mean to desert?”
The warrior raised desperate eyes to Leo's face, his gaze traveling over the scientist's pinched, anxious features like he was trying to commit them to memory. “I do,” he affirmed, to the taller one's shocked gasp. “Ever since the mutiny, those who remained loyal to the Commander have been viewed with suspicion and distrust. The only reason the ones who were captured have been allowed to live these few extra days is so they can be used as cannon fodder against Earth's defenses. Even now they are making a run at the Ancient weapons platform on the surface from which they are not expected to return, giving them the opportunity for an honorable death. The ones who survive will not be so fortunate. Once the planet is secured, those not killed in battle will be exterminated. While I have so far escaped detection, I will eventually be found out, and when I am, it won't matter whether my death is honorable or ignominious; my life will be forfeit, either way.”
Marcus reached out again and gently took the archaeologist's hand, his gaze never wavering from Leo's face. “I want you to come with me,” he whispered passionately. “There is nothing for you here but pain and suffering.”
“... and a mate,” Leo rasped despondently, while trying to douse the tiny spark of hope the warrior had ignited in his breast.
“A mate who raped your body and your mind to make you his,” Marcus spat bitterly, regretting the bluntness of his words when the scientist flinched. Unfortunately, they didn't have the luxury time to dance around the truth. “A mate who stepped in and stole you from me the moment he laid eyes on you, and there was nothing I could do but let him, because of his age and rank.”
“Marcus... please,” Leo murmured, his heart breaking yet again at the harsh reminder of the chasm that had divided them a century earlier. “Don't blame yourself. I know you fought for me; that you pushed it as far as you dared without an outright challenge. I did as well, with tooth and claw - but in the end there was nothing either of us could have done. He is Third in Command, after all. He has always had the force of law behind him, and like it or not, I am his.”
“The 'law' may say you belong to him, but in truth, you owe no allegiance to one who mistreats you and delights in your misery the way he does.” the warrior challenged. He needed to convince his companion soon, or they would miss their window of opportunity. “We are in a new galaxy. In honor of the Commander, and the progressive ideals he tried to introduce to Wraith who couldn't see beyond their own feeding hands, let's follow his example and create some new rules that make sense.”
“Why are you doing this?” Leo cried desperately, lashing out as the emotional scars he'd thought he'd buried long ago were ripped open again. “Why are you dragging this up again? I am trapped. Why can't you just accept that? You should have let me go and moved on years ago.”
“How can you say that?” Marcus snarled, visibly taken aback. “You are... my life. I can't just let you go because it isn't convenient.” His golden eyes narrowed, even as an icy tendril of fear uncurled at the base of his spine. He couldn't lose this glorious creature now, not when he was on the brink of emancipating them both. “Have your feelings changed?”
Leo's breath hitched at the broken look the warrior shot him, and he reached to brush Marcus' cheek with gentle fingertips, instinctively comforting him. It would be so easy to lie. The scientist had become quite good at it over the past hundred years, hiding injury and abuse the likes of which even a Genii soldier would have cringed at, and dark periods of depression that sometimes threatened to swallow him whole. With a few simple words he could push Marcus away for good, and maybe even into the arms of another. Then Leo could go down for the last time with a clear conscience, knowing that at least one of them had found some happiness.
But he couldn't do it. Of course he cared about the warrior - far too much to hurt him to the degree that would be required to drive him away, but he also needed him just to continue existing. Wrestling with the despair that engulfed him far too often, there were times when the thought of how devastated the fighter would be if Leo sought his own demise was the only reason he didn't. It was unfair of him to bind Marcus to him, he knew that, but he needed his fierce warrior – needed his protective, comforting presence, even if it was only at a distance. So like the coward he was, he told Marcus the truth. “No. My feelings for you will never change, beautiful one. You were the mate I would have chosen, given the chance – and you still are.”
The warrior released a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. “Then come with me,” he murmured, entwining his fingers with Leo's, then bringing the back of the scientist's hand to his lips so he could bestow a kiss on the pale blue skin. “Neither one of us has anything to lose by abandoning this abomination of a Hive, and everything to gain.”
Leo compressed his lips into a thin line as he considered Marcus' offer, although, in truth, there wasn't much to weigh. The warrior had no choice but to leave whether Leo went with him or not, and the scientist already knew he wouldn't last long without him.
“Alright,” he replied with a nod, the word scarcely spoken before Marcus tightened his grip on Leo's hand and pulled him out of the lab with a triumphant snarl.
Traveling with a speed and silence borne of desperation, the pair reached the Dart Bay in short order, only to be thwarted at the very threshold of the cavernous hangar by a knot of Drones awaiting their turn to board a transport vessel bound for the planet's surface. As if that wasn't bad enough, Marcus could see the nose of his craft through the archway, diagonally across from their hiding place, so tantalizingly close and yet so impossibly far he could have roared with frustration. Swallowing a growl, he schooled himself to patience. At least the line of warriors was moving at a steady pace. That was something.
As they waited behind the corner for the last of the foot soldiers to file out, Marcus felt the gentle, familiar nudge of a mind he hadn't had the pleasure of embracing in almost a century. With a surge of joy he had no hope of subduing, the warrior glanced over his shoulder, his expression inquisitive and open as he silently bid the scientist welcome.
'Marcus,' Leo whispered across the telepathic link, his feelings for his companion evident in the warm undercurrent of affection that flowed with his words, regardless of his trepidation. 'Is this wise? What happens when it is discovered we are gone, and they try to bring us back?'
A brief, unguarded smile lit Marcus' face as he boldly slid his arm around his slender partner's waist and brought him out into the gallery, so recently-deserted that the footfall of the last soldier to board the transport still echoed in the hangar. 'I don't think it will be too much of a problem,' he responded with as much reassurance as he could muster, as they quickly and quietly made their way to the warrior's Fighter. 'Earth is a big planet, and it teems with life. They'll have to find us first.'