Mantle - Act 3
Nov. 25th, 2008 07:29 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cedar_grove
Title: Mantle
Rating: R (mature readers)
Spoilers:Spoilers for S1-4, and some episodes from the beginning of the official season 5, (specifically Search & Rescue, and The Seed).
Summary: The conflict escalates between the Wraith, Michael's army, and the Atlantis expedition. The stakes have never been higher for any of them, nor the price of failure more costly. Teyla must fight to find her way to the truth, while others find the truth concealed from them, and two powerful enemies come to blows when one is forced to assume the mantle of the other.
Disclaimer: MGM own Stargate: Atlantis. This story is for entertainment purposes only and no revenue is being made from copyright material. No infrigement intended.
Acts 1, 2 & 3 now available.
Author's Note: Character death occurs in this story. There is also significant character whumpage. On a more serious note, this story continues on from Enmity, so if you have not yet read that, you might want to follow the link below and do so. It will further your enjoyment, honestly.
Previous Episodes:
Harm's Way (1), Chain of Command (2) and Enmity (3) can be accessed here.
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Mantle: Act 3 - Review Part 1
Date: 2008-11-25 07:47 pm (UTC)Does the Queen have a different method in keeping his loyalty, versus the 'treatment' some of her other subjects get, or does it go just the same for him? Maybe more often? You did say that Vega felt that they were 'familiar' with each other.
"Have him taken back to his own laboratory," she gestured to Vega then, "and take the girl with you. She can care for him until he wakes and can take care of himself."
This one, together with the one where Vega had to go take care of Todd's scratches on his face… It almost feels like she keeps on sending Vega with Todd so he can feed on her? Now she said that she can take care of him (clean him up) until he can take care of himself (he'll be 'taken care of' when he feeds, after those wounds). Strange… She does not warn her about what would happen when he wakes up. Or does she order/suspect her Commander will do it for her?
"… be sure that you are careful when he wakes. His first instinct will be to feed and I do not believe that my Queen would wish it to be upon you. She values your… skills."
How nice of *him* to warn her, then. And of course the Queen values Vega's skills. She's, after all, sooo good at rubbing shoulders. Now, if only she would offer Todd a full body rub, the guy could use it… And there we go towards the gutter, again… *sigh* :P
**
"the consensus of opinion is that you're handling the situation very well under the circumstances, and we're eager to assist in any way we can."
It's a good thing Michael, Teyla, Lorne, Sheppard, Ronon, Rodney, and perhaps even Keller aren't listening in on this conversation. They'd kill 'em all.
"Having Colonel Sheppard censured and relieved of military command would be a start," he said.
Having you and your new military fan boy executed is another. Oh, wait till Michael comes.
"We mean to pursue the matter with extreme prejudice,…
Funny, should one not be doing about the opposite? :S
I'm not going to like that guy. Really… If he hurts Todd, I'll kill him.
**
"His absence no longer matters," he answered. "His life served the purpose for which it was taken."
You know… The boy loves Teyla, she's his weakness… So he knows what the emotion feels like. Now he's only got to realise that other people feel the exact same thing as well, sometimes.
I mean, let's say that someone slashes Teyla's throat, also to 'serve some purpose', would he just accept it and quietly move on? I think not. No, he'd hunt that person down and slice and dice him, and then he'd hunt down every last of that person's species and kill them too, for good measure.
Hmm, a question. You have established that Hives/Cruisers have a kind of DNA trail? Is that left behind by the person that was used to build the ship from? Just poking if you have any thoughts on that matter.
The woman had been a loyal handmaiden to the Queen, and she was as close to the Wraith female as any – closer even than her Commander, it made sense.
She would have put her Commander in that position, also?
She sent the girl to Michael, but was that on multiple occasions, or just the one time? If it was just the once, is it a test for the males, if they are willing to find pleasure somewhere else than with their Queen. A trap, meaning if they accept, they send out the message that they are no longer willing to wait until their Queen rewards them herself, even if they were already waiting for hundreds of years? But probably not… Probably just a few times for a job well done. And he put his focus on the wrong place…
He slowly lowered himself to one of his knees, his head downturned; his eyes lowered… supplication to the exquisite Queen before him.
I wonder if he'll do that for Teyla too, when he sees her in her yummy outfits. *g*
Michael needs a hug again, so *hug*.
**
Her hands trembled as she reached for the clasps on Todd's leather coat.
*Pictures him to be awake, to be standing in front of her, and she's not trembling in fear, but of excitement*
Thunk.
Well… The Commander was mistaken. His *first* reaction wasn't to feed. Ah well, good for her, because I doubt she could have stopped that.
---
(cont.)
Re: Mantle: Act 3 - Review Part 1
Date: 2008-11-26 06:46 pm (UTC)All I will say about the Queen trying to set up Vega is that this Queen is a particularly nasty and vindictive little Bi*** And yes, wasn't it nice of the commander to warn Vega...
**
Yeah, I think the IOA and Woolsey need to take a /good/ long hard look at themselves...
Michael, I think, is going to go a little 'caveman' on certain people...
I don't think many people will like Varnering, nope.
**
See, there you hit the nail on the head about Michael in some respects. He's very blinkered...
I would imagine the specific signature has something to do with the reaction of the Hive organism with its host, yeah.
The Queen would put *anyone* in that position if it suited her purpose.
Yeah, I can /so/ see Michael on his knees in front of Teyla... (actually I can, but that's a whole other story... )
**
There you go again, splasing into the gutter... and nope, his first reaction was not to feed, but to throttle the life out of her....
Re: Mantle: Act 3 - Review Part 1
Date: 2008-11-26 10:23 pm (UTC)She's vindictive? Towards Vega? If she were to suspect that anything 'funny' were to be happening between Todd and Vega, she would interfere already, right? Though, does the Queen know that Vega's from Atlantis?
Oh, how is Todd supposed to work for his trust with Atlantis again? Or when is that going to be taking place, is perhaps the better question? :)
**
I kinda understand that the IOA want to be careful with those special people around, so that Michael doesn't get that much info on them, or whatever, but they aren't dealing with a bunch of 0's and 1's on a computer, but with an actual human being. One they met, as well! Mr Coolidge's 'Dear' Teyla.
Oh, caveman, huh? Is he going to wear only a leather undergarment and the rest nek-er, you get where I'm going, again.
*Stands ready with the gun for Varnerin.*
**
My silly Michael. *glomps*
Ah okay. Hive DNA would be neat to discover on the show as well. Won't happen anymore, though. Introducing new things isn't the way to go, and apparently also not tying one episode to another a bit more. (Got slightly angry again that Michael didn't sense Queen!Teyla, with their 'bond'...)
Poor people that serve the Queen... :S
Will he drop down on his knees when his 'Queen' finally says she accepts him? Awe, that would be cute!
**
Ah well, can't have it all... Beats quickly sucking her dry. :P
Spikey
Re: Mantle: Act 3 - Review Part 1
Date: 2008-12-02 04:38 pm (UTC)We know by now as well how Todd at least tries to regain the trust of Shep and the others, though I'm not sure his treament of Keller will do much for that.
**
As far as the IOA goes, I'll just repeat something that Michael once said to a very dear friend of ours - "[We're] not that different..."
Yes, as in get very cross and start killing everything that moves.
Yeah, you'll need one for Varnerin.
**
I've given up waiting for bones on the show.
Michael, on his knees for Teyla, not that /would/ be cute to see.
Re: Mantle: Act 3 - Review Part 1
Date: 2008-12-02 05:34 pm (UTC)Well, she has something new to play with, so perhaps she'll be forgiving... :)
**
Oh boy... One thing you shouldn't do in a war, though of course it's not easy, is to never fall as low as your opponent, you should keep your values, it might be the last thing you have. Well, it's not like we don't know how Atlantis is ruled these days. :S
*Wishes Michael luck* Though no touching the team. Or what's left of it.
Can I block Varnerin out of my mind? Lol. I don't think I wanna know him.
**
Hopefully Infection will be nice though, in the cold.
Yes, it very much would be. A kind of relief from finally fully being accepted by her. He's gonna need her hugs, support, etc. so much!
Spikey
Re: Mantle: Act 3 - Review Part 1
Date: 2008-12-02 06:00 pm (UTC)**
If Michael feels the need to 'touch' the team, I'm sure he will.
No blockin of Varnerin...
**
I'm not going to hold my breath over 'Infection'
He's going to need /so/ much more than that..
Re: Mantle: Act 3 - Review Part 1
Date: 2008-12-02 06:39 pm (UTC)**
Darn...
**
Well, I hope Todd isn't off again, this time. Like he was before, in let's say this season?
And he'll get it. Patience is a virtue. Or in his eyes: utter torture. Great, more of that for him.
Wendy
Re: Mantle: Act 3 - Review Part 1
Date: 2008-12-03 06:28 pm (UTC)Yeah, Michael will get it...
Mantle: Act 3 - Review Part 2
Date: 2008-11-25 07:50 pm (UTC)**
and it did not take much imagination for him to decide on the identity of the one responsible.
Me neither. Heck, I was even faster than Todd! *g* Although, in all fairness, he was unconscious.
"So help me, Alicia Vega," she said to herself, "If you die because of this, I'm so going to kill you."
Love that line! :-D
Poor Todd. His mantra must be 'must not feed on the girl, must not feed on the girl, or I will die.'
**
"But on his ship—"
She was standing near him, without trying to hurt him, and a bit later, they were holding each other.
Lol.
And another LOL @ Jennifer pointing out Kanaan's part in what I assume is 'the making of the baby', so it wasn't like it was, well, what does one call that thing? Mind rape? And then physical one?
"Then what the hell is that!"
M-Mikey? *Kissy*
**
Why do I always go all thunk at the mention of Michael's hip? :o
a deep and wanting feeling flooded through her… Etc.
It's passion at first, second, and every other sight! *g*
Suddenly he threw back his head and roared in the most primal way…deeply animal, deeply needful… deeply sexual, and it made her ache for him…
Why did he do that, at such a time? What did he sense in her? Something that he liked?
Is that really how the memory went? Because it seemed like he was kinda reliving his moment with the Queen? He sucks her, she sucks him? Dry, that is… :) He even calls out "Queen" to her. What did he recognise? Did she get drawn into an old memory of his?
"…Queen…? Stop… you're—"
Aha! She picked up on that, as well!
**
"I just wanted to be sure and congratulate you on a job well done."
Right. What's he up to, now?
"Keller found elements of Michael's DNA in the blood samples."
Of course she did. Woohoow! *grin*
**
He reached out and almost tenderly smoothed a hand over the dressing on the child's hip, and sighed again.
-soon… little one-
Awe. He can be cute with that baby! *g* You know, when he's not putting needles in him… A dressing on his hip?
Soon mommy will be here as well, and we can start the family life together. Awe!
… gather his courage, face his fears and bring his past and present together in order to secure his future.
Oh, poor Michael. *hug* You know it's necessary to complete your work, even if it's not going to be a pleasant journey, far from it, in fact, but if you succeed your cause will be the better for it. Let Teyla take care of you after you come back. She'll hold you at night, to make the nightmares go away.
*Supportive hug and a playful shoving slap on the butt.* Go on. *Holds her hanky close.*
Absently he reached out a hand to bring his fingertips to rest over the soft skin of the sleeping child.
"Teyla…" he whispered softly.
Aaawwweee!!! Yup, with a little guidance from Teyla to show him how he should be interested in the child, he can make a good daddy. *g*
---
(cont.)
Re: Mantle: Act 3 - Review Part 2
Date: 2008-11-26 06:51 pm (UTC)**
LOL - Well given past form, it was not really hard to work out who was responsible.
Yeah, I just had to get that line in somewhere...
Yeah, that is Todd's mantra... but as we might get to see - not for /all/ Wraith.
**
Yeah, see... Rodney has his doubts...
**
I don't know, why /do/ you go all *thunk* at the mention of Michael's hip.
Why did he do that...? Instinct dear girl... (see Allies for Michael's take on instinct - can't be bothered to look up the transcript. LOL)
Yeah, see... one never knows where the Wraith mind goes in crisis...
**
What makes you think Woolsey's up to /anything/?
**
He was cute with the baby, wasn't he...
You really think she has the power to make all of his nightmares go away?
I'm sure he'd be a very protective daddy. LOL
Re: Mantle: Act 3 - Review Part 2
Date: 2008-11-26 10:52 pm (UTC)**
Silly, explosive Michael. I can't believe he hot wired his old lab! *Snigger*
Hmm, how to ask his... Or better not, since it would be better after the next acts, perhaps. I don't want to say too much, or just be vague, and then ask something you can't answer yet...
*Puts a note in review file* :D
Someone's going to try to eat her? Might actually sum up the question... *rolleyes* Lol.
**
*Slaps head on the part where she went all 'huh' at the mention that the baby might be better off with Michael*
It's not that Teyla's 'mutation' is bad, it's that the baby looks special and we wouldn't even wanna know what Woolsey would order, concerning him.
**
Well, I'm guessing it's a rather nice one. Or it'll serve his Teyla well, lol! Plus right there is the start of his bum, and that is a good one, too, I take it. :P
So he was indeed trying to feed on her, lol, as his instincts were crying out for his "Queen", and there she was, yummy as well. Poor boy. No more feeding. But just wait till you learn some parts of your new body...
**
Well, I must say it's the part where he's trying to kick Sheppard out of Atlantis behind his back, and in it, he suddenly sucks up to him, after even knowing that Shep doesn't like him. Unless he's trying to keep friendly with him for now, since his sidekick is out of the picture, for a bit.
**
Yes, he was cute with the kid. It might even get better after she's there, then he can see/learn how to show more affection to him. Although pampering isn't the Wraith way...
Well, I think her presence with him will have a good influence on him, having him sleep longer, or more quietly, without always (?) waking up from bad dreams. I mean, at this point, does he dare to sleep? He knows that the bad dreams will be there? And he'll be more relaxed at night, with Teyla next to him, holding him, so perhaps that'll be a good influence, make the smaller ones go away, and she can hold him during the bad ones, make sure he knows it'll be okay, and it can't harm him anymore. No matter what he went through, he's still there, and he's a strong person, and he's not alone anymore. She's there to take care of him as well. He needs that.
Awe, how odd he must feel when that baby *smiles* at him! *g* I wonder if he smiles back.
Spikey
Re: Mantle: Act 3 - Review Part 2
Date: 2008-12-02 04:41 pm (UTC)**
Woolsey's just... his own man.
**
Things might be a little more settled when Michael has his Teyla at his side, yes...
Mantle: Act 3 - Review Part 3
Date: 2008-11-25 07:54 pm (UTC)LOL. Bummer Alicia doesn't have a degree in Drama, she could use it to convince the Queen she was absolutely convinced of her superiority. :D
But, did the Queen believe her? Or did she think the 'nausea' was there because that's what Vega felt when looking at her? That wouldn't bode well.
"She served me well, as you have done, and cared for one whom—"
Lol, did Michael get himself blown up as well? :P
What was she going to say? Someone whom was even dearer to me than this one?
LOL @ the part where she can't shift Todd's desire for his Queen to herself. So as long as both would go all 'Oooh, MY QUEEEEN…' when she passes, or checks up on them, everything should be fine. :P
**
and as humans went, he supposed she was attractive…
He 'supposed'? Lol. Did he change his mind about his choice of words by now, then? ;-)
-you cannot prevail- - cannot prevail- -prevail-
*Thinks about his plan and shudders*
LOL @ the Queen yet again getting jealous… Again at Teyla?
**
It had been too long… and though it must, or necessity, remain a while still, she teased herself with the notion of it.
Ah, but whom will be the victim? Not Todd, please not Todd! You touch him, I kill you. Unless Vega gets there first. :P
**
Suddenly there were a dozen Todds all coming at her from different directions. She tried to avoid them all…
LOL. Very funny, that…
"How long have you been feeling like this?" he asked, worry more than evident in his voice.
Awe! Look how worried he is. No way he could have thought he was perhaps in serious shit if she were to die right there with him, in the time it took him to run up to her and catch her. Face it darling, it's luff. :P
She looked up at him with tears in her eyes and, for just a moment, a feeling of sympathy began to stir inside him.
Awe!: The reruns. *g*
**
"Damn it! Is there anything else that could go wrong today?"
Yes.
**
The man that stepped through the Gate was tall, and dark, and not at all handsome.
*Thinks about tall, green, and handsome.* Thud.
the story was that one of his former patients had set him on fire.
And he didn't take it as a hint…
He immediately refuses to have McKay help him? Something tells me he's not at all going to be friendly towards the alpha team…
Oh boy. Let the not so fun moments begin. *Shudders*
---
I don't even remember what I said... *Posts anyway*
Spikey
Re: Mantle: Act 3 - Review Part 3
Date: 2008-11-26 07:01 pm (UTC)I'm sure the Queen just thought she was terrified... she gets that a lot.
Nope... I don't think Michael ever got himself blown up. Not sure though... we'll have to see.
I don't think Todd and Vega could get away with that somehow.
**
He sure did, yes.
Yep... and that's a dangerous thing.... to have that Queen Jealous at you.
**
It had been too long… and though it must, or necessity, remain a while still, she teased herself with the notion of it.
See, there's a clue that you missed... So you'll kill the Queen if she touches Todd will you?
**
You crack me up, trying to persuade Todd it's luff...
**
See, people /always/ say that in SGA, and it always causes trouble...
**
Nope, Varnerin is not a man to take a hint... neither is he subtle... no, he doesn't like McKay... and there's a reason for that... same as he doesn't like Teyla and he's not even met her...
Re: Mantle: Act 3 - Review Part 3
Date: 2008-11-26 11:11 pm (UTC)S-sure... Whatever.
Not the most perfect answer, either.
Sssstttt. Don't ruin my Todd/Vega fantasy. *g*
**
Well, if we're lucky, either Todd or Michael will take care of that Queen, though I can't imagine it being before the end of this season.
**
I missed a clue? Seriously? We know whom with, and when, or what did I miss? :(((
Yes, the Queen has to keep her hands of him, darn it! He's MI-er, Vega's... :o
**
But of course it is, it's written in his precious stars! *g*
**
Yes, they do always say that, and someday they'll learn not to do that anymore. Really. Probably. Maybe. Not.
**
Well, I hope his office is at the edge of a pier... :D
And get him a chair on wheels then, yeah?
*Pushes*
Spikey
no subject
Date: 2008-11-26 02:01 am (UTC)It might take me awhile to review it. My head hurts so much I can barely move it without crying. Everything above my neck hurts--swollen glands, fluids in ear, the worst headache ever, and with my neck still swollen I somehow bit the back of my tongue and it hurts to swallow . . . **sighs**
But, seeing this update goes a long way to help with the pain. :P
no subject
Date: 2008-11-26 06:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-11-27 06:25 am (UTC)It's interesting how you are taking the route that a Wraith can have a lot of 'affinity' towards a human; particularly a male Wraith to a female human. What are your 'background' thoughts, or concept on this? What drives the Wraith towards it? If you can reveal it right now, that is.
PS. I read this episode twice... so that I can enjoy my favorite parts.
no subject
Date: 2008-12-02 04:47 pm (UTC)Well, my thoughts on the Wraith (complicated as they are)... to this particular point, I see a certain degree of hedonism in Wraith culture, don't ask me why, just do. But juxtapose that with the certain 'insectoid' behaviour, the whole sense of belonging, and the loyalty to, desire of, the Queen, makes it difficult for them to indulge in certain areas of that hedonism without the 'use' of one of their female subjects. If that makes any sense. That's at least 'some' of the thinking behind it.
I'm glad you're enjoying... *grin*
no subject
Date: 2008-11-27 06:27 am (UTC)I didn't like Vega very much in SGA, but your Vega I truly like.
I still don't know how to feel about Michael. Which, of course, is th point until all is revealed.
no subject
Date: 2008-12-02 04:48 pm (UTC)Meow!:D
Date: 2008-11-27 03:33 pm (UTC)But I do not like that pesky queen! She's ...a total bastard! Er... I guess females aren't usually called bastards. Or dickheads. That would be an interesting thing!*grin* But still... Argh! Wanna kick her! *jumping up and down, making angry meerkat noises* I mean, she' mean to Toddie, she was mean to Mikey, she's mean to Vega... and basically everyone else, as well. Maybe somebody could pull some ancient magic on her... make her fart all the time, or something... he he, that would be something of a mood spoiler if she were to do some mating! Or have a chat with her followers... *evil grin*
Todd:"Pardon me, what did you say, my Queen?"
Queen: *angry hiss, followed by a minor explosion in the nether regions* "Don't say a word, you hear me?!"
*grinning broadly* Oh, dear...
I know I've said this before, but I'll say it again: you are really good at keeping people in character!
That poor chick that the Queen of Farts (sorry, I just had to! Me not lke her. She bad.)turned into a hiveship... did Michael have a crush on her, or was he just miffed that the Queen stole his property? I like that you let us know more about his and Toddie's past! It's very interesting, and something that is sadly lacking from the original show. I mean: it's nice to know not just THAT people DO stuff, but WHY they do it! The screen writers probably don't get much time to use for this kind of thing, but it's a pity, really! So, I'm very glad that you are doing it instead, you know, giving the characters more..."flesh on the bone" as we say in Sweden. I thnk you can guess what it means.:)
Thanks for another great read!
Jenna
Re: Meow!:D
Date: 2008-12-02 04:51 pm (UTC)The Character work is one of the things I enjoy most about writing this, they reveal more and more of themselves through what happens and I have to keep them true to themselves while I reveal it little by little... Develop them and reveal their past, to, as you say, put a little more 'meat on the bone' (which is the way we use the phrase in England. :)
We'll just say that Michael 'enjoyed' Milla's company - and then the Queen took her away from him to make into her new Hive ship.
Glad you're enjoying it.