"That was a rash decision," Chaya said, glancing at me from under her lowered veil. "We don't know how dangerous she is."
"You mean the fact that we were almost killed by an entire planet because Mikhail wanted to take a defective super-soldier didn't bother anyone?!" Ikhar exclaimed. "I've grown gray hairs from this!"
"And my heart stopped beating," I commented concisely.
"The senior engineer frowned, processing the thought.
"No, I didn't have any cardiac rhythm disturbances," he thought some more. "Just a little bit."
"And I don't mind such adventures," Alvar chuckled. "We left with a bang."
"You find it funny because you don't understand the consequences!" Ikhar raised his voice. "The explosion destabilized the naquadah. We didn't know how much was inside the planet, but the reserves were large! All of this created tectonic shifts, magma surges, forces that literally tore the planet to pieces! The explosion was of such magnitude that not every supernova has it! And the naquadah in the gate amplified it!"
"So what?" Alvar asked. "We escaped."
"This time, yes," the Ancient agreed. "But next time..."
He fell silent, contemplating his words.
"And Captain Trebal doesn't want to say anything?" Chaya asked innocently.
The Dorandian woman, watching everything unfold, resting her hand on the table in the Meeting Hall and propping her head in her palm, showed no signs that anything happening displeased her.
"And what do you want me to say?" she asked. "All the remarks you've made... I agree with them. But you're all missing something."
Well, I'll be... If she says it's not proper to tell your own superior that they're taking risks, I'll make her my favorite wife.
"And what is that?" Chaya asked.
"After every operation involving Mikhail's departure from Atlantis, one more woman is added to the city," Trebal said, smiling at me with her signature bitchy smile. "I hope the general trend of 'each new girlfriend is more of a bitch' doesn't continue. I don't like competition."
Hmm... No, she's still a long way from being my favorite wife.
Teila and Chaya exchanged glances, analyzing what the third and last lady at our meeting had said. But they remained silent.
"Are we done washing my bones?" I asked innocently.
"What kind of barbaric ritual is that?" Ikhar grimaced. "Especially since none of us were doing that... Ah," his face brightened. "Is that a phrase from your culture?"
"Remind me to sign you up for philology courses," I asked. "So, has the female half of the senior officers stopped expressing their concern for my safety, masking it with overly pretentious logical conclusions?"
"These aren't claims," Teila said softly. "It's just... We're worried. Mikhail, you are the leader of your people... And to go on such dangerous missions... It's unwise, at the very least."
"And you, it seems, are adhering to your own advice," Emagan said, pursing her lips, embarrassed. "Well, since we're all alive and death from the legacy of a destroyed race due to someone's inability to communicate with pseudo-intellects," Ikhar snorted angrily, "isn't a threat, let's move on to what we have. First. Chaya, remember you were talking about exploding planets for mineral extraction?"
"I remember," the Proculucian blinked. "The only thing is, I didn't ask for it to be done with the inhabited worlds we visit."
"What kind of woman is this?!" I exclaimed with feigned indignation. "You can't please her either way."
"That planet probably doesn't have much to offer us now," Ikhar said. "In theory, it should have just evaporated from the explosion. The mineral content in its debris is likely negligible."
"We'll check after we fix the ship," I decided. "We couldn't dial the address again, could we?"
"No," Chaya confirmed. "I agree with Ikhar's assessment of the consequences—the gate acted as a catalyst for the explosion and is destroyed."
"Well, at least we have a sample of Salumai technology," I summarized.
"I suggest we break it down for parts and throw it into the nearest star," Ikhar said.
"You clearly have problems in your relationships with women," Alvar chuckled. "With such gallantry, you'll die alone."
"No one is going to break down or get rid of the cyborg," I decided. "We didn't almost die for that. Ikhar, is she deactivated?"
"Yes, I double-checked. She poses no danger. Alive, but in a coma after I disabled her processor."
"You studied her for a day," I reminded him. "How promising is this technology?"
"It's barbarism, not technology!" Ikhar admitted. "Now I understand why the Lantians refused to cooperate with them."
"It's good that you understand that," I agreed. "We'd also like to partake in this knowledge."
"Agreed," Alvar seconded.
Sighing, Ikhar ran his fingers over the keyboard of his portable computer, and a schematic hologram of a human appeared before us. The обезличенное image was literally burning with red zones—that's how the computer marked areas of implantation of objects not at all intended by evolution.
"So, the scan showed that our guest, who calls herself Object-41, is an altered human organism, supplemented with augmetics of not the most advanced quality," Ikhar explained. "Fundamentally, she is a human woman, but she has undergone a series of changes at the genetic level primarily."
"What kind of changes?" Chaya clarified.
"Her organs are more developed than, for example, Teila's or Alvar's," Ikhar explained. "More productive respiratory, digestive, and circulatory systems. The muscular frame is strengthened, the skin is more elastic, and the brain is slightly better developed compared to typical representatives of the human race."
"And these are not evolutionary changes?" I clarified.
"Some are, for example, her abdominal cavity is additionally protected by a hard but elastic film, which protects her from intestinal prolapse, for instance. A number of rudiments are absent. But the more significant changes are still directed mutations created for the effective operation of the augmetics of the altered organism," the engineer explained.
"What has been surgically altered in her?" Trebal asked.
"At the base of the brain," Ikhar pointed to the first of many red dots, "something like a neuroprocessor has been implanted, which allows her to think faster. But it lost contact with the brain during freezing—the solution they use for cryogenic freezing damaged the microelectronics. Also, her body is literally permeated with a network of similar devices connected to the neuroprocessor. Arms, legs, lungs... All to make her react faster, move faster, stronger, but without experiencing a lack of oxygen, blood circulation, and so on. I was able to scan some of her devices and concluded that they were assembled by hand. That is, these are not factory parts. Because their insulation was compromised, and the manufacturing process itself was clearly crude, we got a damaged cyborg who asked us for help to kill us. Apparently, her mind contains only extremely basic knowledge, and everything else is loaded onto the neuroprocessor. I can assume that it is activated only for combat, and then her 'civilian' consciousness is blocked, and the 'killer machine' mode is activated. After completing the task, the neuroprocessor is deactivated, returning her to her 'base state'."
"Is that what happened during our encounter?" I asked.
"Yes, she couldn't complete the basic tasks of eliminating us, so she prepared a diversion and switched to the 'civilian' version of her consciousness. But Object-41 knew what she had to do and strived for it."
"She spoke of combat protocols," Alvar reminded me. "Did you understand what she meant?"
"Due to the imperfection of the technologies, as I understood it, cyborgs are loaded with data arrays about the target and various combat knowledge directly before the mission. Hand-to-hand combat techniques, knowledge of specific opponent vulnerabilities, and so on," Ikhar explained. "Interestingly, from what I understood, she has a primary task and additional ones."
"Meaning?" Trebal asked, becoming alert.
"Our elimination was an additional task," the engineer replied. "But killing wraiths is the priority. It's literally embedded in her consciousness, written in both the 'civilian' and 'military' versions. I don't know what technology they used, but she is literally created to kill wraiths. Moreover, her cybernetic parts are responsible for combat operations, and the biological ones are only in support in 'military mode.' By the way," he seemed to recall something, "I found traces of interference with biological memory. It seems part of her biological memory was removed. And this, firstly, is not easy, and secondly, it is quite technologically advanced because it involves working with specific areas of the brain and memory."
"What was it done for?" I asked.
"That's what I'm getting to. The pseudo-intellect seems to have detected a problem with the neuroprocessor, so it programmed additional tasks and combat protocols into her consciousness. But this terrible creation of a failed programmer cannot calculate such a situation, so, even though she has the task to kill intruders in her head, she cannot do it—her cybernetic part is not working. And without it, she is, albeit improved, still human. Even strengthened bones don't save her from the damage we could inflict. Therefore, I think she tried to deceive us by saying she couldn't let us go. In case of conflict, we would have shot her and moved on."
"Then it's good we didn't shoot her," I concluded.
"Why?" Chaya was interested.
"Because we have a cyborg created to destroy wraiths in our hands," I reminded her. "Exactly what I thought would be useful when I wrote the draft of Project 'Spartan'."
"You want to use her?" Teila was surprised.
"Why not?" I replied in a Jewish manner.
"She's a useless piece of mutated flesh with useless augmentations," Ikhar explained. "I'm not going to fix this mess!"
"And it doesn't need to be fixed," I said. "I'm sure Atlantis has better technologies."
"Of course, it does," Ikhar confirmed. "Only... Seriously, why?"
"Because we have a ready test subject for obtaining data on genetic mutations," Chaya understood my thoughts. Hmm, she's moving up to favorite wife, isn't she? "We won't have to sacrifice or beg anyone from our people for such experiments. We already have a cyborg. We just need to remove the old augmentations from her body and replace them with improved ones."
"And we'll also have to remove part of her brain," Trebal said. Catching surprised glances, she explained:
"You haven't forgotten that only the technology is faulty, have you? And the information that she needs to kill you, and possibly us, is written in her brain? I don't think it would be a good idea to leave such orders."
"Agreed," Teila said. "Ikhar described her as the best cyborg soldier on Salumai..."
"That's not true," the engineer objected. "She's just the only surviving second-generation object out of forty-five test subjects. There were third and fourth generations, on which more advanced technologies and deeper changes were tested."
"And where did you find that out?" I asked. "You didn't get much data at the base."
"The general level of technology in her organism indicates that she was a testing platform," Ikhar said. "However, for example, her motor processors, responsible for the speed of limb movements, are more modern. As is the neuroprocessor. Most likely, they tested samples of new technologies on her, but decided she wouldn't withstand a full upgrade and left her in the cryo-pod."
"I wouldn't want to leave her on Atlantis," Chaya admitted. "The city already has enough problem areas and dangerous laboratories. I wouldn't want to add another one."
"And I didn't intend for her to stay here," I said. "Ikhar, select those who can work with her. On Athos, there's the old Athosian city, it's abandoned. We'll deliver the necessary equipment from Atlantis there, and let the guys work on our problem."
"Isn't it easier to build a laboratory on Lantea's moon?" Alvar asked. "Or on Lantea-2?"
"It's easier to get to the laboratory on Athos than to fly to the moon or the second planet of the system in a 'jumper'," I explained my decision. "Besides, Athos has a geothermal generator, which means there will be energy. There are ruins, and some of them have been preserved. So we won't have to build a laboratory. Moreover, there are no objects important for Atlantis's survival on Athos right now. And Lantea-2 is regularly visited by our ships and prospectors from among the Athosians. If the cyborg gets out of control, she could capture our people or cause terror. And on Athos, she will be completely alone."
"I wouldn't want my planet to be used in such a capacity," Teila said. "Especially since the city of our ancestors is dangerous. And no one has gone there for many generations."
"And our reconnaissance groups?" I asked Chaya, recalling something.
"We don't have enough people to leave even a couple of individuals on each planet," she explained. My heart sank. "Captain Trebal returned the 'Hippaphoralkus' to dry dock on Taranis. I asked all available technicians to work on repairing the starship. That's much more important now. If the wraiths figure out where to find us, we'd want to have a dreadnought at hand as a last resort."
And there's no arguing with that.
"However, that's just a suggestion," I said, addressing Teila. "For such experiments, we can always find another planet where there are no wraiths. Safety measures will need to be refined, of course. With all possible variants of unfavorable consequences."
"In that case, I'd rather not bring her back to consciousness at all," Ikhar suggested. "Who knows how she'll react to our intervention? Especially since figuring out what's mixed up in her head right now isn't easy..."
"And there's no need to bring her back to consciousness," I said. "Not yet, at least."
"And how will we work with her then?" Trebal asked.
"First, we'll place her in a stasis pod from the 'Aurora'," I said. "Ikhar was going to restore a virtual environment for the sleepers. We'll do something similar for her. So, after removing the implants, we can establish contact with her and check her aggressiveness. If we can't remove her aggression towards us from her memory or convince her that we are on the same side, we'll freeze her until better times. Or destroy her if there are no other options."
"Good idea," Ikhar admitted. "Strange that it didn't occur to me..."
* * *
"You literally saved us from big problems," I told Chaya when we were alone. The girl, to be closer to the heart of events, settled in the commander's office—a small room next to the command center.
In the series, the expedition commanders were here, setting up their office. I had mentioned this a couple of times in conversations with the Proculucian. Apparently, she liked the idea.
"What specific problems are you talking about?" she asked, sitting down at her desk. Judging by the material and shape, it was made for her by the Athosians, carved from wood. Beautiful, by the way.
A corner desk, decorated with carvings, on which were placed a couple of portable computers and several stacks of crystals. A modest workspace of a perfectionist.
"In the series, the humans found Teila's medallion in the ruins on Athos," I explained. "As it turned out, it's a wraith transmitter that activates upon contact with the Ancient gene. I was told that's how they tracked the Ancients during the war."
"That's true," Chaya said, pulling out a small drawer under the tabletop. "I think I told you about it when we discussed similar wraith technology."
"Maybe," I evaded an answer, watching what Chaya was showing me in her hand. "Oh, come on⁈ You found this thing⁈"
"Teila's necklace was where you said," Chaya smiled. "I didn't go to Dorandan right away. I checked Athos first, found it."
"And why do you need a wraith tracking device?" I asked.
"They'll come if it's activated, won't they?" the Proculucian looked at me in confusion. "I detected it with a scanner and disabled it. Now it's safe and not emitting a signal."
"That explanation doesn't answer my question," I said. "It's a damn dangerous thing."
"If you don't understand how it works," Chaya corrected me. "The energy source and transmitter here are too weak to send a signal directly into subspace. In the past, wraiths used orbital repeaters to transmit signals."
"But I just asked you to look for Ancient outposts in the galaxy," I reminded Chaya of her task.
In the series, humans often stumbled upon Ancient structures and technologies scattered throughout the galaxy. In some cases, these were very useful finds. For example, the twin city of Atlantis. With an arsenal of shells, many "jumpers," and a severely discharged, but still functional, ZPM.
Such a find would be very useful to us: you can never have too many spare parts, you know.
"I did look," Chaya said innocently. "The list is quite impressive. A little less if you remove the planets where wraiths have settled. But that can wait. Do you want to hear my plan regarding this necklace?"
Teila's necklace.
"Most of all, I want Teila not to be offended that you're keeping her property in your desk drawer. You know, women can be very cunning when you take their trinkets without permission."
Chaya's lips curved into a smile.
"She knows. As well as what this necklace actually is."
"Then, speak," I suggested. "I want to hear your devilish plan to use enemy technology."
"Two of the pods from which crew members have not yet been extracted have critical system failures," Chaya recounted. "If nothing is done, the people inside will die in a few days."
"We need people to feed the wraith," I understood. "Otherwise, we can't save them, right?"
"Yes," Chaya admitted. "I worked out a scenario to extract them from the 'Aurora's' stasis pods and place them in more modern ones on Atlantis, but unfortunately, they will die sooner. We'll have literally a few seconds for them to live after thawing. In such a short time, we can't open the pod, get the person out, and put them in another pod."
"That's regrettable, but I still don't understand how the wraith transmitter is related to this," I admitted.
"Koschei fed on his own kind," Chaya reminded me. "In principle, from what I learned from the surveillance systems, he doesn't care what kind of sentient life he eats."
"Wraiths, humans, what difference does it make to a feeding sucker," I played on her words. "So, you want to use this pendant," I pointed to Teila's necklace, "to lure wraiths to a planet, capture a few, and feed them to Koschei?"
"Yes," the Proculucian nodded. "Even if he doesn't get as much energy as from eating humans, he'll get some. And this solution can theoretically be repeated indefinitely. Although..."
"I think after some time the wraiths will realize they're being led on and will give us a good thrashing," I finished her obvious thought for her.
"Exactly," she confirmed. "So it's a slightly ambitious plan. But at the same time, no one will be harmed..."
"Except that we'll have to be under wraith fire," I reminded her. "And, if they arrive on ships, not through the gates..."
"I'll try to find a planet near which there won't be any wraiths," Chaya said. "If the long-range sensors are retuned, it's possible. Besides, most wraiths are sleeping... I don't think they'll send a hive ship or anything larger than a few 'arrows' and a support squad on such a hunt. We just need to disable as many wraiths as possible and arrange a meeting with Koschei for them."
I pondered.
The idea is actually not bad. There are unlikely to be any Jenai left on Ermen who can be given to Koschei for slaughter. And searching for new ones... Not something I'd want to do right now.
Here's a translation of the provided Russian text into English, adhering to your strict rules and term overrides:
Here's a way to catch wraiths… We have a couple of specialists in dealing with them. And it's high time the Athosians were tested in a full-scale battle with a real enemy. Yes, the wraiths haven't declared war on us as a whole race, but it's clear anyway – we won't be parting ways amicably. They are the permanent enemy of all humans. Well, until they're pushed to the brink of extinction, of course.
"We need a good plan," I concluded. "Our operations, based on broad assumptions, don't yield the best results."
"I'm glad you're so self-critical of your actions," Chaya said, laughing softly. "But seriously, that was very dangerous."
"Well, I'll be," I squinted. "Worried about me?"
"Of course," Sar nodded. "As I am about everyone who lives on Atlantis."
"And as for me, you're more worried about my skin than you should be about someone who just slept with you all night drunk," I quipped.
The Ancient processed what was said for a second, then replied:
"You know, I won't be upset if, to save other Ancients, you suggest Koschei have you for a snack."
"There's no compassion in you, Chaya," I sighed, realizing I'd just been out-joked.
"One always has to sacrifice something when returning from the energetic plane of being," Sar laughed. "Speaking of which, aren't you hungry? Today in the mess hall, there's an excellent root vegetable porridge…"
I let the girl exit first and asked, "By any chance, are there any mentions in the Atlantis database of a planet inhabited by chefs?"
"I haven't encountered any," Chaya laughed. "However, I did find something interesting… Did you know that the Ancients studied an energy being from one of the planets, and it's trapped in a containment field in one of Atlantis's laboratories?"
Damn it… I'd forgotten about that crap!
"I hope it's still in its trap?"
"Of course," Chaya said as if it were obvious. "I don't have a habit of turning on laboratory equipment without studying the lab journals."
You're my smart one…
The expedition encountered an unintelligent (most likely) being, resembling black fog. It fed on energy and grew in size. The Ancients studied it, researching Ascension. I don't remember what conclusions they reached, but they left the dangerous little beast in an energy trap right in the city.
Since, for the first time, humans lived on Atlantis together with evacuated Athosians, one of their children, while playing, discovered the laboratory. And since children's hands aren't meant for idleness, he released the little brat nicknamed "energy-hungry black fog."
It seemed like nothing much, but it drained the human nacahdah generators in an instant. It got worse when it was denied a diet of reactors, and then it reminded people that the human body, after all, also generates electricity. And the black fog was happy even with crumbs.
"Do me a favor," I asked. "Find the nearest black hole."
"No problem," Chaya agreed. "But… why?"
"We'll throw this thing in there and forget about it," I said. "The damn thing is too dangerous to leave alive."
Chaya chuckled softly, walked over to the teleportation booth, and looked at me with amusement in her eyes.
"You know that a black hole converts all forms of matter into energy?" she clarified. "Among other things."
"So…" I mumbled, sensing something was wrong. "And?"
"The collected energy accumulates beyond the event horizon of the black hole, and then, after a certain amount of time, it simply collapses and ejects all the collected energy into reality," Chaya explained. "Are you sure you want to throw a creature that feeds on energy into a place where there's an unlimited amount of it?"
"Now I'm not so sure," I admitted. "We don't need to create our own version of Galactus."
"Sounds… interesting," we entered the chamber. "Will you tell me?"
"Do you really want to know Earth folklore?" I inquired.
"And do you want to spend the entire lunch in silence?" she countered.
A remarkably logical woman…