Battling starvation

[theycallmetodd]

The old Wraith hadn't thought he'd last this long. That he was still functioning at this point was a show of sheer power of will and stubbornness.

The one who had brought him onto this ship - Q, was it? - really must have a cruel sense of humor, to put him there in a situation that would make him starve. There was food around, sure, with all the humans populating this ship, and he was sure that many of the other species on board would do just as nicely. But, it just wasn't accessible. If he started feeding on people, he'd soon be found out. Especially with Sheppard on board. The colonel was sure to recognize the signs. The Wraith would be found out and locked away to continue to starve. Or they would simply execute him. At this point, the possibility of that was almost appealing.

But there was hope, and so he'd struggled on, working in the labs to find the solution to his problem, hardly ever leaving them. And he was close, he was sure of it. Very close. Only that it was getting hard to think. A functioning brain was really a prerequisite thing when one was trying to alter ones DNA.

And, perhaps this wasn't the best place to try to work, sitting in Ten Forward. All he would have to do to pull himself away from starvation was to lean over and grab someone from the table next to his, or someone passing by. But, again. That would lead to an execution as a best case scenario. Though it was tempting.

He'd had to get out from the labs, though. His thoughts had been running in circles, getting him nowhere, and he'd needed a change in scenery to break that loop.

Now, if he could only push away the temptation and distraction that the people around him provided, and if he could will his fingers from shaking as he ran them over the screen of the PADD...

Comments

[goldencobra]

As per usual, Henry was out trying to make friends and distract himself from the pit in his stomach. He'd seen the wraith before but never spoken to him directly. Noticing how the man's hands were shaking, Henry decided to change that.

"Hey." He didn't bother try smiling. It was harder than usual at the moment. But he did go for a look of concern as he appeared on the other side of the table. "Are you okay, mister?"

[theycallmetodd]

He was so caught up in his work and his own thoughts that he didn't even notice the young boy coming up to his table before the boy spoke. Well, wasn't this a rare thing? Unheard of, actually, that a human would ask about his wellbeing.

"Oh yes," he replied, setting his PADD down on the table. "Quite fine." Just hungry. Very, very hungry, and with everyone around him a tempting meal. He closed his hands into loose fists, to keep them from trembling.

"It was nice of you to ask."

[goldencobra]

"You don't see fine but I don't think anyone is really. Being ripped from their homes by Q or having all these strangers dumped on the ship."

Henry shrugged. It was just his way. "You're welcome. I'm Henry, by the way."

[theycallmetodd]

"Indeed. This Q has quite a lot to answer for." He couldn't help a slight growl from sneaking into his voice. He really didn't know anything about this entity that had brought them all there, but he did entertain quite a few thoughts - daydreams, even - of inflicting quite a bit of harm on them.

[goldencobra]

"I'll say. I spoke him and he sent me home. But then a few months later, he brought me back as if no time had really passed here. He's crazier than a box of frogs."

Henry didn't push for the other's name or anything else for that matter. But he did slide into the chair opposite as they appeared to be having a longer conversation.

[theycallmetodd]

"You spoke to him, you say?" Oh, this could be useful information. "What can you tell me about him? Other than being crazier than a box of... frogs?" Whatever that was.

[goldencobra]

"He wasn't that interesting to be honest. Quite whiny. I think he's bored so he does this stuff." Henry shrugged, more interested in the wraith before him than talking about Q. "I like your tattoo."

[ltcolonel]

John's tried to keep an eye on the wraith and his activities, but it hasn't been easy, especially with a trip planet side. As far as he knows Todd's kept his word, and hasn't fed on any innocent bystanders which is quite remarkable, considering the length of time they've been here.

He's passing through Ten Forward when he spots Todd. The guy doesn't look good and he guesses it's about time he made good on his promises. He slides into a seat opposite the wraith. "You look like you've had better days."

[theycallmetodd]

"I dare say that most of my days have been better than this one," he says, not looking up at first but rather keeps his eyes on his PADD, tapping a clawed finger against the screen a few times before letting the device fall to the table, allowing a low, frustrated growl to escape him before looking up.

"What do you want, colonel?" Arguing with Sheppard can be quite entertaining at times, but he really isn't in the mood for it.

[ltcolonel]

John folds his arms defensively and watched Todd closely. A twitchy wraith is as dangerous as untrained guy with a gun. He can't let the wraith feed on anyone else hear, and annoyingly he can't let him die either.

"You're like the Death Star waiting to fire. I made a promise, and I've come to keep it. I'm not offering you a five course meal or anything, but I can take the edge off your hunger. "

[theycallmetodd]

Now that gets the Wraith's attention. He cocks his head slightly to the side, studying the human in front of him. Sheppard would go through with it, he realizes. The man is utterly incomprehensible. One minute he's threatening to kill him, the other he's helping him. Strange human.

"I can't help but to wonder, why you would do this when you have much simpler methods of solving the problem." If Sheppard really is so worried that the wraith would kill any of the ship's crew or passengers, a bullet or two would do the trick, without Sheppard having to risk his life for a most temporary fix.

Still, that was a statement and not a question. Slowly he rises, hands on the table for support until he's upright. "Not that I will refuse such an offer." He can remember Sheppard being quite tasty in his defiance. But that is perhaps best left unsaid.

[ltcolonel]

"Killing you would be simpler," John agrees. The problem is that he's got a code of ethics that he's always lived by, and he isn't going to change it now simply because he's in a completely different universe. He opens his mouth to tell Todd that he won't understand, but he remembers a previous conversation where the wraith said they were more alike than he knew. He didn't want to fall down the rabbit hole and start that conversation again.

"But like I said, it isn't your fault that you're here." He stands up and slings the wraith's arm over his shoulder to help him walk. There is no way he's going to turn this into a spectacle and let the wraith feed on him here.

"Now don't go get any funny ideas, but we're going to my bedroom." He quirks a smile, humour always helps diffuse the situation. "Or at least a very deserted corridor." He isn't sure if Todd will make it the whole way before he pounces.

[theycallmetodd]

It's enough of a spectacle already, as the wraith finds himself being hoisted to his feet. There's a growl in response, and he's about to snap at Sheppard that he's still fully capable to walk on his own. Unfortunately that's when the world decides to spin, making him sway, and it's only thanks to Sheppard that the dizziness isn't winning over and sending him to the floor.

Seems he really is out of time.

But even so - perhaps to the colonel's surprise - he manages all the way to Sheppard's room, one foot ahead of the other and leaning on the human when he has to. And even once there, he doesn't pounce. He leans with his back against the door that has now closed behind them, carefully watching the man who has gotten it into his mind to provide him with a meal, if only a small one. Does he really trust the old wraith to just take a little? That he'll be able to stop himself?

Foolish. Naive. But, perhaps, not entirely unfounded.

"Well, then, colonel Sheppard. How many years do you wish to lose?" Thin lips quirk with a twisted and somewhat malicious sort of humor. Still he doesn't move. Just waits.

[ltcolonel]

John's got to give Todd credit, if the Wraith was human, he could be a marine. The parallels are endless. He reckons that he spent too much time holed up in that cell, he sees Todd as a person. The whole way to the bedroom, he allows the guy his dignity and doesn't make platitudes or tell him they are nearly there.

Inside the room, with the door shut to the outside world, it's impossible to ignore that Todd is a predator. Human instinct tells him to shrink away to the safety of the wall, so John steps closer to the danger.

"I don't want to look like a grandpa when I don't even have kids."

[raavashing]

"Do you need some help?" Wan asked quietly as he came over, concerned at how the man's hands were shaking and how pale he looked. Not that Wan knew if that kind of complexion was normal for his species, but with the hand shaking, he was going to assume it was indicative of some sort of sickness.

[theycallmetodd]

Well, now... What do we have here? A human offering help to a wraith? Though it was sure to happen from time to time, since the humans here didn't know what he was, it would still take some getting used to.

"Not unless you are well-versed in DNA modification and creating gene therapies, no." His voice had an eerie dual tone to it, but was otherwise perfectly polite when he responded.

[raavashing]

"Ah... no," Wan said, suddenly feeling a little stupid. "Sorry. I was thinking maybe something to drink. Some hot tea or lemon and honey water would help. Stop the shaking, I mean. At least for a little while. You look a little... well, not good. I don't really know what would be normal for you and your people to look like."

[theycallmetodd]

While somewhat predisposed to consider humans to be little more than cattle, this old wraith is was still more open minded than most of his people. But first and foremost he was practical. Stuck on this ship he could use allies rather than enemies. With that in mind, he could behave. "I thank you for your concern," he said, a bit less clipped than before, "but it would not help, I'm afraid."

[raavashing]

Wan sat down without invitation, folding his legs up underneath himself rather than sit 'properly'.

"Sorry to hear that," he said with genuine empathy. "I know I don't really know anything about any of that stuff you mentioned, but maybe I could help in another way? Keep you company?"

[ancientstalker]

The doors to Ten Forward open, and in walks a man concentrating entirely on his own PADD, and moving to a replicator. The Ancient didn't need physical sustenance, but it helped hold up appearances.

Besides, he could still enjoy the sensation and taste... and many other things about eating and drinking.

He turns, mug of coffee in his hand, eyes rising to locate a table, before he freezes. He nearly drops the coffee, but manages to catch himself... He's still staring, motionless, at the being sat, not too far away.

A Wraith. How could he have missed that? He's obviously been too wrapped up in his project to notice. He should have been more aware of his surroundings.

There was nothing he could do about it. The Wraith wasn't attacking anyone, which is odd. Besides, he wasn't to interfere with the lower planes.

He's still watching "Todd," examining him, noting the shaking in his hands...

[theycallmetodd]

What he wouldn't give for his own lab, his own familiar equipment. This PADD, as they called it, really wasn't up to par. But then, if he had his own lab at hand, it would mean he was back on his hive, and he wouldn't have to be struggling with this in the first place.

With a frustrated snort, he let the PADD drop to the table, clenching and unclenching his hands few times. It helped with the trembling. Not much, but some.

It was more or less by chance he noticed that he was being observed. Looking up he locked eyes with the man who was standing there watching him. The man looked no less human that the others milling about, but there was something about him. Something familiar. Something that raised the Wraith's hackles and set him on edge.

[ancientstalker]

And, now that he's been noticed, he's walking right on over to you.

He doesn't sit. No Ancient would sit with a Wraith, but his own PADD is locked, contents hidden from view.

"You seem unwell." He notes, taking a sip of coffee, keeping his expression and tone neutral.

[theycallmetodd]

The Wraith is old, old enough to have fought countless battles against the Ancients in his own galaxy. And, despite his starved and weakened state, he has good instincts. There's no proof, no outward signs as such, but there are too many bells ringing, too much that tells his that this is one of his ancient enemies eh has in front of him.

He leans back, and after having cleared the display on his PADD with a swipe of a clawed finger, he lets his hands rest on the table, palms down. His gaze is steady as he looks up at the man. "I will not be for long." Suddenly his resolve to not kill anyone on board doesn't seem so important.

[ancientstalker]

But the Ancients he fought and the one standing in front of him are two different creatures entirely; two different levels of power. The Lanteans had strength in ships and technology... Now, they control the very fabric of space and time.

But choose not to.

But this is one Wraith. It's not worth Orlin breaking the vow of the Others, the one he so sorely learned with the death of his mortal form. Surely, the humans and the Federation could handle just one starved Wraith?

"I suppose you're going to Sickbay, then?" Orlin inquires, keeping the polite façade going.

[theycallmetodd]

"No. That will not be necessary." Or rather, completely pointless. Besides, he already has access to the ship's medical labs, and a couple of assistants working for him, though he suspects that captain Picard assigned him those to keep an eye on him just as much as to help him.