ten_fwd | Battling starvation

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...

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Glad to hear it," John says and clears his throat. He will have to make the Captain of the ship aware, just in case the Wraith has a change of heart before he recovers his strength. He doesn't trust Todd completely.

"So, is anyone giving you any grief on the ship?"

When Todd replies to that, he makes no attempt to hide the distaste in his tone. "Are you aware that there is an Ancient on this ship?" Oh, there hasn't been any real confrontation between himself and his age-old enemy. Only veiled words. But that's enough for the old wraith to know exactly what he is.

John nods his head, "Orlin finally revealed himself to me this morning. The guy is kinda cagey." That was something of an understatement, John is pretty sure the Ancient would never have revealed himself if he hadn't been caught on the holodeck in an Atlantis setting.

He rubs at the back of his neck. "You didn't come up."

The wraith doesn't verbally reply at first. There's just a weighted look. Displeased doesn't really cover what he's feeling about the situation. He's sure he and the Ancient - Orlin, was it? - have much the same thought: how to get rid of the other and get away with it.

"I advice you to be wary, Sheppard."

"He'd say the exact same thing about you," John isn't one for mincing his words. Still, the Wraith has been a source of decent information, once in awhile.

He leans forward, "Okay Todd, you tell me why I should be wary. I've met some ancients before, and one of them thought I was pretty."

"Naturally." Though the wraith allows a derisive snort at Sheppard's last comment, he doesn't seem at all surprised or even annoyed that the ancient would tell the human to be on guard. They are enemies, after all. "Their carelessness and immense arrogance aside?" He asks with a slight sneer. "How far would you truly trust and race that views you as an inferior species? And, yes, I am well aware of the relationship of our two species when I say that. He might not see you as prey as others of my people would, it does not mean he has your best interests in mind. If he even cares at all."

"Carelessness and arrogance is two things you guys have in common," John says dryly. Privately, he doesn't get most of the ancients, they are so far removed from any sense of reality. "All I care about is whether they are are likely to make an unprovoked attack on people here."

Old habits die hard, and civilian security remains a top priority.

"Most likely, they would not," Todd has to admit, a touch grudgingly. When it came to unprovoked attacks, his own people are more likely culprits, and he knows it. But a predator generally doesn't need to be provoked to go after prey. It's simply nature.

Through some predators are, admittedly, crueler than others...

"My points is, Sheppard, that you keep your wits about you. That is all."

"Don't worry, I always do." He stretches, working a kink out of his newly aching back. "I won't let Orlin kill you." Which would probably put him at odds with the Ancient, but it was a case of better the devil John knew. He barks out a laugh.

"You know, your almost a friend on board this ship."

Deciding to forgo comments that he would like to see the Ancient try, and that he was fully capable of defending himself, he instead only gives a brief snort. "That would be greatly appreciated."

Cocking his head lightly to the side, he studies the human, thinking back. While he himself called Sheppard a brother on their very first meeting, he can't recall a time before now that the human has said anything similar in return. "I can't see any reason why we would be enemies here."

"Not at the moment," John says with a faint smile, "Lets keep it that way." He trusts the wraith more than he lets anyone know. The people on Atlantis wouldn't understand it, but he saw the guy as more than a predator.

"When I'm feeling a little better, we should try sparring together on one of those holodecks."

No 'all bets are off' this time, then? Good. If push came to shove, Todd would always see to his best interests first, but he had never had any real wishes to harm Sheppard.

"I have yet to visit the holodecks," he says. "Agreed. When we are both feeling better."

“Good, now if you don’t mind,” John puts his glass down and sprawls backwards on his bed, to ease some of the ache. “I am going to take a nap.” He shuts his eyes, relaxing even with Todd’s presence in the room. “I’m sure you can find your own way to the door.”

He watches as the human lies back to rest, somewhat fascinated. The man must either be exhausted or surprisingly trusting. Perhaps a bit of both.

Though it no doubt remains unseen, he gives a short bow. "Rest well." And with that, he turns and takes his leave.

Battling starvation

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