#also I need to rewatch sga for this because I'm pretty sure I've already fucked the order of events

[1001aus]

WIP Wednesday

"We don't know what the Wraith are actually feeding on or how. If it's some kind of time dilation there's nothing we can do, but if I can figure out their space magic vampire shit I might be able to reverse this."

"You can't get those answers from a genetic sample in two weeks," Weir says.

"There are more efficient ways."

They stare each other down. Weir knows exactly what he's asking for, what he needs to figure out the Wraith, but most of the expedition is still of the impression he's his creator. Alex isn't sure if she's weighing the risks of sending him out Wraith hunting or waiting for the recon team to figure out what he's asking for. Maybe both, knowing her.

Most of the expedition are geniuses so it doesn't take long.

"You want us to catch a Wraith. A live one."

It's not surprising Sheppard is the one who gets it—McKay wouldn't think of something so stupid, but Sheppard is a soldier.

"Oh, great. Let's just bring a Wraith into the city! That can't possibly go wrong," McKay shouts, tossing his hands up with his typical drama.

"Of course the Wraith wouldn't be coming into the city. I'd go to them."

Alex rolls his eyes. When he ignores McKay and watches Sheppard instead he can see the man inspecting Weir; assessing her confidence in the outcome, probably.

Alex is confident and she knows what he can do. He's even well stocked up on biomass from absorbing every stray bit of dust he could get his tendrils into back on Earth and practicing his photosynthesis in the desert sun. There's been less opportunity on Atlantis, but even the long abandoned, completely sealed city has left behind biomass and he's been photosynthesizing under the LED lights he packed in his personal belongings. Since he isn't on any of the recon teams Alex hasn't used much of it up.

Even assuming the average Wraith is as tough as the Supreme Hunter, they'll be significantly less adaptable.

"We have trouble enough killing a Wraith. Catching one alive won't be easy," Sheppard says.

"Won't need to be alive long," he answers.

Alex wanders over to Sumner's bed and inspects the vitals readouts with a grimace. Not having much medical experience, even secondhand, little of it means much to Alex. All of the Gentek scientists and doctors he consumed specialized primarily in research and few of them ever did any type of practical patient care.

"Two weeks."