When Noll suggested that they go inside to talk more, John nodded, thinking that was a very good idea. There seemed to be a lot that they needed to talk about. So he was thankful when Jalesha offered them the Council Chambers and headed inside. Fred was one step ahead of him in called Carson and Caitlin to join them - with their work on the Iratus bug and the retro-virus, they would probably know what questions to really ask.
Inside, John leaned forward against the table, his hands clasped in front of him as he listened to Noll explain about how his people had evolved. So even the Wraith's "cousins" were against the way they did things. It was a bit strange to realize that such a different species had come from the same evolutionary starting point.
"You haven't heard of us," Noll explained, "because we prefer to keep knowledge of our existence quiet. Many people would hunt us simply because we are related to the Wraith, no matter how different we are."
"We also wish to stay hidden from our cousins," the female sitting next to Noll said. "The more who know about us, the more chance they have of finding us. We only come in conflict with them when it's absolutely necessary."
John nodded before looked over at Carson and Caitlin, wondering what they had to say about all this. Carson glanced over at him then at Noll and the others before clearing his throat.
"We..erm...started an autopsy on the other one..." he started to say.
"Shantri?" Noll interjected.
"I believe so, yes. We didn't see any physical indications of wings, yet all of you have them."
"A trait only few of us develop when we reach adolescence. Those of us who do are trained as the leaders for the advantage it gives us," Noll explained. John felt his eyebrows raise at this - that was certainly an interesting way to choose who led.
"Ah. And drinking blood provides sustenance?" Carson continued.
"It does. We can eat and drink as well, but we need blood to survive. Without it, we are unable to stay alive. And nothing provides a good substitute."
John was fairly sure Carson wanted to find out what it was in blood that they needed, but he had the tact not to say that he wanted to study them. Not exactly the way to start...a new alliance? Was that was this was? It certainly seemed to be getting off on a better foot than many of their other encounters in this galaxy.
John looked over at Fred. Think we should tell them about our plans what we're planning to do to the Wraith?