Wraith Hive Ships are the main component of the Wraith fleet, and the centerpiece of their entire society. Hive Ships function in a role very similar to the city-ships of the Ancients.
Overview
A hive ship escorted by Wraith cruisers.
A Hive Ship is a massive Wraith mothership capable of carrying unknown hundreds of Wraith along with their dart fighters. Large parts of their internal structure are used to house stasis cocoons from where Humans may be stored for later feeding. There are a number of corridors within the large vessel with a fine mist covering the floor. (SGA: "Rising") Hive Ships are one of the largest ships known to exist, being roughly thirteen time greater than its main combatant, Earth's 304. (SGA: "Allies")
Hive ship in comparison to a 304
Despite their size, Hive Ships are quite capable of entering a planet’s atmosphere and landing. They are even capable of surviving for countless centuries in such conditions to the point where vegetation and the planet's environment can grow around them. This did not affect the ship as it was quite capable of achieving space flight and combat, suffering little, if any, adverse affects. (SGA: "Thirty-Eight Minutes")
The hulls of Hive Ships are composed of living, and growing, organic matter through the use of a unique type of biotechnology capable of growing at a rapid rate. (SGA: "The Seed") This has afforded the Wraith Hive Ship a number of advantages such as hull regeneration, providing them considerable protection in battles despite the fact that they lack any true energy shielding system. The same system also regulates the internal structure of the ship as well. This makes it possible that a serious error in the ships systems could potentially lead to the ship attempting to reconfigure itself with chambers disappearing and others appearing suddenly. (SGA: "Infection") Furthermore, these organic hulls have an effect on their capacity to enter into hyperspace for extended periods of time as the Hive requires moments of rest to heal the damage hyperspace radiation causes the hull. (SGA: "Allies")
The interior of a Hive ship with crew.
As Hive Ships posses no true shields, weapons are considerably more effective against them. This is particularly the case with Asgard plasma beam weapons; being able to completely destroy a Hive Ship in just a handful of shots. Drone weapons are also capable of inflicting mass amounts of damage; being able to destroy a Hive in a single, massive, salvo. It has been demonstrated that several well placed drones from a Puddle Jumper can cause critical damage. While Railguns are also capable of inflicting damage, their destructive power is severely limited because of the Hive's massive size. The hull of Hive Ships are known to regenerate, being organic in nature. However, the length of time required for this process is unknown. (SGA: "No Man's Land", "The Last Man", "The Queen")
- In both The Defiant One and Reunion Wraith shields were seen which demonstrates that the Wraith do possess some elements of shield technology though do not seem to employ them on a large scale. It’s possible it’s because the nature of drone weapons meant that such shields would have been useless against the Ancients.
Technology
Command and control systems
A Wraith computer display and terminal
Hive Ships' command structure are dominated by the ship's ruling Hive queen, though there were occasions where a male was in command. Control of the starship, however, resided on the ship's bridge where there are numerous consoles as well as view screens present. At such a location, the bridge crew is capable of commanding the ship's powerful weapons, engines and other similar systems. These controls contain a type of neural interface that only responds to the unique telepathic signature granted by Wraith DNA. The ease of control depends on the amount of Wraith DNA present in the individual, typically it was taxing on individuals with minor quantities of Wraith DNA, whereas full Wraith have shown no fatigue. (SGA: "Be All My Sins Remember'd", "Spoils of War", "The Queen")
The second most important position within the command structure was the throne room where the queen resided. From here, important data can be conveyed to the ruler of the Hive and projected onto a mist-like screen. This allows a queen or male commander in charge to observe data that was transmitted from Wraith tracking drone during their hunts for Runners. (SGA: " Sateda")
A map room on a Hive Ship.
Hive Ships also have data storage chambers, which contain the ship's databanks as well as archives that contain all the information that the Hive had received. (SGA: "Underground") There is also a map room, which may be a vital location when the Wraith began their culling and battle operations. (SGA: "The Gift") Along the corridors and hallways are also a number of computer consoles through which the crew are capable of accessing certain systems. From these points, a Wraith is able to patch into the communication system and allow for transmissions to be sent from the ship to a nearby planet. Access to such controls also allowed a user to hack into the main systems and disable important systems such as weapons. (SGA: "Outsiders")
The ship's external sensors allow them to detect other vessels, but not when they were in hyperspace. (SGA: "The Queen") Though typically the Wraith are unaccustomed to intruders invading their ships, an alarm system is present which activates in the form of a constant shrieking noise in the background. This system can be activated by the Hive Queen herself through the use of a special pendant. (SGA: "Rising", "The Lost Boys")
In addition to these, the Wraith possess a communication system which they used to transmit programs to other computers. This allows them to send encrypted computer programs showing videos. (SGA: "Infection") This also allows them to send computer viruses into another races computer systems. (SGA: "Allies")
Hanger and transportation systems
The entrance to a Hive ship's Dart bay.
The massive size of Hive Ships allows them to contain a large number of Wraith darts, allowing it to serve as a type of carrier vessel. Hanger doors on the outside of the ship remain open and allow swarms of darts to be launched at any time. This is typically done during cullings or between fights against enemy ships where the sheer number of darts provide the Hive an advantage in battle.
The hanger itself is quite massive with numerous platforms where the darts are capable of landing. Railings and ladders present allow Wraith warriors or high ranking Wraith males to enter or exit the craft. When a dart returns to its Hive, an automated signal is sent, which takes control of the returning dart and guides its entry back into the vessel's cavernous hold. From there, a doorway mechanism allowed the pilots to go deeper into the Hive. (SGA: "The Lost Boys", "The Hive", "Outsiders") Two of the large structures that stick from either side of the Hive ship serve as control centers for the darts. (SGA: "MGM Tech Journal")
Darts exiting their Hive.
In close quarter engagements, the darts were typically not launched as enemy weapon fire resulted in a high rate of death among the darts. (SGA: "The Queen") In addition to this, an attack on the ship's hanger bays can result in secondary explosions, capable of crippling the Hive. (SGA: "Allies")
- Its unknown if the ships possess a transporter system similar to a Wraith laboratory in order to allow for quick movement throughout the vessel as its not been observed on the show but it is quite possible. (SGA: "Reunion")
Offensive and defensive systems
The Second Siege of Atlantis with numerous Hive's assaulting Atlantis.
Hive ships contain a powerful array of blue energy-based weapons that encompass most of the ship and fire in a bolt-like fassion. The sheer size of Hives simply allows the vessel to fire dozens of such energy blasts at a target at a constant rate, which was even capable of depleting the ZPM powered shields of the Lanteans. (SGA: "The Siege") Certain bolts were somewhat larger than others and during close quarter fighting with another Hive, they were capable of causing a great deal of damage and even destroyed an opposing Hive ship, though the close nature of the engagement can mean mutual destruction, as shock wave from the first ship may destroy the victor as well. (SGA: "The Hive", "The Seer")
Furthermore, a Hive's weapon fire is capable of depleting the Asgard shields of Earth's Daedalus-class ships in several minutes during an engagement, making such vessels potent threats in open engagements. This had made them even more serious threats when in groups because their combined firepower is capable of destroying a target relatively easily. (SGA: "The Hive")
Wraith battle one another.
Unlike a number of species, the ships of the Wraith do not possess shield technology and instead rely on their organic hull armor to protect them from enemy weapon fire. Power was capable of being diverted from other systems and channeled into the organic hull increasing its capacity to regenerate from the damage it had sustained. (SGA: "Be All My Sins Remember'd") This provides a number of advantages for the Wraith, as whatever damage the ship sustains manages to heal given time. The problem with this was that it was difficult to coax the systems into bypassing damaged areas. (SGA: "Allies")
After the reinforcement of the Atlantis Expedition from their home galaxy, the Wraith hive ships developed an effective countermeasure against their transporter devices. This was the creation of a jamming field that surrounded the ship in electromagnetic static which prevented a target lock from being acquired. As long as the system was up, it was impossible to beam an object to or from within the jamming fields radius. (SGA: "Rising", "Search and Rescue")
Detention and cocoon systems
Being vampirous in nature, the Wraith have a desire to capture their enemies alive in order to feed upon them.
The Wraith cocoon their prey for later feeding
The first form of detention facilities are in the form of holding cells, which are large chambers where enemies were placed in after being captured. A skeletal door mechanism prevents their escape and it is only capable of being accessed through a telepathic interface that is on the outside. A careful application of sharp blades that pierced the skin membrane did create damage in the system and was capable of opening the door. However, this was a rare sight to see and prisoners were often trapped in such locations until freed or escorted by the Wraith. (SGA: "Rising", "The Lost Boys")
The second form of detention are cocoons. These are a typical sight among Wraith installations and consists of an alcove in a wall, inside which contains a human. They are encased in a sticky substance that traps them within the alcove. Most subjects are unconscious when inside the cocoon, though some were active enough to plead for help or attempt to escape. Subjects that were suffering from certain physiological conditions that might mean their deaths were often placed in the cocoon which sustained them for some time. (SGA: "Underground", "Allies")
Hyperdrive and propulsion systems
Wraith Hives in hyperspace.
The Hive Ship contains a hyperdrive unit, allowing the vessel to enter and exit hyperspace. However, unlike the Asgard or the Ancients, these hyperdrives were not intergalactic in nature, which restricted the species to their own galaxy. Furthermore, Hive Ships are not able to make long journeys in hyperspace as the radiation from subspace is damaging to the ship's hull. This necessitated making brief hyperspace pauses to regenerate before returning to hyperspace. Because of this, it is possible to calculate where a Hive Ship will have to drop out, presenting an opportunity for ambush or attack. (SGA: " Aurora", "The Siege", "No Man's Land")
As is the case with most races, the hyperspace signature of the Wraith Hive ship is unique. Because of this, only hyperspace-capable Wraith ships are susceptible to the effects of the Attero device. (SGA: "First Contact", "The Lost Tribe")
Hive Ships are quite capable of moving at sub-light speeds, allowing for an effective entry and exit into and out of a planet's atmosphere. (SGA: "The Shrine", "Rising") However, landing a Hive can be a difficult task even in the best of conditions. One of the systems used to accomplish this is a system of at least four forward thrusters, which can be used to slow the ship's descent into the atmosphere of a planet. (SGA: "Infection")
Locations
Holding Area
A holding area with the web doors closed
Hive ships contain holding cells for prisoners and immediate feedings. The door to the cell is of a webbed pattern that opens upwards. Such a cell was used to hold the Athosians and Atlantis Expedition members, led by Colonel Marshall Sumner, who went to Athos when a culling occurred. The cells appeared to be controlled telepathically by Wraith commanders. (SGA: "Rising")
Sheppard, his team along with Aiden Ford's strike team were captured and placed in a holding area on another Hive ship. They were given open view to the telepathic mechanism that the Wraith guards used to open the doors. Ronan used several knives to pierce the mechanism which opened the door. (SGA: "The Hive")
Data Core
The Data Core
The data core was a location deep inside the Hive ship which served as a central computer for the vessel. It contained a great deal of information which included the deployment of other Hives.
The Genii along with the Atlantis Expedition's flagship team embarked on an infiltration mission of a sleeping Hive ship where they uncovered details on Hive ship deployments in a region of the galaxy. The chamber was secured by a door mechanism which was breached by Rodney McKay allowing Cowen to use an interface device to get the necessary data. (SGA: "Underground")
Laboratory
Within the massive ship resided a special chamber that served as a laboratory for the Wraith species. These rooms contained numerous data consoles and equipment allowing them to conduct experiments on various subjects which included genetics. The computers were not hooked directly into the ship systems which prevented unwilling subjects from damaging the vessel. The chamber had consoles that ringed around its circular form with a central structure that was fused from the ground to the ceiling. The door mechanism to the room was capable of being sealed to prevent prisoners from escaping.
The scientist of a Wraith commander made use of his Hive ships lab in order to study the Hoffan plague so that it would be possible to determine if a Human had the immunity or not. He became convinced at one point that he found a full proof method which resulted in his excruciating death when he attempted to feed on one of his test subjects. Rodney McKay and Doctor Carson Beckett were brought to this lab to help the Wraith find the unique genetic condition for the Hive. (SGA: "Outsiders")
Control room
Control room with a hologram of the Hive Ships route.
Deep inside the Hive ship resides a chamber which contains a central platform on which a holographic image of the galaxy is maintained and is used by the Wraith to determine their positions. Typically, three consoles are present at which three higher male ranking lieutenants are stationed.
In this control room Teyla witnessed the holographic map on a Hive ship heading towards Atlantis through her Wraith telepathy. She was able to determine aspects of their plan and the route they were taking before the Wraith used the connection to temporarily take control of her. (SGA: "The Gift")
Hibernation chambers
Todd in a Wraith hibernation pod
The hibernation chambers are areas within a Hive ship where the Wraith enter into their hibernative states that can last centuries. They are located in the ceiling of the vessel and tended to by a number of caretakers that watch over the sleepers. A female Hive Keeper remains in charge and her death can unleash an activation mechanism that awakens the Wraith. Major John Sheppard killed the Hive Keeper of a sleeping Hive which resulted in all the Wraith around the Pegasus galaxy awakening. (SGA: "Rising")
When all the Wraith of a Hive entered hibernation, a safety protocol was activated which awakened a sleeping Wraith should there be power fluctuations that jeopardized the hibernation pod. It was possible to override them but this meant that when power ran out, the Wraith would die of suffocation. These were located in the aft of the vessel with a number of auxiliary chambers which contained a couple of dozen Wraith at most.
During the hibernation process, there was a continuous exchange of fluid between the sleeping Wraith and the Hive ship potentially meaning that any disease could be transmitted to the vessel itself. (SGA: "Infection")
- It's unknown how the Wraith exit the chambers but considering their ability to stick to walls easily, they presumably exit it as normal and climb down the walls till they reach the ground.
Meeting chamber
This was a large open chamber where two Wraith warriors typically guarded the entrance and a Wraith high ranking commander was present. It appeared to have been used as an interrogation room by the Hive's ruling Queen where she brought prisoners before her and interrogated them.
Colonel John Sheppard was brought to this room when he was captured on a Hive ship as part of a mission to infiltrate and destroy it. He was saved from being fed upon by a Queen by Aiden Ford who had freed himself in order to save his former friend. (SGA: "The Lost Boys", "The Hive")
Hive Commander's Chambers
The high ranking male commanders possess a considerable amount of power within the Hive. They possessed their own chambers which contained a door mechanism and at times had Wraith warriors present to guard the entrance. Inside the room there was a small enclosure which had a single large organic screen dominating its surface that streamed with data. It was here that the commander resided when he was not needed.
Carson Beckett was escorted into the commander's quarters when he demanded to see him in regards to finding a means to detecting the Hoffan plague among Humans. Once there, he refused to continue his research and goaded the Wraith into feeding on him. However, Carson had been infected with the plague (most likely this immunity was installed in him when Michael created him) which poisoned the commander and killed him. With his death, Doctor Beckett managed to procure a weapon and attempted to escape from the ship. (SGA: "Outsiders")
Bridge
Todd and his Wraith at the bridge controls
One important location within a Hive ship is the bridge where the high ranking Wraith commander resides along with the crew at various stations. There are no seats and the Wraith must stand at their stations with their hands placed on the machines. These bridge controls make use of Wraith telepathy allowing them to command the vessel through their thoughts. Those individuals that possess Wraith DNA within their blood were capable of accessing these controls though it placed a strain on them. (SGA: "Misbegotten", "Spoils of War")
From the bridge, a commander was capable of rerouting ship controls to systems like hull regeneration. (SGA: "Be All My Sins Remember'd")
Throne Room
Hive Queen in her throne room
The throne room is where the Hive Queen (or any other such ruler) resides. The room is deep within the hive ship, where the Queen sits upon a large throne (that has the appearance of stone or bone). A large open area allows for people to meet with the queen, and an adjacent dining room can serve food, although those who eat there are usually fed upon soon after. There are normally Warriors guarding the main entrance to the throne room. (SGA: "No Man's Land")
In front of the throne resides a projector which beams imagery for the ruler to see. These images can be projected from probes and take the form of a two-dimensional image that has mist-like qualities. (SGA: " Sateda")
Dart bays
The interior of a hive ship
There are dart bays on the port and starboard sides of the hive ships. The vessels carry many darts, which erupt from the hive and swarm the intended targets. The bays have no doors to keep opposing ships in or out, allowing an intruding vessel to enter the hive ship with relative ease. The dart bays are usually a high priority target, as the resulting secondary explosions are quite large causing extensive damage to the hive ship.
When a dart approaches the Hive ship, it enters an automated docking program. (SGA: "Underground", "The Lost Boys", "The Hive", "No Man's Land")
Known hive-ships
- Atlantis' Hive-ship
- Primary's Hive Ship
- ZPM powered Hive Ship
Known destroyed Hive ships since the Lantean-Wraith war
When the Atlantis Expedition arrived in the Pegasus Galaxy, the estimated number of hive ships in the Galaxy was around 60[2]. Since that time, however, that number has begun to rapidly diminish, and now at least 29 are known to have been destroyed, eliminating nearly half of the known hive ships (although more may have been built.) More ships were likely destroyed while the Attero Device was active and by other Wraith during the Wraith civil war, but this has yet to be confirmed. Here is a list of known ships that were destroyed:
- One destroyed by the Ancient satellite. (SGA: "The Siege, Part 1")
- One destroyed by nuclear weapons activation from a puddle jumper. (SGA: "The Siege, Part 3")
- Three destroyed by the Daedalus beaming nuclear weapons on board. (SGA: "The Siege, Part 3")
- Two destroyed by attacking each other. (SGA: "The Hive")
- One destroyed by the Orion. (SGA: "No Man's Land")
- Atlantis' Hive-ship destroyed by another hive-ship. (SGA: "Misbegotten")
- One destroyed by the Odyssey beaming a nuclear weapon on board. (SG1: "The Pegasus Project")
- Two destroyed by attacking each other. (SGA: "The Seer")
- At least one destroyed during the Battle of Asuras. (SGA: "Be All My Sins Remember'd")
- One destroyed by ramming into the Wraith cloning facility. (SGA: "Spoils of War")
- One destroyed by Teyla's Hive ship during the Battle of the Wraith Alliance. (SGA: "The Queen")
- At least twelve were destroyed during the war with the Asurans. (SGA: "Inquisition")
- One destroyed after being infected with a virus caused by Dr. Keller's gene therapy drug, split in half, with the front half sinking in the oceans of M35-117. (SGA: "Infection")
- One ZPM-powered hive ship was constructed by Kenny. He attempted to attack Earth with it, but the ship was destroyed before it could do any real harm. (SGA: "Enemy at the Gate")
- In an alternate reality, at least four ships were destroyed by the Phoenix, and at least two more were destroyed by Michael. (SGA: "The Last Man")
- In another alternate reality, a hive ship was destroyed over Earth by drone weapons. (SGA: "Vegas")
Warning: The following section is ambiguously canon.
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The schematics of a Wraith Hive Ship.
References and notes
External links
- GateWorld's article on Wraith hive ship in The Stargate Omnipedia
- Wraith Hive-Ship on Wikipedia
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