After Atlantis left to defend Earth from the super-hive, Queen Death rose to power amongst the Wraith and began uniting the Wraith under her control and decimating worlds after feeding on them. Upon their return to the Pegasus Galaxy, the Atlantis expedition learned of Queen Death's rise to power and began opposing her. At the suggestion of her chief scientist Dust, Queen Death captured Doctor Rodney McKay and transformed him into a Wraith named Quicksilver. As Quicksilver, McKay led a raid that stole Atlantis' ZPM, leaving the city defenseless. While believing he is a Wraith, Quicksilver also gives the Wraith energy shields that they incorporated into their ships. Wishing to launch an attack on Atlantis, Queen Death is convinced send a bomb through the Stargate and a small force by ship t