Challenge Two: Scientists!

Major Evan Lorne crossed his arms over his chest, restraining himself from pacing as he waited for Rodney to finish haggling for the item. Once again he cursed the fact that Woolsey had been called back to Earth leaving Colonel Sheppard in charge of the city ... and Lorne in charge of Rodney for their mission to Kroya.

Evan had less than fond memories of the place ... he'd been fooled by one of Michael's minions there, leading to Teyla being taken on his watch. That fact still grated. Lorne almost welcomed the bad mood - it was so cold that he could see McKay's breath wafting as he argued with the vendor, gesturing wildly and talking a mile a minute - the heat of Evan's annoyed thoughts enough to keep his blood pumping nicely.

As he watched, McKay and the vendor seemed to come to some arrangement, Rodney gesturing for Lorne to make his way over. With a sigh, Evan complied, frowning as he got his first good look at what had brought them to the planet. McKay had described it as an impressive piece of Ancient technology ... Lorne thought it looked more like the orifice of a particularly nasty space bug but who was he to comment?

"We're done here," Rodney announced. "Pay the man Major."

"Please," Lorne stated firmly. When Rodney did the classic McKay 'huh?', Evan rolled his eyes and repeated. "Pay the man Major - please."

"Fine," Rodney dutifully repeated the words, his expression irritable and impatient.

Lorne handed over the case of basic medicines Jennifer had prepared - kind of like a Pegasus galaxy version first aid kit designed for the natives to use easily.

"Thank you Major Lorne," the vendor replied. "May our trade pave the way to greater friendship and may the Ancestors grant you a safe journey home." His words had an almost singsong quality, a well travelled feeling like the lyrics to a song. Evan was sure the man had said them hundreds of times in the past.

"Ah ... likewise," he said simply. Nodding his head towards the exit he looked at Rodney. "Come on McKay. Time to go home."

Rodney nodded, clutching his new acquisition like a prized possession, which to him it probably was.

"So, is that thing gonna change the world?" Lorne asked as they walked, his expression bland.

Rodney knew him better after three years and didn't take him as seriously as he had at the start. "Doubt all you like Major," he replied smugly. "Just wait until Sheppard sees this."

"Unless you're planning on building a shit load of really big guns with that thing I don't think the Colonel's gonna share your enthusiasm," Lorne returned, a smile curving his lips slightly.

"Big honking space guns," Rodney muttered it like a curse. "You people just never give up do you?!"

"That's why you're still here McKay," Evan pointed out the obvious. "I wouldn't complain too loudly if I were you - never know when you might need one of those guys with guns to bail you out."

"Right, right," Rodney backpedalled, nodding even as he clutched his new device a little closer.

"Scientists," Lorne thought to himself. "Can't shoot them ... well, not unless you could make it look like an accident." Chuckling to himself he led the way back to the gate

The End!

The word challenge, from our Ronon player at my RPG site, was to use the following words in a story: Ancestors; Orifice; McKay's Breath; Lyrics; Big Guns