TITLE: Genius
E-MAIL: eli @ popullus.net
ARCHIVE: Ask, please.
SUMMARY: It wasn't -- entirely -- Chiana's fault.
RATING: PG
POSTED: July 30, 2002
AUTHOR NOTES: I was encouraged to try something more with Chiana, and just loved the interaction between Chi and Sik in Lava. So this is what happened.
STORY NOTES: This takes place between What Was Lost Part 2: Resurrection and Lava is a Many Splendored Thing.
DISCLAIMER: Read
Thunk.
"What…was that?"
"I…do not know."
"I thought you knew everything."
"About certain matters, yes."
"Well then, genius, what the frell was that?"
Sikozu's annoyed glare had little effect on Chiana. But when she reached out to touch the door controls, Sikozu batted her hand aside.
"Telling you once more that I do not know will not help find the answer any sooner, Chiana. If you cannot find a way to make yourself useful, leave me be."
"Huh. You get uppity when you're mad, don't ya."
"I simply do not want to waste time arguing. I must concentrate."
"Well, concentrate faster. Those traders could find this place any moment."
As Sikozu pressed another button, the door made a rude buzzing noise. Both women jumped back.
"Oh dear."
"Now what'd you do?"
"Apparently that is not the correct button."
"You think?"
"We would not have this problem if you had not panicked. So, do not get 'uppity' with me."
"I didn't panic…exactly. But if you'd told me why you were having such a cozy conversation with that trader, I wouldn't have barged in."
"I do not need to explain my actions to you."
"Uh huh. Then you threw off my aim and they all started after us. So I figured we'd be better off in here."
"We were. But now we cannot get out."
"I know that. I'm the one that's stuck in here with you, aren't I?"
Sikozu spun from her close perusal of the door and stabbed her finger into Chiana's shoulder.
"Since the only thing you have had to offer to this effort so far is finding a rock to throw at the door, I suggest you sit down and let me think."
"OK." Chiana backed up and propped herself in the corner. "You think. And while you're thinking, think up a way to get these comms working."
"The comms are working. I told you not to use yours because we are surrounded by those…people. If you wish to gain their attention once more, wait until I am gone to do so."
"Look - " Chiana growled.
"Psst. Chiana!"
"Crichton?"
His face appeared in the opening at the top of the door. Chiana jumped up and pushed Sikozu out of the way.
"Hey, Pip. How'd you end up in there?"
"Well…"
"That's never a good beginning."
Chiana stumbled as Sikozu pushed back -- harder.
"Crichton, listen to me. You must press the three buttons on the upper left quadrant of the door, in sequence."
Chiana gaped at her.
"That's the release sequence? You knew there was a release and you didn't use it?"
"As I told you, I know many things." Chiana narrowed her eyes at the satisfied look on Sikozu's face as she went on. "Including that the release was on the other side of the door."
"You…you…"
Chiana's hands closed around Sikozu's throat and she backed the other woman up against the door.
"Hey!"
"Have I interrupted something? 'Cuz I can leave you two alone again and…just go on over…there."
"- No!"
"- No!"
Crichton's grin disappeared as he reached up to release the lock.
"OK. But I'd patch things up soon. D'Argo's not in a good mood. You two started the fireworks before we could find the local supermarket."
The door opened with a click. He swung it open all the way, and invited them out with a sweeping gesture and a mock bow.
"After you, ladies. Now, I'd suggest getting out of here lickety-split before the lynch mob shows up."
The two women moved past him and headed quickly down the corridor. As the three ducked around the corner, they could see D'Argo waiting by his ship.
"Let's get a move on. They're going to figure out where our ship is sooner rather than later, with our brand of luck." Crichton's steps quickened as he glanced over his shoulder to check on their getaway.
"It's all her fault," Chiana muttered under her breath, wanting to get in the last word.
She thought she'd said it quietly, but Crichton grabbed them both, spun them around and pushed them up against the wall together.
"Work. It. Out." He glared at them, his patience clearly as thin as D'Argo's. The Luxan loomed in the background, looking far too eager to strike anything that came around the corner with his Qualta blade. "We're tired. We're hungry. Thanks to you two, neither situation's going to improve any time soon. And if you gals keep bitchin' at each other on board the ship, someone's gonna end up walkin' home."
"But you can't walk -" Sikozu broke off as Crichton pushed them both forward with a not-so-gentle hand at their backs.
"Damn, woman! Just move!"
They stumbled up the steps, moving even faster as D'Argo growled. Crichton shoved Chiana down on the right side of the cramped space inside the Luxan fighter, and Sikozu down on the left.
Rygel, hovering at the back with Noranti, floated forward to face both women.
"I told them to leave you behind. Two less people to eat the food we do not have."
"Lay off, Sparky. I already read them the riot act."
"Well, if we're not going to leave without them, we should still get out of here before all hezmana breaks loose," Rygel grumbled as he moved back.
The ship was already running, and at D'Argo's command they moved quickly up and out of the transport bay. No other ships started after them, and everyone started to relax.
Chiana easily ignored Rygel's grumbling and Noranti's tuneless humming. She found Crichton's muttered "…didn't even get to pick up a damn candy bar…" only slightly more distracting. Her scowl was all for Sikozu.
The other woman stayed silent, a puzzled frown on her face as she looked at Crichton. Then she leaned forward and opened her mouth. Before she got the chance to say anything, Chiana bumped her arm and Sikozu's head whipped around.
"What?"
"Don't," Chiana hissed.
"I was not going to say anything," Sikozu hissed right back. "I was simply curious as to how he thinks we can walk anywhere."
"Don't encourage him. You've already caused enough trouble."
"I caused? You were the one -" Sikozu's voice rose.
"Zip it!" Crichton's voice rang out sharply.
"But she -"
"Don't make me come back there!"
At Chiana's muffled laugh, Sikozu glared at her again. Chiana smirked and settled back in her seat.
"Better get comfortable. This could be a long ride."
##
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