Work Experience, by Nicola Mody. (Gen, rated R)

[alinewrites.livejournal.com]

FANDOM: BLAKES 7
PAIRING: Avon/Vila
AUTHOR ON LJ vilakins
AUTHOR'S WEBSITE</ b> Breaking Orbit

Why this must read: Because it's very good!!! Very very good. I'm not a great fan of the "what happened before" (Pre Way Back) stories but this one is splendid. All along the show I had this feeling that Avon and Vila might have met before... And here it is.

First of all the characters are perfectly true to themselves. A smart, cunning, funny, warm Vila, with yet no trace of the further bitterness (I'm a firm believer that Vila is much smarter than he lets us know) confronts a wounded, shielded, wary and finally fragile Avon. The voices are perfect, nothing wrong or awkward about them.

Second point; there's a very clever plot. At last we know why Avon decided to take up a criminal career; and we know why Vila was arrested, and how they all were manipulated, Vila being the most manipulated of all -but then Avon is being manipulated too and they both fail in the end. The story fits perfectly into canon.

Third point; the story shows the birth of a very fragile and constantly threatened friendship between two people who have nothing in common but still appreciate each other a lot (at least until Orbit. I hate this ep.).

And fourth... Do you really need a fourth reason?

Kerr Avon sat in his glass office, seething. This was just the latest insult in a career full of them.

With his brilliant post-graduate degree from Cambrij, he had assumed that he would reach the heights of fame and fortune with his work on the Matter Transmission Project, or, as he had liked to think of it in private moments, the Avon Teleport. And indeed he was the best and brightest of the computer technicians there, a grade two genius no less, with a glittering future seemingly assured. It took a few years to realise that somehow the work assigned to him had gradually changed from the ground-breaking cutting-edge applications of latest theory to the somewhat more mundane.

"You're too outspoken, Avon," Supervisor Kappel had informed him. "We've had our eye on you for some time. Upper management does not consider you entirely reliable."

Avon had stared at her round, plain face with what he thought was an expression of lofty intellectual detachment, but was in fact utter contempt. "Reliable? Well, now, if you prefer mindless obedience to intelligence, I can tell you now that this project is doomed to failure."

"There you are." Kappel shook her head. "That's just what I mean. You're negative and defeatist, not the sort of person we feel can be trusted. Your attitude—"

Avon did not let her finish. He turned and stalked out of her office, resigned, and got a transfer to Civil Administration.

...
 
In the cubicle right outside Avon's door was the latest insult to his dignity—an idiot Delta specifically assigned to him for training. Some sort of petty thief they thought worth rehabilitating. Avon glared at the back of the fool's round head, motionless in front of the training manual on his screen. Avon had met him that morning. The fellow had wide brown eyes and a friendly smile, and had been so inoffensive and eager to please, that Avon had taken considerable pleasure in being extremely rude to him.



Isn't it perfect? Yes it is!!

So go, read Work experience

Comments

[lizamanynames.livejournal.com]

SQUEE! Oh, this is one of my fave NicoFics! Definately in the top five, anyway.

Though I'd argue with this being Avon/Vila. It's really more ampersand than slash.

[hafren.livejournal.com]

So go, read Work experience

And everything else on the site!