lost_spook

On one show, there was a team of misfit freedom fighters (who didn’t think of themselves as terrorists) with massive personal issues, running from the secret police and roaming the universe in a sarcastic space ship which occasionally wobbled.

On the other show, there was a team of a misfit spies (who didn’t think of themselves as the secret police) with massive personal issues, chasing after terrorists and defending Britain from a home base with lampshades made from upside-down Ikea wastepaper baskets.

Put the two together: hilarity ensues. Ros interrogates Avon? Comedy gold! Vila and Ruth go out for ice cream? Comedy gold! Malcolm wonders whether the Liberator’s teleport bracelets were built on children’s television? Comedy … sticky backed plastic?

As good as both shows may have been, they also tended to take themselves way too seriously. This crossover crackfic neatly skewers that self-importance, but all in good fun and with plenty of witty banter.

Given the angst quotient in both fandoms, there aren’t too many stories which are simply fun, in character, and enjoyable. It’s worth savoring this one.

Excerpt:

"I transported directly from my spaceship, the Liberator," explained Avon airily. "I'm sorry, is something wrong, Miss Myers? You did say you wanted the truth."

Ros met his gaze. "I'm too old for fairy tales."

"I sympathise."

"I want answers, not sympathy. What was your target? How many of you are there in your group, and what were you doing trying to get into the Commons?"

He sighed. "You seem to have a dull, one-track mind."

"If you won't co-operate," she said, "we'll have to try more painful methods. This isn't the middle ages, but you'd be amazed what we can get away with doing to you without even breaking the law. Want to find out, or are you going to talk?"

Avon's expression hardened. "Do your worst. You'll find, as others have done, that I don't break easily under torture."

"Shame," she said. "I was looking forward to seeing you scream and beg for mercy."

He smiled. "I could manage a whimper if it would make you happier."

"Sorry," said Ros. "Nothing less than genuine, bleeding agony cuts any ice with me."

A Comedy of Errors

Buckle up tighter, ‘cos we’re heading for a Crack Van Collision! I think we’re somewhere in the suburbs, in a bar, with a fight in the offing…

Fandoms: THE PROFESSIONALS / GOOD OMENS
Pairing: Bodie/Doyle and Crowley/Aziraphale
Length: 20k
Author Website: http://www.chezshay.net/
Why this must be read: because Good Omens is one of my favourite, feel-good rereads and Terry Pratchett is very, very funny. Shay Sheridan reproduces the style of the angel/devil conversations very faithfully, and although our lads are only seen through the eyes of Crowley and Aziraphale, they are spot-on in their characterisations and their banter. This is great – if you don’t know it, give it a try!

Discovered in a Bar Fight

Title: Transformations and Machinations by Kirsteena

Pairing: none

Length: 19,226 words

Author on LJ: kirsteena

Author Website: Ancient of Days

Why this must be read:

What if the suitcase nuclear bomb really had gone off in the Spooks series 7 finale? This story starts with the premise that Ros, Lucas, and Connie didn’t stop the bomb in time, then follows the Section D survivors through underground cat and mouse games with the Russians, their journey through a devastated Britain, and spy games as the nation rebuilds. Along the way, Ros, Lucas, and Connie meet Martha Jones, after she’s returned from her travels with the Doctor, Tom Quinn, now retired from MI-5, and a few other faces from the past.

It’s not easy to cross two shows of very different genres, but Kirsteena does that here, building a plotty, suspenseful story which does justice to both universes. The characters are all fleshed out well enough to be dimensional even without prior knowledge of either show, but fans of both shows will appreciate the character building even more. The story is full of great character interactions (Ros-Lucas, Martha-Lucas, Tom-Lucas, Ros-Connie, and a few surprises) and maintains a wonderfully ominous mood entirely in keeping with the apocalyptic nature of the AU.

Excerpt:

Getting one Russian, with a gun pointing at his head to agree that there might be the tiniest possibility that a nuclear bomb had gone off in London was one thing. Getting six Russians, heavily armed and following their own specific orders, on their own with no back up to call on, to listen to what could sound like an insane story was a much harder proposition. If they pulled it off, for his next trick, Lucas would walk on water.

They both had about an equal chance of success.

Transformations and Machinations
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4