The Magnificent Seven/The Sentinel (PG)

[the-hobbet.livejournal.com]

Title: The Compassion Trap, by Gil Hale
Pairing: none
Author on LJ: N/A
Author Website: Gil Hale's Literary Leaflets
Why this must be read:

I love cross-overs. While the Old West Magnificent Seven has limited cross-over opportunities, I'm surprised there aren't more using the ATF AU, which has great potential to connect with other crime-solving fandoms, or another of the many Magnificent Seven open AU's. But there are a few excellent ones out there, and Gil Hale writes some of the best.

Thirteen year old Blair Sandburg, temporarily misplaced on the streets of Denver by his mother, was taken under the wing of Vin Tanner, another homeless boy. Together they brought the authorities down on a psychotic psychologist who carried out his mind control experiments on helpless children.

Fifteen years later a disturbing chance encounter causes Blair to search out Vin again and reveals the doctor they thought died in a fire was instead recruited by the CIA for his manipulative skills. When Vin and Blair fall into the doctor's hands, Chris Larabee and Jim Ellison, with help from Ezra, join forces to track them down. It proves to be even harder than they imagined.

Gil Hale excels at twisty, action-packed stories. Enjoy!

The sequel, Demolition Men, accomplishes the remarkable feat of being edge-of-your-seat exciting on first read, and hilarious in retrospect.

Test drive 'The Compassion Trap'

He had to struggle again to quell the persistent risings of panic. The meditation place had been one of Naomi's more sudden decisions, inspired by the enthusiasm of a couple they'd met on the road. They'd given her rough directions, but warned her it wouldn't accept Blair. These friends in Denver had been the only ones who could have Blair at short notice; she'd made hasty arrangements and bought the bus tickets. He realised miserably he didn't even know the name of the meditation place. In spite of his best efforts, his breathing kept coming faster and faster, and his heart was pounding uncomfortably.

"What's y' name?" his companion asked quietly, something more supportive than mere sympathy in the blue eyes.

"Blair," he managed. "Blair Sandburg."

"I'm Vin Tanner. Reckon y'd better come with me. We c'n sort this out."

~~~

Fifteen years later, Blair could still remember the relief he'd felt at this quietly confident reassurance. He'd picked up his small backpack and gone with him without any hesitation; even now he'd met only a few people in life who'd inspired him with as much trust as Vin had done that night.

Vin Tanner. They'd been closer than brothers for a month; had kept up a sort of correspondence for a surprising number of years against the odds of ever changing addresses and Vin's difficulties with writing . Then he'd got into Rainier and Vin into the army, and they'd both had so many new challenges they'd almost lost touch. He'd had a card maybe three years ago, telling him Vin was out of the Rangers and, of all things, bounty hunting. It hadn't had an address, presumably nor had Vin, and the bounty hunting on top of the Rangers had discouraged Blair from even trying to reply. If he ever thought of Vin, it was to wonder how the quiet, compassionate boy he remembered could have become a part of something so violent. How did someone change so much?

Now, somehow, his own perspective had changed as well. Working with Jim had done that. Sitting, still shivering slightly, at his desk, he thought again of the Vin he'd known: quiet, but immensely streetwise, tough and competent; gentle, but passionate in his protection of those who needed it. Blair's idea of the Rangers was no longer the one that he'd learned from a hundred communes, and if he still had reservations, they were muted by his (off the record) admiration of Jim.

The Compassion Trap or The Compassion Trap (all in one)
Demolition Men or Demolition Men (all in one)

Comments

[gardendoor.livejournal.com]

Oh yay! I've loved this for ages, I'm so happy to see it getting recced!

[julchen56.livejournal.com]

I just read those recently and absolutely loved them. Gil Hale is such a fine author.

Can you tell me where I would find more Mag7 fics of the ATF-variety, please? :-)

[the-hobbet.livejournal.com]

I have some more ATF recs coming this month and I'm sure there are quite a few in Crack Van's memories (click on memories on the left side of the main page, and then scroll down to The Magnificent Seven). There are quite a few at Black Raptor too, http://www.blackraptor.net/m7fic/index.htm.

mag 7 crossover

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

The links to these stories are no longer working. They sound really interesting! Any idea of a current listing for them?

Re: mag 7 crossover

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

Nevermind ... I went to the website. There must be just an error in the link coding. The stories are there.

Re: mag 7 crossover

[the-hobbet.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you found the stories and let other people know how to find them. The story links must have changed. I always check to be sure they work when I post a rec. It's surprising how often links change. I check my previous recs periodically and try to post updated links if needed.

Enjoy the story.

Re: mag 7 crossover

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

Story links change so frequently sometimes. It's hard to keep up. This seems to have been a really minor change, but at least the website is easily accessible and navigable. And the stories were fabulous. Great rec. Ezra tips his hat to you.