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crack_van2004-03-28 02:03 pm
destina.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2004-03-28 02:03 pm
Entry tags:
The Cost of a Used Spaceship by Marie Blackpool (PG)
Fandom: STARGATE SG-1
Pairing: Jack/Daniel (sort of, barely)
Author on LJ: N/A
Author Website: unknown
Why this must be read: To really appreciate this story, you will need to see the episodes Tin Man and Double Jeopardy before reading it. This is some subtle, beautiful writing, and it has long been one of my favorite stories in this or any fandom. Really, nothing is out in the open here; all the important stuff is swimming under the surface, undercurrents of love and regret and desire, and things not said, and not understood. This scenario is something that *could* have been, in canon. Lovely tale of loss and realization, and a hopeful, bittersweet ending.
"With Dr. Fraiser's help, I've examined the replica of me, sir," Sam said. Jack grimaced. "I concentrated on the power supply unit, and I think I've figured out how it works. It's like a small nuclear reactor, but it uses an element I've never seen before. It's probably native to P3X-989. The reactor may be a replica of the emitter itself. The replicas seem to be powered by radiation from the reactor."
Hammond straightened. "Are we safe, Major?"
"We're fine, sir. The levels are barely above background radiation levels. In fact, I think their Carter may have been overly cautious when she created the reactors: they could have powered them a lot longer without noticeably increasing the radiation emission."
"Can you get one of them working again?"
"I think I can, sir. I think there may be enough residual traces of the element in the remains of the other two replicas. There was a little bit left in the Carter replica, possibly because she stopped functioning from damage sustained in the blast from the Daniel replica and from the force field." Sam made a helpless apologetic gesture across the table at Daniel and Jack. Jack was squirming. "It would be simpler to visit P3X-989 again and try to get Harlan to help, though." She obviously thought it worth a try, despite their earlier conversation.
As predicted, Hammond shook his head. "I'm placing that planet under quarantine. I won't risk a repeat of what happened on your first visit."
"Understood, sir. But this technology could be extremely useful to us — imagine what it could mean for people with terminal illnesses!" Sam had an almost feverish look in her tired eyes. Daniel knew she was imagining alternate solutions for her father's condition that didn't involve sharing a body with a Goa'uld.
"I'm sorry, Major. I might consider it if Harlan weren't such an unpredictable personality. I consider the risks of revisiting P3X-989 to outweigh any possible benefits."
"I think 'flake' is the word you really wanted," Jack muttered quietly.
"We also don't know anything about their quality of life after we left," Daniel pointed out to Sam. "It could be they never adjusted to those bodies."
Jack was nodding. "I think we saw plenty of evidence of maladjustment."
Sam sighed and nodded. "I should have one working by the afternoon. I can't guarantee how long it will work, though. They were running out of energy when we met them on Juna."
The Cost of a Used Spaceship
Pairing: Jack/Daniel (sort of, barely)
Author on LJ: N/A
Author Website: unknown
Why this must be read: To really appreciate this story, you will need to see the episodes Tin Man and Double Jeopardy before reading it. This is some subtle, beautiful writing, and it has long been one of my favorite stories in this or any fandom. Really, nothing is out in the open here; all the important stuff is swimming under the surface, undercurrents of love and regret and desire, and things not said, and not understood. This scenario is something that *could* have been, in canon. Lovely tale of loss and realization, and a hopeful, bittersweet ending.
"With Dr. Fraiser's help, I've examined the replica of me, sir," Sam said. Jack grimaced. "I concentrated on the power supply unit, and I think I've figured out how it works. It's like a small nuclear reactor, but it uses an element I've never seen before. It's probably native to P3X-989. The reactor may be a replica of the emitter itself. The replicas seem to be powered by radiation from the reactor."
Hammond straightened. "Are we safe, Major?"
"We're fine, sir. The levels are barely above background radiation levels. In fact, I think their Carter may have been overly cautious when she created the reactors: they could have powered them a lot longer without noticeably increasing the radiation emission."
"Can you get one of them working again?"
"I think I can, sir. I think there may be enough residual traces of the element in the remains of the other two replicas. There was a little bit left in the Carter replica, possibly because she stopped functioning from damage sustained in the blast from the Daniel replica and from the force field." Sam made a helpless apologetic gesture across the table at Daniel and Jack. Jack was squirming. "It would be simpler to visit P3X-989 again and try to get Harlan to help, though." She obviously thought it worth a try, despite their earlier conversation.
As predicted, Hammond shook his head. "I'm placing that planet under quarantine. I won't risk a repeat of what happened on your first visit."
"Understood, sir. But this technology could be extremely useful to us — imagine what it could mean for people with terminal illnesses!" Sam had an almost feverish look in her tired eyes. Daniel knew she was imagining alternate solutions for her father's condition that didn't involve sharing a body with a Goa'uld.
"I'm sorry, Major. I might consider it if Harlan weren't such an unpredictable personality. I consider the risks of revisiting P3X-989 to outweigh any possible benefits."
"I think 'flake' is the word you really wanted," Jack muttered quietly.
"We also don't know anything about their quality of life after we left," Daniel pointed out to Sam. "It could be they never adjusted to those bodies."
Jack was nodding. "I think we saw plenty of evidence of maladjustment."
Sam sighed and nodded. "I should have one working by the afternoon. I can't guarantee how long it will work, though. They were running out of energy when we met them on Juna."
The Cost of a Used Spaceship
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