Irreplaceable by kashkow (PG-13)

[asugar.livejournal.com]

Rec Category: John Sheppard
Pairing: None
Category: John Sheppard, Gen, Episode-related, Angst, Drama, Character study
Warning: Mild language, emotional concepts that might be upsetting to younger or more sensitive readers
Author on LJ: none known
Author's Website: http://www.fanfiction.net/u/810498/kashkow
Link: http://stargate-atlantis.org/fanfics/viewuser.php?uid=1140 or Part I: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4415826/1/Irreplacable and Part II: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4415833/1/IrreplacableThe_second_part

Why This Must Be Read: In this story, kashkow explores the intriguing premise of just what would have happened if Lucius had been more malevolent in Irresistable. Instead of putting Sheppard in the brig as in canon, he exiles him to a planet with no DHD, the address of which has been removed from the Atlantis dialing system and forgotten at his instruction, with the eager help of John's team, friends and Marines.

I love this haunting execution of a brilliant but sad concept. John lives out his worst nightmare as he finds himself betrayed by those he trusts most and the most alone he has ever been in his life. At least in Antartica, he could still fly and there were other people. His team has discarded him. He is in a deserted alien environment with minimal supplies to survive with and no hope of rescue or escape. John has always been secretive, distrustful and isolated. In this intense character study, he is forced into self-examination of why. Stripped to his rawest state, John, and the reader, learn who he is at his most base level. Who is John Sheppard with no one and nothing to live for, fight for, die for?

I always recommend Irreplaceable when asked for stories in which John shows his actual intellect because, without anyone around to hide his intelligence from, he allows himself to find comfort in math and his mind. Eventually though he must focus on more than equations and survival when he discovers he is not the only one living on this planet and the neighbors might not be friendly or human. Can John move beyond recent betrayals and use the famous Sheppard charm and honor to win over the other inhabitants?

This is an intensely heartwrenching, dark and moving story. I find it incredibly cathartic and emotionally satisfying, especially after a certain kind of bad day. The author breaks John in a brutally hard and painful way. Sheppard must then get back up and slowly rebuild himself. He emerges from his ordeal more at peace, stronger and perhaps more trusting despite the recent betrayal. I adore the quite memorable original characters and was moved to tears when he is reunited with the denizens of Atlantis, who have been frantically trying to find him since their recovery and ousting of Lucius. I can't urge you enough to read Irreplaceable.

Comments

Greate rec

[missmaximus.livejournal.com]

I like the intimacy that comes from stories with a pairing. I rarely read gen or character studies (this story is both) but I was sucked in. The emotional intensity that I enjoy was definitely there. As was the sense of character revelation. We get to know John in a different way. I'd rec this to anyone regardless of their category preferences.

And I found Atlantica, a fiction archive.

Re: Greate rec

[asugar.livejournal.com]

Ooh, I so pleased to hear that and I hope you let the author know.