Shades of Command by Karen (Kent), PG-13
Jul. 17th, 2010 05:31 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
da-angel729.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
stargateficrecShow: Stargate SG-1
Rec Category: Jack O'Neill
Characters: George Hammond, Jack O'Neill, Sam Carter, Daniel Jackson, Teal'c, Janet Fraiser
Het/Slash/Gen: Gen
Warning: None
Author on LJ: N/A
Author's Website: Author at Jackfic.net
Link: Shades of Command
Why this must be read: My second rec by Karen this month is a novel-length General Hammond first person POV of the events of "Shades of Gray". And though General Hammond is the narrator, this story really is all about Jack. What he's willing to do, and how, for his country and the planet is just amazing and really adds a depth to Jack, and, because it's his POV, General Hammond, that I feel is missing from the episode. The relationship between Jack and General Hammond is my second favorite on the show (behind Jack and Teal'c) and it's explored beautifully here.
The opening scene takes place on an Asgard ship above Earth, and General Hammond's reflections (excerpted below) are so spot-on and perfect about what men whose entire life is duty and honor must do when it's necessary. Though neither of them wants to have Jack do this, they're both career Air Force and know that sometimes you just have to, regardless of the consequences. The respect between Jack and General Hammond is also evident throughout, as is the almost fatherly concern that Hammond has for Jack. Janet and the rest of the team are also wonderfully in character, especially Daniel and Teal'c.
He came over to join me, and silently we looked down at our little tennis ball of a planet. I got the fanciful feeling I could hold it in the palm of my hand and just squeeze it into oblivion. It looked that small, and defenceless. Easy to obliterate completely. And, from here, I realised how fragile it was. That tiny world that was home to six billion people; 99.99999999 per cent of whom did not even suspect that something like the Stargate existed, except in the realms of television fantasy shows. Which meant that same vast majority had no idea their existence could be threatened by alien races who would like nothing better than to expand their own backyards a little.
Which made the responsibility on those of us who did know even greater. Even heavier. We made decisions for the welfare, and continued well-being, of six billion people. None of who suspected a thing. From the leaders of some of the most important countries worldwide, down to the most poverty stricken homeless beggars in the shanty towns of so many nations.
From where I stood I could see other planets beyond the Earth. The scope of vision from this ship was breathtakingly vast, as if someone had forgotten to invent an horizon. Edges were blurred into darkness and I was lost in the contemplation of trying to tell where space and sky merged. And failing. Somehow, it all seemed to go on infinitely.
And merely added to the impression of Earth’s vulnerability, and insignificance, in the overall scheme of things.
We stood for a while, contemplating. Because, on occasion, when he wanted to, Jack O’Neill could be silent. And could think deeply. And was capable of powers of reflection that were usually hidden behind an asinine front that camouflaged a whole lot more than most people ever realised. Looking for the real Jack O’Neill was as tricky as trying to spot a chameleon on a tree trunk.
Quietly, ‘It’s beautiful, isn’t it, sir?’
‘Yes, Jack. Yes, it is.’
We didn’t need to say any more. Everything accepted about duty, honour, and responsibility had been acknowledged between us. Looking back, it was as if we both knew instinctively what was going to happen. Knew the demands that would be made. Knew who was going to tread the hard road, and take the risks, the knocks, and the bitter consequences.
Rec Category: Jack O'Neill
Characters: George Hammond, Jack O'Neill, Sam Carter, Daniel Jackson, Teal'c, Janet Fraiser
Het/Slash/Gen: Gen
Warning: None
Author on LJ: N/A
Author's Website: Author at Jackfic.net
Link: Shades of Command
Why this must be read: My second rec by Karen this month is a novel-length General Hammond first person POV of the events of "Shades of Gray". And though General Hammond is the narrator, this story really is all about Jack. What he's willing to do, and how, for his country and the planet is just amazing and really adds a depth to Jack, and, because it's his POV, General Hammond, that I feel is missing from the episode. The relationship between Jack and General Hammond is my second favorite on the show (behind Jack and Teal'c) and it's explored beautifully here.
The opening scene takes place on an Asgard ship above Earth, and General Hammond's reflections (excerpted below) are so spot-on and perfect about what men whose entire life is duty and honor must do when it's necessary. Though neither of them wants to have Jack do this, they're both career Air Force and know that sometimes you just have to, regardless of the consequences. The respect between Jack and General Hammond is also evident throughout, as is the almost fatherly concern that Hammond has for Jack. Janet and the rest of the team are also wonderfully in character, especially Daniel and Teal'c.
He came over to join me, and silently we looked down at our little tennis ball of a planet. I got the fanciful feeling I could hold it in the palm of my hand and just squeeze it into oblivion. It looked that small, and defenceless. Easy to obliterate completely. And, from here, I realised how fragile it was. That tiny world that was home to six billion people; 99.99999999 per cent of whom did not even suspect that something like the Stargate existed, except in the realms of television fantasy shows. Which meant that same vast majority had no idea their existence could be threatened by alien races who would like nothing better than to expand their own backyards a little.
Which made the responsibility on those of us who did know even greater. Even heavier. We made decisions for the welfare, and continued well-being, of six billion people. None of who suspected a thing. From the leaders of some of the most important countries worldwide, down to the most poverty stricken homeless beggars in the shanty towns of so many nations.
From where I stood I could see other planets beyond the Earth. The scope of vision from this ship was breathtakingly vast, as if someone had forgotten to invent an horizon. Edges were blurred into darkness and I was lost in the contemplation of trying to tell where space and sky merged. And failing. Somehow, it all seemed to go on infinitely.
And merely added to the impression of Earth’s vulnerability, and insignificance, in the overall scheme of things.
We stood for a while, contemplating. Because, on occasion, when he wanted to, Jack O’Neill could be silent. And could think deeply. And was capable of powers of reflection that were usually hidden behind an asinine front that camouflaged a whole lot more than most people ever realised. Looking for the real Jack O’Neill was as tricky as trying to spot a chameleon on a tree trunk.
Quietly, ‘It’s beautiful, isn’t it, sir?’
‘Yes, Jack. Yes, it is.’
We didn’t need to say any more. Everything accepted about duty, honour, and responsibility had been acknowledged between us. Looking back, it was as if we both knew instinctively what was going to happen. Knew the demands that would be made. Knew who was going to tread the hard road, and take the risks, the knocks, and the bitter consequences.
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