"Ripples in the Space Between" by Miriel (aka Mardahin) - not rated by the author

[patk.livejournal.com]

Show: SGA
Rec Category: AU
Characters: John Sheppard, Rodney McKay, Lorne, Carson Beckett, Laura Cadman, David Parrish, Elizabeth Weir, Radek Zelenka, OCs - a lot of them are the kids of the main characters
Pairings: McKay/Sheppard, Beckett/Cadman, Lorne/Parrish, Weir/Zelenka
Categories: slash, het
Warnings: none
Author on LJ: mardahin
Author's Website: none
Link: "Ripples in the Space Between" by Miriel

Summary by the author:
An exercise in world-building, beginning with a lower-decks view of Atlantis and spinning off into an independent city-state after Earth pulls the plug.
Includes MPreg, FemPreg, rambunctious (and remarkable) children, and eventually, a serious case of social adjustment issues. Better than it appears on the tin, or so I've been told. The series spans just over 20 years, all told.

Why This Must Be Read:

I have no clue on how to rec this one properly.

It's not so much a continuing series but rather four stories that put a spotlight on three different phases of the Atlantis-expeditions existence - in three different styles.

Sounds confusing? Yeah, thought so too and, since I'm not particularly fond of AUs, I didn't read it for years because of that. My mistake, don't make the same. *ggg*

The series diverges from canon in S2 and starts with "Letters to John Doe (A Diary of Sorts)" and it's told from an OC's POV, namely "Dr. Laura James, the Lone OB of Atlantis" who came with the Daedalus because "After the second time a set of bizarre flashing lights resulted in an alien pregnancy scare, Carson Beckett demanded that SGC send him a specialist. This was the result." It covers a year in Atlantis and is told in epistolary style. It's interesting to see Atlantis and the familiar characters through the eyes of a person who is not one of the main characters, a 'lower-decks view', as the author calls it, and I can very much relate to how she's feeling. Love this 'outsider who becomes an insider'-POV

The middle part consists of two stories that highlight events happening 3-4 years later:
"Extraordinary" - 'Tales from the playpens of Atlantis' - in which we get to know Atlantis' kids (narrative style) and its counterpoint "Captain's Log" - 'The official records of the commander of the USAF Icarus, sent to investigate the rumors that the Atlantis Expedition might still be alive', told in the Captain's log-entries in his official and personal log. Both stories cover the same period of time and reach a point of contact in a certain situation.

It's an intriguing style and I love the humor that manages to be funny without crossing the line into comedy/slapstick. The author did a great job by putting together this kind of series/stories and I just can't do it justice in my attempt to recommend it.

The fourth story, the last part, is called "B.A.N.D. Camp" - 'Basic Acclimation & Non-Disclosure Camp was designed to facilitate the integration of children raised off-world into Earth Culture for the express purposes of higher learning (university attendance)' and shows the kids from "Extraordinary" attending said camp.

They're true 'Lanteans and those 'social adjustment issues' the author was talking about in her summary? Yeah, that's happening here. They're perfectly adjusted to Atlantis and Pegasus - to Earth? Not so much.

I fell as hard for those kids as I have fallen for their parents ten years ago. :-)

I don't think it makes much sense to post snippets of the fics, their style is too different and no
matter what part I choose, it would end up raising the wrong expectations. So, even if you think these stories hold no appeal for you - give them a try, I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Comments

[popkin16]

I've had this bookmarked and tagged as "to read" for ages; this may just be the kick in the pants to actually read it :) Thank you for this rec!

[patk.livejournal.com]

Yep, it was on my "to read" list for years as well - until I finally got around to actually read it. I hope you'll like it as much as I did. :-)

[popkin16]

I spent last night reading it and really enjoyed! It was odd reading stuff that was so focused in OC's but it was so well written, I felt engaged in the story. I like all the characters :)

[mific.livejournal.com]

Wow - sounds interesting. I love so much how there's always more you haven't read in this fandom! :)

[patk.livejournal.com]

I guess when the day comes they'll have to bury me with a stack of "still not read"-printouts of SGA-stories. ;-)

[mific.livejournal.com]

Finished the stories - very enjoyable, great rec!

[hooloovoo_42]

Read the first 2 parts last night and this morning and really enjoyed them. Thanks for the rec.

[patk.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you like it so far. My personal favorite is "Captain's Log" for its dry wit and B.A.N.D. Camp because I can so very much relate to the 'Lantean kids. :-)

[hooloovoo_42]

Yes, having finished the rest of the parts today, I agree. After hearing the captain of the Icarus is a sexist git, his side of the story is interesting.

And the way the Lantean kids stick together in BAND Camp, yet learn to realise that they haven't always had the worst of it, is good.