Ghosts in the Machine, by Jennghis Kahn (PG-13)

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

Rec Category: Teamy Goodness

Pairing: None
Category:  team, gen, action/adventure
Warnings: team whumping
Author on LJ: surrealphantast
Author's Website: http://www.mind-rot.net/
Link to Story: Ghosts in the Machine or on her LJ: parts 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5

Why This Must Be Read: Teamy goodness abounds in this lush story, written for the sg1teamficathon. While the basic plotline might be one we've all read before, to quote another fandom of mine, "There are no new stories, only new angles." Computers run amok and enslaving their masters is hardly a new theme, but in Jennghis Kahn's talented hands, this fascinating fic is rich with twists and turns and wonderful teamwork.

The story begins with the four members of SG-1 separated from each other and, in two cases, from their own identities. Jack, literally thrown out with the trash, begins the ardous task of reuniting his team. Finding Teal'c, Sam, and Daniel seems an almost insurmountable task, but it's only the beginning, as SG-1 has to figure out how they came to be in their predicament, determine the true dangers of the situation, and fight their way back to the safety of the Stargate.

Things I particularly liked: I love a story that gives us alternate POVs and uses each person's voice and mannerisms to good effect. We're presented with a fully-realized world, including a truly fascinating original character, historical background, intriguing technology, and the gray stagnancy of a disappearing civilization. It's wonderful to watch the perfectly-in-character team work together, each one supporting the others and supplying a crucial factor in their efforts to get home again. This long, satsifying story is just chock full of teamy goodness, and a truly wonderful read!

"O'Neill!"  Teal'c's voice was thick with horror as he stared at one chair.

It took Jack only seconds to realize Carter was the one housed in it.

"Carter!"  Both he and Daniel raced to her chair where she reclined as the others did, in the white suit, eyes vacant and turned inward.  Her lips moved just a bit, soundlessly.  Her scalp was clean-shaven except for the barest hint of fine blonde hair starting to grow back in.  She had the same metal headgear stuck to her temples that Daniel had had on, and various wires and tubes seemed to be running in and out of her everywhere.  

Jack felt his stomach turn.

"Sam?"  Daniel reached out and turned her head slightly so he was in her line of vision.  She didn't react and didn't look at him.

Jack licked his lips and glanced around.  There was a thick torrent of wiring that swirled up to the ceiling and then massed together before sweeping up through the hole that housed the giant cylinder.  There were no switches.  No levers.  No keyboards or buttons.

"How the hell do we get her out of this, Daniel?"  Jack set his gun on the floor, and began examining the wires connected to Sam.

"You said the piece on my head, and even the chip, weren't buried very deeply.  I'd guess we just… disconnect her."

"Does it control her heart and her lungs?"

Daniel leaned over her and pressed a hand over her heart.  "I don't think so.  I think all the workers are fairly able to breathe and live on their own.  It just feeds them and keeps them clean."

Jack fingered a small wire running into her forearm.  He wasn't sure what it was, but it was as good a place as any to start.  He pressed his thumb to the place where it went in, and then he pulled it smoothly out.  Blood smeared over the white skin of her arm.  There was a sudden flickering in the room as lights came on over the doors.  

"Uh oh," Daniel muttered.

"Ignore it for now. Get her out," Jack ordered, lifting his thumb to check the blood flow from Sam's arm.  It ran in a rivulet down to her fingers, dripping onto the floor, and he pressed his thumb back down.  "Teal'c! Get the med kit from Daniel's pack."

Teal'c did so, as Daniel began easing wires and tubes one at a time from Sam's body.  Jack began taking bandages from Teal'c and taping them over the small wounds.  He hoped she wasn't full of some sort of anti-clotting agent, or she might be in trouble.

She made a small sound as Daniel pulled the last tube from her.  Daniel stood and gripped her chin gently, turning her face toward him.  "Sam?"

Jack looked up and watched her eyelids flutter a bit.  Was that a good sign?

They lifted her onto the floor, and the flickering lights became more strident.  Jack pulled his zat out.

"Jack!" Daniel stared at him, eyes wide.

"It's the way I disconnected you, Daniel.  Those metal plates on your head dropped off when I zatted you."

"She's already unconscious!  It could kill her."

"Yeah," Jack agreed.

Daniel glared at him.

"Major Carter would not wish to live this way," Teal'c stated quietly.  "You know this, Daniel Jackson."

"She's tough," Jack reassured him.  "It's the only way we're going to get her out of here and get that thing out of her.  It's in her mind, Daniel.  If there was no other way out, would you want to live like this?"

Daniel slumped a bit.  Of course he wouldn't. The answer was obvious in his eyes.  He shuffled back out of the way.  

Jack fired.