1969 Prime by redbyrd (PG)

[aurora-novarum.livejournal.com]

I'm so excited to be the first rec'cer (of hopefully many) of the new category "Episode Related" fic. (When I signed up it was still "other genre". It's all growed up now! :-D)

Rec Category: Episode Related
Pairing: none
Category: Action/Adventure; Drama; Hammond; SG-1; Episode Related; AU?
Warning: Character Deaths (alt timeline)
Author on LJ: redbyrd_sgfic
Author's Website: http://www.mindspring.com/~redbyrd/index.htm
Link: 1969 Prime

Why This Must Be Read:

I figured I'd start things off with a bang and rec one of the best missing scene writers in SG-1 fandom, redbyrd. She maintains the canon we all know and interweaves it with original ideas and characterization expertly, giving plausible interpretations to spots where canon can fall short.

1969 Prime is an excellent example of this. She takes Season Two's "1969" and explores the unanswered question from the episode of how would Hammond ever know to leave himself a note to help the team? 1969 Prime follows the adventures of the first time SG-1 got stranded in the past. Since this is a timeline with no note, she keeps enough of the canon events and dialogue that give a "spooky" vibe to readers, rather than just a "been there, done that".

We also follow the events of young sparky Lt. Hammond, whose life is changed by that strange encounter with the time travelling team as he wonders whether or not they're telling the truth. And how canon of CotG can still ring true with a Hammond of 1969 foreknowledge.

The character death scene mentioned in the warning is terribly tragic, and I always wince at Sam's actions in it when I read it. But it adds to the poignancy of the larger storyline and makes Hammond (and ultimately SG-1's) journey worth it.

And if you're really jonesing for more on this time twisting AU, she's also written a [sequel] prequel 1969 Prime Minus One


"Really," the man said. "We didn't want to hurt you." He came over and peered into his eyes. "I think you're a little concussed. My friend has a hard fist."

Hammond thought, 'You can say that again,' but didn't speak aloud. Despite his apparent concern, the man was watching Hammond carefully, and the Air Force lieutenant didn't think a lot of his chances of overpowering him, as weak and sick as he felt. The other man held up a hand, "How many fingers?"

Hammond said huskily, "Hammond, George, Lieutenant," and recited his serial number.

The young man looked startled, then a little amused. "I don't think the Geneva convention was intended to apply to answering legitimate medical questions."

Hammond guessed that if he was to have any hope of getting out of here, he needed to know more. He asked, "Are you a doctor, then?"

"No, well, yes. Um, not exactly," The young man gave him a suspicious look. "How many fingers, Lieutenant?" he asked again.

"Unless you have eight fingers to a hand, too many," George told him. If they really didn't want to hurt him, may be he could get them to take him to a doctor. Or at least underestimate him and give him a chance to escape.

"Ah," The young man gave him a sympathetic look. "Sorry to hear it."