walked right out of the machinery

Fanfiction
Title:	walked right out of the machinery
Author(s):	Rydra Wong
Date(s):	2008
Length:	9 chapters, 73,746 words
Genre:	gen
Fandom:	Stargate SG-1
External Links:	walked right out of the machinery
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walked right out of the machinery is a gen Stargate SG-1 novel by Rydra Wong. It is a heroic "fuck you" to the 42-minute reset.

Reactions and Reviews

The One That Proves That Maybe a Real Marriage of True Minds Isn't Something Most of Us Should Be Hoping For. Walked Right out of the Machinery, by rydra_wong. Stargate: SG-1, gen.

Oh my god. This is - this is just - I just have so much love for this story. It's brilliant. I love Jack O'Neill so damn much, and this is kind of the ultimate story for Jack-lovers: this is pure, perfectly-written Jack; Jack as he would have been in the canon if someone as talented and imaginative as rydra_wong had been writing him.

And that's kind of odd, given that this is a rather changed Jack. I don't want to spoil it - the slow reveal (and, seriously, all you impatient types: let that reveal happen, because it is SO WORTH IT, and if my reassurance isn't enough for you, know that there is an awesome shipboard battle waiting for you near the end) is part of the pleasure, here. But this is Jack not exactly as we know him. It's just, somehow that makes him almost a distillation of Jack. Eighty proof Jack, if I can be pardoned for making a really awful joke.

No? Unpardonable? Okay. I stand by my low sense of humor.

Now, I tell you honestly: I realize this is AU from a specific point in the canon, but I, of course, don't know the canon, and I can't figure out what that point is. (Possibly some kind soul will tell us all in the comments. Kind souls? Are you out there?) You don't need to know that to read this, though. In fact, as long as you know the basic tenets of the SG1 universe (Egyptian gods, American military, snakes-why'd-it'd-have-to-be-snakes, Ascension, and there you go), you could read this without any canon knowledge at all.

All of you who are right now wondering where you will get your science fiction, now that half the genre has been tarnished with the brush of a whiter shade of fail - here's part of your answer. This is one of the three best SF novels I read in 2008 - any format, anywhere. It is incredible.

I got sucked into this mind-blowing AU. It has everything I loved about season six: Jack nearly dying, Daniel's ascension, Jacob blending with Selmak, Sam coming into her own, Ba'al at his worst, the political and personal complexities of the war against the Goa'uld. Except one little thing is different -- and the result is a harrowing journey that does scary things to narrative and POV and takes you along for the ride. You'll know if this thought-experiment's for you within the first three sections. If anyone ever asks what the difference is between a Goa'uld and a Tok'ra, you can point them to this fic. After you tell 'em to fasten their seatbelts.

What would have happened if 'the Abyss' went differently? It is a very interesting and captivating story, seen from the point of view of O'Neill - or is it? We follow his thoughts, and in the beginning it is very confusing, because it is confusing to him. It is interesting to follow his story as he gradually realises who he is and what has happened. Saying anything more will give it away. Read it!

This story is made of wow. You can tell, from the very beginning, that Rydra worked on this novel for months. It's not just written; it's crafted, and it is a seriously amazing piece of work.

Rydra takes us into a harrowing AU, complete with realistic shifting of storylines and stellar characterization: the events of Abyss go differently. Kanan does not leave Jack before they're captured by Ba'al, and events twist and dance away from canon as Jack's prolonged absence from the SGC creates a new reality.

Fury and frustration, and an amazing rendition of the Tok'ra; competent Sam, and an achingly-beautiful Jack and Teal'c friendship (the scene where Teal'c offers solace with silence will break your heart); the stuggle for the definition of self and honor and right and wrong. Jacob Carter and Bra'tac have marvelous cameos, as does a frustrated Ascended Daniel. Hammond is the leader we know and love, and several other minor characters - Malek of the Tok'ra, Satterfield, Pierce, and more - are brought vividly, lovingly, to life.

But most of all, this is Jack O'Neill's story. Stubborn to the last, amazingly himself. I dare you to read this and not fall in love with it.