FICLET: The Walls of Jericho, Jack/Daniel. Partlet - 29

[icarus]

The previous part is here.

The Walls of Jericho - 29 (from part 1 here)
by Icarus


Sam was outlined against the dim stars, face buried in a pair of binoculars. She turned and focused them carefully, then let them fall as she looked up. "Hey Daniel," she smiled, a little worried frown creasing her forehead.

Arms folded, Daniel nodded in the direction of her observation. "So we're going there."

"I think so. The geophysical surveys back at the MALP will help, but I'm almost sure that's where we'll find the easiest access." She added hastily, "The alien caverns were just a lucky break. This is what we would have normally had to do anyway."

Daniel sealed his lips and decided not to say anything.

"It's just a matter of lowering the naquada particle generator over the magma vent, and then letting it –" she spread her hands and grinned. "– do it's stuff, as Siler says.

"The particles will flow at different speeds. Some will follow the flow of the magma to the planet's core, others will go straight through the planet," Sam beamed with enthusiasm. "By measuring their speed and decay rate we'll know why this planet is so seismically active when there's no gravitational forces to account for it, we'll know what it's core is made of, and what the temperatures are. I would love to do this in Hawaii, because we don't even know what our own planet it is made of. Not for sure." She broke off at Daniel's funny look.

"Oh and - and we'll find out about the trinium and naquada refining too. Of course. That's a given." She gave him a guilty sheepish smile. "It's just that this planet's a complete mystery. It's not acting as it should according to the laws of physics."

"Ah," he said with understanding. They shared a conspirational smirk. "So… what do we need to do to find out if we can refine trinium here?"

"Throw some in and see how fast it melts." She shrugged. "But this won't take much more time, and the scientists back at the base are counting on these readings."

"How'd you guys get this past the general?"

"Oh, you know the military. They love lots of facts and figures, especially ones they don't understand. Complicated equals important, right?"

Daniel chuckled. "I won't tell the colonel." He turned to leave.

"Uh. Daniel?" Sam hesitated, taking a half step after him.

"Hmm?"

Her little concerned frown had returned. "I was going to wait until we got back to the base, maybe take you to lunch, but now's as good a time as any." She cleared her throat, clearly uncertain, and Daniel waited.

"The colonel, you know, has always kept a close eye on you."

"Uh-hunh," Daniel nodded slowly.

"You're good friends."

"Yeah…" Daniel couldn't look at her. He had a feeling he knew where this was headed.

"Just," Sam took a deep breath, "don't get too close. The colonel has something of a history."

Daniel kicked at some moss and then replaced it with his toe. "So… you know."

She made a face and gave a quick nod. "Not officially. But a friend of mine was worried about me, thought I was getting too, well, attached to… him. So she told me everything, and she's got it on pretty good authority."

Daniel stared off into the distance for a moment.

"I'll bet Janet does." He glanced over at Sam's startled face. "Don't worry, I won't reveal your sources. Mum's the word."

"Daniel… There was someone –" she shook her head and changed direction. "People have been transferred before, when things didn't work out with – with the colonel. I mean, legitimately," she added hastily, "but… for stuff he'd normally overlook." She turned big worried eyes in his direction. "He's a good leader, you know that. But he's not someone you want to cross."

"Yeah. He's warned me."

"Oh boy, Daniel. I hope you know what you're getting yourself into."

"I do. That's what scares me."





The next part is here.

Comments

[taligator.livejournal.com]

Oh my! I don't think I've read a fic where this road was taken before with Jack. He's always the eternal boy scout, the good guy .. *squeal*

Ohh the dark ominous music in the background, Iboth love and hate it. I love that you are taking a different tact but hate it because it makes me think of him a way I don't normally.. *G*

Good job and thanks!

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

I like that this is challenging.

Most fanfic writers (especially Daniel/Jack writers) prefer to ignore Jack's background: he was in black ops, was willing to snipe to the general to remove Rothman from his team, was willing to destroy the entire civilian population of Abydos to take out a threat. Jack's ethics have to accomodate such decisions.

With Abydos it was simple: acceptable losses, and primary concern with orders (it's not his decision to make), but most importantly, the bigger picture of the greater good for his side.

With black ops, it was "doing whatever it takes" for his side to win. He usually comes off as a boy scout, but we see this has a dark side in the episodes with Maybourne, one in which he actually shoots Maybourne (at that point a guy on his own side) out of necessity.

Jack needs an over-riding principle to do something so ruthless, but he's already explained it to Daniel: chain of command. A relationship that threatans the smooth functioning of the team has to go, one way or another. He'll do whatever it takes to make sure the team can function.

His other inner rule is that there has to be an open declaration of his intent, a declaration of war if you will. He's already warned Daniel.

His willingness to consider other options beyond what's best for his side stems largely from his relationship with Daniel, a fact well established in canon: when Daniel goes through the quantum mirror, Jack-the-general has blown up Abydos, and he sends a nuke to Chulak. But for Jack, when it comes down to it, he'll only do the alternative if it's good for his side and the other people. If he has to choose... there's no question what he'll do.

Icarus

[taligator.livejournal.com]

I wholeheartedly agree. Jack will do what needs to be done without being squeamish - I just find this lacking in many fics so I'm excited to see this.

I really am enjoying this piece and this makes it even more exciting.

Thanks again

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

I have my eyes peeled to make sure it's not too dark, or makes Jack seem eeeeviiiiil. That would be OOC.

If too many people feel that it's 'off' I'll take a look at my phrasing.

wildernessguru and I have been discussing Jack's special ops and black ops background, and he's been pointing out the canon evidence for Jack's particular brand of ruthlessness. A lot of his most ruthless moments are in the sixth season.

Icarus

wow...

[dustandroses.livejournal.com]

A lot of his most ruthless moments are in the sixth season.

I hadn't really noticed that, but for anybody writing Jack/Daniel, that makes a lot of sense, doesn't it? Without Daniel around to prod his conscience every now and again... Being rather obstinately into Jack/Daniel, I haven't really given Season Six as much attention as some other seasons. Maybe I should take a closer look, huh?

Re: wow...

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

There are a couple episodes in season six that seem to have no bearing at all on Stargate, and are obvious X-Files rip-offs, but otherwise there's some fine writing.

The most ruthless episodes are Paradise Lost and Unnatural Selection. Also, in season two A Matter of Time shows us how Jack can really hold a grudge. He isn't one to see things from another person's point of view.

Icarus

[celestialseason.livejournal.com]

I enjoy reading your comments as much as the story! I'd only seen random eps of Stargate SG-1 until this season when we started watching Atlantis and decided to watch SG-1 as well. Now we have seasons 1 and 2 on DVD and with season 3 starting on Sci Fi channel next week I am slowly carching up. I really like your analysis of the characters, and the military stuff you talk about. It helps me understand things better - Thanks!

As far as your story goes, I can't wait to see what happens next.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

The hard part will be not watching all of the episodes in one weekend, or at least that's what it was like with me. *grins*

I'm glad you're enjoying the story. I'm having a good time with it, too.

Icarus

[tigerlilly2063.livejournal.com]

Now here are the scientists in their element... :D Love how you manage to put every little bit what makes out the team into your story.

"Throw some in and see how fast it melts."
*lol* That's perhaps the most proper definition of scientists I've ever read. Shame on me for being one myself... *blushs*

You know, Sam's warning about Jack would really scare me. Somehow it gives him the touch of the "really bad guy" and I don't think he really is.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Now here are the scientists in their element... :D Love how you manage to put every little bit what makes out the team into your story.

:D You know how they get the go-ahead to get most of their "pure science" information... sneak it in with the practical stuff.

"Throw some in and see how fast it melts."
*lol* That's perhaps the most proper definition of scientists I've ever read. Shame on me for being one myself... *blushs*

I love the child-like glee of science: let's see what it does. *beams*

You know, Sam's warning about Jack would really scare me. Somehow it gives him the touch of the "really bad guy" and I don't think he really is.

I knew this would challenge people a little bit. But she hasn't said anything that Jack hasn't already told Daniel up front: he will remove anyone that turns out to be a problem for the team. Also, early on in the story Jack mentions in the narrative that he "got rid of" a bi-curious soldier who wanted the "big, bad colonel" to pop his cherry for him.

I don't want to say too much, but understand that chain of command is far more important than Don't Ask, Don't Tell. It has to do with whether or not the team can do its job at all.

I don't think this means he's a bad guy. Sam has just proved Daniel that Jack is serious about his statement that he'd remove Daniel from the team. It's not a threat, it's a fact.

To be a bad guy, Jack would have to immoral and selfish, and there's nothing selfish about his ruthlessness in choosing his ability to do his job over his personal desires (it's a little mean that he'd remove the boyfriend rather than himself, but that's the privilege of rank). To be a bad guy, Jack would have to be sneaky and underhanded, and there's nothing at all sneaky about warning Daniel and then following through if need be.

Jack is not bad, but he is ruthless. Both with himself and those under him.

Icarus

[tigerlilly2063.livejournal.com]

Well, perhaps my comment sounded a bit excessive. But I really know what you mean.

Sometimes there are things that are more important than your personal feelings. And at least Jack is completely honest about what he will do if it becomes a problem for the team.

But that leaves me at a point where I'm wondering what Jack really means with Messing up the team as he said in chapter 27. The decision if the team is able to do its job or not is quite subjective - well, at least until something really bad happens.

Regarding the chain of command I doubt that there would be much change. Daniel was always someone trying to get his way because of him being a civilian. And Jack already acknowledged that. But nevertheless the team is still functional.
Therefore I find it really funny that he comes up with that reason especially at this point.

Anyway, I find it absolutely acceptable that Jack tries to protect the team. But somehow the way Sam told Daniel confused me a bit. *shrugs* Perhaps it's just me...

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Well, perhaps my comment sounded a bit excessive.

No, it didn't. I'm interested in people's responses. It makes me think, though I have never changed what I was writing in response to a review. I did add a chapter on one occasion, to help people see more of the character's motivations when the story an unpredictable turn.

But somehow the way Sam told Daniel confused me a bit. *shrugs* Perhaps it's just me...

It probably isn't just you. I've been around this block before, and if past experience is an indication, I'm going to take some heat from some Jack/Daniel fans.

There're two possibilities.

One is that there is a fanon Jack just like there's a fanon Draco. That fanon Jack is much more of a boy scout, is much more domestic, and isn't really the sort of man who could assassinate someone in cold blood. (Actually, fanon Jack is really RDA, who couldn't kill anyone in cold blood.)

The other possibility is that, well, one of the things that happens with a WiP is that they shift in tone as the writer's mood changes. While you stick with the outline and notes, by the time it takes three months to get from point A to point B, you're really no longer writing the same story. This morning after was much funnier and less dark than the original.

But I have to be honest with you: I've run into this before. Harry/Ron fans were very upset with me in Primer to the Dark Arts (http://www.icarus.slashcity.net/stories/primer01.html) when Ron didn't fall head over heels for Harry. I received long, shattered emails saying "that's not Ron, our Ron would never hurt Harry!"

I'm serious.

I checked my characterization -- it was solid and well-supported by canon -- and then didn't budge an inch. Harry/Ron stories were dull and repetitive because of the fans' expectation of a happily-ever-after.

I decided that most of the Harry/Ron readers were really using the relationship as a projection of their own ideal marriage... otherwise, how could they stand every story following the same damned pattern? My characterization was fine, but I'd disturbed the fantasy.

I did the same thing with Ron/Hermione in The Hat Trick (http://www.icarus.slashcity.net/stories/thehattrick.html), with the same outcry. I'm unrepentant. The Hat Trick is about gambling and the cost of doing the right thing. The Ron/Hermione was a necessary casualty.

Jack/Daniel has also been accused of being cookie-cutter, and rightly so.

So far Jack's characterization checks out, though I haven't run this by a beta yet. What Sam tells Daniel he's done is exactly what he did with Rothman in Forever In A Day.

I make no promises that Jack and Daniel will end up together. I make no promises that they'll treat each other well. Nor do I make any promises that this will turn out neatly. All I promise is that I won't kill either of them off.

Icarus

[tigerlilly2063.livejournal.com]

I'm going to take some heat from some Jack/Daniel fans.
That's probably true.
I also noticed the mentioned behaviour from some shippers in HP-fandom when a story didn't turn into the direction they wanted it to.
And many people tend to mix fandom and canon characterizations.

But for me it's always a challenge to read such stories, which are not like any other out there. I like it a lot to see it take an unexpected turn, to read how the author is seeing the characters.

And I fully agree on the mood-change. I see it myself during writing. Depending on the mood I have, some parts of the story turn more harsh or lighter than I intended first. Got me some reviews that they e.g. found a break-up-scene I wrote quite "intensive". *shrugs*

But as long as you have good reasons to do something it's ok in my opinion.
And as for me... I just want to understand, to straighten out my temporary confusion. And you've done a really good job here. :D

I make no promises...
As I said, I really like such stories. You don't need a happy end to have a good story. Otherwise it would always be the same and quite fast really boring.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

That was an intense response, wasn't it? *chuckles* Sorry. Like I said, I've been down this track before.

Icarus

[tigerlilly2063.livejournal.com]

No need to be sorry. I really like your explanations. They help me to get with the flow.

Perhaps it's partly because I haven't seen that much episodes of it yet.
But otherwise it leaves me at a point where I'm quite open to nearly every outcome.

[queenofstars.livejournal.com]

Today I had a shitty day at work and I opened my browser hoping for a new part. Thank you, it was just what I needed to take my mind off things. And, no, I won't comment on the plot at this point, I don't want to mess with your mojo. ;) I'll just say that it gets better and better with every minute. =)

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

I am so glad this helped your day. I've had that happen too, so I'm glad to be on the writing end this time.

And, no, I won't comment on the plot at this point, I don't want to mess with your mojo.

You need never worry about that with me. The story's already mapped out, and I've been writing long enough in other fandoms to be pretty damned arrogant, er, self-confident. I know where I suck, and what to listen to from the readers. I also know when not to. ;) One time my boyfriend and I had a screaming argument about my ability to write a full-scale battle scene. He swore up and down I was incapable of it. So I did ten months of research and wrote the Harry Potter fic SNAFU (http://www.icarus.slashcity.net/stories/snafu.html), which he just recently read. He told me this weekend that if I could write something like SNAFU, I'd have no problem writing BlackOps!Jack.

By the way, he wants to read BlackOps!Jack stories, slash or gen. Do you know of any?

Icarus

[wenelda.livejournal.com]

eee, the story is definitely keeping my attention, and i still think every single character has been done justice. :)

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Hey great! Thank you. It's important to me to have a good Sam, since she's often shunted aside in Jack/Daniel.

Icarus

[sqkiwibird.livejournal.com]

Oooh. Sam's in the know. I like that she's hinting around to Daniel. I think she's mostly concerned she won't see him anymore; she'd miss him as a friend. Also, who was Jack dating before? Curiouser and curiouser, said Alice. *tilting head* I'm actually a bit surprised that Jack has a reputation. I'd kinda thought he'd be more careful, but perhaps this is why he tries to be more careful -- because he things got awkward before. I wonder if he realizes that Sam and Janet know about it. :) Okay, I'm ready for the next bit. *rustling patiently* I love this. It's like a snack. Packed in convenient bite-sized pieces so that you don't go overboard and finish it all at once.

-Matilda

[skipmcgee.livejournal.com]

I swear this'll be the last one :)

Oh yeah. I'm sooo enjoying this story. I love your grown-up Jack, the way you can have him be hard-headed without acting like a stubborn toddler. And I love that the morning after the night before is full of them bickering and sniping at each other - it's much more likely than not, given their personalities. I can't wait for the rest, especially when the opportunity for some nookie pops up again (really, how is Jack going to resist? Especially now that that books, um, been opened). Your Sam is interesting too, I have to admit I'm really curious about what's going on in her head.

Go Sam!

[dustandroses.livejournal.com]

Sneaking something in over the Generals...you don't get to see that in Sam very often, but it's just exactly something she'd do. I love it.

It's good to see some dark in Jack. I love Jack when he's all silly and making fun of himself and everyone else just as much as everyone else, but he can't be that way all the time! With his history, there has to be a dark side that he keeps under wraps until he needs to pull it out and dust it off. I think a lot of people are afraid to see that side of him, which is a shame, because it's all part of who Jack really is. The Colonel will do what he has to to keep his unit running smoothly - to keep his people alive. And whatever he has to sacrifice to do that, he will.

That doesn't mean there can never be a happy ending for the two. But there's nothing that says there has to be one, either. I've got my fingers crossed, but I promise I won't hate you if it doesn't turn out that way... *g*