Weekly Mod Recs - #3
Star Trek
Sub-fandom: Star Trek: The Original Series
Title: Ghosts in the Machine
Author: kayz_trekfics
Rating: UK 15
Warnings: None
Length: ~9,900 words
Genre: Gen, Action
Main Character(s)/Pairing(s): Scotty
Summary: Commander Nogura gives Lt JG Scott command of a maintenance crew. What could go wrong?...
Why you should read it: “Scotty glanced at the onrushing image on the control room’s main monitor screen - and realised that the reason for the Klingon attack was staring him in the face. “It’s the scanners.”
Angelus gave him a blank stare. “What’s the scanners?” He looked at the monitor screen, back at Scott. “There’s nothing wrong with them, if that’s what you’re driving at.”
“They’re perfect, Simon, that’s what I’m driving at!” He tapped his tricorder, and pointed at the screen. “Nogura said that most of the station’s systems had not been upgraded for thirty years. But all the scanners have. They’ve been replaced every few years for the past decade. Why do you suppose that is?””
Link: Part One, Part Two
~~~
Sub-fandom: Star Trek: The Next Generation
Title: Metadata
Author: hairyparamecium
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Length: ~3,865 words
Genre: Gen
Main Character(s)/Pairing(s): Data, hints of Data/Geordi
Summary: The first poker game on the Enterprise-E takes an unsual turn when certain aspects of Data’s emotion chip are brought up.
Why you should read it: ”"What did you think of her? I mean, correct me if I'm wrong, but I'd just assumed that since you got the emotion chip you'd..." He made a vague hand gesture. "...be able to experience sexual attraction."
Geordi raised a disbelieving eyebrow, but failed to seem surprised at Riker's forwardness. "Call."
Data felt an odd sense of embarrassment - an emotion he had experienced much less frequently than many others. He considered whether or not he should avoid the subject Riker had brought up, as many humans would choose to do. But then, was it not a common human bonding experience to discuss one's romantic life? Though was it also not common for humans to stop short of discussing more intimate details?
After 27 microseconds of consideration, Data decided to match Riker's forwardness. "Indeed you are correct, Commander. However, thus far it has only been directed toward male members of humanoid species. Consequently I felt nothing for her. Dealer folds."”
Link: Metadata
~~~
Sub-fandom: Star Trek: XI
Title: Empty Chairs at Empty Tables
Author: geekpenguin
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None
Length: ~2,685 words
Genre: Gen, Angst, some Hurt/Comfort
Main Character(s)/Pairing(s): Kirk/McCoy friendship
Summary: None provided
Why you should read it: “Melancholy does not suit Kirk. Even he admits it is one emotion that he doesn’t wear well. It chafes his very soul, abrasive and offensive to a man who has always sworn there is no such thing as a no win situation. He still swears it, even as the hand placing the newly emptied glass onto his construction trembles. He refuses to believe that any of them have really lost.”
Link: Empty Chairs at Empty Tables
M*A*S*H
Title: For What It’s Worth
Author: abyssinia4077
Rating: PG (none provided)
Warnings: None
Length: ~4,790 words
Genre: Gen
Main Character(s)/Pairing(s): Hawkeye, mentions of the ensemble
Summary: None Provided
Why you should read it: ”Children. They were the real victims of the war. He watched Henry, Trapper, and BJ go through the agony of not watching their kids grow up but instead reading about it on paper sent across the ocean. Words written in a strong brave hand, but the occasional smear of ink from a wiped tear betrayed all that was between the lines. Words that could never make up for missing the first tooth, the first step, the piano recital, the soccer game. But they put on the brave face, strengthened the walls, made jokes, and pretended. Watching them, he found himself actually grateful he'd yet to have children to call his own. Only a lonely father rattling around in a too-big house.”
Link: For What It's Worth
DCU
Sub-fandom: DC: Comic!Verse
Title: String Theory Lullaby
Author: mithen
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Length: ~700 words
Genre: Gen
Main Character(s)/Pairing(s): Superman, Batman
Summary: Bruce can’t sleep, and Clark finds that it’s a challenge to bore the World’s Greatest Detective.
Why you should read it: “"Well, what am I supposed to do about it? You want me to warm up some milk with my heat vision?"
"Alfred is perfectly capable of warming my milk," Bruce said, leaving Clark with the tempting image of Alfred handing a glass of milk on a silver salver to a Bruce clad in flannel pajamas. "I was wondering if you might...read to me."”
Link: String Theory Lullabye
~~~
Sub-fandom: DC: Timm!Verse
Title: I, Janitor
Author: dotfic
Rating: PG-13 (for adult situations and topics)
Warnings: None
Length: ~2,448 words
Genre: Gen
Main Character(s)/Pairing(s): General Ensemble
Summary: Okay, so maybe he isn’t saving the world. Still, it’s the best job he’s ever had.
Why you should read it: “The hangar I always do last--it's just the layout of my section, I don't want to track back dripping all over the corridors I've already done. Also, the hangar is a weirdness magnet so I put it off as long as possible.
Not weird like conspiracy-nut weird. More like the hangar is a window to the soul weird. There's just something about the place. There's a still, hollow quietness. The sheer size of it, the aircraft--so powerful yet just sitting there, waiting. Like sleeping dragons that will wake up when knights command them. It brings something out in people, all that lonely quiet potential.
Makes me think I'm a poet. I'm telling you, it's the atmosphere. Maybe they're putting something in the air ducts.”
Link: I, Janitor
~~~
Sub-fandom: DC: World’s Finest
Title: Breaking Storm
Author: mithen
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None
Length: ~900 words
Genre: Slash
Main Character(s)/Pairing(s): Bruce/Clark
Summary: Somehow, Bruce ended up on a road trip with Clark across the Kansas prairie.
Why you should read it: ”Bruce is forced to admit there's a kind of appeal to it. After the stone and steel canyons of Gotham, the openness of the plains has a sweep to it, a grandeur. The early morning sunlight slants across the low hills like a hand caressing the land, and far off to the west there's a long line of dark clouds, straight as if drawn by a massive ruler.”
Link: Breaking Storm
~~~
Sub-fandom: DC: !Verse Crossovers
Title: History (DCU/Star Trek)
Author: saavikam77
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None
Length: ~3,458 words
Genre: Gen
Main Character(s)/Pairing(s): Spock, Kirk, mentions of all the Bats, several Supers, and various other heroes and villains
Summary: Spock takes Kirk to visit the Superhero Museum. If you know Spock’s mother’s surname, I think you know where this is going.
Why you should read it: ““Urban,” Kirk deadpanned as they turned to head toward the shuttle port. “We get three weeks of shore leave, and you want to spend your time in a city?”
“Not just a city. A museum.”
“Oh?” Kirk was already beginning to get antsy; it wasn't often that Spock played the man of intrigue.
“The Superhero Museum, to be exact.”
An eyebrow raised of its own accord. “Superheroes? Seriously?”
“Yes, Captain. Superheroes.”
For the briefest of moments, Jim thought he saw the glint of mischief in his friend's eyes. “All right, then. Let's go.””
Link: History
Harry Potter
Title: Professor Potter's Sorting Hat Song
Author: TardisIsTheOnlyWayToTravel
Rating: T
Warnings: None
Length: ~1,082 words
Genre: Gen
Main Character(s)/Pairing(s): Harry Potter, Sorting Hat
Summary: Every year a member of the Hogwarts staff has to write a Sorting Song for the Sorting Hat. Perhaps they shouldn't have chosen Harry.
Why you should read it: A great fic for when you want or need to have a laugh :D
Link: Professor Potter's Sorting Hat Song
X-Men
Sub-fandom: X-Men Comicverse
Title: Worlds Away
Author: hyacinthian
Rating: K+
Warnings: some swearing
Length: ~900 words
Genre: General
Main Character(s)/Pairing(s): Kitty
Summary: Jubilee is as American as she isn't.
Why you should read it: One of my all-time favorite one-shots. It does Jubilee justice for once.
Link: Worlds Away
~~~
Sub-fandom: X-Men Evolution
Title: Trust
Author: Addie Logan
Rating: M
Warnings: nudity
Length: ~2,000 words
Genre: Romance
Main Character(s)/Pairing(s): Scott/Jean
Summary: Scott thinks about recent events while helping Jean out in a rather strange way… Scott POV; follows the episode "Mindbender"
Why you should read it: So I first read this ages and ages ago, but it's a dose of Jean/Scott Evo-sweetness that's hard to find in the fandom.
Link: Trust
~~~
Sub-fandom: Wolverine and the X-Men
Title: Kaboom
Author: LithiumAddict
Rating: T
Warnings: Language. Use (possibly even implied abuse) of prescription pain medicine and alcohol.
Length: ~1700 words
Genre: General
Main Character(s)/Pairing(s): Rogue, psyche!Gambit
Summary: When a mission with the Brotherhood goes wrong, it falls to Rogue to make it right . . . and to deal with the fallout.
Why you should read it: This is one of the best portrayals of Rogue's internal struggles in this series that I've read. It doesn't sugarcoat, "fix" things, or turn into a romance. This is about Rogue and it's awesome.
Link: Kaboom
Roswell
Title: Beautiful to Me
Author: BehrBeMine
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: implied adult situations
Length: ~2100 words
Genre: Romance
Main Character(s)/Pairing(s): Michael/Maria
Summary: Maria's pleased with what's hers.
Why you should read it: I have a thing for lovely, spot-on, character-study one-shots. This is a study of a relationship through the eyes of Maria. It's reflective and sweet, but very satisfying.
Link: Beautiful to Me
La Femme Nikita
Title: Do You Remember
Author: tvashti
Rating: PG-13 overall
Warnings: character death
Length: ~15,000 words
Genre: None Provided
Main Character(s)/Pairing(s): Michael Samuelle, Walter, OC
Summary: People have begun to notice Michael’s changing mood.
Why you should read it: A powerful, well-written lead up to the series. It's a character study of Michael from outside of Michael through the eyes of a well-written original character that feels like she was canon. This is Section One and every character just like they're supposed to be. Awesomeness.
Link: Do You Remember
Andromeda
Title: Harper Learns
Author: Jaimi/Nevermore
Rating: R
Warnings: swearing
Length: ~54,000 words
Genre: Romance/Fantasy
Main Character(s)/Pairing(s): Harper/Trance
Summary: The sequel to Teaching Trance. In which Trance returns home and Harper must find her before he loses her forever.
Why you should read it: Yes, this is a sequel, with all the trouble of them. They are better if you've read the first story. But for the romantic in me, this fic still hits the spot. A nice, long Harper/Trance story overcoming arranged marriages, stubborn parents, and long distances to live happily ever after.
Link: Harper Learns
Sub-fandom: Star Trek: The Original Series
Title: Ghosts in the Machine
Author: kayz_trekfics
Rating: UK 15
Warnings: None
Length: ~9,900 words
Genre: Gen, Action
Main Character(s)/Pairing(s): Scotty
Summary: Commander Nogura gives Lt JG Scott command of a maintenance crew. What could go wrong?...
Why you should read it: “Scotty glanced at the onrushing image on the control room’s main monitor screen - and realised that the reason for the Klingon attack was staring him in the face. “It’s the scanners.”
Angelus gave him a blank stare. “What’s the scanners?” He looked at the monitor screen, back at Scott. “There’s nothing wrong with them, if that’s what you’re driving at.”
“They’re perfect, Simon, that’s what I’m driving at!” He tapped his tricorder, and pointed at the screen. “Nogura said that most of the station’s systems had not been upgraded for thirty years. But all the scanners have. They’ve been replaced every few years for the past decade. Why do you suppose that is?””
Link: Part One, Part Two
~~~
Sub-fandom: Star Trek: The Next Generation
Title: Metadata
Author: hairyparamecium
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Length: ~3,865 words
Genre: Gen
Main Character(s)/Pairing(s): Data, hints of Data/Geordi
Summary: The first poker game on the Enterprise-E takes an unsual turn when certain aspects of Data’s emotion chip are brought up.
Why you should read it: ”"What did you think of her? I mean, correct me if I'm wrong, but I'd just assumed that since you got the emotion chip you'd..." He made a vague hand gesture. "...be able to experience sexual attraction."
Geordi raised a disbelieving eyebrow, but failed to seem surprised at Riker's forwardness. "Call."
Data felt an odd sense of embarrassment - an emotion he had experienced much less frequently than many others. He considered whether or not he should avoid the subject Riker had brought up, as many humans would choose to do. But then, was it not a common human bonding experience to discuss one's romantic life? Though was it also not common for humans to stop short of discussing more intimate details?
After 27 microseconds of consideration, Data decided to match Riker's forwardness. "Indeed you are correct, Commander. However, thus far it has only been directed toward male members of humanoid species. Consequently I felt nothing for her. Dealer folds."”
Link: Metadata
~~~
Sub-fandom: Star Trek: XI
Title: Empty Chairs at Empty Tables
Author: geekpenguin
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None
Length: ~2,685 words
Genre: Gen, Angst, some Hurt/Comfort
Main Character(s)/Pairing(s): Kirk/McCoy friendship
Summary: None provided
Why you should read it: “Melancholy does not suit Kirk. Even he admits it is one emotion that he doesn’t wear well. It chafes his very soul, abrasive and offensive to a man who has always sworn there is no such thing as a no win situation. He still swears it, even as the hand placing the newly emptied glass onto his construction trembles. He refuses to believe that any of them have really lost.”
Link: Empty Chairs at Empty Tables
M*A*S*H
Title: For What It’s Worth
Author: abyssinia4077
Rating: PG (none provided)
Warnings: None
Length: ~4,790 words
Genre: Gen
Main Character(s)/Pairing(s): Hawkeye, mentions of the ensemble
Summary: None Provided
Why you should read it: ”Children. They were the real victims of the war. He watched Henry, Trapper, and BJ go through the agony of not watching their kids grow up but instead reading about it on paper sent across the ocean. Words written in a strong brave hand, but the occasional smear of ink from a wiped tear betrayed all that was between the lines. Words that could never make up for missing the first tooth, the first step, the piano recital, the soccer game. But they put on the brave face, strengthened the walls, made jokes, and pretended. Watching them, he found himself actually grateful he'd yet to have children to call his own. Only a lonely father rattling around in a too-big house.”
Link: For What It's Worth
DCU
Sub-fandom: DC: Comic!Verse
Title: String Theory Lullaby
Author: mithen
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Length: ~700 words
Genre: Gen
Main Character(s)/Pairing(s): Superman, Batman
Summary: Bruce can’t sleep, and Clark finds that it’s a challenge to bore the World’s Greatest Detective.
Why you should read it: “"Well, what am I supposed to do about it? You want me to warm up some milk with my heat vision?"
"Alfred is perfectly capable of warming my milk," Bruce said, leaving Clark with the tempting image of Alfred handing a glass of milk on a silver salver to a Bruce clad in flannel pajamas. "I was wondering if you might...read to me."”
Link: String Theory Lullabye
~~~
Sub-fandom: DC: Timm!Verse
Title: I, Janitor
Author: dotfic
Rating: PG-13 (for adult situations and topics)
Warnings: None
Length: ~2,448 words
Genre: Gen
Main Character(s)/Pairing(s): General Ensemble
Summary: Okay, so maybe he isn’t saving the world. Still, it’s the best job he’s ever had.
Why you should read it: “The hangar I always do last--it's just the layout of my section, I don't want to track back dripping all over the corridors I've already done. Also, the hangar is a weirdness magnet so I put it off as long as possible.
Not weird like conspiracy-nut weird. More like the hangar is a window to the soul weird. There's just something about the place. There's a still, hollow quietness. The sheer size of it, the aircraft--so powerful yet just sitting there, waiting. Like sleeping dragons that will wake up when knights command them. It brings something out in people, all that lonely quiet potential.
Makes me think I'm a poet. I'm telling you, it's the atmosphere. Maybe they're putting something in the air ducts.”
Link: I, Janitor
~~~
Sub-fandom: DC: World’s Finest
Title: Breaking Storm
Author: mithen
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None
Length: ~900 words
Genre: Slash
Main Character(s)/Pairing(s): Bruce/Clark
Summary: Somehow, Bruce ended up on a road trip with Clark across the Kansas prairie.
Why you should read it: ”Bruce is forced to admit there's a kind of appeal to it. After the stone and steel canyons of Gotham, the openness of the plains has a sweep to it, a grandeur. The early morning sunlight slants across the low hills like a hand caressing the land, and far off to the west there's a long line of dark clouds, straight as if drawn by a massive ruler.”
Link: Breaking Storm
~~~
Sub-fandom: DC: !Verse Crossovers
Title: History (DCU/Star Trek)
Author: saavikam77
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None
Length: ~3,458 words
Genre: Gen
Main Character(s)/Pairing(s): Spock, Kirk, mentions of all the Bats, several Supers, and various other heroes and villains
Summary: Spock takes Kirk to visit the Superhero Museum. If you know Spock’s mother’s surname, I think you know where this is going.
Why you should read it: ““Urban,” Kirk deadpanned as they turned to head toward the shuttle port. “We get three weeks of shore leave, and you want to spend your time in a city?”
“Not just a city. A museum.”
“Oh?” Kirk was already beginning to get antsy; it wasn't often that Spock played the man of intrigue.
“The Superhero Museum, to be exact.”
An eyebrow raised of its own accord. “Superheroes? Seriously?”
“Yes, Captain. Superheroes.”
For the briefest of moments, Jim thought he saw the glint of mischief in his friend's eyes. “All right, then. Let's go.””
Link: History
Harry Potter
Title: Professor Potter's Sorting Hat Song
Author: TardisIsTheOnlyWayToTravel
Rating: T
Warnings: None
Length: ~1,082 words
Genre: Gen
Main Character(s)/Pairing(s): Harry Potter, Sorting Hat
Summary: Every year a member of the Hogwarts staff has to write a Sorting Song for the Sorting Hat. Perhaps they shouldn't have chosen Harry.
Why you should read it: A great fic for when you want or need to have a laugh :D
Link: Professor Potter's Sorting Hat Song
X-Men
Sub-fandom: X-Men Comicverse
Title: Worlds Away
Author: hyacinthian
Rating: K+
Warnings: some swearing
Length: ~900 words
Genre: General
Main Character(s)/Pairing(s): Kitty
Summary: Jubilee is as American as she isn't.
Why you should read it: One of my all-time favorite one-shots. It does Jubilee justice for once.
Link: Worlds Away
~~~
Sub-fandom: X-Men Evolution
Title: Trust
Author: Addie Logan
Rating: M
Warnings: nudity
Length: ~2,000 words
Genre: Romance
Main Character(s)/Pairing(s): Scott/Jean
Summary: Scott thinks about recent events while helping Jean out in a rather strange way… Scott POV; follows the episode "Mindbender"
Why you should read it: So I first read this ages and ages ago, but it's a dose of Jean/Scott Evo-sweetness that's hard to find in the fandom.
Link: Trust
~~~
Sub-fandom: Wolverine and the X-Men
Title: Kaboom
Author: LithiumAddict
Rating: T
Warnings: Language. Use (possibly even implied abuse) of prescription pain medicine and alcohol.
Length: ~1700 words
Genre: General
Main Character(s)/Pairing(s): Rogue, psyche!Gambit
Summary: When a mission with the Brotherhood goes wrong, it falls to Rogue to make it right . . . and to deal with the fallout.
Why you should read it: This is one of the best portrayals of Rogue's internal struggles in this series that I've read. It doesn't sugarcoat, "fix" things, or turn into a romance. This is about Rogue and it's awesome.
Link: Kaboom
Roswell
Title: Beautiful to Me
Author: BehrBeMine
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: implied adult situations
Length: ~2100 words
Genre: Romance
Main Character(s)/Pairing(s): Michael/Maria
Summary: Maria's pleased with what's hers.
Why you should read it: I have a thing for lovely, spot-on, character-study one-shots. This is a study of a relationship through the eyes of Maria. It's reflective and sweet, but very satisfying.
Link: Beautiful to Me
La Femme Nikita
Title: Do You Remember
Author: tvashti
Rating: PG-13 overall
Warnings: character death
Length: ~15,000 words
Genre: None Provided
Main Character(s)/Pairing(s): Michael Samuelle, Walter, OC
Summary: People have begun to notice Michael’s changing mood.
Why you should read it: A powerful, well-written lead up to the series. It's a character study of Michael from outside of Michael through the eyes of a well-written original character that feels like she was canon. This is Section One and every character just like they're supposed to be. Awesomeness.
Link: Do You Remember
Andromeda
Title: Harper Learns
Author: Jaimi/Nevermore
Rating: R
Warnings: swearing
Length: ~54,000 words
Genre: Romance/Fantasy
Main Character(s)/Pairing(s): Harper/Trance
Summary: The sequel to Teaching Trance. In which Trance returns home and Harper must find her before he loses her forever.
Why you should read it: Yes, this is a sequel, with all the trouble of them. They are better if you've read the first story. But for the romantic in me, this fic still hits the spot. A nice, long Harper/Trance story overcoming arranged marriages, stubborn parents, and long distances to live happily ever after.
Link: Harper Learns