Treading Water by reflex (PG-13)
Show: SGA
Rec Category: Alternate Universe
Characters: Rodney McKay, John Sheppard, Carson Beckett, Ronon Dex, Teyla Emmagan, Elizabeth Weir, Radek Zelenka
Pairings: None
Categories: Gen, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Drama, Cannon AU
Warnings: Genetic experimentation, child neglect/abuse
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author's Website: at The Jumper Bay
Link: Treading Water
Why This Must Be Read: Treading Water is the first in a series of three stories. This story mostly fits into early cannon, except for Rodney's 'secret'. He has gills, and not as a result of Bizarre Ancient Do-Hicky of the Week, but because he'd been part of an experimental genetics project as a child.
The first story in the series is about how the team find out about this and their reactions, but also a bit about Rodney slowly learning to be okay with this weird thing that's been a part of him his whole life and he's never liked. The second story is a peek at Rodney as a kid being shipped out to his estranged uncle's house for summer vacation. Though full of original characters, this story might actually be my favourite of the series. The characters are interesting and engaging, and provide a good set of eyes through which to see child Rodney. Reflex also managed to stick in a clever little reason for the science fair nuke Rodney built when he was 12. The third story in the series is pretty much a bonus adventure set in Atlantis some time after the first story, which elaborates even more on some of Rodney's experiences as a child and on his abilities.
The series is well-written and interesting. There's angst abound, but with enough humour and lighter bits to keep the stories from being quite as dark as they could be. I really enjoyed reading this series and definitely recommend it to everyone!
“Sir,” Major Lorne called out as they approached. He had been at the lead of the escape group, helping everyone find their way. He stopped and looked at him, his frown increasing as he took in the other two members of Sheppard’s party. “Where’s McKay?” The few scientists left, waiting for transport, stilled at the question and looked over at them, their eyes widening.
“Not now, Major,” he ordered and Lorne, knowing what the look in his eyes meant, stood taller and didn’t say another word. In the time it took to ascend the stairs John had developed an obsession with checking his watch. Six minutes had now passed since Rodney had disappeared under the water.
Another minute ticked by before they spilled out of the transport closest to the control room. A deep silence had settled between them as Sheppard led Ronon, Radek and Lorne (the other two scientists having gone to the labs) into the control room to see the expected flurry of activity on the upper level. John could feel a coldness seeping into his bones as every second passed. He couldn’t trust Rodney, he couldn’t trust the man to not do something stupid like this. And for what! He looked at his watch, his eye twitching against his will. Nine minutes.
He took the stairs to the control room two at a time and paused at the top, quickly scanning the group before waiting to be acknowledged by Weir so he could report. It seemed the other three in his entourage were completely willing to follow his lead as they froze there as well, not really having anything else to do. Well, Radek probably did, but he had been close to Rodney as well and John was willing to let this slight in professionalism go due to shock.
“It seems to be working!” The Canadian at the console, who had Weir practically draped over his shoulder as she studied his readings, yelled out. Then in an enthusiastic move he jumped up, his chair just missing the city’s leader as it rolled back. “It’s working! He did it! He actually did it! Water intake has been halted and there’s still enough air in the room for them to keep breathing for another few hours. By then the draining systems should be working and as pressurization increases the water will be forced out of the pier. They’re going to be fine!” Cheers went up all around and John was having a really hard time understanding what was going on, and frankly, as long as the crisis was diverted he didn’t care. He was desperately trying not to care about anything right now.
The world record for holding ones breath, while free diving, was just under ten minutes.
“Elizabeth,” he called, and cursed when his voice actually cracked slightly. She looked over at him, a smile on her lips.
“Colonel, I don’t know how you managed to get the equipment to Rodney in time, but you did a damn fine job!” She enthused and he stared at her. He tried not to hate her for being so happy while in ignorance over what they had lost.
Whom they had lost.
“I’m sorry, Dr. Weir, but we didn’t get any equipment to Rod-Dr. McKay,” he pulled himself to his full height and refused to look her in the eyes. “We were unable to stop Dr. McKay from heading back into the water. I don’t know what’s going on, but it wasn’t Rodney. He…” John stopped, took a breath and forced himself to look into her green eyes. He shook his head, trying to convey his message in silence. Her eyes widened and then she looked back at the lieutenant’s console that lay before her and back at John.
“What are you talking about? Rodney reached the subsection and managed to manually override the doors. He closed them,” she declared and John frowned as Radek decided to speak up.
“No, is impossible. It is maybe six, seven minute swim to reach and then two minutes work. Rodney has large lungs, but even he cannot hold breath that long.” He declared and began moving past John and into the control room. “You must have done something here to shut door.”
“We didn’t do anything sir, it was all Dr. McKay.” The Canadian Lieutenant declared, beginning to look confused. “I’m sure he’ll tell you all about it,” he said, trying to lighten the air and John looked at him sharply, shutting him up instantly.
“It’s impossible,” Radek said again.
“McKay didn’t have a breathing apparatus, Elizabeth. There is no possible way he could have made it to that subsection,” John said and hated the dawning confusion that was slowly replacing her previously relieved features.
Rec Category: Alternate Universe
Characters: Rodney McKay, John Sheppard, Carson Beckett, Ronon Dex, Teyla Emmagan, Elizabeth Weir, Radek Zelenka
Pairings: None
Categories: Gen, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Drama, Cannon AU
Warnings: Genetic experimentation, child neglect/abuse
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author's Website: at The Jumper Bay
Link: Treading Water
Why This Must Be Read: Treading Water is the first in a series of three stories. This story mostly fits into early cannon, except for Rodney's 'secret'. He has gills, and not as a result of Bizarre Ancient Do-Hicky of the Week, but because he'd been part of an experimental genetics project as a child.
The first story in the series is about how the team find out about this and their reactions, but also a bit about Rodney slowly learning to be okay with this weird thing that's been a part of him his whole life and he's never liked. The second story is a peek at Rodney as a kid being shipped out to his estranged uncle's house for summer vacation. Though full of original characters, this story might actually be my favourite of the series. The characters are interesting and engaging, and provide a good set of eyes through which to see child Rodney. Reflex also managed to stick in a clever little reason for the science fair nuke Rodney built when he was 12. The third story in the series is pretty much a bonus adventure set in Atlantis some time after the first story, which elaborates even more on some of Rodney's experiences as a child and on his abilities.
The series is well-written and interesting. There's angst abound, but with enough humour and lighter bits to keep the stories from being quite as dark as they could be. I really enjoyed reading this series and definitely recommend it to everyone!
“Sir,” Major Lorne called out as they approached. He had been at the lead of the escape group, helping everyone find their way. He stopped and looked at him, his frown increasing as he took in the other two members of Sheppard’s party. “Where’s McKay?” The few scientists left, waiting for transport, stilled at the question and looked over at them, their eyes widening.
“Not now, Major,” he ordered and Lorne, knowing what the look in his eyes meant, stood taller and didn’t say another word. In the time it took to ascend the stairs John had developed an obsession with checking his watch. Six minutes had now passed since Rodney had disappeared under the water.
Another minute ticked by before they spilled out of the transport closest to the control room. A deep silence had settled between them as Sheppard led Ronon, Radek and Lorne (the other two scientists having gone to the labs) into the control room to see the expected flurry of activity on the upper level. John could feel a coldness seeping into his bones as every second passed. He couldn’t trust Rodney, he couldn’t trust the man to not do something stupid like this. And for what! He looked at his watch, his eye twitching against his will. Nine minutes.
He took the stairs to the control room two at a time and paused at the top, quickly scanning the group before waiting to be acknowledged by Weir so he could report. It seemed the other three in his entourage were completely willing to follow his lead as they froze there as well, not really having anything else to do. Well, Radek probably did, but he had been close to Rodney as well and John was willing to let this slight in professionalism go due to shock.
“It seems to be working!” The Canadian at the console, who had Weir practically draped over his shoulder as she studied his readings, yelled out. Then in an enthusiastic move he jumped up, his chair just missing the city’s leader as it rolled back. “It’s working! He did it! He actually did it! Water intake has been halted and there’s still enough air in the room for them to keep breathing for another few hours. By then the draining systems should be working and as pressurization increases the water will be forced out of the pier. They’re going to be fine!” Cheers went up all around and John was having a really hard time understanding what was going on, and frankly, as long as the crisis was diverted he didn’t care. He was desperately trying not to care about anything right now.
The world record for holding ones breath, while free diving, was just under ten minutes.
“Elizabeth,” he called, and cursed when his voice actually cracked slightly. She looked over at him, a smile on her lips.
“Colonel, I don’t know how you managed to get the equipment to Rodney in time, but you did a damn fine job!” She enthused and he stared at her. He tried not to hate her for being so happy while in ignorance over what they had lost.
Whom they had lost.
“I’m sorry, Dr. Weir, but we didn’t get any equipment to Rod-Dr. McKay,” he pulled himself to his full height and refused to look her in the eyes. “We were unable to stop Dr. McKay from heading back into the water. I don’t know what’s going on, but it wasn’t Rodney. He…” John stopped, took a breath and forced himself to look into her green eyes. He shook his head, trying to convey his message in silence. Her eyes widened and then she looked back at the lieutenant’s console that lay before her and back at John.
“What are you talking about? Rodney reached the subsection and managed to manually override the doors. He closed them,” she declared and John frowned as Radek decided to speak up.
“No, is impossible. It is maybe six, seven minute swim to reach and then two minutes work. Rodney has large lungs, but even he cannot hold breath that long.” He declared and began moving past John and into the control room. “You must have done something here to shut door.”
“We didn’t do anything sir, it was all Dr. McKay.” The Canadian Lieutenant declared, beginning to look confused. “I’m sure he’ll tell you all about it,” he said, trying to lighten the air and John looked at him sharply, shutting him up instantly.
“It’s impossible,” Radek said again.
“McKay didn’t have a breathing apparatus, Elizabeth. There is no possible way he could have made it to that subsection,” John said and hated the dawning confusion that was slowly replacing her previously relieved features.