4,000 words and I haven't even introduced pirate!John yet. But I will very soon now. :D
Anyone interested in beta reading for me? I'll send over what I've got, cause I suspect this is going to be pretty long. Probably 12-13k when all's said and done, so I don't have a problem getting it beta'd a section at a time, saving someone a daunting task when it's finished. (Maybe you don't think 13k is a daunting amount to beta. But then, I'm just guessing. This could be longer. It depends on how fun everyone in the AU is to write.)
Any takers? Who can hopefully catch any inconsistencies or breaks from canon (unintentional breaks, that is).
Ok, fine. I'll add a teaser as possible coaxing. Of course, I've now gotten to pirate!John's intro, so maybe I just couldn't resist sharing:
The disorienting journey was a welcome jolt that barely registered. When she stumbled through the other side, she was already gasping out orders.
“Dr. Weir!” She didn’t recognize the voice right off, but she heard the surprise in it well enough.
“I need Colonel Sheppard and his team recalled immediately. Major Lorne—” A hard hand closed over her arm, jerking her upright in a sort of rough support as she slipped and almost fell. “Thank-you, I—” She looked up, froze when she saw Ronon, wearing the glower that meant things had not gone well for Sheppard’s team. “Oh.”
“Yeah,” he said, smirking in a way that made her wonder just how much bad news she ought to prepare herself for. “I knew you’d be back. McKay owes me fifty.”
He and Rodney had been making bets on her return? That was…she shook her head; it wasn’t important. She took a breath, collecting herself.
“Where’s Colonel Sheppard?” she asked.
Ronon shook his head, dreadlocks falling into his eyes. “You know he hates it when you call him that. So do us all a favor and don’t, ok?”
She just stared at him, nonplussed. Was Ronon drunk? Drugged? Something was definitely going on.
“Look, I don’t have time for guessing games. Lives are in jeopardy. I need to speak with John right now!”
“I’m sure you do.” There was no missing the sarcasm or sneer as Ronon jerked her forward, leading her off the platform.
“I can walk without your help,” she snapped. She’d had just about enough of his attitude, or whatever it was up Ronon’s ass.
“I just want to make sure you don’t change your mind, now that you’re here. He’d be real disappointed if you ran away before he had the chance to see you.”
“Ran away?” she echoed. “Ronon, are you feeling all right? Maybe you should see Dr. Beckett.”
He jerked to a stop and yanked her close to him, his grip leaving fresh bruises on her skin. She gave a small cry of protest, stunned, but he ignored it.
“Rubbing it in that the good doctor went with your side, are you? Like we need that bleeding heart Beckett around. McKay’s bad enough, some days.”
What was he talking about? This was ridiculous! She drew herself up, ready to order Ronon taken into custody until they could sort out what was wrong with him. It was then that she realized there were no personnel on duty. Or at least, none in uniform. What was going on around here? She’s gone for a few hours, and Atlantis goes to hell in a handbasket.
Of course, this might explain why no one ever responded to Lorne’s request for a Jumper. Time to proceed with caution.
“Look,” she said calmly, “I don’t know what’s going on around here, but I need to see John right away. And McKay.”
Ronon laughed, an ugly sound.
“Like McKay wants to see you. He’s still pissed about your last little visit; though it was pretty ingenious, tricking him into letting you go. Bruised his ego. And seriously pissed John off.”
She closed her eyes.
“I don’t have the faintest idea what you’re talking about. If you would just—”
“Take you to see him? Don’t worry; he already knows you’re here.”
Thank God. Unless John, too, had been infected with whatever seemed to be ailing Ronon, in which case she was in serious trouble.
“Yes,” said his thankfully familiar voice from behind her. “I do.”
She’d never been so happy to see him. She spun around as Ronon obligingly loosened his grip.
“John, thank God. I—” She faltered, stopped, and stared.
John was…he had a beard. Closely trimmed, carefully groomed – a goatee, like some villain in a low budget TV show. She’d seen him just yesterday, and he’d been clean shaven. He was also out of uniform, his usual BDUs exchanged for – dear God, were those leather pants? With a gun like Ronon’s strapped to his hip. His wore his black, military issue jacket, at least, but it looked as though it had seen better days, scarred and missing his rank insignia. And…was that an earring, that glint of gold at his ear?
She was aware her mouth had dropped open, her eyes widening in shock. As she watched, he drew that gun and pointed it at her, dead center. She took a half step back, but Ronon’s hand tightened again. Yes, she was in serious, serious trouble.
“Welcome back,” said John, and he pulled the trigger.
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rhienelleth
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Related...
Date: 2006-08-23 09:28 pm (UTC)I'm starting to think that I'm the worst nitpicker on the planet. But I hate fucked up continuity - especially when it's obvious it was rewritten to make the spin-off 'cooler'.Do the direct plot steals from SG1 end anytime soon?And what is the deal with the "Trauma!" "Look, Pretty Atlantis sunset shot!"?
I'm enjoying the characters though, and I like a lot of the Atlantis architecture. And, as always I'm giving it time.
Re: Related...
Date: 2006-08-23 09:32 pm (UTC)I really enjoy the characters. :) They're the real reason I watch, though too often I feel their potential is being wasted.
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Date: 2006-08-23 10:15 pm (UTC)Yay for mention of Lorne!
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Date: 2006-08-23 10:18 pm (UTC)I'm leaning toward evil!pirate!John, because that's just too awesome to pass up.
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Date: 2006-08-23 10:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-08-24 12:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-08-24 01:26 am (UTC)suliabryon at gmail dot com
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Date: 2006-08-26 02:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-08-28 09:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-08-29 03:07 am (UTC)