Fic rec: Translations and Diplomacy, by Nightspear

[fignewton]

night_spear1287 has just posted the epilogue to Diplomacy, the novel-length sequel to Translations.

I can't say this often enough: this is one of the best AUs ever.

Translations starts out a bit slowly, because we need background: the Stargate was opened in '82, by Claire and Mel Jackson. Jack was a member of the team, not the leader. Claire and Mel stayed behind... and when Jack led a team back to Abydos in '97 after Apophis raided the base, he met their 13-year-old son Daniel. By the time we finish chapter two, Daniel, together with Sha'uri and Skaara, have been taken to Chulak; Claire and Mel are dead; and when Sha'uri and Skaara are taken as hosts, Sam and Jack take Daniel back to Earth, where he's stuck until the Abydos Gate will be opened a year later.

For me, that's when the story really starts. Daniel has to adjust to life on a different planet, to Teal'c, to the expectations he meets and the cutural mores he doesn't understand. (On Abydos, he's on the cusp of adulthood; he doesn't understand why the Tau'ri insist on treating him like a kid.) Jack has to struggle between seeing Daniel as a teenager, seeing him as the son of Mel and Claire that he'd pledged to keep safe, not seeing him as a Charlie-substitute, and accepting Daniel's very burning need to do his part in the struggle against the Goa'uld. Add some lovely Sam and Daniel interaction, and fantastic Teal'c and Daniel friendship (Daniel becomes Teal'c's chalti), and I was completely hooked.

Translations ends, more or less, with the AU version of The Serpent's Lair. Diplomacy picks up right where Translations left off, and it's even better. There's less Teal'c and Daniel friendship here, sadly (although the post-Serpent's Song discussion that the two of them share will blow you away), but the Jack and Daniel friendship is simply awesome beyond words. Jack fully accepts Daniel as an equal, not a child - although the scene where he has to teach Daniel how to handle the gun is wrenching - and their back-and-forth banter is a delight. Some elements from S3 work their way into this fic; the storylines do change to reflect a team without Daniel, and an Abydos where Daniel has lost his brother and sister, not his wife.

To me, the best parts of Night Spear's wonderful fic is the repercussions. We get the team's reactions to events, not just events themselves. And Night Spear does a superb job of weaving Daniel into the story without shoehorning him into those parts where he just doesn't fit in this different role.

Have you ever had a fic that you just want to make people sit down and read, just so they can discover how wonderful it is? Translations and Diplomacy are those fics. Do yourself a favor: read Night Spear's incredible AU. You'll fall in love with it, guaranteed.

Comments

[green-grrl.livejournal.com]

I loved the first season story, and I'm so glad to hear this one's done! I'm going to go snag it all right now to read over the holiday traveling. Thanks for the poke! I heartily second your rec.

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

Oh, it's perfect for holiday traveling - long and detailed and oh so good. :)

[cnidarian.livejournal.com]

I caught one of your earlier recs for this but I didn't have the time to sit down with it and give it the attention it deserved. As it happens, this last week I've started Translations and omg, it is as wonderful as you claim! Really great characterisation for everyone and wow, great look at a slightly different set of events, from a slightly different angle. I kinda don't want to read too fast cos then it'll be over! *rubs hands with delight* Here's hoping Night Spear carries on with Season 3+!!

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

Yes, she is planning S3 - and S4! I can't wait, although we'll have to, for a while. :)

It's long enough that you can read quickly... but read it slowly, and savor. Because it's so goooooood.

[night-spear1287.livejournal.com]

Wow--lots of praises and recs and everything. Thanks so much for all of that, and I'm glad you've enjoyed it!

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

Gen teamy goodness of this caliber is worth every word, believe me!

And I forgot to mention how much I enjoyed the way you cut Daniel's hair. Poor Siler... :)

[sg-wonderland.livejournal.com]

Although the whole story is wonderful, my favorite part is the Daniel/Teal'c friendship. Slowly built but just so heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time.

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

Oh yes. And Night Spear has promised we get more Daniel-Teal'c friendship in S3, so yay!

[sg-betty.livejournal.com]

So glad you posted this note about the epilogue. For some reason, when I read it before, I must have missed a link, because I thought it had stopped (for the time being) at chapter 19. Lo, and behold! Way more story! Thanks!

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

Good for me, then! :D