Interference Patterns, by BT (PG)

[figs_sg1_rec]

Rec Category: Crossover

Pairing: none
Category: crossover, gen, sg-1, team, character study
Warning: crossover with Quantum Leap
Author on LJ: unknown
Author's Website: BT's Fanfiction

Link: Interference Patterns

Why This Must Be Read: A quiet, considering fic, Interference Patterns is more of a character study than anything else. Unlike most Stargate: SG-1 crossovers that I've read, I'm actually familiar with both shows this time, and this fic does an excellent job of bringing out the best of the characters from both Stargate and Quantum Leap.

I enjoyed this story mostly for its seamless meshing of the both genres. Dr. Sam Beckett is used to applying one of his unique skills in order to "right what once went wrong" on his Leaps, but which skill is he supposed to be using now? It's good to see the author remembering that Beckett is both a linguist and familiar with heiroglyphics, besides his obvious expertise in quantum physics. But since Daniel is much more of an expert in those fields than Beckett, why has he Leaped into Daniel?

This story is particularly well done because it plays to the strength of both fandoms, rather than emphasizing one over the other. There's no trumping of any of the characters; rather, when the real reason for Beckett's Leap into Daniel is discovered, the members of both fandoms work together to arrive at the proper solution.

You have to feel sorry for Sam Beckett in this one. All of his usual cues are missing. No Al to give him helpful clues, and Daniel is so utterly unique among the members of SG-1 that he can't follow anyone else's lead. How is he supposed to know that he's supposed to call the leader "Jack," for example, when the woman is calling him "Colonel" and the big guy with the funny tattoo is calling him "O'Neill"? And speaking multiple languages, even if it's not on our Daniel's level, isn't going to be much help when Teal'c suddenly challenges him in Abydonian! Add the confusion of Sam Carter's first name...

Daniel, meanwhile, wakes up to find himself in a futuristic-looking room, unsure if he's on Earth or undergoing some kind of Goa'uld interrogation. The conversations that follow are an excellent look into Daniel's frustrated beliefs about the military and need-to-know security, and a surprisingly good rapport with the cigar-waving Al. Daniel's fear of what might happen if SG-1 discovers the truth, knowing what the team will assume "someone else in Daniel's body" must mean, adds an extra touch of tension.

The story ends with a touch of humor on Daniel's return to his body and Al's revelation of what Beckett's purpose had been: ensuring that SG-1 would be on Earth in order to save it from Apophis' motherships at the end of Season One. All in all, this is a very nice story that was very well done and well worth the read.

After a moment Teal'c said something more slowly, anxious and watchful. Then something else. Beckett mimed a headache, but he could feel the rug sliding out from under him.

There was a burst of leonine strength and speed from the other man, and the next thing Sam knew, he was flat on his back with Teal'c holding him down, not very gently. "You are not Daniel Jackson," said the rumbling voice. "Can you explain yourself?"

"I just can't remember the language..." he faltered.

"Perhaps. I will ask in your tongue: Where are you from? Who are your enemies and who are your friends?"

"I can't tell you." Sometimes flat truth made sense in situations like this.

"You could, if you were Daniel Jackson." Sometimes it didn't. The big man raised his voice to a roar, without apparent effort. "Colonel O'Neill!"

It was less than ten seconds before a head popped out of each of the two single-person tents set back from the fire. "Teal'c?" The colonel was beside them in ten more seconds, armed and staring down at the two of them. "Daniel?"

"This is not Daniel Jackson," said Teal'c with certainty. Under the colonel's hard gaze, he hauled Beckett to a seated position, off balance so he couldn't use his legs, wrists pinned behind his back.

"Who is it, then? Or--" his voice caught, "what?"

"He does not remember his wife's language, or that of the Goa'uld, or mine. Perhaps he is not Goa'uld, but he does not know who he is."

"He could be amnesiac," said Carter, coming up behind the colonel, carrying another of the square, ugly sub-machine guns. Everyone was gray figures in the thin moonlight until the colonel reached down to the lantern. It flared up, illuminating the area. Carter said, "It's possible he's lost some memories from hitting his head this morning, but if so, he needs to be back on Earth in the infirmary."

"Daniel," said the colonel, not putting down the weapon but squatting low enough to look directly into Beckett's lantern-lit face, "I'd hate to take you home early. It worries everybody. Can you tell me your..." he shrugged, "name, rank and serial number?"

Beckett wondered if he could bluff it out. "Daniel Jackson, civilian, and I have no idea."