Tether by chilly_flame is a stand alone tale taking place in the Stargate SG-1 universe. The science fiction story of a group of intrepid explorers utilising the Stargate, an artificial wormhole, to explore new worlds and galaxies. It is set in our present time and somewhere around the mid arc of the television series.
United Air Force Major Samantha Carter is a brilliant scientist, a fearless soldier and member of the flagship team of Stargate Command’s SG-1 team. Her status as a woman in “the man’s army” gives her a unique perspective but also makes her the outsider looking in. And it is not always easy to be one of the guys, even if she is accepted as an equal by her fellow team mates, all men.
Doctor Janet Fraiser, the good doctor, who will do everything to save either a Human or an alien being. All life is valuable to her. She is good friends with Samantha Carter or Sam as her friends call her. Even sharing the responsibilities of taking care of an alien foundling, now a teenaged young woman.
This story contains humour, some angst and a small mystery to be solved. The friendship being quite solid then takes a turn to something more as a recently discovered alien artefact “the black box” takes centre stage. While investigating the mystery object, Sam and Janet accidentally come in contact with the artefact. After that, they are able to hear each others thoughts and even see the others dreams. Which of course, leads to all kinds of awkward, funny and even emotional situations for the two friends on their journey to become accustomed to this new status of their relationship.
After a while the two women have become comfortable in that specific “ship” but still not wanting to stir the status quo. Neither of them willing to take the next step. As they become privy to the others most intimate thoughts and desires over the course of the story, the underlying feelings are coming harder to deny.
This is a slow burn romance at best. The rather one-sided infatuation of Janet for Sam causes some doubt whether love is really for and on the other hand, the denial of becoming something more than friends and colleagues for Janet causes a somewhat angsty situation between the two leads after getting the ability to know so much of the other person. Luckily though, we do get an happy ending.
The Characters
Major Samantha Carter has been called one of the most valued resources of the country, if not the world. Being brave, devoted and intelligent, she is Earth’s leading authority on the Stargate and wormhole theory, and comes up with unique solutions whenever trouble arises. But, she is also set in her ways, so, when push comes to shove, Sam tends to withdraw to herself completely.
Doctor Janet Fraiser is a specialist in rare and exotic diseases. She is a feisty and intelligent woman who is not afraid to put even the most decorated officer in their place when it comes to medical emergencies. But, she can also fire a weapon if needed. The newly found add on to their relationship affects the Doctor much deeper than it does Sam, causing some friction in the friendship, being able to hear the other all the time might not be as fun as it initially seemed to be.
The Writing Style
This is written with good dialogue that cleverly separates thought from what is said out loud. There is not much technobabble incorporated so it is an easy read even for those undedicated to the actual show.
Despite the short nature of the story, there is still clear character development for both Sam and Janet as they learn to read each other during the whole process of being present for the other. The plot line follows the development of the relationship from friends to lovers. The emotions, feelings and misunderstandings are well written for both characters as they take different paths to reach their final conclusion.
Pros And My Favourite Parts
I love Stargate (if you haven’t guessed already). It is one of my go to shows whenever I need cheering up. This story had humour and a unique perspective of seeing the others most hidden thoughts and dreams, getting deep in there without being able to hide. This idea intrigues me as much as it did the characters.
Being able to read someone else’s deepest and darkest feelings causes friction between the characters as the subconscious mind does not filter anything and that in itself is a concoction for misunderstandings
Cons And Heads Up
No cons for me. This is a good albeit short story of friends becoming something more.
Angst note:
Dealing with loss is not something the other MC is able to cope with and there is a small part in the story depicting her plunge into the darkness and finding it difficult to get out.
Conclusion
A short story in the Stargate ship with Sam and Janet. None too many out there in my opinion as I loved both characters on the show. So naturally, reading fanfic was the best option for me to dwell into their lives.
If you love Sci-Fi, a love story and some mystery thrown in there as well, then this is a story for you.
Excerpt from Tether by chilly_flame
Around the briefing table, Hammond finished explaining the situation to the rest of the team. “You’re telling me you can hear Carter’s innermost thoughts,” O’Neill said doubtfully.
Janet fought a smile, trying not to visualize the lurid scenarios she suspected he was imagining. *Hey!* Sam’s voice echoed through her mind, and she bit her lip.
It was easier to weed through the mass of noise with the team present, but only because her mind was more focused. Sam’s brain, on the other hand, was racing a mile a minute as she tried to pick apart the reasons behind their apparent mind-meld.
“I wouldn’t say innermost thoughts, Colonel,” Janet said. *I would,* Sam thought.
*Shut up, I’m trying to talk here.* Janet continued, “I’m not sure if I’m experiencing exactly what Major Carter is, but it’s like the running commentary that an average human hardly notices thinking. Except there’s another commentary above my own, so I’m having a little trouble concentrating on what’s going on around me.”
Daniel looked fascinated. “But you two can communicate directly?”
Janet nodded in tandem with Sam. “There’s a general buzz in my head all the time, but there’s definitely a difference between that and, er, when she thinks something at me, I guess.” *Right?*
Sam agreed. *Right.*
“What about you, Sam?” Daniel asked.
“I can hear Janet’s, whatever she called it, commentary, but it’s not bothering me the way it is her.”
“How do you know it’s bothering Janet?” Daniel interjected.
Sam tilted her head. “Daniel, I can hear what she’s thinking. It’s pretty hard to censor thought the way we do speech.”
Janet dropped her eyes to the table. *I’m sorry, it’s just… hard.*
Sam’s voice in her head was smooth, softer than she could ever remember hearing. *It’s all right, Janet. It’s not your fault.* It comforted her, and she held on to the feeling.
“Anyway,” Sam continued, “I’m not having any kind of problem differentiating between my thoughts and hers. It’s just sort of like conversation that doesn’t stop when we finish speaking.” *Um, if it’s okay with you, I’m going to leave out the feelings stuff, especially since we’re not sure exactly what’s going on with them.*
Janet looked up at Sam and thought quietly, *Okay.*
Sam responded, *I wish I knew why I’m not picking up on yours.*
*Maybe we’ll figure it out. Or maybe this will fade, it might be temporary–*
“Ladies,” Hammond said, shocking Janet’s attention back to him. “Sorry to interrupt your private conversation, but we need to figure out what to do about this situation, right now.”
Find the full story here
Bits And Bobs
Fandom: Stargate SG-1/Sam and Janet
Length: 26550 words
Author: chilly_flame
Rating: M/E
Photo: Press photo for Stargate-SG1
Rating Guide: G= General, T = Teen and up, M=Mature, E = explicit
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