Three Email by Lacey McBain (G)

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

Title: Three Email
Author: Lacey McBain
Pairing: none
Rating: G
Word Count: ~ 900
Summary: Kavanagh sent three encrypted email from The Daedalus.
Notes: Spoilers for "Critical Mass" - dialogue between Kavanagh/Weir taken from there. Reference to Dr. Lindsay from "Coup d'Etat." I'm not sure what Kavanagh's first name actually is, but he's Calvin in a lot of fics, and I used that.


Three Email

“We’ve been going over the communication logs from The Daedalus, and it seems you sent three unauthorized encoded messages back to Atlantis shortly after the dialing was halted.”

***

Subject: (no subject)
From: Dr. C. Kavanagh <kavanagh@atlantis.net>
Date: 20/01/2006 13:55 AST
To: Dr. E. Lindsay <lindsay@atlantis.net>

Emily,

I have no idea when you’ll get this, but I hope you’re on one of your weekly expeditions to MX1-177. There’s a bomb on Atlantis—at least according to SGC intelligence, and yeah, you know what that means—but seriously, if you can get out, do it. I want you to be safe, and although I’m sure McKay will think he’s some kind of bomb expert, I wouldn’t trust my life to him. Or yours.

Maybe I didn’t say it strongly enough while I was on Atlantis, but I do care about you. I just can’t stay there any longer. Sooner or later McKay’s going to get everyone killed, and if he doesn’t, Sheppard and Weir will. Believe me, the SGC will be hearing about them when I get back.

I’m sorry it ended the way it did. I hoped coming back would give us another chance, but … well, you know what happened. I suppose there’s no point dwelling on it, but if I could change things, I would. I hope you believe me, Emily.

I’m not supposed to be sending this, but I had to say something. For what it’s worth, you made my time on Atlantis worthwhile, and I’ll never forget that. I hope someday you can forgive me. Be safe.

Yours,
Calvin
--
“The hope that new experiments will lead us back to objective events in time and space is about as well founded as the hope of discovering the end of the world in the unexplored regions of the Antarctic.” – Werner Heisenberg

***

“I have a few friends here I was concerned about. I wanted to see if they were all right.”

“I thought you said you didn’t have any friends.”

***

Subject: Professional Concern
From: Dr. C. Kavanagh <kavanagh@atlantis.net>
Date: 20/01/2006 13:30 AST
To: Dr. R. Zelenka <zelenka@atlantis.net>

Dear Dr. Zelenka,

Because I respect your work as a colleague, I feel it is my professional obligation to point out the error in allowing Dr. McKay to remain as Chief Scientist. On more than one occasion, the man has been almost entirely responsible for the near-destruction of Atlantis, not to mention the destruction of three-quarters of a solar system. The fact that people only refer to it as “that slip-up on Doranda” doesn’t make what he did any less devastating.

Dr. McKay may be a decent scientist, but he doesn’t listen to anyone. Not you. Not even Lt. Colonel Sheppard, who I blame just as much as McKay for what happened with Doranda. The two of them—well, I’ve made my concerns known to Dr. Weir, and will reiterate them to General O’Neill when I get back to Earth. Sooner or later they’re going to run into someone who won’t put up with the little arrangement they’ve got going.

I just wanted to say that I would’ve made an effort to stay if Weir would’ve considered my suggestion to place you in charge of the Science Division. I knew there was no way she would ever consider me for the position because it would look like American favoritism, but you would’ve been a good choice to replace McKay. I’m sorry she didn’t take me seriously.

I hope you survive McKay’s term as Chief Scientist.

Best wishes,
Dr. C. Kavanagh
--
“The hope that new experiments will lead us back to objective events in time and space is about as well founded as the hope of discovering the end of the world in the unexplored regions of the Antarctic.” – Werner Heisenberg

***

“Now the messages were encrypted, but don’t worry, I’ve got people deciphering them right now.”

***

Subject: Patient File C-1007
From: Dr. C. Kavanagh <kavanagh@atlantis.net>
Date: 20/01/2006 12:08 AST
To: Dr. C. Beckett <beckett@atlantis.net>

Dear Dr. Beckett,

I wanted to thank you for your recent discretion regarding my case, and for not questioning my decision to leave Atlantis. I just can’t stay here any longer, and it will be better for everyone this way. I appreciate your concern, and although I don't doubt the sincerity of your insistence that you'll continue to research the problem, I’m sure your skills will be needed for other things, especially given Dr. McKay's propensity to blow things up.

I will, however, contact Dr. Ferguson and Dr. Yoshimi as soon as I reach Earth. Thank you for forwarding my case file to them; it will aid in the treatment process, I’m sure, although I know there’s no cure. I’m still hopeful, though, that perhaps a solution can be found.

If the worst comes to pass, as I fear it might, I’ve given instructions for you to be notified. Please advise Dr. Lindsay of the true circumstances of my sudden departure. I didn't have the courage to tell her. She's the only one on Atlantis that needs to know.

Thank you for all you’ve done.

Sincerely,
Calvin Kavanagh
--
“The hope that new experiments will lead us back to objective events in time and space is about as well founded as the hope of discovering the end of the world in the unexplored regions of the Antarctic.” – Werner Heisenberg

***

Elizabeth closed the file containing the decrypted email, and sat back, one hand rubbing against her aching forehead.

“Oh, God,” she murmured to herself. “What have we become?”


THE END

Feedback and con crit always welcome.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Wow. This was an interesting take on Kavanaugh's seemingly usual pigheadedness in Critical Mass. He can be pretty asinine but he's still human. Very effective storytelling with just those 3 messages.

three email

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

Very effective storytelling with just those 3 messages.

Thank you. I really like Kavanagh as a character, so I was disappointed they sent him back to earth. I've been fixating on who he sent those three email to, so this is my answer.

[druidspell.livejournal.com]

I like this evaluation of Kavanaugh's character. So often in fandom, he's only portrayed as an idiotic bastard. Here, he's still not exactly sympathetic, but he does have some valid concerns. And you've portrayed him quite well.

3 email

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I like Kavanagh as a character, and yes, even though he's an ass, he's still human. Just less likeable than McKay when he's been an ass. *g*

[druidspell.livejournal.com]

Also, I like the quotation at the end of his emails. It seems like something a scientist who's worked with the SGC and SG:A would appreciate.

[ivy03.livejournal.com]

Seconded. Especially the Antarctica bit.

I used to get emails from a Chem prof who's signature line was:

"Back in my day we had to make our own water by smashing oxygen and hydrogen together."

[ivy03.livejournal.com]

I knew there was no way she would ever consider me for the position because it would look like American favoritism

Yes, I'm sure that's the reason why Kavanagh will never be the head of anything. You did a good job of making him sympathetic without losing his essential asshole-ness.

3 email

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

Yes, I'm sure that's the reason why Kavanagh will never be the head of anything.

*snort* My thoughts exactly. I'm glad he straddled the line between sympathetic and asshole - that was the plan. Thanks.

[in-interval.livejournal.com]

Oh really nice. I would have been so much happier if Critical Mass had ended this way - I thought Elizabeth's treatment of Kavanagh was very worrying.

3 email

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I like the moral ambiguity of the show's second season, and I wanted to play with that just a little here. Especially since Elizabeth's now reading private email. *g*

[lydiabell.livejournal.com]

Oh, interesting. I have a certain sympathy for Kavanagh just because we're so obviously supposed to dislike him, and he's just used as a whipping boy by SGA and fan writers both. Sure, he's an asshole, but so's Rodney, and we know he has redeeming qualities. It's nice to see a story that treats Kavanagh as a more three-dimensional character.

I agree with in_interval -- I would have liked to have seen something like this in "Critical Mass".

[lydiabell.livejournal.com]

I almost forgot, re: the "arrangement" McKay and Sheppard have going -- I wonder if Kavanagh knows something, or just thinks he knows something? *eg*

[paranoidangel]

That's a great sympathetic Kavanagh in there, with reasonable explanations for his departure from Atlantis (well, hints at explanations anyway) and reasons for him sending those 3 encrypted emails.

I liked his sig too - I've never heard it before but it sounds so appropriate for the Atlantis mission.

3 email

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

That's a great sympathetic Kavanagh in there, with reasonable explanations for his departure from Atlantis (well, hints at explanations anyway) and reasons for him sending those 3 encrypted emails.

Thanks. I wanted to hint without spelling things out too clearly. I do think life's like that, and there probably were a number of reasons he chose to leave Atlantis. It's fun to ponder. And the tag line - Google is a wonderful thing. *g*

[amalthia]

lovely story. thanks for sharing.

3 email

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

[sgatlantislight.livejournal.com]

Excellent fic. Loved this. I enjoy making Kav a sympathetic character at times myself.

3 email

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

I enjoy making Kav a sympathetic character at times myself.

Thanks! And yes, we need more Kav fic. Definitely.

[siegeofangels.livejournal.com]

This is great! I'd been thinking about those emails and what they were--and the throwaway lines about Kavanagh's leaving and coming back--and this is exactly what they should be.

3 email

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much. I'm glad you enjoyed it. The writers give us these throwaways, but there's never followup on some of them, and I just had to figure out who those email might be to.

[buddleia.livejournal.com]

Ha! I loved this and I wish I could see Elizabeth's reaction to something like it in canon. Poor Kavanagh was basically right about everything, just deeply unlikeable.

3 email

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

Poor Kavanagh was basically right about everything, just deeply unlikeable.

That's one of the things I liked about the episode - he was essentially right in that the decision to torture him was easier because they didn't like him.

Glad you liked the fic.

[cathexys.livejournal.com]

that was wonderful!!! so kavanagh, prick yet more sympathetic than on the show, more multidimnsional...loved the sig file! just perfect!!!!

thank you!!!

so, was it something that he contracted in the pegasus galaxy???

3 email

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

Glad to see you back online. *hugs* And happy to hear you liked the fic - I was thrilled when I found that quotation. It seemed so perfect with the Antarctica reference.


so, was it something that he contracted in the pegasus galaxy???

Truthfully, I hadn't given it too much thought. Could be something like that or even something terminal just discovered.

[slm76.livejournal.com]

Oooh, this was interesting and I really liked how it was written. Everyone has their reasons for acting the way they do, even if those reasons don't always come across. I also liked how you separated those emails with quotes from the episode. It blended very well with how the episode itself was shot.

3 email

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

Everyone has their reasons for acting the way they do, even if those reasons don't always come across.

Exactly! McKay's only less of an ass because we know him - when we watched him on SG-1 the first time, I'm sure most people hated him. *g*

I'm glad the quotes worked to separate the sections. I considered writing little scenes in there referencing back to the episode, but I thought the quotes were clear enough for those that have seen the ep. Thanks for the feedback.

[sylvertongue.livejournal.com]

Huh. Very well done, and fandom needed this, I think.

Thanks for sharing.

3 email

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much. That's a lovely compliment.

[ria-kukalaka.livejournal.com]

Wow, I love this. So nice (and incredibly rare) to see a fuller view on Kavanagh. I especially like the second one, this is exactly how I would imagine their relationship would be. Thanks.

3 email

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

So nice (and incredibly rare) to see a fuller view on Kavanagh.

He's definitely an interesting character to explore - more than as just the SGA whipping boy. Glad you liked the fic.

[fan-this.livejournal.com]

Wow. Simply? This was fantastic.

Also, I couldn't hide the giggle when you called him Calvin...so PERFECT for so many reasons.

:giggles:

3 email

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

I don't know who came up with Calvin for Kavanagh (not me), but it really does seem to work exceptionally well for him. *g* Scientific and comic overtones both. Glad you liked the fic.

[jissa.livejournal.com]

Wow. I *really* like what you did these. I've been wondering for a while now who Kavanagh sent the emails to, and you explain it so very well.

Thanks so much for writing this!

3 email

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

Glad this little fic helped to explain those questions about Kav's email. Thanks so much for commenting.

[skeddy-kat.livejournal.com]

Your Kavanagh had hidden depths! Hooray! I wish the writers had added the dimension to the episode that you just did. I also loved your take on Elizabeth's reaction to reading the emails. Thanks for sharing.

3 email

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

I wish the writers had added the dimension to the episode that you just did. I also loved your take on Elizabeth's reaction to reading the emails.

Thanks so much! That's high praise and I appreciate it. I wanted to get something of Elizabeth in at the end because her threat of having the emails decrypted would have to be carried through on, and I think even with Kavanagh eliminated as a threat, she would still want to see them. Poor SGA - they're all treading in such murky moral waters.

[xanphibian.livejournal.com]

Totally awesome. Really. Love this. And the end? Ooof. In the gut.

3 email

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

And the end? Ooof. In the gut.

Yay - I'm glad that worked. I debated about how to end it, but coming back to the consequences for Elizabeth seemed the most effective way. Thanks so much for commenting.

[mmmchelle.livejournal.com]

You captured his voice so well that I could hear it in my head--not an entirely pleasant experience.

I liked the story a great deal, even if it did make me hear Kavanaugh in my head. /g/

3 email

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry I made you hear Kavanagh, but also, yay! I made you hear Kavanagh. *g*

Thanks.

[not-sally.livejournal.com]

Loved this. I hate that just because Kavanagh is slightly an asshole, people automatically assume he's evil. I mean, Rodney can be just as abrasive and he gets by ok. Furthermore, I love Rodney. Which is why I found it so preposterous when the whole Kavanagh thing began.
If they gave us in canon something beyond the fact that he doesn't like Weir as a clue (example: he's incompetent, he's a danger to those around him, he's careless, whatever) I could understand, but the whole problem with Kavanagh always seemed to be the fact he was just unpopular! (which is also why I loved Rodney not agreeing to the torture thing).
The episode should have ended differently, because it only helped to prove Kavanagh's point, Elizabeth is incompetent and is ruled by her feelings to a dangerous degree. I really wouldn't want Kavanagh on the front line either, because he's to extreme an opposite, but I did like that at least the writers didn't support this stupid high school-ish idea of not-nice = evil.
So anyway, great fic.

3 email

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

I mean, Rodney can be just as abrasive and he gets by ok.

Yup. I've always thought it was interesting because Rodney's essentially the asshole that they know and Kavanagh's the asshole that they don't. Once you have a more personal relationship with someone, you tend to see them differently. Kavanagh totally calls it when he says he's a suspect because they don't like him. Uh-huh.

I like SGA precisely because the characters seem so flawed and human. They're under enormous pressure and they screw up. Often. They make bad judgments. Like real people.

I'm glad you liked the fic. Thanks!!

[purna.livejournal.com]

I liked this a lot. I don't consider myself a Kavanaugh-hater, but I certainly never really liked him. I did find him somewhat more sympathetic in Critical Mass--the "I don't have any friends" statement mostly. This piece definitely built on that, and explained some of his strange behavior. I also like how you've driven home Weir's reaction to her morally skewed decision on the show.

I wish this story had been the coda to the episode!

3 email

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much! I was happy to see Kavanagh back in Critical Mass, even if it was only to play the scapegoat for a while. I wish he'd be on the show more, but I guess I'll have to settle for including him in fic occasionally.

Glad you liked this.

[magus-minor.livejournal.com]

Ouch.

And ouch again, for a different reason. You made me feel sorry for the ferret!

3 email

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

You made me feel sorry for the ferret!

That was my plan!! *G* So I'm glad it worked.

[cjk1701.livejournal.com]

Oh, awesome! Lovely story, and a lovely way to add more dimensions to everybody's favourite pony-tailed bastard.

What's the condition you gave him? Or just something random and terminal?

3 email

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

What's the condition you gave him? Or just something random and terminal?

Pretty much random and terminal. *g* I hadn't thought it through all the way. I just knew I wanted him to be more sympathetic than he usually is while still maintaining his essential jerk-ness. Glad it worked for you.

Is your icon the actor who plays Kavanagh? 'Cause if it is, whoa, he looks totally different!

[monanotlisa.livejournal.com]

Excellent, excellent ficlet with a final few paragraphs that left us stunned -- very well done, but then, it's *you*. *g*

Thanks.

3 email

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

Excellent, excellent ficlet with a final few paragraphs that left us stunned -- very well done, but then, it's *you*.

Aw, that's so nice of you to say. Thank you. *hugs*