Great tag, very descriptive!

Such darkness and yes, it was interesting to show that other side, to have an understanding of what it is to be a CO who must always have the wider picture in mind and for Sheppard to come to this realisation. Brilliantly done.

This was deliciously great angst; the portrayal of Sheppard's distress so painful it could be felt too.

This was a nice story, but I wouldn't really call it whump. There could have been a bit more of the team in there too. it was really good, though.

This is one really great ep tag to 'TRW', Ali!

I'm (as always) deeply impressed with the emotional aspect (in this case reading 'whump') and contemplation you put into your stories.

John's insights, especially the one in his dream at the end "leading to desaster" threw me out of my boots. It all felt very genuine and true to the characters. This also refers to Carson's concerned and yet highly deserved reading Shep the riot act and Rodney's lightning-fast moving-on from worriedly visiting his friend in the isolation ward to analysing the data.

Brilliant piece of fic! *hugs*

Great story! I love it!

The end of this story was amazing. It certainly made me think! Every decision creates different consequences. Good? Bad? Who knows what the aftermath will be but I think in the end to do nothing at all would be unacceptable…great writing; you really got in to Sheppard’s head. I’m looking forward to your next project. :)

Ok. Clearly I am gonna have to read your entire story list.

This too was wonderful - more than a story; a philosophic treatise on the ethics of command and the impact of command choices.

I guess one of the reasons I am just so stuck on the Sheppard character is that I agree with him. I feel deeply, passionately, that the life of one person is more important than any policy, any philosophy; I believe down to the wiggly tips of my toes and out my memory filled hands, up the back of my aching neck and out through my eyeballs and with every last molecule of air I breathe in and out, that the life of just one person is worth any sacrifice, priceless beyond measure. I understand the economies of scale; I just believe that if you choose to sacrifice one person under the impression that you will save dozens, thousands, millions, that you have sacrificed something essentially human in yourself, something you can never get back.

It is different if you choose to sacrifice yourself, as Sheppard might. Then, perhaps, that sacrifice has meaning and purpose, which could even, possibly, be ennobling. But it is not given to any of us to make that choice for another without damaging our human soul forever. And I believe, with every fibre of my being, that you can never again fully trust someone who has made that choice for another, especially if they have never faced making that choice for themselves first.

So, like Sheppard, I would make the same choice every time. I would reach out to Dr. Weir. Indeed, I have made that choice, many times in the past. I have, quite literally, cared for people so sick, and so contagious, that other (supposed) professionals refused to even be in the same room with them. I'm sure I will make that same choice again in the future. I could not look at my self in the mirror if I did not.

Leave no one behind.

Pardon me for getting maudlin, I have not slept since Tuesday morning and unless I'm much mistaken it's around dawn Thursday...

Not having seen this episode is driving me crazy. Only 10 days to go before I get my grubby mitts on it! Back to the serious stuff, I love this storyline, battles of command against slowly going mad with recriminations- great story.

Oh wow. Nice dark ending there. Poor Sheppar. What a dilemma.

poor john that is an awfull lot to fall on one persons shoulders :)

Wow. He's right on both counts. He risked a lot for one life, and yet how do you stand by and do nothing when you can help. Hard decisions and I'm really glad I don't have to make them. Now THIS is the stuff of nightmares. Very well done (as always).

What an interesting twist! I really like how he comes to realize that the risks he takes affect everyone. Really nice ending paragraph too.

I definately "feel" the angst here. And believeable too.

I absolutely love it! I can't wait for the next chapter!