marbleglove | Willow and Hackers

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Willow and Hackers

There have been "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" / "Hackers" crossovers before. i've read several. Some of them are good, some of them are not so good, but none of them have really been ideal.

In "Hackers", there is this whole hacker style that involves everything from clothes to music to jargon. In the big climactic scene at the end, we see little snippets of hackers other than our main characters and it's clear that hackers come from all social circles, but our main character still consider it necessary for real hackers to have all the frills. The stories I've read all buy into this idea and thus, when Willow meets up with the hackers, she's dressed in tight leather and using equally unusual speech patterns.

I would like a story in which Willow, she of the comfortable clothing and California-speak, were to meet the hackers.

My current idea sets it after the end of the series, (I haven't read the comic books at all beyond noticing that Dawn has become a giant), and have Willow getting her teacher certificate so that she can go back and be properly certified in order to teach at the new Slayer Academy. As her experience is with computers and teaching such, she becomes a student teacher at Stuyvesant High School, helping out with the computer classes.

Dade, Kate, and the rest of the hackers are taking this class for the easy "A" they can get. They sneer a bit at the overly cheerful Willow. Then they realize that their easy "A" is going down the drain because the computer system there has been upgraded to the point where they have to work together (and learn their lessons) in order to hack the system, and the lessons Willow is teaching are *hard*.

They try to figure out who she is. Discover that she's the IT person for an apparently unhackable organization based out of Cleveland. Then it's pointed out that she's not scared of anything. She's all light and fluffy and working in a major New York highschool and nobody scares her.

She is surprisingly cool despite appearances.

Of course that's not really a plot, just a starting point. For a plot, I'm thinking one of them gets annoyed with her messing up their grade scheme so hacks her government files and makes changes, like they did to that one FBI agent in the movie. However this time, they did it to the file of someone who the US Army is extremely nervous of and sort of wants to kill on principal for the whole almost-ending-the-world thing.

The rest of the hackers then need to save her, let the army know that she wasn't making changes to her own files, and possibly learn a few things about magic and demons in the mean time.

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Oz really was fabulous. I think one of the reasons why he's underused is that he's a difficult one to write: quiet and subtle but also pointed and sardonic. I think the only author I've read who really gets him is PaBurke, but those stories are well worth reading.

Anyway, lets say all the hacking has to be done completely without magic and Razor and Blade are magic enough that they can't turn it off in order to hack. So they suggest getting the best pure-humans out there: Dade and Kate.

I like your idea that there's an evil project that W&H are planning and those records need to be removed entirely from the computer system. Which may be sentient in its own right, because, hey, inter-dimensional law firm. It's a right tricky beast.

So Willow and Oz need a virus that can search and destroy and but it's all they can do to get the doorways open long enough to insert anything, they can't develop the virus itself. If Willow and Oz are really super good at getting past security or setting up their own security, but what they need is a very specific type of virus in order to crash some subsystem of W&H without crashing the whole thing since that would just get attention and retaliation, they would need help for that.

Meanwhile the government is not happy about a possibly-homicidally-depressed Willow working with a bunch of apparently-anarchist hackers, especially since their target is a well-reputed law firm. Willow and Oz get pulled in for questioning and Dade and Kate need to keep the process going until they get back which is really amazingly tricky because the hackers don't have the magical history to know what they're doing. So then they need to send some of their hackers to help Willow and Oz be released so that they can get back before their insertion program messes up. They manage to get Willow and Oz back just in time to prevent the W&H system from kicking them out of the system so there's still a chance to insert the virus. But now the virus has to be completed and inserted and then that pathway closed down so no one can track them later.

And what was originally a long-term all-year project now needs to be done before the military can mobilize itself to stop Willow and Oz. Then it's rush, rush, rush until they can get the virus in and then they're all surrounded by the army and various other minions. The hackers are going, oh no, we're in so much trouble. But then Willow goes out, looking sweet and nice (with no black to her eyes or hair) and lets Riley know that nothing happened that the government needs to worry about. And Oz just shrugs when asked what just went down. And the hackers look on in amazement, wondering what sort of pull these people have because apparently they're not all going to be handcuffed and dragged off to prison after all.

Though the military is still looking at them suspiciously. Riley points out that it might be hard for them to get jobs after school with their records. So Oz says he rather thinks that this on their record will get them quite a few job offers. Willow says, oh, yes, do they want a job with the Council? And Riley winces, because making the council even more powerful and irresponsible was not his plan.

I spent the weekend reading all of PaBurke's fics which explains my Ozzy mood and makes me crave moooore!
He would be a though one to write I grant you that... still he needs more loveee!

that is an even better reason for why they can't be in the hacking while still being aware of what is going on and maybe giving aide in the sidelines. Their computer being sentient is also a good way to need to hurry the invasion since chances are someone wouldn't feel a mosquito bite... but if it kept biting you in the same place the being would notice and bring out the spray.

Oooh good idea, they'd be able to crash the entire system but since that is precisely not the point they need aide... and which hackers have successfully dealt with a similar virus?? They would be good at making minor ones but since it ain't what they usually needed they aren't the best, and they need the best for this.

W&O are more of security experts, getting past and building it because that was what they most needed when lives were at stake before.

the question is how does the government discovers the target? but i agree that they would be very nervous at the possibilities since one of those hackers has a conviction for having created a economical crisis in Wall St. and the others were also suspects in the DaVinci case last year... not to mention they were apparently seen with one Daniel Osbourne who once leaving high school rejected a job at the premier software companies in order to road trip in a beat up van... something they don't buy and so are suspicious.

after the wacky plan to release the two from custody works (because with the other hackers in the plan it has to be a little wacky).
So we already have a great climax and denouement with guest appearance made by Riley which is so cool. Not to mention the build up of reasons of why the project becomes more time sensitive as they get into it which should make a good gradual build up for the fic.

And I can imagine him wincing and thinking that *he* had been planning on making the job offer, but since Willow and Oz are so much cooler than the Man with guns he knows he doesn't have a chance.

it would be cool to have then Willow take the hackers to e introduced to the Council during summer break, since she has to finish teaching before going on with Oz to complete the appointments he had postponed. And so we can get a reaction from the scoobies about the two taking on W&H on their own. and to the new employees.

which allows for the use of the apocalypse in may lines and the jump to the rest of the year with no need to write it all... and it keeps open for sequels since we don't know whenever WH realized they had been infiltrated and if so, by whom.

Maybe the government doesn't know who the target is, they just know that there is a target, which probably makes them all the more nervous because what if that target is them? Meanwhile, W&H remains completely oblivious. And a lot of tension regarding the hacking is to keep them oblivious. Then in the climactic scene, the sentient system becomes aware but the virus successfully deletes that knowledge.

Or blackmails the system, I suppose. If it's self-aware then it must have personality and weaknesses.

Then the sequel:

Dealing with a semi-evil sentient computer system that knows more than is healthy for you but has refrained, so far, from spilling your secrets to its masters. Or at least, if it has told, they're holding off on acting on it. Very unclear motivations regarding the computer program.

(Maybe Methos wrote it? Heh.)

Back to the original story, though, Riley and Slayer HQ could provide job offer and counter offer and the hackers could try to get the best deal. Because, while Slayer HQ may have a definite coolness factor, what they don't have are the amount of funding that the US Army has or the respectable reputation that parents might like in their kids' jobs.

Anyway, this would be a very cool story. Somebody (not me) should write it.

Oh yes... the becoming aware of the invasion would be a very nice cliffie! s that in the next chapter they can delete it.
Blackmailing the system would be an interesting strategy!
Especially if Methos wrote it (hey he did create the watcher interactive database).

It would be such an awesome story. Shame you won't write it *puppy eyes*

Back, back evil puppy-eyes. Or better yet, Why don't you write it? I'll beta.

The best way to get a story that meets all your qualification is to write it yourself. It'll be fun.

*puppy puppy eyes*
I can't write it! I have neither the skill nor the knowledge of the characters, especially Willow since I barely watched Buffy at the end.

Not to mention the fact I am job hunting, see? I can't!
what about you??
*kicked puppy eyes*

thought it is kind of tempting, because working out this plot was just so much fun! Especially imagining the twists and turns the characters would have to make to get where they would need to go

Good luck on the job hunt. That can definitely be frustrating. But this could be a fun relaxation for you! Have an excuse to rewatch "Hackers" and maybe some of the Buffy episodes.

And it would be virtuous. Doesn't the world deserve to have a decent Buffy/Hackers fic in it somewhere? You could meet that need.

What's your favorite scene from this story?

Go pull up a word document, save the outline, and fill in your favorite scene. Just that one scene and send it to me. It'll be fun.

here, kitty, kitty. One step at a time.

the temptation!! must resist!!!
You already made me spend the last two days reading PaBurke's fic since you recommended the Hl/BTVS/IJ x-over, cease your attempts!!

but I might, and I mean might give it a shot this weekend I am broke so no going out for me anyway ><;
but don't expect much from it... last time I tried to write I was in 7th grade and it was so mary-sueish even I couldn't stand it!

and you are right the world does need more Buffy/Hackers fic... but it also needs Highlander x-over fic (or sequels of fic)

You know you want to.... you have snippets some where... I know you do....

Give in, give in to the dark side. Resistance is futile. Go with the muse. Lay back and think of fandoms. ... possibly these are not the best metaphors to convince you with, but still, you should definitely try.

And everyone writes Mary Sues, or at least thinks about them. The good authors just realize that it's a bad idea to let anyone else read them. Plus, I can't imagine you haven't grown up a bit since 7th grade.

Come on, come into my parlor... drat it, not that metaphor either. But just give it a try. It'll be fun. And a learning experience... and doing the world a favor...

Tempt, tempt, tempt...

Well since you put ti that way, I'll try this weekend (at least I have an excuse to watch Hackers again.
But I don't promise you anything!

and how about you??
What favor will you do to the world? won't you post any more x-overs? I *know* you had some plans for a sequel for square peg, and some reactions for the SG-1crew with regards to what happened in the next chapter...
I was only more eager to read it after the review reply you sent me!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Hmm. I've currently been bashing my head against the next section of my Labyrinth series, but it has not been playing nice. Neither has a chapter of an original story I've been thinking about for a while. The sequel to Square Peg is too humungous for me to think of without wincing.

I suppose I could do a one-shot Square Peg sequel but it would be more of a teaser than anything else, because, wow, is there a lot of work in taking over the universe.

How about a one-shot Methos/SG-A as a token thank you for your story. Would that do?

Yes well, you are the one who volunteered to suffer through it and help me. You are going to need to be very patient and helpful! you hear me?

Ohhh oh yes it would!
it sure would! it would also help you take your mind of Labyrinth for a while. Some of the best things come when you aren't looking for it... best way to remember something is not to think about it after all!
Though if you want to write that SG1 teaser you won't hear any complaints from me!

(and likely not from you fans!)

Excellent. I look forward to seeing what you create. And I'll try to write an appropriate thank you this weekend too.

I may need to re-watch Hackers, too.

Wacth away... because if you get ideas from it I won't mind you writing an x-over either... like you said the world needs more of them!

Ack. Except what my brain does not need is more story ideas. This livejournal is supposed to be a way to get these stories out of my head, not to develop more of them!

Do you remember that one Sandman story in which Morpheus gives the playwright too many plot and characters ideas to deal with and it drives him insane? I would sympathize except for the whole kidnapping/torture/rape bit.

I do not need more ideas than I already have.

I remember well that story... unfortunately all I have to say about that is "Oopsie"
and I will try do it again soon *wink*

Heh. I will be strong and resist your evil whiles. At the same time, of course, trying to tempt you with my evil whiles.

Nooo... you shall not resist my whiles!
be tempted!!

So have you had a chance to work on this? Any luck?

I've started both a Methos/SGA story (which is about half done) and a future-Square Peg teaser (1/5th done maybe?).

Not much luck so far things are going *very* slow and I can't seem to pick a scene to write even though I can *see* it in my head.

Yayyyyyyy
you deserve a cookie!! I am very glad to hear that and I will work extra hard!

Yeah, it's frequently hard to get started. Once you have a scene in your head, you just need to start describing it. Or start with the dialogue and ignore the description entirely. Type whatever with the understanding that you don't care if it's good or bad at this point as long as it has the virtue of existence. Then you can go back later and edit.

Okay. I'll try that

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