Welcome aboard everyone. This is my latest WIP and, with a 7-chapter introduction, it looks like it'll be epic. Includes every character from the first three seasons, including Darryl and Chefo (it's about time they had some love). It's an AR fic, so be flexible in what you're thinking. SomebodysDarkAngel is my NaviBeta, but any mistakes are mine. All feedback/reviews/flames appreciated, but I'm not here to hear (yet again) how much you all love Jade.

Navigator – Prologue

Friday, January 12, 2001

"Smart."

"Obviously."

"Intuitive."

"Probably."

"Fast learner."

"Get to the point."

"Aw, Kate!" Mike Flynn's pouting blue eyes gazed into her green ones, and eventually Kate sighed in defeat.

"You think we should hire her," she stated flatly.

"I do."

Kate flicked calmly through the young woman's file. "Marshall agreed?"

"He did. Now I've just got to get the idea past you."

Grimacing, she handed the file back. "Fine. Offer her the job. Lord knows, we need some fresh blood."

Mike winced. "Bad word choice," he pointed out, and she rolled her eyes. Before she could compose a witty comeback, however, there was a knock on the door, and Robert Dixon poked his head in.

"Agent Flynn? They've got news on Richard."

Kate looked up. "I'll be right there." She turned back to Mike. "We'll continue this discussion later."

Watching his wife of three years walk away, Mike smiled to himself. One down.

***

Monday, January 15, 2001

As she walked down the main street, the young woman was unable to prevent a wide grin from crossing her face. Lately, even the simplest of tasks filled her with a sense of fulfilment; even the most boring of lessons made her feel alive. It was him, she knew it was. Being with him was like... it was like being in love.

"Excuse me," a voice called, and she spun around. A man was leaning against the front fence of a nearby house, watching her. Cautiously, she stepped closer.

"Do I know you?"

He smirked. "No. Not yet, at least. My name's Mike Flynn. I'm here to offer you a job."

She studied him carefully. There was something supremely arrogant about him, but he didn't look seedy or particularly dangerous.

"I have a job."

"I'm offering you a better one."

Had he approached her and said, "Work for me", it would have been an entirely different situation. She would have knocked him one and called the cops. As it was, she wasn't going to follow him anywhere or sign anything – but the conversation was amusing, at the very least.

"You don't know anything about my current one."

"You're in your second year at ADFA. Still deciding on a major. Training to become a Naval officer. Distinction average. Youngest of five children."

"Stop," she commanded shakily, and the smirk returned to his face. She wasn't running, which was a good sign; but nor was she losing the objective cautiousness. Curious but careful. A good combination. It could be a great one.

"I know your father."

Her eyes narrowed. "Really? Well, that line may work on orphan boys in movies..."

"I used to work with your father."

"My father was in the Navy."

Mike shrugged. "Call him sometime. Ask him how he is. Ask him if he remembers Mike Flynn."

She nodded slowly. "Alright, I will." There was a moment of silence. "You going to tell me about this job?"

"I run a high-security operation, funded by the Australian government. It's called Hammersley. We work to stop national security threats from becoming reality. Working with many different people, different places, using different skills..."

She bit her lip. From what he'd read in her file, the idea would be more than tempting; it would be ideal.

"Dangerous?"

"Less so than what you'd face in the Navy. But yes, there are risks. Pays better, though." He glanced up the street. "I don't think here is the place to talk about it."

He fished what looked like a blank business card and a pen from a back pocket, and scribbled a number down. "Call your father. Then call me."

"I'll think about it," she replied coolly, taking the card.

Plays her cards close to her chest, he noted. Perfect.

"It's not a request," he added softly. "It's an offer."

While puzzling over the hidden meaning to those words, Nikki's gaze was caught by a car speeding along the road behind her. When she turned back to the fence, the man, Mike, was gone.