SGX: The Offer

By SGX

Abridged By Egypt

Author's Note/Disclaimer: I have received permission from all members of SGX to use their characters in this story. Only one of these characters belongs to me. The rest are © their owners (see below). SG-1 does not belong to us, nor are we making any money from this. We do it solely for our own enjoyment.

Cast:
Gunnery Sergeant Charlie Bass: RaceGlen
Lance Corporal Jeremy Thomas: Jeremy J.
Lieutenant Robert 'Bobby' Dalziel: Brit
Lieutenant Bekki Eralc: Clare
Milo Kinski: WhiteJazz
Tamlyn Gregory: Mayhem
Tayte: RedVelvetDragon
Viper: Egypt

He let the newbies gaze at the gate for a few more minutes and make, what Bass was sure they assume to be pithy comments, before he ushered them all into the conference room. Viper's chair was bolted to the floor, her hands cuffed to the armrests so that she could only move them a total of 5 inches from the chair. He wanted to be sure that she was not going anywhere.

The next three hours were a fun filled romp of images, information, and date. Actually, it was the most boring thing Bass had been forced to set through, but that was probably because this was the third time he was hearing it. It was hard to believe, for him at least, that anyone could make a real life story about future tech, aliens and betrayal boring as all sin. Still, whoever designed these briefings had done an excellent job of it. The briefing covered almost everything. The Gou'auld, the Jaffa, the Tok'ra, Ra, the first SG mission, Apophis, Anubis, and several other things. It was designed to give as much information as possible to new recruits in an attempt to prepare them for what they were about to step into.

Tamlyn couldn't believe what she was seeing, literally couldn't believe it. How on Earth, or off it (as the case seemed to be), could any of it be true? Aliens? Traveling through space to other planets? Slugs that crawled into people and took them over? If she hadn't seen all of the mountains and military guys on the way in, she would have sworn she was still in southern California.

She looked around at all the others, most of them seemed like reasonable people. Even the guy that grabbed her seemed to have a good grasp on reality, and he believed it. She shook her head, there had to be a catch somewhere.

Bobby's mind felt full to overflowing with all the new information he'd tried to assimilate during the briefing. If he'd seen this on a TV show he would have dismissed it as escapist, far fetched nonsense. The boring presentation of the briefing actually made it all seem far more possible than a more vivid one would have done.

Bobby believed that the Stargate was a pathway to other worlds. His stomach clenched at the thought of using it but he couldn't wait. He smiled inwardly remembering an obsession with Star Trek in his early teens. Well he was certainly 'boldly going.'

Once the briefing was finished and the lights came back up Bass sat back in his chair and stared around the room. Hammond had chosen to set this briefing out and the only non X personnel in the room were Viper's two new left feet. Drumming his fingers on the desk he regarded each of his 'crew' before he took a deep breath and spoke.

"Now you know," he said, "The truth isn't out there, it's in this room. As to why your all here, that is a bit simpler. You are all, as of this moment, part of the new SG-X. The new president has been looking over the reports for SG's 1-9 and quite frankly he's a bit disappointed. SG-1 does great work mind you, but he feels that it is time to go on the offensive. That's what we are here for."

Wow! thought Bekki, again. That word kept occurring to her. Was this for real or what? It sounded more like a TV program but the look on Bass's face told her that he believed it. From what she could gather they would be put on active duty. That was something that she had not expected and to be honest she was not really sure she liked it.

He pointed at each one of the group in turn, starting with the new demolitions expert. He smirked, his eyes almost lighting up with enthusiasm. This was his team.

"You're here to blow things up. You're here to patch us up when we get busted."

Patch them up? That was one way to describe what Bekki did. She was the best surgeon in the RAF, why else would she have been given command of her own med unit at the rank of Lt. She had seen active duty in the gulf, her first service after leaving med school and joining the air force. She noticed there was another Brit here. No doubt these Americans would assume they knew each other. When in reality she didn't know any of these people and quite frankly didn't know if she wanted to.

"You're here to learn the Gou'auld tech and be our resident translator. We have an expert to ready to help you doctor. You," Bass pointed at Bobby, "You're here to lead the team when I'm other wise indisposes."

Bass's words shocked Bobby just a little. He supposed that the only special skill he had was leadership but it hit home hard the way that Bass put it. 'Indisposed', useful word that, it could mean anything, and anything was what could happen with this team. They literally would have no idea what they might encounter next. He guessed that Bass would have to trust him although he knew the man didn't like him. Well the feeling was mutual.

"You two…however," he said, turning to Tamlyn and Viper, "Are a bit more complicated. See, we're going to be killing people of course so that is where you come in Viper. For those hard to reach victims, the ones that we would not normally be able to get to. And you, Miss Tamlyn. We are going to be getting into places where we will need data, or just general things, recovered. That is where you come in. And while we are on the subject let's address those thoughts that you are both having. Should some or any of us die under mysterious circumstanced on another world, should any of us not return, should you be the only ones to return, should one of us die here or if you kill, maim, or hurt any of us, run away or refuse to do this…there is not anyplace in the universe that you will be safe. We won't send the cops after you. There will be no trial. No juries. Just a death squad. And yes, we do have those. I like to call them our little jacked up cyber ninjas. I actually know quite a few of them. So, the choice is yours."

"Ultimatums? You grab me out of the middle of a job, a very profitable job, and you say 'join or die'?" Tamlyn was incredulous and was liking this less and less. She hated being threatened, and detested ultimatums. He had just done both in no uncertain terms.

He just stared at her. Trouble was, she didn't doubt for a second that if she tried to take one step out that door without a by-your-leave, she would be dead before the second footfall. The 'tell-it-like-it-is' attitude the man had was probably the only thing at the moment that she respected about him.

The other trouble was, damn it if she wasn't intrigued by all of it? What if, just what if, it was all true? How many thieves got a chance to steal objects from another world?

Bass smirked, his trade mark 'Sam Neil, I'm a jackass' smirk before leaning back in his chair again. He tossed a key in front of Viper, well within reach of her cuffed hands.

"I leave it in your hands."

Viper looked at the keys, then back up at Bass. She had spent the last three hours setting still and watching. Despite being pissed that he had her 'chained' to her chair like a dog, she had to admit that the basis of what they had just shown her was possible, if improbable. His threat about any of the team ending up dead fell on def ears. She didn't care, not like she had a life to begin with. Besides, what made him think he could dictate her actions anyway. Wasn't that just like men. However, the idea of going to another planet was thrilling...although she would never let him know that, or anyone else for that matter.

Tamlyn tapped her fingers on the table top, the only sign she showed that she was uncertain of her decision. A part of her thought, hell take your chances and run. The much larger part of her very much liked breathing on a regular basis.

What if...?

"Fine, I guess I'll stay among the living... for now," was her only other comment.

Bobby stood up. "Does that apply to the rest of us, Gunnery Sergeant? Are you going to have us killed too if we don't play nice with you. I take it we're all replaceable. Very sorry Admiral Dalziel, little accident with his sports car. The US Government regret and all that tosh. That's why you got rid of my girl friend isn't it. Wouldn't do to have a TV journalist looking too closely at what happened to her partner would it?"

Did that last part apply to Bekki too, or just the two (for lack of a better word) criminals? She heard Bobby ask the very same question so she chose to remain silent and await the answer. He, the one Bass called Bobby, was RN by the looks of it. She could tell that he was about as thrilled to be here as the rest of them were. Something they did have in common apart from both being English. She looked at Bass, anxious to see how he would respond to such an early challenge from his 2IC.

Bass grunted. Defiance. It was all he needed at the beginning of this little project. Glaring around the room, her rubbed his chin in thought as he stared at each of them then pointed his finger at Bobby.

"No," Bass answered the Brit, "You won't be killed...Bob. But I do hear Ice Station Zulu is looking for a new commander. They measure terms on that iceberg in epochs."

"Well that's reassuring," Bobby muttered as he looked Bass up and down, a smirk crossing his features. "As for Ice Station Zulu I guess I've sailed underneath that a few times without your people even being aware of it. After spending 6 months at a time under the ice that threat really doesn't bother me any."

Bass shot Bobby a scowl before he turned towards the other four legitimate members and raised an eyebrow. Once again his fingers drummed on the table, his eyes moving to each in turn before he leaned back in his chair again. He was about to speak when the door swung open and a tall young man with brown hair stepped in. He walked to the end of the table and dropped his duffle bag on the floor before giving a salute.

"Jarhead Lance Corporal Jeremy Thomas, reporting as ordered."

Bass scowled at the man but ignored him, much as the rest of the team did. Instead of paying him head he pressed on with what he was about to say.

"What do the rest of you have to look forward too, Really?" he asked, that smirk once again twisting his features, "I mean honestly. You, Tayte. Research with no funding? Here, you can explore new civilizations, new worlds, the past and the future at the same time. Unlimited funds. You, Milo. No job. Your friends are leaving you one by one. No purpose in life. Here, you have a purpose. Eralc. You could command a unit in some piker country if you want. Or you could make a real change. Save millions of lives by keeping us going. Or you, Jeremy. Hmm? Court-martialed. Dishonorable discharge, possible jail time. Not too old to shank prisoners for cigs are you? Here your training is put to good use."

"What about my assets?" Viper asked, still setting there as she had been for the past tree hours, "Do I loose all that when I become one of the Government's little pit bulls, or do I actually get to keep what I have spent my entire life building up?"

Bass turned to the two villains, that smirk still on his face.

"No, Viper." he said, almost disappointed that she showed no form of emotion, "Your accounts are frozen right now. As are yours Tamlyn. When SG-X officially disbands your accounts will be released on a discretionary basis, enough so you can live nice, normal, happy lives. And of course, you'll be monitored. Tagged, bagged, and returned to your natural environment so to speak. As for payment, and this goes for all of you, you will be paid for your services here. Enough to have yourself some fun, a few dollars in your pocket. Enough to live a life. But than again, if the Corps wanted you to have a life, they'll issue you one at boot."

Tamlyn's eyes flashed a brief hint of anger that he could be so... casual about what he was doing to her life right now. Granted, she felt more often than not she was living on borrowed time anyhow, but he was speaking to her like she was some damned catch and release!

"I had a life, thank you very much. It may not seem like much of one to you or anyone else in this room, but it was mine," she said in clipped tones. Fact of the matter was, it was the only thing that probably was hers. "Look, I know who…what…I am and I damn well know what most everyone in here thinks of that. I'm a thief, and as you said, a good one."

She looked directly at him, "I've already agreed to be a part of this. God knows why, but I have. You keep your word, I'll keep mine. Honor among thieves, you might say. And don't mistake me, you are a thief too. You just stole my life."

"No." Viper's voice was soft but filled with defiance. She looked up in time to see Bass turn around and give her a scowl. She simply shrugged. She was not going to set back and let any man bully her. The thief may just lay down and allow herself to be trampled on but Viper wasn't about to let that happen to her.

"You said it yourself." she said, her voice and her face still showing no emotion, "I am here because I am the best there is at what I do. Which means, if you kill me you have to SETTLE for the next best which means you will have a hole in your team."

His frown deepened, but she continued on.

"You either unfreeze my accounts and assets now or I will walk out of here, and you will have to kill me. Then you will be short one member. Like you said before there is no way for me to hide from you...so what do you have to fear? Release my accounts, and then I will cooperate with you willingly."

Bass stood up slowly and moved to stand behind his chair, gripping the back as he leaned forward and stared at the others in the room.

"This meeting is adjourned," he said a bit too gruffly, "If you will all follow the corridor signs towards 3-Charlie, the Barracks. You will all be rooming together for now. I suggest you get in there, tucked in. Boot starts early. And someone please explain to officer fresh meat there," he jerked his thumb in Jeremy's direction, "What I just went over while you're walking!"

Tamlyn stood up from the table, seriously considering saying more. But she had said too much already, damn it. She turned on her heels and walked out of the room without saying another word.

Bobby waited until Bass had finished, then turned to him again. His amusement at the defiance of the 'assassin' and the thief' apparent in his eyes. Bass wasn't going to have it all his own way with those two.

"Just one small item that I would like to mention Mr. Bass." He spoke quietly so that the others wouldn't hear him. "When we are off world and I am under your command I guess you can call me whatever you like. While we are on this base, which I am led to understand is still under military control you will call me Lieutenant. I don't expect Sir; I haven't earned that from you, yet. My family and friends call me Bobby. Acquaintances use Robert, my girlfriends, in the throes of passion call me… many things. But no one and I mean no one calls me Bob' and after this one time I will not answer to it."

He met Bass's eyes and smiled. "If you remember that Mr. Bass I would be grateful."

He looked at the others who were leaving for the barracks, wondering if rooming together actually meant that all of them would be sleeping in the same room. He was used to crowded conditions on the boats of

course but even in today's enlightened times the Royal Navy still doesn't have female personnel on board submarines. And what was boot'? He'd never thought of Americans as speaking a foreign language before but he realized that he would not only have to get used to being called Lootenant' but that there was a whole new terminology that he would have to learn.

He looked at the four women again and idly wondered if Bass had chosen them for their looks as well as their very special talents in other fields. Well gorgeous as they all were he didn't believe in mixing business with pleasure.

Bass stared at Viper until everyone else had cleared out. Once the room was empty he moved around to a cabinet next to the wall and pulled out a small remote. Holding it towards the TV screen he pushed a button with as much flair as he could muster. The display turned on, five different numbered accounts popping up on the screen. He turned and looked at Viper, his eyes locking with hers.

"Look familar?" he asked, his voice oozing arrogance, "I hope so. Those are your accounts. It's funny how all of that money is just data right now. Ready to be used…transferred...deleted.

He pressed another button on the remote and the page on the screen blinked once. There was now only four numbers left. The fifth one, the smallest account, was missing. He shook his head and put the remote into his jacket pocket. Leaning forward on the back of the chair he looked into her eyes again. He could see it, murderous rage in those smokey depths. The desire to reach out and strangle him. He would give himself fair odds, 50/50 on a good day. Then again, she was the best there was at death. That was why she was here.

She hated him. God how she hated him. If it wasn't for the guards around her she would have killed him right then and there. How dare he take everything away from her. Her money and her possessions were all she had left. Unlike all the others that were here she had no family, no boyfriend, no children, nothing. Now she couldn't even keep her yearly appointment. Her face remained stoic even as the anger boiled up inside. One day she vowed, one day she would pay him back for what he had done to her.

"I was hoping it wasn't going to come to this," he said, "Really. But, you left me no choice. You now have four accounts left. The one that's gone was one of the low end ones, only a few hundred thousand in it. Now, the terms of my original deal stands. Want to see what having only three accounts feels like?

He watched, halfway expecting her to defy him again. Instead she simply shook her head and stood up. When her eyes met his that anger was still there but it was underplayed by resignation. She nodded once in affirmation to his deal. A smile spread across his face and he nodded to the two guards to take her towards the barracks.

He knew it was going to happen one day, a fight between them. It was inevitable. However, as long as he kept his leverage he could postpone it. The question was how long could he postpone it?

Once Viper had left the side door on the opposite side of the room opened. A gray haired man wearing an SGC uniform stepped in and made his way to the table.

"I thought you were going to try…oh what was the word…nice?"

"I know Jack," Bass said with a sigh, "But if what you found out is true we don't have time to lollygag and play nice. This one's mine."

The older man nodded, then turned to stare at the star map on the opposite wall. Bass followed his line of sight, their eyes focusing on the same point. For one it was a point of perspective, for the other a point of no return.