A/N:

Hey McRaider, you're getting me all excited! Only about four more chapters, probably.

I love this chapter, can I say that?

Chapter 11

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The Prime Minister shook the hand of his Minister of Defence, and the two dark-suited men settled in their seats on either side of the highly polished desk.

"Well, what do you think? Should we be involved?" The Prime Minister leaned forward to hear better what the answer might be.

"We certainly don't want to let the Americans control the Stargate programme alone. Getting a foothold in the Antarctica Outpost Expedition is the best we can hope for right now."

"Yes, but, who to send? They want…" the Prime Minister looked down at the papers spread in front of him, all stamped "Top Secret" in bright red ink, "…physicists, chemists, biologists, geneticists, medical staff, nuclear scientists, database engineers, network specialists, programming consultants…How in the world are we going to select four candidates for inclusion in the…assessment process, for pete's sake?"

"Yes…we can't exactly advertise in the Jobcentre, can we?" The Minister of Defence stared at the ceiling.

The Prime Minister took a sip from his cup of tea, and replaced it slowly onto the saucer. "I have an idea…" he stabbed at a button on the intercom. "Judith, get hold of Karen Harris, will you? Tell her it's urgent." He smiled broadly. "She'll do it for us. Good, eh?"

The Minister of Defence let a smile spread across his face. "Oh, yes. She'll find the best. That'll give the Americans something to chew on."

The intercom buzzed. "Yes?"

"I have Ms Harris on the other line, Prime Minister. She says she can fit you in tomorrow afternoon. Will that be all right?"

The Prime Minister rolled his eyes. "Yes, all right, Judith. Get a car to collect her. Let me know when she's coming." He let go of the button. "I suppose that's her way of saying I can't do without her."

"Indeed, Prime Minister. Of course, she's right."

0o0o0

The car bringing the Director General of the Security Service swept up to the front door of Number Ten, Downing Street. The driver opened the shiny black door, and Karen Harris stepped out. The shiny black front door of Number Ten opened as the car door closed, and the immaculately dressed mature woman in charge of MI5 breezed inside.

0o0o0

"So you see, Karen, we don't want anyone else knowing about the programme, but we want to find the best to send to the Americans," explained the Prime Minister.

"The Best." Emphasised the Minister of Defence.

Karen Harris looked at the faces of the two men, and studied the list in front of her. "Four candidates, you say?"

"Yes, each country can make four nominations."

The Minister of Defence added, "We want some of the top jobs, mind."

She smiled at their competitive attitude. "Just leave it to me, gentlemen."

0o0o0

The head of MI5 returned to Downing Street exactly one week later. She greeted the Minister of Defence and the Prime Minister, and laid four files on the desk.

"We know they are taking one British citizen already, a Dr Peter Grodin. He's working with them now, they're transferring him to Antarctica. I'm afraid he will count as one nomination. I have brought you three new candidates."

Once they were all seated, Karen Harris picked up one file and handed it to the Prime Minister.

"This is my best find, gentlemen. Dr Carson Beckett. Reached the rank of Surgeon Lieutenant Commander, in the Navy for 8 years. Came out three years ago, currently a civilian, working in our Defence Genetics Programme."

"Our what?" asked the Prime Minister.

"Never mind, I'll tell you later," said the Minister of Defence, taking the file.

Karen Harris raised her eyebrows as she looked at the two men. "He's got everything they want. Oh, and he's worked with Americans before."

"Won't that put him off?" the two men exchanged glances.

She briefly shut her eyes and took a deep breath, "Like I say, he's one of your top choices."

The Minister of Defence was reading the file in front of him closely. "I'm surprised you didn't, you know, approach him yourselves."

Karen Harris smiled knowingly, "We did consider it, when he left the Navy, but he was categorised as TWH."

"TWH?" The Prime Minister wondered if he needed to take notes for the rest of the meeting.

"Too Warm-Hearted. Not ruthless enough for my purposes," she sighed. "However, we have managed to harness his talents, all be it without his direct knowledge."

"Hey, warm-hearted, that might be a bonus in Antarctica!" The Minister of Defence hoped to get some reaction to his joke, but was to be disappointed.

The Prime Minister waved his hand, "Karen, would you…"

"Yes, Prime Minister. We can approach these three and sell it to them, discretely, of course."

0o0o0

"Who are they taking?" asked the Minister of Defence eagerly, rushing into the office and dispensing with any of the usual formality.

The Prime Minister smiled. "Grodin, as we knew, and Beckett. That's all, I'm afraid." The Prime Minister seemed pleased enough.

"Only two? Bloody Americans. Let me see the full list."

The Prime Minister handed the document over and rested his head against the back of his chair.

A grin appeared on the face of the Minister of Defence. "Well, that's all right, I suppose."

"Thought you'd like it."

"I never complain when we beat the French."

-

A/N: Don't worry, we love each other really ;-) Guess he's on his way now. Thanks for sticking around, everyone. Not long now...