This is the first part of a prequel to my AU series, set back on Earth. Weir has just been appointed leader of the Atlantis expedition, John has been with her since her UN days, Rodney has yet to meet either of them, and Sam Carter is the civilian leader of SG-1.

Rodney’s contract is owned by the SGC, but his ‘master’ is an SGC employee who has custody of him.





“Elizabeth?”

She looked up, and greeted the other woman with a smile. “Hey, Sam.”

Lady Samantha – only recently granted the title, upon being given command of SG-1 – passed her a handful of dark green files. “These are the scientists I think would be the best to go to Atlantis.”

Elizabeth nodded, and glanced at the first one, only to look up at Sam in surprise. “An indentured?”

“Rodney McKay. He’s a good scientist – intelligent, highly qualified… he has way too high an opinion of himself, but you can work around that.”

“Who owns his contract?”

“The SGC, although his sister has some controlling rights over it.”

She nodded again. Sometimes people entered indentured service voluntarily - perhaps to fund education that they could not otherwise afford - and in such cases it was usual for a family member to be granted some authority over who could buy the contract, so as to ensure that the indentured would be well looked after. If Elizabeth were to transfer ownership of McKay’s contract to the Atlantis team, then both his sister and General O’Neill would need to give their consent.

She glanced through some of the information in the file. “It would be good to have some scientists with SGC experience with us.”

“He’s worked at Area 51 as well. He’s arrogant, but he knows his stuff.”

“Do you think the sister is likely to agree to him coming? We don’t actually know that Atlantis is safe.”

“I haven’t met her. But if he’s bothered to apply for the position, then he must believe there’s a chance that she’ll agree.”

“Good point. Okay, thanks, I’ll look through these, and arrange some interviews.”

“If you need anything else, I’ll be in my lab.”


--------------------


As McKay left the office, Weir raised her eyebrows at her lover - and personal guard - who stood at the back of the room.

“He certainly seems… confident.”

John snorted. “You mean arrogant and superior.” He glanced at the door for a second, and then turned a little more serious. “At science-stuff, anyway. I get the feeling he’s not too confident with anything else.”

“He’s an indentured servant,” she noted. “Having no control over your own life doesn’t tend to lead to personal security.”

“No, it doesn’t. Are you going to ask for his contract?”

“I think so. Lady Samantha seemed to think I should.”

“Maybe she just wants to get rid of him! He looks like a handful.” He considered her for a second. “You should take him on. Personally, I mean.”

“What?” Elizabeth was startled.

“It’s, what, a year or so since you last had custody of an indentured? Maybe it’s time you took on another. I know you could handle him. You and that cane could handle anyone.”

“I don’t know… I hadn’t planned to take on that kind of responsibility. I’ll be busy enough just as the base leader.”

“He shouldn’t be all that much work. And I can help you out whenever you need me to. Just think about it,”

“Fine. I’ll consider it. But I’m not making any promises.”

“Of course not, my lady.” He grinned at her, knowing full well that she would not refuse a challenge of that kind.


Go to: Part 2