Sacrifices (Prologue)

By Carol M.

Summary: A ruthless group of terrorists holds the Agency hostage causing deadly consequences for Darien that could change the lives of the under-funded six forever

Spoilers: New Stuff, maybe others

Timeline: 3rd season

Rating: PG-13 to R

Disclaimer: Don't own them, only play with them.

Note: Yeah, I know, it's not Devil's Silver, but the plot bunnies had a fight and this one won. DS #10 will be coming soon, I promise. As for this one, it has a little bit of everything. Lots of torture, angst, suspense, h/c, and a few surprises. Be warned, it gets a little tense in some parts. BTW, I made up all the little spy gadgets and some of the bad guy weapons featured in this story. If any of this stuff really exists, I don't know about it. Anyways, go dig out the climbing gear and enjoy!

If I had to choose between betraying my country and betraying my friend, I hope I should have the guts to betray my country." E.M. Forster- Two Cheers for Democracy

Prologue

In the end, it was only a small, unimpressive looking silver box. It reminded him of one of those graphing calculators that Eberts sometimes liked to use for tricky budget work. Hell, the thing even looked like a calculator with its number pad and small glass screen.

The Official had been staring at the small box that sat on his desk for over an hour with looks of pride, disgust and confusion spreading across his face at various intervals. He didn't know whether to be insulted or extremely honored to have this silver box in his possession. Of course, that didn't matter now. It was his job to protect it, whether he wanted the job or not.

He glanced to the left of the box and stared at two small slips of papers with the same number scrawled across the top in black ink. 26693368513111980. A number that could save. A number that could kill.

The Official's head shot up as he heard the door to his office open and Bobby and Alex walked in. He eyed them with a glare of annoyance. "There's a door there for a reason, kiddies," he grumbled.

Bobby looked at the door and then glanced apologetically at the Official. "If you want, we can go back out and come back in. After we knock, of course, sir," said Bobby as he pointed at the door.

Alex crossed her arms in annoyance and sank down into one of the chairs in front of the Official's desk. "You wanted to see us? You said it was urgent?" she said in a casual tone.

The Official nodded. "Yes," he said as he glanced at Bobby, who was still eyeing the door with uncertainty. "Hobbes, sit," he said in a firm tone.

"Oh…yes sir," he said as he stepped towards the chair next to Alex and promptly sat down.

The Official cleared his throat and reached for the silver box, holding it up in the air. "Are either of you familiar with a Blaster Box?"

Bobby raised an eyebrow. "Blaster Box, chief?"

Alex sat back in her chair and crossed one leg over the other. "It's a security box put out by the CIA less then six months ago. It's supposed to be the most uncrackable portable safe ever invented."

The Official smiled. "Yes, that's right."

Alex glanced at Bobby and gave him a smug smirk. Bobby retorted with a disgusted glance and then gazed at the Official. "So what's this Blaster Box have to do with us?"

The Official set the box back down on his desk. "The CIA has graciously allowed us to temporarily safeguard it for them. The contents of this box has been a very hot commodity in certain terrorists rings and there are at least a hundred people who would like to get their greedy paws on it."

"What exactly is in the box, sir?" asked Alex.

"A disk," said the Official with hesitation.

Bobby gave the Official a confused glance. "You care to elaborate, chief?"

The Official leaned forward and gave them both a serious glance. "What I'm about to tell you and ask of you could put both of your lives in jeopardy. If you're not willing to pay the ultimate price for the contents of this box and for your country, then leave now."

Bobby and Alex glanced at one another unfazed and then both turned their heads back to the Official. "We're in, what's in there?" asked Bobby.

"A disk containing the names of every U.S. intelligence mission in operation and every undercover agent working for the Federal government across the world," said the Official.

Bobby let out a small appreciative whistle and leaned back in his chair. "Whoa."

"Exactly," said the Official.

"Why us? Why does the CIA want this Pandora's Box here at Fish and Game?" asked Bobby.

"The CIA determined that this would be the least likely suspect for a terrorists retrieval. We're a nothing organization with a nothing budget. Who would think to look here for a piece of Intel worth millions, billions?" said the Official.

"Okay, so we know why it's here? Why do you need us?" asked Alex.

The Official picked up the box again. "The disk was put into this box a week ago after an unsuccessful attempt from an extremist group to get their hands on it. There are only two people, including myself, who know how to open it. You two are about to become the third and fourth," said the Official.

Bobby leaned forward and snatched the box from the Official's hand. He examined it carefully and then set it back on the desk. "Couldn't some terrorist blast their way through this? Or hook it up to a computer to isolate the code?"

The Official shook his head. "Nope. Computer won't crack it and an explosion would destroy the box and the contents inside. The only way to open the box is to know the code." He picked up the two pieces of paper that had been sitting next to the box and gave Bobby and Alex a fierce glance. "I need two other people to know the code for a backup in case something happens to me. I chose the two of you because you both have been extensively trained to withstand torture techniques, and I consider you both to be extremely trustworthy. By taking and memorizing the number on these papers, you put this box ahead of your life and the life of anyone else. The information on this disk comes before you. Do you both understand?"

Bobby and Alex both nodded.

"Good," said the Official as he handed the papers over to Bobby and Alex. "It goes without saying that the code should be memorized and the paper destroyed."

"Not a problem, chief," said Bobby as he stared at the paper. He looked up and gave the Official a pleased smile. "May I just say, sir, that being chosen for this particular job is a great honor. I won't let you down."

"No, you're not getting a raise, Hobbes," said the Official.

"Sir, I can't believe you would even think I would ask for a raise over something like this," said Bobby.

The Official looked at Alex who was busy memorizing the numbers. She raised her head and handed the slip of paper back to the Official. "Got it," she said.

The Official pulled a lighter out of his desk drawer and set the paper on fire. He threw it into an empty trashcan next to his desk.

Bobby quickly looked down at his own piece of paper, a look of intense concentration on his face. After a few minutes, he too handed his paper back to the Official. After another small fire in the trash can, the Official shoved the lighter back in his desk and folded his hands across his lap. "You two have done your country a great service today. Don't let me down," said the Official as he picked up the silver box once again and turn his chair to the Fish and Game seal behind him. He took down the round wooden emblem and opened the safe in the wall behind it.

Bobby raised his hand. "Um, sir, shouldn't you be putting that in a more secure place? I mean come on, Fawkes could get that thing open in ten seconds flat," said Bobby.

The Official shoved the box inside the safe, locked it and replaced the seal over it. He turned back around and glared at Bobby. "You're observation is noted Mr. Hobbes, but I want this thing as close to me as humanly possible until the CIA takes it back."

"Do you really think that's wise?" asked Bobby.

"Enough, the matter is closed," warned the Official. "Don't you two have an assignment to finish up?"

"Yes, sir," said Bobby and Alex simultaneously.

"Well get on it," said the Official firmly.

Bobby and Alex both stood up from their chairs and headed towards the door.

"Hobbes…Monroe…not a word of this to anyone. Not Fawkes, not the doctor, not even Eberts. I'm trusting you two to help me keep this thing safe and most of all, a secret," said the Official.

Bobby smiled confidently. "Don't worry, we've got it covered, sir," he said. He walked out the door with Alex following behind.

The Official stretched back in his chair and shivered slightly as he glanced at the charred bits of paper in his wastebasket. The lives of millions lay on his shoulders. He just prayed that he had made the right choice with Bobby and Alex.

TBC