For Amethyst (note: this will be uploaded in parts, due to length) Part 1 CHAPTER ONE Intergalactic Security Project Head David Anderson watched from the observation booth, fighting serious misgivings. The problem wasn't the boy's test results. They were flawless. The four-year-old with flyaway hair and huge blue eyes, currently sipping a juice box in the testing room, was scoring far above expectations. His DNA profile, synaptic responses, problem-solving abilities, and personality assessment were all perfect for the program. Perfect. He was absolutely perfect for the project, except for one not so minor problem. That problem was currently storming toward him, her sky blue eyes full of thunderclouds, threatening storm. David watched her reflection in the glass, crossing his arms and awaiting the inevitable explosion. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" she hissed, grabbing his shoulder and spinning him around to face her. He'd never seen Madeline quite so angry. Though, lately, she was always angry. Not that he could blame her. Soon Charles would cut all ties, faking his death, and leaving her raise their son on her own? She'd agreed to this. Hell, she'd insisted on it, fearing for their son's future -- the whole planet's future. David swallowed a sigh, supposing that agreement didn't mean she had to like it. At the very least, he owed her honesty. "Charles insisted that Mark be tested. He wants your son in the program, if he's suitable." "No!" She shook with fury, hands clenched. "Our family's paid enough. Do you hear me? We've paid enough!" David pinched the bridge of his nose. Had Charles not told her? Was the man insane? "Of all people, you know what's coming. What choice do we have?" "Not this!" Madeline swayed slightly on her feet, her flushed face quickly going pale. "David, please, not this." Madeline's knees buckled. David still managed to catch her, easing her down to the floor as chills overtook him. He'd known Madeline for well over a decade, and she was no fainting waif. Her skin felt cool and clammy. Calling for a medic, he checked her eyes, finding her watching him through resigned tears. She looked tired. No, more than tired. Bone-weary and terrified. Come to think of it, she'd lost weight, too. How long had it been since he last saw her? Not that long. Another chill shivered through him. No. It wasn't possible. "You're ... just sick. It'll be okay." She looked away, starting to tremble. They couldn't lose her. He couldn't lose her. Speaking the words would make it real, but David forced them out. "You're dying." Madeline's lack of response felt like a punch to the gut. As David tried to collect himself, she choked back a sob. "It's the tech I've been studying," she said, so quiet she might as well have whispered. "Radiates wavelengths of energy we didn't even know existed. I have weeks, David. Weeks." He fought the urge to argue. He'd have her medical file sent to his office at once, but Madeline wasn't one for hysterics, or jumping to conclusions. Like him, she was a creature of facts and data. If she was this upset, she knew with absolute certainty that there was nothing she could do. Not that David wouldn't try. Meanwhile, he forced himself to focus outside himself, on the woman in his arms and the boy in the testing room. The boy who had no idea he was losing both parents. "We can postpone Charles' mission." "No." Madeline grabbed David's hand in both of hers, locking her gaze with his. "He has to do this. He has to give our son a future." David had a sinking feeling. "Does Charles know?" She shook her head, confirming his suspicions. "There's nothing he can do. I didn't want him distracted. This mission, his mission is too important." Glancing toward the testing room again, David said, "What about Mark ..." "I've already filed the paperwork," Madeline said, squeezing his hands tightly. "You'll be Mark's legal guardian when we're both ... when we're both gone. But promise me that you'll keep Mark from your program." "Maddie, he's perfect ..." Her blue eyes flared with anger. Medics arrived, thundering down the hall, but she kept his hand in hers and held his gaze like a vice. "We've paid enough, David. Love him and let him be a normal boy. Promise me." A wheeze accompanied her words, her breathing labored. Still, she wouldn't let go, begging with her stare. David wanted nothing more than to ease her pain. There was little he wouldn't do for her, but this? The Earth's future was at stake. The entire Federation's ... As the medics took her blood pressure, David realized he couldn't bear making her spend her last days in fear. The program was still in its infancy. Surely he'd find enough suitable children in time. "All right," he relented, squeezing her hands. "You have my word. I promise." Tears streaked down her cheeks as the medics raised the stretcher. "Bring him to me, David. Bring Mark, I need to prepare him." David spared a quick glance into the testing room. The proctors were assembling the next phase, a collection of brightly-colored blocks in variety of sizes and shapes. Regardless of his promise, he couldn't bring himself to interrupt the test, if only to assure himself whether Mark really was suitable or not. Love or duty. His life always came down to this. "I'll bring him as soon as he's finished. They'll have you settled and comfortable by then. In the meantime, he can go back to the daycare." He felt adrift as they wheeled her off, an oxygen mask distorting any reaction she might have had to his delay. David fought the urge to follow. There was too much to do, and far too little time to do it, his promise adding another layer of pressure onto an already overloaded plate. David knew he should feel honored. This time she'd chosen him, of all people, but why? Why, if she didn't want Mark in the program? She had to know that the safety of the entire Federation -- and all of its citizens -- couldn't be held hostage to one mother's fears, or promises made to quell personal pain. Still, he would try. David rose and turned his attention back toward the testing room. The viewscreen showed yet more perfect test results, taunting him. Worse, the full import of her plea started sinking in.

This is a long fic, guys -- congrats to the author for sticking to it, and making such an effort! All in all, it's in 15 parts, and, while I was uploading it, I was totally captivated by the story -- well done! Ame, you're one lucky participant!

Thank you, thank you! This was wonderful! I spent the whole day reading it! I'm not sure who wrote it though. I think just about everyone that I've seen and others who I know are participating are capable of doing this. So, thank you again.

A wonderful origins story for the G-Force team, for which there's even less canon than for Gatch, and an interesting twist that Mark is the last to be selected for it, due to Anderson's dilemma.

I tried to be very canon where there was canon. I'd never realized just how little there actually is about the team's origins and families!

Very little! In my mind though, I do tend to also assume (in BOTP as well as Gatch) that the team members are recruited/"adopted" more or less in the order of their rankings -though I suppose for BOTP, it certainly doesn't have to be that way. And here, Mark was the one that Anderson knew first, even if he didn't put him on the team until after everyone else. I assume that, in this fic, that Donald Wade comes much later (which would make sense, as he's not an orphan or a lab creation like the others)?

I'm going to make some mostly small edits to the piece and put it up on gatchfanfic ... I'm also going to add a bit on how Anderson will keep looking for more candidates, which would allow him to find Wade as an alternate, and would show one reason that Wade wasn't as close to the others. I always thought it was weird that they didn't have any back-up members or a whole back-up team, anyway! I spent a lot of time trying to make sure that was explained in this. If I ever do a follow-on, I could include how Don showed up and how that went. I enjoyed the idea of mixing up the order a bit, though really, Mark was selected first in this. He just wasn't implanted until years later.

Originally posted by ChrisW I enjoyed the idea of mixing up the order a bit, though really, Mark was selected first in this. He just wasn't implanted until years later.

I think that worked well! It would explain many of the inconsistencies that appear in Mark and Jason's relationship, such as why one episode they could be the best of friends, almost brothers, and then in another, there is animosity between, particularly on Jason's part, but sometimes on Marks. The fact that one was implanted first, but chosen to be second, while the other was implanted last but chosen to be first, would be something that kids or even very young teens would pick up on, while adults might not even think it is important.

Originally posted by amethyst I think that worked well! It would explain many of the inconsistencies that appear in Mark and Jason's relationship, such as why one episode they could be the best of friends, almost brothers, and then in another, there is animosity between, particularly on Jason's part, but sometimes on Marks. The fact that one was implanted first, but chosen to be second, while the other was implanted last but chosen to be first, would be something that kids or even very young teens would pick up on, while adults might not even think it is important.

Or did something else happen ... hmm ... (oh great, this is how I end up writing a long series) Though it could just be that simple. I suppose Jason might have found out that the Chief made him the first test subject instead of Mark out of favouritism.

This behemoth is now on gatchfanfic, for those who would prefer to read it there.

Thanks, Chris! Already added to my favorites!

Chirs I have just spent the day, with breaks to do final things in California before I leave, reading this story. Fantastic work.

Thanks!