Document:

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.28

                                  SYBASE, INC.

                          1999 NONSTATUTORY STOCK PLAN

        1.      Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this Plan are:

                -       to attract and retain the best available personnel for
                        positions of substantial responsibility,

                -       to provide additional incentive to Employees and
                        Consultants, and

                -       to promote the success of the Company's business.

               Options granted under the Plan will be Nonstatutory Stock
Options.

        2.      Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall
apply:

               (a) "Administrator" means the Board or any of its Committees as
shall be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

               (b) "Applicable Laws" means the requirements relating to the
administration of stock option plans under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S.
federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation
system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted, and the applicable laws of
any foreign jurisdiction where Options are, or will be, granted under the Plan.

               (c) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

               (d) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

               (e) "Committee" means a Committee appointed by the Board in
accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

               (f) "Common Stock" means the Common Stock of the Company.

               (g) "Company" means Sybase, Inc.

               (h) "Consultant" means any person, including an advisor, engaged
by the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary to render services to such entity.

               (i) "Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant" means that
the employment or consulting relationship with the Company, any Parent, or
Subsidiary, is not interrupted or terminated. Continuous Status as an Employee
or Consultant shall not be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any leave
of absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the
Company or between the Company, its Parent, any Subsidiary, or any successor. A

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leave of absence approved by the Company shall include sick leave, military
leave, or any other personal leave approved by an authorized representative of
the Company.

               (j) "Director" means a member of the Board.

               (k) "Disability" means total and permanent disability as defined
in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

               (l) "Employee" means any person who, on the date he or she is
granted an Option under this Plan is (i) employed by the Company or any Parent
or Subsidiary of the Company, and (ii) is not an Officer or Director of the
Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. Neither service as a
Director nor payment of a director's fee by the Company shall be sufficient to
constitute "employment" by the Company. An Employee who is not an Officer or
Director on the date he or she is granted an Option under this Plan, but who
thereafter becomes an Officer or Director of the Company or any Parent or
Subsidiary of the Company, shall continue to be an "Employee" under this Plan
for purposes of such Option.

               (m) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

               (n) "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the value of
Common Stock determined as the closing sales price for such Common Stock (or the
closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system for
the date of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other
source as the Administrator deems reliable. In the absence of an established
market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good
faith by the Administrator.

               (o) "Misconduct" means the Optionee (i) is convicted of a felony
involving dishonesty or moral turpitude, (ii) committed an act of dishonesty
intended to result in substantial personal enrichment, (iii) engaged in actions
intended to cause significant injury to the Company (including derogatory
statements regarding the Company, but excluding statements made in connection
with any legal action filed against the Company), or (iv) breached the
non-disclosure, non-compete or non-solicit provisions of any agreement between
the Optionee and the Company.

               (p) "Nonstatutory Stock Option" means an Option not intended to
qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the
Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

               (q) "Notice of Grant" means a written or electronic notice
evidencing certain terms and conditions of an individual Option grant. The
Notice of Grant is part of the Option Agreement.

               (r) "Officer" means a person who is an officer of the Company (i)
within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder, or (ii) by virtue of having the title of
vice president or above.

               (s) "Option" means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.

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               (t) "Option Agreement" means an agreement between the Company and
an Optionee evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option grant.
The Option Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

               (u) "Optioned Stock" means the Common Stock subject to an Option.

               (v) "Optionee" means an Employee or Consultant who holds an
outstanding Option.

               (w) "Parent" means a "parent corporation", whether now or
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

               (x) "Plan" means this 1999 Nonstatutory Stock Plan.

               (y) "Retirement" means the termination of employment pursuant to
the Company's retirement policies for an Employee who has attained the age of
fifty-five (55) and whose Continuous Status as an Employee was not interrupted
during the previous five (5) years.

               (z) "Share" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in
accordance with Section 13 of the Plan.

               (aa) "Subsidiary" means a "subsidiary corporation", whether now
or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

        3.      Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section
13 of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be optioned and
sold under the Plan is 4,000,000. The Shares may be authorized, but unissued, or
reacquired Common Stock.

               If an Option expires or becomes unexercisable without having been
exercised in full, the unpurchased Shares that were subject thereto shall become
available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has
terminated).

        4.      Administration of the Plan.

               (a) Administration. The Plan shall be administered by (A) the
Board, or (B) a Committee, which Committee shall be constituted to satisfy
Applicable Laws. Once appointed, such Committee shall serve in its designated
capacity until otherwise directed by the Board. The Board may increase the size
of the Committee and appoint additional members, remove members (with or without
cause) and substitute new members, fill vacancies (however caused), and remove
all members of the Committee and thereafter directly administer the Plan, all to
the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

               (b) Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the
Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties delegated
by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator shall have the authority, in
its discretion:

                      (i) to determine the Fair Market Value of the Common
Stock;

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                      (ii) to select the Consultants and Employees to whom
Options may be granted hereunder;

                      (iii) to determine whether and to what extent Options or
any combination thereof, are granted hereunder;

                      (iv) to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to
be covered by each Option granted hereunder;

                      (v) to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan;

                      (vi) to determine the terms and conditions, not
inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any award granted hereunder. Such
terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price, the
time or times when Options may be exercised (which may be based on performance
criteria), any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, and
any restriction or limitation regarding any Option or the shares of Common Stock
relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator, in
its sole discretion, shall determine;

                      (vii) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and
awards granted pursuant to the Plan;

                      (viii) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and
regulations relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to
sub-plans established for the purpose of qualifying for preferred tax treatment
under foreign tax laws;

                      (ix) to modify or amend each Option (subject to Section
15(b) of the Plan), including the discretionary authority to extend the
post-termination exercisability period of Options;

                      (x) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the
Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Option previously
granted by the Administrator;

                      (xi) to determine the terms and restrictions applicable to
Options;

                      (xii) to determine whether and under what circumstances an
Option may be settled in cash under Section 10(f) instead of Common Stock;

                      (xiii) to determine whether, to what extent and under what
circumstances Common Stock and other amounts payable with respect to an award
under this Plan shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the
participant (including providing for and determining the amount (if any) of any
deemed earnings on any deferred amount during any deferral period); and

                      (xiv) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or
advisable for administering the Plan.

               (c) Effect of Administrator's Decision. The Administrator's
decisions, determinations and interpretations shall be final and binding on all
Optionees and any other holders of Options.

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        5.      Eligibility. Options may be granted to Employees and
Consultants; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in the Plan, Options may not be granted to Officers and Directors.

        6.      Limitation. Neither the Plan nor any Option shall confer upon an
Optionee any right with respect to continuing the Optionee's employment or
consulting relationship with the Company, nor shall they interfere in any way
with the Optionee's right or the Company's right to terminate such employment or
consulting relationship at any time, with or without cause.

        7.      Term of Plan. The Plan shall become effective upon its adoption
by the Board. It shall continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years unless
terminated earlier under Section 15 of the Plan.

        8.      Term of Option. The term of each Option shall be stated in the
Notice of Grant.

        9.      Option Exercise Price and Consideration.

               (a) Exercise Price. The per share exercise price for the Shares
to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be determined by the
Administrator but in no case shall the per Share exercise price be less than 85%
of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant; provided, however, that
for any calendar year, the aggregate number of Shares subject to Nonstatutory
Stock Options granted during such calendar year with a per Share exercise price
less than the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant shall not exceed
five percent (5%) of the number of Shares subject to Options granted in the
preceding calendar year.

               (b) Waiting Period and Exercise Dates. At the time an Option is
granted, the Administrator shall fix the period within which the Option may be
exercised and shall determine any conditions which must be satisfied before the
Option may be exercised. In so doing, the Administrator may specify that an
Option may not be exercised until the completion of a service period or the
attainment of certain performance goals determined by the Administrator.

               (c) Form of Consideration. The Administrator shall determine the
acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method
of payment. Such consideration may consist entirely of:

                      (i) cash;

                      (ii) check;

                      (iii) other Shares which (A) in the case of Shares
acquired upon exercise of an option, have been owned by the Optionee for more
than six (6) months on the date of surrender, and (B) have a Fair Market Value
on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as
to which said Option shall be exercised;

                      (iv) delivery of a properly executed exercise notice
together with such other documentation as the Administrator and the broker, if
applicable, shall require to effect an exercise of the Option and delivery to
the Company of the sale or loan proceeds required to pay the exercise price;

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                      (v) a reduction in the amount of any Company liability to
the Optionee, including any liability attributable to the Optionee's
participation in any Company-sponsored deferred compensation program or
arrangement;

                      (vi) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment;
or

                      (vii) such other consideration and method of payment for
the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

        10.     Exercise of Option.

               (a) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Shareholder. Any Option
granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at
such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set
forth in the Option Agreement.

                      An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.

                      An Option shall be deemed exercised when the Company
receives: (i) written or electronic notice of exercise (in accordance with the
Option Agreement) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full
payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised. Full
payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the
Administrator and permitted by the Option Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued
upon exercise of an Option shall be issued in the name of the Optionee or, if
requested by the Optionee, in the name of the Optionee and his or her spouse.
Until the stock certificate evidencing such Shares is issued (as evidenced by
the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized
transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any
other rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned Stock,
notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company shall issue (or cause to
be issued) such stock certificate promptly after the Option is exercised. No
adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date
is prior to the date the stock certificate is issued, except as provided in
Section 13 of the Plan.

                      Exercising an Option in any manner shall decrease the
number of Shares thereafter available, both for purposes of the Plan and for
sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is
exercised.

               (b) Termination of Employment or Consulting Relationship. Upon
termination of an Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant,
other than as provided for in Sections 10(c), 10(d) and 10(e), the Optionee may
exercise his or her Option, but only within such period of time as is specified
in the Notice of Grant, and only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to
exercise it at the date of termination (but in no event later than the
expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant). In
the absence of a specified time in the Notice of Grant, the Option shall remain
exercisable for three (3) months following the Optionee's termination. If, on
the date of termination, the Optionee is not entitled to exercise the Optionee's
entire Option, the Shares covered by the unexercisable portion of the Option
shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination, the Optionee does not exercise
his or her Option within the time specified by the Administrator, the Option
shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

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                      (i) Notwithstanding the above, in the event an Optionee's
Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant terminates and the Optionee
performs an act of Misconduct, all unexercised Options held by such Optionee
shall expire five (5) business days following written notice from the Company to
the Optionee.

                      (ii) Notwithstanding the above, in the event of an
Optionee's change in status from Consultant to Employee or Employee to
Consultant, an Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant shall
not automatically terminate solely as a result of such change in status.

               (c) Disability of Optionee. In the event that an Optionee's
Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant terminates as a result of the
Optionee's Disability, the Optionee may exercise his or her Option at any time
within twelve (12) months from the date of such termination, but only to the
extent that the Optionee was entitled to exercise it at the date of such
termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such
Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant). If, at the date of termination, the
Optionee is not entitled to exercise his or her entire Option, the Shares
covered by the unexercisable portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If,
after termination, the Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within the
time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by
such Option shall revert to the Plan.

               (d) Death of Optionee. In the event of the death of an Optionee,
the Option may be exercised at any time within twenty-four (24) months following
the date of death (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such
Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant), by the Optionee's estate or by a
person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance,
but only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to exercise the Option at
the date of death. If, at the time of death, the Optionee was not entitled to
exercise his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unexercisable
portion of the Option shall immediately revert to the Plan. If, after death, the
Optionee's estate or a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by
bequest or inheritance does not exercise the Option within the time specified
herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall
revert to the Plan.

               (e) Retirement. In the event that an Optionee's Continuous Status
as an Employee terminates as a result of the Optionee's Retirement, the Optionee
may exercise his or her Option at any time subject to the limitations in the
Plan and the Notice of Grant, but only to the extent that the Optionee was
entitled to exercise the Option at the time of such termination, unless
otherwise expressly provided in a written agreement between the Optionee and the
Company.

               (f) Buyout Provisions. The Administrator may at any time offer to
buy out for a payment in cash or Shares, an Option previously granted based on
such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall establish and communicate
to the Optionee at the time that such offer is made.

        11.     Withholding Taxes. In accordance with any applicable
administrative guidelines it establishes, the Administrator may allow a
purchaser to pay the amount of taxes required by law to be withheld as a result
of a purchase of Shares or a lapse of restrictions in connection with Shares
purchased pursuant to an Option, by withholding from any payment of Common Stock
due as a result of such purchase or lapse of restrictions, or by permitting the
purchaser to deliver to the

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Company, Shares having a Fair Market Value, as determined by the Administrator,
equal to the amount of such required withholding taxes.

        12.     Non-Transferability of Options. Unless otherwise specified by
the Administrator in the Notice of Grant, an Option may not be sold, pledged,
assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by
will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the
lifetime of the Optionee, only by the Optionee. If the Administrator makes an
Option transferable, such Option shall contain such additional terms and
conditions as the Administrator deems appropriate.

        13.     Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution, Merger
or Asset Sale.

               (a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by
the stockholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock covered by
each outstanding Option, and the number of shares of Common Stock which have
been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Options have yet
been granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or
expiration of an Option, as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered
by each such outstanding Option, shall be proportionately adjusted for any
increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting
from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or
reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the
number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of
consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any
convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected
without receipt of consideration." Such adjustment shall be made by the Board,
whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive.
Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of
stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class,
shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to,
the number or price of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option.

               (b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator shall notify each
Optionee as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed
transaction. The Administrator in its discretion may provide for an Optionee to
have the right to exercise his or her Option until ten (10) days prior to such
transaction as to all of the Optioned Stock covered thereby, including Shares as
to which the Option would not otherwise be exercisable. In addition, the
Administrator may provide that any Company repurchase rights applicable to any
Shares purchased upon exercise of an Option shall lapse as to all such Shares,
provided the proposed dissolution or liquidation takes place at the time and in
the manner contemplated. To the extent it has not been previously exercised, an
Option will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed
action.

               (c) Merger or Asset Sale. In the event of a merger of the Company
with or into another corporation, or the sale of substantially all of the assets
of the Company, each outstanding Option shall be assumed or an equivalent option
substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the
successor corporation (the "Successor Corporation"), unless the Successor
Corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the Option, in which case the
Optionee shall have the right to exercise the Option as to all of the Optioned
Stock, including Shares as to which it would not otherwise be exercisable. If an
Option is exercisable in lieu of assumption or substitution in the event of a
merger or sale of assets, the Administrator shall notify the Optionee in writing
or

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electronically that the Option shall be fully exercisable for a period of not
less than forty-five (45) days from the date of such notice, and the Option
shall terminate upon the expiration of such period. For the purposes of this
paragraph, the Option shall be considered assumed if, following the merger or
sale of assets, the Option confers the right to purchase or receive, for each
Share of Optioned Stock subject to the Option immediately prior to the merger or
sale of assets, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or
property) received in the merger or sale of assets by holders of Common Stock
for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders
were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the
holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if
such consideration received in the merger or sale of assets was not solely
common stock of the Successor Corporation, the Administrator may, with the
consent of the Successor Corporation, provide for the consideration to be
received upon the exercise of the Option, for each Share of Optioned Stock
subject to the Option, to be solely common stock of the Successor Corporation
equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of
Common Stock in the merger or sale of assets.

        14.     Date of Grant. The date of grant of an Option shall be, for all
purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the determination granting
such Option, or such other later date as is determined by the Administrator.
Notice of the determination shall be provided to each Optionee within a
reasonable time after the date of such grant.

        15.     Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

               (a) Amendment and Termination. The Board may at any time amend,
alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.

               (b) Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment, alteration,
suspension or termination of the Plan shall impair the rights of any Optionee,
unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Optionee and the Administrator,
which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Optionee and the Company.
Termination of the Plan shall not affect the Administrator's ability to exercise
the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to options granted under the
Plan prior to the date of such termination.

        16.     Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.

               (a) Legal Compliance. Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the
exercise of an Option unless the exercise of such Option and the issuance and
delivery of such Shares shall comply with Applicable Laws, and shall be further
subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such
compliance.

               (b) Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise of
an Option, the Company may require the person exercising such Option to
represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being
purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or
distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a
representation is required.

        17.     Liability of Company. The inability of the Company to obtain
authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is
deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale
of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any

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liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which
such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.

        18.     Reservation of Shares. The Company, during the term of this
Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as
shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

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<PAGE>   11
                                  SYBASE, INC.

                     1999 NONSTATUTORY STOCK PLAN AGREEMENT

        1.      AGREEMENT

               Grant of Option. The Plan Administrator of the Company hereby
grants to the Optionee named in the Notice of Grant attached as Part I of this
Agreement (the "Optionee") an option (the "Option") to purchase the number of
Shares, as set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise price per share set
forth in the Notice of Grant (the "Exercise Price"), subject to the terms and
conditions of the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference. Subject to
Section 15(b) of the Plan, in the event of a conflict between the terms and
conditions of the Plan and the terms and conditions of this Option Agreement,
the terms and conditions of the Plan shall prevail.

               Exercise of Option.

               Right to Exercise. This Option is exercisable during its term in
accordance with the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice of Grant and the
applicable provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement.

               Method of Exercise. This Option is exercisable by delivery of an
exercise notice, in the form attached as Exhibit A (the "Exercise Notice"),
which shall state the election to exercise the Option, the number of Shares in
respect of which the Option is being exercised (the "Exercised Shares"), and
such other representations and agreements as may be required by the Company
pursuant to the provisions of the Plan. The Exercise Notice shall be completed
by the Optionee and delivered to Employee Shareholder Services. The Exercise
Notice shall be accompanied by payment of the aggregate Exercise Price as to all
Exercised Shares. This Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by
the Company of such fully executed Exercise Notice accompanied by such aggregate
Exercise Price.

               No Shares shall be issued pursuant to the exercise of this Option
unless such issuance and exercise complies with Applicable Laws. Assuming such
compliance, for income tax purposes the Exercised Shares shall be considered
transferred to the Optionee on the date the Option is exercised with respect to
such Exercised Shares.

               Method of Payment. Payment of the aggregate Exercise Price shall
be by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the
Optionee:

               cash;

               check;

               delivery of a properly executed exercise notice together with
such other documentation as the Administrator and the broker, if applicable,
shall require to effect an exercise

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<PAGE>   12
of the Option and delivery to the Company of the sale or loan proceeds required
to pay the exercise price; or

               surrender of other Shares which (i) in the case of Shares
acquired upon exercise of an option, have been owned by the Optionee for more
than six (6) months on the date of surrender, AND (ii) have a Fair Market Value
on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the Exercised
Shares.

               Non-Transferability of Option. This Option may not be transferred
in any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution
and may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by the Optionee. The
terms of the Plan and this Option Agreement shall be binding upon the executors,
administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of the Optionee.

               Term of Option. This Option may be exercised only within the term
set out in the Notice of Grant, and may be exercised during such term only in
accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Option Agreement.

               Tax Consequences. Some of the federal tax consequences relating
to this Option, as of the date of this Option, are set forth below. THIS SUMMARY
IS NECESSARILY INCOMPLETE, AND THE TAX LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO
CHANGE. THE OPTIONEE SHOULD CONSULT A TAX ADVISER BEFORE EXERCISING THIS OPTION
OR DISPOSING OF THE SHARES.

               Exercising the Option. The Optionee may incur regular federal
income tax liability upon exercise of an NSO. The Optionee will be treated as
having received compensation income (taxable at ordinary income tax rates) equal
to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Exercised Shares on the
date of exercise over their aggregate Exercise Price. If the Optionee is an
Employee or a former Employee, the Company will be required to withhold from his
or her compensation or collect from Optionee and pay to the applicable taxing
authorities an amount in cash equal to a percentage of this compensation income
at the time of exercise, and may refuse to honor the exercise and refuse to
deliver Shares if such withholding amounts are not delivered at the time of
exercise.

               Disposition of Shares. If the Optionee holds NSO Shares for at
least one year, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will be treated
as long-term capital gain for federal income tax purposes.

               Entire Agreement; Governing Law. The Plan is incorporated herein
by reference. The Plan and this Option Agreement constitute the entire agreement
of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their
entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Optionee with
respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the
Optionee's interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and
Optionee. This agreement is governed by the internal substantive laws, but not
the choice of law rules, of California.

               NO GUARANTEE OF CONTINUED SERVICE. OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND
AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE VESTING SCHEDULE HEREOF IS
EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING AS AN EMPLOYEE OR CONSULTANT AT THE WILL OF THE
COMPANY (AND NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF

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<PAGE>   13
BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED AN OPTION OR PURCHASING SHARES HEREUNDER). OPTIONEE
FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THIS AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING SCHEDULE SET FORTH HEREIN DO NOT
CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PROMISE OF CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT AS AN EMPLOYEE
OR CONSULTANT FOR THE VESTING PERIOD, FOR ANY PERIOD, OR AT ALL, AND SHALL NOT
INTERFERE WITH OPTIONEE'S RIGHT OR THE COMPANY'S RIGHT TO TERMINATE OPTIONEE'S
RELATIONSHIP AS AN EMPLOYEE OR CONSULTANT AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE.

        This Option is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of
the Plan and this Option Agreement. Optionee has reviewed the Plan and this
Option Agreement in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice
of counsel with respect thereto, and fully understands all provisions of the
Plan and Option Agreement. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding,
conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon
any questions relating to the Plan and Option Agreement. Optionee further agrees
to notify the Company upon any change in the residence address indicated on the
accompanying Notice of Grant.

                                      -13-<PAGE>   1
                                                                   Exhibit 10.29

April 13, 1999

Michael Gardner
1485 Fairway Dr.
Los Altos, CA  94022

RE:     Severance Agreement and General Release between Michael S. Gardner and
        Sybase, Inc. dated March 26, 1999

Dear Mike:

Per our conversation today, paragraph 2c of the above mentioned Severance
Agreement and General Release is changed to read:

        2(c) As of the Effective Date, Employee shall be entitled to receive a
        further lump sum amount equal to the employee's company-paid group
        health insurance premiums and other Nautilus benefits through September
        30, 1999 at Employee's current levels of coverage. This lump sum payment
        will be grossed up for taxes. *Details on cost to Employee and amount of
        lump sum payment being finalized by Dennis Larson, HR, Sybase. /s/
        MICHAEL GARDNER

In addition to the change specified above, Sybase is loaning you the company PC
that is currently at your home for a period of 6 months ending September 30,
1999. We will make arrangements to collect the PC on September 30th.

Let me thank you for your cooperation in this matter and wish you good luck in
you future endeavors.

Sincerely,

/s/   NITA WHITE-IVY

Nita White-Ivy
VP of Worldwide Human Resources

NWI/elf

cc:     Glen Germanowski
        Marietta Harvey
        Dennis Larsen

<PAGE>   2
                     SEVERANCE AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE

1. This Severance Agreement and General Release ("Agreement") is entered into by
and between Sybase, Inc., a Delaware corporation with its principal headquarters
in Emeryville, California, on behalf of itself and each of its subsidiaries
("Sybase" or the "Company"), and Michael S. Gardner ("Employee") for the purpose
of amicably concluding their employment relationship. By entering into this
Agreement neither party admits any deficiency, wrongdoing or liability,
expressly or by implication.

2. Employee and Sybase hereby agree as follows:

(a) Employee's termination of employment with Sybase will be March 26, 1999 (the
"Termination Date"). Through the Termination Date, Employee will continue to be
actively employed by Sybase, and will be expected to be available during normal
working hours and as otherwise reasonably necessary to assist the Company in the
transition of his current work responsibilities to one or more successors.
Except as expressly set forth below, all payments and benefits which Employee is
or would be entitled to receive under this Agreement (other than amounts then
accrued and owing) shall cease as of the Termination Date, subject to COBRA
conversion rights.

(b) That certain letter agreement dated as of February 12, 1998 between the
Company and Employee (the "Prior Agreement") provided for the payment of
severance equal to six months' base salary plus variable target and full
personal and family benefits if Employee's employment was terminated for reasons
other than cause. Employee's current base salary is $352,000 per year with an
incentive bonus target of 25%. As of the Effective Date, as defined in the final
paragraph of this Agreement, Employee shall be entitled to receive a lump sum
payment equal to $220,000. Employee shall also receive on the Termination Date a
final paycheck which will include payment for all of Employee's unused vacation
accrued through the Termination Date, and a refund of any unused Employee Stock
Purchase Plan (ESPP) contributions, if any.

(c) As of the Effective Date, Employee shall be entitled to receive a further
lump sum amount equal to the to the after-tax cost to Employee of continuing
Employee's Company-paid group health insurance premiums and other Nautilus
benefits through September 30, 1999 at Employee's current levels of coverage.

(d) Employee's ability to exercise Employee's vested options following the
Termination Date shall be governed by the provisions of his stock option
agreements and the provisions of the Sybase, Inc. 1996 Stock Plan, as amended,
and/or the stock option plans pursuant to which such options were originally
granted (the "Option Plan(s)"). Under the terms of the 1998 Stock Option
Repricing Program (described in a Memorandum dated June 24, 1998 from Mitchell
Gaynor), the Lock-Up Expiration relating to any repriced stock options shall be
accelerated to the Effective Date.

(e) Upon the Effective Date, Employee shall also be fully vested with respect to
the total bonus of $190,080 payable under the Key Management Incentive Program
described in a letter to Employee dated June 5, 1998. Such $190,080 shall be
paid to Employee as soon as administratively feasible (but no later than three
weeks after the Effective Date) pursuant to the terms of the Sybase, Inc.
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended.

(f) All required and authorized payroll deductions will be withheld from the
amounts to be paid to Employee under this Agreement. No unearned bonuses or
other incentive compensation will be due Employee. All unreimbursed travel and
business expenses to which Employee is entitled to reimbursement as of the
Termination Date will be promptly paid to Employee after submission of expense
reports in accordance with standard Sybase policy.

3. Employee will be entitled to participate through the Termination Date in all
employee benefit programs and policies generally available to Sybase employees
and in which Employee is eligible to participate, including vacation accrual,
stock option vesting, health insurance, and participation in the Employee Stock
Purchase Plan and Sybase's 401(k) plan (if applicable), subject to Employee's
continued regular designated payroll deductions for such items. Employee may
elect optional health insurance continuation under COBRA following the
Termination Date, as well as optional

                                       2

<PAGE>   3
continuation of certain other insurance benefits, all at Employee's expense.
Procedures for electing to continue such benefits will be provided to Employee
under separate cover by the Human Resources Department.

4. Employee acknowledges that the payments and benefits described in this
Agreement are extended pursuant to the Sybase, Inc. Severance Pay Plan
("Severance Pay Plan"). A copy of the Severance Pay Plan Summary Plan
Description is attached hereto as Exhibit A. Employee further acknowledges that
such payments and benefits exceed any amount to which Employee would be entitled
under Sybase's other policies, procedures and benefit programs. In consideration
for entering into this Agreement and for the payments described herein, Employee
personally and for Employee's heirs, legal representatives, estates and
successors in interest hereby releases and forever discharges Sybase and its
officers, directors, employees, affiliates, successors and assigns
(collectively, "Released Parties") from any and all claims, demands, obligations
and causes of action of any and every kind, known or unknown, which Employee may
have as of the date and time of signing this Agreement, which arise out of
Employee's employment by Sybase or the termination of that employment, including
without limitation all wrongful discharge actions; all actions arising under the
Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act (if
applicable), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1991, California Fair
Employment and Housing Act, or any other federal or state statute which may be
held applicable; all actions for breach of contract or the covenant of good
faith and fair dealing; all tort claims; any and all claims under the Prior
Agreement, the Key Management Incentive Program and the Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan; and any and all claims for compensation, wages, bonuses,
severance pay, commissions, vacation pay, or reimbursement for expenses,
attorneys' fees and costs, except for claims for workers' compensation insurance
benefits. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall be
construed as a waiver or release by Employee of his or her right to enforce the
provisions of this Agreement.

5. Section 1542 of the California Civil Code may apply to this Agreement.
Section 1542 provides as follows: A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS
WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF
EXECUTING THE RELEASE WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS
SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR. Having been apprised of Section 1542, Employee
voluntarily elects to waive the rights described therein, and elects to assume
all risks for claims that now exist in Employee's favor, known or unknown,
arising from the subject matter of this Agreement up to the date and time of
signing of this Agreement.

6. At no time after the execution of this Agreement will Employee file or
maintain, or cause or knowingly permit the filing or maintenance in any state or
federal court, or before any local, state or federal administrative agency, or
any tribunal, any charge, claim or action of any kind, nature or character
arising out of the matters released in Section 4 above, except for an action to
enforce the provisions of this Agreement. Employee also agrees not to initiate,
assist, support, join, participate in, encourage, or actively cooperate in the
pursuit of any employment-related legal claims against Sybase or its employees
or agents, whether the claims are brought on Employee's own behalf or on behalf
of any other person or entity. Nothing in this Section 6 will preclude Employee
from testifying truthfully in any legal proceeding pursuant to subpoena or other
legal process.

7. Employee understands and acknowledges Employee's continuing obligations
toward Sybase under the Employee Nondisclosure and Assignment of Inventions
Agreement (or any similar predecessor agreement) previously executed by
Employee, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit B ("Nondisclosure
Agreement"). Employee further agrees that any and all information obtained by or
disclosed to Employee at any time during Employee's employment with Sybase which
is not generally known outside of Sybase on an unrestricted basis, including but
not limited to information concerning Sybase's customers, prospects, discounts,
unreleased products, methods of operation, processes, practices, programs and
procedures, are confidential and proprietary to Sybase and subject to protection
under the Nondisclosure Agreement and under applicable law. Further, Employee
agrees, to the extent Employee has not already so agreed in the Nondisclosure
Agreement, that for a period of one (1) year from the Termination Date, Employee
will not directly or indirectly, either for Employee or for any other person or
business entity: (a) solicit or encourage any employee of the Company (whether
through recruiting, interviewing or any other means) to either: (i) terminate
his or her employment with the Company, or (ii) accept employment with any

                                       3

<PAGE>   4
subsequent employer with whom Employee is affiliated or associated in any way;
or (b) divert or take away (or attempt to divert or take away) any of the
Company's customers or clients whom Employee may have called upon, solicited or
performed services for, within the last twelve (12) months of Employee's
employment or engagement with the Company; (provided, however, that the
provisions of this Section shall not be construed to prevent any person from
being gainfully employed). EMPLOYEE EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE COMPANY IS
PREPARED TO VIGOROUSLY ENFORCE THESE PROMISES, AND THAT VIOLATION OF THIS
PROVISION COULD RESULT IN THE ASSESSMENT OF DAMAGES AND OTHER LEGAL REMEDIES
AGAINST EMPLOYEE AND ANY OF EMPLOYEE'S SUBSEQUENT EMPLOYERS. ANY BREACH BY
EMPLOYEE OF THIS PROVISION SHALL RESULT IN THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF THE COMPANY
FROM ANY OBLIGATIONS IT MAY HAVE TO PROVIDE FURTHER PAYMENTS OR BENEFITS UNDER
THIS AGREEMENT, EXCEPT AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

8. In the event Employee fails to return Company property in accordance with the
terms of the Nondisclosure Agreement, the Company shall have the right to offset
against payments or benefits owing to Employee hereunder the replacement value
of any and all such unreturned property.

9. As further mutual consideration for this Agreement, the parties agree that
each party shall bear the cost of, and shall be responsible for, its own
attorneys' and accountants' fees and costs, if any, in connection with the
negotiation and execution of this Agreement.

10. Employee further agrees that the terms and conditions of this Agreement are
strictly confidential and shall not be disclosed, discussed with or revealed to
any other persons, whether within or outside Sybase, except professional
advisors with whom Employee may consult regarding this Agreement and the
Employee's spouse, if any, unless disclosure is compelled by subpoena or other
legal process. ANY BREACH BY EMPLOYEE OF THIS PROVISION SHALL IMMEDIATELY
RELEASE THE COMPANY FROM ANY OBLIGATIONS IT MAY HAVE TO PROVIDE FURTHER PAYMENTS
OR BENEFITS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, EXCEPT AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

11. If any prospective employer of Employee makes a request to Sybase for a
reference concerning Employee, Sybase will respond to the request by providing
only the dates of Employee's employment and the position(s) held.

12. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
California law.

13. The parties agree that any dispute of any kind whatsoever arising from the
subject matter of this Agreement, including claims regarding this Agreement
(other than claims for workers' compensation benefits and claims relating to
matters otherwise covered by the Severance Pay Plan, as described in Exhibit A),
shall be resolved under the following procedures:

A. The party claiming to be aggrieved shall furnish to the other party, within
fifteen (15) days of the disputed action, a written statement of the grievance
identifying any witnesses or documents that support the grievance and the relief
requested or proposed. Employee is required to furnish the written statement of
grievance to Sybase's Vice President and General Counsel ("General Counsel"),
6425 Christie Ave., Emeryville, California 94608.

B. If the grievance is denied, the parties agree that the dispute shall be
resolved by final and binding arbitration. A single arbitrator shall be mutually
selected by the parties. If no agreement on the selection is reached within
fifteen (15) days, then a neutral arbitrator shall be selected under the
Expedited Labor Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association,
except that the arbitrator shall be selected by alternately striking names from
the panel of five (5) neutral labor or employment arbitrators designated by the
American Arbitration Association. The arbitrator shall have the authority to
grant the requested relief if authorized by law; provided, however, that nothing
herein shall limit the right of Sybase to obtain injunctive relief to prevent a
violation of the Nondisclosure Agreement.

C. Arbitration shall be the exclusive and final remedy for any dispute between
the parties, and the parties agree that no dispute shall be submitted to
arbitration where the party claiming to be aggrieved has not complied with the
preliminary steps provided for above.

                                       4

<PAGE>   5
14. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding of the parties and
cancels and supersedes any prior or contemporaneous written or oral agreements
or understandings between them with respect to the subject matter hereof.
Employee warrants that he: (a) has read and fully understands this Agreement;
(b) has had the opportunity to consult with legal counsel of his or her own
choosing and have the terms of this Agreement fully explained; (iii) is not
executing this Agreement in reliance on any promises, representations or
inducements other than those contained herein; and (iv) is executing this
Agreement voluntarily, free of any duress or coercion.

15. Employee hereby acknowledges that the terms and conditions contained in this
Agreement were offered as of March 26, 1999, and that Employee has up to
twenty-one (21) days from that date (i.e., through April 16, 1999) in which to
accept such terms and conditions in writing. If Employee does not accept such
terms and conditions by such date, then this offer shall expire at that time.
Employee is advised to consult an attorney about this Agreement. To effectively
accept this Agreement, Employee must date, sign and return two originals of this
Agreement to Sybase's General Counsel, 6425 Christie Avenue, Emeryville,
California 94608. Following the date of such acceptance, Employee shall have
seven (7) days in which to revoke such acceptance. To revoke, Employee must send
to the General Counsel a written statement of revocation. If Employee does not
revoke, the eighth (8th) day after Employee's acceptance shall be the "Effective
Date" of this Agreement. EMPLOYEE SHALL NOT BE ENTITLED TO ANY BENEFITS UNDER
THIS AGREEMENT UNLESS AND UNTIL THE AGREEMENT REVOCATION PERIOD HAS EXPIRED.

Dated: March 26, 1999               SYBASE, INC.

                                    By   /s/    NITA WHITE-IVY
                                      -------------------------------------
                                          Nita White-Ivy, Vice President
                                          Worldwide Human Resources

I understand that this document is of serious legal consequence and that I
should consult with someone whose opinion I trust before signing it. By my
signature, I agree to the terms set forth above.

Dated: April 15, 1999                    /s/   MICHAEL S. GARDNER
                                    -------------------------------------------
                                         Michael S. Gardner

Exhibit A - Sybase, Inc. Severance Pay Plan Summary Plan Description
Exhibit B - Nondisclosure Agreement

                                       5

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