| Subject: 'anon' this is really good! looking forward to the rest |
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LJhooked
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Date Posted: 17:41:48 02/09/02 Sat
In reply to:
Anon
's message, "Re: Jericho I: Repost, end" on 03:07:33 02/03/02 Sun
young woman across the hall had been over to Nikita's
>almost everyday for a week, building a friendship with
>heshe had reviewed of Nikita's apartment. The
>r. Carla was unaware though that Section had already
>made her out to be a member of Adrian's organization.
>They discovered that fact when Kipler, a Section
>operative who was assigned to the apartment Nikita now
>occupied, reported he had suspicions about his
>neighbor's friendliness. The day after he made his
>report, he disappeared. They found his body two days
>later face down in the river across town from his
>apartment.
>
>"My guess is that they're building a file on Nikita.
>Assessing her suitability."
>
>Operations strolled over to the window and gazed out
>over the activity below on the main floor. "Now we
>just have to keep her alive. Not an easy task.."
>
>"Michael will keep her alive. He seems to have taken
>her under his wing."
>
>Operations snorted. "You'd think he'd have learned his
>lesson by now."
>
>*
>
>Michael stood at the head of the van, his expression
>stormy. He should have known Operations wouldn't give
>up so easily. If they had stayed with the original
>profile, they would have had Van Vactor by now.
>Instead, Operations had pulled Nikita in at the last
>minute and put her on point. It wasn't standard
>procedure to use an operative with as little field
>experience as Nikita, especially at point, on a
>mission as critical as this and Michael had made an
>issue of pointing this out to Operations.
>
>"She's not a trainee anymore, Michael," Operations
>replied. "Either she pulls her own weight around here
>or we get rid of her."
>
>Michael suppressed a sigh and avoided looking at
>Nikita, though he could feel her eyes on him. The
>mission had been a disaster. Nikita had panicked and
>failed to heed his direct command to shoot a hostile.
>As a result, they had had to abort.
>
>What was Operations up to? Nikita had passed her solo
>field test. Why was she being tested again? Was
>Operations looking for an alternate reason to put her
>in abeyance -- one that could be justified on his
>report to Oversight?
>
>Michael paused as another thought struck him. Or,
>maybe it wasn't Nikita being tested here, but him. The
>van came to a stop, the doors opened, and the
>operatives began to file out one by one. Nikita sat
>quietly, her eyes locked on him.
>
>"Return your equipment to Walter, then report to my
>office," he told her. She opened her mouth as if to
>say something and he quickly silenced her with a
>piercing look.
>
>Nikita sank back in her seat. When he didn't say
>anything else, she bent and picked up her bag and
>exited.
>
>*
>
>"Michael."
>
>Operations called to him as he was about to enter his
>office. From the scowl on his face, Michael determined
>the purpose for which Section's leader wanted to see
>him was in regard to Nikita. He was right.
>
>"In your office -- now."
>
>Michael stepped to the side, allowing Operations to
>precede him. Inside, Operations waited till Michael
>had closed the door then started in on him. "What
>happened out there?"
>
>"There was an anomaly."
>
>"An anomaly? Is that what you call her refusal to obey
>an order, Michael? I told you from the beginning that
>she lacked discipline."
>
>Michael's gaze didn't waver as he stared into
>Operation's gray eyes. He kept his voice low and
>controlled. "I still believe she can make a good
>operative. She just lacks field experience. Given
>time, she'll improve."
>
>Operations peered at him through narrowed eyes for
>several seconds. "You have one more chance with her,
>Michael. If she doesn't come through, you know what to
>do." He turned then and walked out.
>
>A minute later Nikita arrived. Michael motioned for
>her to sit down as he paced back and forth. He was
>going to have to change his tactics with Nikita if he
>was to keep her alive. He realized he had made a fatal
>flaw in her training by allowing her to become too
>comfortable around him. In the early stages of her
>training it had been important for him to establish
>that bond of trust with her, but now her survival
>hinged on his ability to teach her that, above all,
>she had to recognize him as team leader and obey his
>every order.
>
>Michael stopped his pacing and looked at her as she
>sat before him and stared down at her clasped hands.
>"Get up," he ordered. She looked up at him through her
>lashes, hesitating. "STAND!"
>
>She jerked, startled at his tone, then rose slowly to
>her feet. Her mouth clamped shut as she stared
>straight ahead. Anger rimmed her gaze and, silently,
>Michael was grateful. If he could get her to feed on
>that anger rather than her uncertainty and fear, she
>would have a chance of pulling through
>
>"Section One is the most clandestine organization on
>the planet. It's our job to bring down the criminals
>and terrorists that no one else can get."
>
>He saw her anger waver as she said in a tight voice,
>"I can't do what you want me to do."
>
>His eyes bore into hers. "Mistakes are not an option."
>
>
>Her voice, still tight, wavered and trembled. "I can't
>pull the trigger."
>
>Frustration began to well up inside of Michael. He was
>losing her. "Why not?"
>
>Her answer was unexpected. "Because I'm not who you
>think I am." She shifted her gaze to look directly
>into his eyes. "I'm not a killer."
>
>Michael's eyes widened imperceptibly. She was staring
>right at him and he, who had become so adept at
>reading her emotions, was left feeling confused. Could
>she be an innocent? He paused, his mind churning,
>assessing the truth behind her words. If Nikita was an
>innocent... then there was no way to save her. Section
>wouldn't let her go now; she knew too much. Could she
>be an innocent?
>
>His eyes flickered back and forth as she stared back
>at him with a gaze that was unwavering. No--Michael
>refused to accept that alternative. To do so would
>result in his losing her. He strode over to where she
>was standing, stopping only inches from her, and
>whispered hoarsely, "The moment I believe that,
>Nikita, you're canceled."
>
>*************
>
>Chapter 11
>
>
>"Hello?"
>
>"Elena -- it's me." Michael paused. He'd done this
>enough times in the past that Elena would already know
>why he was calling. That didn't prevent
>disappointment, though, from filling her voice.
>
>"You're not going to make it home tonight."
>
>"I'm sorry."
>
>She sighed heavily, but said nothing. It was fortunate
>for him, and Section, that Elena had grown up such a
>shy young woman, otherwise, she might have been more
>demanding of his time. Elena, however, accepted his
>frequent phone calls home saying that something
>unexpected had come up and that he wouldn't be able to
>make it back on time. He had, after all, told her
>during their courtship that his job required a lot of
>traveling and time away from home.
>
>"How's Adam?" he asked. As he expected, their son's
>name lightened her spirits.
>
>"He's taking a nap," she answered.
>
>Michael could sense the smile in her voice. "Give him
>a kiss for me when he wakes up."
>
>"Alright. Hurry home when you can, sweetheart. I love
>you."
>
>"I will. Bye." Michael returned his cell phone to the
>inside pocket of his coat, placed his hands down at
>his sides and waited for further instruction from
>Madeline.
>
>"How are things between you and Elena?" she asked.
>
>"Fine," Michael answered, holding his gaze steady.
>Madeline asked him this question every week and each
>time he gave her the same reply.
>
>"Has she mentioned any desire to find her father?"
>
>"Not yet."
>
>"Keep working on her."
>
>Michael nodded, thankful that this week's
>interrogation on the status of his marriage to Elena
>was over. "Is there anything else?" he asked.
>
>Madeline's answer was interrupted by the buzzing of
>the intercom on her desk. She leaned forward and
>pressed the speaker, "Yes?"
>
>Birkoff's youthful voice flitted through the air.
>"We've got a location on Van Vactor. Flash profiles
>are being distributed on egress. Operations wants to
>see Michael in Com."
>
>Madeline glanced up, her eyes meeting Michael's.
>"Looks like you're needed." As Michael turned to
>leave, she added as an afterthought, "Michael."
>
>"Yes?"
>
>Rising to her feet, Madeline walked around to the
>front of her desk and stood before him. "Keep an eye
>on Nikita."
>
>"Of course," he answered, then turned slowly to leave,
>wondering what subtle message was hidden in Madeline's
>words.
>
>*
>
>Michael caught up with Nikita as the teams were
>preparing to leave. Grabbing hold of her arm, he
>pulled her to the side. Looking into her eyes, he
>evaluated her state of mind. "There's no room for
>mistakes, Nikita."
>
>His voice was low and almost soft. She nodded once,
>pulled her arm free, and headed toward the van leaving
>Michael to follow. Nikita was on team one, paired with
>Charlie Brieghton, a veteran operative of nine years.
>Michael would have preferred to be paired with her
>himself, but the sequence called for the teams to be
>out in the open and Van Vactor would recognize him
>right away.
>
>*
>
>"Damn it!" Birkoff frowned as his fingers tapped away
>at the keyboard furiously. "We've lost team one!"
>
>Michael swung around in his seat and looked over
>Birkoff's shoulder at the blank screen in front of
>him. "Well?"
>
>Birkoff shook his head. "I can't find them. Too much
>interference," he murmured, as his eyes remained glued
>on the screen. Behind him, Michael stood and removed
>his coat, then reached for his gun. Birkoff swerved
>and cast a questioning look at Michael.
>
>"I'm going in. Monitor the other teams."
>
>"But--" Birkoff fell silent as the van door slammed
>shut behind Michael. "Great." The young genius turned
>back to face the screen. "Why didn't he just send in
>one of the other teams as backup?"
>
>*
>
>Nikita and Charlie had last been seen pursuing Van
>Vactor into an abandoned warehouse. Michael slipped
>between the parked vehicles on the street, avoiding
>the line of fire between Section teams and Van
>Vactor's men. He bent at a half-crouch, ran across the
>pavement, and entered the warehouse. Ducking into the
>shadows, he tried the com unit once more: "Nikita, can
>you hear me?"
>
>Nothing. A gunshot sounded in the distant and Michael
>was off running, hugging the shadows. He heard a
>scream -- male; Charlie.
>
>Michael followed the sound and came to a darkened
>stairway. He listened carefully as he made his way
>quietly down the steps. About half-way, he heard
>voices.
>
>"Go.... to hell."
>
>That was definitely Nikita. Michael didn't know
>whether to smile at her insolent behavior, or choke
>her for her foolhardiness. There was scuffling
>followed by Van Vactor yelling, "Where do you come
>from!" Michael sprang over the railing. He landed
>lightly on his feet, gun aimed and killed a hostile
>who was holding a knife to Nikita's neck. Immediately
>Nikita sprung into action. Her leg shot out, kicking
>the gun from Van Vactor's hand, and then she swooped
>down, picked up the weapon and aimed it at him.
>
>Michael smiled at the look of surprise on Van Vactor's
>face. He obviously had underestimated Nikita's speed
>and strength. Nikita turned her head to face him and
>Michael was surprised to see the coldness that filled
>her eyes. He was even more surprised when she swung
>her gun arm to the right, aiming it straight at him.
>Michael stood unmoving. A hundred thoughts ran through
>his mind, but one, a question he had asked Simone so
>long ago, stood out more prominent than the others.
>And if Christ did know -- did he forgive those who
>betrayed him?
>
>Michael stared at Nikita. Did she... could she
>forgive---
>
>The gun exploded and Michael jerked, disbelief
>ricocheting through him as the bullet blurred past
>him, just centimeters from his head. Then he heard a
>soft gasp from behind.
>
>Slowly, he turned and stared as one of Van Vactor's
>men looked back at him with a glazed, shocked
>expression. The gun he held in his hand fell
>harmlessly to the ground. Nikita's bullet, lodged
>between his brows, had found its mark.
>
>Team two arrived and secured the area. Michael felt
>someone brush against him and looked up to see Nikita,
>her eyes wide and unblinking, push past him. He
>watched as she came to a stop and stared down at the
>man she had shot. Her fingers, still clasped around
>the gun, uncurled slowly and the gun fell with a
>clatter to the ground. In shock, Nikita turned and
>shuffled away to a darkened corner. She leaned against
>the wall and, a moment later, hunched forward and
>retched.
>
>She had been telling the truth. Michael's eyes closed
>for a moment, then, after everyone had left, and there
>was only him and Nikita, he walked over to her and
>placed a hand on her shoulder. She stood and wiped her
>arm across her mouth. Slowly she turned and looked at
>him with eyes that, for once, he was unable to see
>past.
>
>"Are you alright?" he asked.
>
>Still looking at him, Nikita nodded slowly and
>replied. "I'm fine."
>
>
>
>
>End of The Road To Jericho I
>
>Note from Anon: I had written a Jericho II before but
>I didn't like that I jumped too far ahead in the
>future. Jericho II that is being posted to this board
>picks up in the same time frame where Jericho I leaves
>off.
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