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Date Posted: 02:11:10 04/22/11 Fri
Author: asiacheetah
Author Host/IP: ppp-71-128-204-48.dsl.sndg02.pacbell.net / 71.128.204.48
Subject: Chapter 1 Betrayal – Part 12
In reply to: asiacheetah 's message, "Trust is Never Easy - episodic" on 01:00:19 04/22/11 Fri

This chapter touches on: All Good Things

Chapter 1 Betrayal – Part 12

I knew the idyllic happiness of the few weeks Nikita and I spent together would come to an end eventually. I also knew it would most likely come at the hand of Section machinations. I was counting on Nikita’s willingness to weather the storm with me. We had sealed our bond when we admitted to each other that it was worth whatever the price to see if what was between us was real and worth fighting for. Her words still rang in my ears.

“You’re worth whatever the price Michael.”

I was prepared to withstand the worse that Section could dish out. What I wasn’t expecting was how readily Nikita pulled back. It made me question everything we had shared and the commitment I thought we had made to each other.

The first setback came unexpectedly in the form of a temporary promotion. Thinking back it was still strange to me how Operations chose to break the news. The meeting took place in Madeline’s office with her seated behind her desk, not saying a word but observing my every response. Operations must have been in a jovial mood since his tone was conciliatory and almost complimentary.

Operations: “Madeline is very capable, but she feels, and I agree, that her strongest role lies in providing objective counsel to the person in charge. You. You’ve run the shop on occasion, for several hours at a time, but this time it’s different. There’ll be a formal change of command. You’ll have full operational authority; in the event of a crisis, I won’t be available.”

Michael: “I understand.”

Operations: “Come. Walk with me.”

I studied Madeline’s expression before leaving her office. Her expression was a cross between suspicion, concern, and anger. I realized then that despite what Operations said this promotion hadn’t been her idea. Either there had been a rift in Operations and Madeline’s working relationship, or Operations was getting orders elsewhere. This told me more than anything else to be careful.

Operations: “Madeline can get you up to speed on everything else. Her advice is invaluable, but the final decision is yours. Mistakes are inevitable; don’t let them bother you. Learn and move on. You have command.”

The weight of the command key was heavy around my neck, a constant reminder of the new role I must play now and the need to pass this latest test.

Michael: “I have command.”

The first test of the new leadership was the choice of who to replace me. It was an easy decision; I needed someone I could trust in the position. It was interesting getting a taste of how Madeline advised Operations. When she recommended I looked at the mission profile for the Odessa mission, I knew it was her way of alerting me to a possible backlash from the team if I promoted Nikita over Wallace. She knew it wouldn’t change my position, but to forewarn me of potential dissention.

It came as no surprise that Madeline already knew of the developing relationship between Nikita and me. I had warned Nikita years ago that Section, and more accurately, Madeline would know if we were together. It was not gratifying to see my prediction come true.

Knowing Nikita’s sense of fairly, I wasn’t surprised when she questioned me if I took her out play to save her. She still did not know her true value to me, that she was the only one I could trust. Even if the Odessa mission profile hadn’t been skewed, I would have promoted her to my former position.

Nikita: “Michael, I have to talk to you about something. Wallace’s death on the Odessa mission. You must have known the profile was skewed.”

Michael: “Yes.”

Nikita: “I don’t want special treatment.”

Michael: “Would you prefer to be dead?”

Nikita: “So it’s true – you promoted me to keep me off the mission?”

Michael: “I promoted you because you’re qualified and I need someone in that position I can trust.”

Nikita: “But if you treat met differently, that’s unfair to the others and to me.”

She had a point. If the team thought I treated her differently in order to protect her, she wouldn’t be able to do her job effectively. This was also part of the reason Madeline had warned me ahead of time.

Michael: “What do you want?”

Nikita: “Whether I take your place or not, I want to be back on the field.”

Michael: “Alright.”

Nikita: “Thank you.”

The wariness and coolness shown in Nikita’s eyes noticeably softened after my agreement. Nikita: “I haven’t officially congratulated you, so I’ll do it now. Congratulations.”

Michael: “Thank you.”

Nikita: “How’s life at the top?”

It was like walking on a tight rope over a pool of ravenous sharks. Michael: “I have a lot to learn.”

Nikita: “I’ll let you get back to work then.”

Michael: “Nikita.”

I approached her then because I needed assurance that this new role I have to take on haven’t changed our relationship. That are priority was still to be together. The kiss was all too brief, but it resealed our bond. I hoped that bond was strong enough to hold for the coming weeks.

*****

Meeting George for the first time was illuminating. Dealing with Operations was fairly straight forward since he was usually open with his emotions and did not pull his punches. His arsenal consists of threatening and bullying his way to the desired result. George on the other hand chooses seduction and manipulations all for the greater good. Between George and Operations, George was definitely the most lethal of the pair. He showed his shrewdness by knowing instantly that the Odessa mission was Operations’ way of pacifying Oversight.

George: “What about Luigi Bergomi?”

Michael: “We’re getting closer.”

George: “The Odessa mission was a placebo wasn’t it? In fact, Section has no real intention of going after him. Am I right?”

Michael: “We’re doing what we can.”

George: “Do you? Or are Madeline’s words still ringing in your ears? I can imagine what she told you. Be strong! Don’t let George push you too hard. Let’s look past the words to the motive. Operations and Madeline are like Siamese twins. They bicker, they squabble, but they never separate. It wouldn’t look good if you achieved something they couldn’t so they don’t want you to try. They don’t think Bergomi can be taken. I do. What do you think?”
The fact that George could pinpoint Madeline’s response so accurately denotes that of the three people warring over my future in Section, George was the one hardest to fool and the one I needed to placate. I know now that no matter the difficulty, I would have to reach closure on the Bergomi mission.

Michael: “I’ll review it again.”

George: “Good. Meanwhile, keep this in mind. Operations won’t decide who replaces him or when it happens. Oversight will. And we want Bergomi. Quickly.”

George: “We have been watching you for sometimes Michael. We’ve been interested in promoting you up to Oversight for many years now, but Operations always claimed you were too integral to Section One’s mission to lose your services. Since your record supports that claim we’ve never pushed the issue. How do you feel?”

Michael: “I’m needed at Section.”

George: “If that’s how you feel we’ll have to see about improving your situation at Section One. That is if we get the desired result we want with Bergomi.”

Michael: “I’ll see what I can do.”

*****

I once told Nikita that it was best to be ruthless in Section and if you’re not to appear that way. She had asked me if I only appear to be ruthless. I dispelled that notion completely in that week when I ruthless drove her and Section resources in order to capture Luigi Bergomi.

Nikita: “There’s been an Intel update. Bergomi’s shown some activity since the attack. Birkoff thinks there’s a 6% chance he knows we’re coming.”

Michael: “Increase density. Add backup.”

Nikita: “Even so Michael, we’ll sustain heavy losses. And our chances of getting Bergomi out are no more than 50%.”

Michael: “60%, 50, they’re just numbers. We’ll get him.”

Nikita: “I think we should abort.”

I thought about what she said for a moment then. Not to reconsider whether or not to go after Bergomi since I had already made the decision to fully commit Section resources to capture him. I thought over the entire conversation and realized that everything she had said was leading up to latest suggestion. Nikita knew capturing Bergomi was important to me. Normally she would attempt to configure the profile to prevent as many unnecessary deaths as possible, but she would never stop pursuing a target due to potential mission failure. It was obvious Madeline had talked to Nikita. Having failed to dissuade me from pulling back from the Bergomi mission, she had switched to a different tactic. That Nikita had been influenced by Madeline was both alarming and disheartening.

Michael: “I expected betrayal from Mintz, not from you.”

Nikita: “What kind of loyalty do you want? Blind obedience or my honest opinion?”

Michael: “Don’t fail me, Nikita. You’re the only person in the world I trust.”

This admission was a difficult one to make. I had not trusted anyone since Simone. Trust was never easy in Section, and I had made the leap in trusting Nikita. I could only hope that trust wasn’t misplaced.

In the end Nikita came through and reached mission closure. However, I knew that her perspective of me had changed and I was no longer sure if she wanted to stay together.

Nikita: “Seven dead more will die from injuries. A third of the upcoming missions shut down due to lack of resources. Was it worth it?”

Michael: “Yes.”

Nikita: “Why?”

Michael: “This is Section. Missions are carried out, people die. And sometimes the reasons are not always clear.”

Nikita: “Are you saying there’s more to this than I know?”

Michael: “I’m saying the discussion’s over.”

Nikita: “I don’t know who you are.”

Michael: “I’m who I’ve always been.”

It was the truth. I’ve always had a single minded focus in life as well as in Section. It was how I ended up in Section in the first place, how I survived this many years, how I operate as an operative, and now how I operate when I’m in charge. Despite opening up to Nikita the past few weeks, there was still a lot Nikita hasn’t learned about me.

*****

Things were finally getting back to normal after the capture of Bergomi and Section resources re-allocated to catch up on missions that were delayed. Having passed, or failed depending on whose perspective the latest test, it was an unpleasant surprise to find Operations back at the perch.

Operations: “Madeline didn’t tell you I was back?”

Michael: “No.”

Operations: “She likes surprises.”

I picture a black widow in the middle of a web. Yes, Madeline thrived on surprises.

Operations: “When I left, I asked just one thing of you. You didn’t do it. Why?”

Michael: “Is there an answer that would satisfy you?”

Operations: “Not really.”

Michael: “Then why ask?”

Operations: “I withdraw the question. George is very impressed with you. He can’t stop talking about the mission.”

Michael: “It was possible after all.”

Operations: “Yes, I suppose it was. You took a big chance, choosing sides so blatantly.”

Michael: “I wasn’t trying to choose sides.”

It was the truth. I didn’t support either George or Operations in their quest for dominance. I was just trying to survive the fall out. That’s all you could hope to do in Section, survive.

Operations: “The fact remains, if something happens to George, you’re in trouble.”

Michael: “And if something happens to you – even if your performance slips a bit – I may be in charge of Section.”

Operations: “Was that statement or a threat?”

Michael: “Was yours?”

Operations: “I believe you have something that belongs to me.”

Michael: “You have command.”

Operations: “I have command.”

For now, I silently added.

*****

I had felt unsure of Nikita’s response when I approached her previously about entering into a relationship. That was nothing compared to the trepidation I experienced knocking on her door after handing the reigns back over to Operations.

Nikita: “Michael.”

Michael: “Can I come in.”

Nikita hesitated before letting me in. This was going to be worse than what I feared.

Michael: “I came to see how you are doing.”

Nikita: “I’m not sure Michael. This week has been really hard. I need time to think about this.”

Michael: “Can I help?”

Nikita: “I don’t think so Michael.”

Michael: “Would you like me to leave.”

I hoped that she would want me to stay, but I wasn’t surprised when she asked me to leave.

Nikita: “Yes, I’m sorry.”

Michael: “It’s okay. Good bye Nikita.”

It was hard walking away from her, not knowing what decision she would make.

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  • Chapter 1 Betrayal – Part 13 (NC-17) -- asiacheetah, 02:19:45 04/22/11 Fri
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