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Date Posted: 23:31:57 05/04/11 Wed
Author: asiacheetah
Author Host/IP: ppp-71-128-195-9.dsl.sndg02.pacbell.net / 71.128.195.9
Subject: Chapter 2 Discovery - Part 2 - Section skewed
In reply to: asiacheetah 's message, "Trust is Never Easy - episodic" on 01:00:19 04/22/11 Fri

[The next part is definately section skewed/alternative universe. It doesn't impact the LFN established universe, but it is my attempt to answer a nagging question: why in the world would Michael and Nikita meet during a mission instead of outside during their downtime like normal people do.]

Chapter 2 Discovery – Part 2 – Section skewed

Operations stormed into Madeline’s office in an obvious rage: “Do you know anything about this?”

“What is it, I’m busy?”

“I got word from Oversight that Michael is being promoted.”

“Yes, we recommended that he should months ago after the Vacek mission.”

“We recommended him for promotion to Level 6. George just informed me that they are promoting Michael to Level 8.”
Madeline paused in the middle of caring for her plants at Operations’ declaration. “I hadn’t heard.”

“You’re the Chief Tactician; you should know these things to warn me ahead of time.”

“I apologize. I’ll work with my sources to get better Intel.”

Operations lights a cigarette and starts pacing. “Why is George doing this? Is he intending to place Michael in charge?”

“I suspect the combination of Michael’s blood cover as well as his performance during the Bergomi mission prompted Oversight to take a closer look at our initial recommendation. By making Michael the third highest ranking member of Section One, Oversight effectively made him the third in command, which he already was in essence.”

“I don’t like it. Michael is hard enough as it is to control. He will basically be untouchable unless we get Center’s blessings.”

“That’s one way to look at it.”

“What other way is there?”

“Due to his higher level, Michael will be on call at all times. This means he’ll spend the majority of the time inside Section where we can keep an eye on him. Plus, he’ll have a security detail every time he leaves the building, making it harder to hide his activities from us.”

Operations slowly smiled as he listened to Madeline. “Less chance to plot our demise you mean?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Why don’t you work up a plan on what Michael’s new responsibilities will entail.”

“I will.”

*****

“You wanted to see me?”

I walked up to the perch where Operations and Madeline waited for me. It reminded me of another time when they had summoned me to inform me of Nikita’s resurrection from the dead. I was instantly on guard in fear that they had discovered Nikita’s deception.

“I have some good news, Michael. Oversight has promoted you to Level 8. Congratulations are in order.”

The news came as a shock and was so far removed from what I feared. “Thank you.”

“Madeline has drafted a framework for your added responsibilities. Your primary duties will include Head Strategist, review of all profiled missions, and evaluation of Section trainers. You and Madeline will continue to share responsibilities in tactical overview as well as operational duties of the Section when I am away.”

I glanced over at the silent Madeline to gage her reaction. She was studying me intently as usual, but smiled warmly when our gaze met. There were no hints of warning or uneasiness in her eyes. It didn’t seem like this was some sort of elaborate trap set by Section to test me. My attention returned to Operations as he continued.

“Due to how valuable you are to the Section, you will only take on the role of Team Leader on high priority missions. The first order to business will be to promote another team leader.”

I glanced down to Comm and see the familiar blonde hair: “Nikita.”

Operations quirked his brow at my statement: “Typically we would promote someone with more seniority.”

“Nikita has the experience and has proven to be more than capable of the responsibility.”

Operations inclined his head toward Madeline: “What do you think?”

“I agree with Michael. Nikita is due for a promotion.”

“Very well, set it up.”

“Michael, I’ve taken the liberty of providing you with a larger quarter inside Section since you’ll be spending more time here. I have also assigned a security detail for when you leave Section.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

“Perhaps not, but that is the protocol.”

I studied Madeline at her statement. There was a hint of caution showing in her eyes warning me that my life wasn’t my own anymore. Not that it ever was since the moment I entered Section.

“Is that all?”

“Yes. Why don’t you and Madeline go over your new responsibilities.”

“Of course.”

*****

Words travel fast inside Section. By the time I left Madeline’s office, the news of my promotion was known by all in the main level as people avoided my gaze and hurried out of my way. Of course that was normal behavior most of the time anyway. Walter flagged me down on my way back to the office.

“Hey, Michael. I just heard the news, congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

“Since you’ll be stuck here with me, spending lots of quality time underground, I’ll introduce you to a few of my babies. I got a suntan bed and a distillery hidden away in one of the sub-levels. If you get bored, I got a do-it-yourself tattoo kit as well.”

Somehow none of Walter’s hobbies surprised me. “Thank you.”

“I’m telling you; you’ll need all of those things. Maybe not the tattoo kit, but you’ll definitely need my home brew. Nights in Section are long and lonely.”

I suppressed a smile and thanked Walter before quickly leaving his area.

*******

It didn’t surprise me that Nikita found me next. She had not taken my sudden ascension to Operations well a few months ago. I had worried how she would handle a more permanent promotion as well as her own increased role. I glanced up as Nikita tentatively knocked on the door.

“Michael, you got a minute?”

“Yes.”

I automatically disabled the security inside the room and waited for her to begin.

“I just heard the news, congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

“What does this mean?”

“I’ll be spending more time inside Section.”

“Would you be able to leave?”

“Yes, with a security detail.”

“Security detail?”

I watched as the confusion on her face gave way to anger. “They would do anything to keep us separate won’t they?”

“I don’t believe that was their original intention, but they’re certainly making the best of it.”

Nikita looked at the camera on the corner of the room before leaning forward slightly and whispered: “You said we’ll be together.”

“We will.”

“How?”

“I’ll find a way.”

A small smile graced her lips and she gave me a heated glance.

“Be patient.”

Her eyes narrowed at that: “You know I hate it when you say that!”

Memories of the last time I said those words to her and the passionate way she responded came to my mind. I visually caressed her: starting from her bright silky hair; down to those perfect lips that parts to sharply take in a breath; to the long line of her neck where the fast fluttering of her heartbeats was clearly evident; and back up to her eyes, which was now passionate and filled with promise on what she wanted to do if it weren’t for the cameras.

“I know. Go now.”

Nikita stood up and walked to the door. She smoothed her hair down and cast another heated glance my way. “Find a way fast.”

“I will.”

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