Chapter 4: Courez -- The Beta Board

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Date Posted: 13:48:26 11/02/01 Fri
Author: lafemme
Subject: Chapter 4: Courez
In reply to: lafemme 's message, "Need a beta reader here please" on 13:32:31 11/02/01 Fri

As Michael slept, he dreamed. It all seemed too real once more. He was to meet a contact for Section. The gentleman was only known as Guy. Guy was to provide intel on an upcoming act of terrorism being carried out once more by Helix. It was a simple plan.

It turned out to be a set up. When Michael arrived at the rendezvous point, he remembered seeing the contact dead. The weapon used was identical to Michael's. As Michael left the building, he was ambushed. He'd managed to take out two men before being hit.

His attackers, assuming that they had completed their assignment, did not plan for Michael's incredible strength or Section training. He waited until they were in sight and then he killed both of them, firing a bullet into each one's head.

Having dispatched his would be attackers, Michael sat up and was hit by an instant wave of nausea and pain. It was becoming more intense with each passing moment. It as at this time that . . .

. . . Michael awoke. Slowly, the events of the previous night were coming back to him. There were still moments where he couldn't recall every detail from the past twenty-four hours.

He opened his eyes and attempted to sit upright. Remembering where he was, he immediately scanned the room to see if Nathalie was nearby. Seeing that she wasn't there and fearing that she might have gone, Michael swung his legs over the side of the bed. Another wave of nausea much like the night before overtook him. Just as he was about to stand up, Nathalie entered the room.

"Just where do you think you're going?" she asked, the displeasure showing in her voice. Michael shrugged his shoulders in response and Nathalie simply shook her head.

"You need your rest. I just finished removing a bullet from you and I'll be damned if I'll let you undo my work." Nathalie pushed Michael back against the pillows, forcing him to rest.

"Nathalie . . ." Michael began.

"Shhh . . ." she responded, placing a finger to his lips.

Michael closed his eyes and allowed his body to rest. He needed the time, what little he had, to think and to plan. The first thing that crossed his mind was Nathalie. Michael had not counted on taking a hostage, who actually turned out to be very valuable. This in turn, caused Michael to consider two possibilities. Nathalie was either a plant for Section or she was simply an innocent.

Neither option appealed to Michael. If she were working for Section, he'd have no choice but to eliminate her. If she was an innocent, well that presented a whole new set of problems. At the moment, this whole scenario seemed to be a game to Nathalie. Michael was worried that if things got bad, she might get hurt.

At Section . . .

Madeline and Operations spent much of the morning and most of the afternoon going through the various reports and checking on the progress of current missions. The last thing on their agenda was a matter concerning Michael.

"So, where do we stand on our current situation regarding Michael?" Operations began.

Madeline sipped her tea. "Everything is going as expected. We should be able to bring down Helix in a matter of ten days."

"Wasn't Helix destroyed the last time we encountered them?" Operations asked, even though he knew the answer.

"Most of it. This current branch is an offspring of the main one we eliminated approximately eighteen months ago." Madeline also loved playing mind games with Operations. It helped her to stay focused on the day to day operations of Section.

"Excellent! Will there be any losses?" Operations asked.

"It's difficult to say at this point. We've put everything into play. There is a small anomaly that we should be able to control," Madeline replied.

"Should be?" Operations questioned, his one eyebrow arching slightly in surprise.

"Yes. She will work out perfectly."

"Good."

Both continued to sip their tea.

Michael awoke to the feel of someone's hands touching his chest. Grabbing the offending hand, Michael opened his eyes. Nathalie jerked back in terror.

"I'm sorry . . . I was just changing you bandage. I didn't mean
to . . ."

Once Michael realized what was happening, he released his grip on Nathalie. She in turn stared back into his eyes. Nat broke the momentary pause.

"I just wanted to see if you were ok."

"Better," Michael answered.

"Well, get some rest and I'll check on you in a little bit," Nathalie responded as she rose from the bed.

Michael laid back and closed his eyes. His normal reserve of strength was virtually nonexistent. He knew the only way to recover was to rest. The problem was, he didn't know how much time had to rest.

One problem at a time, Michael reminded himself.

Three hours later, Michael opened his eyes once more, this time feeling much better. He knew he wasn't at his normal strength, but at least he could move if needed. He swung his legs over the side of the bed, a slight wave of nausea hitting him. Michael steadied himself and rose from the bed.

Walking to the kitchen, Michael was surprised when he didn't see Nathalie anywhere in the apartment. His Section training immediately took effect. Michael quickly scanned the apartment and could not find Nathalie anywhere. He then noticed a small piece of paper taped to the front door. It read, "Michael, I went to the store. I'll be back in thirty minutes. Please rest. Nathalie."

Taking the paper in hand, Michael found a candle. It was one of those that gave off a fragrant aroma. Still it would do for what Michael had in mind. He placed the note over the candle and watched as the paper caught fire and disintegrated before his eyes. It was better to cover all traces of his existence so that Section would not have any reason to send "housekeeping" over to Nathalie's apartment.

Michael's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the doorbell. He looked outside and saw that it was a postman with a package for delivery.

"She's not here right now," Michael offered, hoping the man would go away.

"You can sign for it," the postman responded.

Michael hid his irritation with yet another question. "Can't you just leave it on the doorstep?"

"Nope, someone's going to have to sign for it. Come on, I haven't got all day."

Reluctantly Michael opened the door. "Where do I need to sign?" he asked.

"Right here," the postman indicated, point to an "x" on a form. Michael attempted to write a name, but the pen wouldn't work.

"Do you have another one?" he asked.

The postman padded his coat, indicating this pen was his last one. Michael sighed in response. "I'll see if she's got a pen. Wait here."

The postman did not wait. He followed Michael inside. He had a gun. He was about to fire one shot to the back of Michael's head when he was caught off guard by a roundhouse kick to his chest. It came from of all people, Michael.

Michael realized about five seconds ago, that this postman must be from Section. He also knew this guy had to come from abeyance. He would have almost fooled Michael if it had not been for his bright shiny new shoes. Someone in wardrobe would pay for his mistake later.

Focusing his attention back on the attacker Michael now saw that his kick had knocked the gun from his hand. It now lay on the floor between both of them. It was almost like a stalemate. When the attacker went for the gun, Michael responded. The same occurred when Michael attempted to retrieve the weapon for himself.

Just then, both focused their attention as they heard the sound of the door opening. That was all the time that Michael needed. Moving like a cheetah, Michael reached for and grabbed hold of the gun. Before the attacker would react, he found he now had two bullet holes in his throat. He collapsed to the floor instantly.

Michael's small moment of victory was interrupted by Nathalie's voice. She was screaming. "OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD!" Michael quickly shut the door and grabbed hold of Nathalie.

"Nathalie . . ." he began, trying to calm her.

"OH MY GOD!" she repeated once more.

"Nathalie, please . . ." Michael was actually beginning to lose his patience.

"OH MY GOD!" Nathalie continued repeating.

"NATHALIE!" Michael shouted. She now focused her eyes on Michael and fainted into his arms.

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