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Date Posted: 21:46:32 06/23/11 Thu
Author: asiacheetah
Author Host/IP: ppp-71-128-195-9.dsl.sndg02.pacbell.net / 71.128.195.9
Subject: Chapter 36 - Elsbeth
In reply to: asiacheetah 's message, "The Recruit (working title) - Michael pre-LFN story" on 03:47:50 04/25/11 Mon

Chapter 36 – Elsbeth

In all the years Elsbeth had been inside Section, she had never came across a recruit as gifted and versatile as Michael. He had taken on all the training Section had to offer and was exceeding all expected proficiency level. In fact, his performance level has exceeded those typically seen in Level 3 operatives with years of experience.

This presented her with an unusual personnel dilemma. Michael was too advanced to simply be a team member, but he does not have the years of experience that would command respect and obedience if he were to lead a team. There will be too much push back from his team members that he would have to overcome, potentially lowering their POS.

Another issue was that Michael, for all intents and purposes, was still technically a recruit. She and his trainers had been debating whether to promote him to full operative status since he passed his 12 months evaluation. The only thing preventing it had been the uncertainty about his psyche.

Michael was a cipher to all his trainers. He obeyed commands without questions and was quick to adapt within mission parameter if something unforeseen occurs. However, his motivation and whatever was driving him to perform flawlessly was a mystery to all. They simply didn’t know what made him tick, and that was a concern to his overall management.

They could not expect him to be blindly loyal to Section since behind his beautiful exterior contains a mind of keen intelligence and cunning. There was too much risk to him operating in shades of gray and potentially turning against Section. If that happened, Michael was too deadly of an adversary to easily defeat.

In normal cases, when there was this much uncertainty surrounding a recruit, they simply eliminated the potential threat. However, Michael held too much promise to be a truly great operative and a tremendous asset to their organization.

She needed additional input from those who have spent the most time with him, which was why she had called a meeting with Kendo and Jurgen. She trusted that they could be objective when it came to this particular recruit. She hadn’t bothered to invite Caroline since her objectivity went out the window the moment she saw Michael. She made a mental note to keep a closer eye on Caroline any time they are placed in a team together.

While she waited for them to join her, she reviewed Michael’s personnel file again.

Training area – Field operations: Level 4 proficiency level
Recommendation: Promote to full status.

Training area – Tactical operations: Level 4 proficiency level
Recommendation: Promote to full status.

Training area – Strategic planning: Level 4 proficiency level
Recommendation: Promote to full status.

Training area – Valentine operations: Level 3 proficiency level
Recommendation: Promote to full status.

Training area – Profiling: Level 3 proficiency level
Recommendation: Promote to full status.

Training area – Munitions: Level 3 proficiency level
Recommendation: Promote to full status.

Training area – Communications: Level 3 proficiency level
Recommendation: Promote to full status.

Training area – Psychological operations: Level 2 proficiency level
Recommendation: Promote to full status

Training area – Housekeeping: Level 2 proficiency level
Recommendation: Promote to full status.

Training area – Interrogation tactics: Level 2 proficiency level
Recommendation: Promote to full status.

Michael’s mission scores in various fields were virtually at 100%. She noted that on field missions that he was on point, the success rate was at 100% with limited casualty rates. As a result, his team mates from those missions followed his lead without questions. This bodes well for Michael’s promotion to full team leader status.

A beeping sound alerted her of visitors at the door. She disengaged the security and allowed the door to open to admit Kendo and Jurgen who took seats in front of her. Kendo was calm as usual with his face carefully devoid of all thoughts and emotions. She noted that Michael had picked up this particular trait from Kendo, which while highly effective in not allowing people to be privy to his thoughts, also proved a barrier for her in gauging her top operative.

Her gaze moved to Jurgen who regarded her with an intense enigmatic gaze. In the 13 months Jurgen had been at Section 8, he had performed flawlessly with all the missions he led. However, he was as much of an enigma as when he first arrived. Elsbeth had always wondered if he was sent by Section 1 as a spy or if Madeline had wanted him out of her way for some reason. It was pointless to speculate since Jurgen was unlikely to confirm or deny her suspicions.

Elsbeth: “Thank you gentlemen for coming. I’ve been reviewing Michael’s performance records and wanted your input.”

Kendo: “Of course.”

Elsbeth: “We’ve come to a point where we have to decide whether Michael shall be promoted to full status or if he should be cancelled.”

Jurgen: “What do you wish to know?”

Elsbeth: “I want to know if Michael will turn on Section.”

Jurgen: “There’s always that possibility with any operative.”

Elsbeth: “True, but not all operative could cause as much damage as Michael if he decided to.”

Kendo: “I don’t believe Michael would turn against us without a good cause.”

Elsbeth raised her eyebrow at Kendo’s blind trust: “What good cause would that be?”

Kendo: “Perhaps if he believes Section has turned away from its intended purpose of stopping terrorists and maintaining peace.”

Elsbeth: “You think Michael is obeying because he believes in what we do here?”

Kendo: “I can’t pretend to know his motivation.”

Elsbeth: “That’s precisely the problem gentlemen. There’s too much uncertainty as to his motivation and whether he would remain loyal.”

Jurgen: “Why don’t you test his loyalty?”

Elsbeth: “How?”

Kendo: “I might know a way.”

Both Elsbeth and Jurgen looked toward Kendo with questioning looks. Kendo elaborated: “I can’t tell you much right now, but I’m following some intelligence from my sources. As soon as I have more confirmation I’ll draft up a profile for you to review.”

Elsbeth: “Fine. If Michael passes the test, we will promote him to full operative status.”

Kendo: “May I make a recommendation. Other operatives and recruits have already noticed the special training and accelerated schedule Michael has been operating on. They believe he is being groomed for a higher up position. I recommend we promote him straight to Level 3.”

Jurgen: “I concur with that suggestion.”

Elsbeth: “Fine, if he passes his final test.”

Kendo stated with confidence: “He will.”

Elsbeth: “I hope you are right. You are dismissed.”

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