Chapter 43 - Michael -- LFN Storyboard 2

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Date Posted: 02:35:22 07/31/11 Sun
Author: asiacheetah
Author Host/IP: ppp-71-128-193-14.dsl.sndg02.pacbell.net / 71.128.193.14
Subject: Chapter 43 - Michael
In reply to: asiacheetah 's message, "The Recruit (working title) - Michael pre-LFN story" on 03:47:50 04/25/11 Mon

Chapter 43 � Michael

The mood inside the vehicle was tense, the air between them heavy with unspoken recrimination. Michael glanced discretely at Kendo, who looked straight ahead through the windshield as he drove. The apparent air of relaxation was belied by the white knuckled grip Kendo held on the steering wheel. Thankfully, the drive to Michael�s new off-site quarter was short and they arrived at their destination less than 5 minutes after leaving the Section.

They walked swiftly up to the front door of the building, Michael holding a small bag that held all his worldly possessions. Kendo swiped an access card through the electronic machine and typed in a 4 digit code. The security panel beeped in acknowledgement and the door unlocked with an audible click. Kendo swung the door open and allowed Michael to pass through first.

Michael followed Kendo to the bank of elevators and waited for the elevator car to arrive. Kendo was unnaturally tense and more silent than normal. His trainer was purposely avoiding eye contact as he stared intently at the door. The door finally opened and they entered as Kendo pushed the desired floor. They both stared straight ahead at the door, not acknowledging one another despite standing less than one foot from each other.

The door swung open with a buzzing sound and they proceed down the nondescript hallway to the last unit. Michael noticed with approval that the apartment was next to the emergency stairwell. Kendo unlocked the door and Michael noted the deadbolts and security chain on the door. He made a mental note to install a security monitor and camera to examine visitors.

The apartment was spacious and furnished with standard Section issue furnishings. Michael walked slowly around the apartment, which comprised of a living room, combo kitchen and dining nook, one bedroom, and bathroom. There was a small balcony overlooking the road and front door that allowed for advanced viewing of incoming visitors. Michael made another mental note to install a security camera to monitor the building entrance.

Kendo made a small sound by clearing his throat. Michael turned back to his trainer who was standing by an open organizer case. Kendo pointed to the case and stated: �Everything you need is in there: I.D. driver�s license, credit cards. Tell no one who you are or what you do. Anyone asks, you�re between jobs and taking some time to figure things out. Your codename is Jacques.�

Kendo started moving to the door, apparently intending to leave without saying another word.

�Wait.�

Kendo stopped, still facing the front door. He took a deep breath before turning, raising his gaze slowly, and his face carefully devoid of all emotion.

�How long before they call me in?�

�It depends on the mission. We have to give your injuries time to heal before putting you on a mission. After that, it could be a day, could be a month.�

Kendo turned to leave again, eager to escape.

�I have a question.�

Kendo turned slowly back to face him, his face betraying wariness.

�How long did you know Adam was betraying Section?�

Kendo�s lips pressed together into a thin line before responding: �Not long, a few weeks.�

�Why didn�t you bring him in for questioning?�

Kendo repeated Elsbeth�s reasoning: �We didn�t have proof and needed something concrete.�

Michael wasn�t going to let such a bold face lie go unchallenged. �Not having proof has never stopped Section before.�

Kendo shifted his gaze cagily as he fidgeted slightly.

Michael pressed on with his suspicion: �Did Section decide that using him is the best way to test my loyalty?�

Kendo swallowed dryly before replying: �Not Section, me.�

Michael had felt numb since the moment he pulled the trigger and killed his friend. Now, he felt the first stirring of anger. He suppressed the emotion from his voice as he asked in a flat tone: �Why?�

�There were questions whether you would remain loyal to Section.�

�Why not cancel me if there were concerns?�

�You are too promising of a recruit to dispose of outright.� After an uncomfortable beat, Kendo continued: �Your test was more extreme than normal because we have to make sure you would not betray Section.�

He frowned at the news before repeating the same inquiry: �Why?�

Kendo smiled mirthlessly: �You�ve proven yourself to be a dangerous adversary.�

�I�m not the enemy.�

�For now you are on our side.�

They stared at each other tensely for a long moment. Wary brown eyes meeting the challenging gray-green stare. Kendo�s expression betrayed his discomfort and guilt at the profile he crafted. Despite the obvious shame, Kendo did not back down from his conviction that this was the right course to take.

The memory of Adam�s pleading face came to the forefront of his mind. The test had been about him in order to prove his loyalty. Section hadn�t cared the impact it would have on him to have to kill his friend. They didn�t care that without Adam�s help, Michael would be dead by now. Adam had meant next to nothing to Section. To them, they had gotten the desired result and the ends justified the means.

Over the past year, Michael had found Kendo to be pretty straight forward; surprisingly free of the subterfuge and hidden agenda those in charge seemed to cloak themselves in. He had come to respect his trainer and had placed some trust in the other man. It turned out that Jurgen hadn�t been the most dangerous of his trainers after all, it was Kendo. Jurgen was right; you couldn�t trust anyone inside Section.

Kendo finally looked away, uneasy from the contempt and condemnation shown in Michael�s gaze. He walked unsteadily toward the door, this time Michael did not stop him from leaving. Kendo opened the door and looked back for a moment, uncertain what to say. Finally he said softly: �Goodbye.� He closed the door quietly behind him.

Michael looked at the closed door for a moment before moving forward to engage the locks. He walked out to the patio and waited until Kendo emerged from the building exterior and walked briskly to his car and drove away. He looked off toward the direction of the car for a long moment, before raising his gaze to his surroundings.

A beam of sunlight emerged from the heavy clouds, showing a patch of blue sky. Michael closed his eyes as the sun basked over him. The warm sensation lasted only a moment, before the clouds blocked the ray of light again, and cold air blew harshly over him, matching the cold despair in his soul.

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