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Date Posted: 03:30:57 06/03/12 Sun
Author: taurus2124
Author Host/IP: CPE-58-161-101-39.nsw.bigpond.net.au / 58.161.101.39
Subject: Chapter 247
In reply to: taurus2124 's message, "The Rising Dragons ... continued" on 02:43:30 06/03/12 Sun

Chapter 247


Birkoff was extremely worried that the equipment malfunction and his responses had displeased Madeline and had put a spanner in the works to see if he was telling the truth. He wondered what she would do next and the fact that there seemed to be an awful long pause before Madeline stated her next question made him more alarmed. Her question when she asked it was one he’d thought was done and dusted.

“Why were you and Walter in a restricted area?”

“I’ve already told you.”

“I know what you told me; now tell me again. This time, the truth.”

“I did tell you the truth.” He swallowed nervously. “I haven't done anything wrong. We were just on our way to the Common Area but took a wrong turn … that’s all.”

“Why should I believe you now? What is it that you're not telling me?”

“Nothing.” Birkoff looked at Madeline face and knew immediately that he would have to elaborate more information to satisfy her, “Because I was trying to help him.”

“Why?”

“Because I had just seen him go through hell and I wanted to make things better. Walter was wound up about what had happened to Michael and Nikita and the retrieval mission and we had gone for a walk to clear his head.”

“And you did this out of the goodness of your heart?”

“Out of a thing called friendship.”

“I see.” Madeline circled the chair contemplating his reactions to her questions. She came to the conclusion that he didn’t seem to be holding anything back so questioned him on the commotion in Section. “Did you have anything to do with the Breach?”

With confidence he answered succinctly. “The Breach was a false alarm. I gave Operations the evidence that proved so and he was satisfied with my findings.”

“Yes of course.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Madeline was impressed with how the young computer whiz had not been fazed by her questions but had remained steadfast despite his obvious nervousness. Collecting her thoughts, she knew she had been harsh on Birkoff but she needed to be 100% sure that he was not in any way responsible. His answers were totally consistent with what he had told Operations, however, Madeline still needed to question him on the fact that there may be a mole in Section. If he proved to her satisfaction that it was not him, perhaps he could find out who it was that was feeding George Intel on an all too regular basis.

“What is your relationship with George?”

Birkoff was surprised by this query. He looked at Madeline baffled by this line of questioning as it was completely out of left field. “I don’t have a relationship other than he is the head of Oversight.”

“What would you say if I knew you were passing Intel to him on a regular basis?”

Appalled that Madeline would insinuate such a thing, Birkoff reacted strongly, “What! That’s lie! I would never do anything to compromise Section.”

“Never forget what we do here. I don't need hard data to draw a picture but I do need to know where my operatives stand at all times … including you Seymour.”

Protesting loudly he replied. “I'm here for the Section!”

“I hope so,” she replied studying his face intently and seeing the reaction she wanted. Then without further ado, Madeline stepped behind the chair and released Birkoff’s restraints.

“Congratulations, you passed with flying colours.”

Birkoff was dumbfounded. “I don't get it.”

He was perplexed at Madeline’s replies and actions, but he suddenly knew that this inquisition was nothing about the breach itself but was a test of his loyalty to Section One. He sat in the chair and waited to be dismissed, however, Madeline continued on a different tack … one that took him by surprise.

“We believe that Section’s been compromised.”

“Who did this?”

“We don't know yet. Someone inside. It appears that the mole may have been on site.”

“Inside Section?” How do you know this?”

“Someone’s been passing Intel to George. We need you to find out who it is.”

Birkoff realised that his presence in the White Room was to gauge if he was aware that there was a mole in Section and if he had any knowledge about who may be passing on Intel to George. Oversight’s head must know more than Operations and Madeline wanted him to. As Section’s head computer technician it was apparent that he had the skills to find out how and where George had access to Section One. Madeline and Operations would want nothing less from him. It was obvious that they suspected that a mole had infiltrated Section One without their knowledge and Birkoff knew that they wouldn’t rest until the mole was found.

“I'll do whatever I can. I'll do whatever you want,” he replied with assurance.

“Good. We know what you are and are not capable of; hence Operations and I need you to do something.”

Birkoff looked at her with reticence and asked, “What?”

“We need to you scan Medical for any listening devices or hidden surveillance cameras … but with the upmost discretion. Everyone who works in Med Lab is under suspicion so you’ll need to put a dossier together on all who may have been working there over the last two weeks. Someone’s tipped off George. We need to find out whom that person is and we need to solve this problem A.S.A.P.”

“I’ll start right away.”

“It has to appear as business as usual. That's the only way we can flush out the mole.”

Birkoff’s mind was at six and sevens knowing that he would need to profile Walter’s girlfriend Belinda and Dr Johnson. He looked at Madeline hoping that she didn’t see the uncertainty in his eyes of what he’d been ordered to do. “I understand. Is that all?”

“Check out Ames and Hobbs as well,” she continued with a determined resolve.

Birkoff got up, getting ready to leave. Unfortunately, Madeline wasn’t finished with him. “Oh … there is one other thing … I will expect some progress on this matter within the next twenty four to forty eight hours. Is that clear?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Good …That will be all.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

At the end of a long day, Madeline entered the Perch were Operations was waiting for a briefing of the situation with Walter, Birkoff and several others that she had interviewed over the course of the day. They had already spoken earlier about Walter’s connection to their inquiry but he needed the final results of Madeline’s findings before they made any decisions about how to proceed further. Operations had given prior instructions that they weren’t to be disturbed when Madeline arrived due to the sensitivity of the data. The less any others knew about this the better. It was crucial that they kept their cards close to their chest for fear of alerting anyone who may be involved in disclosing any more information to George. Operations looked up when he heard Madeline’s footfalls.

“I’ve been expecting you.”

She came in and stood beside him.

He offered Madeline a drink and asked, “How did the session go with Birkoff?”

“Interesting,” was her overt reply.

Operations raised an eyebrow at her answer. “I gather that his interview went well then?”

“Yes.”

“And the others?”

“Questionable,” was her succinct but ambiguous reply.

“Sit down Madeline,” he gestured towards the table where some food had been laid out. “What are your impressions? Update me.”

“Birkoff is loyal to Section.”

“That’s a relief … I wouldn’t have wanted to cancel him … He’s too important to the smooth running of things here.”

“I agree … but there were some other interesting observations.”

“Any problems?”

Madeline took a small sip of her coffee then looked up at Operations. “Could be.”

Placing the drink on the table she picked up the computer remote to activate a holograph that soon appeared, and proceeded to relay her findings about her sessions in the White Room. “The inquiry was ... inconclusive with respect ... to three Operatives ...” She pulled up holograph photographs of the three named Operatives. “Ames … Hobbs … and Belinda.”

Operations was surprised by Madeline’s findings and to see Belinda’s name appear on the list as well. He now understood what his second in command was alluding to. There could be a problem with Walter if it was found that she was the mole. “Why them? You obviously have a theory.”

Belinda works in Med Lab and had firsthand knowledge of Michael and Nikita’s conditions and Hobbs and Ames were in the vicinity of the breach.”

“It makes sense. In the meantime, we have to assume … our mole had help from the highest level.”

“Precisely.”

He looked at her with intense scrutiny. “Who?”

“Only one person comes to mind who may know our systems intimately.” Madeline changed the holograph and the three views of the named Operatives changed to a picture of Oversight’s leader. There was no need for a reply. The picture of George said a thousand words.

“I know why he is doing this.” Operations remarked acrimoniously. “Revenge...”

“Makes sense … we have long suspected his motives but if we are to find proof then that is a completely different story.”

Operations wondered why George would turn a personal vendetta into something more sinister and try to destroy them at Section by keeping tabs on them. Was his motive more than revenge? Was he planning a coup … or was he impressing Mr Jones at Center by stating that he was the better man to run Section One and Oversight and join them under one umbrella? Whatever his reasons they would need to be on top of this quickly before George poked his nose into the Rising Dragons’ mission as well. He’d certainly shown that he would if One couldn’t bring the triad to heel.

“If I'm right, one of these three Operatives ...” The holograph had switched back to views of Ames, Hobbs and Belinda. “... is working with George and could be the one who is passing on Intel to him.” Looking at Operations she stated categorically, “We need to find out which one.”

Section One’s leader nodded his acquiesce at her findings, but he needed to know what her plans were. ”What about Birkoff?”

“He is not the mole, but I’m sure he could find out who is.”

“So he'll cooperate?”

“Yes. We should have some results soon. Birkoff’s loyalty is steadfast and I trust him to be able to find the mole. He'll confirm if there is any extra surveillance in Med Lab and then we’ll know for sure.”

This was very pleasing news. “Good. Nothing would make me happier than to have George cease meddling in our affairs once and for all.”

“I agree. We need to have an end to this and the sooner the better.”

Operations cast a look Madeline’s way. “And if George is the one who planted any devices here in Section for his own gains then Mr Jones will be informed. He’ll be reprimanded … demoted …”

“There is another option.”

“Cancellation?” The gleam in his eye was noticeable.

“Yes.”

“Keep me posted Madeline. We want this sorted out before the Rising Dragons’ mission resumes.”

“Of course Paul.”


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Play on text from … Mercy, TOP and EG

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