Chapter 252 -- LFN Storyboard 2

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Date Posted: 04:12:13 07/22/12 Sun
Author: taurus2124
Author Host/IP: CPE-58-161-100-226.nsw.bigpond.net.au / 58.161.100.226
Subject: Chapter 252
In reply to: taurus2124 's message, "Back on board at last !!!!! ... The Rising Dragons continuted" on 04:08:59 07/22/12 Sun

Chapter 252

Birkoff treasured his position as head computer technician at Section One and finding the covert Intel he discovered about insurgents and terrorists and despite everything that happened in Section, he loved his job with a passion. What computer nerd would not like the state of the art computer units, or to be able to work day and night with his �babies�? Belief in his ability with computers had probably kept him alive over the years in spite of some little hiccups along the way. Birkoff never faulted in his conviction that his technology was valuable and was integral in keeping Operatives alive especially given his importance and input into so many varied areas of the Mission success.

Section would never have another computer whiz like he was; therefore, Birkoff felt some kind of warped security knowing that he was unlikely to be put into abeyance if he was unable to find any Intel to support a mole theory � or so he hoped. It could happen and most likely might at some time but the probability of that happening was still slim as odds were stacked in his favour. His one redeeming grace was the fact that he knew he was indispensable to Section. He had remarkable talents in the field of technology and his forte was integral to many successes that operatives had on missions. As the head of communications, Birkoff had many varied responsibilities and duties which incorporated Intel verification, system security, mission analysis, tactical liaison, onsite Comm. Expertise, surveillance and profiling on occasions.

However, despite all his capabilities he was beside himself with what Madeline had asked him to do. Had they said someone was passing on Intel to Red Cell or Bright Star or any other enemy, then doing this job would be feasible. But George? What type of Intel could he want or need? It was beyond belief that Operations and Madeline would use their resources to bring him to task. It didn�t make sense. He wondered if this was just a personal vendetta about George and nothing to do with a supposed mole and threats to Section One. There had always been bad blood and competition between the respective leaders and if George was messing around in Section unbeknownst to Operations and Madeline then all hell would break loose. The consequences could be dire for George especially if he found out any incriminating evidence that he had a mole passing information to him in Section or that George planned to bring Madeline and Operations down. Birkoff wondered about the validity of such a scenario given that the leaders were supposedly all on the same page � all had the same ideals � or so he thought.

He believed in his job, and he believed in the main cause that was Section One. Surely any antagonism or one-upmanship because of egos between the three leaders was the last thing they needed especially when there were more serious matters at hand. This was just one more distraction for Operations and Madeline to worry about. What he really needed to do was try and get a leg up on Sun Yee Lok�s whereabouts so that when Michael and Nikita returned to Section One, they were ready to go with a new profile. He was sure that both of them would be biting at the bit to bring the Rising Dragons� triad members to justice for what had happened to them. Any infighting was superfluous if it took valuable time away from the real issues. Hence Birkoff came to the conclusion that the more time he spent with people, the more he liked his computers. When push came to shove, though, he had proven time and again, not only to be strong but confident, cool-headed, and mature beyond his years especially given the responsibilities of his job prescription. This was no exception. He�d been given a directive and he would do his best in the next twenty four hours to find if there was anything amiss in Med Lab and then report back to Madeline and Operations.

Birkoff knew the surveillance system like the back of his hand and he�d never come across any unauthorised plants. He�d just recently organised secret surveillance when Michael visited Nikita in Med Lab so that Madeline and Operations were not aware of his visit to her room. He had the capabilities to do such a thing, but who else in Section was able to do the same he asked himself? The only name that immediately came to mind was Greg Hillenger. There was little love lost between the two of them and when he�d first come into Section the little upstart had tried to sabotage his work on several occasions. In his mind Greg was a likely candidate for such retaliation against Madeline and Operations as pay back for how he was bought into Section. Being separated from his widowed mother and never being able to return home may have allowed George to play on Greg�s resentment towards Section even if his own actions had been the cause of his interment. It was a possibility that he would need to check out.

The brief he�d been given of scanning Med Lab for any unauthorised listening devices or hidden surveillance cameras may be tricky one too now that Michael and Nikita were no longer there. Once he�d tried every computer trick up his sleeve and crossed referenced legitimate surveillance equipment, he would have to think of a reason that would get him into medical to avoid acting suspiciously if he couldn�t find any links to George. But what? Maybe he could retrieve the PDA�s of injured operatives under the guise of checking their mission data. He�d done that before or perhaps he could ask Walter to give him a hand � he could meet up with Belinda and distract her while he snooped around � Yes that may work. It was not as if he hadn�t done any undercover work before but he had been told to be discreet in his effort. Belinda and Dr Johnson, the very two people who had nursed Michael and Nikita back to health and championed their cause were under suspicion. How could he possibly tell Walter that? His friend was in love with the woman and if anything should show up linking her to George then he didn�t know what he would do.

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

With a plethora of thoughts running through his head Birkoff headed off in the direction of Comm. first to get a head start on his directive, before deciding to catch up with his friend after his gruelling ordeal in the White Room. Walter would want to know how things went for him after all but how much should he tell him of what he�d been asked to do. The two of them had had enough adventures to last a life time and in the process got into enough trouble to just keep them out of abeyance. If Walter got a sniff that there could be another surreptitious adventure that they could do together then he was having second thoughts about revealing too much of what he�s been ordered to do. Walter would want to help and under the circumstances he could do without it � especially after all that happened when they went looking for Michael�s details.

Deciding to tell him nothing of that part of his interrogation with the view that the less Walter knew the better, Birkoff soon rounded the corner and his work station came into view. Once he�d done some preliminary data gathering then he would go and see Walter. He just needed a moment to be on his own and gather his thoughts for what he knew was going to be a complicated task.

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

He was coming up empty.

He�d done a search on Ames and Hobbs but had failed to find any incriminating data on the two operatives. Birkoff was beginning to narrow down the field but knew he would have to leave the more sensitive searches until Section was quiet for the night when he could work undisturbed and without any unforseen interruptions from Walter. He was sitting hunched over his computer totally involved in his assignment as usual, when his friend and Belinda entered the Common Area holding hands. Radiating with happiness, they paused at the edge of Comm. and Walter looked over to where Birkoff was seated oblivious to all those around him as he worked on his computers. Walter had something special he wanted to share with Birkoff and he tried to get his friend�s attention.

�Birkoff, you got a minute?�

Lost in what he was doing, Birkoff absentmindedly dismissed Walter without really bothering to look around. �No, not really.�

However, Walter wouldn�t take no for an answer. He quickly looked around to see who was in Comm. before walking over to stand next to his buddy with Belinda beside him. Both leaned down slightly as Walter spoke to Birkoff. The excitement in his voice was palatable but Birkoff failed to notice the tone in his friend�s voce. �We want to tell you something.�

Continuing to scan his monitor he replied. �It'll have to wait.�

However, the couple were too excited to hang around until Birkoff had time to stop what he was doing, so Walter forged ahead. �We're getting married.�

This announcement certainly got Birkoff's attention. He immediately stopped working and swivelled around to look at Walter and Belinda with a slightly stunned expression on his face, not at all sure if he had heard him correctly.

�I asked her last night. She accepted right away.� Walter explained bursting with the good news. The couple repeatedly shared small secret smiles with each other and it was oblivious to any onlooker that they were extremely happy about their engagement.

Birkoff was lost for words and didn�t say anything. He just continued to stare up at them with a stunned look on his face and Walter had to prompt him to come out of his trance.

�Oh, okay ..., yeah, don't congratulate us or anything � it�s all right.�

Birkoff laughed but it was more an involuntary reaction to his statement. Nonetheless he offered his best wishes. �Congratulations.�

Thankful that the awkwardness of the moment has been broken, they all shared a quiet laugh together.

Looking at Walter and seeing the total look of happiness on his friend�s face, Birkoff said with a slight smile, �I'm sorry. I'm just surprised.�

�Yeah, well, me too. But you've got to get lucky sometimes, right?�

�When's the big day?�

When Birkoff asked this question, Belinda held Walter�s love sick gaze before replying to him. �Tomorrow if I had my way � but soon.� He looked at her lovingly. �� very soon.�

Birkoff was again lost for words. That piece of information was straight out of left field and took him aback. He watched the interaction between the happy couple. They were enamoured in each other and no one else.

�Yeah, I have to hurry, you see ..., because she might come back to her senses.�

Belinda couldn't stop looking at Walter, her happiness was apparent to all. She squeezed his hand replying lovingly. �That'll never happen.�

The couple briefly shared a look, before glancing back down at Birkoff. �We just wanted you to be the first to know.�

�Thanks. Congratulations.�

�See you later.�

Fortunately there hadn�t been an opportunity to tell Walter what had happened to him in the White Room. Birkoff watched them walk away, then returned his gaze back to his monitor. However, work was the last thing on his mind. He looked worried, almost fearful, as he rubbed his forehead. He was in a dilemma. The news of their imminent nuptials had certainly thrown a spanner in the works. Birkoff knew that Belinda may be implicated in passing Intel on to George from Med Lab and he didn�t know whether to tell his good friend or not. If he did find anything he wouldn�t want to spoil his happiness � especially not now when Walter and Belinda were to be married. He crossed his fingers and toes hoping that he wouldn�t find a shred of evidence on her and instead concentrated his search on Greg Hillenger.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Play on text from � Old Habits

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