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Date Posted: 18:36:34 04/07/12 Sat
Author: taurus2124
Author Host/IP: CPE-58-161-104-186.kybq1.win.bigpond.net.au / 58.161.104.186
Subject: Chapter 227
In reply to: taurus2124 's message, "Next few chapters of The Rising Dragons" on 02:31:24 04/05/12 Thu

Chapter 227

“Good morning.”

Madeline looked up from her coffee and gave Operations a measured smile. “Good morning, Paul.”

Taking a seat at the laden breakfast table, he reached for the coffee pot and poured himself a drink. He took a sip then looked at Madeline. “What's Nikita's and Michael’s status? It’s been nearly a week, surely they are well enough to get back to training for the mission.”

Madeline eyed him for a few moments before she replied. “They’re doing better than expected. Dr Johnson wants to keep them under observation for another day, then they can be released.”

He stared down at the choices he could make for his breakfast meal deciding on some fresh fruit to start with. “And then what? Reprogramming? Psyche Assessment?”

“I have a proposal to put to you regarding another option first.”

“What?”

Madeline gave him a benevolent smile knowing immediately what he was thinking that the mission was losing momentum. “I think we can allow them some downtime.”

“How long would you suggest?”

“No more than two weeks.”

“What! Two weeks! Do you think that’s wise?”

“Yes ... for the reasons I have stated before.” She picked up her beverage. “It will be a win-win for us ... trust me,” Madeline replied knowing she and the Section would be taking a huge risk, and yet the end game, should they succeed, outweighed any risks. Dr Johnson had been vocal in his recommendations for the best way for the two of them to rehabilitate but that decision meant trusting the two of them with zero surveillance to aid and assist in their recovery. However much as it pained her to allow them downtime, she knew that this was the best way of getting them back up to optimum for the continuation of the Rising Dragon mission especially given the nature of their injuries. But she needed to convince Paul.

Operations eyed her sceptically. “Refresh my memory.”

Before replying, Madeline sipped her coffee with composure. “Three objectives.”

His second in command never failed to intrigue him and Madeline’s analysis of Section’s two best operatives was always on the money. Operations became more curious. "Which are?"

“Their performance will be better if they are well recovered emotionally and physically from their torture at the hands of the Rising Dragons. It will make them keener to bring the perpetrators to justice much more quickly once the mission resumes.”

Operations mulled over what she had said. “You may be right. We need their numbers to be at an optimum.”

“Michael's single mindedness to find Nikita against all odds is testament to his commitment. You saw what he did without our help. They both performed well under the circumstances but he needs to regain his strength and agility for the mission’s eventual end play.”

As much as it pained him to agree, Operations nodded at the truth of her statement, but disagreed on one point. “But the mission was a failure Madeline ... we must remember that. They failed to retrieve the triad members.”

“It’s a minor setback Paul ... We can deal with it. We want to be sure that we get the Rising Dragons’ leader, Sun Yee Lok, and we need Michael and Nikita to achieve that.”

Operations looked at Madeline across the table as the meaning behind her words sank in. “Very well ... A little latitude may in fact keep them under more control ... without them really knowing our intentions.”

She smiled at him with perceptive eyes. “Exactly. Their closeness on this mission has certainly provided the opportunity for a relationship to develop. Michael’s rescue mission has effectively bonded them together even more so than ever before. I'm quite sure that their connection is very strong and has developed way beyond a mentor and his material.”

Staring at her harshly, Operations had a sudden sickening feeling in his stomach. He hadn’t realized that their relationship had evolved as Madeline had perceived it. He still saw it as an impressionable operative dominated by her ex-mentor. If Madeline saw it otherwise it could compromise everything that Section stood for… and he would not tolerate that.

“Do you think that Michael’s in love with Nikita?”

“I'm not sure. What I believe is that what began as a purely sexual attraction has developed into something much, much more. Michael is far from immune to Nikita.”

“Do you think that he may have already let himself get too close?”

“You saw what he did when he brought her into Medical.”

A solemn look crossed his face remembering the scenes in Med Lab a couple of nights ago. “Surely a relationship between the two of them will be strengthened if they are given downtime then. It could backfire Madeline. Perhaps a psyche appraisal is warranted first if you suspect that this is becoming a problem?”

“Yes and no. They’ll have a psyche review before going back into the field. It should make for interesting analysis after their downtime. We’ll know for sure then.”

He laughed out loud at the irony of her synopsis then looked at the woman across the table piercingly, “Interesting? The question is Madeline … will it affect his performance in the field?”

She smiled back at Paul with shrewd eyes, “That’s something we’ll need to monitor closely.”

More seriously he added. “We can’t let the Rising Dragons mission stall for much longer. Both Michael and Nikita need to be totally focused on the capture of Sun Yee Lok.” Operations then looked at her for her viewpoint not at all happy where this was heading.

“I’m sure they will be … Michael will definitely want an end result … Nikita too, but we’ll scrutinize their loyalty to Section once they return from their downtime.”

“Hmm ...” Operations pondered the dilemma they always seemed to be in concerning their two recalcitrant operatives. He looked over at Madeline once more, “And the third?”

“Why to keep George on side of course. He is impressed with the way Michael and Nikita operate. He will support their complete recovery before they resume the mission. He as much told us this in no uncertain terms.”

“His directive in Committee was the last straw as far as I’m concerned.”

“Yes that is true Paul, but he can’t stop talking about the mission. And the fact remains, that if something happens to Michael and Nikita, we’re in trouble and he may take charge of Section.”

Operations practically snarled at Madeline then tossed her a derisive smirk. “Over my dead body! I have command. I just never thought he could be that reckless … especially towards us.”

“You just never know with George ... we don’t want to antagonise him any more than we already have ... now do we?”

They smiled at each other knowing that keeping George at bay was the ideal way to keep him out of their hair and Section business. Repercussions were for another day.

“No we don’t, but fortunately even George has his weaknesses.”

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

Madeline and Operations had weighed up their options and the directive from George, but before any decision could be made on plans for Michael and Nikita, they needed to get an update on their progress before any announcement of downtime was given.

Madeline’s objectives had merit but Operations always had reservations if he thought that the mission was compromised in any way. He needed a quick resolution to the situation in Hong Kong but his hands were tied somewhat because of Michael and Nikita’s situation. The Rising Dragons had the upper hand at the moment but their reprieve would be short lived. Operations knew that what Madeline had outlined made sense but he was still a little reticent at her logic in giving Michael and Nikita downtime together. Nevertheless he trusted her judgement. Plus they had the directive from George … so their hands were somewhat tied. On the other hand she would not have suggested the downtime if she didn’t have other reasons for doing so. Everything happened for a reason with Madeline, she was after all Section One’s Head Strategist.

Happy that they had things under control, a comfortable silence suddenly occurred between the two leaders. Madeline casually looked at Operations. He held out his cup and held her look as she poured another coffee then reached for a croissant. A satisfied smile crossed his face at Madeline’s ingenuity and the thought of the unexpected reaction from their two operatives at being granted downtime.

With a hint of pleasure in her voice Madeline asked, “Shall you tell them or will I?”

Operations felt a smile broaden on his face as the irony of her words echoed in his ears. “Oh, I think it’s something we should experience together don’t you?”

“Why ... of course,” she replied tongue in cheek.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Play on text from ... AGT

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