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Date Posted: 03:47:19 05/27/12 Sun
Author: taurus2124
Author Host/IP: CPE-58-161-100-38.nsw.bigpond.net.au / 58.161.100.38
Subject: Chapter 245
In reply to: taurus2124 's message, "Meanwhile back at Section ... The Rising Dragons continued ..." on 03:47:59 05/17/12 Thu

Chapter 245

After Walter had been summoned to the White Room, Birkoff stayed behind in the back room of Munitions. He was a little spooked about his friend being called in for interrogation and hoped that his fate would not be too painful. Whenever Madeline or Operations was on the warpath, heads rolled and he certainly didn’t want to be placed in abeyance because of some prank that had gone horribly wrong. Walter had told him not to worry, but that never stopped the demons in his mind raising their ugly head. He wouldn’t have been in this situation if Walter had not initiated their clandestine search for Michael’s files in the first place. Although at the time it seemed like a good idea that was not the case now. Because of what they’d done, all of Section had to undergo interrogation so that Madeline could get to the bottom of the breach … when there really wasn’t one in the first place. The more he thought about the results of their actions the more Birkoff was worried that he would suffer the wrath of Section’s leaders. In his mind his fate was already sealed. He seemed to be destined for abeyance after all. That was unless he could carry out Walter’s plan.

However, it was his friend’s novel idea that he was having second thoughts about. Birkoff just didn’t know if he was brave enough to follow through with Walter’s suggestion … but what options did he have? He decided to bite the bullet and give it a try.

Taking one more glance outside Seymour carefully looked to see who was around and if the coast was clear. Seeing that it was he proceeded back into Walter’s workstation area and removed the facing of the differential calibrator on the wall in a corner of his main work room. Walter had told him what to do but Birkoff stared at the calibrator summoning up enough courage to actually touch it as he’d been instructed to do. Although he was reticent, he really had few options. Trustingly Birkoff placed his hand in, but whipped it back out quick smart, when he was shocked with an electrical charge.

“Whoa! It's a live current!” He blurted out surprised that Walter hadn’t warned him that he would experience an electric shock.

Birkoff turned and looked at the calibrator's inner workings hoping there was another way to avoid the pain he’d just felt. However, he knew he needed to place his hand back as Walter had said he was to put it inside and keep it there, however, he was reluctant to have a repeat of what had just happened to him. The last thing that he wanted to do was put his hand back inside knowing that to do so would result in a painful electric shock. Birkoff stared at the calibrator and wondered about the sense of this experiment just to avoid his fate in the White Room. Meanwhile, his hand seemed to hover just outside the calibrator almost as if his appendage had a mind of its own and had no intention of going back inside.

Uncertain thoughts lingered in Birkoff’s mind of the validity of this endeavour… “Keep it there? For how long?” However, while he was being reticent, Walter’s words suddenly echoed in his head in answer to his questions. ” You’ll need to keep your hand in there as long as you can bear it. The longer the better... It's the only way you'll pass the test.”

Birkoff took a deep breath, then gritted his teeth and stuck his hand back inside. As the electric force ran through his body, he reached out with his other hand and held on to a nearby railing as the current shocked the hell out of him. Clenching his teeth tightly, he trembled uncontrollably for the pain was unbearable.

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

Once Walter had left the White Room, Madeline contacted Operations in his office via a video link up to discuss what had happened during his questioning. They had already discussed the possibility of Walter and Birkoff being the source passing Intel to George, but Operations had quickly dismissed that notion. He was convinced that they were opportunists not traitors. Nonetheless, she had needed to check this out and now after Walter’s interrogation she was of the same opinion. Still waters ran deep with Walter but his loyalty to the Section seemed steadfast. Madeline was interested in Operations’ take on proceedings and wanted to know if they were on the same page concerning Walter’s mindset. She waited for the linkup to become activated. When it did so, she asked her question.

“Paul? Did you follow the interrogation?”

In his office, Operations sat back thoughtfully in his chair pondering what he had just witnessed in the White Room. His image appeared on screen and Madeline heard his reply. “Yes.”

“What are your thoughts? I'd appreciate them.”

”What about? Walter’s denial? His impending marriage? Or what he said about George?”

Madeline heard the growing skepticism in Operations’ voice. “All three of course. I’d be thankful for your feedback and point of view.”

He gave her a wry smile. “Do you think Walter is telling the truth?”

Madeline watched him, her mind already turning over possible scenarios about the answers Walter had given in her own mind. “I've studied his file very carefully. Reviewed his evaluations; assessed his psychological profile in great detail in the past.”

“And?”

Madeline smiled and shook her head, as perplexed as Operations. “I don't know. I can only go on what I saw and heard in the White Room … and I’m sure he is.”

“I agree.”

“He denied that Belinda is the mole. What do you think?”

“Could be his hormones have clouded his judgement. But … It’s possible. She does have unlimited access to Med Lab.”

“We need to follow that up.”

“Does Walter know that she will be put into abeyance regardless if she is the mole? She has been earmarked for the Somalia mission.”

“No. Besides … nobody asked him to marry someone with a weak performance record.”

“How do you think he’ll react if he does?”

Ever cold and calculating she replied. “He'll put it behind him, in time.”

“We don't have time Madeline.”

The urgency in Operations voice was evident and it gave her cause to think. Section’s head strategist’s thought processes were churning in how to deal with the situation about Belinda and Walter. “Perhaps we should postpone any talk of her abeyance for a while until we sort out this mess with George then.”

“I’ll consider it … but if she’s the mole I won’t hesitate to follow through.”

After a moment Madeline offered another solution to their dilemma although it was farfetched. “We could cancel Walter too. If Belinda is the mole surely he would know about it.”

However, Operations quickly dismissed that idea. “I don't want to do that ... He was adamant that she had no involvement.”

Madeline unemotionally voiced another reason … one that would impact on Section. If they indeed acted on her previous suggestion, it could have greater ramifications in the long run. “And if a ... key member … of the Tactical Team dies just after he's been questioned ... it will only complicate things further.”

Operations nodded his head briefly, his expression affirming Madeline's insinuation. “That, too. Mr Jones would certainly be breathing down our necks wanting to know the reasons why. Walter has been here as long as I can remember.”

“George would take great delight in that happening,” she added in clarification.

“Too true. We can’t let that come about Madeline. We need to find the culprit who is feeding Intel to him A.S.A.P. We also can’t afford for George to know we may suspect him of treachery.”

Madeline wondered if the same could be said of Birkoff when his turn came to be interrogated. “Perhaps Seymour can shed some light on the matter.”

“We have a small window of opportunity while Michael and Nikita are away to get to the bottom of this.”

“Let me work on it.”

Operations sighed and nodded his head, just relieved that Madeline would find who was responsible once and for all.

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

After his harrowing experience with the calibrator, Birkoff made his way back to his own station and waited for his fate. Sitting down at his desk, he raised his hand and brushed away some beads of sweat that had pooled on his forehead and upper lip. He was nervous about being summoned to the White Room and he feared what might occur there. He knew he needed to get a grip or else Madeline would hone in on his weakness as she was apt to do to her victims. If she was true to form, then Birkoff knew he was a goner. She would be able to see through his demeanor and nervousness and would be able to know he was lying.

No matter what Walter had said to appease his anxiety he still was worried. He would only feel better if he knew that Walter was okay after his inquisition. Opening his drawer Birkoff took out packet of his favourite Oreos and started to demolish them one by one. The sugar fix immediately began to have an effect and he began to calm down. However, he nearly choked on a biscuit and jump ten feet in the air, when a hand suddenly touched him on the shoulder.

“Hey Birkoff …”

Quickly turning around he knew right away who was standing there. A Cheshire sized grin appeared on his face at seeing Walter at his desk. Relief crossed his face a seeing his friend while his eyes examined him from head to toe.

“You’re back!” he stated excitedly knowing that his friend had survived the investigation. “How did it go?”

“Piece of cake.”

“How was it really Walter?” Birkoff asked lowering his voice so as not to attract attention.

“Fine … I’m still here aren’t I?” He smiled at seeing his friend’s apprehension. Walter showed him his hands. “See … I have no signs of torture and I’m all in one piece.”

Birkoff gave him a thorough appraisal before acknowledging the truth of his words. “I’ve never been happier to see you come back alive … well except for after the retrieval mission.”

“Thanks amigo.”

“Do you think they’ll want to see me?”

“They’re got everyone under suspicion. The security breach is unresolved in Madeline’s opinion. They’re holding the general inquiry after all, but don’t worry … it’s not too bad.”

“I’d like to believe you … I want to believe you … but I’m still scared.”

“You survived Operations’ interrogation didn’t you?”

He answered cautiously. “Yes.”

“And you were able to think on your feet?”

He was still apprehensive not knowing where Walter was heading in his replies. “Yes … but …”

However, before anything else could be said, a message was conveyed that got Birkoff's attention.

“Birkoff … Report to Madeline.”

Nervously he looked up at Walter standing there. He took a deep breath, sighed and got ready to leave his station. “This is it then.”

Walter looked him square in the face. “Did you do what I told you?”

“Yes.”

He said nothing at first, just looked around Comm., before concentrating on his friend’s worried face. Walter knew what needed to be done. He gave Birkoff the encouragement he required to face his demons in order to answer Madeline’s questions. Walter smiled reassuringly. “Then you’ll be okay. Good Luck.”

Birkoff didn’t reply as he got up from his station. Looking stunned he just exited his work area like a dead man walking and left Walter with thoughts of how his friend would cope with his first investigation at the hands of Section One’s head strategist.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Play on text from … EG

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