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Date Posted: 00:59:59 08/08/11 Mon
Author: asiacheetah
Author Host/IP: ppp-71-128-206-135.dsl.sndg02.pacbell.net / 71.128.206.135
Subject: Chapter 45 - Michael
In reply to: asiacheetah 's message, "The Recruit - Story continues" on 03:19:50 08/04/11 Thu

Chapter 45 – Michael

“Do you have any questions regarding the upcoming mission, Michael?”

“No.”

Michael studied the second in command closely, noticing the woman returning the appraisal. He kept his expression stoic and eyes carefully blank, as he had been taught. None of the unease he was feeling at the upcoming mission was reflected on his face. He was annoyed with himself when his fists clenched involuntarily. He clasped his hands together to hide the movement, hoping that his reaction wasn’t picked up by Elsbeth’s eagle-eyed gaze.

Judging by the quirk of her eye brow and a quick flicker of her gaze down to his hand, he knew she had picked up on his unease. The corner of her lips tilted up, but she chose to ignore the slip.

“I want you to report to med lab for a complete evaluation. It is necessary that none of your injuries are visible.”

“Of course.”

“Smitty has made a chemical compound that may make it easier for you on the mission.”

“What kind of compound?”

“It’s supposed to help you disassociate from your emotions.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

Elsbeth’s eyebrows shot up at his remark and a look of disbelief showed briefly before she smiled. “You’ve reviewed the profile, Michael. It will be difficult for you. It is not a weakness to get some help to make it easier.”

“I prefer to stay clear headed.”

She studied him for a moment before nodding with approval. “Very well. Smitty also has a few gadgets you should pick up prior to the mission.”

He nodded in response. Elsbeth continued studying him for a moment, apparently deep in thought before pushing a panel across the table toward him.

“This is the profile given to Caroline. You may want to review it prior to the mission.”

Michael picked up the panel and scanned it, noticing several discrepancies immediately. He looked back at Elsbeth, silently asking for clarification.

“Your panel reflects the official mission profile. We gave Caroline a different one because she had grown too attached to you and would seek to adapt it to suit herself. We trust you to be able to handle and control her reaction once the mission deviates from the profile.”

“Of course.”

“Good. I’ll see you at the briefing.”

At the dismissal, Michael stood up and quickly exited the office. He reported to med lab as ordered, quickly disrobed, and suffered through the med techs studying him like a specimen under a microscope. He studiously disregarded the seemingly constant stream of people entering and exiting the med lab. By the time the techs have completed their examination, it seemed like half of the medical staff were there.

He dressed quickly, wrapping his winter coat tight around him to warm the chill that seemed to be emanating from the inside. He put his sunglasses on to help hide the revulsion he felt at being treated like a prized stallion being readied to be put out to stud. He shoved his clenched fists inside the coat pockets as he realized that there were some truth to that analogy since he was, once again, being sent out to whore for Section.

As he made his way to Munitions, he realized that whatever concoction Smitty had cooked up would be a welcome aid. However, he knew if he took what was offered, Section would know how difficult these types of missions were for him and would use that knowledge against him. It did not escape his notice of the irony that Jurgen’s paranoia was now deeply ingrained into his psyche.

Before he could reach Munitions, Caroline came forward to intercept him.

“Hello Michael. How are you doing?”

He reached up to remove his sunglasses and tucked them inside his pocket. He noticed her studying his face to see if any bruises remained from his injury. He suppressed the irritation at being subjected to another examination. He forced himself to smile politely before replying: “I’m fine.”

“Have you adjusted to living outside of Section?”

“I’m still learning.”

“I know it can be difficult living on the outside after so much time inside Section. If you ever need someone to talk to, you can always call me.”

“Thank you.”

Caroline looked like she wanted to say more. He waited patiently as various emotions appeared on her face, thinking idly that she should have been better trained to shield her thoughts from being so visible.

“Michael, I know how difficult your last evaluation was, what with Adam’s betrayal. If you need to talk about that, I’m available any time.”

That was a subject he was not prepared to venture into, especially deep inside Section where they were all being watched. He forced himself to keep his voice flat as he replied: “I have to see Smitty.”

She blinked and moved awkwardly to the side. “Right. I’ll see you at the mission briefing.”

“Of course.” He nodded slightly and moved toward Munitions. He didn’t get very far, as another voice stopped him at his track.

“Hey Michael wait up.”

Clive and Chris, two fellow operatives he’s worked with before, came up to him. He patiently waited for them to join him, all the while feeling trepidations about the potential confrontation that was about to occur. Clive and Chris were both friends of Adam’s. They might have blamed him for pulling the trigger.

Clive: “Listen Michael. We heard about what happened with Adam. We just wanted to let you know that we don’t blame you for Adam’s death.”

Michael couldn’t quite hide the surprise he felt. He stared wordlessly as Chris started talking.

Chris: “Yeah, he fooled us all. It could have easily been us that got caught up in that trap Adam set. Instead of talking to you, we would be singing with the angels right now.”

Clive nudged his comrade and taunted: “More like we’d have ringside seats in hell.”

Chris chuckled: “That’s probably true.”

Clive: “Anyway, we just wanted to let you know that no one blamed you. We’re just glad you made it out alive.”

Michael: “Thank you.”

Chris: “So I heard you got an offsite living quarter now. How do you like living on the outside?”

Michael: “It’s…interesting.”

Clive: “I still remember the first few weeks I was out. I went out to every restaurant within a 3 block radius and just ate until I was sick. No more crappy Section food for me!”

Chris: “I spent my time way more productively. I went to the nearest strip joint and hooked up with some FINE ladies.”

Clive snorted derisively: “They were no ladies. Besides, Michael doesn’t want to hear about your sordid sexual exploits or lack thereof.”

Michael: “I have a mission to prep for.”

Clive: “Oh yeah. I’ll let you get back to it. If you ever want to hang outside Section just let me know.”

Michael: “Thank you.” He hastily retreated as Chris and Clive continued to rag on each other. Their familiar banter and friendly rapport saddened him, making him realize how completely alone he was inside Section.

He suppressed the thought and made his way to Munitions. Smitty had his back to him, tinkering with one of his many gadgets. He waited patiently for the older man to finish, not wanting to startle the man while he worked with potentially deadly devices.

Smitty turned to walk toward the front work table and jumped at the sight of Michael waiting for him.

“Holy sh*it, Michael! What did I say about sneaking up on people holding a bomb?”

He couldn’t help smiling a little as Smitty’s words brought back memories of their first meeting. “It’s why I waited until you put it down.”

Smitty rubbed his chest over his heart. “Well next time make some noise when you walk up. You’re going to give this old man a heart attack.” Smitty looked threateningly at him while waving his finger. “Don’t make me put a bell on you.”

He couldn’t help grinning at the man, feeling inexplicably light hearted at the moment of levity. That feeling was short lived at the reminder of why he was there.

“Elsbeth told me you have a few things for me.”

“Oh yeah.” Smitty looked around rubbing his neck. “It’s here somewhere.”

[AUTHOR’S NOTE: THE MISSION MICHAEL AND CAROLINE GOES ON WILL ACTUALLY BE A SIDE-STORY. I’M NOT POSTING THE TITLE SINCE IT GIVES AWAY THE MISSION SOMEWHAT. THAT SIDE-STORY WILL BE RATED M AND WILL DEFINITELY BE DARK AND EARN THAT RATING. THAT STORY WILL BE POSTED ONE DAY IN THE NEAR FUTURE.]

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