Chapter 200 ... repost -- LFN Storyboard 2

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Date Posted: 05:21:46 01/31/12 Tue
Author: taurus2124
Author Host/IP: CPE-60-224-186-10.vic.bigpond.net.au / 60.224.186.10
Subject: Chapter 200 ... repost
In reply to: taurus2124 's message, "Repost Chapter 200" on 05:11:27 01/31/12 Tue

Chapter 200

Birkoff sat at his computer console reviewing the mission tapes for Operations and Madeline engrossed in the Intel shown on his monitor. As he sat working he placed another Oreo in his mouth. He'd lost count of how many he'd consumed, but Operations was waiting on his report that he�d not finished. He'd lied to him and now he had little time to do what needed to be done.

After he had left Walter last night he'd returned to his station to follow up on a few possibilities in accessing Michael's files if they needed to in the next 48 hours. It was dangerous what he was trying to do and he knew the consequences if he was found out. Having been in Section for as long as he had, Birkoff had no illusions about what happened to those operatives who did not play by the rules. There was, however, one exception � he would work around the rules he was given in order to keep Nikita, Michael or Walter alive. This was one of those special occasions. Consequently Birkoff knew he needed to be clandestine in his approach and not draw undue attention to himself. More importantly, he needed to cover his tracks so that he was not detected trying to access confidential Intel.

Birkoff took solace in believing that his one redeeming feature was that he � Seymour Birkoff � was indispensable to Section. They would never have another computer whiz like he was; therefore, he felt some kind of warped sense of security knowing that he was unlikely to be put into abeyance. It could happen and probably would at some time, but to allay his fears, he had run his own SIM to see the probability of that happening. He'd felt relieved and somewhat safe knowing that the odds were stacked in his favour. But still, at the back of his mind was the possibility that maybe this time would be the exception. Any Intel that Madeline or Operations saw fit to be unauthorised meant that it was for their eyes only � the consequences for any breach would be abeyance. Still he had to try. He had to do something and besides, Birkoff loved finding the covert Intel he discovered and now he had a purpose � to save his friend.

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

As Walter approached Birkoff's station he saw his buddy munching voraciously on his favourite Oreos. It was a dead giveaway that he was concentrating on something important. Birkoff usually turned to food in stressful situations as it always seemed to give him that extra spark to find whatever it was he was looking for. He seemed absorbed in what he was doing. Had he found out something about how to access Michael's files if they needed to, or was Birkoff working on Section business? Walter's curiosity was piqued. He also wanted to find out if he'd heard anything about Michael and Nikita's condition in Medical since last night.

Walter stood behind his friend, then looking over his shoulder he spoke. "Hey � what's happening?"

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

When Operations entered his office he found Walter's report on his desk as ordered. Picking up the disc he slipped it into his computer drive and reviewed his debrief of the retrieval mission and events that had led up to Michael being shot. Upon reading the report he now had a better understanding of what had actually happened to Michael. Not only that but he had a clearer view of the events that had taken place on the team's egress. Operations was satisfied that Walter's account had also verified what Jasmine had reported in her debrief. However, this left Section with a problem.

Although Michael and Nikita had both been retrieved successfully, the mission was now in limbo. The injury to their key operative and Nikita's weakened state had been a blow to finalising any End Game as far as the Rising Dragons' mission was concerned. Both operatives were crucial in the apprehension of the triad targets but Section would now need to reassess what they were to do. This setback posed several problems, for the outcome was determined by the recovery of the injured operatives. How long it would take for them to recuperate would affect how they should proceed. Section One needed closure once and for all especially after all the hard work over the months that they had been involved in capturing Sun Yee Lok and dismantling the Rising Dragons' triad. On the other hand, if the triad became complacent because they thought both Michael and Nikita were dead this may very well work in their favour.

Operations absentmindedly started to rub his temple. Deciding to contact Madeline with his summation, he pressed the connection to the video link between the two offices. "Madeline, are you there?" But he got no response. When she didn't answer immediately, he became a little alarmed and spoke her name again. "Madeline!?!"

"Yes ... I'm here."

"Why isn't your video up?"

"It went down a few moments ago. I'm working on it. What's up?"

"Have you heard from Medical?"

"No not yet."

Activating hands free, Operations walked over to his office window, and stood looking down at the Common Area. His eyes caught sight of Walter talking to Birkoff at his station.

"I�ve just finished reading Walter's report."

"Did he shed more light on what happened to Michael?" Madeline asked but confident that Operations would tell her there was nothing new in the report.

"He was very explicit in what he said. I'll send his report and you can read it for yourself."

"Thank you. Is there anything else?"

"As a matter of fact there is."

"What is it?"

"I need your input as to how we should proceed with the mission on the Rising Dragons now that Michael and Nikita are injured."

"Do you want me to come now?"

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

Birkoff nearly jumped out of his skin � He'd been jumpy all morning knowing that Operations was in his office and could appear at any time unannounced. Had he crept up on him while he hadn't noticed? He'd been so absorbed in what he was working on that he'd been caught unawares. Walter was amused. He watched as his buddy panicked and nearly choked on his Oreo in his haste to disguise whatever was on his computer monitor that he didn't want anyone to see. He quickly closed the program.

Looking up from his station Birkoff took a double take, but breathed again when he realised it was his friend who had spoken directly behind him and not one of his superiors. "Walter � you scared the c#@p out of me. Don't sneak up like that."

"Sorry � What are you so jumpy about?"

"I can't speak now." He glanced up towards the perch. "Operations is watching us."

"Did you find out something about Michael?"

"Not yet � I just did some preliminaries."

"But I'm sure you will find out something."

"You better believe it. I'll get to the bottom of this, then when I know, you'll know."

"Keep your head down � amigo. We don't need to know anything unless Michael's condition deteriorates."

"I will."

"Have you heard how he or Nikita are this morning?"

"No ... have you?"

"I'm just about to head that way now."

Quickly looking up towards the perch once more, Birkoff saw Operations peering down in their direction. "Better not. Operations wants to see you," he said. "Did you hand in your report?"

"First thing this morning."

"I wonder what he wants then?"

Walter imitated Birkoff's actions and gazed up to the perch too. He could see Operations' stony glare aimed their way. "Who knows � it could be anything."

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

Operations observed the two men conversing openly together in Systems. He also saw the two of them glance up towards the perch and knew that Birkoff had passed on his message when his communications monitor beeped. He turned his attention to the announcement before he answered Madeline.

"Yes, Birkoff?"

"You wanted me to let you know the minute I heard from Walter."

"Good � have him come up."

"Yes sir."

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

Walter waited until Birkoff had finished speaking to Operations before taking his leave. "I better get going then so that you can get back to what you were doing before � what was it by the way?"

"The mission tapes � I didn't get to finish them and Operations wants my report ASAP."

"Hmmm? Too busy with other things last night?"

"Yep you could say that."

"Me too!" Walter replied enigmatically as he walked away towards the perch leaving Birkoff to finish his report.

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

Operations watched as his munitions expert started to walk away from talking to Birkoff and head in his direction. He switched links. "Look Madeline I have to go ... I'm expecting Walter any moment."

"Of course... I'll meet up with you later after I've read his debrief too."

"I'm having Christopher prepare lunch at 1 o'clock. Would you like to join me in the tower?"

"Yes ... that should be okay. We can continue our discussion then."

"Very well."

He'd just logged off from his conversation with Madeline, when Operations heard the sounds of footsteps approach his office. Walter watched as his superior removed a disc from his computer as he stood on the threshold of the perch waiting for an order to enter.

Looking up Operations turned around from his computer and faced towards the entrance. "Ah, Walter ... come in."

Walter said nothing; he merely walked over and stood next to his desk where Operations now held the CD in his hands. He recognised it as the one that Birkoff had given him to write his report. It was obvious that Operations had just finished reading his debrief.

"I was going to stop by later to thank you for your efforts on the mission."

"Really ... well I've saved you the trip."

Ignoring Walter's retort he continued. "I've read your report ..." Operations placed the disc on the desk and stood up face to face with Walter and looked him in the eye. "... and I'm satisfied that it verifies Jasmine's debrief."

"Is that right?"

"It's good to know that Section One can count on you. Without your quick thinking Michael may be dead now. You're a team player Walter."

"Gee thanks ... I'm one of the five percent guys."

He raised his brow at Walter's replies. He was like a bear with a sore head again. "There was major hostile retaliation on your egress. Even after all this time out of the field, you're not afraid to die are you Walter?"

"No ...You once said that a person defines themselves by what they are willing to die for."

"That's true �" Operations replied trying to make sense of Walter's demeanour this morning, "... and I will die for a belief ... a belief in Section."

"Well I would die for my friends. I wasn't about to let Michael die in that hell hole or Nikita for that matter."

"People die ... that's the reality of the life in Section. People don't live forever in the field."

Walter looked Operations in the eye and with a bold bravado he threw caution to the wind. "But not this time. Michael and Nikita are vital for the success of the Rising Dragon's mission ... and I think you know that too. I would have moved heaven and earth to see them safely out from the monastery."

"Don't overstep the mark Walter! ... I can place you in abeyance for insubordination. You are skating on a very fine line with that tone of voice."

"We wouldn't want that now? Would we?"

"No ... I think you better go before I change my mind ... That will be all."

Operations stared at his retreating back as he watched Walter walk away with a smug look on his face. He smiled. Being out in the field had certainly given Walter some Dutch courage. This was the second time he'd been somewhat defiant. He would have to tell Madeline when they met up for lunch.

Walking over to the window he looked down across the common area. As he watched Walter make his way back over to Systems, Operations suddenly broke into a raucous laugh that echoed throughout the perch.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Play on text from ... IO, OP, Half Life, HTH and ITLG

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