Chapter 211 -- LFN Storyboard 2

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Date Posted: 19:21:39 02/15/12 Wed
Author: taurus2124
Author Host/IP: CPE-58-161-104-81.kybq1.win.bigpond.net.au / 58.161.104.81
Subject: Chapter 211
In reply to: taurus2124 's message, "Repost .... Chapters 211 - 215" on 19:18:37 02/15/12 Wed

Chapter 211

As Operations and George waited for Madeline to arrive at Committee; they sat and stared at each other refusing to acknowledge the other's presence after some initial banal conversation. They were at a stalemate. The tension was so thick in the air that you could have cut it with a knife. It was suffocating. They each sat in quiet solitude. Neither was willing to give the other any ground by conversing more than was absolutely necessary. Rather, lost in their own thoughts, the two protagonists refused to make eye contact unless it was required.

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

To George, Operations' mood was typical of each time he made a surprise visit to One. He was highly suspicious of his motives. He was Operations' immediate superior and to Paul this was an anathema. He obviously saw himself as the better leader and the green eye monster of jealously ate away at him because their positions were not reversed. George knew only too well that there was bad blood between the two leaders of their respective hierarchies. George knew that Operations had ambitious. It was also plainly obvious that Paul wanted his job at Oversight and was just biding his time until he saw an opening to pounce � and he was having none of that. As head of Oversight, he planned to stay that way. Being in a superior situation to Paul had its advantages and this was something that he took great pleasure in. His position at Oversight was secure and if he could make it more watertight and frustrate any aspirations that Paul Wolfe had, then he would block them at every move.

Bad blood was at the core of their antagonism. Madeline and Paul knew of George's close relationship with the person who set up the Sections. Perhaps it was this relationship that was at the center of their dislike. He blamed them for what had happened to his Adrian and he would never forgive them. If he found out that Paul and Madeline were in any way involved in her disappearance he would seek total retribution. But he had no proof and until he did their mutual hostility towards each other would continue unabashed. He would however, actively pursue countermeasures and plot to destroy Operations and or Section One if proof was discovered.

George took an extreme delight in just arriving at Section One unannounced. The machinations that the two leaders of Section went through to appear delighted at his visits, constantly amused him. He always wondered what they would come up with next in their attempt to hide the state of play at One from him. He had heard that things at Section had changed and that the Rising Dragons' mission may be in jeopardy. He wondered what and how much Paul and Madeline would tell him. It was inevitable that they would hold back any Intel if they thought it was to their advantage � but he had his minions. Nothing escaped him at Oversight to the happenings at One and regardless of how much Madeline and Paul loathed his visits he relished in them. Catching them on the hop was always amusing.

And now he sat and waited for Madeline to arrive. George cast a sly look towards Paul and judging by his body language, Paul was not at all happy that he was here.

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

Operations sat and mulled over several scenarios as to why their nemesis had once again made another unannounced visit to Section One. He suspected that the main reason was to annoy both he and Madeline and try to put them off guard. He knew George took delight in his unscheduled visits but their archenemy could never best them at their own game. He and Madeline were far too clever for the likes of George. Whatever, he may have heard they would be able to deal with. There was nothing, no curve ball that George could throw their way that would even remotely tilt them off kilter.

With Madeline by his side, he knew they were an invincible team. George was but a mere pest � and one that could be easily squashed by the two of them � as they would when the time came for a power overthrow. Together they were an invincible team. He and Madeline always seemed to manage to keep George in the dark. Able to think on their feet, they were constantly two steps ahead of him. There was no reason why this time would be any different to the other visits George had made unannounced. Operations prided himself on being able to bluff his way through these little sessions and leave George with just enough Intel to keep him satisfied and off their back � until his next visit.

Once Madeline arrived, he was confident that they would be able to pull the wool over George's eyes once again. What he did regret was that he'd been unable to discuss their strategy with Madeline before having to speak with George. They were unable to get their stories straight and he hoped that they wouldn't trip each other up. However, he had faith in Madeline's ability to cajole George with her feminine wiles if he got a little too close to the mark. He knew she could pacify him and respond with a rationality he lacked in his presence.

Although they were politely antagonist towards one another, they still needed to keep George onside � Center too for that matter as interference from Mr. Jones would be something they would not want to deal with. George snooping around was enough for them to handle at the moment. He had powerful friends in Center, thus he and Madeline needed to tread warily. They didn't know why George was here or how long he would stay. If he was here to check up on the injuries to Michael and Nikita then he was sure Madeline would handle those with aplomb � anything else they would be flying blind. They could ill afford for the situation to blow up in their faces if it was not handled properly.

Their eyes avoided each other but Operations happened to glance over to George and noticed a smugness to his demeanour. It irritated him that a visit from anyone from Oversight but particularly George, meant that everything had to stop at Section One to accommodate him. Madeline and he had things to discuss. She had Dr Johnson's report from Medical about Michael and Nikita to go over, they had problems that needed solutions and they had a mission that had been interrupted because of injury to the two main operatives involved. This visit from George was a hindrance they could do without, but he took some solace from Madeline words which echoed in his mind. We'll tell George only what he needs to know, just like we have before.

Operations hoped it wouldn't be too long until she arrived. He was feeling angrier by the moment by the imposition of George's appearance.

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

Birkoff waited for Walter to appear in Systems and it wasn't too long before he saw his friend round the corner and walk towards his area.

Walter had a grin from ear to ear no doubt at the fact that the coast was clear now to go and do some snooping while Operations and Madeline were detained in Committee. This was one area of Section that was off-limits to most operatives unless of course you were asked to go there for a private conversation away from the prying eyes of the rest of Section One. Operations and Madeline usually met with George there and once in Committee, they were not to be disturbed. If as in the past, after a visit from George, Madeline and Operations would return to either Madeline's office or the perch to dissect whatever he had to say to them. This would afford them some extra time. Walter ascertained that they would be occupied for enough time for he and Birkoff to find the Intel and return to their stations before their leaders knew they were missing from their posts. He felt extremely confident in the pattern of events that would happen. However, what he needed to see about was Birkoff's obvious change of heart. His friend's voice had been apprehensive about what they were about to do and he needed to give him the confidence to carry the task through to conclusion, but he needed to tread carefully to convince Birkoff to put what Intel he'd found into action.

Moving to stand next to Birkoff's station, Walter stood behind him and leaned over his shoulder to watch the computer monitor he was working on more closely. "Hey, Birkoff."

Although Birkoff knew his friend was standing behind him, he answered without making eye contact. "Oh. Hi." He thought that if he didn't look up, Walter may actually get the message that he was reluctant to continue what they had planned to do, despite his earlier enthusiasm.

Ignoring Birkoff's apparent disinterest all of a sudden Walter soldiered on regardless. "So � Are you ready to do some unauthorized hacking?"

Birkoff nervously looked around hoping that no one had heard his question since there were other operatives about. "Are you sure we really should be doing this?"

Walter looked at his friend with surprise. "You okay?"

"Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?"

Realising that Birkoff was not being all that truthful he asked. "You're not having second thoughts are you?"

He looked up at Walter over his glasses and met his gaze. "Well � yes I am," he replied uneasily keeping his voice low. "I just don't know if it's the right thing to do.

"Sure it is � This could be an adventure."

"What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean ... Don't start thinking with your heart."

"We could get caught."

"Not if we're careful and besides George is here. Madeleine and Operations will be gone for a while, so we have plenty of time to make a search, gather the Intel we need for Dr. Johnson and be back here before we're even missed."

Birkoff weighed up his arguments. What Walter had said made sense. He sighed. "Sorry � I guess I've been a little spooked since I ran into Madeline."

"Emotion blurs judgment if you're not careful, besides the bottom line is that we're doing this for Michael."

"Yeah � you're right." He got up from his chair and looked at his friend. "Come on."

"Where are we going?" Walter asked excitement lacing his voice.

"To find the information about Michael of course," Birkoff answered. However, before leaving he reached into his drawer and pulled out a small component in a clear plastic case.

"Hey what's that?"

"This little gizmo is just what we may need to help us locate the Intel."

Nodding in understanding Walter replied enthusiastically. "Okay! Let's go then!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Play on text from � Noise, Simone and Old Habits

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