Chapter 213 -- LFN Storyboard 2

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Date Posted: 19:29:55 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 213
In reply to: taurus2124 's message, "Repost .... Chapters 211 - 215" on 19:18:37 02/15/12 Wed

Chapter 213

Madeline quickly hastened her step as she made her way to Committee where Paul and George were waiting for her. After receiving the call from Operations to attend Committee, she'd informed him that she was on her way but that she also had some last minute things to attend to on Level 5 that wouldn't take long. No doubt Paul was wondering where she was and would be chomping at the bit until she arrived. However, Madeline was really in no great hurry to get there because George's visits seemed to raise Operations' hackles and dealing with an irate leader was more than she needed at the moment. Whenever George arrived at Section One the tension in the air was always thick with antagonism between the two men as they loathed but tolerated each other. Just being in the same room was enough to send Operations into a tail spin. However, diffusing any volatile situation between the two antagonists was common place and something that she managed to do successfully. Hence when she arrived at Committee, her presence would ease the situation somewhat as it always seemed to calm Paul's ire at George's unannounced visits. Madeline expected that the two men would be tapping their heels having run out of banal conversation by now, so she would need to prepare herself for a frosty reception from Operations when she arrived.

Although not entirely unexpected, George's visit couldn't have come at a worse time. Keeping him out of the loop was an accomplishment they relished and one that was relatively easy to achieve, but if he decided to start poking around on this impromptu visit it could prove difficult. Had he heard that their two operatives had returned to Section and that Michael was injured? Did he know the details about having them both inactive? Had someone relayed Intel to him at Oversight? It seemed suspicious that George usually managed to arrive when some event had occurred within 24 hours of it happening. If he had an informant at Section then that was something that needed looking into. But at the moment it was not high on her to do list as there were more pressing matters to attend to because of the injuries to Michael and Nikita.

In the past they'd only told George what he needed to know in a condensed account of events. Giving him only enough Intel without going into detail was usually sufficient to keep him satisfied. Hopefully this time would be no different but they were unsure of why George was at Section. Since Michael and Nikita had returned from Hong Kong there was much on their agenda to deal with that they had no intention of discussing with him unless pressured to do so. However, they were faced with a problem, for if George found any reason to question how they were running things at One then Operations would not be happy. Furthermore if Oversight thought that the Rising Dragons' mission was in any way compromised due to Michael and Nikita's incapacity to function this could reflect badly on both her and Paul. George would then seize any opportunity to discredit them at Center. The last thing they needed was the added complications that any involvement by Mr. Jones would cause if he became involved in what was basically an internal matter. However, Madeline knew they were more than capable of dealing with their own affairs without interference from Oversight, George or indeed Center.

On the other hand it may just be coincidental that he was here. No doubt she would find out soon enough when she arrived at Committee. She would then need to steer the conversation away from contentious issues that could backfire on their leadership at Section One.

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

Madeline rounded the corner of the corridor and was soon nearing her destination point. However, although her thoughts were centered on speculating as to why George was here at Section One again, her mind also recalled the strange event that had just happened near the elevator concerning Walter and Birkoff. Because of it, she was now running a tad late. Operations would certainly not be happy that she had failed to appear in Committee as quickly as possible, nevertheless it couldn't be avoided. Walter and Birkoff's presence was unexpected to say the least and when she'd looked up upon exiting the elevator it was a surprise to find the two of them there. It had thrown her for a loop; however, Madeline was undecided if the two operatives were up to something or if it was just a coincidence that they were in the vicinity of a restricted area without clearance. She'd been taken aback to see both of them where they shouldn't be. Yet they were not technically in the controlled area and they were after all walking in the direction of the Common Area when she had called them back. It was possible that they really were heading towards Systems and Munitions. Perhaps she was seeing more to the coincidence than it actually merited.

Then again � on further reflection it was somewhat suspicious that the two of them were there together. Even though their excuses had been legitimate, they were rather unconvincing in their manner. Her gut instinct told her that she was sure there was more to their presence than met the eye despite their denial. Birkoff and Walter were in a restricted area and although they had tried to disguise the fact by heading in the opposite direction, the two were obviously up to something. But what?

Birkoff had looked nervous. Could that just be his normal response to her? It was possible. Whenever he was doing something he shouldn't be Birkoff got that anxious look about him. He'd never been able to maintain that calm exterior that other operatives wore whenever they were caught on the hop. He was too tense. Walter on the other hand had appeared casual about things. Unlike Seymour, he'd been able to hide his inner thoughts from her. This was evident in her conversation with Walter as a result of her questioning but there was one answer that suddenly began to ring alarm bells. "Yep � as a matter of fact, that's just what we were about to do," Walter's reply was cryptic and because she'd had other things on her mind, she had dismissed it without investigating further. Just what were they about to do? She had a sneaking suspicion it had nothing to do with the Uzbekistan mission. Perhaps she should follow that up after speaking to George too, but right now she was where she was supposed to be.

Madeline entered Committee where Operations and George were waiting.

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

Walter looked at Birkoff with a huge smile on his face. This was it � they were finally here. The elevator came to a stop at the desired level and he watched eagerly as the doors slid open. The floor was deserted much to their good fortune and they ventured out of the shaft with eyes fixed ahead. Birkoff's heart was racing though. He darted his eyes left then right just to double check that they were in the clear, but the clanging of the doors closing behind him caused him to jump in surprise.

"You okay?" Walter asked.

"Yeah � just a little jumpy as usual."

"All right let's go then."

The two friends continued on into the classified level keeping a vigilant lookout for anyone who may be about. So far so good. Their footsteps echoed lightly on the floor of the deserted corridor as they proceeded further down the hall, but to Birkoff's mind they were booming steps that echoed for all in sundry to hear and hence know of their location. Nevertheless, all was quiet and they soon came to a narrow corridor partially lit with eerie green and pink lights.

Rounding the corner, Walter suddenly stopped. "What the heck?" he exclaimed in shock. He had run into a Level 5 operative entering the corridor from the opposite direction. It was a toss-up on who was the more surprised. Birkoff meanwhile had stopped in his tracks at Walter's words and hid where he could observe what was going on.

"Davenport!"

"Walter! I didn't know you had clearance down here."

For once, Walter was lost for words. "Well, I � I don't ... I � I � just ... ah � I was just ... ah ... going to look over an old past Mission of mine to compare my performance." He looked up to stare at Davenport trying to gain some sympathy. His eyes were alight with bravado and he spoke more confidently. "You know how it is � I wanted to see if I still had the gift especially after what happened on the retrieval mission to rescue Michael and Nikita."

However, Walter's ramblings were not having the desired effect on the stoic Level 5 operative that he had hoped they would. Davenport realized that the munitions expert didn't have clearance for this level. Even so, he looked behind him as if looking for someone who did have clearance who could have accompanied Walter but unfortunately he saw no one. He only had one course of action and he let Walter know his fate. "I'm supposed to report you. I have my orders, Walter."

"Well, um ... do what you got to do Davenport. I � I'll understand."

"Walter doesn't have clearance, but � do." Birkoff suddenly stated with authority as he appeared from his observation point and stood next to his friend. "He's with me."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Play on text from � End Game

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