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Date Posted: 19:33:43 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 214
In reply to: taurus2124 's message, "Repost .... Chapters 211 - 215" on 19:18:37 02/15/12 Wed

Chapter 214

Davenport looked at Birkoff who had appeared as if from out of nowhere to stand next to his friend. However, although he had no cause to doubt Birkoff's statement that he had clearance especially given the job he had to do at Section, Davenport was still a little skeptical as to his reasons for being on Level 5. It was most irregular that Birkoff would be on this level and more so for someone from Munitions. No doubt while his friend went about his business Walter had decided to tag along eager to do some researching of his own whilst hoping not to get caught out. The fact that he was on this level was puzzling yet Walter was always a little recalcitrant as far as obeying orders went and his excuse seemed a plausible thing. After all he was an excellent operative in his own right and having just returned from a mission that was fraught with danger the man was undoubtedly still running high on adrenalin having been back in the field. Walter's excuse of wanting to compare past missions was not at all out of the realms of possibility for the older operative.

Nevertheless, Davenport eyed each man suspiciously as they stood defiantly before him. He was curious as to Birkoff's presence on this classified level for someone from Systems here with a weapons expert from Munitions. Turning his attention towards Walter, Davenport looked at him knowing he could easily cut him some slack this one time without letting Operations or Madeline know of his breach of protocol. He had always liked and respected Walter as he did Michael. He was an integral part of why missions were successful. Birkoff too was like the little brother who kept them safe and his tactical direction and skill during missions was critical.

This should prove most interesting, Davenport thought as he began to question Birkoff. "How did you get access to this level?"

"I've already told you … I had clearance."

"From whom?" the operative insisted.

Birkoff stood his ground gaining more confidence by the moment. "I can't tell you that."

"Why not? … What are you doing here?"

Birkoff seemed to grow another inch. He stood up straighter then replied with bravado. "I'm tracing a linkage factor."

Davenport was surprised at his answer. "For whom?" he wanted to know.

"Section Four, Northern Europe."

"Why would they use you?"

Looking at Davenport, Birkoff gave him a blank expression. "That's all I can tell you."

Walter was proud of his little buddy for having the temerity to stand up to Davenport's probing questioning. He was quietly applauding his gumption given that they were here without the clearance Davenport required. Walter only hoped that Birkoff wouldn't have to show any documentation supporting his claim. Never in his wildest dreams would he have thought that his nervy friend was capable of doing such a thing. Standing beside him Walter hoped that his presence was giving Birkoff extra strength to bluff his way through Davenport's little inquisition. His thoughts were answered in spades when he heard what Birkoff said next.

"If you want to know more, you could ask Operations … If you do, he'll want to know what you were doing down here."

"Which Bureau Op?" Davenport persisted ignoring his jibe but also knowing that Birkoff was unable to answer.

"You know I can't tell you that ... so why ask? Now if you will excuse us we have work to do."

"Okay Birkoff … Fine ... I'll leave you to it then."

The two operatives watched as a perplexed yet placated Davenport turned and walked away towards the elevator, then moved so that they could see him enter the shaft. Unbeknownst to the two friends, Davenport had a slight smile on his face as he strode away. The stoic operative knew that the two operatives were up to something they shouldn't but that was not his concern and he wouldn't report them. If they had the daring to access something on this level … which he knew would be near impossible … then he wished them luck. Walter and Birkoff would need a lot of it for all files on this level were as secure as could be. Knowing they were watching his every move, Davenport let the doors close without turning to see the concern in their body language before letting out a raucous laugh which echoed loudly in the confined space of the elevator.

Birkoff and Walter stayed where they were until they saw the doors close behind him, then they breathed a collective sigh of relief.

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

Meanwhile at Committee two pairs of eyes were raised in the direction of the hastened footfalls as they echoed on the ramp leading down into the room. Madeline watched as the two men stood when she entered in acknowledgement of her arrival. As she came closer she saw an inquisitive expression cross Operations' face as to why she had taken so long to get here. She hoped her look was enough to appease his anger and that she would explain why once George had left. Her eyes then glanced towards George who stood waiting for her to descend to the bottom of the ramp.

"Gentlemen! My apologies. Sorry I'm late and that you had to wait before starting our meeting, but I had some pressing business to attend to. I was also waylaid."

George waited as she approached them. "No apologies are necessary Madeline. It's good to see you." He leaned in and kissed her on both cheeks.

"Hello, George."

"You look well."

"Thank you." Walking over to where Operations stood Madeline held his gaze for a moment before continuing. "Please sit down everyone. Let us begin."

"How are things in Section One?"

"We're maintaining our success rate George."

"Yes, I've seen the numbers."

Irritated with his presence, Operations then stated the obvious. "We weren't expecting you."

George turned around slowly and looked him in the face. "No Paul … I'm sure you weren't," he replied with a smugness that grated on Operations' nerves even more. "But I like to make impromptu visits to keep abreast of how things are going in all the Sections, not just One."

Realising that the two combatants were getting a little testy, Madeline smiled at George which averted his attention away from Operations. "George … You know we always look forward to your visits to Section. So … what brings you here this time?"

"I heard an interesting rumor last night."

"What was that?" Operations asked nonchalantly.

"I'm sure you can guess without me having to spell it out Paul."

"Oh … What makes you think that?"

"You must realize by now that nothing escapes me at Oversight where One is concerned."

"I'm sure you are kept well informed George, so what have you heard?"

Madeline and Operations shared a look when George nodded in a way that suggested that he was just getting wound up and was about to drop a bombshell. "It sounds like things are deteriorating here at One."

Ignoring his preposterous statement Operations replied indignantly. "That doesn't sound right, what's your source?"

George refused to answer and merely twisted the knife in a little more. "Section has failed to capture Sun Yee Lok or any other triad members of the Rising Dragons despite having the two best operatives on the mission."

"We're getting closer. We're doing what we can," Madeline placated.

"That's not what I've heard. We keep tabs on these things." George looked at Operations when he spoke. They both shared an icy look. "Frankly, there's a feeling at Oversight that you've lost some focus on this mission. Am I right?"

"Is there an answer that would satisfy you?"

"Not really."

"Then why ask?"

"I withdraw the question."

An icy resolve filled the room with neither man giving an inch.

Madeline tried to stem the tide of discontent. "You've been misinformed George … that couldn't be further from the truth. We're at 93%. Is there any other department that has that kind of efficiency? What you call losing focus, we call creative methodology. If anything we are closer than ever before to bringing the Rising Dragons' mission to its end game."

George raised an eyebrow at her reply, then cryptically directed his question to Operations. "Are you sure you'll be able to?"

"Of course."

"Part of competence is knowing when to ask for help Paul."

"I didn't think I needed any," Operations replied glaring at him. He realized that this visit was indeed different from his past ones.

"Do you ever think you need any? Don't bother to answer that," he gesticulated. "I already know what you'll say."

The stalemate continued. Neither man was giving the other an inch. George then continued with an arrogance that couldn't be ignored. "On another matter, I heard that Michael and Nikita have returned to Section One."

"Yes that's true." Madeline replied wondering where he was heading with this questioning.

George then went in for the kill. "I also believe that both are injured and won't be returning to the Rising Dragons' mission." He glanced at Operations again. "What are you going to do about Sun Yee Lok if your best two operatives are incapacitated? Is the mission now in jeopardy? Oversight will view that scenario poorly if all the time and resources have been for naught. Heads could roll."

The look Operations gave George was lethal. Their worst case scenario had just surfaced. He was furious with what he was insinuating … George saw their leadership at Section One as incompetent and he alluded to this with his next words.

"That's what I meant earlier about asking for help Paul. It seems to Oversight that One needs assistance with personnel for the Rising Dragon's mission because of Michael and Nikita's injuries. Failure to ask for assistance however, is an error in judgment and it will have to go in your file I'm afraid."

"And what effect will that have?"

"That's for Center and Mr. Jones to decide but my report about Sections' loss of direction concerning the Rising Dragons' mission has to be completed," he answered with veiled glee aware that Section's leader was seething at his response.

"I see," Operations replied barley hiding his contempt for his superior from Oversight. His dislike for George had just increased one hundred fold.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Play on text from … EG, OP, UTI, LFM and AGT

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