Chapter 215 -- LFN Storyboard 2

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Date Posted: 19:44:27 02/15/12 Wed
Author: taurus214
Author Host/IP: CPE-58-161-104-81.kybq1.win.bigpond.net.au / 58.161.104.81
Subject: Chapter 215
In reply to: taurus2124 's message, "Repost .... Chapters 211 - 215" on 19:18:37 02/15/12 Wed

Chapter 215

Birkoff and Walter looked at each other after the elevator doors closed. Raising his hand to his forehead, Birkoff could feel a bead of sweat as it trickled down his brow. He was decidedly more nervous than he�d been before. Being caught by Davenport had been close � far too close for comfort for him. What had initially appeared as a relatively easy endeavour was rapidly developing into a catastrophe. They could be facing abeyance if Madeline and Operations ever found out they had tried to access a restricted area. Birkoff wondered what would befall them next if they continued on with their plan.

He glanced towards Walter and wondered if he was thinking the same thing. �Hey � that was close. I think we should abort. This situation is getting far too dangerous. We�ve had one mishap after another. There have been far too many close shaves.�

�What? With Davenport?�

�Yes!�

�Ah � that was nothing. I�ve had more close shaves than you�ve had hot dinners and that my friend was a piece of cake.�

�Are you serious Walter?�

�Absolutely � You were magnificent amigo.�

�Really?�

�Really � I�m proud of you.�

�But Walter � there may be more obstacles to come that we don�t know about. Davenport may renege and report us to Operations. What then?�

�Nah � he won�t do that. You saw the look on his face.�

�How can you be so sure? He terrified me ��

�Because he�s not 100% sure. You were very convincing and your explanation was plausible. He won�t report us. Trust me.�

�I do, but that doesn�t make me feel any less apprehensive. I still think we should abort this caper before anything else can go wrong.�

�Where�s your sense of adventure? Your bravado? Come on �� Walter cajoled.

Birkoff looked at him, knowing that his friend would win. He couldn�t let Walter take all the blame if he continued on alone and was caught.

�Okay �� was his reluctant reply, �� but if there is one more thing that goes wrong � that�s it!�

�Deal!� Walter reluctantly replied. �Say � that device of yours doesn�t indicate hot spots, does it Birkoff? If it does then you would be wise to use it I think. If there are any here then we�ll abort.�

Birkoff took the device from his pocket and activated the scanner. The reading was cold.

�Good � let�s go then,� Walter replied his enthusiasm once again heightened.

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

Operations was as mad as hell at all of George�s statements and Madeline knew it, but they could ill afford for the situation to blow up in their faces. She needed to handle this carefully. Preparing to defend their stance regarding the mission and their handling of it, Madeline went into damage control mode. �We have planned from the onset for such a situation should anything happen to Michael and Nikita and we are implementing that as we speak.� She eyed her superior with a coolness indicative of her nature.

George looked at her then Operations. He smiled enigmatically then replied. �Good � I�m pleased to hear that � I would expect nothing less from you.�

His answer was perplexing as too was his tone. �Was this some sort of test George? Are you just toying with us?� Madeline asked incredulously.

�I think it was more a warped game he�s playing,� Operations added steaming with indignation. �How dare you waltz in here with those accusations about our leadership at Section One and insinuate that we are incompetent, then do a complete about face as if it was all a joke.�

George stood back and watched as Paul Wolfe threw daggers at him with his looks. He knew that he had managed to gain the upper hand for once. Pushing Paul�s buttons had been invigorating but what had made it all the more interesting was seeing Section�s leader�s reaction to his finger pointing. Consequently George ignored Operations� response when he replied. �This problem concerning the Rising Dragons� mission has been resolved then. I trust that all your contingency plans are also in order.�

With a ramrod back Operations stated, �There is no problem George � there never was nor will there be a problem.�

It was particularly satisfying to George to note his reaction which pleased him no end. Unfortunately he also knew that Operations would want the gamesmanship the next time they met but he was up for the challenge. Their little disagreements always were challenging. No doubt future ones would be also, George contemplated wily.

�Of course Paul � my mistake.�

�You seem to make a few of them where Section One is concerned don�t you George? It would appear that you need to get your facts straight.�

Enjoying the banter immensely the head of Oversight stared Operations down. Paul�s retort was not unexpected. George knew he was a hot head at any time, but when he�d threatened the integrity of Section One both he and Madeline were staunch in its defense. �I wanted to know how you would react under pressure Paul. Well now I know,� was George�s only consent to his statement.

Then without looking at either Madeline or Operations again or elaborating further he stood up to leave. �I should be going I have to be in Stockholm in an hour. I'm sorry that I can't stay around longer and chat. Things seem to be running satisfactorily here after all. I should be able to convince Oversight to keep their hands off One ... for now.�

�Fine,� was the brusque answer from Operations. His fury at being duped was still simmering perhaps even more than before.

If looks could kill George would have been a dead man. He felt the piercing glances of his adversary stabbing him in the back but he refused to acknowledge or give credence to what had just evolved. Nevertheless, George knew at some time in the future they would lock horns again. Making his way up the ramp he stopped suddenly and turned back to observe the two Section Leaders watching his retreat.

�Oh, by the way, there is one last thing,� he announced smugly.

�And what�s that George?� was Operations� barbed reply.

His next parting words indicated that Oversight was well aware that the Rising Dragons� mission was reliant on Michael and Nikita�s involvement. �As I�m unable to check on Michael and Nikita at this time, I�m sure you are doing your utmost to see that your two best operatives get the proper care, attention and the time needed for a full recovery so they can return to the mission. I will expect to hear that has occurred.�

George noticed their reaction to his statement. Although he was not convinced that what they had said was completely honest about their two operatives and the mission, he would leave them in no doubt of Oversights� objectives. Paul and Madeline would be under no allusion that he was well abreast of the Rising Dragons� mission and would thwart any attempt by the two of them to jeopardize it in any way.

�If you have this well in hand then your contingency plans won�t be necessary � will they?� he stated with authority.

His words were not open to interpretation and this left Madeline and Operations in no doubt that Oversight expected that Michael and Nikita be given sufficient downtime to recuperate. He had no redress but to agree. Enunciating his words succinctly Operations replied, �Of course.�

�I�ll expect Section to have something more concrete to report to Oversight in the future once Michael and Nikita have recovered.�

Watching their body language George knew that Section One�s leaders were not at all happy with his visit this time. He�d managed to throw them off kilter, but he deliberately disregarded the tension that had built considerably between the three of them, instead he looked at one and then the other, �Goodbye Paul � Madeline.�

�George.�

Ignoring their acerbic reply he then left without another glance back. George was pleased that he had managed to put a cat among the pigeons during this visit although he also knew Madeline and Operations would seek payback the next time he arrived. However, he would wait in anticipation for that encounter for it would no doubt come sooner than later.

Flummoxed, Operations and Madeline watched George leave then looked at each other each with the same expression on their face.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Play on text from � EG and LFM

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