Chapter 219 -- LFN Storyboard 2

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Date Posted: 20:52:48 02/29/12 Wed
Author: taurus2124
Author Host/IP: CPE-58-161-104-81.kybq1.win.bigpond.net.au / 58.161.104.81
Subject: Chapter 219
In reply to: taurus2124 's message, "NEW CHAPTERS of The Rising Dragons" on 18:31:50 02/22/12 Wed

Chapter 219

When Walter had crossed the main floor of Section, he�d hesitated for a moment thinking about his conversation with Birkoff and what had taken place in Systems. Although his friend was worried he had a far more important matter to attend to first for his mind was pre occupied with the fate of Nikita and Michael in Medical. Despite this, before turning down the corridor towards Med Lab, he looked back at Systems where Birkoff and the other technicians were still busily working.

Walter wondered if what he and Birkoff had attempted to do was all worth it. Perhaps he should have listened to his friend but he was hell bent on finding the information on Michael for their personal gain. Birkoff had been well within his rights to berate him as all hell had broken out because of their little adventure. He knew what they were doing was risky but what he�d done on the mission was risky too. The adrenalin had kept pumping in his veins since his return to Section and Walter was still on a high about Michael and Nikita�s rescue. Finding his Intel seemed like a piece of cake after what the team had gone through on the retrieval mission. He should have realised that being in Section One was profoundly different than being on a mission but his pride had gotten in the way. Consequently they had stumbled over one obstacle after another in their quest to find Michael�s Intel. Birkoff�s concerns were valid and he should have listened to his friend but he�d refused to do so thinking that he was invincible.

The two friends had tried their best but had just fallen short at the last hurdle. Had it not been for that alarm going off, then they would have been home and hosed even though they had no Intel to barter with. Now Birkoff was worried that they would be put into abeyance and it was all his fault. Walter had to admit that he was a sixty year old hippy who had never grown up. He should have known better than to involve his friend in his harebrained schemes and with the wisdom of hindsight he would have done things differently. Now the two of them could be in serious trouble if Operations were to call for a general inquiry unless he or Birkoff could come up with a plan. Walter smiled to himself confident that his computer savvy friend would be sure to think of a way to diffuse the situation and take the heat off of them without his help. Birkoff was after all, Section One�s top computer whiz and he would be able to come up with a number of plausible reasons why the alarm went off.

Walter turned and left the problems of Systems behind and made his way to Med Lab to see how Michael and Nikita were faring. His gait quickened as he neared his destination, unaware of what was to occur in his absence and that Birkoff would be summoned to the Perch. Knowing that it had been over twenty four hours he was eager to know if Michael was out of the woods and he was keen to see for himself how his Sugar was coping. Dr Johnson should also know by now how the two patients were and what their prognosis was.

In no time, despite all the scenarios of his thought processes, Walter was finally at Med Lab and entered through the glass doors.

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

�Birkoff!� Operations' gruff voice suddenly blared from the intercom.

He looked up at the sound of Operations� directive. It was commonplace for Section�s leader to be abrupt in his summons to the Perch but Birkoff saw that he was glaring down at his station. That � was a bad omen. With a feeling of unease, he responded, trying to keep his voice steady as he replied. �Yes sir?�

�I need to see you in my office.�

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

Nervously he got up, and like a dead man walking made his way to the Perch. His mind was at sixes and sevens as to what Operations could want although he suspected it was something to do with the breach in the restricted area. Had Operations managed to find out that he and Walter were involved in the breach after all? Had he spoken to Davenport or did he just want to see if Systems had been able to find something?

Birkoff knew he would have to muster enough Dutch courage to face his leader�s inquisition especially if he suspected them of being involved. It was highly probable that Operations had heard from Davenport although Walter seemed to think not. Birkoff feared that he may have reported that he�d found them in a restricted area. He also worried about the ramifications of his bald lie. That in itself was a certain abeyance issue. Walter and he were lucky that Davenport hadn�t pressed the issue about who had given him clearance, but it was still at the back of his mind that he may very well have to face the music about the incident especially as he�d said he had clearance from Operations to be there.

Why, oh why had he gone along with his friend�s harebrained idea? After all the trials and tribulations that Walter and he had encountered in their quest to find Intel on Michael, which Walter was adamant they needed but had failed to gain, he certainly hoped that that the gods of favour were finally smiling on him and that the two of them weren�t skating on thin ice and drowning quicker than a lead weight. They�d had one mishap after another with the worst culminating in the phantom breach which was now using up Sections� vital resources and all for naught as it had been a wild goose chase. He hoped he could think of something to stop the investigation and appease Operations at the same time.

Standing on the threshold of Operations� office Birkoff composed himself for whatever may come, and remembering Walter�s parting words to him. �Pull yourself together Birkoff. Remember, there is nothing that points to us breaching Section � Nothing!�

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

Birkoff entered the Perch under the guise of bravado and feigned confidence but also with trepidation of his fate. He stood silently before speaking. �You wanted to see me?�

�Come in.�

Operations watched his tactical technician but to his surprise he seemed more composed than before. �The security breach is unresolved. You wouldn�t know what happened in that sector would you Birkoff?�

�Who me?�

�Yes � you. Madeline said she saw you and Walter in that vicinity earlier. Why was that?�

Birkoff stumbled over his words caught by surprise by his leader�s frankness. He�d completely forgotten that they had run into Madeline when she exited the elevator and he trembled in his boots in fear of what she had told Operations about seeing them in the corridor. �We � we were ... heading back to the Common Area.�

�What was Walter doing with you?�

His heart began to pound. This was it. This was the time that Operations would want an explanation.

Birkoff had to think fast and replied with conviction suddenly remembering Walter�s reply to Madeline. �Walter was stretching his legs. He wanted to clear his head and we went for a walk, but somehow we lost our bearings. With all that had happened with Michael and Nikita � and the mission and everything �� His voice trailed off and Birkoff hoped that his superior would have some leniency in thinking that this was indeed what could have happened.

Operations studied Birkoff�s face looking for any body language that would alert to his bluffing. He saw none. �Well � if I hear that you and Walter were somewhere without authorization then I will have no recourse than to place you both in abeyance. Is that understood?�

�Yes sir. It was an honest mistake.�

�Well don�t make another one.�

�Of course.�

Operations paced back and forth inside the Perch and Birkoff watched as he stopped then turned back towards him. �Rest assured � I will get to the bottom of this breach. There's going to be a general inquiry.�

Knowing that would involve invasive testing which could be their downfall fall Birkoff brashly asked, �Do you think that is necessary?�

Operations heard the assertiveness in his technician�s voice. His eyebrow rose as he stared him down. �You don't approve?�

�I think it's premature sir.�

Birkoff was clutching at straws to come up with a plausible reason that would appease Operations� inquisitiveness to his statement. Trying to diffuse the situation he put forward an idea of diversion but the only thing he could think of was, �I�m checking to see if there has been a malfunction in the door mechanism that triggered the alarm. I�m running down that possibility now. It could be as simple as that.�

Looking intensely at Birkoff he wondered if he may have read the conversation between Walter and him incorrectly. That room can only be accessed by Level 5 operatives �It's possible.� Operations answered thinking out loud.

Pushing his advantage and gaining in confidence Birkoff then asked, �Did Ames, Hobbs and the other operatives find any evidence of any intruders?�

�No ��

�And neither have we. There is no evidence of any intruder in Section despite the alarm.�

Operations� mouth twitched at his reply while his pale gaze narrowed slightly. �And your point?�

�Then is a general inquiry necessary considering that they all have found nothing? There have been no casualties. Everything seems to be contained. Perhaps we should pull back until I see if there was a malfunction after all.�

�What are you getting at?�

�We might be chasing our tails and all for nothing. An inquiry will be time consuming and Section One is on the edge right now. We have to be careful not to stretch our resources to something that may or may not have credence.�

Operations was incredulous at his audacity. He moved to scrutinize his wall monitor then cast an icy glare at Birkoff. �You aren't going to tell me what to do are you?�

Birkoff managed a weak smile. �No sir � but we are coming up empty every time. My theory is worth a shot before implementing a full scale inquiry.�

Operations thought long and hard about what he had said. He glanced down at the operatives in tactical still frantically trying to find where or who was in breach but apparently to no avail. Without looking at Birkoff, Operations gave sanction to his explanation. �Very well. You may go.�

He breathed a sigh of relief at being dismissed. �Thank you sir. I�ll let you know of my findings.�

Turning, Birkoff made his way down the stairs and beat a hasty retreat from an inquisition that he had managed to diffuse � for the time being. Walter would be proud when he told him what had transpired in the Perch.

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

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