Chapter 192 -- LFN Storyboard 2

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Date Posted: 06:17:50 12/14/08 Sun
Author: taurus2124
Author Host/IP: CPE-124-188-8-119.nsw.bigpond.net.au / 124.188.8.119
Subject: Chapter 192
In reply to: taurus2124 's message, "The Rising Dragons - continued" on 02:02:26 12/08/08 Mon

Chapter 192

Operations stood in his office looking down on the Common Area deep in thought. Section One was his entire world and he�d devoted the greater part of his life to the ethos of their work here capturing the terrorists that others were unable to apprehend. To him success was everything and he expected nothing less of the operatives under his command. The fact that the Rising Dragons had managed to gain an upper hand riled him considerably. Michael and Nikita had failed on this occasion. Hence he was caught in a dilemma � and a conundrum of the highest order. He was not a happy man and it showed on his face.

Pondering his next move concerning those two, Operations� immediate response was that failure was not an option and to place them both in abeyance. But on the other hand he had to reluctantly admit that Section needed Nikita and Michael to see this mission through to its conclusion. Michael had been defiant ... bordering on insubordination ... something that would put any other operative into abeyance. However, Michael had also succeeded on this mission. Operations weighed up his initial response to his pre-eminent operative�s request to search for Nikita and his reaction. Then there was his about face. Madeline had placated his riled temper and soothed the savage beast. But he still questioned his motives. Was he jealous of his Level 5 operative or in admiration of his determination? Michael and Nikita were their best two operatives ... but Section One was far, far bigger than any two individuals ... even if they were their finest.

Pacing back and forward in the perch a myriad of thoughts invaded his mind, however, upon hearing soft footfalls, Operations turned to see Madeline standing in the doorway. She had an uncanny sense when it came to interrupting his muses and here she was again. He looked at Madeline then without a word waved her in not at all surprised by her sudden appearance. No doubt the news that the teams had retrieved Michael and Nikita was filtering through the place like wildfire. Although it seemed incredible to his way of thinking, it was true. They were both alive and were on their way back to Section One.

�You�ve heard?�

�Yes.� Madeline gave him a solemn smile. �The retrieval mission was a complete success.�

Operations frowned. �That's one way of looking at it.�

Studying him for a moment, Madeline�s eyes filled with understanding. �You can�t blame yourself Paul for the outcome. Section will live to fight another day. We will get Sun Yee Lok and the other triad members who were responsible.�

Operations continued to watch operatives scurry through the Common Area to their various stations in Section. He shook his head. �I don't see how you can be so ... so �� grappling for the right word, he paused before giving Madeline a forceful look, �� accepting of the situation Madeline! You know I don�t like failure and especially not from our two most experienced operatives. Obviously they are not as competent as I thought they were.�

Madeline raised an eyebrow at his statements. �You�re not going to do something rash are you?�

He gave her a look. �I�ve thought about it.�

Ever the pragmatist and with a mysterious smile on her face, Madeline tried to soothe the savage beast. �Acceptance doesn't automatically mean an admission of defeat Paul.�

Madeline had hit a chord and, not for the first time either. Operations gazed at the woman beside him in admiration. Did she really understand how much he relied upon her calming influence? Madeline just had a way of diffusing a tense situation that returned his sense of equilibrium. She knew him well and knew which buttons to push to ease the tension.

Suddenly her dark eyes locked with his. �How would you like to deal with the situation then?�

�Have Michael and Nikita checked out by Medical on their return � then depending on the severity of their injuries place them back in the field ASAP.�

�May I suggest another idea?�

�Certainly.�

�Give them some downtime to recuperate.�

�No � That�s out of the question. I don�t think that�s necessary.�

�On the contrary � Michael and Nikita will perform better if they are well recovered emotionally and physically from their torture at the hands of the triad. It will make them keener to bring the perpetrators to justice much quicker.�

Although not happy with the situation, the wisdom of her words struck a chord. He knew she was right in her assessment of the two operatives. �You may have a point but we cannot give them special privileges just because they�ve been tortured on a mission.�

�We�ll work around that. Michael and Nikita will expect me to carry out a psych evaluation of the two of them. It would be appropriate considering the trauma they�ve faced.�

He contemplated the wisdom of her proposition. �Hmm ... that is your forte after all.� Operations then looked at his second in command with a wry smile. �I see where you�re going with this Madeline. Some downtime would be an appropriate outcome of their evaluation.�

�Precisely ... Not only that but it will be a tactic that they won�t be expecting. It will keep Michael and Nikita both guessing as to our motives. It will unnerve them which will be to our advantage.�

�Agreed.� Their eyes met in a look of perfect understanding.

�Very well then,� Madeline replied tongue in cheek. �When we find out the extent of their injuries we can reassess the situation if needs be.�

�Of course.�

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

Walter awoke with a start as the Section plane landed safely and the occupants prepared to alight into the waiting van on the tarmac for the short drive back to Section One. Jasmine issued orders and the team got to their feet and moved toward the exit door. Collecting his belongings Walter nodded towards Michael asking tacitly if he needed assistance. The two men exchanged looks. As he made his way over to them, Nikita looked up. Her friend stepped forward sheltering both of them from the view of the other operatives leaving the transport plane. Walter watched as Michael, despite his own injuries, instantly pacified Nikita as she moaned trying to get up. He stroked her face softly, trailing his fingertips lightly across the gentle curve of her temple before tracing the long line of her eyebrow.

�Nikita � Michael � it�s time to go.�

The two operatives didn�t immediately respond and Walter edged closer a worried concern on his face. He spoke once more and this time the two glanced his way. They appeared a little disorientated so; stepping forward Walter helped them to their feet. He knew they were both trying to cover up the fact that they were in severe pain or worse.

Brushing off his assistance, they stubbornly tried to walk on their own. Michael gently placed his arm around Nikita to steady her tentative steps and tightened his grip when she stumbled a little. Although movement was difficult, together they slowly managed to make their way to the exit where Jasmine stood waiting for the three friends near the Section van.

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

Birkoff stood tentatively on the threshold of the entrance to the perch and observed that his superiors were locked in conversation. He hesitated for a moment before entering. Madeline watched as he came in noticing the sallow colour of his skin.

�Do come in Mr. Birkoff,� she stated seeing the way he�d vacillated at the entrance. To her keen eye Seymour knew something that he was a little hesitant to relay. �Is anything wrong?�

�No � everything�s fine.�

�Well � What is it then?� Operations barked testy at his procrastination.

Birkoff hesitated. He wanted to say something to his superiors, and yet he didn't. Seeing the thunderous scowl cross Operations� face, he wondered how he could communicate Jasmine�s request without having his head blown off.

�Is this about Michael and Nikita?� Madeline asked seeing the impasse between the two men.

There was no point in avoiding her question. Birkoff paused slightly before he replied, �They�re both badly injured, but alive.�

�I see. Is that all?�

Operations could see the nervousness in the young man�s eyes while his scrutiny made Birkoff feel uncomfortable. Eventually looking him in the eye, he blurted out, �I�ve also had a request from Jasmine regarding Michael and Nikita.�

�What is it?�

�Jasmine wanted �� Shifting his stance from one foot to another Birkoff was just about to say, when they were interrupted by another operative.

�Sir the team has returned.�

Operations terminated the connection. He turned, looked at Madeline and then at Birkoff.

�I guess she can tell you herself now sir.�

�Yes � I guess she can,� he replied.

Operations and Madeline then made their way out of his office to van access with a relieved Birkoff following behind.

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

The journey back to Section One had been quicker than expected and in no time they were there. Exiting the transport vehicle all the operatives prepared to file through the inner portal that led to the corridor into Section One where Operations, Madeline and Birkoff waited for their return. Jasmine exited first. She looked around. Birkoff had organised her requests. Medical staff and the gurneys were waiting for their arrival. She stood to one side as her team made their way past. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Michael finally emerge with Nikita by his side. She watched as the two operatives carefully stepped into the entrance with Walter keeping up the rear like a sentinel overlooking his charges.

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

All eyes seemed to be focused on Michael and Nikita but one pair of eyes strained to see another. Birkoff�s eyes scanned the operatives yet they failed to find the one person who he needed to know was okay � his friend Walter. Although Jasmine had said he was fine, Birkoff needed to see for himself, to make sure. He was very glad that Nikita had been rescued and that the team had been successful on the mission, but Where was Walter?

His eyes strained towards the portal door � then he saw him stride through none the worse for wear. Birkoff was so relieved he had returned safely. Happiness welled up inside of him at the sight of his friend Walter. Birkoff grinned to himself. The old codger was back ... and alive. He�d never been so worried in his life. Walter was like a father to him and if anything had happened ... if God forbid ... he�d lost him ... he didn�t know what he would have done.

Birkoff looked past his friend Walter. He watched and saw Michael help Nikita along the corridor. But just who was holding up whom? By the looks of things they were both in need of some urgent attention. He let out the breath he was holding in a whoosh and shook his head, frowning. Nikita was beat up pretty bad. She looked shocking. So too did Michael. He could see what Jasmine had said was true. It was blatantly apparent that she and Michael needed medical attention ASAP. They both needed to be taken to Med Lab straight away.

Yet despite their injuries, he couldn�t stop grinning from ear to ear. His best friends were all back and safe. It felt as if it was a homecoming for them. Birkoff sighed. After so many months of being in Hong Kong on this dangerous mission and having suffered the ordeal of being kidnapped and tortured, Nikita was finally back in Section. When she was feeling better he would ask her about the mission but right now she didn�t need to be bombarded with questions ... she needed rest and care.

He grimaced.

Birkoff�s eyes misted over thinking about what she had endured at the hands of the Rising Dragons. The bastards! As soon as Nikita and Michael were well again and they�d regained their strength and conditioning ... they would get who was responsible. Michael would take no prisoners for what they had done to Nikita. Who could blame him? He wanted to be around when the might of Section One closed in on the triad members ... as it would. Next time the Rising Dragons would be the vanquished not the victor ... and would meet their fate once and for all.

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

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