Chapter 196 -- LFN Storyboard 2

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Date Posted: 23:52:24 02/21/09 Sat
Author: taurus2124
Author Host/IP: CPE-124-188-4-74.nsw.bigpond.net.au / 124.188.4.74
Subject: Chapter 196
In reply to: taurus2124 's message, "The Rising Dragons - continued" on 00:39:04 01/31/09 Sat

Chapter 196

Operations� gait was pronounced as with Madeline they walked away from a shell shocked Walter and made their way towards Medical. The scene that had just transpired had been most unexpected on many levels and Section�s leader was still smarting from Walter�s reluctance to accept his gesture of more time for his debrief. His munitions� expert obviously expected there were strings attached. It wasn�t often that he showed any compassion and it had obviously sent him into a loop. Consequently, Operations looked forward to reading Jasmine�s report as to Walter�s performance as well as Walter�s account of the mission also. Having two different perspectives on what had happened would be most enlightening. In fact, depending on the outcome, it may very well influence any decision as to Walter being utilised in the field again in the near future.

His second concern was reluctantly for Michael�s status. His rapid decline had been out of the blue. So what had really happened to him? How and why was he shot? Reading Michael�s debrief when he was able to write it, may shed some light onto what had actually transpired. Perhaps it was just a lucky shot by a hostile that had unfortunately had maximum effect. Thinking back over Michael�s actions, Operations was not surprised by his operative�s reluctance to show that he was badly injured in any way. Michael always gave the impression that he was impervious to frailty when his own wellbeing was brought into contention; however, the injury was obviously much worse than anyone had ever imagined or that he indeed was letting on.

Michael�s main concern had been for Nikita. Operations scowled. Madeline and he knew of his weaknesses for Nikita. He�d demonstrated that openly in the way he�d acted tonight. However, it was a major concern of theirs that this relationship would affect Michael�s performances in the field. They expected nothing short of perfection from their Level 5 cold operative. They couldn�t let anything or anyone interfere with their plans for him. Hence it was something they needed to monitor more closely but right now they wanted to check on Michael�s condition. Despite their differences with him over the years his value as an operative remained strong. They could ill afford to lose him right in the middle of a crucial mission.

Madeline too was debating with her own mind�s counsel. The fact that Michael was injured and may take time to recover as well as Nikita�s need for rehabilitation posed several pressing problems for her and Paul. Section One had come so far in tracking down the Rising Dragon triad members and she knew it would not be long until Sun Yee Lok was himself captured and brought to justice. However, there would be the added problem with Nikita if Michael didn�t pull through � they may well have a blithering mess on their hands with her. Would she be able to recover from his death? � Madeline didn�t need to answer that question she already knew the answer.

There were no two ways about this � There was only one scenario that was feasible and she would accept no other.

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

Both leaders of Section were mulling over in their minds a contingency plan if indeed Michael didn�t make it through the operation yet neither of them wanted to voice them out loud. Madeline however, did broach the subject that was uppermost in her thoughts. �What are you going to do about the Rising Dragons� mission Paul?�

�What do you mean?�

She said only one word. �Michael.�

�What? ... If he dies?�... Why don't you tell me?�

�Michael is strong. He won�t die,� was her pragmatic reply. �Besides, I have faith in the medical team.�

He smiled at her optimism. �I can see that you�ve made up your mind Madeline.�

�He�s too valuable to Section at the moment. He'd be too hard to replace.�

Operations looked at Madeline for a minute reflectively, �Yes, there aren't many like him.�

Echoing his sentiments on their Level 5 operative, she confirmed his qualities. �He�s good. He and Nikita together are quite good.�

�They�ve performed well on this mission so far ... we can ill afford to lose him.�

�Yes ... then there would be the added problem of Nikita if we do.�

�Exactly. The odds still aren't good, are they?�

�No ... I don�t think so.�

�But if there is one chance in three that he will survive?�

�Then it�s good odds.�

�I want Michael to live. I am human after all.�

�Really? Are you sure it�s not because we are so close to capturing Sun Yee Lok?�

Aggrieved by her off-the-cuff comment Operations stopped walking and looked at his second in command. �Are you saying I have ulterior motives?�

�No.�

�Oh � then I obviously lack compassion!�

�No ... you lack the good judgment that comes from having a small dose of it Paul.�

�What about the compassion I�ve shown from time after time? Let me guess: you want to make a point.�

Not necessarily ... but compassion is a weakness you have continually frowned upon in Nikita ... yet you showed some to Walter this evening. Did you mean it?�

�Of course I meant it!�

�You�re a ruthless man, Paul. And that's good. It�s good for Section One and all the operatives to know where you stand. You do your job with clarity and I respect that. But you threw Walter for a loop. It may take him a while to come to terms with that.�

Operations grinned complacently. �I like to keep people unbalanced.�

�True � but don�t shoot the messenger. I think it�s a good thing for the reasons you�ve said.�

�Good ... well what are we arguing about then?�

�I don�t know ...� Madeline gave him an enigmatic smile. �Michael and Nikita?�

�I want to know how his condition will affect them and in turn us.�

�Michael is not a threat to us at the moment, on the contrary he is vulnerable and it appears as if his condition is touch and go at the moment.�

�But he could be.�

�Not if we play our cards right. Fortunately even the best have weaknesses. We must not misjudge him for it will result badly for us.�

�And we wouldn�t want that � would we?�

�I�m sure we�ll keep on top of it.�

�I expect nothing less of you Madeline.�

�It will be a while until both of them are back to their peak condition, so if Michael pulls through they will need some downtime to recuperate. We can plan our next course of action then.�

�So be it. We've been through worse.�

Operations smiled and nodded at Madeline then they continued on towards Medical.

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

The two leaders entered the Infirmary and immediately made for the area where they saw curtains drawn around two cubicles.

�How are they doing?�

�Not so good ... especially Michael. He�s fading in and out of consciousness but we're put him through every conceivable test we can.�

�Is there a problem?�

Dr. Johnson looked at Operations and Madeline. �Michael�s X-rays show that the bullet is lodged in his chest. There are also fragments of bone as the bullet shattered his clavicle.�

�I see.�

�How did this happen?�

�It appears Michael was shot from an acute angle, probably from above. The bullet entered the shoulder and passed through to lodge in the chest area. He�ll need immediate surgery to remove it ...� Doctor Johnston glanced anxiously at the two leaders.

Judging by his worried look they suspected he was holding back information. �Is there something you�re not telling us doctor?�

�Michael�s lost a lot of blood � he�ll need to be transfused during and possibly after the operation but ��

Madeline and Operations interjected before he could finish. �Do you have enough supplies on hand for a blood transfusion?�

�We have a few units of Michael�s blood left, but if he needs more than we have in stock we could be in trouble.�

The situation could become grim and Doctor Johnson knew it. There were no guarantees that Michael would need less blood units than they had available. It was better to have an abundance than a shortage especially if Michael had complications from the surgery. He forged ahead and broached the subject area even he had no knowledge of. �We�ll need to know the donors of his blood type so that arrangements can be made for them to donate blood if it�s required.�

�That Intel is classified � you�ll have to work with the supplies you�ve already got.�

�But ��

�Operations and I will make those arrangements if and when they are needed.�

They had a reluctance to share with Doctor Johnson the intricacies of Michael�s blood type. They had made the decision to have his details suppressed. Except for the head surgeon, Medical personnel were on a need to know basis, and if Med-Lab had enough units of blood to see them through then so be it. Classified information about their key operatives was classified for a reason. Should Intel leak out to their enemies that Michael Samuelle had a rare blood condition, he could be in a vulnerable position. This Intel could be used against him should he be captured, hence they couldn�t risk him being compromised in any way. However much they may regret their decision towards Doctor Johnson, they stood by it. If the situation became dire then they would make contingency plans, but until then they would leave it as the status quo.

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

Knowing that Section�s leaders would not budge on classified Intel about Michael Samuelle, his hands were tied. �Very well � I�ll inform Dr Khan. He�s been paged and is on his way.�

�Good. We�ll be in the observation room. Have him see us before he preps for any operation.�

�Yes sir.�

With that directive, Operations and Madeline left Medical for the surgical viewing area where they could observe the medical team in action.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Play on text from ... AGT, LFM and FLYF

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