Chapter 150 -- LFN Storyboard 2

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Date Posted: 00:35:18 02/10/08 Sun
Author: taurus2124
Author Host/IP: CPE-124-188-8-144.nsw.bigpond.net.au / 124.188.8.144
Subject: Chapter 150
In reply to: taurus2124 's message, "The Rising Dragons ... continued ..." on 23:47:08 01/19/08 Sat

Chapter 150

Michael hastened down across the common area towards the perch as ordered. He knew what he would need to say when Operations asked what he was doing back at Section and why he hadn�t let them know that the Andy Koo mission had been aborted. Casting a quick glance up, Michael could see Operations� ominous face looming above him peering through the glass windows jutting out the front wall of the perch. Operations was not happy to see him back. Judging by his expression he had questions that needed answers.

At the top of the stairs, Michael�s face became stoic as his patented blank stare crossed his features. He quickly but quietly entered the perch as was his style. �You wanted to see me?�

Knowing that his Level 5 operative had entered, Operations quickly turned at the sound of his voice snarling, �Yes. Come in!� Then without any preamble he cut straight to the chase. �What are you doing back at Section Michael?�

�Nikita�s been kidnapped. She's off the board.�

�What?�

�She failed to rendezvous before the Andy Koo mission and there was no trace of her at her apartment.�

�None?�

�No ... Nikita has been compromised.�

Nodding his head in disbelief at Michael's response, Operations moved away from the ledge he had been sitting on and came up closer to where Michael stood. �Then she can't be found.�

Operations studied Michael�s face.

The younger man never showed any sign of his true emotions, he always kept them well hidden from all at Section. Michael was after all their best cold operative but if what he had said was true, then he knew Michael had to be concerned. Nikita was after all his material ... their bond was very strong. It was only natural that Michael would feel responsible for her incarceration. Despite everything he wasn't unaware of the fact that Michael and Nikita had grown much closer lately because of the Rising Dragons� mission. It had been lengthy. They had endured many obstacles along the way but had prevailed for the Section and they�d been very successful thus far.

Conceding a point in Michael�s favour, Operations acknowledged that he envied his Level 5 operative his ability to stay calm, even in the worst situations. But Section was not at the beck and call of one operative no matter how good. He couldn�t make allowances for Michael as everyone ... including himself were dispensable. There was no way that he could sanction a rescue mission for Nikita despite what Michael would say anticipating his next words.

�Not without Section�s help.�

�Do you have any knowledge where she might be or who has kidnapped her?�

�Not anything tangible.� Michael watched for any reaction to his statement from Operations but when none was forthcoming he continued, �Just some vague suspicions but nothing concrete yet.�

�You must have some idea ... surely?�

�I would say it�s someone connected with the Rising Dragons.�

�Yes ... you�re probably right ... but if you�re wrong?�

�They have Nikita.� Michael stated emphatically standing with his hands clasped firmly behind his back. �I�m certain of it ... anyone else doesn�t make sense.�

�Do you think Inspector Ng was responsible?�

�We�ll never know.�

�Yes that�s unfortunate ... but perhaps the kidnappers wish to distract us from our current agenda. Their suspicions have been roused by someone Michael.�

�Nikita was getting too close.�

�It could be anyone ... even Andy Koo himself.�

�Yes ... Someone was jittery to being exposed but that doesn�t explain why she was compromised.�

�Perhaps Inspector Ng arranged for her kidnapping without implicating others in the triad.�

�That�s possible ...�

�Nikita may have raised his fears given the position of authority he was in.�

�True.�

�If only we knew this was going to happen. I could have delayed his execution.�

�What�s done is done.�

Michael remained silent while his superior absorbed what he�d just said. He was correct. Michael had certainly made a valid point.

�What about Nikita?�

Pacing inside the Perch thinking of what they could do Operations knew his next answer would not appease Michael. �In the law of probability there�s a one chance in three that she's alive or preserved. And even if she is there is only one chance in ten of rescuing her. She'll be missed.�

Michael could not believe the cold expressions Operations was saying. �That's it?�

�Yes that's it.�

�I don't care about the odds. I'll find her.�

�No Michael ... I wish I could send you but my orders are to do nothing. Nikita can take care of herself.�

�We could set up a snap profile.�

�We're not set up for any assault on the triad yet.�

�I�ll work up a profile.�

�The triad is the target, not Nikita. Our best bet is to set a twelve hour shelf,� Operations conceded.

�Nikita might be dead in 12 hours.�

�It's the best we can do. She'll be a great loss, but we'll have to write her off.�

His words cut like a knife ... Is that all he thought ... she�d be a great loss! Operations was colder than he thought. Michael�s blank stare was firmly in place as he replied to his statement. �I see.�

Operations could only hazard a guess at what he was thinking. He was long through with trying to decipher what his best field operative would make of his words.

�You�ll be putting yourself at risk to reclaim Nikita. I can't justify that. She�s expendable ... you�re not.� Nikita was expendable and the sooner Michael realised that the better. They had come too far to risk putting the Rising Dragons mission in jeopardy. �You're aware of the procedure Michael. Did you expect we would make an exception for Nikita?�

�No. Is that all?�

�Yes ... and Michael I wouldn�t be thinking of going after Nikita. Your mission is now listed as aborted. We consider the capture of Andy Koo unobtainable for the time being. When we've had no contact with Nikita for 6 hours ... per procedure ... she'll be listed as killed in action. You know you have a job to do and you are expected to do it. Is that clear?� Michael would bode well to remember that or suffer the consequences if he disobeyed orders and tried to go after her.

Bowing his head Michael answered politely, �Perfectly.� "Of course."

�Good.� An aloof interest flickered in the back of Operations� eyes as he studied his level five operative obviously waiting to see if his statement had the slightest effect on him.

Michael remained silent and kept his face expressionless as he looked back at Operations.

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

Operations knew Michael was not happy but he was furious ... there was no way that he could sanction his absence from Section to search for Nikita. There was too much at stake. They were so close to capturing Sun Yee Lok�s inner circle that this would only be a set back to procedures. He sympathised with Michael�s predicament but his hands were tied. Oversight wanted containment. The lost of an integral operative in the mission was a fact of Section One life. Someone died ... another took their place. Someone else would step up to the mark. Michael would just have to come to terms with the possibility that Nikita had by now been killed. The mission was all that was important. There was the greater picture to look at and he would bode well to remember that. Section One was bigger than the individual and Michael knew that. They couldn�t just lock down to search for Nikita when they didn�t even have a trace on her. By all accounts she was off the radar. Finding her would be near impossible and even then she may not be alive and what�s more it took time ... time Section didn�t have.

He watched the determined appearance and the ramrod straight back of Michael Samuelle and Operations knew he may be in for a tumultuous ride with a recalcitrant operative on his hands. There was also another possibly. Section could very well have more than one problem on their hands if Nikita had divulged their whereabouts. If Section had been compromised by her revelations to her captors then all hell would break loose.

With a darkened mood, Operations waited for who would make the next move.

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

As Michael turned to go, Operations stopped him. �Michael.�

He didn�t want to hear anything else his superior had to say but he paused and turned to face him. �Yes?�

�Michael ... I know how you must be feeling but you�ll have to get over it.�

With a totally impassive and deliberately cold look on his face, Michael merely stared at Operations without saying a word as if his statement had no effect on him. But his words had been callous and Michael refused to let Operations have the satisfaction of seeing that he was indeed stunned by his announcement. It took every ounce of his fortitude to keep the disbelief from his voice and face. Michael stared at Operations blankly his eyes registering no emotion whatsoever.

Although his superior saw a stoic Michael, Operations was not privy to the thoughts that repeated over and over in his head. Damn you to hell.

Michael�s demeanour also made him nervous. He knew by his stance that he was thinking of his options in the face of adversity. Michael would need to be watched ... it was highly possible that he would disobey orders. Operations hated that fa�ade of the blank stare Michael always put on his face. He hated never being able to read what he was thinking. It was a form of insubordination as far as he was concerned and put him at a disadvantage.

Deciding then not to say what he was going to, Operations dismissed his operative offhandedly. �If you have to grieve then do it on your own time.�

Michael was conscious that Operations would not willingly go along with allowing him to leave Section One to search for Nikita. Yet he had no choice. Operations had seen to that ... He�d left him with few options and he would do what had to be done regardless of what he had said. There was still an ace up his sleeve that he hadn�t used yet.

�You owe me 15 days ... For helping your friend.�

So, it had come to this then. �Yes I did promise you that,� Operations stated.

�I'd like to take them now.�

�All right Michael. You do what you've got to do but you're on your own. If I find out you employed any Section resources, put a drain on our manpower, I will act accordingly.�

�I understand.�

�You may go. I believe our business is finished here.�
Michael nodded briefly, turned on his heel and walked away towards the door.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Play on text from ... Rescue, GOH, FITM and TITB

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