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Date Posted: 07:07:22 03/09/08 Sun
Author: taurus2124
Author Host/IP: CPE-124-188-1-237.nsw.bigpond.net.au / 124.188.1.237
Subject: Chapter 154
In reply to: taurus2124 's message, "The Rising Dragons ... continued ..." on 07:29:54 02/23/08 Sat

Chapter 154

It was very late; in fact Birkoff was really not sure if it was morning or still night. He was tired and was ready for the comfort of his bed safe in the knowledge that he had done something good. He’d left Michael’s office not so long ago well pleased with himself that he had finally been able to help him with a name and his possible location from where to start looking for Nikita. Although it wasn’t much to go on, at least Michael had something concrete to build on now that he’d left Section. Also knowing the determination of the man, Birkoff knew it wouldn’t be too long until he found her.

However, as he was returning to his quarters Birkoff was unexpectedly summoned to Madeline’s office. The sound of her voice sent a shiver down his spine and sent a myriad of thoughts through his mind. Why would she be asking for him at this late hour? They’d been careful not to arouse suspicion and the perch had been dark so there was no reason that he could think of that might incriminate him in Michael’s quest to find Nikita. Although his ever over active mind rationalised that Madeline must need something else, Birkoff was still in trepidation of what Section’s second in command really wanted and he couldn’t help but think the worst.

He made his way to her office and on arrival knocked and waited for her affirmation to enter.

“Come in Mr. Birkoff.”

“You wanted to see me?” he asked as he walked over to where Madeline was sitting at her desk.

Looking at him with a look he’d seen many times before, Birkoff knew Madeline was well aware of what he had done for Michael and her words only confirmed his suspicions.

“You utilized Section's facilities and manpower to assist an off profile operation.”

“I can explain ... Michael needed some information ...” Birkoff stammered while trying to think of a plausible reason to give Madeline as to why he’d done what he’d done.

“You know very well what I mean Mr Birkoff.”

“All right, so I helped him out. It only took 10 minutes.”

“Why did you do it?”

Madeline’s steely gaze sent shivers down Birkoff’s spine with her question. There was no way to avoid her scrutiny. His only course of reply was the truth. “Nikita’s been kidnapped. Michael’s trying to find a location on her. All he's doing is helping out someone he cares for. I don't really see the harm in that.”

“And despite the rules you believe it all comes down to how you see it?”

“It just seems strange. Nikita’s one of ours and we need to protect her,” he replied boldly.

Madeline’s look made him nervous as she continued. “Michael was told he had to do it on his own and not use any of Section’s resources.”

“I get the point. So what now? You're not going to cancel me about that are you?”

“No ... I'm actually quite pleased that you helped him.”

Suddenly looking up Birkoff couldn’t believe what he had just heard. “You ... are?” he asked incredulous that Madeline would go against Operations’ wishes.

‘Yes ... If Michael is able to locate Nikita, then the quicker we can get back on track for the Rising Dragons’ mission. Section has used enough man hours and Nikita is crucial to its success.”

Birkoff stammered not knowing what to say or how to reply. “Ahhh ... yes.”

“I know Michael has been granted his fifteen days and won’t report in. I want you to keep me informed on his progress ... if by chance he does.” The look Madeline gave him made Birkoff nervous, as her eyes held his waiting for his reply.

Having heard Madeline’s request, he was in two minds about what to tell her about the Intel they had found on one of the alleged kidnappers that could lead to Nikita’s whereabouts. Deciding it was in his best interests to come clean, Birkoff took a panel from his pocket and handed it to Madeline. She immediately loaded it onto her computer.

“Where did you get this?” she enquired studying the Intel on the disk.

“From the DMV database I did of the number plate of the car seen on the surveillance tape that Michael had of Nikita’s underground car park.”

Madeline looked Section’s Techo in the eye. “Tell me what you know.”

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

Sun Yee Lok sat in his office waiting for confirmation from one of his personal bodyguards Wang Yu or Karen on the success of the kidnapping of Nikita Wirth. It had been a long time coming but her incarceration had finally been arranged and it was all thanks to brother Jiang. Karen and Steven had befriended Nikita as ordered and now they would be able to extract the information from her that they knew she had on the Rising Dragons. Systematically they had been keeping a dossier on her and had it not been for Jiang Ng’s intervention they may not have been able to have her in their midst as soon as they had. His suspicions had set in motion the events that had occurred, but it was with great sadness that he would not be able to partake in the interrogation of this woman. Jiang’s sad demise from a heart attack was so unexpected that it had caught them unawares. Not only had the Rising Dragons lost a fine brother, but they had now lost their hold over the police at the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau. His loss would be great and a replacement hard to find.

Had it not been for Jiang’s quick thinking, the kidnapping of Nikita Wirth may have been postponed. There had been far too many coincidences surrounding her time in Hong Kong. The Inspector’s enquiries had been leaving far too may questions unanswered and it was this that had raised his suspicions about the coincidence of her movements and the disappearance of Tony Wong and Madame Cheung in particular. Miss Wirth would certainly be an interesting study and the triad leader looked forward to getting to the bottom of her knowledge about the Rising Dragons.

The sound of his private line ringing was the signal that things had obviously been put in motion. This was the call he had been waiting for as he’d been expecting an update on their prisoner’s detention. Reaching for the telephone’s handset he placed it to his ear but showed no surprise when Karen’s and not Wang Yu’s voice was heard.

I have news ...

“Ah Kai-lin ... has it been done?”

“Yes.”

“Good,” Sun Yee Lok answered waiting for her to elaborate further on the state of affairs thus far.

“It went very smoothly.”

“Excellent … Did our recruits Jason and his accomplice Simon, have any complications in the kidnapping?”

“No … They served the triad well.”

“This was an initiation test for them both that Wang Yu organized, which by your own admission they have passed with flying colours. We may use their services again then.”

“Wang advised them to lay low for a while though just in case.”

“Wang’s a good man, I trust his judgment.”

“So do I. There is also no way that Steven or I can be implicated in her kidnapping if questioned because of him and my alibi is watertight thanks to Jiang.”

“Yes … How fortuitous that Jiang had called you in to the OCTB for questioning by his detectives. It is certainly the perfect alibi.”

Regrettably, Sun Yee Lok remembered the last conversation he’d had with Jiang when he had cut him off in mid conversation in regard to the nightclub incident. He’d wanted to tell him something and he wouldn’t let him. Thankfully Wang had informed him personally of Jiang’s recommendations about Nikita Wirth’s kidnapping. Little did he know but it was the last thing he had organized for the triad.

It was unusual for the leader of the Rising Dragons to show any emotion but Karen heard sadness in his voice at his next words. “Our brother Jiang’s death is a great loss to us and one we will find hard to replace.”

“That is true … That’s why there is something I need to discuss with you.”

“I’m listening.”

“I fear that we are not safe here. I would suggest that we transfer Nikita to a more secure location. It is too close to Hong Kong.”

He too had anticipated this very thing and was glad that she had brought it up. “Where do you suggest?”

“Somewhere more remote and less accessible ... perhaps one of the outlying islands?”

“Hmmm … yes … I understand. Wang will see to it.”

“We will need to move quickly. Her male companion, Michael Samuelle, will be making enquiries about her whereabouts shortly.”

“We will take care of him … you take care of the woman.”

“I will.”

“Is that all?”

“I do have some other concerns.”

“What is troubling you Kai-lin?”

“Nikita will be a difficult target ... I feel that we may need to use some force if we are to extract the information we need.”

“Wang Yu, will provide everything that you need there. Knowing of his close association to me, Jiang Ng chose him personally to arrange the kidnapping of the woman and that went well. Now he will be your “Hung Kwan”. Whatever you need ... just say the word and it will be done.”

“That is good …”

“I will also contact Andy … I’m sure he can be of use too.”

“Yes … We may need his services soon when we have a new location.”

“You have done well my daughter … very well.”

“Thank you father.”


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Play on text from ... IB and TITB

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