Chapter 164(V) -- LFN Storyboard 2

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Date Posted: 09:18:08 05/17/08 Sat
Author: taurus2124
Author Host/IP: CPE-124-188-8-125.nsw.bigpond.net.au / 124.188.8.125
Subject: Chapter 164(V)
In reply to: taurus2124 's message, "The Rising Dragons continued ...." on 08:39:51 05/10/08 Sat

Chapter 164(V)

Seymour Birkoff sat at his computer terminal lost in thought. He was in two minds trying to come to grips with being pulled in too many directions.

Madeline had given him the go ahead to try and contact Michael and she�d told him of Operations� back down. He knew Michael would want to know about that ... especially if he could muster Section�s resources in locating Nikita. Not only that, but on top of this directive from Madeline, Walter had questioned their motives for the back down. However, all Walter had done, was to sow the seed of doubt in Birkoff�s mind and now he was in a quandary as to what to do.

He was at an impasse ... damned if he did and damned if he didn�t ... hence his dilemma. Feeling a nervous tick begin to throb, the tension began to build until Birkoff was as fidgety as a cat on a hot tin roof. He had to weigh up what he was going to do.

Decisions! Decisions! What should he do? Madeline and Operations were being more reasonable but on the other hand, Walter had a valid point ... They had nothing on Nikita�s location and Michael wouldn�t come in unless they had a lead ... So far they were in the dark on gathering any Intel. Their only hope was that Michael had had more success on his own.

The sudden announcement of his name echoing was enough to bring Seymour back down to earth. In less than no time he was as diligent as ever.

�Birkoff ... we have an incoming.�

�Patch it through,� he stated and waited for the audio visual message to appear on his monitor. The transmission downloaded to his computer swiftly, but when he watched a snippet of the download, Birkoff was shaken by what he was witnessing. The visual was of Nikita. He immediately got the operative back on line and enquired as to its source.

�Giles ... Trace that call! ... ASAP!�

Anxiously he waited for a reply, but when the operative was slow in responding Birkoff asked impatiently, �What�s happened?�

�Sorry Birkoff, but we lost contact.�

�Damn it!�

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

Birkoff quickly made his way to the perch were he found Operations and Madeline deep in conversation. They both looked up when Birkoff entered the perch unannounced. �Is something wrong Mr Birkoff?�

�I�ve just received this from an outside line,� he stated holing up a disc in his hand. �It�s a communiqu� from the Rising Dragons. We downloaded an MPEG fifteen minutes ago.�

�That's odd. I was under the impression they knew nothing of Section One.�

�Well they do now,� Madeline added then turning to their computer whiz asked, �What is it Birkoff?�

�It�s a video disc of Nikita.�

�Do we know its origin?�

�No, Giles was unable to pinpoint a source.�

�Perhaps there will be something on the disc that will give us a location as to her whereabouts then.�

Birkoff looked very concerned. �I think you will both need to watch this.�

�Very well ... let�s see it.� Operations reached down and turned on a monitor.

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

They saw a man sitting in front of the camera then he moved to the side to reveal Nikita bound in a chair. Everyone stared, stunned, at the screen. The voice of the inquisitor spoke over screen images of Nikita.

Well, well, well; Section One people are all the same ... but let me inform you ... Nikita has not seen the last of this treatment. The Rising Dragons don't negotiate. If you want your material back ... the price is to send her accomplice Michael Samuelle. Don't dawdle. ... You've got 12 hours ... to produce the man in question or else we won�t be held responsible for our actions.�

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

Madeline and Operations shared a look. �Birkoff, have you come up with anything?"

Knowing what they were referring to he answered. �I'll find him.�

From now on our Mission profile has changed. I want all resources deployed toward one end. ... We must find Michael!�

�Yes sir.�

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

After leaving the perch Birkoff anxiously hurried over to see his buddy Walter with the news of the disc that had arrived mysteriously at Section One.

�Hey ... what�s got you so riled up?�

�This,� he said holding up the disc in his hand. �It�s not pretty." Looking around Birkoff ushered Walter into his back storage room.

�What do you mean?� Walter replied becoming a little anxious himself because of Birkoff�s behaviour and knowing that whatever was on the disc had certainly spooked his friend.

�You�ll have to see for yourself. Just watch it. You'll understand then,� he stated placing the disc in Walter�s recorder.

�Fine, Birkoff. Turn it on.�

He clicked the play button on and almost instantaneously a room that looked like some kind of primitive torture chamber appeared. The camera panned around it giving them a 360 degree view of the room. There were restraints on the wall, a small table holding what looked to be torture instruments off to one side as well as other apparatus that would be used to persuade any captive to talk.

A few moments later a door opened and they saw two masked men drag Nikita into the room. The camera panned in and Walter and Birkoff saw a close up of Nikita�s face. She had been knocked around ... from what they could see there were definite bruises around her eyes, her face was swollen and her cheeks were black and blue. However, her spirit was not broken though and she stonily threw angry looks at the two men.

Although bound, Nikita continued to resist as they secured her wrists with an old seat belt which they then attached to a thick chain hanging from the concrete ceiling of the room. Nikita�s arms were raised above her head and her feet scraped the floor. She looked dishevelled and weak but was still putting up a fight. Water suddenly began to drip from cracks in the ceiling onto her skin. Nikita�s midriff was bare and one of the guards pressed large, wet sponges to her body which were hooked up to a current. Birkoff and Walter watched as an electric current coursed through Nikita�s body and they saw her recoil with the pain.

Walter expressed the breath he didn�t realise he�d been holding. His hand automatically went to his mouth. �Oh ... no!�

The man that stood before her began to question her. �Who do you work for?�

When no answer was forthcoming the first guard prompted his assistant to shock her again. He did. Prodding her flesh with a bolt of electricity, Nikita�s body began to convulse violently.

�Well? ... I asked you a question. I�m waiting for an answer.�

Watching the transmission Walter flinched but was proud when as she refused to cry out with each electric shock they inflicted. Finally she called out, �No one.�

�It�s Section One ... isn�t it?�

Weak from the torture, Nikita shook her head, gasping from the pain. �Never heard of them ... I don�t know what you mean ... you obviously have me confused with someone else.�

Nikita hung weakly from the chain choking and gasping from the pain and the cold water dripping on her.

�You�re a liar ... we know you work for Section One.�

�No ... I don�t.� Yet another bolt of electricity zapped through her body.

�Why did they send you to Hong Kong?�

Even though Walter and Birkoff could see Nikita take a deep breath as if to brace herself against what she knew would be coming next, her resolve was ramrod. �You�re delusional ... I�ve no idea what you�re talking about.�

No cries of pain or protest were heard from the iron-willed woman. Impressed by her ability to withstand the treatment they had meted out, the man stated, �You have the courage of a man.�

Nikita gave him a deadly look. �How would you know?�

�Perhaps you think I�m the good cop, and he�s the bad cop. We�re both the good cop. In the next room is the bad cop.�

�Bring him on,� she goaded him with defiance.

Walter and Birkoff next saw a pair of booted steps approach and a more commanding figure, obviously the interrogator; walked slowly into the room and up to Nikita. Like his companions his face was hidden.

It was clear that Nikita recognised this man. �There�s no need to hide your face ... you�re a coward.�

The two guards stood to the side waiting further instructions. �Now, now Nikita, I�m upset with you.� Brushing off the guard who stepped forward, he reached over and turned off the water supply himself.

Nikita continued to regard him closely and watched her interrogator through hooded eyes.

�Good. You look at me. You realize it�s important to know the inquisitor,� the man added as he stepped up closer to her. Removing his mask but with his back to the camera he stated, �Is that better.�

�Much.�

�You�re well trained. Even now, even here, you look to find an edge. What do you see?�

Nikita raised her head fearlessly, not taking her eyes from him, watching him warily to see what he would do next.

�Tell me. What will soften my heart? Tears? Courage?� He stepped closer still, watching her very carefully. �Hmm ... none of these I see.�

Nikita continued to watch as he continued his mind games.

�You�re strong-willed Nikita. Is that your greatest strength or your personal flaw? I guess time will tell ... and we have plenty of that.�

Nikita give him a pat smile. The interrogator stepped up directly to her as if he was going to cut her down. She looked at him with a cold wariness, but refused to answer his questions.

�I don�t want you to get me wrong Nikita, but I really enjoyed our time together; I did. It�s a pity about dinner though ... I was looking forward to that.�

She continued to observe him directly with more strength in her eyes than her body could summon. She was weak and tired from the torture.

A little testy and frustrated by her lack of response he demanded. �Look at me!� He lifted Nikita�s chin up with a finger. �I need to know what you know about Tony Wong and Madame Cheung. You do remember them don�t you Nikita?�

�Who?�

�You tell me what I want to know and you�re free. You�ll live.�

�You ... go ... to ... hell!� was her acerbic reply.

�Hmm,� he mumbled before asking, �... and who is Michael Samuelle?�

�I�ve already told you ... he�s my brother.�

�No ... He�s your lover ... Is he Section too?�

�How would I know?�

�You�re lying ... he is your accomplice. Now where is he?�

Her interrogator turned away as if to leave, then he suddenly turned back. Coming up to face Nikita he lifted his arm and struck her with great might across the face. A rapid intake of breath was the only sound heard. Her head was thrown back from the force, and when Nikita slowly raised it, her nose was bleeding. Nevertheless, she looked him in the eye with defiance.

Realising that Nikita was not going to crack, the man nodded towards his companions and signalled for them to come forward and commence the water treatment again. �She�s obviously not going to tell us what we want to know; not this time anyway, so do what you can.�

He turned back to watch for the reaction from their guest with one final warning, �I assure you, Nikita that we mean business.� He then exited the room.

The tape suddenly went blank then, but Nikita�s muffled screams could still be heard.

Walter was thrown by the video. He was visibly distressed. �Oh my God ... my poor Sugar! Those bastards! I could kill them with my bare hands! We have to tell Michael.�

�Walter. I�ve already tried. He�s under dark cover, so there�s no way to even get a message to him.�

�Are you sure? Surely you can find a way. You have to ... Nikita�s life depends on it. Has Michael checked in at all?�

�No... not yet.�

�He will when he hears about the disc.� Walter added solemnly. �Keep trying Birkoff.�

�I�ll try the deep remote frequency channel again.�

�Good ... but do it quickly ... Nikita�s life could depend on it.�

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Play on text from ... War, Friend,MR, ITLG and TTBH

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