Chapter 171 -- LFN Storyboard 2

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Date Posted: 06:26:42 07/06/08 Sun
Author: taurus2124
Author Host/IP: CPE-124-188-8-162.nsw.bigpond.net.au / 124.188.8.162
Subject: Chapter 171
In reply to: taurus2124 's message, "The Rising Dragons ... continued" on 06:16:31 07/06/08 Sun

Chapter 171

It was early morning and the sun was just beginning to filter through the tree. Michael had packed up the camp and was ready to leave. He�d studied the map again and once satisfied about the route he was about to take, folded it up and roused Karen. Walking over to the tree where she was tied up, Michael gave her a swift kick with his foot. Karen immediately sat up and stared at the imposing figure standing over her.

�We�re leaving in five minutes. Be ready.� Michael walked away leaving her alone.

When he returned a few minutes later to untie Karen from the tree she was ready and waiting for what would happen next. Michael pushed her ahead of him and in so doing placed a tracker to Karen�s skin where it would not be seen under her ear. If by chance she managed to escape, Section One would be able to trace her movements. Physically escorting her to where the jeep was parked, Karen grudgingly got into the passenger seat with a scowl on her face. Once she was in the vehicle, Michael climbed in beside her. Turning over the ignition and putting his foot to the floor it was evident that he was in a hurry to get underway.

The jeep jerked forward as he accelerated, the tyres spun in the dirt as he left a cloud of dust in his wake. Moving away from the camp site Michael manoeuvred his way along the dirt track skirting the rugged mountain range leading to the Tsz Hsing Monastery while beside him his passenger sat silently her eyes glued ahead.

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

Birkoff entered Madeline�s office to report on the mission, but as he walked in, he stopped short when he saw Operations deep in conversation with her. He came further into the room and stood quietly before addressing his leaders. �You wanted to see me?�

�Yes Birkoff.� Madeline looked over Operations� shoulder at him. �Your work went well locating Michael.�

�Thank you Madeline.�

Operations turned to face him too. �So where are we then? Has there been any other communication from the Rising Dragons since they sent the last video disc?�

�Nothing ... but we�ve kept the channel open in case something else comes through.�

�And Michael? ... Do we have him under satellite tracking?�

�Yes sir ...� he replied looking at Operations. �He�s heading due north at the moment but he�ll need to diverge to the east when the road meanders around the mountain.�

�How long will it be until he reaches the monastery?�

�It�s difficult to be concise Madeline, but I estimate that it will take several hours to travel in this kind of terrain.�

�Can you be more specific?�

When pushed to give a definitive answer Birkoff replied, �At a guess I�d say around dusk.�

�Good.�

Birkoff nervously shifted from one foot to the other. Noticing his unease Operations asked, �Is there a problem?�

�I lost communication with Michael before I could ask about back up for the mission.�

�I see ... and what do you think?�

Birkoff looked up, flabbergasted at the question, wondering why Operations would ask his advice. �W-what? Me?�

�Yes Mr Birkoff... what do you think we should do?�

�It�s a ... subjective call. But I did a computer analysis.�

�An analysis? Don�t you mean a sim?�

�Yeah ... a sim,� he replied nervously. �That�s what I did.�

�And?�

Birkoff honestly stated his opinion. �Michael is the best operative that Section One has but ...�

�... even the best need help sometimes,� Madeline said finishing his sentence.

�And according to the numbers, there's a three percent advantage to going in to help him.�

Operations appeared mollified at his assessment, but he still watched Birkoff carefully. �Three percent ... Then, we go in.�

Madeline also acknowledged his statement. �We agree ... Under the circumstances I think a back up team would be beneficial.�

�See to it Mr Birkoff ... Put together a Team and organise a briefing in thirty minutes.� Operations added.

�Yes sir,� he nodded in assent.

�That will be all ... you may go.� As he departed, Operations' face showed he was in two minds about what had just transpired.

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

Once Birkoff had left her office, he turned back to his second in command.

By the look on his face Madeline knew Operations was not happy about something. �What�s the problem Paul?�

Taking umbrage he answered her question with one of his own. �Why wasn�t I told that Michael had contacted Section?�

�You had enough on your plate already Paul ... what with George and all.�

Ever the diplomat, Madeline had managed to diffuse his ire with her answer. George had been on their backs lately but now that Michael had contacted Section, things were back on track. Not only would he rescue Nikita but he may also eliminate other triad protagonists and find a vital clue to bringing the mission to a conclusion. Madeline felt that the end game was almost imminent.

�So another mission against the Rising Dragons is being profiled?� he replied placated by Madeline�s explanation.

�Yes ... that�s right. They�re a special priority again since Michael is no longer dark.�

�Then ... may I offer some input?�

�By all means.� Madeline was not surprised at his appeal. Operations was a proud man and if he felt as if he was out of the loop then he was not happy. Obviously Birkoff�s announcement had caught him off guard.

�We�re going to have to reallocate resources. I hope that won�t leave the other missions too thin.�

�They�ll be fine.�

�I was just making a comment.�

�All right.�

�It might also be hard in the time that Birkoff�s given us.�

�Although the Intel on the mission is weak, we�ll have to work what we already have on the triad at the monastery�s location and hope that Michael will succeed.�

�We should at least do a decent risk assessment.�

�There�s no time. We�ll send the back up team instead, and besides Birkoff gave you the numbers and you agreed.�

�Delay only increases the risk and Michael will risk everything to save Nikita.�

�I agree. I think we may have underestimated Michael.�

�Yes ... We misjudged him very badly. I never thought he could be so reckless.�

�Where Nikita is concerned ... he is predictable, but under the circumstances it has worked in our favour. You didn�t give him a choice Paul, but by backing down you have kept the mission on track, otherwise the fifteen days you allowed him could have seen the mission go pear shape.�

�You know, controlling the world is easy Madeline. What�s difficult is controlling them.�

�There�s another possibility. He�s just better than we are.� They both smiled at this comment. �He�s good. He and Nikita together are quite good. Fortunately even the best have weaknesses.�

Contemplating her statement, Operations nodded his head in agreement.

�The mission will proceed as planned. It won�t fail ... Michael will make sure of that.�

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

Passing through a densely forested acacia and Brisbane Box tree plantation, the condition of the track began to deteriorate as the challenging road became narrower and narrower. The wheels of the jeep spun in the dirt sending up a cloud of dust into the air. It became much more difficult and dangerous in sections and Michael had to slow the jeep right down to manoeuvre along the dirt track. He hugged the side road in sections as to his right the steep incline was extremely hazardous. One mistake could have sent the jeep careening over the embankment. Michael travelled along the track like this for a couple of kilometres until the road widened again and he was finally able to increase his speed.

Karen remained relatively quiet beside him. She knew that this was the most dangerous way of approaching the monastery and that it would take hours before they were anywhere near it. If only she had some way of communicating with Steven at the monastery then she could alert them to her predicament. Karen decided that the best course of action would be to wait until they were closer. The monastery was surrounded by sensors and if she was able to activate one of them without Michael knowing then they would know they were there. With that thought in mind Karen suddenly became talkative.

�This has nothing to do with the Rising Dragons ... has it?�

Michael didn�t bother to answer, but kept his eyes on the road as he concentrated on driving.

�It�s all about Nikita ... isn�t it? It's not just your job, is it?�

Michael paid no attention to her questions.

Rambling on Karen announced. �Yeah ... I�ve figured it out. You love Nikita and you want to rescue her so badly ... that you�ll go to any length to do it.�

The woman was babbling on but there was truth in her statement yet he still continued to ignore her.

�Well let me tell you something Michael Samuelle ... you won�t be able to protect her and yourself against the triad when they find us. So if I were you I�d let me go so that you can save yourself.�

A smug smirk crossed Karen�s face as she was convinced that her questions had hit their mark. Satisfied that she had made Michael feel uncomfortable she continued with her incessant questions and statements as they drove along.

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

The mountain track gradient increased and they began to climb once again. Below Michael could see a water reservoir and in front of him was the mountain summit. The views were tremendous; the area was dominated by magnificent craggy cones and peaks of the mountain range. The long distance to the monastery, combined with all the repeated climbing and descending made it a harder journey than at first thought. At the rate he was going it would be nightfall before they had reached the monastery; the sun was already starting to lower in the sky. They only had a few hours of daylight left. Michael knew that they needed to find the monastery before evening for another night spent in the forest meant another night that Nikita had to suffer alone.

Eventually they came to a stream where the crystal clear water was untouched by the pollution of civilization. The water cascaded over the side of the mountain into a deep ravine. When Michael began to pull the jeep over to park to refill their water bottles from the stream, Karen looked around for a way to escape. Deciding that this was her best chance she unbuckled her seat belt, bent on leaping out of the jeep. But when she tried to open the door, Michael merely reached out grabbed her hair and yanked her smartly back into the seat with a thump. Karen was no match for him. Duly chastised she slumped down in her seat ruing her missed chance at escape.

Finally stopping the jeep, Michael pulled out his map of the province and studied it closely for a while. He pocketed the map before filling the water bottles from the steam. Once done they continued on their journey. Turning right, the road began to suddenly drop then angled as he went down a fairly steep hillside�s rocky road. A little further on the road then became almost level. Once again Michael had to hug the shoulder of the road. Thankfully there was no traffic coming the other way for there was certainly no possibility of any two vehicles passing each other on the road. They had failed to see any other vehicles coming or going, hence Michael made an assessment. It was apparent that any transportation to and from the monastery was by air.

The sun was beginning to set. It was getting a little darker. He knew they must be nearing their destination. Karen wouldn�t have tried to escape if the monastery was not close at hand. Michael was more vigilant. Any sight of a level section that could land a helicopter or small plane would indicate they were near. Suddenly off to his left he saw it ... a small landing field with a helicopter parked on the ground. Pulling off the road Michael stopped the jeep in a wooded area under the cover of the trees. Making sure that Karen was secure, he got out of the jeep and peered through the foliage. There in the distance was a beautiful brick building standing peacefully in the glow of the setting sun.

At last he had arrived. Beyond the boundary ... somewhere in that building, the triad was holding his Nikita captive. Michael�s eyes clouded with a coldness to chill the bones.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Play on text from ... Not Was and AGT.

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