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Date Posted: 07:17:45 10/06/07 Sat
Author: taurus2124
Author Host/IP: CPE-124-188-6-106.nsw.bigpond.net.au / 124.188.6.106
Subject: Chapter 131
In reply to: taurus2124 's message, "The Rising Dragons ... continued ..." on 07:09:02 10/06/07 Sat

Chapter 131


No sooner had Operations been informed that Michael was on his way to the perch than he received a surprise call from the very person he was always loathed to talk to ... George at Oversight.

“Paul...”

“George ... it’s good to hear from you again.”

“Yes I’m sure. How are things going with the Rising Dragons’ mission?”

“I sent you the Intel report last month. As you know Section One is making great inroads.”

“A little too slowly for Oversight though Paul ... are there any new developments yet?”

“Of course. Did you get my proposal on the tactical situation?”

“Yes, I did but Oversight wants results ... and so far we feel Section is floundering. Fix it Paul!”

“I have my best operatives involved George.”

“Michael and Nikita have everything under control then I gather?”

“Yes.”

”Good! See that they continue to do so!”

“Anything else?”

“Not at the moment but if I have any requests, I'll forward them to you.”

“You do that George ...” Then Operations cut him off with a brusque, “Look I'm afraid we're very busy.”

“Right ... But remember what I said ... I’ll expect Section to have something more concrete to show Oversight in the future. Goodbye Paul.

“George.”


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


Disconnecting the call Operations peered out of the window of the Perch overlooking the comings and goings in Section as he waited for Michael’s arrival. He had a lot on his mind particularly since his conversation with George. Oversight had been breathing down his neck wanting results from day one. He and Madeline had been able to keep George at bay but it would not be beyond the real of possibility for him to make a snap visit to Section. In the current climate that would be a catastrophe given all the anomalies that had been occurring lately ... the latest being Michael’s recalcitrant behaviour.

Operations had things to discuss with Michael ... the most pressing being his actions at The Triangle nightclub the changed situation in Hong Kong.

He was in two minds about his Level 5’s blatant disregard for orders. It was not the first time Michael had done so and it would probably not be the last, but his subordination could not go unpunished. However, in this particular case he had completely understood Michael’s reasons. Perhaps he would let this one slide this time because of the extenuating circumstances. After all the Rising Dragons mission was at a critical stage. They needed Nikita and they needed Michael to be on top of their game. Had Nikita been exposed it would have certainly jeopardised the mission considerably and been a terrible set back to all the good work done thus far.

Operations had a lot on his mind.

When Michael had not returned to Section One with his Team, he had summoned Birkoff to the Perch to please explain his failure do so. He’d been forced to say why Michael had been delayed. Although he was furious at his disregard for orders, it was fortuitous that Michael had been delayed after all. Having heard the audio of the conversation between Karen and Nikita, as well as reviewing the mission tapes and the visual from inside the nightclub, he understood his Level 5 operative’s motives. The unplanned shootings, and Nikita’s entrapment until Michael had come to her assistance, had been completely unexpected. It was apparent that she had indeed been trapped by members of the rival triads as well as members of the Rising Dragons. Hence the elimination of the hostiles was the only way for her to escape without blowing her cover.

As a consequence though, the situation in Hong Kong had now escalated because of the events at The Triangle. The presence of the rival triads at Andy Koo’s nightclub had exacerbated the problem, and given that there was such a confrontation and bloodshed, the triads would be restless to make amends. In short, the situation could become critical and highly volatile.

However, on the positive side, it had turned out to be a win-win situation for Section that had miraculously fallen into their lap and one that Section One would exploit.


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


Michael stood calmly collecting his thoughts before he quietly entered the Perch. “You wanted to see me?”

Operations had his back to him as usual and did not know his Level 5 operative was there, but at the sound of his voice he turned acknowledging his arrival. A stoic Michael Samuelle, stood with hands clasped in front of his body, waiting. Operations studied his cold operative’s demeanour. “Michael ... Good! ... You’re here. Birkoff told me why you were delayed.”

“It was beyond my control.”

“Yes ... Nevertheless we have things to discuss.”

“Of course.”


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


Michael had not moved from the position where he stood when he had first entered the room. His entrance had been as stealth as usual and standing his ground, he waited for his reprimand from Operations. Michael had been in this situation before and knew that the worst case scenario for him would be to be put into abeyance; however, he was sure that would not be his punishment. Not a single muscle flinched as he waited and observed Operations. It seemed to Michael that he was churning over in his mind what he would say to him.

Moving towards him Operations glared at Michael first then eventually spoke. Anger laced his tone of voice. “Michael... you disobeyed orders ...”

Standing his ground he looked at his superior then replied in the affirmative, “Yes,” while waiting for what would come next.

Operations continued but displeasure was etched on his face especially because of what he was about to say next, “... however ... under the circumstances there will be no consequences.”

Michael looked him in the eye and nodded his head in acquiesce, “Thank you.”

“I’ve just reviewed the post-mission statement and visuals on the mission. In fact the scenario couldn’t be better for us.”

“Yes ... That was my opinion as well.”

“This situation has played right into our hands beautifully. Andy Koo will now be free to spend time with Nikita since The Triangle will be closed indefinitely until they clean up this mess.”

Michael knew exactly where Operations was going with this. Nikita’s success on her previous cover mission with Madame Cheung was the litmus test that Madeline and Operations knew would work again. Andy Koo though was another proposition altogether. Michael gave his standard answer although in his mind he was churning over the possible dangers involved for her.

“Of course.”

His patented reply was a predictable response from his Level 5 Team Leader and one Operations expected. “She’ll be able to give us a better field perspective about Andy Koo and his association with the Rising Dragons just like she did with Madame Cheung.”

His statement raised a response from Michael. “And what about the OCTB?”

“That has already been taken care of. Inspector Jiang Ng will be informed that Nikita has a special assignment on the directive of the Chief Commissioner.”

“Won’t that make him suspicious?”

“Exactly ... but given his connection to the Rising Dragons, he can hardly refuse the Commissioner’s request. If he protests this could expose his link to the triad.”

This was worse than he thought. Nikita would be sitting duck ... Her subterfuge would expose her and could very well place her in serious trouble.

“Nikita will thus be in a position to bring in Andy Koo and Inspector Jiang Ng at the same time if the set-up plays out the way Madeline and I think it will.”

“And if it doesn’t?”

“We’ll create a third party ripoff ... that’s where you’ll come in. We have a perfect opportunity to make a move on Andy Koo. We won’t get a control window like this for months, we have to use it.”

“This could place Nikita in danger, especially if they realise she was responsible for a significant number of the deaths at the nightclub.”

“I disagree.”

It was apparent that Operations had no compunction about an operative being expendable if Section triumphed in the end.

“The attention will be on the Black Panthers and the 14K triads, not on Nikita. I’ve just finished studying Birkoff’s report. There’s a high percentage that Andy Koo will go into hiding if there’s any sign of trouble. He will be vulnerable and willing to lay low. That’s where Nikita will be at an advantage.”

“Is this on a temporary basis or were you thinking of something a little more … permanent?”

“It’s unclear how long but given Andy Koo’s apparent infatuation with Nikita, we feel that her continued connection to him can be extremely useful to us.”

“Of course.”

“Then, when the time is right, we’ll deal appropriately with all three of them including Sun Yee Lok as well. Nikita’s mission is justifiable. I’m sure not even Oversight would take kindly to your interference. Remember you are expendable Michael.”

“I know.”

“Nikita has her job to do and you have yours. If you’re harbouring any thoughts about separating Nikita from her assignment, you’d better get them out of your head.”

His silence at Operations’ statements was Michael’s only reply.

“You’re to become familiar with her current mission status that Madeline has profiled.”

“Of course. Is that all?”

“Yes, for the moment. Updates are on your PDA.”


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Play on text from ... TPR, MITM, DACP and LHAO

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