Madeline awoke to
semi-familiar surroundings, a bed in a white room. Disappointed, but not completely surprised
that her plan seemingly failed, she sat up gracefully and studied her
surroundings. The first thing she
noticed was that she wasn’t strapped in and the room wasn’t bare. ‘A buffered hostile’ Madeline mused and,
getting off the bed and sitting in the surprisingly comfortable chair near it,
waited for her ‘host’ to enter, believing she was somewhere in the Center. Realizing that hypothesizing on where she
went wrong and why she was still alive was futile until she had more details,
Madeline sat demurely and patiently waited for the steel door to open.
Madeline did not have long to
wait, but her visitor was not who she expected.
“Hello, Madeline.” The older Englishwoman stated, walking inside
the white room, carefully watching her former pupil for a reaction.
“
“Follow me, please.”
“Of course.” Madeline replied, following the older woman
out the door, refraining from asking any questions as she knew
What she saw on the other
side of the door once again was not what Madeline anticipated. Expecting to be in the bowels of the Center,
Madeline was surprised (this time hiding it better) when she walked out into
the hallway of what appeared to be a very lovely home.
Entering the formal living
room,
“Mr. Jones, I presume?” Madeline questioned the older woman.
“Very good, Madeline. You *were* my best student.”
“You taught me well.”
“Yes. You were always ahead of the others, even
Paul.”
“Why?” Madeline asked, the one word representing so
much.
“It was time for a
change. There is much we need to discuss
before the end game is played out.”
Madeline wasn’t upset, but
rather fascinated. She had known Mick
could not be Mr. Jones, but Adrian *was* a surprise. Quite frankly, Madeline did not believe the
older woman had enough allies to attain the position. As much as Madeline hated to be caught
unawares, this scenario was too intriguing to snub.
“I suppose I should start at
beginning.”
“Paul’s ascension to
power?” Madeline prodded.
“Still as sharp as ever,
perhaps it should have been *you* who ascended then.”
“I don’t understand.” Madeline admitted.
“’Mr. Jones’ was retiring and
needed a replacement. In order to
confirm his decision, I had to pass his test.”
“The ‘coup’ was part of the
profile.” Madeline stated, realization
dawning.
“Yes. You all acted as expected and I moved to the
Center.”
“What about your attempt to
regain Section One?” Madeline
questioned.
“Actually, that was yours and Paul’s
test.”
“Test?” Madeline echoed, sitting down and facing the
older woman.
“Yes, my dear.”
“Obviously.” Madeline stated,
knowing had one of them passed they would have replaced
“Right before my plans
supposedly ‘went to hell.’ By the time
Nikita climbed back into the car, the switch was made.”
“So you knew all along.”
“Of course, I planned it that
way.”
“That’s why you’re
here.” Madeline complimented her one
time mentor. “May I ask how we failed?”
“You didn’t cancel ‘me,’ but
instead decided to experiment.”
“Yes.” Madeline acknowledged. “It came back to haunt us when Michael took
the opportunity to blackmail us.”
“I’m pleased that you learned
from your mistake, though.”
“About that, I find it hard
to believe you didn’t discover his side deals before we did.”
“I did discover the truth, so
did someone else, actually.”
“Did we at least pass *that*
test?” Madeline inquired.
“Actually, you surpassed my
projections.”
“But...” Madeline prodded,
knowing her former teacher well enough to ascertain from her tone and demeanor
that there was one coming.
“But someone else in the
organization found out and brought the evidence to me even sooner, considerably
sooner, in fact.”
“I see. I don’t suppose you’re willing to elaborate
on the identity of your wunderkind?”
Madeline inquired, already debating with herself on who it could be,
knowing she probably wouldn’t get an answer, but curious nonetheless.
“Not yet. You’re not ready for it yet.”
“Not convincing enough.” Madeline countered, referring to the fact
that she was not investigating from the ‘outside’ as she and Paul had planned.
“Nikita and Mick were
convinced. I just knew you better, my
dear.”
“The contingency had been in
place for quite some time, actually.”
“When did you begin to
suspect Mick was a decoy?”
“When Nikita sat in on the evaluation. According to longstanding intel, Mr. Jones
would have done it on his own. Of
course, Nikita evaluating solo sealed it.”
“A miscalculation on my
part. I should have insisted he evaluate
key personnel alone.”
“Forty eight hours after my
death.” Madeline replied, seeing no
reason to lie.
“Well that leaves us another
whole day then.”
“Where are we?” Madeline finally asked a question of her own.
“My private sanctuary.”
“I see.” Madeline returned, noting
“That’s entirely up to them,
my dear.”
“Why am I here then?” Madeline inquired, her curiosity getting the
better of her, despite her vow to remain patient.
“Before I retire, I want you
to understand why you and Paul must remain in your current positions at this
time.”
“Compassion, or lack
thereof?”
“Only partially.”
“You’re referring to
Nikita?” Madeline inquired politely,
refraining from referring to her as a mole, knowing she’d successfully used the
same tactic several times herself.
“Yes. But not in the way you think.”
“So where did we go wrong?”
“Reprogramming. You destroyed the essence of what made Nikita
as good as she was and Michael’s numbers dropped as well. It was actually quite fortunate for
*everyone* that Michael was able to fix that mistake.”
“With your help.” Madeline supplied.
“Yes, with the information
gleaned from my double, we were able to come with an ‘antidote.’”
“Was that all that you felt
was wrong?”
“No. That error in judgment
was really just the beginning.”
“How so?”
“You and Paul lost
focus. The constant infighting and insecurity
distracted you.”
“Our numbers were consistent
throughout that time.” Madeline pointed
out.
“I wasn’t referring to POS
numbers, my dear.”
“Unlikely, given their
successes over the last decade.”
“I disagree. In fact, your recent ‘capture’ of their
tactician Starnes, proved my point.”
“We got the job done, Red
Cell’s base of operations was destroyed, the Director canceled.”
“Yet, Red Cell managed to
survive. Well enough, in fact to aid the
treasonous escape of two operatives, one of whom was level five.”
“Had Nikita been on her own,
without Center’s help, she would not have made it.” Madeline stated confidently.
“I’m sorry to disappoint you,
Madeline, but Nikita was on her own in her escape. But regardless, if Paul hadn’t been too busy
trying to make sure you were caught in the explosion and you hadn’t been too
busy ascertaining his profile and motives *and* trying to stay alive, Section
One could have ensured Red Cell’s permanent destruction.”
“What makes you so sure Paul
and I were at odds?”
“Oh, come now. Surely you must realize that nothing in
Section happens that I don’t know about.”
“Perhaps.” Was all Madeline would concede.
“I’m actually surprised you
forgave and forgot so easily Madeline. Only to go through similar circumstances
when the wayward operatives disappeared.”
As they neared
“Madeline.” The former Section operative greeted as the
two women neared the chateau.
“
“Mr. Davenport will show you
to your room while I attend to some business.”
“I think I remember the
way.” Madeline tried using
“It’s not the same room.
“Of course.” Madeline replied, following
“Please feel free to enjoy
all the amenities. You’ll be called for
lunch as soon as
Looking around Madeline took
in the understated elegance of the room and its adjoining bathroom. Knowing that although they weren’t visible
there surely were cameras and listening devices hidden, she forcefully emulated
a tired and bored façade and proceeded to surreptitiously investigate her
surroundings.
Entering the bathroom,
Madeline was surprised to see an assortment of toiletries, all the brands those
she herself preferred. Further
investigation revealed clothes in the dresser drawer that fit her usual
style. Realizing that her ‘abduction’
had been planned far ahead, Madeline proceeded to take advantage of the
amenities.
Feeling much refreshed after a shower and change of
clothes, Madeline put on fresh makeup and then proceeded to choose a book from
the rack in one corner of the room.
Smiling at the selection she was sure
One hour later, picking up
the ringing in-house phone, Madeline listened as
Arriving at a modest, casual
dining room, as elegant as the rest of the chateau (at least what she’d seen of
it), Madeline sat across from
“I hope you don’t mind the
rather informal setting, I prefer the formal dining room for larger affairs.”
“Not at all, this is
lovely.” Madeline replied.
“Good.”
“Problems solved?” Madeline inquired, referring to
“Not problem, but rather
opportunity. But yes, it’s been
resolved.”
Curious as to who else
Neither woman spoke for the
next half hour, quietly enjoying the delicious meal.
“Well.”
Knowing her former student
was awaiting ‘sentencing,’
“I am not going to cancel
you.”
“Then why the charade with
Mick?”
“Part of the profile.”
“I find that rather difficult
to believe, considering our recent past.”
“While I may not have agreed
with all your methods, and the fact remains that Section One has been on the
down swing in the last year, I believe you and Section are still salvageable.”
“I’m curious.” Madeline interrupted, genuinely puzzled. “Why now? And why bother at all? I’m sure you have people you have more trust
and faith in?”
“You were my best student,
Madeline. You can still go further. You will never lead Center, but that doesn’t
mean you have to stay in Section One either.
You always had as much, perhaps even more, potential than Paul.”
“Had?”
“Part of the blame lies with
me. I let things get out of hand.”
“So why *didn’t* you
intervene earlier?”
“By the time George’s treason
came to light, it was too late.”
“So, how did you find out
about George?” Madeline tried again.
“As I said, I didn’t. Someone else did. I merely confirmed it.”
“So who *is* your
successor? Nikita?” Madeline inquired.
“She is quite formidable,
isn’t she?”
“What events?” Madeline asked curiously, realizing she
wasn’t going to get an answer to her original question just yet.
“Her ‘betrayal’ of me. That was actually her final test before I
stepped up her role. It proved to me
that she still believed in Section’s goals, at least somewhat.”
“Yet she is not replacing
you, is she?”
“No, the very reason we
recruited her is the same reason she cannot advance that far.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Her contempt for the
organization is what enabled her to work so well for us. By the same token, that same contempt would
not allow her to run it effectively.”
“I see.” Madeline replied, refraining from asking
anything else as she saw
“Your next appointment is
here.”
“Well, my dear, it seems that
our time is up. That unexpected business
moved up my timetable.”
“Why?” A shocked Madeline inquired, not expecting to
stay at her current position, let alone advance.
“Your potential is still
there, use it. Do not fail me again, Madeline.
Your cancellation would not be the only consequence.”
“Who will I be assisting?”
“Your new ‘boss’ will pick
you up Wednesday morning. As it stands,
Nikita will take your place in Section One.
If you don’t perform to standards you will, *at best,* trade places.”
That said,
********
In another part of the world,
not all that far away from
“Nikita.” Jones smiled in greeting, trying
unsuccessfully to put his favorite double agent at ease. “Have a seat.” He pointed to the chair on the other side of
his desk.
“You wanted to see me.” Nikita stated reflexively while remaining
standing, inwardly wincing at yet another painful reminder of a past she
couldn’t seem to let go.
“Yes. I want to formally congratulate you on a job
well done.” Center’s day to day leader
continued in his Jones persona.
“Officially?” Nikita echoed, intuitively dreading the
coming conversation.
“Yes. I’m promoting you to level six.”
“Why?” Nikta asked, taken aback, expecting a
promotion, but not of this magnitude.
“You’ll be taking over
Madeline’s duties at Section One, level six is the minimum requirement.”
“So, Madeline is really
dead?”
“No.” Mr. Jones contradicted. “I’m moving her to Oversight. She’ll be assisting George’s replacement.”
“I don’t understand.”
“It’s simple really, I meant
what I said, her fortitude is commendable as are her other skills. While she may not be ideal for second in
command to Paul, I feel she *is* ideal for Oversight’s second.”
“And I’m ideal for Paul’s
second.” Nikita surmised.
“Yes.”
“I’m not ready.”
“You may not be ready to
admit you *want* the position, but you *are* ready for it.” Mr. Jones contradicted. “Look how well you’ve done over the past
year. Not to mention that you’ve managed
to accomplish, in a relatively short amount of time, what Paul and Madeline
failed to do for a decade.”
“And what was that?” Nikita asked, curiously.
“Crushed all emotion out of
Michael Samuelle.” Jones replied. “Oh, come on Nikita.” He admonished at the devastated expression on
his operative’s face. “You must have
questioned the timing of my orders to further the relationship regardless of
the consequences.”
“I…I don’t understand.” Nikita stammered, her thoughts whirling and
chaotic.
“Simone’s death didn’t do it,
neither did having to abandon his son.”
“Yes, it did.” Nikita disagreed.
“No.” Jones contradicted. “After Simone’s death, he shut down, but the
emotions were there, buried, but there.
Your recruitment was fortunate in more ways than one. By bringing out his emotions again, you
showed us that there was more work to be done.
After his blood cover ended, Michael was merely suicidal, not
emotionless.”
“My betrayal was the final
nail. You planned this all along. Did you plan my being subjected to the Gelman
process too?” A shocked Nikita
interrupted, standing up and beginning to pace, her own emotions unleashed.
“Nikita. Please sit down.” Jones commanded rather than suggested. “And let me finish.”
“Of course.” Nikita acquiesced, horrified at her outburst,
knowing that it was her behavior at Center that would mean life or death for
Michael, much as *his* behavior in Section all those years meant hers.
“Although I can be and *am* a
bastard at times, no, I did not plan or expect them to use Gelman’s process on
you. My mistake. Ironically, however, Michael’s tenacity in
‘bringing you back’ sealed the profile for the end game, proved to me he wasn’t
ready.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You’re good, Nikita, but not
that good. Michael recognized your
sacrifice for his freedom for what it was. But your ‘snow job’ over the last
three years and your true role in the organization finally showed the man that
the only constant in his life is the organization.”
“I thought we had a deal, you
promised you would let him go, but you continue to talk about Michael as if
he’s still in the organization.” Nikita
commented.
“I’m not finished with him as
of yet, I still have plans for him.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? You’re reneging on our deal?”
“On the contrary, I’m
adhering to our deal.” Jones
replied. “You wanted my assurance that
Michael would not be canceled. I kept my
part of the bargain.”
“So why are we having this
conversation?” Nikita asked, fearful of
the answer.
“Michael will continue
working for me, just in another capacity.”
“You said he would be alive
*and* free.”
“No. You assumed too much.”
“Excuse me?” Nikita returned, bewilderment and a growing
anger replacing her anxiety.
“All I promised was that
Michael would not be canceled and that I would allow you to ‘rescue’ him from
the abeyance mission. I never told you I
would ‘set him free.’ Your mistake
was assuming that I wanted him dead.”
“Then what did you
want?” Nikita asked, realization finally
beginning to dawn.
“Exactly what was
accomplished. Michael committed to the
organization and *nothing* else.”
“To what end?”
“To be an effective
replacement for George, of course.”
Jones answered while Nikita paled, the pieces of the puzzle falling into
place. “You will remain at One as second
in command. Madeline, who by the way is
very much alive, will assist Michael at Oversight.”
Once she recovered enough
from the conversation Mr. Jones ordered Nikita
to return immediately to Section One to assume her new role. As soon as
she left Center, Jones got up and prepared himself for his next appointment –
Michael Samuelle.
By the time she arrived in
Section, Nikita regretted her decision to work for the Center. If she could go back she would have taken the
bullet rather than the false promises of a brighter future for her and for
Section. Jones was as ruthless as
Operations could ever hope to be. All
she had wanted in exchange for her lifelong services was to free the one person
who had risked it all for her time and time again, but all she’d succeeded in
doing was destroying that man. Nikita’s
guilt and remorse would long be a reminder of the insidiousness of the
organization she worked for and her motivation for changing it. She knew she and Michael had no future, Jones had seen to it, but she vowed to do
whatever it took to make sure it didn’t happen to anyone else.
********
Taking a deep breath and
readying himself for another command performance, Jones entered one of the
Center’s modified white rooms.
“Go ahead.” He spoke to the medtech, giving him
permission to administer the drug to the figure on the bed. Knowing the reaction time to the administered
drug would be short given the subject, he ordered the technician away, leaned
comfortably against one of the walls and waited for his ‘prisoner’ to wake
up. He wasn’t disappointed, mere moments
later, far ahead of normal reaction time, the figure in the bed opened his eyes,
immediately alert and wary.
“Hello, Michael.”
“Mr. Jones.” Michael returned blandly but politely to his
superior. When he’d emerged from the
forest there had been a team from Center waiting for him. Beyond caring enough either way, Michael
didn’t even question whether or not Nikita had set him up again. Resolved once more to his fate, Michael did
not resist. Even still, as soon as he
entered the waiting van, Michael was injected with a strong sedative. As he lost consciousness, Michael wondered if
this was finally the end of the road.
“Considering the situation,
we’ll just skip the pleasantries and get right down to business.”
“Fine.” Michael returned, curious as to why he was
unrestrained or even alive for that matter, but unwilling to show it.
“Follow me please.” Jones stated, then waited momentarily for
Michael to follow him. Emerging from the
room, Jones waved away his bodyguards and led Michael out to the lush grounds
surrounding the Center. Besides
offering privacy, the walk would help return Michael’s circulation back to
normal after the lengthy time spent immobile and unconscious.
Surprised at the confidence
in him implied by leaving the bodyguards behind, Michael as he had been trained
to do over the years, buried his chaotic
thoughts and waited for his superior to speak.
“I’m sure among your other emotions, there is
anger.” Jones began, testing the waters.
“No.” Michael contradicted.
“No?” Jones echoed, secretly pleased, but not
showing it.
“There’s nothing.” Michael elaborated.
“I don’t believe that.” Jones returned, further testing the level
five operative’s resolve by goading him.
“You’ve seen to it.” Michael returned, without any emotion then
asked the only question he had left.
“Why?” He’d served almost half
his life for the cause, giving everything they’d asked for and more, but still
it hadn’t been enough. All that was left
now was WHY.
“Ah, the million dollar
question.” Jones paused, his rehearsed,
perfectly honed speech at the ready.
“You were good, Michael, I don’t mind telling you. The best.
But you had one weakness.”
“Nikita.” Michael stated with certainty, still not
understanding why he was there (and not dead) other than to rehash his
‘failures.’
“No. Nikita was, for lack of a better phrase, a symptom, not the
disease.” Jones contradicted, purposely
using the past tense and that analogy specifically.
“Then what was the
disease?” Michael asked as he knew was
expected, but with little real interest.
“Your caring and feeling too deeply, of
course. It’s what got you into Section
in the first place.” Jones paused. “After the bomb blast your co-conspirators
fled immediately, but you stayed behind.
The police and the press made it out to look as though you stayed to
watch the fruits of your labor, to gloat at the carnage created by the bomb you
helped build. You didn’t protest to the
contrary. Even at sentencing when remorse might have spared you the death
penalty, you didn’t defend yourself or give up the others.”
“What is your point?” Michael asked, blank stare in place, the pain
of his past sins not as strong as it used to be, more recent sins taking their
place.
“My point is that they were
wrong.” Jones answered patiently. “You didn’t defend yourself for the same
reason you didn’t leave the scene. You
cared about what happened and the families that suffered. So affected were you, you felt the death
penalty was justified and when Section brought you in, you felt that was
justified too.”
“Why bring the distant past
out now, it’s over, but you know that.”
“And how would I know
that?” Jones asked, curious as to
Michael’s reply.
“George’s neural
scrapes. I’m sure you saw the data
recovered and know exactly what my and others’ present state of minds are.”
“You *are* as good as I
thought, maybe even better.” An impressed
Jones returned. “You’re right of
course. George’s failed attempt, while
unauthorized, proved very useful, indeed.
Led us down our current path.
Confirmed much that I suspected about One and some that I didn’t.”
Knowing his superior would
not tell him anything anyway, Michael waited for Jones to continue his
reminiscing.
“Yes.” Jones continued. “George believed you would be a good leader
for Section One and one day for Oversight after your stint as leader when
Operations went to Center.”
“A test?”
“Yes. Of you and Operations. You both acted according to profile.” Jones
stated, omitting exactly whose profile they followed, but pleased at his
subordinate’s ability to correlate and connect past events.
“Of course your subsequent
actions changed George’s mind. Defying
Section time and again did not sell you as a company man. By the time he attempted the neural scrape,
not even the knowledge that you had, but several short months before that,
saved his life, would have helped you.”
Jones paused, noting with satisfaction the lack of emotion in Michael’s
countenance at another revelation of Center knowing all, secrets
non-existent. “But, you knew this.”
“Yes.” Michael confirmed, remembering telling Nikita
they wouldn’t survive under George as his reason for helping Operations.
“I must say that I was
surprised at the data recovered from your neural scrape, even the little that
*was* recovered.” Jones acknowledged
Michael’s successful ‘block’ of that particular plan of George’s. “I would have thought that by then you would
not have needed any further reminders of where emotion would lead.”
“Reminders?”
“Yes. Reminders. Some planned, others just fortuitous
circumstance. Simone, Adam – they were planned.” Jones elaborated. “While Simone’s capture and subsequent death
was certainly not planned let alone ordered, it was just a matter of time and
probability that she would be lost in the field. I miscalculated.”
“In what way?” Michael asked dutifully.
“I thought your wife’s death
would prevent you from forming any more attachments. The Vacek mission was supposed to be
confirmation of your successful education but instead showed that you failed to
learn from Simone’s fate. Nikita was
originally Madeline’s idea as was ordering you to have a child with Elena. She thought they would distract you. Turns out Madeline miscalculated as
well. You grew attached to both.” Jones paused as they neared the glass table
outside the garden entrance of the Center.
He sat down and waited for Michael to take his seat across the table
before he continued. “Both Madeline and
I misjudged you once more. We both
counted on the endgame of your blood cover ‘wiping out’ residual emotions. Your suicidal attitude once closure was
achieved and attempts at interfering with their subsequent protection along
with your single mindedness to deprogram Nikita is what brought us here.”
“Why?” Michael’s economical one word question.
“Nikita was a last
resort. She had been working for me for
almost three years, but ‘stepping up’ your personal relationship was not
mandated until it became apparent that you still hadn’t learned from the
past. You disobeyed your superiors, went
rogue to deprogram her and used *me* as well as other Section resources to help
you. As if that wasn’t enough, you not
only helped Nikita escape the Section, but you went with her.” Jones finished listing Michael’s
transgressions in a matter of fact tone, befitting one who had achieved the
desired outcome after long and careful planning.
“What’s the point of all
this?” Michael finally asked, having had
enough of this conversation and just wanting to meet his fate, whatever it was.
“You always were a bottom line man. Fine then.
It’s simple.” Jones paused. “I still need a replacement for George and
you’re the man.”
“I don’t understand.” Michael admitted. He’d already figured out that he wasn’t going
to be cancelled, but he never expected this.
From the conversation Michael had guessed that Jones was making sure
that he’d learned his so called lessons so that he’d never repeat those same
‘mistakes’ in the future. His future,
though, Michael had assumed was to be transferred to another Section, perhaps
even head one. He did not suspect to be
transferred to Oversight, let alone lead it.
“Truthfully, I’d have
preferred you spend some time as a Section head first. But that’s not going to happen. Paul is not ready for the advancement,
perhaps he never will be. You are the
only other choice.”
“Why this endgame?” Michael asked referring to the abeyance
mission he was placed on and the events that preceded it.
“Several reasons.” Jones paused then gave Michael the only
portion of the answer that affected him directly. “You needed to *finally* realize no
attachments or strong emotions are viable and to trust and rely on no one but
yourself and the cause. From what I’ve
seen, it worked.”
“Yes.” Michael replied, almost smiling at the bitter
irony.
“You realize, of course, that
if I didn’t believe in your continued commitment to the cause, you *would* be
dead.”
“What convinced you?” Michael asked, genuinely curious and already
thinking about his possible future.
“I planted a sleeper in Red
Cell. She was very convincing and
reached considerable ranking.”
“Satin.” Michael surmised, the pieces falling into
place. “That’s why she was taken to
Center.”
“Yes. Your action and words to the young woman
before she was taken away confirmed your continued belief in, if not loyalty
to, the organization’s cause.” Jones
paused. “It also confirmed Madeline and
Paul needed to be separated.”
“You have Madeline.” Michael stated knowingly.
“How do you know she’s
alive?” Jones asked
“Does it matter?”
“No.” Jones conceded, the issue not important
enough to force an answer. “The point is
Madeline is being transferred to Oversight.
Will working with her be a problem?”
Jones asked out of courtesy even though Michael’s position on the matter
was irrelevant at this point.
“Of course not. What would her role be?” Michael asked diplomatically.
“An advisor, not an
equal.” Jones smiled at Michael’s
tact. “Your second.”
“I see.” Michael returned, showing no reaction to the
irony of being placed in charge of his tormentors.
“Good. Any questions?”
“Do I have a choice?” Michael asked even though he was sure of the
answer.
“Of course. Cancellation is still an option.” Jones supplied the answer Michael
expected. “I’ll be finalizing details of
the personnel reconfiguration the rest of the day. We’ll go over specifics tomorrow. In the meantime, Monique will show you
around.” Jones motioned to his assistant
who was standing next to two large, burly operatives.
“When do I start?” Michael inquired.
“The day after tomorrow. The position has been vacant too long as it
is. Feel free to enjoy the surroundings
until then.” Jones replied, then nodding
at the two operatives warned, “But stay
close to your bodyguards, we wouldn’t want anything to happen to the new head
of Oversight.”
“Of course.” Michael replied, watching Jones walk away and
his new bodyguards fall into step behind him.
As he was being shown around,
part of Michael’s brain absorbed what he was seeing and hearing. Another part, though, was contemplating this
turn of events. He ‘heard’ the unspoken
threats and promises behind Jones’ words.
But Michael didn’t need them, he’d already made up his mind. He’d take the promotion ‘offered’ and do
whatever it took to make sure there would one day be no need for sacrifices
like his and people like him, a better place for Adam to grow up in.
Jones was right. To achieve what he wanted, there was no room
in his life for any thing, or any *one* else.
********
Wednesday morning came and
things started falling into place in the Center, Oversight and Section.
Nikita was ensconced in Madeline’s
office, preferring not to change anything *too* drastically. She left the austere office as is except for
the ever-present flowers. Not a fan of
(or talented in) horticulture, Nikita replaced the various live flowers with
her own wire sculptures ones. Her
collection was small, but it would grow.
In the end, Nikita decided that leaving the office as is and
‘cultivating’ her flower collection would serve as a constant reminder of her
predecessor. A reminder to make sure she
did not follow in the older woman’s footsteps.
Nikita knew working with
Operations would be difficult, but she’d made her proverbial bed and she now
had to lie in it. All the should have,
could have, would haves in the world would not change anything. She had agreed to work for Center to ‘fix’
Section One and now she had to honor that agreement. Knowing Michael would be in charge of
Oversight somewhat alleviated the pain of that separation.
Although there were many
things Nikita would have changed over the last years three years, her
relationship with her former trainer was not one of them. As painful as it was now, she would not trade
the moments of peace and happiness they had shared, as brief and precious few
as they had been. She knew they were
both ultimately doomed to a lonely life, as were everyone else subjugated to
the world of anti-terrorism, but at least she knew, however brief it was, some
measure of completeness and it was worth it.
She hoped one day Michael would feel the same.
What Nikita did regret was the
way they had to part, but the decision hadn’t been hers. While the relationship was based on a lie, it
flourished and became real nonetheless.
But as soon as Michael started breaking protocol the die was cast.
‘Whatever it takes to sever all ties,’ the unspoken threat clear. The spirit or the flesh, one had to die. She selfishly chose the spirit, hoping the
flesh would find a way to move on. Only
time would tell if she had made the right decision.
********
Operations stood in his
darkened aerie, surveying the scene below him.
Over twenty five years, half his life, had been devoted to ‘the
cause.’ His family had been the first
of many sacrifices he’d had to make.
Operations’ emotions had
gotten the better of him and Section One several times over recent years. Ironically, many of those instances involved,
and gave an eagle eye view of his shortcomings to, Center’s informant and his
new second in command. Operations was
sure that lack of compassion *was* a factor, but only one of several. He was good enough for his position, but not
good enough to advance.
He had given his all, done
what he thought was best and it hadn’t been enough. He had been so close, but his misjudgement of
his own personnel had been his undoing.
He’d underestimated both Michael and Nikita, Nikita especially. The what ifs didn’t matter. What if Nikita’s adjustment had been
permanent? What if he had stood by his
decision to cancel Nikita after her two years of training? What if he’d kept a looser leash on Michael? What if he’d picked a different second in
command? What if he hadn’t jumped the
gun and waited until
In the end, they’d all
brought him here. Status quo for so
long, then the power struggle with, and victory over, George. But now? Now there were too many changes in
too short a time, his mind rebelled at accepting them all. But in the end, did he have a choice?
The easiest to accept, of
course, was Madeline’s promotion. That
was an eventuality he’d been prepared for.
He’d always known Madeline had more potential to advance in the
hierarchy than he did. While they were
both committed to the cause and the organization, Madeline had let it take over
*completely.* The woman lived and
breathed the cause. Nothing of her
personality remained, Section her only purpose.
Operations had understood why, despite Madeline’s lack of the same
compassion Nikita had told him he needed to advance, she’d been the one to
advance. While she *did* lack that
quality, it didn’t matter because she also lacked any other qualities or
emotions that would interfere in her doing the job. Her only motivation, whatever the means, had
always been what was good for the Section. Operations couldn’t say the same. He hadn’t been *that* upset when he thought
her lost along with Red Cell’s Director because her single minded devotion and
his goals were already clashing.
Shifting his gaze, Operations
watched as Walter packed up the last of his belongings and gave final
instructions to his replacement.
Walter’s transfer was a long time in coming. A kinship for a fellow war horse and
loyalties even older than his time in Section had kept Operations from letting
any harm come to Walter despite his flagrant violations. He’d thought Belinda’s cancellation would
make Walter understand, once and for all, the world that they lived in. When the intended message wasn’t received,
Operations still couldn’t bring himself to retire or demote the other man. The one time he did send him into retirement
was to make sure Walter didn’t interfere with brainwashing Nikita. After Nikita’s deprogramming Walter continued
to break the rules and Operations continued to look the other way. How ironic that it was the person that Walter
had bent or broken most of the rules for that was the one to ‘turn him in’.
Turning away from the window
momentarily, Operations’ thoughts moved to Michael, his subordinate for the
last decade, now his superior. Their
relationship had gone through many highs and lows over those ten years, most of
the lows in the last five. Again, the
catalyst had been Nikita. As soon as she
had entered the picture, nothing had been the same.
Simone’s death, while
devastating Michael, had not ruined the triumvirate of Operations, Madeline and
Michael. The dynamics had stayed the
same until the level five operative’s attraction to his material turned into
something more. Michael’s loyalty to
his superiors and to Section disappeared in proportion to his involvement with
the blonde operative. So much so, that
Operations felt justified in ordering the young man’s cancellation on more than
one occasion, his skills and potential be damned.
They had recently begun to
repair the relationship, Operations immediately elevating Michael as his second
for the brief time Madeline was thought dead.
He’d even assured him The Perch when Operations thought he would be
replacing George himself. Operations
had always known Michael would advance, he just didn’t know it would be ahead
of him. How ironic that just a few weeks
ago, Operations smugly offered Michael Section One while he moved up and now it
was Michael who was moving up while Operations had to ‘fight’ to keep his
job. The biggest irony, of course, was
that it was Nikita herself who did to Michael in one fell swoop what Operations
and Madeline couldn’t do in ten long years – wipe out his emotions and make him
‘perfect’ for the job.
Deciding this line of thought
was counterproductive at this time, as there was much to be done this morning,
he turned back to the window only to see Nikita crossing comm, on the way back
from Madeline’s old office. Out of all
the changes and surprises, this was the hardest to stomach. The perennial thorn in his side, the
operative that should have never reached level one, let alone anything higher,
was his new second in command. The fact
that the young woman had been no more than an informant for their superiors was
bad enough. That she fooled them all for
three years was galling. So, she
answered to the Center, at least now Operations knew where more of his enemies
lay and would be all the more careful for it.
Operations didn’t survive and sacrifice this long just to end up here,
he *would* go higher, it would just take a little longer.
Knowing Nikita was headed for
the aerie Operations prepared himself for his first official meeting with the
‘new blood.’
“You wanted to see me?” Nikita inquired upon entering the aerie,
then inwardly grimacing at her reflexive imitation of her former mentor.
“Yes.” Operations almost smiled, the significance of
Nikita’s language not escaping his notice.
“I’d like to clear the air before we officially begin working together.”
“Of course.” Nikita replied then quickly mentally berated
herself for yet another ingrained ‘Michaelism.’
“Contrary to what you might
believe, I hold no animosity towards you.”
“Really?” Nikita returned, this time measuring her
words more carefully. “I find that hard
to believe.”
“Actually, for the first time
in the six years you’ve been here, I can see why you were recruited.” Operations returned, knowing that Nikita
wasn’t going to like the direction of this conversation.
“Meaning what?”
“I told you several years ago
you were becoming one of us, but I never realized until the last few days how
true that was.” Operations continued,
knowing he was digging the knife deeper and enjoying himself even though he was
sure he would pay the price down the road.
“In fact, I want to congratulate you on a job well done.”
“Which job are you talking
about?” Nikita asked, even though she
was dreading the answer.
“Cleaning up Section, of course. Your promotion is well deserved, you’ve
accomplished and done things I never could have.” Operations couldn’t resist the dig. “Breaking Michael, one upping Madeline,
demoting Walter for breaking the rules for you.
If Birkoff was alive, I could only imagine what you would have done with
him.”
“I just did my job.” Nikita returned mildly, knowing Operations
was trying to keep her off balance and not giving him the satisfaction of
seeing how close to home he was hitting.
“Tell me something. Why destroy Michael?” Operations asked more seriously, genuinely
troubled. Despite everything, he
inexplicably found himself defending and caring about the younger man. “Did you not feel *anything* for the man who
had kept you alive for six years?”
“You wouldn’t
understand.”
“You might be
surprised.” Operations prodded.
“Michael wouldn’t have
survived the way he was. I was under
orders to ‘fix’ that.” Nikita hedged, not wanting to get into this, but needing
to convince *herself* more than Operations that she did the right thing.
“So you destroyed what he was
to give him a future.” Operations
concluded, almost smiling at the irony.
“Yes.” Nikita confirmed.
“Congratulations. You finally accepted that the ends justify
the means.”
********
While Nikita and Operations
were talking in the darkened aerie, Walter was busy packing the last of his
things, having already given final instructions to his replacement. Jason was helping, Walter allowing it, even though he really
didn’t need it.
Walter was the only friend
Jason had left in Section One. Jason
hadn’t been here all that long, but he’d realized very quickly friends were
very rare in Section. Naomi was
certainly not his friend, let alone anything more. Jason knew better, he wasn’t fooled by her
‘offer.’ The only reason Naomi wanted
any kind of relationship with him was because she knew he had been ‘promoted’
to head of comm. Jason realized Naomi
had just done her job when it came to him and nothing else.
Nikita was another one who he
thought was his friend. That one also
went out the window as soon as the evaluations started. Jason may have not been one of the operatives
evaluated, but that didn’t mean he didn’t know what was going on. He knew that Nikita was doing her job for
Center, and that was fine. What bothered
Jason was the fact that she was able to sentence Walter and Michael to their
fates. Both men had gone to great
lengths to keep her alive even when Center apparently couldn’t care less.
Walter treated Nikita like
his own daughter, stuck his neck out for her countless times. Walter had, in their short acquaintance,
regaled Jason with stories of how Nikita and Michael, sometimes with Walter and
Seymour’s help, sometimes on their own, outwitted their superiors and stayed
alive to tell about it. Walter had
honestly believed they’d made it ‘out.’
Now, after everything, Nikita had turned on him, nice way to treat your
‘father’ regardless of the *job.*
Of course betraying Walter
was nothing compared to betraying Michael.
Jason hadn’t known the former level five operative very well but he’d
heard plenty through the grapevine and even more from Walter. After Nikita and Michael supposedly escaped
the Section, Walter had revealed to Jason the lengths that Michael had gone to
for Nikita’s welfare. Hell, Jason didn’t
need to hear it from someone else, he’d seen with his own eyes the desperation
with which Michael had tracked down and rescued Nikita after she had been
kidnapped by a madman and left for dead (again) by Section. Betraying that kind of devotion, whatever the
reason, was enough incentive to make sure to give the perpetrator a very wide
berth.
Jason knew the realities of
Section One, he’d work with Nikita, no problem, but trust her? About as much as he trusted Operations. At least Michael had gotten the hell out of dodge,
even if not under the best of circumstances.
But then again, he *did* have to work with Madeline, another scary
bitch, possibly even scarier than Nikita.
Jason had already, in his
short time in Section, learned something his brother never did in his long
‘career’ there – don’t trust, help or get too close to *anyone.*
********
Having said goodbye to the
only person left in Section he’d still cared to talk to, Walter took one final
look around, slung his bag over his shoulder and strode down the hallways to
van access where transport was waiting to take him to the Farm. On his last walk through the halls that had
been his home for the last thirty years (locations may have changed and
schematics updated but the foundation was still the same) Walter reflected on
his years in Section and the events leading up to his ‘demotion.’
Contrary to popular belief,
Walter was once a cold op, not the best but not abeyance fodder either. His munitions post was accidental. On a mission gone wrong in which he was team
leader their weapons op went down and as luck would have it, the new explosives
malfunctioned as well. Not one to accept
failure graciously or easily, not to mention his team’s lives hanging in the
balance, Walter improvised and repaired the timer on the explosives.
When his team got back to
Section One, Adrian, their then leader, debriefed him. It was a rare occurrence, she usually had her
second in command, Paul Wolfe handle briefings and debriefs, preferring to
watch the video feed in her office. The
reason for her appearance became clear at the end of the extended debrief when
she ‘requested’ Walter’s assistance in munitions until a suitable replacement
could be found. Walter had been head of
munitions ever since.
A lot had changed since that
day almost twenty years ago, much more than Walter would have liked. Walter had stuck by Paul Wolfe when he went
up against
Section One under Paul Wolfe
was never easy, but it used to be just.
Looking back, Walter realized that the other man had never been the same
after the Cold War. Operations often
said that he missed the Cold War, when the enemy was plain to see, things were
black and white. It seemed that when the enemy wasn’t so black and white
Operations had lost his way, started looking for the enemy in places they
didn’t exist.
As much as Operations touted
Section as being shades of gray, it was those same shades that had done him in
and left him no higher than he had been for most of his ‘career’ here. The same could have been said for Walter but
the difference was that Walter had never wanted the brass ring, he didn’t have
the desire to advance by stepping over the dead bodies of friends and enemies
alike.
Walter would have been
content to ‘live out’ his years in Section.
Now, thanks to another victim of the anti-terrorist world’s shades of
gray, that wasn’t going to happen. The
initial anger gone, Walter was able to think more clearly about his
transfer. Nikita probably thought that
she was doing him a favor but Walter was a front line man, had been from his
days in the army. He wasn’t angry, but
he wasn’t in a forgiving mood either.
When Nikita passed him on the way to the aerie, Walter didn’t even have
it in him for a final goodbye to his ‘Sugar.’
Teaching was not for
him. Nikita probably figured as much and
sent him to the Farm knowing retiring would be easier from there. But retirement wasn’t for him either. Besides, Nikita had no right to make that decision
for him. She had railed at Michael for
years, ever since her recruitment, how much she hated that he had made
decisions on her behalf without any regard for the way she felt and now look at
*her* actions, talk about the pot calling the kettle black. No, he wouldn’t be talking, let alone
forgiving, Nikita for quite a while.
As for the others, Madeline
got to move up and try her hand at manipulation and control on an even larger
playing field and Operations still had his post and would continue to scheme
for more – that would never change. At
least he’d be away from their power plays, that was the one good thing about
his transfer.
Jason would be fine, already
fitting in better than Birkoff ever had.
Perhaps growing up and living on the outside somehow prepared him for
Section. Maybe Section didn’t look so
bad from the outside – fighting terrorists, cool gadgets – the stuff James Bond
was made of. If Jason was lucky, really
lucky, reality wouldn’t set in for a while.
Who knows, with Michael at the helm, things could only get better and by
the time that reality set in Section *would* be worth living and dying for
again.
Michael had a long way to go,
just having Madeline as his second and Jones as his boss, were enormous
obstacles. But if anyone could turn the
Sections and Oversight around to the way things used to be, it was him. Too bad that the personal cost had to be so
high.
********
Although she wouldn’t be
picked up for another hour, Madeline was ‘ready.’ Whether he had done it out of compassion,
glee or orders – probably a combination of all three –
Not one to dwell on the past,
Madeline primed herself for her new responsibilities while she waited for
Michael to pick her up. However, as
much as she didn’t want it the past kept intruding so she finally gave up and
let the thoughts and memories come.
Her first unwelcome memory
was a conversation she’d had with Nikita almost three years ago, after
Petrosian’s unsuccessful bid to take over Section One. Madeline had warned Nikita that now that the
younger woman had tasted power she would be back, but Madeline would be ready
for her. Madeline should have seen back
then that something wasn’t right, Nikita had taken to the role too well. She had never liked Petrosian, but she
aligned herself with him fairly quickly.
Looking back on it now, Nikita probably used the situation as a ‘test
drive,’ to see if she indeed would
someday welcome that power.
As much as she hated
admitting being wrong let alone failing, Madeline had to concede that she again
wasn’t ready when Nikita made her power play.
While Madeline may have been moved to Oversight, she wasn’t foolish or
naïve enough to believe that it was just a promotion.
Now that her mind had started
on this path, it was reluctant to let go.
Being the pragmatist that she was, Madeline methodically analyzed her
past performance, especially her most recent endeavors. While underestimating Nikita had certainly
been a mistake, Madeline realized there were others, equally as dangerous and
catastrophic to her career.
They had nothing further to
gain from
Of course,
Madeline had always believed,
even before Center’s meddling, that Nikita would one day replace her. She had thought that with Michael’s growing
reputation and seeming favor in Oversight, his, and by extension, Nikita’s,
time would come sooner than expected.
Michael’s improbable success with the Bergomi mission reinforced the
fear. Reprogramming Nikita took away the
qualities Michael needed in her for his second in command, thereby postponing
their ascension.
Contrary to what she’d told
Paul, the process would never have been *truly* irreversible. Madeline’s plan had been to bring parts of
the ‘old’ Nikita back slowly so that enough of the programming remained to
eventually (when Madeline was good and ready to move on) mold her into
Madeline’s idea of the perfect second in command.
Looking at her watch,
Madeline realized that the time had gotten away from her and she had less than
half an hour left before Michael picked her up.
But, once again, she couldn’t
resist the past, this time her thoughts turning to the person she had
‘left behind’ in Section One – her partner in crime for almost half her
life.
********
Madeline had never really fit
in anywhere before. Not with her family
and certainly not in the institution she been sent to after her sister’s
death. Having no one to rely on but
herself, Madeline retreated even further into herself. She had never been an extrovert, but now she
had become a recluse. She spent all her
free time either in her room or the library.
Books became her best friends.
When Madeline turned 18 she
was finally released from the long term institution. With GED in hand and her juvenile records
sealed, Madeline proceeded to an ivy league college where she excelled. Her ‘god given’ brains combined with the
fierce driving force to be the best at everything that was responsible for her
sister’s accidental death brought her to the head of the class and to the
attention of the FBI.
Madeline had just earned her
Ph.D. in psychology, at an accelerated pace of course, when she was recruited
into the FBI. She completed the
requirements in the middle of the year so the graduation ceremony was still
months away, but she had her papers and title.
The FBI knew all about her past but were satisfied that Madeline was
still a good candidate. She had always
been intrigued with the psyche so she was a natural for profiling. While a
career in law enforcement was not in her plans, her recruiter knew exactly how
to ‘hook’ her.
After Madeline had turned
down their offer, the head of the local office approached her himself and
changed tactics. He asked for her help
in tracking down a kidnapping victim.
The FBI knew who the kidnapper was, but needed someone to get inside the
kidnapper’s head. Their usual profiler
was stymied so they came to Madeline hoping she could do better.
Madeline found the
‘kidnapper’ even quicker than anticipated and then went back to her life, once
again turning down the FBI’s offer. She
tried putting it behind her, but as the days went by Madeline found herself
more and more intrigued by profiling – it was perfect for her. Getting inside people’s heads and figuring out
how they ticked was the reason she had gone into psychology in the first place.
One week later she called the
recruiter and asked if they still wanted her.
It wasn’t until years later, while in Section One, that Madeline learned
the truth of her recruitment. The whole
kidnapping incident had been a staged exercise.
They were testing the efficiency of their people at the same time they
were enticing Madeline to join the organization.
Two years, several high
profile convictions and three very early promotions later, Madeline came to the
attention of Section One. In those days
Section recruited exclusively from other agencies around the world. Recruiting from prisons was Madeline’s idea
to replenish the ranks after their coup years later.
By the time Madeline hit her
two year anniversary with the FBI Adrian was already looking to recruit her for
Section One’s psyche ops.
As terrorism escalated so did
the need for secrecy, just six months after Madeline’s recruitment the order
was handed down from Oversight. While
admitting that recruiting from the ‘civilian population’ had its merits, times
were too dangerous and the proposition too risky.
Arriving at Section, Madeline
was introduced to most of the key personnel, including Paul. Always excellent at reading people, Madeline
noticed the carefully hidden disdain underneath
********
And show them all, she did,
Madeline smiled to herself. While she’d
never had Paul wrapped around her proverbial finger, she did gain his
confidence quickly. Despite his initial
misgivings, it was Madeline he picked for his second in command when he decided
to ‘overthrow’
Of course, now Madeline
realized the truth that she would never be able to share. It was Adrian who had done all the
manipulating, not the other way around.
Madeline knew she would never
be allowed to tell anyone else of the true power behind Center.
Of course, being privy to the
knowledge that there was someone else even higher up the food chain, gave one a
bit of an edge over others. Knowledge,
of any kind, was power. While her and
Paul’s power plays had effectively come to and end with this personnel shift,
Madeline felt justified in most of her actions.
Even if the circumstances
were not ideal, Madeline was satisfied with the move. Of course, ideally she and Paul would move
into Oversight while Michael and Nikita ran Section, but that wasn’t to be, for
the time being, at least. Perhaps that
was a good thing, after all. She and
Paul had been together professionally for two decades, maybe it *was* time to
move on. As Jones had said not so long
ago, they didn’t complement each other anymore, were too much alike. Working with Michael presented a challenge
and one thing Madeline thrived on were challenges.
Hearing the approaching
vehicle, Madeline took a deep, calming breath and prepared herself to face a
new chapter in her life.
********
As the armored car made its
way past the countryside, its lone back seat passenger sat in contemplation,
his hand and knuckles unconsciously rubbing his chin, oblivious to the
magnificent scenery. The car, a
veritable tank disguised as a limousine, was one of several concessions Michael
had to make for his new position as head of Oversight. He now had two bodyguards with him at all
(well, most) times. Even sitting alone
in the back was frowned upon, but for this trip, his first after officially assuming
command, Michael insisted on the solitude and kept both bodyguards up front. Once they reached Madeline one of his shadows
would join them. Not that there was any
real danger from the woman, but appearances had to be kept up. Even Operations had very seldom left Section
without his own bodyguards.
Being a private, independent
and self reliant person by nature, Michael was not able to fully ‘appreciate’
the necessity of round the clock protection.
If Jones thought that Michael would completely give up his privacy or
his occasional motorcycle rides ‘to nowhere’ or other like activities that
helped ground him and keep him sane, the head of Center was sorely mistaken.
As much as Michael wanted to
concentrate on the future and not continue to dwell on the recent past, the
thoughts would not stop intruding.
Giving in he let it all wash over him again, promising himself it would
be the last time he let the past intrude into the present or future.
The most painful truth of his
past as far as Michael was concerned was that the four years he had spent
plotting and scheming for a future for himself and Nikita would have been
better spent digging his own emotional grave.
********
Michael used to be a
different person. He’d grown up in a
‘good’ family and never lacked for anything, emotional or material. When his parents died, his fortune and
outlook on life changed dramatically.
Gone was the sunny, open senior who’d captained the chemistry club for
two years and just had just recently become the president of the debate club.
Michael, or Michel as he had
been known back then had lost not only his parents but a promising future. His grades had been good enough for
scholarships to the most prestigious French schools. Unfortunately, after their parents’ estate
had been settled and the funerals paid for, Michel and his sister had been left
with next to nothing.
There were no relatives to
help, so Michel, older than his sister by a good five years did the only thing
he could. He turned down the much more
exclusive and expensive schools in favor of the local university. The university had offered him, through a
government grant, a stipend for living that, along with the earnings from a
full time job, he’d use to support himself and his sister until he graduated
with a degree and found a job that would support them better and afford a
private university for her when the time came.
At least that was the plan. Of
course, nothing ever turned out as planned.
While still grieving, Michel
had nevertheless, entered the university with high hopes for the future. He’d found a decent enough apartment for him
and his sister, Rosette and the rent was affordable given his full time
job. His hopes and plans however,
quickly fell apart.
Within a few months Michel
realized that keeping a full time job and taking care of his sister with his schedule
was impossible. Before he even had a
chance to reduce his work schedue the government program that helped support
Michel and Rosette was canceled and without it, Michel had to keep his job full
time.
By the time the first
semester was over the pressure had gotten to Michel and he became ripe for Rene
Dian’s picking. They’d been friends
through high school and had partnered in chemistry in the university. The strain of supporting his sister, working
full time and going to school full time started to show quickly and Rene used
it to his advantage.
Rene knew that Michel’s
genius in chemistry would be *very* helpful to his cause. He’d quietly gathered supporters for L’heure Sanguine over the last couple of years and Michel would be the
final piece to his puzzle. With all the
problems he’d been having since his parent’s death he was a far easier
conversion than he should have been.
Rene started out subtly,
listening to his friend vent. Gradually,
though he’d stopped being a sounding board and started bouncing his own
theories off of Michel. Rene reminded
Michel that it had been the government that had taken most of the money
Michel’s parents had left. It was the
government’s fault that Michel had to keep insane hours to support himself and
his sister. It was the government that
had promised him a grant and then taken it away.
Rene’s arguments coupled with
a weariness borne of exhaustion and anger towards his situation convinced
Michel that Rene was right and change was needed. The government catered to the rich, made them
richer, while people like himself had to struggle every day. It wasn’t fair and something needed to be
done.
Rene eventually convinced
Michel that that *something* was a bomb.
A bomb would wake people up, would draw attention to their cause. At first Michel was adamant against
participating in such an undertaking.
Rene eventually wore him down, though, the breaking point being a
promise that nobody would be hurt – they’d set the bomb to go off in the
chemistry lab in the middle of the night when no one would be in the
building. Michel finally agreed and
became the main ‘builder’ of the bomb.
To this day, despite Rene’s
assurances that the bomb going off in middle of the day rather than night was a
tragic mistake, Michael was still not convinced that the bomb did not go off
*exactly* as planned. Either way, it
didn’t matter. Michel built the bomb and
Michel took responsibility for the dozen lives lost in that bombing. In the end, that bombing claimed a total of
thirteen lives, because on that day ‘Michel’ died too.
********
Rather than dwelling on the
‘irrelevant’ Michael skipped ahead a few years to the beginning of the end –
Nikita’s recruitment. By the end of her
two year training period everyone in Section knew that Michael had feelings for
his material. Everyone it seemed, except
for the woman in question herself.
For a full year after
Nikita’s ‘graduation,’ Michael tried and more or less succeeded in keeping
Nikita at arm’s length. Once he realized
she had no future in Section One he did the only thing he could – he let her
go. That was the real beginning of the
end for him.
From what Jones had told him
and what Michael himself had pieced together, Center recruited Nikita not long
after he brought her back into Section, most likely during her ‘vacation’
following Jurgen’s death.
Even still, knowing he was in
love with his former material, Michael still kept her at bay with various
‘explanations,’ most notably claiming that he couldn’t let her become his weakness,
when in reality she already was. The
real reason for keeping Nikita away was his blood cover mission. Even though Michael was not in love with
Elena, honor and respect for the mother of his child prevented him from
pursuing a relationship with Nikita.
Twice he gave in to his feelings, but did not allow himself any more.
After his mission was over,
when Vacek was finally ‘caught’ and he came back to himself (thanks to
Operations’ scheming and Nikita’s unwitting help) Michael finally allowed his feelings
to surface. Ironically, had they been
left alone and Operations’ and Madeline paranoia not kicked in, things would
have been very different.
What everyone in the
organization, from top to bottom, had disappointingly failed to realize was
that Michael had voluntarily forfeited his future to Section and anti-terrorism
after the bombing. It was only after
being pushed into a corner because of his personal life that he ‘fought back.’
Nikita had let him down more
than anyone else. Michael had no doubt
that his feelings for his former student were mutual, she *did* love him. The blood tear he had shed was on both their
behalves. Michael knew Nikita thought
she was saving him from Section, giving him a chance at life by ‘convincing’
him of her lack of feelings for him. Of
Nikita’s motives he had no doubt, her reasoning and methods were what bothered
Michael.
Life outside of Section? Forget for a moment what he said to Red
Cell’s Satin, that he still believed in Section’s goals. Nikita couldn’t ‘leave’ after one year as an
operative. “This isn’t freedom” she had
told him. What made Nikita think he’d be
able to leave Section after more than a decade?
What Michael was disappointed
most in, however, was Nikita’s lack of faith in him and them. He’d told her, long before Gelmanization,
that she was the only one he trusted.
While he *was* trying to get Nikita to do something she wasn’t entirely
comfortable with at the time, the sentiment had nevertheless been true.
Michael did trust Nikita,
more than he had anyone in his entire life, Simone included. Just as importantly, Michael believed in her
and them as partners, partners in *everything.* Obviously, Nikita did not feel
the same. She did not trust in Michael
enough to let him make his own decisions about his future. She did not believe enough in *them* to help
Michael carve out a future for them in the organization he’d still believed
in.
For years Nikita had been
angry at Michael for making decisions on her behalf. What made her think Michael would be any less
angry at decisions she’d made on *his* behalf, especially one that changed his
entire life?
Lastly, her continued naiveté
after everything she’d seen and been through over the last six years
disappointed him as well. Did Nikita really
believe that the organization would let him go?
In the end when Jones had
told Operations that Michael could not survive he had been right. The Michael that had evolved in the last six
years indeed could not survive, let alone advance. The Michael that had come out of the forest
after the abeyance mission could.
“Sir.” The bodyguard sitting in the passenger seat
up front buzzed on the intercom, knowing his new boss would appreciate a few
moments to prepare himself for the formal introduction to his second in command
signifying the official beginning of his reign.
“We’ll be arriving shortly.”
“Thank you.” Michael replied, shutting the door to the
past and preparing to face his future.
END
EPILOGUE
As each of the organization’s
cast settled into their new roles, the orchestrators discussed the success of
their production.
“Well done.”
“I could not have done it
without you.”
“Are you satisfied with the
outcome?”
“For now. Changes may be required in the future.” The man replied. “I want to thank you for your recommendations
regarding Madeline. You were right,
she’d better serve the organization in Oversight, with Michael, than in another
Section.”
“I was pleasantly surprised
when you reconsidered.”
“I’m sorry it was so down to
the wire I had to call you away from your original meeting with Madeline.”
“That’s quite alright. It was quite explainable as a business
opportunity.”
“Although Michael’s state of
mind is where it should be, Madeline’s dedication will ensure that he does not
falter at an inopportune moment.”
“Dedication. A good euphemism for ruthlessness.” The outgoing leader smiled.
“Yes.” The younger man
confirmed. “Your ‘talk’ guaranteed
Madeline’s silence regarding the true power behind Center.”
“Self preservation, loyalty
to the organization and, despite her protestation to the contrary, Madeline’s
feelings towards Paul will keep her silent.
She knows what will happen to Paul and certain others were this to come
to light.”
“Of course, believing she is
one up on her new superior helps as well.”
“Knowing there’s someone even higher up than
Jones that nobody other than Jones knows about will make her happy.”
“Exactly.”
“The rest of your personnel
configuration is quite good as well.”
“Nikita’s compassion will
temper Paul’s tendency towards ruthlessness. She’ll also keep Paul on his
toes. It will be good for both of them
to learn to work with someone new.” The
man returned. “The episode with Red
Cell, besides confirming Michael’s beliefs in the cause, quite convincingly
confirmed Paul and Madeline’s decline as a team.”
“I must congratulate you on
seeing Nikita’s potential, I wouldn’t have.”
“I had a better perspective
on the situation.” The younger man
answered, smiling in amusement.
“I didn’t realize I had said
anything humorous.”
“Just remembering an old but
prophetic conversation between Michael and Nikita I had overheard through
surveillance.”
“Prophetic?”
“Yes. Michael had advised Nikita she was signing
their death warrants. Of course it had turned out to be figurative rather than
literal, but still quite prophetic in relationship to their futures.”
********
Jurgen and Adrian both knew
Nikita had already become Michael’s weakness, had even had discussions on that
topic. Now, Jurgen realized, Nikita
could, with proper handling, in time become Michael’s ultimate test. After he ‘died,’ Jurgen proceeded to convince
Jurgen had been correct in
his assessment. Nikita’s undercover work
for the Center together with the events of the last three years in Section did
more for arranging this new power structure than anything else.
It had already been agreed
upon that Michael would one day take over as Jurgen was doing now. Mick had
never been an issue. The Englishman knew
he’d always be in the same position, a firewall shielding the true leader. Michael’s skills as well as his desire to
atone for his past and secure a better overall future where organizations such
as theirs would ultimately become obsolete would ensure his ‘interest’ in the
position.
Michael still had much to
learn but his ‘break’ with Nikita was a good start. He’d finally, after all these years,
accepted that he was truly alone in the world and that’s the way it had to be
for people in their positions. A few
years running Oversight and Michael would need far less training than Jurgen,
who had had no such experience, had required before taking over. The next few years would accomplish other
important tasks as well, but Jurgen wasn’t worried about his ‘people.’
He knew he had made the right
choices. Nikita had, despite
Operations, for his part, was
sufficiently ‘scolded’ and would be more careful in the future. Seven more years in Section was a good estimate. His most difficult tasks would be working
with Nikita and underneath Michael.
Being forced to work with Nikita would remind Paul to be more careful in
his future personnel decisions. Knowing
his past would keep Nikita on Paul’s back to make sure his and the
organizations’ goals were one and the same.
Furthermore, there was no danger to Nikita by keeping her in One. Paul knew that Michael would exact
retribution if he tried anything. As far
as working under Michael, Jurgen was confident that Michael, knowing his former
superior well, would keep a much tighter (but fairer) leash on Paul and Section
One than his predecessor. The compassion
towards the former level five operative Paul had not hidden towards the end
would help remind Oversight’s new leader to not tighten the leash to the point
of choking.
A few years apart should also
be sufficient to straighten out both Paul and Madeline and enable them to once
again become the combination they used to be in the beginning, this time to
benefit Oversight. Nikita too, should be
sufficiently hardened by then to make her a good leader for Section One. Of course if things did not go as well as
anticipated, other personnel would be found and used.
********
“Ma’am. The car is ready.”
“Well, then.”
“Thank you.” Jurgen replied. “I’m sure I’ll hear from you if I don’t.”
“Yes. You will.”
She confirmed, just as
Jurgen took one last look
around at what had been his training grounds for the last three years before he
too left for his new residence.