| "Sneak Out the Back" | ||
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June 15, 2008 09.30hrs SH 1 - Lounge She had come in early, to meet Jordan, but she knew that wasn't the real reason why. Rebecca had been right; keeping busy had been what she needed. She had slept for a few hours each night, but the days without anything to occupy her mind or body had been sheer torture. She had tried to read some reports for her `job' at Wolfe research, but her mind had been driven back to Friday's events and her actions which had led to Baz's death. She felt the guilt and the pain, accepting them as her right, she had led the mission. It had been her commands that had stopped the others going in, but she couldn't turn the clock back, all she could do was to persuade herself that in other circumstances she would try to do better. She had seen a lot of the track that weekend, endlessly running circuits, pounding the track in pursuit of tiredness and sleep; it had worked after a fashion. She had no more details that had briefly been given her on Friday by Rebecca, so had put together very basic outlines of what might be expected in the hope that she wouldn't be caught on the hop. She poured herself a coffee, and stood at the windows, looking down on the cars on the street below. The city that never slept, was living up to its name, she had stood here at all times of the day and night and never once was the street below quiet. Jordan arrived at 10 mins before 10.00hrs, and made herself a cup of tea. She looked a bit strained, and she wondered whether to probe or leave alone, but that decision was made for her when one of Rebecca's aides came in to take them to the conference room. She let Jordan go first, and she followed on behind, carrying her mug of coffee with her. Rebecca was waiting for them, the display showing a blank screen. They took seats at one end of the table, while the aide shut the door behind them. Only when they were alone did Rebecca talk. "A terrorist attack was carried out last week on the Bank de China in Los Angeles on Monday last week. A number of fatalities, including the Chinese Ambassador, were involved and the possibility of an international incident is high." Rebecca paused, looked directly at her, before carrying on, "CTU staff, led by Tony Almeida, did the initial investigations, and discovered the planned attack, however the attack did take place. So your task is to audit their analysis and evidence and prepare a report." So that was the audit that had been mentioned on Friday. Though CTU was a relatively new organisation, at just over 2 years, it had been in operation longer than SIA and though they were similarly charged with dealing with terrorist activities, their remit was different. SIA would operate anywhere, anytime, and CTU was mainly homeland based. Hence their paths had not yet crossed. A cough. She looked up, Rebecca was staring coldly at her; she had been caught napping in public. She nodded an apology and listened intently. Rebecca pushed a wallet file towards each of them, "In here you will find the outline details, and a list of information available to you. You will be flying to Los Angeles at 12.00hrs, a car is waiting downstairs, please keep in touch while you are on site, CTU have been asked to provide you with everything you need, within moderation." Rebecca looked at both of them "Do you have any questions?" She spoke before she could stop herself, "Do CTU know our background or �" Rebecca paused before she answered, "No, they don't know you are SIA staff, only that you are part of an external audit team put together by Jackson. They are also unaware of your past `employment' and I would prefer to keep everything restricted, try to ensure that you don't give unnecessary information and initiate an alliance with them, on an informal basis; it may be useful in the future." She wondered why the secrecy, but didn't say anything. Their background meant that the could successfully blank any unwanted questions, but to do that may cause issues if Rebecca wanted an alliance; this could prove to be a tricky assignment. Jordan spoke softly, "and if the report shows they made a mistake?" Rebecca was business like, "the report is not to be slanted, in anyway shape or form. It must stand up to being scrutinized and if they made a mistake, then they must be given an opportunity to learn from it. Not have it swept under the carpet and giving them a false sense of security." Rebecca made sure they understood the last remark, by waiting for each of them to acknowledge it. Jordan and she nodded silently, words were not necessary. "You are to send your report to me before you leave Los Angeles, you have until Wednesday at the latest. Please do not brief CTU on the contents, no matter how well meaning, the report is to be discussed at a meeting with Jackson Wellington on Thursday, hence the urgency." Rebecca stood up, the meeting was obviously over and they were being dismissed. "Outside, you will find two suitcases, containing all your requirements for the next few days, along with appropriate travel documents and money, as you do not have time to return home to collect your own things. If you need anything else, you have your credit cards." They obediently walked outside, and sure enough there were two hard case suitcases standing in the hallway, where previously it had been empty. She picked up one, and Jordan picked up the other and silently they walked to the lift. She pressed the button for the garage floor and turned to face Jordan, "I hope you don't mind but I selected you, I hope you had nothing planned for the next few days?" Jordan smiled, but again she felt as though the smile was hiding something held back from her. Jordan was deep, and if she didn't want to tell you something, then nothing would drag it out of her. "It sounds kinda neat, us going out to represent the SIA, don't ya think." Jordan said it quietly, and she had to agree, Section had been nothing like this, in fact quite the reverse. Their forms of management were to prevent their operative having any freedom and were constantly manipulating situations to test them. So while on one hand this sounded good, she couldn't help but wonder if this not some form of test. The limousine, black and with dark windows was waiting just beyond the lift doors. Their suitcases were put in the boot, and they let themselves into the back seat, there was plenty of room and the window between them and the driver was also darkened glass. She settled herself on the comfortable seat and buckled the seat belt, it was not going to be a long trip to the airport, but better safe than sorry. They didn't speak very much during the journey, only to read through the information contained in their files. By the time they arrived at the airport, she had formulated an outline list of information requirements that they might need. Jordan nudged her, they had stopped at `city' airport. She hadn't expected that, she had thought that the agency might have put them on a standard flight to LA, not that they would be using the `company jet'. She remembered the last time she had been on a private jet, her and Mark had been going on a mission for Section. The memory of him was sad, they had connected, however briefly and she would always be left wondering whether they could have been anything more. She shook her head, and got out of the car, now was not the time to get lost in the past. What was there should stay there and not be resurrected, you cannot change the past or expect it to be the same in the future; you have to move on. The attendants greeted them at the steps to the aircraft and took the luggage to be stowed in the hold. Meanwhile Jordan preceded her up the steps and into the Jet, exclaiming at the luxury contained within; it was outfitted with leather sofas and swivel chairs which locked into position for take-off. A large conference table between a group of chairs together with a network connection sat link meant that their equipment could be used. They took their seats and the crew started the jet engines, the cockpit doors were closed but the speakers allowed them to hear the interactions with air traffic control. The taxi out onto the main runway was short and the acceleration of the engines down the runway as they approached take-off speed was fast. She felt pushed back in her chair as the front of the plane lifted off the ground and swallowed hard, to ease the pressure in her ears, but she enjoyed this part. One day, she promised herself, she would learn to fly a plane and own one; it was an experience she was looking forward to. Once they were airborne, she read through the briefing document, one last time. She noted that they were expected to be professional, and she glanced down, she was wearing a jumper and jeans, not quite as professional as she would have liked, and Jordan was similarly attired. She wondered whether their luggage held anything more suitable. "What's up?" Jordan asked. She looked up, "I am not certain we are dressed to impress." She sighed heavily, "I guess we are going to have to check out what's in our luggage or go shopping before going to our first meeting. Know any good shops in LA?" Jordan shook her head, "Nope, never been there." She pressed the button, calling for a flight attendant. She came through, almost as though they had been waiting for the call, from the galley with a trolley, containing lunch and refreshments. Jordan coughed, "We seem to be in need of a wash and brush up, not to mention more suitable clothes for a business meeting. Can you tell us the best place to go?" Hilary, the flight attendant, nodded, "Bathroom is down the corridor, on the left hand side, through that door behind you," she pointed, "and the closet opposite the bathroom contains suitable clothing. Rebecca thought you might like to change before you get to LA, and had some sent over from SH1." She hadn't thought that she could be amazed any more, but this was the first time she felt speechless. Rebecca was not just one step ahead; she was a master class by herself. Return |
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