Part 26 by Sherry

Walter started grabbing the gear they would need and piling it on his worktable. Nikita and Michael watched silently for a few minutes and then Nikita pulled Michael to the side.

"Michael, what are you keeping from us? I think we have a right to know. I thought you trusted me."

Michael sighed to himself. He couldn't tell her ... it wasn't his place. And yet she knew very well, as did Walter, that he was keeping things from them. What could he tell her that she would believe? He couldn't use the old tried and true "keep quiet and simply walk away" because they were all in this mission together. They would be pretty much glued to each other's sides for the remainder of the mission. They wouldn't be much good to Section or Walter's daughter if they were fighting with each other.

Michael looked around, pretending to make sure no one was close by to overhear. "I was told not to say anything, Kita. It can go no further than you and me. Not even Walter is to be told." He stared at her, waiting for a response. She looked to Walter and then back to Michael and finally she shook her head.

"Okay, fine, Michael. Just tell me."

Michael sent up a silent prayer that he would be forgiven yet one more half-lie. "George is worried about Operations. He thinks that Operations is loosing his grip on reality. He is becoming too power hungry. He is thinking very seriously about replacing him. George has some people in deep cover on this mission and Operations wants them eliminated. George cannot allow that. So, he is running this mission and keeping Operations out of the loop as much as possible."

Nikita studied Michael's face. She wasn't sure she believed him completely, but it did make sense. Everything he said about Operations' was right ... these last few months would bear witness to that. However, she knew Michael and she knew he was quick on his feet and could come up with a plausible scenario at the drop of a hat. She still felt he was keeping something from her, but she knew she wouldn't get anywhere by badgering him. She would watch him, pay close attention to things going on, and maybe she could figure it out for herself. Then she would confront him with the truth. For now, she simply nodded and then they returned to Walter to pick up their gear.

~~~~~~~~~~~

George, Madeline, Birkoff and Jonathan were sitting around George's office discussing the mission. George looked to Jonathan and nodded. Jonathan spoke.

"I'm in deep cover for Oversight. It was my job to 'get close' to Jennifer Clarkson, in order to make contact with her uncle. It wasn't supposed to go quite this far, but Palmer Clarkson is a bright man. We realized that he wouldn't give me the time of day unless I was going to become part of his family. In order to make the whole thing seem plausible, and make it easier for me to get involved with Clarkson, we created the terrorist group "People's Vengenance," with my father and I as its leaders. You are aware that we carried out a few terrorist actions, acts that would get us noticed, but had the least possible collateral damage. It worked. Once I became engaged to Jennifer, Palmer practically became my best friend. He wants his group and ours to join forces. Now, the only thing left to do, is to take him down. However, I have to get out of the marriage at the same time. That's where Section comes in. You are to take out Clarkson, and get me and my father in the process."

Madeline listened closely and nodded. Things were beginning to gel now.

Birkoff was still a bit confused, and he finally asked what was bothering him. "Okay, so I assume we were just pretending to take out you and your father. We've done that before, so what was the problem? Why take the mission from Operations and cause such a problem in Section?"

George picked up the narrative. "It seems that Operations had different ideas. He was going to actually cancel Jonathan and Vincent. As you know, I couldn't allow that. It seems Paul is getting a bit power hungry these days. He thinks if he eliminates my best, then he will become more powerful. However, I have other plans."

Madeline was surprised, not about George's feelings towards Operations, she always knew her brother had it in for Paul from the day he overthrew Adrian. It was the "other plans" statement that had her intrigued. "And just what might those other plans be?" she asked.

George smiled. "You always were the curious one Madeline. Well, let's just say it has something to do with getting Section back to what it was meant to be. And to do that, we must oust the leadership that has so completely corrupted it."

Madeline drew in a breath. She was part of that leadership. She had worked side-by-side with Paul since his promotion to Operations. She had gone along with almost everything he ever did. Now she was beginning to feel true fear. She knew George. He prized family above everything, but he also could be quite ruthless when he wanted something done. And since Section, actually Operations and herself, had canceled Adrian, she knew George would not let it rest. She would have to wait and see what punishment he would mete out to her.

Birkoff was worried as well. He was thinking all the same things Madeline was thinking. She was, after all, his mother. He didn't want to lose her now that he had finally recognized her as such. Not that there would probably ever be mother/son close, but they could try. Now he was worried that his uncle would send her to regions unknown. He was quite certain that she wouldn't be canceled, but there were other punishments.

George watched quietly as the emotions played across the faces of Madeline and Birkoff. He left them stew for a few minutes and then finally spoke.

"Don't worry, Madeline. You will not be canceled, and I am not going to station you in Outer Mongolia. But there are going to be changes. Now that my daughter has had time to adjust to Section, train and become highly skilled, she and Michael will head up the new Section One. You my dear sister, will still be valuable as psych profiler and strategist, however, the miserable games you play amongst the operatives will stop. Birkoff will remain head of Comm and Jonathan will be head strategist. Walter and Vincent will work together in weapons and equipment. I was hoping to put it off for another year or so, but we'll just have to see if Operations is salvageable."

Madeline, Birkoff and Jonathan all stared at him. His daughter?

Finally Madeline spoke. "Your daughter? Your daughter is in Section?"

George smiled. "Yes. There was a reason she was recruited, regardless of what you were told. She was to be trained and eventually become a leader in the true Section. She has become quite accomplished yet has managed to retain her soul and her compassion for humankind. I think she will make an excellent leader. And with Michael's top notch expertise, they will make quite a team."

Then it dawned on them all. Nikita. Birkoff was the one to voice the thought.

"Nikita is your daughter?"

"Yes, my boy. Nikita is my daughter."

~~~~~~~~~

Nikita, Michael and Walter checked their gear. Nikita finished first and was standing behind them waiting for Michael and Walter to get done. Michael checked things one last time and turned to Nikita. He almost dropped his gear at the sight before him. Walter heard Michael's quick intake of breath and turned as well. He blinked twice before he could believe the scene before them.

"So gentlemen. I see I have your attention finally. I knew there was one thing that would get your attention." Operations was standing behind Nikita with his arm around her neck, plunging a needle into the side of her neck. He also had two operatives with him, who had their guns trained on Michael and Walter.

"Now gentlemen, I have just injected Nikita with a fatal virus. She has 24 hours at the most. Of course, it will be a painful 24 hours. If you want her to live, I suggest you start talking. Now tell me, just what is George up to?"

=====================

Part 27 by Sherry

“I’m waiting, gentlemen. Or doesn’t she mean that much to either of you? Fine then. We can just let her die and I can be free of her once and for all.” Operations was gloating at the power he was holding over these two thorns in his side. He had them over a barrel now... all of them. He knew that Michael would do whatever it took to keep Nikita alive, as would Walter. And he was pretty sure that Madeline had been protecting the girl from cancellation for quite some time as well.

As for George, well, that was the best part. Operations couldn’t wait to best him. Ever since the day that George intervened in the mission to cancel Nikita, he had made an enemy out of Operations. Paul had bided his time, carefully collecting data and learning as much as he could about George and his current projects. Now he would take his revenge. Michael, always thinking a few steps ahead, had hidden a comm device behind his ear before he walked away from Walter’s station. He knew something was up ... things hadn’t felt right since they walked into Section a short time ago. As Operations was injecting Nikita, Michael reached up and touched the comm unit so it would broadcast. He knew George and Madeline would be monitoring them.

Michael watched as Nikita started to loose control of her leg muscles. The only reason she remained standing was because Operations was holding her up. Her eyes pleaded with Michael. He wanted to reassure her, but he couldn’t show any sign of weakness in front of Operations. He had to remain strong and look for his chance to take control.

Walter was beside himself. He, too, could see the toll the drug had already begun to take on Nikita. “What did you give her?!” he demanded.

Operations laughed. “Sorry, Walter. But I believe I am the one asking the questions around here.” Operations called for two more guards. “Take them to abeyance. Put them in separate rooms. Maybe some time alone to think will loosen their tongues. Of course, the longer they wait, the less chance dear Nikita has of surviving.” He motioned to the four men and they took Michael and Walter to abeyance.

Michael had thoughts of disabling his guards and getting them free, but figured one of Walter’s guards would take him out before he could take them all down. If Nikita had been with him, he could have chanced it. She could have easily disabled the other two guards. But she wasn’t here, Walter was. And he was no longer physically capable of disabling two armed guards.

Michael and Walter were placed in containment and the operatives guarded the doors. They stayed there for what seemed like ages. Michael ran dozens of scenarios around in his head. But he discarded each of them because he had no real help. Whatever he decided to do, he would have to do it alone. He couldn’t depend on too much help from Walter -- the man just wasn’t physically capable any more -- and who knew if George, Madeline and Birkoff would get back here in time. Or if they would even bother to come in at all. No, it was strictly up to him.

Walter spent his time worrying. He worried about Nikita. He worried about Janet and Jennifer. Would he ever see them again? He worried about Michael. He even worried about Section itself. If Operations remained in control, this place would self-destruct in no time. He hoped that Michael was coming up with a plan to get them out of this. After a while, his mind really began to wander. What if this was all a test? Maybe Michael and Operations were working together? It had happened before. Maybe they were testing the loyalty of certain Section personnel. If that was the case, Madeline, Birkoff and he himself would be in great trouble ... along with Nikita. Surely Michael wouldn’t let that happen. Then he laughed. What was he saying? Michael would go along with what he was told. Of course, Michael would find a way to save those he deemed important. Certainly Nikita ... and perhaps Madeline. As for himself and Birkoff? Well, he hoped Michael would count them among those to be saved, but with Michael you just never knew.

After five hours, Operations decided it was time to see if his “guests” were willing to talk. He had the guards bring Michael and Walter to Committee. Operations smiled at them. “Now then, would either of you care to fill me in on what’s going on?”

Michael had never wanted to kill a man more than he wanted to kill Operations at that moment. The problem was that Operations was the only one that knew what he had given Nikita. It might take too long to try and analyze the drugs in her system. They had already wasted five and a half hours. There might not be enough time to analyze her blood and get the treatment started. So, for the time being, he would play along.

~~~~~~~~~

George was pacing. He was furious. He knew something like this might happen. He had told Michael to protect her. Had he put his faith in the wrong man? Maybe he would have to rethink his entire “new Section” scenario.

Madeline was watching George pace. Birkoff was visibly shaken and Jonathan was listening carefully trying to glean any information possible. Finally, Madeline spoke. “George, please sit down. I know you’re worried about Nikita. We all are. But you can’t blame Michael. He is doing everything he can ... you know that. If we hadn’t sent them back there to get the equipment, Operations wouldn’t have had the chance to grab her. And blaming ourselves isn’t helping her either. The only person to blame is Operations. We have to get to Section and see what we can do.”

George stopped pacing and sat down again. He nodded. Madeline was right and he acknowledged the fact. “You’re right, Madeline. But I’m sure my reaction was understandable.”

Madeline smiled. “Of course. Now, what should we do?”

George turned to the young computer genius. “Young man, can you interrupt Michael’s comm signal and send to him as well as receive?”

Birkoff smiled. “Yeah. It will take a little while, but I can do it.”

~~~~~~~~

Operations had a cot bearing Nikita wheeled into Committee. Then he took a chair right next to her. He stroked her hair and watched as she grimaced in pain. “Yes, Nikita, I’m sorry. It’s painful, and it will only get worse. I could have prevented this if your friends here would just cooperate.”

Walter and Michael were seated at the end of the cot, one on either side. Behind each of them, stood a guard with a gun. Michael was still trying to decide how he could take out the guards and disable Operations before further damage was done to Nikita. Right now, he wanted to break that man’s hands. How dare he sit there stroking her hair as if he cared what happened to her. He was the one, after all, who did this to her.

Walter decided enough was enough. “Okay, Operations. What do you want?”

Operations leaned down to Nikita and whispered, “Well, dear, it seems that at least one of your admirers holds some regard for you. Maybe we can get this over with and you won’t have to endure too much more pain.” “As I said before, Walter, I want to know what is going on? What is George up to? Why did he take the mission out of Section’s control? And remember Walter, I know a bit about what is at stake in this mission for you as well.”

Walter sighed. He couldn’t hold out any longer. Not when Nikita’s life, as well as Janet’s and Jennifer’s were on the line.” “Fine. I’ll tell you whatever you want.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Birkoff hit a few more keys on the computer and then said, “I’m in. I think I can raise Michael now.”

George smiled. “Good. Tell Michael to go ahead and give Operations as much information as he feels it is safe to divulge. But make sure he doesn’t tell him about Nikita’s role in changing the profile. I will take responsibility for that. And tell him to shut Walter up!”

Birkoff hit a few more keys and tried to reach Michael. “Michael. This is Birkoff. If you can hear me, cough.”

Michael was surprised to hear Birkoff’s voice. He hadn’t realized that these devices could receive as well as send. Immediately upon hearing Birkoff’s instructions, Michael coughed. Operations glanced at him and Walter turned to look at him.

Birkoff quickly relayed George’s instructions. “And Michael, whatever you do, don’t let Operations know it was Nikita’s idea to break profile. George will take responsibility. But you’ve got to get Walter to stop talking.”

Michael coughed again ... and again. Finally, Operations said “What is it Michael? Do you have something to say?” Michael quickly glanced at Walter and shook his head. He hoped Walter got the message. Michael cleared his throat again and glanced at Nikita. Then he said, “Yes. George changed the mission profile. He knew you were going to have his people killed during the mission. He couldn’t let that happen. He wanted us to get them out.”

Operations studied Michael to gauge his truthfulness. Not that he was a good judge of any of Michael’s emotions. That was Madeline’s department. But he figured with Nikita’s life on the line, Michael would be truthful. Operations nodded and then asked, “And where are Madeline and Birkoff?”

Michael paused just long enough to get the gist of Birkoff’s instructionsand then said, “As far as I know, you gave Madeline some time off. She wason vacation the last time I heard from her.”

Operations laughed. “Good try, Michael, but I know better. She has beenin league with George since this mission began. Now where is she?”

Michael sighed. “She and George went to visit Janet Clarkson right afterthe mission briefing. They took Walter with them.”

Walter’s head spun around to Michael. “Michael, what are you doing? Shut up!”

Operations watched as the older man visually clashed wills with the younger, knowing who would win easily. Walter’s reaction told Operationsthat Michael was again being truthful.

Just then Nikita moaned and grabbed her side. The pain was getting worse.All eyes in the room turned to her. Walter wanted to comfort her. Michaelwanted to hold her and take her pain himself, if it were humanly possible.The two guards, who knew and liked Nikita, felt sorry for her. Operationsstroked her arm and then spoke gently to her. “Shhh, Nikita. We’re makingprogress here. Michael has decided to cooperate. It shouldn’t be too muchlonger before we can give you the antidote. Just hang on a little longer.”

Nikita tried to jerk away from Operations’ hand. She immediately was hitwith another spasm of pain, this time making her cry out. Operations smiled at that and then turned his attention back to Michael.

“You were saying, Michael?”

Michael waited a few seconds, but heard nothing from his comm unit. It was now up to him. He hoped George and Madeline were on their way to Section. He would have to stall until they got here. He just hoped it was in time to save Kita.

Michael sat rock still and didn’t speak another word. He turned his glance to Nikita and noticed how pale she was becoming. Whatever Operations had given her, it was acting very quickly.

Operations sighed. “Michael, I thought you would have learned your lesson the last time. You recall what happened the last time George took over one of my missions. I really can’t believe you would care to see a repeat.”

Walter grew pale and turned to see Michael’s reaction. Michael’s jaw tightened even more. Walter didn’t want to be around if Michael got his hands on Operations when this was over. It wouldn’t be pretty. But what was Michael thinking? Why did he stop talking? Didn’t he realize he had to keep Operations occupied or he just might end Nikita’s life here and now? Walter decided it was his turn to talk.

“Madeline and George took me to see Janet.”

Michael turned to the old man and in his most menacing voice said one simple word. “Walter.”

Walter turned to Michael. He knew Michael didn’t want him to talk, but he had to. This was Nikita and Jennifer they were talking about. “I’m sorry Michael, but I can’t sit here and let him kill Nikita. I’ve got to do everything I can to help her.”

Operations smiled again. He knew he would only get so far with Michael, but Walter was another story. The old man could be quite stoic when he wanted to be, but when Nikita’s life was on the line, the old man would sing like a bird.