Mentz looked to North who had quickly rushed to Sherry's side when they brought her out of the building.

"Yes, I believe that's finally everyone. Mentz, get the medical people over here now."

Mentz nodded and left to do North's bidding. North turned back to Michael, Jurgen and Davenport. "How is she?"

Michael was coughing, trying to clear his lungs from the smoke he inhaled after giving Sherry his mask. Jurgen answered North. "She must have been in and out of consciousness. She was banging on the floor or the wall shortly before Michael found her. But she was out when we got there, and she hasn't come around yet."

North nodded and then she and Jurgen stepped aside to let the medical staff do their job. "How is everyone else?" Jurgen inquired.

North sighed. "There are a few minor bumps, scrapes and bruises for the most part. Aviliion, however, was shot in the arm and the leg. She's been moved to Medlab in Section. Kit and Grace suffered slight smoke inhalation, but they will be fine."

Just then Operations came barrelling up to North. "Thank God you're all right," he said and threw his arms around her. North was momentarily stunned because it was extremely unusual for Paul to show emotion like this in public. Madeline was not too far behind and looking none too pleased.

Once Operations had collected himself, he straightened and looked around at the mess that was CLHQ.

Madeline turned to North. "Casualties?"

North shook her head. "None. Avillion was shot twice by an unknown. We haven't been able to locate whoever it was yet. Sherry, as you can see, is unconscious, we are assuming from smoke inhalation. Michael, Kit and Grace have also suffered mild cases of smoke inhalation as well."

Madeline nodded. Then she turned her attention to the medical staff. "Get Sherry to Medlab as soon as you can." The medics nodded. At the moment they had done all they could. They were simply waiting for transport to get Sherry to medlab.

Operations returned to his demeanor as Section Chief. "Northstar, there will be a briefing in Section in one-half hour. Everyone who is able is to be there. We have to find out what happened. I will leave it up to you to see that everyone is there."

With that, he turned and, joined by Madeline who smirked at North, headed back to Section.

************

Operations paced back and forth behind the briefing table and looked at the assembled operatives gathered at the other side. His blue eyes were hard as he addressed the group. "We need to get to the bottom of this fire. We are directing 75% of our forces to discovering the culprits responsible. Red Cell grabbed one of our operatives in New York. It may be them. But other intel suggests it may have been an *inside* job."

Operations paused, and nodded to Madeline to continue. The second-in-command smoothly took over. "Yes. It may be someone sitting right here at this briefing table." She turned and looked in turn at North, Brenna, Sly, MG, Nabiki, Dragon Lady, Kit, Kathy, Trace, Jurgen, and Michael as they subtly squirmed in their chairs under her steely stare. "Sherry, Avillion, and the others injured in Med Lab are not in the clear either. All will be investigated. We WILL get to the bottom of this sabotage."

North offered, "Avillion said she saw an Unknown in the hallway and this person..."

Operations interrupted North, cutting her off, "We are well aware of that unsubstantiated report. We are exploring that. In the meantime all of you will be interviewed in turn to explain your whereabouts and recent actions before the fire. Who will be first?"

"I will," a voice spoke up. The group turned to see the first volunteer, who was ....

************

"I was not alone," Kathy confessed. Davenport was in my room with me the whole night.

Madeline looked at the woman with a rather strange expression on her usually calm face. "Well, since Mr. Davenport is not here to confirm or deny this statement, I will have to ask you for some proof that you were indeed not alone".

All eyes were on Kathy and she was most uncomfortable with the feeling. "Very well, if you insist, I suppose I must tell you what we were doing, although I prefer not to".

Madeline continues to look at her, so she continues. "Davenport and I were working on a project of ours".

"Please continue" Operations looks at the helpless woman, who clearly doesn't want to say another word.

"Very well, we were working on a personal project". The glares continue, so she goes on. "We were finalizing plans for an Easter Egg Hunt for the children at the shelter, and our fund raiser for the Animal Rescue League. See, this is part of the Bunny costume." Holding up a furry pair of pants.

"So now you know what Davenport and I were doing. What about the rest of you?"

************

"Before the fire, I was in my room reading and I fell asleep. Sherry who was banging on doors telling people about the fire awakened me. She asked for help and so I was busy trying to find people and there were at least three people who saw me. I was never alone when Avillion was shot. I didn't see the mystery shadow person and so I can't help you."

"So you say Sly," said Operations "I want to see those three people right now."

"They are sitting right here at the table, ask them."

Roy, Nabiki, and Ally all started to talk at the same time to corroborate Sly's story.

"One at a time please," Operations barked.

Nabiki said, "We were all huddled together talking and trying to figure out where the others were and if they were safe. I seem to remember that we eliminated Dragonlady because she is out on a mission."

Roy said, "Did Avillion say how tall the figure was?"

"No she didn't, why?" Operations continued to bark

"Well, Roy went on, "we could do some eliminating that way. For instance if the person wasn't tall, then that would leave Sly out of it, seeing that she is 6 feet tall. And were there any other things distinguishing this figure?"

"Like what?" Operations asked

"Well, I think it would be pretty hard to miss Sly's tail. Her tail is over two feet long and would have been flying behind her." Ally stated

Nabiki said, "I think you need more Intel before you get too accusatory. I was with Sly and Ally both and you didn't say anything about me or Ally."

"I'm just getting started," Operations yelled at them. "Where the hell is Madeline?" He really looked like he was losing it now.

Northstar said, "Paul, you should really try to calm down. This rage isn't helping you to think clearly."

"You bet I'm enraged, just look at CLHQ. Where am I going to put all of you while this is being repaired? And I am fighting mad that someone would endanger my operatives."

"Yes, those are certainly major considerations but you still need to calm down and think about just those things." North tried to soothe...

**

(Brenna)

Northstar's gentle soothing did little to ease Operations frustration with the situation or the fact that he was questioning all of his best operatives about their possible involvement without the help of Madeleine. Before anyone else could start to give intel as to their whereabouts at the time the fire was started Operations informed them that he had decided to continue the interrogations on the observation deck. "You are all on close quarters stand-by. You will be summoned shortly to give your statements." With that he proceeded to comm and ordered Birkoff, "Find Madeleine and send her to me now." Then he stalked off to the observation deck.

The operatives wandered around heading for various points in section. Michael and Jurgen headed to medlab to check on the injured promising to report back to the others if anything had changed or there was anything they could do. Brenna, Sly, and Dragon Lady headed to the cafeteria for a bite to each. Trace took off by herself presumably heading for her quarters. Northstar went up to Operations to give her debrief. MG and Nabiki headed to a training room to work off some of the tension of the last several hours. Kit and Kathy went to visit with Walter and maybe get in some target practice.

************

Trace walked leisurely down the wooded path, dodging limbs from nearby shrubs and trees along the way. She knew that eventually, she, like the others, would have to go in front of Operations, in an effort to figure out who the true perpetrator of the recent events at CLHQ was. But, she also knew that she had her suspicions, and needed just a few more clues to make sure her thoughts were right. She also knew that, if the perpetrator knew that she was getting so close to their identity, that she would be in more harm than ever.

Slowing her pace, she looked ahead, as the path opened on the clearing nestled behind CLHQ, and contained the gazebo. This was her favorite spot of all. She would come here to wind down after a mission, or to just think and mull things over. The peacefulness of the spot was unparalleled, and at times, she could close her eyes and believe that her life's course was of her own choosing.

Taking the small, sturdy steps of the gazebo one by one, she listened to the all too familiar creak of the wooden boards. She had spent many a romantic nights here, with Gray, as they had danced to the slow, mournful tunes of many a song. But this time, this time was different. She could very well end her very existence on this planet in this very spot.

Leaning over the edge of the railing that surrounded the gazebo, she breathed in deep. Lost in thoughts, and memories, she tensed when she heard the slight creak in a nearby board. Opening her eyes, and fixing her gaze straight ahead, she waited. The boards, in turn, creaked as the figure approached. When the boards were at last silent, she inhaled deeply, and offered a question.

'Why?' was all she said, and waited.

'Because,' the figure answered, the voice all to familiar to her.

She waited, allowing the figure to chose their own pace at which to proceed with the reasoning.

'Because.... Because a lesson had to be taught, and a lesson had to be learn,' the figure began.

Trace, feeling that the moment was right, slowly turned, and faced the figure. When she did, a slow, sad, knowing smile formed on her lips.

'I knew it was you,' she said, a mournful and sad tone in her voice.

'I knew that you would...you always knew me well,' the figure replied, stepping a little closer to her. Reaching out, the figure beckoned to her, to join them. 'You can be free,' the figured whispered, 'all you have to do is say the word.'

The two figures continued to stare at one another, time passing as if standing still. Finally, Trace took a small step towards the figure, and looked up to them.

'The word...' she began, 'is.... NO!!!' With that last sound, she reached out with her fist, and made contact with the figures jaw. Then, not waiting to see the effects of her attack, she turned and fled. She ran back down the small, woodland trail, and back to the others. She knew the culprit, and she had to make sure that they would not get away with it again.

************

As the day wore on various CLHQ ops continued to give their statements and take turns visiting Sherry and the others in Med Lab while they tried to keep themselves busy. Since the majority of Section's resources had been diverted to this project there weren't any upcoming missions to work on but several SIMMs regarding the situation at CLHQ were being developed and run.

As Brenna was heading to the observation deck to give her statement, she heard Birkoff say, "No sir I haven't located her yet. She must have taken herself off the grid. Yes I tried that sir but the code I have doesn't seem to be working. Yes sir, that is the one I tried. No I don't know how it could have gotten changed without being updated in the files. Yes sir, I'll keep on it."

Brenna made her way up to the observation deck and waited for Operations to begin the interrogation. She noted that he looked tired and frustrated and warned herself not to provoke him no matter what he came at her with. Just as Operations turned to her and started to voice his first question they both noticed a commotion down in comm. Trace was flying across the space calling for Northstar and heading straight for the observation deck. Brenna stepped out the door to catch Trace as she headed up the stairs. Trying to be sure Trace slowed down before her actions could look to be threatening towards Operations. Brenna whispered softly, "Remember where you are."

Trace calmed herself and looked for Northstar who was moving quickly towards them from Med Lab having been alerted by Michael to Trace's unusual entrance.

Trace marched into the observation deck with Brenna right behind her still offering moral support. Trace said, "I know who is responsible for starting the fire at CLHQ and Avillion getting shot." At that moment Northstar entered, "Who was it Trace?" she asked. Trace looked sadly at Operations and answered, "Madeleine."

They all stared at Trace in disbelief. Operations snapped, "That's ridiculous Trace. What possible motivation could Madeleine have for attacking CLHQ?"

************

Part 17 by CAT

Trace looked around the room, taking in the questioning looks from her fellow operatives. She knew, deep in her heart, that Madeline was only thinking of the lives of her operatives...of keeping them all *on their game*. But, somehow, somewhere, what had started as a mere exercise in alertness, had morphed into an all out dangerous happenstance.

Now, after everything that had happened, and after all that she and her fellow operatives had been through, she found herself unable to be mad at Madeline. She felt a kindred spirit with their tormentor, and that allowed her to try to see it from Madeline's point of view.

Operations waited, his arms crossed across his well-muscled chest, and stared at Trace. Finally, having waited for as long as he could, he walked right up to her, and looked down to meet her gaze. 'I asked you a question,' he said, his tone low and menacing.

'She said that a lesson had to be taught and a lesson had to be learned,' Trace responded, continuing to look forward and not letting her fear show.

'A lesson?' Michael asked, as he entered the deck just behind where Northstar was standing. Trace turned to where they both were standing, allowing them to contemplate the repercussions of what had happened. They looked to one another, confusion etched into their features.

'Yes, a lesson. And,' Trace began, turning her gaze back to Operations, 'that if I were to help her, that I would be free,' she finished.

Operations tilted his head back, and sighed loudly. 'This again,' he said, shaking his head and walking over to the window of the deck. Fixing his gaze on some part of the lobby below him, he stood, lost in thought.

'This again… What does that mean?' North queried, coming to stand next to Trace, exchanging looks of worry and concern.

'We went through this a few years back,' Operations began, 'after an incident in Pakistan that ended up badly.' he finished.

'Just how badly did this incident end up?' Trace asked, a feeling of dread enveloping her like a heavy quilt.

'So badly,' Michael offered, 'that we ended up losing the entire original residents of CLHQ.'

North and Trace looked to one another, then back to Operations. Then, moving forward, Trace came up next to him. 'You mean, CLHQ has been inhabited before...before us?' she asked.

Operations shook his head slowly, and silently. Turning, he fixed his gaze unerringly on Trace's and with a tone of remorse, began the story.

'Seven years ago, Madeline hit upon this idea for an experiment. We thought, that if the recruits were allowed a certain amount of freedom in their everyday routine, then maybe their numbers would be better. That maybe, in feeling that they had a miniscule amount of free will, that they would be the perfect operatives. That was until...'

The threesome all looked to Operations, waiting to hear the rest.

'...until all hell broke loose.'

************

Part 18 by Avillion

"What happened?" demanded North, fearful for the lives of her operatives.

"I couldn't tell you how, but Red Cell managed to infiltrate. They surreptitiously placed at least 3 agents in the middle of CLHQ without our knowledge. These agents were well liked and respected at first--they were very good, masters of deception.

"Once inside they managed to promote fear and mistrust among the CLHQ operatives. People who had been the best of friends were now unwilling to be in a room together, their relationships with one another were completely destroyed. Missions started suffering, often only a handful of operatives would return, and we never could rule out "friendly" fire.

"The situation deteriorated rapidly. George was looking hard at CLHQ's borderline success rate, and with the way things were going they could barely maintain critical mass. It was then, when CLHQ was at her weakest, that the agents were given their order--take all-important files and incinerate CLHQ.

"They apparently waited until the early morning, making sure that everyone was asleep before they made their move. The security camera revealed nothing more than a shadowy figure carrying a large package--like I said they were good.

"I'll never forget that night. The sky was so black, with the flames leaping at it, slowly licking through what little remained of CLHQ. I will never understand how the building burned down so quickly, or why none of them made it out. They were trained operatives Damnit!! They should have been able to make it out!!" Clearly upset, he turned to North for comfort, and she led him out of the room and away from the intruding eyes around them.

Hesitating only for a moment, Trace stepped up to Michael. "Ok Spyboy, so the theory is that this was Madeline re-enacting that night in order to teach us a lesson, right?"

"Right."

"And so we are assuming that Madeline was this so-called Unknown that Avillion saw, right?"

"Right."

"But Avillion said that she shot the Unknown, and we would have noticed if Madeline had been shot," Trace offered.

"Perhaps she missed?"

Trace merely raised an eyebrow at him.

"Of course you're right Trace," Michael said, "I've never seen Avillion miss either, and at such close range--"

"She could have made that shot blindfolded!" Trace interjected. "If she says she hit him, she hit him. It couldn't have been Madeline."

"All right. We need to find some answers, fast. We'll got to Med Lab and question Avillion--perhaps she will remember some details about the Unknown."

It took everything Trace had not to sarcastically salute and let out a "Yes, SIR!" But she knew that CLHQ needed her, her friends needed her, and she grudgingly admitted that right now they all needed all the help they could get, even if that help came in the form of her least favorite Spyboy.

Meanwhile in Medlab:

The green liquid that ran into her vein was in stark contrast to her too-pale skin. She had been slowly regaining her strength, but was no match for the Unknown. They had crept up to her silently, miraculously avoiding Section's security. She had tried to scream, but the Unknown muffled her cries for help. She watched in horror as they exchanged the calming clear liquid in her IV bag for an all-too-familiar green substance. As she watched the liquid enter her arm Avillion felt her body relax, felt the calm descend even as she fought it.

The Unknown surreptitiously slipped from the room only seconds before Michael and Trace walked in, greeted by the harsh discords of the various monitors. Rushing to Avillion's bed, Michael disconnected the IV bag as Trace checked for vital signs. To their mutual dismay they discovered that...