Enroute to Section One Michael and Nikita sat down at one end of the plane, both deep in thought. They had a lot to try and sort out in their minds. The drug that Michael had used on Eric, had only allowed the Red Cell Operative to tell the truth. With that they had discovered that Eric was only brought in to eliminate Jason, and had been brought in from one of their European stations for that fact only. He had no contact really, with any of the members there in Sloanville, however he was able to provide a name of someone who would know. This was now the reason for their immediate return to Section One. They were to capture this man, and get the information out of him. Of course this man, Jacob, was currently in Europe only to arrive in Sloanville during the final stage of their plan. What those plans were, they didn’t know as of yet. Unfortunately, that was not the main matter that had plagued these two Operatives. That went to the young man laying in the bed across the way from them. Peter had learned too much to be allowed to exist, but neither wanted to force him into the world where he would surely die. Nikita glanced over to Michael, and sighed. “What are we going to do about him?” Michael glanced over at Nikita, and shook his head. “I don’t know.” Michael then looked over at Kermit who was evidently on the phone to someone. “We’ll work something out,” he told Nikita. “I owe him that,” Michael finished, indicating that he owed Kermit the life of his friend at least. Meanwhile, Kermit was anxiously awaiting to be connected to the one whom he had to talk to. Finally the connection was made, causing Kermit to smile slightly. “I have a proposition for you.” It took at least another hour before they received the signal that they would be landing at the hidden airbase that Section used. Kermit went directly over to Peter and woke him up, as the others gathered their items for landing. Peter slowly started to feel awareness seep in, as he woke from his impromptu slumber. Centimeter by centimeter, his eyelids opened, revealing to him what looked like an airplane. The second thing he saw was Kermit sitting next to him, staring down at him. “Where are we?” Kermit glanced around him, then back at the still prone Peter. “We’re about to land.” Peter slowly sat up. Placing his hand on his head, he had hoped to stop the world from spinning out of control. “Now, for once, just listen. Don’t say a word until I’m done. Got it?” Peter looked at Kermit and slowly nodded. Peter wasn’t sure what was going on anymore. He had just seen another side of Kermit, that he never knew existed before. It had scared him. But the Kermit before him now, showed no signs of the ruthlessness that Peter had seen just moments ago. *Had it been moments,* he wondered. *How long was I out?* “Okay, now,” Kermit began taking a deep breath. “You’re lucky, kid.” Peter just chuckled slightly at that, *lucky?*. “Michael and Nikita should’ve killed you once they discovered you snooping around. Hell, I should’ve the moment I saw you there at the warehouse. But I did make a promise, and I plan on keeping it.” Peter just looked up at Kermit, awaiting an explanation. “As of this moment,” Kermit began. “You belong to the Agency.” Peter’s eyes went wide, and opened his mouth to say something. “It was the only way to keep you alive. You don’t have to worry, though. I think I convinced them to keep you out of it, for the most part. It was all we could do to prevent Section from taking you.” Peter closed his eyes, as Kermit explained to him what his life was going to be like now. “You’ll be like Paul and I, basically staying out of the way. If you were discovered by Section, you would be dead. They would make everyone you care about believe you were dead, then you would have to do their bidding or die. That’s the way it is for Michael, Nikita, Birkoff, and anyone else in Section. You do what they say, or you are killed. So to keep you safe, and around those you care about, I had to pull in some favors.” “Gee thanks, Kermit,” Peter said leaning back in his makeshift bed. “So what does that mean? What are we doing here, and for that matter where are we?” “We’re on our way to Section One. The guy that we talked to gave us a name, so we have to go and pick him up,” Kermit explained. “Oh you mean the guy you killed.” Kermit knew that Peter would never understand the way that they worked, and frankly he hoped that he never would. “Yeah, the guy that we killed. But look, okay, this is big. The people we are after have infiltrated the conference. They are from a group called Red Cell. Ever heard of them,” Kermit asked knowing full well that Peter had. “The terrorist group?” Everyone who paid attention to the news knew about this group. “What do they have to do with all of this?” “That guy that we ‘killed’ tonight was a member. He had killed one of Section’s undercover Operatives. We’re not even sure what they are doing there, only that they are. That’s what Michael and the others are there for. To put a stop to whatever Red Cell is planning,” Kermit further explained. He knew that Peter now had to have most of the details if he was going to go along with this. Peter didn’t have to like it, but if there were people’s lives involved he would do what was necessary to save them. “That’s what the Sections do. They are an anti-terrorist group. Highly secret. So whatever you know, you can’t tell anyone. Anyone who knows of the existence of the Sections are subject to ‘recruitment’.” “In other words they would become a killer,” Peter said finally grasping some of what he was being told. “If you want to put it that way, sure.” Kermit took his sunglasses off and rubbed his eyes. He was tired, and it was beginning to show. “Now, here’s a question for you. You want to know what is going on or no? Do you want to help or not?” “Don’t keep me in the dark anymore, Kermit. I want to know what in the world is going on,” Peter said forcefully. Kermit nodded his head. “Okay, then we’re on our way to Section One. Once there, you do as I say. You’re a new recruit for the Agency, under me. You don’t talk to anyone unless I say it’s okay. You don’t say anything unless I tell you too. This will keep you alive long enough for us to get back to Sloanville and finish this fight. Understood? If you can’t do that, we’ll find somewhere to hang out, until the others are ready to head back home. Once we get home, you don’t tell a single soul of what you learned. No one, not even you father. No one must know about this. Got it?” Peter nodded his head, and held out his hand. “Fine, but you still have a lot of explaining to do to me.” Kermit agreed, and shook Peter’s hand sealing the agreement between the two. Birkoff came out from the front of the plane. “We’re here.” “Thanks, Birkoff. We’re on our way.” -------------------------------------- Section One Parts Unknown Peter followed the others as they walked through a large door leading to a hallway, deep below the Earth. He had no idea where he was, but this place so far was incredible. Just the place where they store their vehicles was huge. *Egress, they called it,* Peter remembered. Once they left the van, they reached an elevator, that now lead them here to this hallway. People were walking around, minding their own business. Peter followed closely behind Kermit, as he noticed the others split up. Birkoff headed towards, what Peter could tell, a command center. Screens lined the walls, and hanging from the ceiling, each showing different radar screens. There were also computer consuls, and large mainframes lining the walls as well. Birkoff appeared to be in charge, for when he arrived at the station he was immediately handed information and took charge of whatever they were working on. Nikita and Michael, however headed directly over to another part of the room. In this room there was a large table with chairs surrounding it. But the two didn’t stop there, as they made their way through a side hallway, and up a flight of stairs. That’s where Kermit and Peter headed as well. Peter figured he would have to take a look around sometime later. Before he reached the steps however, he noticed that above the table, high on the wall, was a window. He could see an older man standing there overlooking the daily routine of the people below. *He must be in charge,* Peter thought. He didn’t know it yet, but he would soon find out. The four made their way down another hallway, and arrived at a door. Michael keyed in a code and entered, followed by Nikita, Kermit and Peter. The four stood there looking at the man Peter saw before. “We have a location on Jacob. Madeline is creating a profile now,” the man spoke directly to Michael and Nikita. “Who will be leading the team,” Michael asked. “You will take Red Team and pick up our target, while Nikita runs Tactical from here. There will be a briefing in thirty minutes,” He told the two Operatives. Michael and Nikita just nodded and left the room, leaving Peter and Kermit alone with the man. “Kermit, it has been a long time.” “Yes, it has, Paul. I’d say that it’s good to see you again, but we both know that it’d be a lie,” Kermit said with a smile, shaking the man’s hand. “I’d like you to meet my recruit, Peter. You know, Blaisdell’s adopted son.” “Yes, I have heard a great deal about you. Funny however, I always thought that Blaisdell wanted you to have nothing to do with the Agency,” Paul said as he reached out his hand to shake Peter’s. “Well, he always had a hard time trying to control me at times. I did a lot of things that he didn’t approve of,” Peter told his adopted father’s namesake. “Is there something else besides Paul I can call you. Having two Paul’s in the same conversation is a little confusing,” Peter said making light of the situation. The other man chuckled. “Of course. People here call me Operations.” “So you’re the man in charge here,” Peter asked, trying to understand all of this. “That is correct.” Operations turned to Kermit, and gave him a small smile. “So, Kermit. Do you still know how to lead a team?” Kermit smiled. “Oh yeah.” “Good, I would like you to assist Nikita with Tactical from here. George said something about wanting you to be prepared, and that you might be a little rusty.” Operations said with an evil gleam in his eyes. He would like nothing more than to find something to use against George, his boss. “We’ll see,” was all Kermit said. “Well I think I’m going to show my friend around, then get ready for the briefing.” Operations just nodded his head, as Peter and Kermit made their way out of the room. Once out of earshot, Kermit leaned closer into Peter and whispered, “that guy is a snake. He will do anything that he has to do to keep control. He’ll kill whoever he wants, do whatever he wants. That’s the way he operates. You have to keep one eye on him at all times.” “He did something to Nikita, didn’t he,” Peter asked. He had seen the look that both Nikita and Michael had given Operations when they were in the room. Kermit smirked, knowingly. “What hasn’t he done to those two? He is god afterall,” was all he said. As the two walked down the hallway, Kermit began the tour. “That of course was the Perch, Operation’s Office. Madeline’s office, the Second-in-command’s office is down that hall and down some stairs. She’s another one you want to stay away from,” he explained. They began to pass another office on their right on their way to the stairs. Kermit stopped and pointed to the door. “That’s Michael’s office. The rest of the Operative’s offices and rooms are on Level 6. I almost forgot. Now,” Kermit said as he turned around. “Back the way we came is the holding cells, and some of the training rooms.” Peter began to take the place in, checking out where things were. He wondered why Michael had his office this close to the leaders, and the others didn’t. “What’s Michael’s job,” he asked Kermit. He wanted to know everything about this place he could, especially since he was now stuck here. Kermit turned back around and leaned on the railing near the steps leading toward Tactical. “Michael’s official title is Head strategist. He’s also a field operative, team leader, tactical oversight, Valentine Operative, and next in line to be Operations. Or so I’ve heard. He’s been here in Section One about 10 years now.” Peter shook his head. *Ten years,* he thought, in amazement. Kermit caught the look on his friend’s face and laughed. “You think that’s bad, wait till you meet Walter. That guys been here over 35 years.” “Thirty-five years,” Peter said in amazement. “What does he do? Why isn’t he the head of this place?” “Walter, no way. Walter was a field op for a while, but he’s happiest with his weapons.” Kermit began to descend the steps and entered the same room that they had been in before. Peter noticed that the once bare table now had items set around it, as people began to come in and sit down. “This is the War Room. This is where some of the briefings take place, the other would be Systems, where I believe we will end up.” Kermit pointed toward his left, “down that hallway is the white room. That’s where the prisoners are taken to be interrogated.” He left it at that. Kermit knew how Peter felt about how Section handled their prisoners, and he really didn’t want to get into a philosophical discussion with the kid. “Down there to the right, is the DRV. That’s where Team Leaders go to get their information on the area, and other BS.” Peter didn’t say much, for he currently was in the visitor mode. He would express his views to Kermit later, somewhere besides in the lion’s den. “So what’s that,” Peter asked pointing to a small room, close the Comm station he saw Birkoff head to when they arrived. Kermit smiled. “That’s where we are going.” Kermit made his way toward the small looking room, and leaned against the table that was in the middle of the room. The two saw Nikita sitting down in one of the chairs, looking over a small panel. She glanced up and smiled. “Were going to need stealth gear, and how about some of those Styr Augs,” she yelled to someone in the back. Kermit smiled when he heard the voice of a man he knew well answer back to Nikita. “Want some 357’s, or Beretta 92F’s?” “Sure why not. Oh and don’t forget we’re also going to need those detonators.” “Yeah, yeah, Sugar. I’ll take good care of you, I won’t leave anything out.” The man walked back into the front room, holding a small bag in his hands. Peter saw an older gentlemen with long white hair, that was up in a ponytail. The man looked to Peter like he was a member of one of a biker gang. “I’ll make sure it’s all set up after Red Team comes back from this little excursion.” Nikita gave him a large smile, and patted him on the cheek. “You treat me so good, Walter. What would I ever do without you?” “Let’s hope you never have to find out, Sugar,” he answered her. “Of course, I can show you want I can really do for you,” he added raising his eyebrows, and smiling. Nikita just laughed, and shook her head. Walter looked up, finally noticing the new comers in his realm. “Kermit. I’ll be damned. You’re still around?” Kermit smiled, and shook Walter’s hand. “I could say the same to you. Aren’t you getting too old for this place?” Walter rolled his eyes, and shook his head. “Naw, what would they do without me to run this place,” he said waiving his hands around to show his area. “Besides someone has to inventory all this old stuff, so that we can dispose of them. And who else do you think will know what a Grummen 412 is?” Kermit shook his head. “You haven’t changed a bit have you?” “Now, why would I do that,” Walter answered, as he continued to get things ready for the upcoming mission. Nikita stood, and took a deep breath. “We wouldn’t want you to change, Walter.” Nikita turned, and stretched. “Well, I’ve got a briefing to go to. I’ll talk to you later, Walter.” “See ya, Sugar.” Kermit nodded to Nikita. “Well I guess that means that it’s time to move.” Kermit turned to Walter, and sighed. “Walter, do me a favor,” Kermit asked, as Walter looked up at him. “Keep an eye on Peter, here for me, during the briefing.” Walter looked at the young man that was with Kermit. “Sure,” he answered back at Kermit, as he saw him begin to head for the briefing. “You can help me finish getting things ready for the mission, since I’m excluded this time from the briefing. I’ve already had my own private briefing. I’m Walter, by the way,” he said extending his hand to Peter. “Peter Caine.” “So, you’re Blaisdell’s kid. Or better yet, adopted kid,” Walter stated. “How does everyone know Paul,” Peter asked wondering what the hell was going on. He had known that Paul had something in his past, and that he had known Kermit from his mercenary days, but everyone here knew him. Did Paul have something to do with Section? “He’s one of us, so to speak. He works with the Agency, just like Kermit, or at least he used to. I believe that he’s retired now,” Walter added, as he moved to add some more items to one of the bags. “I can say one thing, though.” Peter looked at the older man, with a questioning gaze. “You are one lucky guy.” “Why is that,” Peter asked. He had no idea what Walter was talking about. Was he referring to Blaisdell, or something else? “Let me give you a piece of advice,” Walter began. He leaned on the table so that he was close enough to Peter to whisper. “Don’t do anything stupid. You are a lucky man, to have so many people risk their lives for you. To keep you out of this place. Don’t screw it up. Cause I tell you if one of them gets canceled because of this, you have to deal with me.” Walter stood back up and continued his work. Peter just stood there, confused. “What are you talking about?” “Normally, when someone is in your position, there is no choice. You’re stuck here for the rest of your life, however long that is.” Walter didn’t even look back up at Peter as he explained. “Comprende? They will find someway to make you disappear. You come here, and everything that you once knew will be out of your reach. They will make you do things that you don’t want to do. You’re soul, you’re life will belong to them,” Walter said pointing up to Operation’s Perch. It didn’t take long for people to start filing into Walter’s area. Peter helped Walter hand out the items to the awaiting Operatives. “Don’t forget to have them sign them out,” Walter told Peter, and they worked to ensure everyone was getting what they needed. Peter saw Kermit, Nikita, and Michael enter the room. Michael was now wearing black combat gear, instead of his dress jacket. Michael was filling Nikita and Kermit in on some last minute details, as Peter noticed that Walter was talking to one of the other Operatives. “You all set there, Stillman?” “Oh yeah, I think that this will be good. Thanks,” Stillman placed a gun into his holster on his thigh. “By the way, Walter, you owe me a drink.” Walter looked up at the man, confused. “For what?” “For Debra,” Stillman said with a smile. Walter lowered his eyes to the ground and groaned. Peter began to wonder what that was all about. He was beginning to like the Weapon’s expert, he was one of the good guys, despite the fact that he helped arm these people. “Alright. Alright.” Stillman flashed his white teeth in a grin. “After I get back from this mission, we’ll talk about it.” Walter handed the well-built black man the rest of his weapons, and a small P.D.A. “Just make sure you come back,” Walter said handing him one final item. “Just sign them out before I change my mind and put blanks in your clips.” Stillman laughed lightly. “You can’t get out of paying me that easily. You know, as well as I do, with Michael on the team, and Nikita running tactical, we’ll be back no problems.” Walter took the P.D.A back from Stillman, and sighed. “That is as long as the Intel is correct.” “Even if it aint, Michael always has a back-up plan. Everything is covered for, no matter how remote,” Stillman added, full of pride to be a part of this group. “And with Nikita, there at Tactical, what could go wrong,” he added loud enough so that the woman in question heard him. Nikita shook her head, and walked up to Stillman. “If I’m running Tactical on this one, let me give you a bit of advice.” Stillman leaned in to hear what she had to say. Everyone in Section knew that Michael and Nikita were the best. With them on your team, you didn’t fail. The two of them would make sure that you got home, mostly in one piece in the least. Nikita leaned in and smiled. Peter found himself leaning closer to hear also. “Don’t get shot in the ass again,” she said with a smile and a wink, then walked back over to Michael. Stillman just shook his head. “She loves me,” he said as he made his way out of the room. Michael was the last one to get his gear, then he headed out with the rest of his team. Walter watched them leave, and shook his head. “Good-luck,” he said quietly. He turned to Peter, and shrugged. “That’s one of the things that I hate most about this whole place.” When he was sure that he had Peter’s attention, he continued. “You see these guys, and the lovely women,” he added for Nikita’s benefit. “You see them come in here before a mission, and you are never sure if they are going to make it back or not. Will you see them again, or are you going to have hear that they didn’t make it, and go on, waiting for your next friend to die.” -------------------------------------- Section One, Comm. Parts Unknown Mission Nikita stood behind Birkoff, looking at the monitors above them. Kermit and Peter sat down in a group of chairs next to the young computer expert, watching what was going on. Kermit was only going to help if he was needed. He figured that he wasn’t going to throw a monkey wrench into the works, unless he had to. Nikita was a team leader, and knew what she was doing. Besides, it had been years since he had last lead a mission, and they had a lot more advance equipment now than they did then. “Teams are in position,” Birkoff stated. “Birkoff, do a perimeter sweep,” came Michael’s voice over the comm. Birkoff looked down at his readings, double checking everything. “I have you entering the target zone. Perimeter is clean, commencing Tactical guide.” “We’re moving to the first mark.” Peter looked up at one of the monitors, noticing a group of green dots making their way from one point to another. The group slit up into smaller units, each heading in a different direction. Birkoff looked over his readings again, and shook his head. “This doesn’t make sense,” he said to no one in particular. Nikita and Kermit looked over his shoulder at his readings. “What is it, Birkoff,” Kermit asked, before Nikita did. “I should be reading something, anything. If our guy is there, then we should be reading something.” Birkoff began to type something into the computer, and shook his head. Nikita glanced down at what he was doing, waiting for something to show. “Michael, what are you reading?” There was a brief pause, then Michael answered. “We’re reading 5 in the Zone, aproximently five kilometers North, Northeast of my position. Is that correct?” Nikita looked down at the readings that Birkoff was getting, then once Birkoff hit the final button, the reading changed. “Okay, we’re good,” Birkoff stated. Nikita glanced back up at the screens, taking in all the information that they had available. “Okay, first team, continue towards your second mark, split and move.” Nikita glanced down at the panel in front of Birkoff, and then back up to the screen directly above her. “Okay we have numbers. Six to one in the Hot Zone. Team two move to second mark and hold.” “What are your readings on the house,” Michael asked. Birkoff raised his hands and shook his head. “They have some sort of structural defect there. We can’t get a proper reading.” “Okay, go in carefully. Team three move in behind Team one and provide back-up. Team one, move to your final mark,” Nikita ordered. Peter was amazed at how calm Nikita was. He wasn’t doing anything except sit there and watch, and he was nervous. How could they do this and not know what was going on, was beyond him. They all stood there, watching their only link to what was going on, on the screens above them. “Michael report.” “No resistance. Where is Jacob’s location?” “He should be on level three,” Birkoff stated. He hated that he couldn’t see inside the building. Suddenly there was gun-fire sounding in their ears. “Birkoff, what’s happening?” “Team two report.” “We’ve engage Hostiles. Damn, there’s got to be a least fifty here,” came another voice. Nikita took charge. “Team three report.” She was met by silence. “McDaniel, report.” “Team three is down,” Davenport stated through their comm. “There’s just too many of them. What. . .” Before Davenport could finish, the lights within Section began to fade. “What the. . .” Birkoff stated. Quickly, Birkoff was in action. “Birkoff what’s going on,” Operations asked from his position high above Tactical. “We’re in the middle of a multiple monopoly, sir. The entire system is shutting down. We’ve experienced a power surge of some sort. I’m rerouting the bitstream to prevent corruption.” Birkoff began to work hard on the various consuls before him, as the rest of Comm jumped into action. “We’ve lost all digital progress. Satcom is down. We’re not receiving.” Birkoff pointed to some of the others present. “Get them back now. Reroute all Comms in the thirty-fourth stream to analog. Hook up the back-up power to the fifth stream, and shut down all non-essential processes!” Birkoff was quickly taking charge of the situation, ordering his people to do what they had to do to get their people back safely. Operations had arrived from his office, to stand and watch. Birkoff turned to him. “Someone has placed a bug inside our local transformers, corrupting all Systems, including power.” “How long until we can find out about our team,” Operations asked, none to pleased. “In about five minutes, we’ll be up and running. It will be limited until I can sweep the system, but. . .” Birkoff left it hanging. “Get on it. I want them back, now.” Operations stood off to the side, watching as Birkoff, Kermit and the rest of the Comm crew worked to get the Systems back on-line. In less than three minutes, Birkoff sat back down in his chair and began to make the final connections through the system. Once the final one was made, he nodded over to Nikita. “Team one report,” she said. They were met by silence. “Team two report.” Once again they were met by nothing but silence. Peter closed his eyes, he couldn’t even imagine what it was like for them. It was hell on him, and he didn’t know any of these people. Just the thought that they were out there somewhere, either alive or dead, with no help, was tearing him up inside. “Michael report,” Nikita said as she closed her eyes to what Peter thought, and prayed. “We have closure,” came a reply from over the comm. It was highly distorted since they were using analog instead of the Satcom channels. Peter could almost see everyone breath a sigh of relief, as the voice of one of the team members came through. But at what costs, Peter wondered. Operations stepped forward, and grabbed an earpiece. “Michael, status.” “Five dead,” was all that he said. “And Jacob,” Operations asked. “Material is secured.” Nikita glanced over at Birkoff with fear in her eyes. “What’s our wounded, Michael,” she asked, almost afraid of what the answer would be. With five dead already, how many more would they have to worry about. There was a long pause on the other end, that Birkoff began to wonder if they had somehow once again lost Comms. Finally Michael came across the Comm, “one hundred percent.” They heard what sounded like the Comm gear being placed on a table, hard. Birkoff closed his eyes, and lowered his head. He didn’t take long, however. He had to find out what went wrong on this end. Once again Birkoff was directing his people in their tasks. Nikita however just stood there with her eyes closed. That was her team. “Get the Med techs to the Van Access immediately,” Operations stated. “As soon as they arrive, let me know. And Birkoff,” Birkoff looked up at him. “I want answers, within the hour.” “Yes, sir,” Birkoff stated, then got back to work. Peter stood and walked over to Kermit who was helping Birkoff with trying to figure out what happened. “Anything I can do,” he asked. “Yeah, why don’t you go over and keep Walter company. Right now, the less people we have in this area the better,” Kermit told him, then went back to work. Nikita placed her hand on Peter’s shoulder. “They’ll be here in about twenty minutes,” she informed him then went to Walter’s station. -------------------------------------- Section One, Van Access Parts Unknown Nikita and Peter stood in the hallway outside of Van Access waiting for Red Team to arrive. Just minutes ago, they had noticed the Med. Techs head down toward the access. The team had just arrived, and Peter and Nikita waited for a glimpse of how things were. Peter noticed Operations and a beautiful brunet, whom he had been told was Madeline, step up to stand beside the door. The door opened and they all saw the Med. Techs quickly moving a couple of gurneys to the left towards Med. Lab. “We need to Stabilize him, quickly,” one of the Techs stated. “Pressure,” another asked. “Blood pressure’s dropping. 30/50. Watch it. We’re losing him,” those waiting heard the tech explain as the wounded disappeared around the corner. Nikita was grateful that there were only two stretchers. That meant that everyone else was at least able to walk. She saw two others help Stillman walk down the hall. Pulling up the rear was their prisoner, whom was surrounded by injured operatives, and Michael. Michael turned to the Operatives. “Take him to containment, then report to Med. Lab,” he informed them. Michael then turned toward his bosses, and Nikita saw that his arm was limp to his side. What worried her the most, however, was the blood that had dried above his right temple. She glanced over at Peter and noticed that he appeared to be sick. Operations turned his attention to Michael, after watching their prisoner being lead toward the Whiteroom. His eyes were cold and hard as he stared at Michael. “What the hell happened out there, Michael,” he asked. Michael’s face was blank as he moved his eyes to look directly into Operation’s own. “It was an ambush, we were outnumbered. The mission went critical twenty minutes in.” “Is that all?” “Yes,” Michael answered without emotion. Peter just stood there in shock at what he was seeing and hearing. He couldn’t believe that someone could just stand there, like nothing was wrong, when obviously they needed medical attention. *He must be in shock,* Peter thought. Peter watched as Operations continue to glare at Michael. Peter had to hand it to Michael. Not once did Michael even flinch under the look of his superior. “My office. . .Now,” Operations ordered as he turned to head to his office. Michael moved over to Nikita, and handed her his semi-automatic rifle and pistol. Nikita just nodded, then she and Peter followed Michael toward the main area. As Michael headed farther into the area on his way to Operation’s Perch, Nikita and Peter headed over to Munitions. Nikita placed the weapons down on the workbench in front of Walter. “Michael will check these back in, along with everything else, as soon as he debriefs,” she explained, even though there was no need. She then turned her attention to Peter. She had known the moment that Operation’s had ordered Michael to his office, that Peter had wanted to say something. “What?” Peter began to pace back and forth--every now and then glancing up to the window that showed Operation’s office--clenching his fists. He saw the window darken as if by magic, not allowing anyone to witness what was happening within those walls. “What is that all about? Michael’s injured, he should be in Med. Lab, not being yelled at. Hell, I don’t understand what’s going on,” he resigned. He didn’t understand, not in the least. At least Captain Simms would have waited until they had gotten checked out my a doctor before she yelled at them. Nikita sighed, after a long pause, then ran her fingers across the edge of the workbench. “You wouldn’t understand,” she said matter-of-factly. “Then explain it to me,” Peter said through clenched teeth, and leaning forward on the bench. Peter doubted he would ever understand anything about this place, or these people. However, he was determined to at least have all the information, so that maybe one day, he would be able to understand. Nikita closed her eyes to think. “I don’t know if I can. I don’t know how to tell you what you want to hear, not without destroying you.” Nikita reached out and lightly touched his hand. “You seem like a really great guy, Peter. You’re a little nieve, and innocent, but that’s what makes you who you are.” Nikita took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “You don’t deserve to be in a place like this. This place IS hell, in every sense of the word. I tried to protect you from ever experiencing something like this. You deserve to keep your soul,” she finally said lowering her eyes to the ground. Peter looked at her confused, while Walter just stood there, nodding. “The five percent club,” he said as he continued to put everything back where they belonged. Peter turned his attention toward Walter. “What is that,” he asked, having no idea what that was. Nikita smiled a little as Walter stopped what he was doing to look at Peter in all seriousness. “Ninety-five percent of all recruits that come through here have their souls sucked out of them within the first year. Some however, somehow, are able to keep theirs,” Walter then turned back to his work. “Of course you have some who just misplace theirs for a while,” he added glancing at Nikita. Nikita smiled, “yeah, they do. But with friends like you Walter, they find their way back.” Walter placed a hand on Nikita’s shoulder. “Naw, I have nothing to do with that. Love,” he said glancing up at Peter. “Now that’s the key to keeping your soul, no matter what they throw at you.” Nikita nodded in agreement. The love that she shared with Michael had brought them both back from emotional, or emotionless, hell. However, before Peter could ask what they were talking about, Michael stepped into Munitions, and began to place the rest of his gear down on the counter. As Walter stated to check in everything, Nikita placed her hand on Michael’s arm. “Everything alright,” she asked, a little worried. Michael knew that she was worried about what Operations and Madeline might have said or threatened, but she was also worried about his injuries. “It’s fine,” Michael told her looking a little off to the side. After their years together Nikita had finally been able to tell when he was lying and when he wasn’t. She could tell in his eyes, and when he avoided that contact, however slight, she knew that what he was saying wasn’t true, or he was hiding something from her. This time, however, she knew from what he didn’t say. Michael closed his eyes briefly, then opened them to look directly at her. Peter stood there, watching the two. It seemed to him as if they were having an entire conversation without saying a word. Nikita shook her head in disbelief, with a small smile on her lips. “You want me to do anything,” she asked. “No, everything’s being handled. You’re down until morning,” Michael informed her. Birkoff walked up to the group, handing something to Michael. “Michael, I think you should take a look at this,” the young computer expert stated as he handed the PDA over to Michael. Michael gave a quick nod over to Walter and Nikita, then walked off to Comms. Peter followed the men with his eyes, noticing Kermit join them. Peter wished he knew what was going on, but he could only hope that Kermit would explain it to him later. Birkoff walked back to his station, leaving Kermit and Michael alone. Peter, keeping a close eye on his friend, noticed that Kermit nodded, then placed something in his pocket. Michael then moved away from Comms heading to his office as Kermit made his way over to Peter. Peter looked at Kermit, asking with is eyes what was going on. Kermit just shrugged. “I’ll explain later,” he answered. Kermit then pulled out the item that he had just recently placed into his pocket and handed it to Peter. “We’ll be staying at Michael’s place tonight, since most likely he won’t get out of here. Why don’t you head on over there, and I’ll meet you there in a couple of hours,” Kermit said. Peter looked at the paper, as Kermit continued to explain. “This is the address, and his security code. Don’t let anyone see this,” Kermit added with conviction. “Why,” Peter asked confused. Nikita smiled, shaking her head. “Michael’s Class Five,” she said as an explanation. Nikita then looked over at Kermit. “Why don’t you keep those,” she said indicating the key and address. Then she turned to face the younger detective. “I’ll take you there, and get you in.” Kermit just glanced at Nikita with a raised eyebrow. Nikita just shrugged and smiled. “Just let me check on the rest of Red Team, and we can go,” she informed Peter. Kermit shook his head. He really didn’t want to know what was going on between Michael and Nikita. It was better if he didn’t know. “Why don’t you take Peter along? I was going to give him a tour, but. . .” he left it hang, since it was obvious as to why he hadn’t had a chance to. Nikita nodded then stood. “Sure. Ready,” she asked Peter. Kermit just stood there watching the two head of into the bowels of Section One. He wished that he had been able to take Peter himself, but he had to find out what had happened there. Something was going wrong in Section, it wasn’t the same from the way it was back when Adrian was in charge. Things had gotten a lot worse here, and he was determined to try and find out where the problem was. Then there was Nikita. There was something about her that he didn’t trust, but Michael, Birkoff, and Walter trusted her with their lives, and for now that was enough. Kermit wasn’t positive why he felt that Nikita couldn’t be trusted, since she hadn’t done anything to suggest otherwise, she had been nothing but nice and caring. She didn’t fit into the normal Section mold, but he didn’t think that was the reason for his current feelings. He could only hope that he found out before it was too late, before his friends suffered. Kermit just shook his thoughts away, and headed back to assist Birkoff. Nikita was something for another time. Meanwhile, Nikita and Peter walked through the halls of Section. “We’ll start back here then make our way to where we can get out and get something to eat. How does that sound,” she asked as she lead him toward parts unknown. Peter just shrugged. “Sounds good to me, I guess. I can’t even remember what day it is, so I guess I should get something to eat sometime soon. That little tranquilizer dart or whatever it was, knocked me out for a while.” “Sorry about that,” she told him sincerely. “But now you know why we couldn’t let you go and get the cops. If you did then they would have had to have been killed. We couldn’t allow that. I hope you understand.” Peter just continued to walk beside Nikita as they walked past Operatives on their daily routine. “Oh I understand that part, mostly. I can’t say I really understand the rest of this, though. Why kill people if you are trying to help them? Why . . .Hell, I don’t know anything anymore. What I believed my whole life is in question, and I don’t know what to think anymore. The man that I trusted with my life, time and time again, works for you or at least works with you. Then I find out that the man that raised me is also a part of this. Everything I believed in has been shattered. What am I supposed to believe anymore? Where does this leave me, especially now that I’m involved.” Peter shook his head. Peter knew that he didn’t have anyone else to blame but himself. If he hadn’t tried to ‘protect’ Kermit, then he never would’ve been where he shouldn’t have been. He was never supposed to find out, but his stubbornness had brought him here, and now he was stuck. Everything that he had believed Paul and Kermit to be was in question, and what would his father think about all of this? Caine was a noble man, who despised guns, and violence. What would he think of his son now that he was involved with something like this? Where did that leave him? He couldn’t tell his father about any of this, or else he would lose his father permanently, but what would happen if his father found out about who is son is now? What would Caine think of his son now? Peter didn’t think he could keep it hidden, since his father always knew when something was wrong, or different about Peter. What would he do? Peter wasn’t sure he wanted the answers to these questions, he wasn’t even sure if there were any. Time would tell, he supposed. The two came up on a large room with what looked like a large sphere inside it. Inside the sphere was an Operative with a gun, shooting objects that appeared before him. “What’s this?” “This is one of our training areas. We have the gym, weight room, dojo, shooting range, you name it we have it. This is simply a proficiency test, to see how well your motor skills, vision, and reflexes are. It’s not as easy as it looks, and I can tell you from experience that when you get hit with one of those lasers they hurt like hell.” Nikita smiled a small smile, then turned and lead Peter off to another section. “Here’s the gym and Dojo. As you can tell, this is where we strengthen our skills for hand-to-hand combat.” This is something that Peter at least knew about. Martial Arts and guns, were two things he was proficient in, himself. “What types of Martial Arts do you learn,” he asked his blond companion. Nikita just shrugged. “I’m not really sure, to tell you the truth. All I know is that you learn all different ways to take someone out, whether it is to kill them, or to incompassatate them. You learn how to survive here, that’s for sure. Maybe it’s not always the right thing to do or to learn, but it keeps us alive. One can bet that the enemy is training just as hard, if not harder than us.” Peter just nodded as they made their way down a small hallway, leading to an office on the side. “This is Madeline’s office. You should at least meet her, since if you don’t see her, she’ll see you. And that’s not always a good thing. All I can tell you is that she’ll read you, or at least try to. She’ll play mind game on you to see what she can do to control you. Don’t give anything away. If we’re lucky she’s interrogating the prisoner.” Nikita punched in a code, and after being invited, walked into the room followed by Peter. “Madeline, this is Peter Caine. He works with Kermit Griffin.” Madeline stood and walked over to Peter. She reached out her hand, smiled, then shook his hand. “I’ve heard a great deal about you, Mr. Caine. Sit down, please,” she said to him as she moved to sit behind her desk. Peter sat down in the chair across from her. Peter just sat there and looked at her. With everything that he had heard about her from Kermit, Walter, and Nikita, he would’ve figured horns growing out of her head. He didn’t get a good look at her before, so he had thought that he might’ve missed it. Granted, Peter knew that not all evil beings had visible signs, and those who didn’t were by far the worse. Those who pretended to be nice and caring to your face, are the ones who will do the most damage, who are the most dangerous. Peter just grinned at the brunette. “Let me guess, Paul Blaisdell told you about me.” Madeline just sat casually in her chair, looking at Peter. “You were brought up once or twice in conversation, yes. It was mainly when Blaisdell wanted to keep us informed that we were not to lay a hand on you. In fact, I tend to recall that Blaisdell wanted you to never know about this life at all. Of course, times change.” Madeline reached over to her computer and typed something into it. “I have looked in on you on occasions, as a favor for your foster-father, of course.” Peter felt disgusted, and violated. This woman had ‘looked in on’ him. “Of course,” Peter replied not letting her in on his internal struggle. All he wanted to do was rip into this woman, but he would try and play this game as long as he could. He wouldn’t give this woman the satisfaction of knowing that she was getting to him. “Anything interesting?” Madeline glanced at her computer screen once again. “Actually you are an excellent marksman, and martial artist, according to everything I’ve found. You do seem however, to have a problem with the way the system works. You have often been in conflict with your superiors, and co-workers, over things that don’t go your way, or that you feel are not the way they should be.” Peter tried hard not to squirm in his seat. She was hitting awfully close to home. “You also tend to value other’s lives over your own. There have been many occasions where you have placed yourself in danger to save your friends, or in one instance a bus full of children.” Madeline continued to scan the information, and her profile before her. She had known everything about Peter, down to whom he dated, how long the relationship lasted, and even what type of shampoo he liked to use. However, Madeline wasn’t going to let him know that she knew all about him. She even went so far as to check into his father, and this ‘mysterious’ Ancient. Madeline turned to face Peter. “You even go to extremes in finding the truth, such was the case with the late-District Attorney, your girlfriend, Rebecca. However, you weren’t alone in that adventure either. You also have a tendency to rely on your friends for help, such as a Ms. Jody Powell,” Peter automatically straightened. Peter felt his control on his emotions snap. If they dare touch Jody, or anyone that he cared about for that matter, he would personally shove her profile up where she would never find it. “You leave my friends out of it.” “Yes, but Detective First Grade Powell is more than a friend is she not,” Madeline asked leaning back slightly in her chair. “Or at least she would like to it be more, wouldn’t she. And I would hazard to guess that maybe you feel the same way, if only you could get past the fact that you had failed her sister Kira.” Peter sat forward in his chair, and looked deep into her eyes. “What is the point of all of this, Madeline,” Peter asked in as calm a voice as he could muster. “You got my attention, so what do you plan on doing?” “Nothing,” Madeline said as she typed in something else, eliminating Peter’s profile from her screen. “I just thought that I would let you know just who you are dealing with. We don’t play games here, Mr. Caine. We are here for a purpose, and if the outside world were to discover our existence, I would hate to see what would happen to the people you care about.” Madeline stood and walked over to a group of Bonsai trees she had in her office. “We don’t exist, Mr. Caine. I suggest that you remember that. Your arrival isn’t without some question, on my part. I felt that you should know, what the consequences of your actions might be. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a prisoner to check on,” Madeline said in dismissal. Peter and Nikita left Madeline’s office, and Nikita could almost feel the anger flowing from the young Detective. “How dare she. . .” Peter began. He couldn’t believe that someone could be so cold and calculating. “If anyone I care about gets hurt. . .I swear. . .” Once out of the office, Peter leaned against a nearby wall. Nikita placed her hand on his shoulder, she could sympathize with him. She had been the subject of Madeline’s wrath on more than one occasion. Madeline was definitely a master at the game of human chess. Nikita sighed, hoping to clear her thoughts. “Come on,” she began. “Let’s get out of here.” Nikita watched at Peter ran his hands through his short auburn hair, then stand. The two walked down the passageway leading toward freedom. End of Part Three