-------------------------------------- Michael’s apartment Parts Unknown Nikita and Peter walked into the loft, carrying bags of carry-out food. Nikita placed her one a table near-by and turned off the security system. Once the system was taken care of, she picked up her bags and headed toward the kitchen. “Well here we are. What do you want to drink?” Peter followed her into the kitchen, and sat down on a stool. “Is there any beer,” he asked knowing that he needed to have something to get the awful taste that was in his mouth out. Nikita opened up the refrigerator, looking over Michael’s selection. “Let’s see,” she said looking. “We have water, tea, wine, and of course coffee. Sorry, no beer.” Nikita then looked at a bottle on the counter, and smiled. “Now, this is new,” she said quietly to herself. “And some Scotch.” Peter shook his head. “Tea, please. Does he have hot tea?” Nikita nodded, and began to prepare him a cup of tea. Peter watched as Nikita moved around the kitchen like this was her own apartment. “So,” Peter began. “Come here often?” Nikita just smiled as she placed a cup of tea and a plate in front of him. “A couple of times.” Nikita then placed a wine glass and plate down for herself and sat across from him. “It’s no secret that Michael and I are together. Well, as much as we can be in a place like Section. It hasn’t been easy, but we try to make the best of what we’re given.” “Let me guess what Madeline has given you,” he told her with disgust. He still couldn’t believe the gall of that woman. “She’s part of the problem, yes, but so is Operations. Granted, there have been many things that have kept us apart before now that had nothing to do with them.” Nikita sighed and took a sip of her wine. “But things aren’t too bad right now. It’s just complicated. We both have had a hard time this past year. I’m amazed that we’ve made it this far.” Nikita placed her chin in her hand, picking at the food in front of her. She decided that she wasn’t as hungry as she thought she was. “I’m also not sure why he’s stayed with me after everything I’ve done to him.” Peter just looked at her, noticing the tension that was deeply set in her shoulders. “What happened, if I can ask,” he cautiously asked her. Nikita sighed and looked up at him. “Oh let’s see. . . There was my brainwashing, there was Michael’s cancellation order, both of us and our blood covers, my ‘release’ from Section. Oh let’s not forget my thinking the worst of Michael more than once, us helping Operations with a personal problem, being captured, Michael’s demotion, and that’s just a couple of things in the past year alone.” Nikita shook her head, she was still amazed at the length Section would go to keep her and Michael apart. Peter shook his head in disbelief. He couldn’t believe the things that had happened--and all in the past year? The things that had happened to this beautiful woman just because she was in love, was inconceivable. He had never heard of anything like this before. “Brainwashing? Blood covers? Okay some of your terms are lost on me,” Peter said. He wanted to understand. How could someone be so cruel--and was exactly happened to these two people? “Okay, um,” she began. “They, Madeline and Operations that is, didn’t like the fact that Michael and I had found a way to be together. We were on a mission, and I was told to go off profile, in other words go somewhere that we hadn’t been told about before. When I got there, Madeline had be drugged, and brainwashed. They removed all of my emotions,” she explained. Peter could tell that this was difficult for her. He wanted to kick himself for causing her pain. Nikita took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I became the ‘perfect Section Operative’. No feelings, no cares, nothing. I killed innocent people and I didn’t care. If it wasn’t for Michael, I would still be like that. He had risked his own life to bring me back.” Nikita smiled slightly at that memory. She remembered what it took to bring her back, and that isn’t something she would ever forget anytime soon. Michael had risked so much, as did Walter and Birkoff, just to bring her back. Walter and Birkoff had covered for Michael, when he was detoxing her, and opening her up to the long surpressed emotions. She owed them everything. Nikita took another deep breath, clearing her thoughts. “As to the blood covers. Boy, this is a difficult one. A blood cover is very rare, in fact Michael’s was the first. Michael had been in Section a couple of years, when he married Simone, a fellow Operative. However, Operations had ordered him to get close to and marry the daughter of a terrorist. Michael and Elena married, and had Adam. I guess that they were married six or seven years, maybe. Last year, Operations told Michael to poison Elena so that we can bring Vocek down. Michael refused of course, but Section got to her anyway. Vocek came, and we killed him and Michael in front of Elena. Then just a couple of months ago, I was told to marry a suspected Terrorist whom we believed worked with Red Cell. Of course it turned out that he was Interpol, but I was told to stay.” “So they tell you who to marry and have children with,” Peter asked in disbelief. “Do they think that they can control how one feels. How long were you in your ‘Blood Cover’?” “Only a couple of months,” she stated. “I guess I got off luckier than Michael. I wasn’t ordered to have a child with Helmut. I did learn with my own ‘marriage’ why things between Michael and I were the way there were for a couple of years there. All I wanted for the first few years that we knew each other, was for him to stay with me, but even though I didn’t know, he had a wife and child to go home to. I can’t even begin to understand how he did it. At least when I was in my cover, I didn’t go on missions, he did.” “Where is his wife, Simone now, and is this the child that you were talking about before,” Peter asked, finally putting the pieces together. Things were starting to make some sense to him, allowing him to understand. “Simone died, oh what was it, three years ago. However, she was believed dead three years prior to that. She was held captive by another terrorist group, but when we found her she sacrificed herself to save Michael and I.” Nikita remembered the frail, but strong woman whom she saw captive by Glass Curtain. She had always wondered that if Shays had survived, then if it wasn’t possible that Simone might still be out there somewhere, alive, and waiting for them to retrieve her. Nikita hated to think that a slimeball like Shays had survived the explosion and that Simone, whom was in the same room with Shays when the place blew, didn’t. “Adam was born shortly after Simone was believed to have died. I guess that was Operation’s way of allowing Michael to have something,” she laughed slightly. It was just like the Powers that Be to play with people’s emotions and lives that way. Peter shook his head. He couldn’t understand how someone could be so cold. Of course he now knew that Michael was never to see his son again, and that thought made Peter sick. He had missed out on so much time with his own father, because of Ping Hi, and the explosion at the temple, that he couldn’t imagine what it must be like knowing that your son was alive. He had at least thought his father dead, as his father believed that he had died. But to know that they are out there, and there was nothing that could be done, was almost too much to bear. Peter shook his head again, deciding that it would be best to change the subject. “So what happens now?” Nikita was grateful for the change. “Well we wait until we find out what Jacob has to say. Then it will be time to take out Red Cell’s hideout there in Sloanville, hopefully stopping whatever plans they had in the works. Stopping them of course is our main agenda, if we can take out their hideout as well, all the better.” Both turned when the door suddenly opened, and they saw Kermit walk through. “He broke,” Kermit stated as he moved over to the couch, and sat down heavily on it. He leaned his head on the back of the couch, and closed his eyes, and propped his feet up on the small coffee table in front of him. “Man, it’s been a hell of a long day.” Peter turned his attention to his friend, and noticed the lines of tension, that had been present for a while now. “Did we find out why we lost communication with Michael’s team,” Peter asked. It had bothered him that something like that had happened. He was grateful however that the team had survived, at least for the most part. Kermit reached up and rubbed his tired, sore eyes under his sunglasses. “Oh yeah,” he began. “It appears that one of our own people had sold out to Red Cell. They had set a small virus into the system, that and a small explosive ready to go off at a press of a button, and WHAM,” Kermit hit the couch for emphasis. “There goes the whole damn system.” Kermit laughed slightly, shaking his head. “It was amazing how the hell she had it set up. It was almost perfect. That’s why our system didn’t read those Hostiles before, and Michael’s PAD did. The virus had just stated to leak into the system.” Nikita closed her eyes. *One of their own,* she thought. *Of course it wouldn’t be the first time.* Peter just stared at Kermit in shock. He had known about ‘corrupted cops’, but he hadn’t thought that something like that could happen in Section--not the way things were run there. Of course someone always had to prove him wrong. “So she’s dead,” Peter stated matter-of-factly. He had learned in this short period of time just how ruthless they were. Kermit turned his head slightly to look at the younger detective. “Well actually their going to interrogate her first, then she will be canceled. Madeline wants to know how deep this thing goes. You know if she’s the only one or not.” “And if she doesn’t talk,” Peter asked, not really wanting the answer but feeling compelled to ask anyway. Nikita turned to Peter, and placed her hand on his arm. “The ‘Torture Twins’ will get her to talk. I’m sure they are the ones Madeline will use.” Kermit just nodded. “Well I guess it’s time to get some sleep, kid. We have a long day a head of us tomorrow.” Nikita stood from her chair and began to make her way to the door, before Kermit stopped her. “Oh Michael should be out of there in about an hour. He’s getting a reprieve.” Nikita smiled, “thanks.” Then she turned to Peter one last time. “Good night,” she said to both as she headed out the door. Peter walked over to where Kermit was. “So do you want the bed or the couch,” he asked his partner. Kermit didn’t reply, and Peter saw that the ex-mercenary had already fallen asleep. Peter just took a blanket from the bed and a pillow, and set down beside Kermit. “Night, Kermit,” Peter said, then headed to get some sleep himself. -------------------------------------- Nikita’s apartment Parts Unknown Nikita walked into her apartment, removed her jacket, and placing it on the back of one of the chairs next to her bar. She moved over to the stereo and pressed play, letting the music fill the room, as she began to make her way over to the couch. Before she got there she heard a light knock on her door, so she changed direction and looked at the small security screen beside the door. Smiling she opened the door to reveal Michael. “Come in,” she said, then moved to the side to admit him. Nikita carefully reached up and helped him out of his jacket, since his arm was in a sling from the bullet he took. “I wasn’t expecting you so soon.” Michael scanned the small apartment, as he always did when he arrived, then moved over to the couch and sat down. “I was able to finish up early.” Nikita moved over to his side, and laid her head on his shoulder. “How is everyone,” she asked him, hoping and praying that there wouldn’t be any permanent damage to any of her team-mates. Michael closed his eyes, and leaned his head on top of her own. “Jackson didn’t make it,” he stated with little emotion, although Nikita knew that he felt differently. Michael had learned in his years at Section that emotions could get you killed, and even though she had broken partly through, there were still times that he hide behind his Section persona. “We have a possible location of their hideout in Sloanville. We’ll have to verify the location, and then Blue team will be dispatched to assist us.” Nikita stood up and reached for his hand. “Come on, let’s get some sleep. You look like you need it,” she said with a small smile on her face. LATER Nikita climbed out of her bed, and headed over to her kitchen. Placing a pot of water on the stove, she heard a knock at her door. She made her way over to the door, and opened the door to admit Kermit and Peter. “Come in, you hungry,” she asked as the two Detectives entered her place. “Sure,” Peter said, as he looked around Nikita’s place. “Nice place,” he told her with a smile on his face. “Thanks,” Nikita replied, then began to pull out some pans to begin on their breakfast. “Eggs and bagles alright,” she asked and received nods from both of them. “That’s good cause I didn’t really have a chance to go to the store to get much of anything else.” Nikita looked down and noticed her state of dress, or undress as the case may be. She was only wearing a robe, and shrugged as she looked up at her guests. “Let me get something on first. Just make yourselves at home,” she added as she began to move up the stairs to her bedroom. Kermit glanced up to the bedroom, which had a clear glass divider, and saw Michael sitting up on the bed. Nikita and Michael exchanged some words, and Michael got up from the bed heading down the steps to greet Kermit and Peter. As Michael moved down the stairs, pulling on his shirt, Kermit and Peter heard Nikita yell from the bedroom to him. “Don’t put that shirt on until we change those bandages,” she yelled, while Peter tried to hide a small smile that crept upon his face. Kermit glanced over at Michael, noting that he had placed his shirt on one of the chairs, and moved over to the kitchen. “Is everything set up,” Kermit asked as way of greeting. Peter had noticed that the two rarely ever exchanged pleasantries, but said more to each other without words than anyone he had ever known. “Yes,” Michael stated as he began to make the breakfast for them. “I’ll be heading back to Section to get the rest of the information, and check the sims.” “What time does the plane leave,” Peter asked, wondering how he was going to explain his absence to everyone back at home. The longer they were gone, the harder it would be to come up with an plausible explanation. Kermit answered for Michael, “we’ll be leaving around 1300, or around there anyway, unless it’s changed.” Michael shook his head to say that it hadn’t changed. “Once we get back, what’s the plan,” Kermit asked Michael, hoping to have some idea their course of action. Michael began to place the finished eggs onto a plate, then looked up at Kermit. Nikita, fully dressed, walked behind Michael and began to get plates down from one of her cupboards, listening to the plan. “Nikita and I will run reconnaissance on the location Jacob gave us, then take out the complex.” Kermit grabbed one of the plates, and sat down on one of the barstools. “What can I do to help,” he asked. “I may need you to help Birkoff with the Satellites, and to help run tactical when the mission in running,” Michael answered. Peter looked at Kermit, and once again noticed the slight shift of Kermit’s personality. He was beginning to notice the small changes in Kermit, and was amazed. The Kermit in front of him was the cold-blooded killer, with no feelings, although he saw a slight glimpse of the funny, entertaining cop that he knew for years. “What about me,” he asked. Kermit turned his attention to the younger man, and shook his head. “No way,” Kermit replied. “What,” Peter asked. Kermit was trying to shut him out again, and he wasn’t going to allow it. “You’re staying out of it. It’s far too dangerous, and I’m not going to explain to Caine or Paul that I got you killed,” Kermit said with a hint of finality. Peter turned so that he was looking directly at Kermit, placing his fork down on the top of the bar. “I’m going, whether or not you LET me. I’m in this now, and there’s no way in hell you’re going to stop me.” Kermit looked at Michael and Nikita as if to tell them to talk some sense into the kid, but neither one of them did. Nikita only shrugged and shook her head. “I’m sure that there is something that you can do.” Kermit shook his head. “Peter, you don’t even know how to run a recon mission. And to tell you the honest truth, on this mission you have to kill people. Do you honestly think that you can do that without hesitation?” Peter just glared at Kermit. “I think I can handle it, Kermit. I’m not some rookie that you can push around, I’m not someone who hasn’t seen and done things like this before.” Kermit once again shook his head, and laughed. “This isn’t something that you’re used to, trust me. We’re dealing with highly trained killers, terrorists who won’t hesitate to kill you and anyone in the area. Dealing with drug dealers and those quacks that your father has following him around don’t compare to this.” Kermit turned to look Peter in the eyes. He was determined to make Peter understand just what they are going to face here. Peter was thick-skulled, and Kermit was going to try and make him see just what the situation was, even if he lost a friend in the end. “These people are heavily armed, and your little Shoalin tricks will not work on these people. You won’t even get close enough to try anything like that. You saw what happened last night to Michael’s team. Do you think that this is some sort of joke? That was supposed to be a simple pick-up mission, with no casualties, but as you saw that wasn’t how it turned out. Not a one of them came out of that mission unscathed. You’ll get hurt, shot, or worse, is that what you want? You can’t be a hero in this instance, Peter. This isn’t about your high morals, and hope to take the world on your shoulders. This is about information gathering, and destruction. The goal here, is elimination, plain and simple. It’s kill or be killed. No one is going to be brought into the station in hopes to get life in prison. The sentence here,” Kermit began standing so that he towered over the younger detective. “The sentence here is death. People will die, that’s a fact. Tell me this, Pete, and tell me the truth. Do you honestly think that you can kill someone in cold-blood? Do you think that you can shoot someone, whether they are armed or not, without hesitation? Do you think that you can stand-by while people around you die, and those that don’t, having the knowledge that the entire place will explode, leaving only their body parts as evidence that they even existed?” Peter lowered his head, and rubbed his eyes. He wasn’t sure how to answer Kermit. He wasn’t sure if he could kill someone, not that way, anyway. He only knew one thing for certain, and he was determined to get that point across to his friend. “No matter what I feel about this whole thing, Kermit,” Peter began as he looked up at Kermit. “I know that this is now my life, whether or not I like it. I will have to learn. I got myself into this, and there’s no way out of it now. I made a mistake, and I have to live with the consequences. There’s nothing you can do to protect me from this anymore, Kermit, so I mind as well begin to learn. You can’t stop me. What will happen if I get called on some mission or something, and I’ve never had anything like this before. What will happen to me then? I have to do this,” Peter finished looking down at his plate. Michael glanced at Kermit, noting that Kermit had turned to look out the glass patio door. “Kermit,” Michael stated to get the man’s attention. When he was sure that he had it, Michael continued. “May I talk to you? In private?” Kermit just nodded and the two men walked out the patio door to have some privacy. Nikita only looked at Peter, and sighed. “Kermit’s right, you know. It’s not easy, trust me. Before I came to the Section, I had never killed anyone. I can say that to do that, even knowing that the people that we are killing are terrorists isn’t easy.” Peter looked up at Nikita. “I’ve killed before, it’s not like I’m innocent.” “Yeah, but this is different. At least I think it is. I can’t even begin to imagine what it’s like as a cop, and I don’t even want to try. All I know is what it’s like for us. We don’t kill because it’s us or them, for the most part. We kill because we’re ordered to, and if an innocent is caught in the cross-fire, it’s acceptable by most people that we work for.” Nikita explained to Peter, as they waited for Kermit and Michael to finish their talk. By the time she finished, Kermit and Michael walked back into the room. Kermit didn’t look too pleased, however he looked somewhat relieved as well. Kermit sat back down on his chair, and looked straight ahead, avoiding Peter. “Alright, you can go on the reconnaissance mission with Michael and Nikita, but you stay close to them, and what they say you do. No questions asked. During the mission, you’ll be in the van with Birkoff and myself. You won’t leave the van under any circumstances, is that understood,” Kermit finished turning his attention back to Peter. As Kermit eyes burned through his glasses to look directly into Peter’s one eyes, Peter just nodded. “Deal,” Peter agreed holding out his hand to seal the deal. Kermit shook Peter’s hand, then gave an evil grin. “Good. Just remember if you don’t do as I say, I’ll shoot you myself.” Kermit said, the turned to Nikita. “If it’s alright, when we get to Section, can you take him to do some practicing while Michael and I finish up?” Nikita just smiled. “Sure, not a problem.” Then Nikita picked up her plate, and turned to Michael. “Let’s get these bandages changed and we’ll be ready to go.” -------------------------------------- Section One Transport Enroute to Sloanville Peter sat down in one of the chairs and stretched. His workout with Nikita took more out of him then he had thought it would be. He was just beginning to realized how well trained these people are. Nikita had explained to him that to become an field operative, they would have to go through two years of extensive training before they were even allowed to go out on a mission for the first time, and then their first mission was a test to see if they could adapt to any situation. After getting his butt kicked by her on the mat, he realized that he wasn’t as good with some other types of guns as he had was with a rifle, or his police issue 9mm. Some of the guns that he had a chance to use were powerful, and very high-tech. He only hoped that one day he could talk Walter into letting him have one of his own. One of the only things that he didn’t like was that Nikita didn’t appear to be in any type of pain herself, meanwhile his arms felt as if they had 50 lb. weights hanging from them. Looking around the plane, Peter noticed that the others were simply relaxing. Michael and Nikita were checking their gear, while Birkoff and Kermit were resting their eyes. From what he understood, Birkoff was up all night long trying to gather information on the area where Michael, Nikita and himself were going to be doing recon on. The thing that was plaguing his mind now however, was the reasons on their recruitment into a place like Section. What did someone like Birkoff do to get into a place like that? From what Peter had heard, Birkoff didn’t remember a time that he wasn’t in Section, and he only looked around 25 or so. What could a kid like that do to get into a hell hole like Section, he wondered. Then there was Nikita. He knew that she said she had never killed anyone before coming into Section, so what did she do to get into there? And Michael? Peter wasn’t sure he wanted to know that one. Michael was cold, never showing any emotion. Was he always like that, he wondered. Peter shook off these thoughts as Nikita made her way over to him with a bag in her hands. “Put this on, then we’ll get you set up with the rest of your gear,” she said taking command. Peter took the bag from her and pulled out a black pair of pants and a black shirt--both similar to what he had seen Red Team wear before their last mission. “What’s the plan,” he asked, setting the items in the seat next to him. Nikita sat down on the other side of him. “Right now, Michael’s adding the last minute details to the profile we have right now. As soon as we land, the van will be waiting for us and we’ll be on your way.” Peter just nodded then looked for a place to change. Nikita pointed through a doorway, and Peter nodded his thanks. “Aren’t you gonna change,” he asked her with a mischievous smile. Nikita lifted her own bag, with a smile, and headed in the opposite direction. When Peter was done, he stepped back out into the main section of the plane. There he noticed that both Nikita and Michael were already dressed and placing various weapons and other gear into the many pockets that lined the clothes. Peter walked over to htem and Nikita handed Peter a Kelvar Vest. While he was putting on the vest, Nikita started to put the rest of the gear in their proper places. “Okay, put these on,” she told him handing him a pair of glasses. “Glasses,” Peter asked, smiling. He remembered one of the few other times he had worn something like this. It had been when he was posing as the hockey player, and the good thing this time, the glasses weren’t as thick. “There’s a transmitter there that will transmit whatever you see back here to Birkoff and Kermit,” She informed him. Peter put them on, while Nikita moved beside Michael and a now awake Birkoff. “Okay, it’s good,” she said, then grabbed a small device from the table and walked up to him. “This is your comm unit. There’s two channels A and B,” she began explaining the device to him. Peter looked at the device and shook his head. The device itself looked no bigger than a pencil erraser. “You have to put it here, behind your ear, and always leave it on channel A. Just talk normally, if fact it will pick you up even when you whisper, okay?” Peter placed the device where she indicated, as she picked up another item and handed it to him. “This is your panel. The scematic will be shown here. You’ll stick beside me at all times, so if you have any questions just ask.” Peter nodded, taking all the information in. He glanced over at Michael who stood, and took off his sling. Peter saw Michael stretch a little, noting that he never once flinched with pain. Peter had seen the large hole in Michael’s shoulder when Nikita had redressed the wound that morning, and Peter couldn’t even begin to understand how a person couldn’t be in pain from that. “You gonna be alright,” he asked Michael as the man began to check his weapons. Michael didn’t even look up as he continued to check his gear. Reaching for his pannel he replied, “I’m fine.” Peter noticed that Nikita, Birkoff, and Kermit all had knowing looks on their faces. “What,” Peter asked, then understanding hit him. “Let me guess, normal response.” Birkoff nodded, as did Nikita, while Kermit just smiled. “One thing you’ll learn, kid, is that when talking to almost any operative that’s been there a while, is that all you’ll hear is ‘I’m fine’. Of course some people take it to the extreme,” Kermit said taking a quick glance over to Michael. “Some just don’t feel much anymore, thanks to Section. The longer your in the higher your pain tollerance is--the more you can ignore. You’ll find out that Madeline and Operations make sure that some of their ‘star pupils’ can tollerate any amount of pain. Some people are put through various types of torture techniques so that if they are caught they won’t break. It’s a test of sorts, to see how long it takes before you break, or if you break.” Peter stood there in shock. “They torture their own people,” he asked looking around the room. Both Nikita and Birkoff secretly stole a quick glance over to Michael then looked elsewhere on the plane, anywhere to not look this innocent man in the face. “Oh yeah,” Kermit answered for them. “I’ve had it done to me once or twice. In fact, I think you’re the only one here who hasn’t.” Kermit took note of Peter’s shock look and just shook his head. “Hey it got me through Afganistan,” he said in response. Peter looked over at Nikita then to Birkoff. He couldn’t imagine them being tortured by their own people. He still couldn’t believe that Kermit had allowed that to happen to him. “You two,” he asked the two Section personnel. Nikita nodded, “a couple of times.” “Twice,” Birkoff answered as he moved to his computer and started to pack it up. Changing the subject quickly, Birkoff just stated, “we’ll be there within the hour.” Then headed off to check on the rest of the gear. Michael headed up to the cockpit of the transport, leaving Peter to think about what he had just discovered. Kermit just sat down next to Peter and sighed. “It’s not something that is really brought up. Section is ruthless. They train people in ways to seduce others, men and women, no matter your preference, and they ensure that you can endure pain. They’re damn good at it, too. In Michael’s case, Madeline and Operations saw something, and had his trainer Jurgen do whatever he could to try and break him. Michael never broke, no matter what they did to him.” Kermit explained to Peter, all the while shaking his head at the memories that surfaced in his mind. “Granted, what you see now, is the product of their little plan. He became the perfect Operative, no feelings, no emotions, nothing. They took everything from him--his innocence, his passion, his love, his sexuality, everything--leaving only a shell. They tell him to get captured and tortured, he does it, they tell him to seduce someone, he’ll do it. No questions, just the way they planned it.” Peter shook his head, at least his question was answered. Michael wasn’t always like the way he was now, Section had seen to that. “How many do they do that to?” Nikita just shrugged. “I don’t know, not many that I know of go through what he did.” Kermit just looked up to the front of the plane, looking to see when Michael would return. “Michael was a special case, excelling in everything when he came in. In fact he graduated his training nine months early, and moved directly up to level 3. That’s unheard of there. They saw potential, and they made sure that they ‘nurished’ it.” Michael came through the door, and moved to one of the chairs. “We’re landing,” he stated, and everyone chose their own seats to prepare for landing. Once the plane landed, everyone began to unload the plane, and load up the van. Kermit turned to Peter, and reached out his hand. “Birkoff and I will be at my place, and in constant communications with you. Stick close to Nikita, and everything will be fine. Just watch yourself, or I’ll shoot you myself,” he added. Peter smiled and took Kermit’s hand. “Hey, it’s me.” Kermit just shook his head, and headed with Birkoff over to another car. “That’s what I’m worried about,” he answered back. -------------------------------------- Sloanville USA Section One, Van Location -- Possible Red Cell Headquarters Michael sat at a small computer in the center of the van. The van itself was like a portable office, with computers, weapons, and various other equipment. There were couches lining the walls, where Peter was sitting looking over the schematic that had been placed on the panel he had. “Birkoff, do a perimeter sweep,” Michael ordered the young computer genius as soon as the van came to a halt. “You’re clear to go to second mark,” came the reply in Peter’s ear. Nikita stood up, and made a quick check of her gear. Turning she checked Peter’s as well, “okay, you’ll stick close to me. Don’t do anything unless I say it’s okay, understood?” Peter nodded his agreement, followed Nikita to the door where Michael was awaiting them with his gun drawn. Nikita just gave him a nod, and the three exited the van, looking around for anything that might be out of place. “We need to plant some devices, listening, and visual so that we can get a good grasp as to what’s going on,” Nikita informed Peter in a quiet voice. “Come on,” she said as the two made their way toward Michael who had already began to head toward the house. “Okay, there should be a fence about 25 yards ahead of you,” Kermit’s voice stated over the communications gear. “I see it,” Nikita answered. She moved with grace as she got down on her stomach and pulled out a pair of binoculars. “I see a break that we can us,” she said after a couple of seconds looking out at the fence. “Resistance,” Michael asked, crouching down in the tall grass that was lining the fence. “Two guards at the south-east gate,” she informed them as she continued to look out over the area before them. “Three at the north side of the fence.” Peter tapped Nikita on the shoulder and pointed toward the roof, since he thought he saw something up there. Nikita trained her binoculars toward the roof. “Six on the roof.” “Birkoff,” Michael began, taking the binoculars from Nikita and taking a quick look around himself before handing them back to her. “What’s the makeup of the fence?” “The fence is electrified with 20,000 volts,” he replied. “There isn’t any sensors. You’re clear to go.” Michael nodded to Nikita and Peter as he began to creep up closer to the fence. Peter kept a look out for any of the guards, while Michael pulled out a small laser cutter to cut through the fence. Once that was finished the three--making sure that there were no guards looking-- made their way through the fence and close to the house. This is where they split up. Michael headed toward the north side of the house, while Nikita and Peter made their way toward the south. “Okay, Nikita, there should be a small cellar entrance near you.” Nikita found the small alcove, and pulled out a small black circular device. Placing it against the door securely, she took a small step back. “What’s on the other side, Birkoff,” she whispered. “You’re clear,” came the reply, as Nikita pulled out a small box and placed it by the data reader beside the door. Peter could only think about how much he had been hoping for a simple lock, not something electrical. Something that he could easily pick, but that was not the case. He ran through his mind how many laws they have already broken. *Let’s see. . .trespassing, home invasion, destruction of personal property,* he thought to himself. *I’ve done that before. . .Nothing new yet,* he tried to convince himself. He knew that although he had done things that are not police regulation, and considered illegal, he also knew that he never had the same type of help that they had now. Never before did he have someone with the equipment that they were using, and had at their access. Before he could get much farther in his thoughts however, Birkoff came back over the Comm unit, “okay, you’re in. There should be a box to your left.” Nikita pushed the door open carefully, scanning the room before fully entering. When Peter came in, Nikita grabbed the bag from him and pulled out another small box and some wires. “We need to get into their security system, and phones,” she explained as she opened the box that Birkoff had indicated. Peter looked at the wires and wondered where they were to connect their little magic box. Nikita, however, didn’t have such a problem as she quickly began to splice wires, and began to connect their device up to the wires. Once she was finished with the connections, she began to hide it within the depths of the tangles of wires. “Birkoff,” she asked. “Hold one,” came the reply. After a couple of seconds, Birkoff came back over across the unit. “Okay, we’re good. Prepare egress and await for Michael.” “Right,” Nikita said as she made her way back to the door. She opened it slightly and looked around for the guards they had seen before. Noting that it was clear, she quickly pulled Peter with her and made their way back through the fence, on their way to the van. Once at the van, Nikita turned to Peter, “this was just recon, if you were wondering why we just did all that. Michael’s planting some listening devices, and once he’s finished we’ll head over to Kermit’s apartment, and see what we can get.” “I was beginning to wonder why it seemed to easy,” he said with a smile. “Since Kermit was so adamant about me being careful, I was expecting to have bullets flying at my head.” “No, that’s not the point of this little excursion,” she answered back as she sat down at the computer that Michael had been using before. “That and the fact that Kermit had specifically told me that we were going to do the easy part. He didn’t want you anywhere near Red Cell operatives.” Peter sat down, placing his gun in the seat next to him. “So what is Michael doing,” he asked wondering what the other part of this was. “I mean we’re in the security system, and their telephone system now, right. What else is there?” “Michael’s placing small transmitters--listening devices--in some of the main offices. Since each of us have small tags, transmitters, so to speak, on us, Birkoff and Kermit can get a thermal reading on what’s around us. They can get a better look into the house, see what’s there, such as computer rooms, laboratories, whatever.” “Why can’t we hear what’s going on with him? I mean what if he needs help,” Peter asked. “Michael’s on channel B, and most likely dark right now.” At Peter’s confused look, Nikita just smiled. “It means that you have no communication, all transmitters and so on are cut. There’s nothing that can alert anyone to your presence.” Peter shook his head, “so we don’t know that he might be hurt or caught.” “Michael’s been doing this for more years that we have, he knows what he’s doing,” she replied looking down at the computer Peter leaned forward from his spot, and looked her directly in the eye. “You’re worried about him, aren’t you?” Nikita gave him a small smile, and shook her head. “Not really. Partly, maybe, but I know he can get in and out without a problem. It’s called trust. I have faith in him.” Before Peter could say anything in reply the door opened and in the same instance Peter had his gun aimed at the door. Michael stepped into the van, and tapped a door leading to the front of the van. “Let’s go,” he said, then moved his way over to the back of the van and sat. “Sequence completed, we’re heading back.” -------------------------------------- Sloanville USA Delancies Peter was standing next to Kermit, Michael, and Nikita as they awaited for final word from Birkoff on the arrival of the Section One team. When they had arrived back to Kermit’s apartment, Peter was amazed at how well Kermit and Birkoff had gotten the information they had needed. The bugs that they had planted worked wonders, and Peter was once again amazed at the difference that his friend had shown him in the past couple of days. Peter was beginning to wonder which Kermit was the real one. For some reason Kermit seemed to come alive more now that he was doing something like this. It wasn’t that Kermit didn’t seem human or alive, but he seemed more alive, but less human now. There was a slight gleam in his eyes. Kermit was showing more of his intelligence during this time. He was now working on something that he was really good at, and something that he had to work hard to figure out different angles, and different strategies. When Kermit was doing work for the Department, it almost seemed easy for him. There were times of course that he had to dig a little deeper, such as the time with the virus that had sweep across the city. Peter now realized that the only times that Kermit seemed to come more alive was when the criminal was someone from his past, that or when someone he cared about was in trouble. Peter could tell that Kermit in all reality was struggling with himself. There was this diabolical streak within him, that he couldn’t, or wouldn’t let others see. Peter was getting a glimpse of that lately. He would never forget the look in Kermit’s eyes back at the abandoned warehouse. Peter had never really been afraid of Kermit until that moment. That was the moment that Peter realized that he didn’t really know Kermit at all. He was beginning to wonder if anyone ever did. Michael’s phone rang, and Peter almost knew that it was almost time. When he hung up his cell phone, they all started heading out of the bar. It was time. Peter only hoped that he knew what he was doing. What would Kermit do? Could they all survive this, and even if they did, where did this leave them? What was his friendship be after this? Would Kermit trust him more with things, or would their friendship be over? Peter knew that only time would tell, and this was going to determine if he could even live with himself after knowing what they were going to do. People were going to die, and all he would be allowed to do is sit there and watch. Could he live with himself, knowing what he knows? Could he live with himself knowing what he knows? These past couple of days he had his whole world crash down in on him, and his friends were not what they had appeared to be. What will happened to him? Would he become like Michael and Nikita, or even Kermit? Pretending to be one person when in reality the real person is buried so deep within their soul that it may never resurface. He only hoped that things would be alright when this was all said and done. -------------------------------------- Sloanville USA Section One, Van Location -- Enroute to Red Cell Headquarters Peter sat next to Birkoff, as the rest of the team and Kermit sat around the table. Peter was not happy that Kermit had decided that he was going to be a part of the team, leaving him stuck here in the van with Birkoff. Birkoff nodded to Michael, giving him the go ahead. “Intel indicates Red Cell’s base of operations to be here,” he said pointing to a spot on the display that had appeared in the middle of the table. “An area approximately 15 square kilometers, off-road, natural cover. There is an electrified fence surrounding the house. The house is three stories, with a laboratory located one level below ground. Our objective is information gathering on their work in the laboratories, detain both the head of operations, this man,” he stated as a picture came up on the screen. “Christopher Riley, and this man, David Fanning. Lastly, we are to destroy any trace of their operations here. Team two will head down to the laboratory, download all information to Birkoff, plant the explosives, then prepare egress. Team one will find Riley and Fanning.” Birkoff looked up at the group. “When you get into the computer system, I’ll download a virus that should leak into their main system, effectively eliminating all data. Explosives must be planted at these locations for the effective destruction of the base,” Birkoff stated as a computer layout of the house appeared with red marks showing where to plant the bombs. “There will be a three minute window from the time the explosives are set, so get what you need first, then plant them and get out fast.” “Team One will be Hayes, Vanhaven, Nikita, and myself. Kermit will lead team two, consisting of Mentz, Taylor, and Esler. There are a total of 18 guards around the perimeter. Three guarding each side, Six on the roof. Let’s move out,” Michael stated as he moved toward the door. Birkoff looked over at Kermit. “All you have to do is get me in, I can do the rest.” Kermit smiled, then checked his gun. “Not a problem,” he said then turned to Peter. “Listen to Birkoff, and don’t leave the van.” Peter just nodded, not entirely pleased with the idea of having to stay put while Kermit was going out into the action. Birkoff typed some items into his laptop, and nodded. “Riley and Fanning most likely are on the second floor.” Birkoff then looked over the information in front of him. “Perimeter is clear, you clear to go,” he said as he continued to type. -------------------------------------- Sloanville USA Red Cell Headquarters (Section Van) Birkoff continued to type on his laptop once the teams had left. “Peter,” Birkoff asked without looking up. “Go ahead and use that laptop over there,” he said pointing to a laptop across from him. When Birkoff noticed that Peter had moved in front of it, he continued, “okay, now I’m going to need you to watch it. The red blips are Hostiles, the green are Kermit’s team.” Birkoff explained to the young detective. Peter was grateful to Birkoff for giving him something to do. “If you see anything wrong, Kermit’s on B channel. That should keep you occupied,” he finished with a smile. “Okay, Michael, there should be a door on your left about half-way down the corridor. That’s where Riley is,” Birkoff relayed as he looked over his data in front of him. Turning back to Peter, he continued. “You can lead Kermit to the sector 1.5, it’s highlighted so you shouldn’t have a problem. Just keep them in your sights and watch their backs. When Kermit tells you he has access to the system let me know, I’ll take it from there.” Peter nodded, placing the ear piece in his ear. “Thanks, Birkoff. You’re not so bad.” Birkoff just smiled, then looked back down at his display. Peter looked down at his own display, then took a deep breath. At least he was doing something. And this way, he can make sure that Kermit comes out of this alive. “Okay, Kermit, there’s two Hostiles,” he began rolling his eyes at the terms that they used, “behind the door at the end of the hallway.” (Team Two) “. . Two Hostiles behind the door at the end of the hallway,” Kermit heard coming from his comm. unit. Kermit pointed toward Mentz and then toward the door. Mentz made his way over to the door, as everyone else on the team moved in behind him. Kermit was standing on the opposite of the others, with his hand on the handle. Taylor pulled out a small smoke bomb from his pocket and held it in his hand. The second Kermit opened the door, Taylor let loose the bomb and everyone opened fire. Kermit moved through the doorway, and looked around. The two Hostiles were eliminated, and the team continued to make their way down the hallway. “Okay, where’s this lab,” Kermit asked Peter over the comm. unit. “Third door on your right,” Peter replied. Kermit stood there and waited for more information. He knew that this was the first time that Peter had to do this, but a part of him wished that he had Birkoff running Tactical instead of having Peter do it by himself. After a couple of seconds, Peter came back over, evidently having been informed of what he had to do next. “I’m reading eight people in the room. The other rooms are clear.” Kermit looked at his group and nodded. “Let’s go.” Upon opening that door, Kermit quickly caught sights of one of the men, and raised his gun to point directly in the head. Without hesitation, Kermit pulled the trigger of his Styr Aug, taking the man out of play. Before he reached the computer he had fired and eliminated two others. Kermit sat down at the computer and began to look for a way into the system, while the others on his team were look outs. “Okay, I’m at the computer now. Damn, this system is good.” Kermit continued to type onto the computer, working on getting into the system. Quickly he looked up at his team and nodded, “get those bombs set.” As the team headed out to the locations set up by Birkoff, Kermit looked down at the computer. After typing in some information, he noticed the screen display: PASSWORD EXCEPTED. “Yes,” Kermit smiled. “I’m in,” he stated into the comm. unit. Birkoff come on, much to Kermit’s relief. It’s not that he doesn’t trust Peter to do the job, it was just that when it come to computer systems, he only trusted Birkoff, and himself of course. “Okay, begin download, and we’ll shift through it later.” Kermit hooked up a small device onto the CPU, and watched as the computer began to download the information to the awaiting Section Computer expert. “Got it,” Birkoff stated. “Move to phase two, and prepare egress.” Kermit placed the CD into the computer and began to download the virus that Birkoff had created into Red Cell’s network. Once that was finished, Kermit stood, and began to plant his bombs throughout the room. “Phase two completed, moving to egress,” he stated and moved out of the room. (Team One) Michael and Nikita made their way to where Riley had stated that Fanning would be, while Vanhaven and Hayes took the New York cop out to the awaiting van. Michael pointed toward the door, and Nikita opened it. Michael stepped into the room, and lowered his gun. “Lisa,” he stated quietly, waving for Nikita to stay out of the room. (Section Van) Birkoff froze, and all Peter could do was sit there and wonder just who this Lisa person was. Evidently it was someone they all knew. “Kermit we have a problem,” Birkoff stated in the comm. unit to team two. “What’s going on, Birkoff,” Kermit asked. “Lisa Fanning,” was all that Birkoff stated. When Kermit asked for their position, Birkoff informed him. Birkoff just closed his eyes for a second to compose himself. “This isn’t good.” Peter leaned forward in his chair and looked Birkoff directly in the eye. “Who’s Lisa?” Birkoff looked at Peter and sighed. “She’s an innocent. We were after her husband, David. Nikita befriended her, Michael seduced her, we took David. David abused her, badly. Michael tried to give her a better life, somehow. What’s she doing there,” he asked to himself. “What’s going on, Birkoff,” came a voice over the Comm. Peter immediately remember the head honcho listening in on the mission, and lowered his eyes wondering what the boss would have to say to this. Would he want her dead, or to be brought in? If what Birkoff said was true and this Lisa was an innocent, what would Section do to her? “There’s no sign of David Fanning, sir. However, his wife is there,” Birkoff stated, and Peter could tell that he could’ve kept his mouth shut. “Put me through to Michael,” Operations ordered, and Birkoff quickly typed on his keyboard connecting the two parties. “You’re in, sir,” Birkoff stated. (Team One) “Where’s David, Lisa,” Michael asked the young woman before him, lowering his gun completely to his side. The last thing he wanted to do was see this woman hurt anymore. He had caused her enough pain already, he didn’t want to add to it. Michael heard Operations through his comm. unit, but let Lisa see none of this intrusion on his face. “Michael, we’ll need her alive. Find out where her husband is and bring her in, now.” However, Michael only half listened to his superior, as he waited for Lisa to answer him. She turned to face him with a gun in her hand. “I knew that if you had thought that David was alive, that you would come to *protect* me,” she hissed. Slowly she walked up to him moving in so that they were almost nose to nose. “I guess it worked. Are you here to protect me, Michael?” Michael glanced down at her, with caring eyes. “Where is he, Lisa? Let me help you.” Lisa just shook her head and laughed at him. “David is dead. I did what you told me, I had to live on my own. I had to be free of him, so I killed him. The only way I can be free, truly free, is if I eliminate everyone who had power over me. That means you, Michael. I still love you, and all you do is hurt me, just like David. So I found someone who hated you as much as I do. They told me that they would help me be free.” “I never meant to hurt you. I wanted you to have a better life. I’m sorry,” he told her. “You’re sorry,” she laughed. “That’s a good one.” She turned her back on him, knowing full well that he might try and take her down. “A better life. . .All I wanted was to be with you. I just never knew you were as good at your job as I believed. I actually thought that my life was the only one that you had destroyed. I thought that maybe I was special, that maybe. . .How many lives have you destroyed, Michael? How many people have you told that you loved, and that you wanted to run away with? How many people have you slept with,” she said raising her voice with each sentence. “You’re nothing but a slut, a whore, and I was stupid enough to believe every lie that you told me.” “Lisa,” Michael began, hearing what she was saying, while also hearing Operation’s orders to bring her in. All Michael wanted to do was to try and make things right with this woman. He had never wanted to hurt her this much, but he also knew that it was because of monsters like David Fanning and himself, that had driven her to this point. “Michael you have to get out of there. The explosives are set, you have three minutes,” Birkoff stated into the comm. unit. Michael watched as Lisa raised the gun, “I was so stupid, so innocent. I swore I would never be hurt by you again, but I was so wrong.” Lisa turned slightly to turn toward Michael, keeping the gun away from him. “Come and help me, Michael,” she said. Nikita came in to help Michael get Lisa out of there before the place exploded with them in it, but upon entering she froze. She watched in horror as Lisa begin to place the gun toward her head, and Michael dove for her hand, hoping to knock the instrument of death from her grasp. Michael unfortunately wasn’t quick enough for when he reached for her gun, she pulled the trigger, spraying Michael with her blood. “No,” Nikita yelled, as she quickly made her way over to Michael who had caught Lisa’s body on the way down. Neither of them had to check for a pulse since the large hole where Lisa’s head used to be told the ending to a sad tale. Kermit ran into the room in time to see Michael lift up the body of one of the innocents who’s life he had destroyed. Kermit picked up Michael’s gun from the ground where he had dropped it to get to Lisa, and looked at his friend. “Let’s get the hell out of here.” The three made their way toward the egress. Once they reached the van, the remains on the Red Cell building vanished into a ball of fire. Michael placed Lisa’s body in the back of the van, then reached for one of the ear pieces. “Sequence completed. Material secured,” he stated then moved to sit down in one of the chairs next to Lisa’s body. Nikita moved over to him, and laid a hand on his shoulder. “It’s over. She’s finally free,” she stated then moved over to the other side of the van. Peter could only sit there and wonder what would make someone do that to themselves. -------------------------------------- Hotel Sloanville USA Peter and Kermit made their way toward Birkoff’s room at the hotel where the three Section Personnel were staying. “So what happened when it was over? Did we get what we wanted,” Peter asked from his place by Kermit’s side. “Oh yeah,” Kermit answered. “It turns out that Red Cell were trying to come up with their own cloning process. From what Birkoff could determine, they almost succeeded. Their only downfall was that the clones only lasted a couple of days before their bodies failed. Red Cell was going to try and kidnap some of the higher ranking cops at the conference, so that they would be able to infiltrate those agencies. It was a well thought out plan,” Kermit stated as he reached Birkoff’s door. “What about what happened to Lisa,” Peter asked. Kermit had explained the entire situation with Lisa Fanning and her husband to Peter. He now knew what that man had done to that poor woman, and how Section had capitalized on it. He now knew how Section had Michael seduce Lisa, so that they could bring down her husband. She had been an innocent bystander in the entire thing. Unfortunately, she didn’t take her new found freedom well. She had been hurt by every man that she had come to care about, and she felt that this was her only way out. Peter just couldn’t believe, still, how Section played with people’s lives and emotions. This was something that he never would understand, nor except. Kermit just shrugged and opened the door. “You guys ready,” Kermit asked as he walked into the room. “Yep,” Birkoff stated and he grabbed one of his suitcases. Birkoff set it down in front of Kermit and held out his hand. “It was good to see you again, Kermit. I hope we see each other again soon.” Kermit took the offered hand, and smiled. “You can bet on it, Kid. You take care of everyone there, you hear me. Watch yourself.” Birkoff just nodded, the said his good-byes to Peter and left the room. Nikita walked up to Peter and gave him a hug. “You watch out for yourself. Don’t let anyone take away your humanity, Peter. That’s what makes you special.” “Even if I’m a little nieve, and innocent,” Peter asked returning the hug. “Even if.” Nikita pulled away from Peter and turned to Kermit. “Thank-you. For everything.” “Take care of him,” Kermit said nodding over into Michael’s direction. “He’s had a hard life, so have you. You guys deserve some happiness. Don’t let them take that away from you,” he said to her. Nikita just smiled, and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Don’t worry, I won’t. He’s in good hands.” Nikita walked over to Michael, placed her hand on his arm. “I’ll meet you downstairs.” Michael just nodded as Nikita picked up one of the last bags and headed out of the room. Michael then turned to Kermit and handed him a small piece of paper. “If you ever need anything, you can contact me at this number. I’ll see what I can do.” Kermit nodded, “same goes for you. You know how to contact me. Don’t be a stranger, and take care of that woman of yours. She keeps you grounded.” Michael just nodded, then pulled out his cell phone from his pocket. After dialing a number he began to talk. “Is the material secured. . . Good, transport to the location indicated, and head back to egress.” Michael then closed the connection and turned to face the two confused police detectives before him. Michael just turned to looked Kermit in the eye, and nodded. “The situation has been taken care of, he’ll arrive at his home within the hour,” he informed Kermit, then picked up his bags and headed toward the door. “Take care of yourself, Kermit.” Kermit just turned toward the now retreating Michael, and smiled. “You to, old friend.” Kermit then turned to Peter and lightly pulled on the kid’s arm. “Come on, there’s someone I think you’d like to see.” Peter just looked at Kermit, still confused, and followed the man out of the room. -------------------------------------- Sloanville USA Blaisdell residence Peter and Kermit stepped out of Kermit’s car at the Blaisdell residence, and made their way up to the door. “What’s going on here Kermit,” Peter asked as they reached to door. Before Peter could open it however, Kelly opened it and threw herself into his arms. “Peter, I’ve been trying to reach you.” “Why, what’s going on,” Peter asked his adopted sister. Caroline walked out into the hallway and stood next to Kelly at the door. “Dad’s home. He came home,” she said excitedly. Peter looked over at Kermit and then to his sisters. “Paul,” he asked quietly, then made his way into the house to see for himself. He had to see Paul for himself to verify that it was true. When Peter reached the living room he froze. There on the couch was Paul, alive, and well. Paul removed his hand from Annie’s and walked over to his son. “Peter,” he said, pulling Peter into a big hug. “I’ve missed you, son,” Peter held on tightly to Paul, feeling his eyes cloud over. He couldn’t believe it. Paul was here. He was really with them again. “I missed you too, dad.” Kermit just stood in the hallway watching the family reunite and smiled. It was a good day, and he knew that he would get to have his time with his long time friend before too long. Right now was for family, and even though Kermit was considered a part of it all, he didn’t want to intrude. After a couple of minutes Peter walked up to Kermit and shook his head. “How,” he asked quietly. Kermit turned his attention to Peter and began to explain. “When Paul was in that trouble before, they,” he stated not wanting to even mention Section in this house, not with Kelly, Caroline, and Annie there. “They came and got him. Michael came, got him out, and made sure that he was safe. We were told that they would take care of the problem, and let him come back home. The last thing that they wanted, and Paul wanted, was for any of you to get hurt.” Kermit turned back to the scene in the living room. “I guess it’s over. Finally.” Paul interrupted then two men, and placed his hand on Peter’s shoulder. “Kermit, will you join us,” he asked his friend. “I hate to have to explain to Annie why you decided not to join us for dinner.” Kermit just looked at Peter and Paul. “Oh yeah,” he said as he followed the two back into the living room. -------------------------------------- The Center Parts Unknown Mr. Jones sat at his desk, looking over the information that he had received from both Section One and his agent Nikita. Red Cell was smart, and now it was time to try and take them out. . .permanently. *Maybe a little test was in order,* he thought. He had just gotten off the phone with Kermit, and with his boss. They had both told him about this new kid, Peter, in the Agency, and what they were NOT to do to him. Mr. Jones began to wonder what was so important about his kid, and why were the higher ups so interested in him. *Maybe, I’ll ask Nikita about this mysterious Peter, and why Kermit is so interested,* he decided on the next course of action. Satisfied with his plan, Mr. Jones made his way out of his office. It was time to get back into his lowly alter ego, and get the answers he wanted. -------------------------------------- Section One Parts Unknown The Perch Operations stood looking out over Section’s heart as people made their way through their daily routine. “Has Birkoff been able to decode the information from the Red Cell network,” he asked Madeline next to him. “Yes, in fact I believe that this may have been more informative then we had earlier anticipated,” she answered back. “It appears that we may have a possible location on the Cardinal, at the least a partial image.” Operations turned to face her, leaning on the small ledge in front of the window. “The Cardinal,” he said. “Impressive. We could finally be done with Red Cell once and for all.” “Yes.” “Get Birkoff on it immediately. I want to know everything.” “Of course,” she replied back. “And what of Michael and Nikita? We know that there is more to the whole mission with David Fanning then had been originally reported to us. How do you want to handle it?” Operations turned to look back out over the area below, and saw Michael and Nikita pass each other as they headed toward the exits. “For now, let them think that they’ve won. We don’t have enough information yet to warrant cancellation. Nothing that we can take to Oversight yet. We’ll just have to let them hang themselves. One of these days, they will mess up, and there will be nothing that they can do to fix it. We’ll just have to wait until that time.” “And Kermit and Peter. What about them,” Madeline asked. “We can’t touch them, unfortunately. At least not yet. Keep an eye on them. They have aligned themselves with Michael and Nikita, and that could prove to be a problem for us. If they made the slightest move off profile, you know what to do,” he answered as closure on the matter. Madeline just nodded and walked out of the office. “Yes, Kermit, one day, you will mess up. And I will be there to see you hang,” he said to himself. “And then I’ll see you in hell.” The End?