SHADES OF GRAY
by sandyw
Chapter 3
- In the cold gray industrial-like environment
of Section, operatives, including Michael and Nikita sat waiting for Operations
to update them on the progress of the current mission. "I'm afraid
we have to step up our timetable on this one. We've been informed that
the new chemical agent that we thought was under development is now apparently
ready for distribution. By this time tomorrow, a courier working for the
Freedom League will take the written formula and samples of the agent to
Europe where he or she will be met by other couriers from around the world
who will distribute...." "Are we talking about a virus?"
"No, Michael, not exactly. The agent works like a toxic gas in that
it kills instantly when inhaled. But it somehow permeates the bodies of
those who ingest it, ferments, and after death, anyone who comes in contact
with the corpse also dies. Then it gets worse, the dead zone expands, creating
a domino effect. Just imagine. A small town or village is exposed. Troops
come in to evacuate the bodies, they're exposed. More people come in to
dispose of their bodies and on and on until...well you get the picture.
If these terrorists release this chemical in major cities around the world
simultaneously, you can imagine the kind of devestation and chaos it would
cause. And of course while this is happening, the balance of power in the
world shifts. We haven't got much time." Realizing that it is partially
her fault that the timetable has changed, Nikita shifts in her chair. "Where
do we begin?" "Birkoff compiled this profile of likely low profile,
high level operatives who might be trusted to smuggle the formula out of
the country. There's one problem. Our intel is that no known operative
has been assigned to do the job. They will be relying on a new recruit,
an unknown, someone recruited specifically for this mission, someone who
most likely won't even know what he or she is carrying." Nikita still
had no idea where they would begin. "Michael will put together a team.
Since this new recruit is likely to be inconspicuous, possibly even an
innocent, we must not rule out the very real probability that conventional
modes of transportation will be used. I'd cover the major airports, Michael."
Michael pushed away from the table and walked slowly to his office. Birkoff
went back to the Com Center. As the other operatives dispersed, Operations
stopped Nikita. "I want to see you in my office...now."
- Nikita knew the gravity of the situation.
She was not looking forward to going one on one with Operations. Gray was
going to meet her at her apartment. She could think of little else. Operations
broke the silence. "Tell me what's going on, Nikita." "What
do you mean?" Nikita tried her best to appear clueless. Perhaps Michael
never mentioned Gray. Perhaps this was just about her being distracted
on the mission. Operations shoved his hands in his pockets and paced back
and forth in front of her. He spoke without looking at her. "At precisely
two this afternoon I specifically ordered you to report back here for debriefing."
"I came back." "Yes, you came back. You came back, after
taking an extra ten minutes to renew a relationship that Section had warned
you against, allowing the League an extra ten minutes to sweep the area
looking for your contact. Yes, you came back. After Topher was discovered
and cancelled. Did it ever occur to you that he did not make contact with
you because he thought your friend Wellman was not safe?" He had stopped
directly in front of her and he was angry. "I can explain." She
sounded like a child whose hand had been caught in the proverbial cookie
jar. "No, Nikita. You can't explain. No one wants to hear your...explanation.
What you did put the mission in jeopardy, Section operatives in danger
and God only knows how many civilians may die if Michael doesn't come through.
You've been here long enough to know not to let your personal life interfer
with Section business." He was about to tell her to report to Madeline
when Madeline walked in. "I'll leave you." Operations smiled
at Madeline. She returned his smile but Nikita thought that Madeline's
smiles were always laced with pain.
- Madeline walked around behind Operations desk
and sat down. "Sit," she quietly commanded Nikita. Nikita sat,
but she was not comfortable. Madeline began. "We've covered this ground
before Nikita. We can't allow ourselves to have relationships outside of
Section. It will always be a lie. You're young Nikita, and we understand
that you continue to fantasize about your freedom. Freedom is no longer
an issue for us. We're all dead in here. Remember that Nikita and you can
and will say goodbye to old relationships. Forget it, or try to ignore
it and we will have no choice but to end them for you." Nikita wanted
to cry or rail at Madeline for being so direct, or Michael for bringing
her back inside. She had come back to be with him and he was not there
for her. And now there was a chance to feel wanted again but at a terrible
price. What was she to do? "Maybe, Madeline, a woman can choose to
have both." She stood. "Men do all the time. Ask Michael."
"Perhaps you need a few days off to think about this. Consider it
a gift Nikita...a gift of time. Use it wisely. That'll be all." Madeline
smiled, and this time, there was no pain.
- Nikita had gone home and prepared for Gray's
visit. Michael had intruded briefly, his appearance throwing her slightly
off-balance. She had shoved her feelings for Michael so deep within her
that at first it seemed surreal to even see him in the same room again
with Gray. Gray, warm, honest, extraordinary, sweet, a clean slate. Michael,
cold, manipulative,dark, mysterious. How could she even compare the two
. They were night and day, summer and winter.
- Gray had listened to her for hours only interrupting
to laugh or relate stories of his daughter. And then it was Nikita's turn
to listen and she listened well. He was lonely. He had not replaced her
in his life because he had loved her and was very reluctant to get involved
again so soon. Gray had never questioned her about her job or her lifestyle.
He accepted her unconditionally, even in the end. It was she who had to
choose for both of them and she decided that his daughter deserved a father
and he deserved life. She had made the ultimate sacrifice, or so she thought.
They were on their third glass of wine when he drew her close to him. She
knew that he wanted her, needed her, but something inside kept saying no.
A small, but strong part of her heart belonged to Michael. However hard
she tried to push it aside, bury it or hide it, it was always there fighting
for him. "Damn you, Michael," she thought, "I will
live without you." Gray invited her to accompany him to Paris for
a few days, so that they could get reacquainted. Their plane would leave
tomorrow. Nikita lept at the chance. "Yes, oh yes, she said, but she
wanted to say for the world to hear, "Damn you too, Madeline. I can
have it all."
- end of Chapter 3
-
- TO: CHAPTER
4
