| Subject: Chapter 16 |
Author:
Rita
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Date Posted: Thursday, May 08, 04:25:20pm
In reply to:
Rita
's message, "TMTC" on Tuesday, July 24, 12:04:39pm
Chapter Sixteen
********
After a longer visit with Kate Quinn than expected, Michael left her office and headed for Munitions. On his way he contemplated his conversation with his and Nikita’s highest ranked subordinate.
At least as equally adept at assessing people as Nikita, Michael was inclined to endorse her opinion of Quinn. His impression matched that of his partner. He’d still keep an eye on Quinn as her competence and loyalty were critical given her current position in Section. Keeping a close eye on those around him came automatically to Michael, and always would.
Especially now. He had dropped his guard twice while in Section and it had cost him dearly. The first time he had lost his wife. The second time he had been banished from Section for his efforts.
He would not allow a third time.
Striding through Comm on his way to Walter, Michael immediately became the center of attention. Although the rumors were flying, most operatives were still unsure whether to believe in the return of the former top operative.
With the inevitable attrition in Section, some operatives had never met the man but had been regaled with stories of his unprecedented skills and accomplishments. There were plenty of operatives left though who had either been trained by Michael and/or worked in the field with him.
Michael, face expressionless, ignored the openly curious glances cast his way, making eye contact with personnel he was familiar with and nodding to a few he knew well. Two years away, yet Section was still recognizable. Some things changed, but much did not. He’d gleaned from personnel records that quite a few operatives he’d had under his command when he was field leader were still around.
He’d almost made it to Walter’s area unscathed before he was waylaid by a couple of familiar faces just as he reached the open Munitions gate. An animated young man and a subdued young woman, neither of whom had any qualms about engaging their new co-leader in conversation, caught up to Michael just as he reached Munitions.
Technically, they had only worked with Nikita and Michael once. However, that limited contact was enough to engender their loyalty for life. Although they had some experience of it themselves, they weren’t fully aware of Michael’s incredibly reserved persona in Section and therefore saw nothing inappropriate with walking right up to him.
“So, it’s true,” Patrick ‘Darwin’ Donoghue grinned in greeting while Walter waited for Michael behind the counter. “The quiet man is back!”
“Yes,” Michael confirmed unnecessarily.
“Cool,” Darwin’s enthusiasm wasn’t diminished by Michael’s typically laconic reply, although he did restrain himself from slapping the older man on the back knowing that would not go over at all well.
“It’s good to have you back, sir,” Jasmine Kwong inserted before Darwin could stick his foot in his mouth.
“You can call me Michael,” He hated titles as much as Nikita. Even though he already knew the answer, he asked a question of his own to show his genuine interest. “Claire and Trent?”
“Trent’s mobile Comm on Claire’s mission,” Jasmine wasn’t surprised he knew that all of them had ended up in Section One.
“Good,” Michael nodded. Loyalty such as theirs should never be ignored or taken for granted. “It’ll be good to see all of you.” He added while Walter watched from the side as Michael solidified four more players for their team.
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