Wicked Games
Chapter 8
Birkoff sat at the monitor in systems waiting for his search program to cycle through, was startled to see the screen clear and the video conference link lock in. Looking at him was a handsome man with shoulder length dark hair and deep set brown eyes.
An amused smile played across full lips as the man asked with a slight touch of sarcasm in his lilting accented voice, “Looking for me?”
"Uhh...w-who are you and how the hell did you break into my system?" Birkoff angrily asked, scared that somehow Section's computer system had been breached again. He started to key in commands to isolated this anomaly when the man replied,
"I'm Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod, and I believe that you are holding my daughter. “
His mouth hanging open, Birkoff resembled a fish out of water, gasping for breath, he hit the intercom to the Perch and yelled, "Operations, I...uhh think you and Madeline need to come to systems right away!"
"What is it Birkoff...we're busy right now, can't it wait?" Operations yelled back, causing Birkoff to blanch, and shrink down in his seat.
"Uhh...uhh, no Sir, I've found MacLeod, or rather...he found us, and I think he wants to talk to you...now!
"We're on our way Mr. Birkoff," Operations yelled and broke off communications. MacLeod looked at Birkoff with a twinkle in his eyes and said, "I hope I didn't get you into too much trouble Mr. Birkoff, but I needed to initiate contact as soon as possible. Don't worry; things will work out for the best."
At that Birkoff, dropped his head in his hands moaning, "I'm screwed, I might as well cancel myself."
A couple of minutes later Operations and Madeline entered systems and after looking at the face on Birkoff's monitor, Operations ordered Birkoff to put the view up on the big screen, before asking, "What do we owe the pleasure of this to?" Trying to keep his voice level and all evidence of emotion from his face. Madeline at his side remained quiet as she took in MacLeod's devastating good looks and his calm manner.
MacLeod quietly answered, "You have my daughter and it's my understanding that you have a disk that you can't break the encryption on."
Operations thought for a minute before replying, “how did you get this information?"
Duncan looked him in the eye and softly said, "I know about Section One"
Operations with a sharp intake of breath started to ask how when MacLeod stopped him with a raised hand. "Whether you believe this or not, I am your allied, at least for the time being. I you want to listen carefully to what I have to say and then I want you to bring my daughter in so that I can talk to her."
For the next 15 minutes Operations and Madeline listened to Duncan, each one appreciating the man's words. Finally after he finished he asked, "Are you in agreement with me?"
Operations replied in the affirmative, but Madeline questioned, "Will McKinsey agree to this?"
MacLeod sighed and rubbed his face before answering, "She has no choice, and I can no longer protect her." Pausing for a second, he continued, "go ahead and bring her in so I can talk to her, and be prepared for the fireworks...I don't need to remind you to make sure there are no weapons around either since her temper is like a volcano. That red hair of hers hides more than a pretty head. I'll contact you in 20 minutes." With a keystroke to his laptop MacLeod severed the connection.
In McKinsey's room the two operatives and patient were holding a silent vigil, each wrapped up in their own thoughts when the door opened and Luca walked in. Seeing the grim expression on his face McKinsey shivered, while Michael and Nikita both stared at him expectantly. Luca said, “Operations wants McKinsey in systems now. I've brought her some clothes to wear." Nikita, looking at McKinsey's pale face started to object that she was too weak when Michael touched her arm and slightly shook his head.
"Kita, its okay, help her get dressed and then we'll go." Luca handed the garments to Nikita gave McKinsey a smile and then followed Michael out to the hallway to give the women privacy.
McKinsey, sensing the operative’s distress touched her hand and said softly, "Hey, its okay, I'll be okay. Besides, it's not like I have much choice right?"
Nikita smiled and said, "I guess you don't, well let's get this over with." Helping the young woman to sit on the side of the bed, Nikita slid a pair of white sweatpants up
her legs and over her hips, then pulling the IV catheter out of her hand, she slipped off the hospital gown and helped McKinsey pull a thin white tank top over her head and down her torso. Finally she slipped a pair of white canvas boat shoes on her feet and said, "I guess you're ready now."
McKinsey, reached up to her hair asked if Nikita had a brush. Finding one in her bag, she proceeds to brush the waist length auburn curls until they crackled. "Do you want me to braid it? She asked, but all McKinsey did was shake her head and say, "let's go."
Exiting the room they found Michael and Luca waiting with a wheelchair which McKinsey adamantly refused saying, "if this ends up being my last few minutes on Earth, I'd rather have them on my feet." Praying to the goddess that everything would work out," she ordered, "Lead on." With Michael and Luca on each side of her and Nikita bringing up the rear, the four made their way slowly to systems.
It did not take the group long to reach their destination and make their way inside coming face to face with Operations and Madeline. Madeline smiled at McKinsey sadly, while Operations stared at the auburn haired beauty, thinking that she was truly breathtaking. Birkoff gulped, wishing he were somewhere else.
McKinsey, took the final steps towards Operations, reached out her hand and said, "I'm McKinsey, you must be Operations." Shocking everyone in the room Operations did something totally out of character for him. He took her hand and brushed his lips across the knuckles before replying, "Yes, I am." Pulling a chair up he assisted the young woman to sit before dismissing her 3 escorts. "Please wait outside, this will take a little bit and then I will need to see all of you."
Michael started to protest but Nikita took his and with Luca following behind left the room to wait in the hallway.
No sooner than they had left the wall screen flickered to life and McKinsey found herself looking at her guardian's face. "Hello, little one," Duncan said with an intense look of sadness on his face. Swallowing, she whispered "hi" Unable to say more and worried about the expression in his eyes, McKinsey listened as Duncan outlined his previous discussion with Operations and Madeline. At first she couldn't believe what he was saying, and then in horror she realized that her mind was not playing tricks on her. As tears rolled down her cheeks, McKinsey stared at Duncan speechless as she listened to his words.
"I'm giving you to Section; I can't protect you any longer" and finally..."tonight you begin your Valentine training." When she asked him what type of training that was the screams began, escalating until the very walls reverberated with her terror. At a nod to Birkoff two security operatives were summoned and lifted the now kicking, clawing and punching woman by her arms, as auburn colored curls swirled around her thrashing body..."No, no, noooooo please don't do this to me, please don't make me!" she begged and pleaded. Then in defeat she stilled and looked up at the screen and in a cold voice, violet colored eyes deepening to a midnight black said, "I will never forgive you for this Duncan MacLeod of the clan MacLeod, if it takes me the rest of my life, I swear that I will hunt you down and make you pay for what you've done to me!"
Suddenly breaking free of the guards in an unexpected move they had never seen, she did a graceful back flip while removing the boot knife from the guard on her left. Backing up she took the knife and slashed her right palm. Throwing the knife expertly with her left, it pierced the screen where Duncan's heart was, at the same time she raised her right arm and clenched her fist letting the blood pour unto the floor intoning words in a language that only Duncan could understand. When finished she dropped her arm and her head, shoulders slumped, she made no move to resist the guards as they again took her arms. And looked to Operations and Madeline for orders.
Madeline said in a not unkind voice, "Take her to room 4 and don't leave her alone. Make sure she has whatever she needs and send Luca in." Once the trio had left, Operations looked to MacLeod raising one eyebrow in question.
Duncan said, "I told you she has a temper," he said fondly with a smile on his lips.
Madeline curious asked what she meant by cutting herself and what did she say.
Duncan painfully replied, "She swore a blood oath on me, the next time we meet, she will kill me. Don't worry, after tonight she will follow your orders and will open the computer files for you. The only thing she will not do is give you the encryption code. Now let me talk to Luca.”
Duncan briefly outlined his request for the doctor and then slowly looked into his eyes and asked, "You know what needs to be done?"
Luca with a barely perceptible nod answered, "Yes." Backing away from the screen, he turned coming face to face with
Madeline who had been studying him carefully, "will you have a problem with this Doctor?"
Looking her directly in the eye he replied softly, "No, may I go now?" "Yes and send Michael and Nikita in on your way out."
Nikita, relieved to be doing something besides holding up the wall, looked at Michael as Luca relayed Madeline's invitation. Copying his blank star she followed him into systems. Standing a few feet away from Operations and Madeline, they stood side by side and listened to Duncan and Operations update them on their new agenda for the next few weeks. Nikita was appalled to hear that McKinsey had been recruited and that she was to be Michael's material, but she was thankful to hear that she was to befriend the girl and help make the transition more bearable. Michael on the other hand had only one thought....."Let the games begin."