by L. M. Vila
“Given our current level of information, your candidacy as the Mabus looks… Promising.”
A knife cut right into Michael’s gut. He couldn’t believe the words Davis just spoke. This man had just officially signed Michael’s death sentence and they had the power, knowledge, and resources to carry it all out. Fortunately, the fact that Michael still continued to breath in the very room with his potential enemy gave him the opportunity to sway judgment back in his favor. It may be the only card left in his hand. Still, he couldn’t die here today. Nor at the hands of this man. Michael still had a mission to complete and he was going to carry it out one way or another.
“I don’t need a bodyguard,” Michael snapped back. “I still have a job to do. You’ll only get in my way.”
“Unfortunately Mr. Curtis, this is not a request.”
Those words brought Michael back down to earth. Testament was not going to leave him alone and from the looks of it, he didn’t have a choice in the matter.
“If I prove not to be the Mabus, what would happen then?”
“Technically you haven’t been officially christened as the Mabus at this moment,” calmly replied Davis hoping his tone would sooth the tension he could feel building in Michael. “So until we get confirmation either way, our mission is both to watch and protect. It could very well be that you’re linked to the Mabus and keeping your activities under our watchful eyes and protection is the only way we’ll know for sure.”
This turn of events does not bode well for Michael’s future. He couldn’t have a pair of eyes watching his every move. Nicole would be sure to voice her discontent but it’s not like she could do anything about it either. This was going to be an odd conversation when the time came. Michael then realized he’d have the added tow of a priest dressed in religious regalia following his every move. This would make undercover operations virtually impossible let alone routine investigations.
“You can’t follow me all day. It would compromise my work.”
“I understand your concern Mr. Curtis. We do not wish raise any suspicion as much as you do. When we are needed, we will be there. When we are not, we will be watching.”
Davis truly had a way with words. In a way, Michael respected him for that. If his fate was still undecided then having someone on his tail may not be the disadvantage he initially thought. If it weren’t for pairing up with Meryl last year, Michael wouldn’t be here to have this conversation right now. He’d be dead. Having an extra pair of eyes to watch his back would definitely ensure his longevity but will only live to cause problems down the road.
“I need to make a call,” Michael stated. Davis politely saw himself out of the library giving his guest all of the time he needed to cook up one hell of a story that will justify his upcoming request.
March 23rd, 2013 11:56PM
McCarran International Airport
Las Vegas, NV
Meryl Lewis felt a great weight being lifted off her shoulders upon arriving at the airport. After a nice long refreshing shower to wash the stink of crude attire and paint tattoos, she found solace in wearing her traditional black power suit and white shirt. While not as comfortable as her lazy Sunday LAPD sweats, this was above and beyond relaxed compared to what she had worn merely an hour ago.
Standing not too far away from her position outside of the gate, Adrian Fischer continued to yammer on the phone. That thing had been glued to his ear since their part in the operation had been completed. Meryl really had no interest in his business despite the fact that he had dropped both her and Michael’s names throughout most of his conversations. Something about Adrian rubbed Meryl the wrong way. Perhaps it was his overly authoritative presence or inherent need to derail even the best laid plans. Regardless of the reason, it hit Meryl in a way that was borderline nostalgic.
“Agent Lewis?” Called a familiar voice.
Meryl didn’t even notice her superior leave the escort vehicle let alone approach her. Her mind had wandered off into places that it rarely didn’t which also reminded her that she wished Michael was here. He always kept her grounded in reality.
“Yes Commander Wells.”
Nicole carried a small black duffel bag stamped with a yellow FBI logo. She passed it along to Meryl who accepted it graciously.
“Here are your belongings. Badge, holster, gun, plus some necessities and toiletries that should get you through the trip. Our guys in DC will take care of supplying extra uniforms for the week out there. Sorry you didn’t have any extra time to pack.”
Meryl shook her head.
“It’s okay. Duty calls, right?”
That drew a small but noticeable smile from Nicole’s lips.
“Indeed it does. Is there anything else you’ll need? Maybe a cup of coffee?”
“No thanks. I plan on catching some sleep on the flight.” Meryl let out a slight sigh signaling her depleted strength. While sneaking in a cup of coffee sounded great, she really needed to catch up on some much desired rest. “It’s been long day.”
“I understand. Let me know if you need anything.”
Nicole found a nice spot alongside her subordinate and placed her back on the glass wall separating the airport from the outside world. Adrian continued to chatter on his phone much to her chagrin. Any moment of peace where he’s not trying to jump down her throat was welcomed. Even though the operation was considered a success on paper, Nicole still had too many variables to worry about that the bureau didn’t even have enough clearance to deal with.
A light vibration tickled her left front pocket. She quickly reached for the phone and upon retrieval caught the name on the caller ID she’d been itching to hear from all night.
“Michael? Thank God.”
That name drew simultaneous looks from Meryl and Adrian. Nicole pulled herself away and created a good distance between her and her subordinates.
“Where have you been?”
“I had some business to take care of.”
His response was cold and devoid of emotion which meant the pique of seriousness in Michael’s world.
“Is it related to our discussion from earlier?”
There was a brief pause on the other end.
“So to speak.”
Nicole didn’t like it when Michael was being ambiguous. It reminded him of his brief stint of going AWOL. He shouldn’t have any secrets to hide from Nicole. Not after their history together.
“Any new intel on Ryoo Myung-Dae?” Michael followed.
“Surprisingly no. We searched the entire area with a fine-toothed come and didn’t find any traces related to that material. Not a single syringe or vial of medication was found among his belongings. I’m at a loss here.”
Something was definitely a miss alright. Michael was at least able to verify Agent M’s involvement with the A.N.K.H. Pharmaceutical operation but with no evidence to show for it in this case, they were back to where they started.
“I have a lead on a link to Ryoo Myung-Dae.”
That sparked an immediate response from his superior.
“A lead? What kind?”
“Something big. I’ll need some time to investigate further.”
“How much?”
“A few days.”
“Adrian’s already wringing my neck about this operation. I don’t think I can justify delaying another minute.”
Nicole’s apprehension nearly trumped her desire to find out the truth about Agent M’s involvement in this case. In the wrong hands, that substance could bring the world to its needs and wrong hands always seem to have their grip on this stuff as of late.
“Where did this lead come from?”
If Michael could somehow rationalize it, Nicole would give him all the time in the world.
“Japan.”
“Absolutely not!”
Nicole raised her voice. Michael never cared for it when she did despite their relationship.
“I could at least justify something local but leaving the country is out
of the question.”
“We don’t have a choice.”
Michael came down with the hammer of reason this time. Despite Adrian’s pension for crawling around and getting under her skin, Nicole knew she had a responsibility to ensure Agent M would never be used as a tool of evil. Truth be told, she was going to let Michael go regardless of what she said on the phone. Nicole had to keep up appearance for any prying ears, both in person and not.
“Also,” said Michael, breaking an inevitable silence before it starts. “There’s something else I need to discuss with you.”
“About what?” Nicole pondered. She could tell from his shift in tone that this may be a major hindrance to her subordinate.
“Not here. When I get back.”
“Will it be a problem?”
Again, Michael paused. She hated it when he did that.
“No.”
At least his answer was clear and concise compared to all of the vagueness that has been swelling around this phone call.
“Fine. I’ll do my best to explain things here. Find a solution to our problem and get to D.C. as quickly as possible. Is that understood?”
“Yes commander.” Michael’s voice did not waver. He was always serious.
“You’ll have to leave soon. If anyone finds out you’ve taken a flight out of the country it’ll be two years ago all over again.”
Having another agent go AWOL was serious enough as is but to have the same one do it twice in such a short period of time would mean more than just a termination for both Michael and Nicole.
“Understood.”
Michael’s line went silent then died. Nicole pressed the phone to her forehead in a defiant act to counteract the headache she knew would soon be coming. She took a deep breath and let out a defeated sigh. There was no getting around this one. Too many unknown variables still existed. If Agent M was still floating around, why did Ryoo of all people have it? And what did this mean if they couldn’t find any traces of the substance? Much like her apprehension on the matter, Agent M appears to be evolving. If it is allowed to grow any further, it may be more than Michael’s genetically enhanced abilities can handle.
It took a few moments of thought before Nicole worked up the strength to return where her subordinates stood. Apparently they overheard who had called since Meryl remained dead silent and Adrian had silenced his phone for the last few minutes.
“Where is Agent Madison?” Fischer boldly asked.
He didn’t want to insult anyone’s intelligence by believing she could have been talking to anyone else.
“I…” Started Nicole.
All of the time she had left to ponder Michael’s words and she couldn’t even come up with a decent excuse. So, she decided to feign ignorance.
“I don’t know.”
“What?!” Snapped a visually angered S.A.C. “Are you telling me one of the agents under your command has gone AWOL?”
Nicole wasn’t surprised he went there so quickly. Adrian’s tone grew increasingly tense and it appeared she was only one wrong answer away from sending him into a blind fury.
“That’s not what I’ve said at all Agent Fischer,” Nicole calmly replied.
Her sudden change of tone to warned Adrian she too had a fire within her that could not be so easily quelled.
“Agent Madison just went through hell and back to complete an assignment only to jump on a plane and start another with barely any room to breathe in between. You’ve already taken Agent Lewis’ statement concern tonight’s operation. Michael should have the night off or twenty if he so desires. He constantly puts his life on the line for this department and never, and I mean never turns his back on us.”
Nicole took a moment to let his words since in. She had one last thing to say that would hopefully put a nail in the coffin and bury this matter for good.
“The fact that you would question on of your fellow Agent’s motives speaks very undesirably in your favor. I’d tread with caution Agent Fischer. After all, your annual evaluation is coming up.”
“You have the audacity to speak to me about loyalties after you and both of your subordinate’s blatantly disobeyed protocol?”
Adrian didn’t seem the least bit phased by any of Nicole’s words or warnings.
“It wasn’t my idea to send him into that proverbial blood bath. It was yours! Your constant and blatant disregard of protocol is what keeps your agent’s in the line of fire. If there is anyone to blame for state of their wellbeing, it rests solely on your shoulders… Commander.”
That was a hell of a counter. Nicole wasn’t exactly prepared for such a quick response. The part that troubled her above all else was the fact that Adrian was right. She’d put both Michael and Meryl, under a tremendous amount stress over the last year; both mentally and physically. They had outshined all of their fellow agents in every department across the country with their string of never ending triumphs. However, victory came at a cost and yet, she never heard a single word of defiance from either one of them.
Nicole had to remain firm. Her subordinates wouldn’t expect anything less.
“Either way, it’s still my call. If Agent Madison wants to take a couple of personal days then so be it. Washington can afford to be without another babysitter.”
“You’re treading on thin ice Commander,” Adrian replied in an increasingly menacing, borderline threatening tone. “I’ll have to report this to the Director.”
“Suit yourself Agent Fischer.”
Even Adrian’s thread didn’t faze Nicole in the slightest. She knew what had to be done. The cost didn’t matter at this point or any previous. While she would normally try to reprimand Adrian for going over her head, for some reason, she no longer cared about what he thought. She had a suspicion he’d been doing it since his arrival but didn’t care to confirm any of those suspicions.
The Special Agent in Charge dismissed himself without so much as a childish huff and reattached the phone to his ear. Another deep breath exited Nicole’s lungs but it didn’t make her feel any better about the situation. The noose is starting to tighten around her neck. Soon all of her extracurricular activities would be put under the radar. The only choice she had left was to stop Agent M once and for all. Only then would she welcome defeat.
“Are you okay Commander?” Meryl asked offering warm words and a soft hand on her shoulder.
“I’m fine Meryl,” Nicole calmly replied trying not to sound half as distraught as she felt. “Thank you.”
Every time Nicole called Meryl by her first name always made her feel a little happy on the inside. She seemed so caught up in her world with Michael that it was hard not to feel like the third wheel most of the time. Meryl had quickly gained a lot of prominence with her superior and before they knew it, she had become even something close enough to call friend.
Her calm response was enough to tell Meryl that everything was under control. There was no use trying to force the subject out here.
“Have I,” the A.D. unexpectedly began, “Have I been too rough with you Meryl?”
“What?” She replied, equally stunned that she was being too vague and that she would even think such a thing.
Are you serious?” She semi-jokingly followed hoping to lighten the mood on top of seeking clarification.
Nicole stood with her arms gently folded across her chest and her head tilted downward.
“What I mean is, have I been working you too hard?”
“No way!” Defended Meryl.
She passed a snide look over at Adrian’s direction. It didn’t matter that his back was turned but it certainly helped to forgo a potentially uncomfortable situation later.
“Don’t listen to him. Michael and I are fine. Adrian’s just being a dick.”
That got an honest laugh to escape Nicole’s throat. She always enjoyed Meryl’s personality. Now more than ever it seems. In her heart, Nicole knew she could always count on Michael to get the job done. He was designed that way. But Meryl was
different. Genetically, there wasn’t anything special about her. She didn’t have Michael’s enhanced strength, speed, intelligence, or any of the other gifts that made him the ultimate human soldier and yet, she was always able to keep up with him not matter what kind of hell awaited them next.
“God, how did you become so strong Meryl?” Nicole asked allowing her fingers to gently holding her face before it could sink any lower.
Meryl could feel her sadness pouring through those words. Nicole wasn’t just asking her that question, she was looking for an answer within herself.
“We all have our reasons for being strong. There are some things that are worth fighting for. Worth protecting. Most people live their whole lives searching for it. Others may never find a reason.”
“And,” interjected Nicole. “Have you found yours?”
Meryl allowed her eyes to wander in the distance. A small smile formed around the corners of her lips. She couldn’t look Nicole in the eyes when she responded.
“So to speak.”
Nicole let out a small laugh. They were best friends for a reason it would seem.
“Thank you Meryl,” Nicole said warmly gazing into her subordinate’s eyes. “I needed that.”
“Anytime,” smiled Meryl just as happy and chipper as ever it would seem.
“I’d like to talk with you some more about this strength of yours when you get back,” Nicole stated sounding more and more like her former self with each passing syllable. “And perhaps some other things,” she finished with a smile.
Meryl had no idea what the Assistant Director meant by that comment but those words suddenly made her heart skip a beat for reasons her mind was too flabbergasted to come up with at this moment. She prayed it wasn’t visibly noticeable and simply replied, “I’d like that too,” hoping that it would end the matter. For now at least.
This was a special girl. Nicole could see how Michael had gotten so attached to her over the years. She was surprised he hadn’t let her in on their little secret. It wasn’t like she had explicitly told him not to but she didn’t exactly give him the go ahead either. Perhaps it was out of respect for Nicole or even something else entirely. As close as these two were to each other, Meryl deserved to know but she’ll let Michael decide when the time was right.
