bristow_syd
Cadet
This story is a fan-fic inspirated by my devotion for TV series ‘Alias’. I do not own any character or plot from the film, but I have used them to build an episode which has not logical connection with the development of the series, though the characters, as they appear, could be situated somewhere between the first and the second season. I’ve made up some characters’ relationships, as for instance, the link between McKennas, Sark and Kreschnick but this is fiction so... I would like to apologize from this lines from my written expression in English, there are lots of improvements which can be done to the story but I hope you can follow the plot. I wait for commentaries, you readers, are the ones who must decide if it’s worth publishing the other nine chapters which complete the story. If you’re interested by the story, just let me know here or emailing me to bristow_syd@wanadoo.es . It’s a great effort to translate the whole story in a little acceptable English, but if anyone is interested in the Spanish version, again, just let me know it.
Day 1 (part I)
MAÇOIS BAY (Brazil)
Sydney tried to run faster. She didn’t know what could have gone wrong with the operation. In that hidden location of Maçois Bay, Brazilian Amazony, no more than three soldiers were expected, but the truth seemed that a whole cell of ‘The Man’ was there. Maybe the SD-6 had analyzed wrongly the situation. Maybe it was a trick. Maybe there were a mole in the agency. Lots of maybe.
She stopped to catch some air. Her shoulder hurt in a horrible way. She looked at it. It really had a bad aspect. Everything went wrong from the very beginning and, what worsened things even more, she hadn’t managed to access the central computer. Impossible, it was impossible to create a distraction to break the meeting which seemed to be organized in that room. SD-6 extraction team which was waiting for her at Caporinha would leave without her if she didn’t arrived within the next four hours. Even now that she was out of the bunker, though without the information she had gone to look for, it wouldn’t be possible to arrive there on time, and, to make things harder, she could only make the effort to run away alive from there. She would have to evaluate the situation, and soon. It was clear as water; if she wanted to go out there, her only way was contacting Michael, at CIA headquarters. Yes, it seemed to be the only option, but, afterwards? It would be extremely difficult to build a story acceptable to the SD-6. But she would have to think about that later, because if she didn’t escape there wouldn’t be a later to think about. And she was losing much blood and was beginning to feel weak.
She looked for a place to hide; some metres in front, between vegetation, it appeared a more protected place. She went there, as fast as she was able, and look for protection amongst the high grass.
Her bag wuld have been of great help now, but she didn’t have time to recover it. She turned the small GPS on, introduced her password, ‘Freelancer’, and waited for the connection to be operative. She begged it didn’t take too long. The wound bit and Sydney started to feel sick. From not a long distance, she heard voices, brought by the wind. She breathed deeply and looked at the GPS; there were no connection yet. The afternoon began to pass through her mind. She had arrived to the location indicated for the operation, and she got surprised to see such activity around. But she had to follow the mission guidelines whatever the real situation was. Everything developed more slowly than planned, but she managed to accomplish the first phase of the operation: to obtain the access codes to the central computer. She transmitted them to the SD-6 and she prepared to break into the mother computer. But that room was occupied and soon she realized it would be impossible to do the task, at least, in htat moment. She tried to send a message to the extraction team and, alarmed, she noticed there was no active signal to contact them. While she thought about it, someone tried to catch her. She fought to get out of the enemy, but his voice soon made more soldiers come. She got hit in the head and everything around became dark. She woke up in a room. Three men, in camouflage wearings, were analizing the situation. They talked about taking her to the camp centre. Sydney looked carefully around. There were a little window; it was high but she would be able to get there. She acted as if she was unconscious still, awaiting for the men to go out of the room. They’ve taken all her things away: her bag, her weapons and the talkie. Fortunately, they didn’t find the GPS the CIA had given to her. She had her wrist tied, but she had been trained to free herself from such simple retention methods. It came a moment where only one of her guards was in the room and, taking advantage of his careless attitude, she put him down and escaped through the window. The building was a sort of bunker, only one floor high, so it was not a problem to jump from the window. In silence, she slided along the out wall, looking for the appropiate place to jump away. She found it, it seemed a secure one. She climbed the wall and observed carefully. There was a guard, walking around, almost under her. She waited for him to be on position, and jumped over him, catching him by surprise. But he was a well-trained guard and he presented fight. She didn’t realize it till it was so late. A knife shone just a second, before a sharp pain went through her arm. The guard had hurt her in her right shoulder, She managed to get rid of him, leaving him unconscious. She took a look around and began to run. One of the two agents would give the alarm soon, and it was necessary to put the greatest distance between her and her prosecutors,
The wound in her shoulder hurt, but in that moment, runaway adrenaline had her senses busy.
A noise of voices, nearer each time, put her out of her thoughts. Sydneyy was tired and the fear to be discovered, almost without defense, was beginning to invade her. Desperated, she looked again to the GPS: there was connection! Quickly, she entered her access codes and waited for Michael’s answer. It was matter on little time that guards found her, so she connected the voice system. After neverending seconds, Vaughn answered.
- ‘Freelancer’ – Sydney said, in almost unhearable tone.
- God, Sydney! – Michael’s voice sounded alliviated – Where on hell were you? You might have begun to transmit long ago. I was...
- Shut up and listen to me, Vaughn – she whispered – I cannot talk much. They caught me, they were saying I was going to be taken to another location, around this very zone. I could escape from them, but they are near now, they’ll find me soon. Just take me out of here, please. I won’t be able to get at the SD-6 team on time for the extraction and I cannot communicate with them. I’m hurt, it’s not very bad but it leaves me in a bad situation to defend myself, so, please, do something, bec...
One of the soldiers had found her. She was distracted so he attacked on her back. The GPS jumped off from Sydney’s hand, but it was still on. On the line, Vaughn’s worry was increasing, because he had no answer from Sydney. He only heard noises.
- ¿Sydney ? ¿Sydney ? Please, answer... – he whispered
she was fighting with the guard. She know she would probably lose the fight, if anyone came into help. She hardly could defend hersef, her shoulder was killing her of pain.
Another one attacked her, Sydney only noticed how someone caought her right arm, pushing it against her back. Pain made her fell on her knees. The agressor put more pressure and Sydney shouted in pain. The first guard hit her. Everything darked around her and she dismayed.
LOS ÁNGELES – C.I.A. UNCOVER OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT
Michael jumped over when he heard Sydney’s shout. His stomach wrinked: a thing was having fear for her, unknowing what could happen to her, and another very different one was hear it, knowing that what you most fear about is happening and you cannot do it nothing to solve it. Extremely worried, he made a last try for getting answer, knowing he wouldn’t get it.
- Sydney, Sydney... Answer! What on hell is happening?
And no answer was returned. A shoot could be heard and static invaded the line. Michael turned pale. Have she been caought? Have she got shot? Or was the shot to destroy the GPS? For the sake of God! He seemed to react suddenly. He stood up and burst towards Kendall’s office.
MAÇOIS BAY (Brazil)
Thousands of kilometres away, the two guards who had just caught Sydney were shouting at each other. They’d heard Michael’s calling on the GPS and one of them had shot at the phone. Sydney laid at their feet, her face still contracted with pain.
A jeep was coming through the almost invisible path, nearing to them. They put Sydney on the back of the vahicle, heavily tied, and they went back towards the bunker.
LOS ÁNGELES – C.I.A. UNCOVER OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT
Michael knock,impatiently, to Kendall’s door.
- We have problems... big ones... I need an extraction team, armed and ready, in Brazil. Bristow has been caught. And we have to take her out of there, inmediatly, sir... – he said without stopping to breath.
- Just a moment, agent Vaughn – Kendall answered – Sit down and tell me more in detail.
- There’s no time. We have to take her out before it’s too late. I don’t even have many details, only the GPS coordenates.
- So, do you pretend that I send a team with my best men, without knowing for sure all the data concerning the mission? You must be crazy, Vaughn, if you think I’m gonna authorize this. I understand perfectly your personal implication in this issue, but I must remind you that we have procedures, protocols, you know, which are above this, agent. We’ll have to wait and compile all the information, then I’ll decide.
- But, sir, with due respect, it could be too late for her – Michael was exasperated
- Hope it isn’t. We have days to do this correctly, I’m sure. They need her alive, don’t they? Until then, just relax and be a good agent as you’ve been till now and don’t give me headaches, O.K.?
- Please, sir, I...
- Enough, Vaughn! I will only allow you to go to Brazil and investigate. But under no concept, I repeat, under no circumstances, will you act until you receive a direct order from me, understood?
- Yes, sir. Understood.
Michael left Kendall’s office with relaxed gesture, but he boiled in nerves. He knew that what he had in mind had lots of chances to fail, and that even he was successful it could ruin his career as Goverment agent. But he wasn’t going to allow any damage on Sydney; he wasn’t going to lose her withour trying to rescue her. Kendall knew well each one of his agents, so he wouldn’t believe Michael was going to stay quiet until orders came. The menace, though hidden, had been so clear, but Michael would cope with the consequences if so he could bring Sydney back. Not so long ago, she had done the same for him, and though she hadn’t done it, he would have taken identical decission. A voice put him out of his thoughts.
- I was looking for you, Michael. I’ve just known it – it was Weiss who talked – I suppose you want act inmediatly, although we have few information. What does Kendall think about the issue? Because you come from his office, don’t you?
- Extraction not allowed – Michael answered darkly.
- What?
- It’s true. I’m allowed to go to Brazilia to investigate, until we get data he find acceptable enough to order her extraction.
- But until then... – Weiss didn’t dare to continue
- Then it could be too late and I’m aware of it. I don’t even think to play Kendall’s game. If I’ve learnt something during these years in the Agency, is that I must value risks and consequences, act and asume what derivates.
- So, you’re not gonna stay quiet...
- Ssssh... not here. Meet me at the coffee at the corner...mmmm... in an hour moreless. You come with me to the airport and we talk, O.K.? I must solve some things here before taking a flight.
- O.K.... See you then.
Michael went to Operations Department, to fix some requirements before leaving.
- I want a ticket for the first flight going to Brasilia, direct or not. I don’t mind class, It’s good even the transport case. Just send the key to my pager, good? – Michael was talking to Agent Campbell. He knew her well, they were together at Langley and they were good friends. She wouldn’t ask anything more.
- Of course, Michael. I suppose it’s really urgent, isn’t it? I will fix it inmediatly. What more do you need?
- The usual field equipment, non-determined stay, facturated to the plane with my usual log. As soon as you get it, please, send me the details.
- Rumours have spreaded quickly, guy. Hope you’re lucky.
- Thanks, Amy. I’ll be.
- Take care of yourself. And don’t make foolish moves! – Campbell smiled.
- I’ll do it. See you! – Michael smiled weakly.
He came back to his desk and connected the computer to transfer data to his PDA. He was nervous. He didn’t like to begin any operation with many unsure information and nothing was sure in what he was just to do.
The only thing he knew was that Sydney was under great danger and he could not allow it.
- Sydney... where are you? Just stand strong, please... – he whispered while he worked with his computer.
MAÇOIS BAY (Brazil) – THE BUNKER
Once more in the bunker she had escaped from, Sydney began to recover consciousness. Slowly, she was remembering the nightmare she was living. She tried to move to look around and pain went through her. She was tied, hands and feet, and her shoulder had gone worse. Somebody had bent it, but pain hadn’t diminished. They needed her alive, it was clear. She felt weak and sick, but she realized she was again in the room she had escaped from hours ago. Outdoors, it was dark. She was thirsty and everything moved around her.
A noise distracted her. Two men she hadn’t seen before, came into. She tried to act as if she was still dismayed.
- Don’t even try, miss. We’ve already seen you’ve waken up, so don’t try to take the mouse over us, O.K.?
One of the men went near her. He took the ties from her feet off and made her sit down on a chair. He wore a some-days beard and smelled.
Sydney had no strength to resist. The other soldier stood at her back.
- Well, don’t waste our time and tell us who you are and what on hell were you doing here.
Sydney nodded, without saying anything.
- Believe me, darling, we can get all the truth in the good way or the bad one. And I assure you’ll not want to experience it.
He made a signal to the man behind Sydney and he pushed heavily her wounded shoulder. Sydney shouted.
- You’re crazy if you think I’m gonna say anything. I... – a hit muted her words.
Sydney looked at him, defiant.
- You have to keep me alive, don’t you? And I’ve seen you’re moving anywhere, so it’s urgent for you to leave this place, am I wrong?
- You think you’re so clever... – the man answered, out of his nerves, taking her by the neck – O.K., we’ll talk in our next location... and you won’t like it.
She was taken outdoors, where a dusty jeep was waiting. The bunker seemed now completely dead. In the distance, through the path, a little convoy of vehicles could be seen, towards some unknown place. She was pushed into the back part of the jeep and they closed with the key.
Where would they go? She wondered, nervous. For the first time she had no control at all of the situation, without no staff to help her, wounded and with no resources to appeal to. Her only hope was Vaugh, if he didn’t leave her to her fate. But Vaughn was an agent respectful to rules, and Kendall wouldn’t authorize an extraction without information.
The path was full of bumps. The wound hurt so much that she couldn’t less than cry. If the journey lasted too long, she would begin to shout. She was frightened, so much, because she depended solely on Michael. In her state, she couldn’t be able to escape. Through the canvas, she could notice that they were going into the forest.
LOS ÁNGELES – C.I.A. UNCOVER OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT
Michael went downstairs to the department parking. During the short time he had spent working with his computer, he could realized that his situation was the gossiping subject for all the staff. He needed to breathe fresh air, so he went out through the back door and walked a pair of streets to meet with Weiss. It was 3 p.m. and his flight was taking off at 5:05 p.m. Amy had done her work fast. In Michael’s neck, a silver chain shone. He had bought it for Sydney, he wanted to give her before she left for Maçois but, as usual, he didn’t dare to do it.
Weiss was already waiting for him at the coffee’s door.
- Let’s go for the car – Michael said – My flight departs in two hours. We’ll talk on the run.
They walked along two streets, until they arrived where Weiss had parked his car.
- Why do you never use the Department’s garage? It seems to me to be more secure – Michael inquired.
- Well, it’s that I love my car – Weiss looked at the car with proud eyes. It was a shining black Porsche, almost completely new – Our section is not a whole uncover building, you know, so if some crazy terrorist puts a bomb I don’t want my car to suffer the consequences... – Weiss laughed.
They opened the car doors. But Michael stopped.
- Weiss, is your car securre? I mean, you know what I’m talking about.
- Affirmative, Vaughn. You’re so paranoic... No follow apparatus will go into this car, without my permission. Have such a gag here could show advantages, but one has his private life, you know. So, let’s go! – Weiss ran the motor.
While they went fast along the road leading to the airport, Vaughn decided to talk. He didn’t want to mess Weiss, his only working partner which was his true friend, but he had to. What he was about to try was almost a suicide, but if he also do it without some sort of logistic support it was impossible to have success.
- Weiss, you understand what I’m gonna do, don’t you?
- You’re crazy guy – Weiss said – Kendall will cut you neck when he noticed about this. And better not to think of Haladki... And mine too, because I suppose you’re gonna need some uncover help.
- You don’t have to do it. I want you to know, but I cannot force you to do something which can finish your career.
- Well, Michael, you don’t have to force me. You’ve helped me out of many issues, and I’m gonna help you out this time. I don’t mind consequences. It’s logical you want to do this, if I were you I’d do exactly the same... We’ll always be able to fix a private investigation agency when this is over.
- Thanks Weiss. I owe you a big one.
- So, tell me what do you need. But before, asnwer a question and for one time, though I know perfectly the answer, be sincere with the subject... you’re mad about Bristow, aren’t you?
- I love her as I never thought about loving anyone. Thinking about what she can be undergoing in this moment makes me insane.
- Michael, Syd is strong. She was trained for this. She knows the risks. O.K., she has problems right now, and big ones, but be a little positive cowboy, she’s not an unprotected lady from medieval times.
- Yes, I know... Well... We know moreless where the bunker is. GPS coordenates could not be far from there. Sydney told me she was hurt, so she couldn’t have gone so far when she contacted me.
- So you want me to deep the zone around the coordinates with the satellite, to see how things do there.
- Yes and no. See, she mentioned they wanted to move her to another location. I need you to follow any indice of locations around that zone, recent constructions, recent movements... and so. Without more coordenates I don’t know where to begin the search.
- It’s not gonna be easy, but count with it.
- I also need you to filter the communications established with me. I’ll connect a call diverter in the refuge, but in case Kendall wants to contact me, you’ll have to be quick with the decoder.
- What means to take work home, Michael. You’re a heartless.
- Thanks Weiss. I know this is a suicide, but if you weren’t there...
They were arriving to the international terminal in Los Angeles federal airport.
- I’m sure you will remember a million of useful things that you don’t notice now. Day or night, Michael, day or night, use that GPS and let me know, capicci?
Michael smiled. They went out the car to pick the little luggage Michael had brought.
- Weiss...
- Tell me Michael
- If something happens to me, I want you to know that it’s been great to count with your friendship. Don’t change ever, you’re one of the few fair guys in that department.
- Vaughn, don’t act foolishly. You’re gonna come back. Just take care of yourself and bring Sydney back. It’s a direct order.
They hugged each other, aware of the fact that it could be the very last time they saw each other.
- See you, Agent Vaughn!
- We’ll be in contact, Weiss.
Michael turned to get his ticket and check that his equipment was in order. Everything seemed correct, except Michael’s nerves. The flight would depart in less than an hour.
- Bristow, keep yourself, please. I don’t know how, but I’m gonna go and take you out of there – Michael whispered as a letany.
Day 1 (part I)
MAÇOIS BAY (Brazil)
Sydney tried to run faster. She didn’t know what could have gone wrong with the operation. In that hidden location of Maçois Bay, Brazilian Amazony, no more than three soldiers were expected, but the truth seemed that a whole cell of ‘The Man’ was there. Maybe the SD-6 had analyzed wrongly the situation. Maybe it was a trick. Maybe there were a mole in the agency. Lots of maybe.
She stopped to catch some air. Her shoulder hurt in a horrible way. She looked at it. It really had a bad aspect. Everything went wrong from the very beginning and, what worsened things even more, she hadn’t managed to access the central computer. Impossible, it was impossible to create a distraction to break the meeting which seemed to be organized in that room. SD-6 extraction team which was waiting for her at Caporinha would leave without her if she didn’t arrived within the next four hours. Even now that she was out of the bunker, though without the information she had gone to look for, it wouldn’t be possible to arrive there on time, and, to make things harder, she could only make the effort to run away alive from there. She would have to evaluate the situation, and soon. It was clear as water; if she wanted to go out there, her only way was contacting Michael, at CIA headquarters. Yes, it seemed to be the only option, but, afterwards? It would be extremely difficult to build a story acceptable to the SD-6. But she would have to think about that later, because if she didn’t escape there wouldn’t be a later to think about. And she was losing much blood and was beginning to feel weak.
She looked for a place to hide; some metres in front, between vegetation, it appeared a more protected place. She went there, as fast as she was able, and look for protection amongst the high grass.
Her bag wuld have been of great help now, but she didn’t have time to recover it. She turned the small GPS on, introduced her password, ‘Freelancer’, and waited for the connection to be operative. She begged it didn’t take too long. The wound bit and Sydney started to feel sick. From not a long distance, she heard voices, brought by the wind. She breathed deeply and looked at the GPS; there were no connection yet. The afternoon began to pass through her mind. She had arrived to the location indicated for the operation, and she got surprised to see such activity around. But she had to follow the mission guidelines whatever the real situation was. Everything developed more slowly than planned, but she managed to accomplish the first phase of the operation: to obtain the access codes to the central computer. She transmitted them to the SD-6 and she prepared to break into the mother computer. But that room was occupied and soon she realized it would be impossible to do the task, at least, in htat moment. She tried to send a message to the extraction team and, alarmed, she noticed there was no active signal to contact them. While she thought about it, someone tried to catch her. She fought to get out of the enemy, but his voice soon made more soldiers come. She got hit in the head and everything around became dark. She woke up in a room. Three men, in camouflage wearings, were analizing the situation. They talked about taking her to the camp centre. Sydney looked carefully around. There were a little window; it was high but she would be able to get there. She acted as if she was unconscious still, awaiting for the men to go out of the room. They’ve taken all her things away: her bag, her weapons and the talkie. Fortunately, they didn’t find the GPS the CIA had given to her. She had her wrist tied, but she had been trained to free herself from such simple retention methods. It came a moment where only one of her guards was in the room and, taking advantage of his careless attitude, she put him down and escaped through the window. The building was a sort of bunker, only one floor high, so it was not a problem to jump from the window. In silence, she slided along the out wall, looking for the appropiate place to jump away. She found it, it seemed a secure one. She climbed the wall and observed carefully. There was a guard, walking around, almost under her. She waited for him to be on position, and jumped over him, catching him by surprise. But he was a well-trained guard and he presented fight. She didn’t realize it till it was so late. A knife shone just a second, before a sharp pain went through her arm. The guard had hurt her in her right shoulder, She managed to get rid of him, leaving him unconscious. She took a look around and began to run. One of the two agents would give the alarm soon, and it was necessary to put the greatest distance between her and her prosecutors,
The wound in her shoulder hurt, but in that moment, runaway adrenaline had her senses busy.
A noise of voices, nearer each time, put her out of her thoughts. Sydneyy was tired and the fear to be discovered, almost without defense, was beginning to invade her. Desperated, she looked again to the GPS: there was connection! Quickly, she entered her access codes and waited for Michael’s answer. It was matter on little time that guards found her, so she connected the voice system. After neverending seconds, Vaughn answered.
- ‘Freelancer’ – Sydney said, in almost unhearable tone.
- God, Sydney! – Michael’s voice sounded alliviated – Where on hell were you? You might have begun to transmit long ago. I was...
- Shut up and listen to me, Vaughn – she whispered – I cannot talk much. They caught me, they were saying I was going to be taken to another location, around this very zone. I could escape from them, but they are near now, they’ll find me soon. Just take me out of here, please. I won’t be able to get at the SD-6 team on time for the extraction and I cannot communicate with them. I’m hurt, it’s not very bad but it leaves me in a bad situation to defend myself, so, please, do something, bec...
One of the soldiers had found her. She was distracted so he attacked on her back. The GPS jumped off from Sydney’s hand, but it was still on. On the line, Vaughn’s worry was increasing, because he had no answer from Sydney. He only heard noises.
- ¿Sydney ? ¿Sydney ? Please, answer... – he whispered
she was fighting with the guard. She know she would probably lose the fight, if anyone came into help. She hardly could defend hersef, her shoulder was killing her of pain.
Another one attacked her, Sydney only noticed how someone caought her right arm, pushing it against her back. Pain made her fell on her knees. The agressor put more pressure and Sydney shouted in pain. The first guard hit her. Everything darked around her and she dismayed.
LOS ÁNGELES – C.I.A. UNCOVER OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT
Michael jumped over when he heard Sydney’s shout. His stomach wrinked: a thing was having fear for her, unknowing what could happen to her, and another very different one was hear it, knowing that what you most fear about is happening and you cannot do it nothing to solve it. Extremely worried, he made a last try for getting answer, knowing he wouldn’t get it.
- Sydney, Sydney... Answer! What on hell is happening?
And no answer was returned. A shoot could be heard and static invaded the line. Michael turned pale. Have she been caought? Have she got shot? Or was the shot to destroy the GPS? For the sake of God! He seemed to react suddenly. He stood up and burst towards Kendall’s office.
MAÇOIS BAY (Brazil)
Thousands of kilometres away, the two guards who had just caught Sydney were shouting at each other. They’d heard Michael’s calling on the GPS and one of them had shot at the phone. Sydney laid at their feet, her face still contracted with pain.
A jeep was coming through the almost invisible path, nearing to them. They put Sydney on the back of the vahicle, heavily tied, and they went back towards the bunker.
LOS ÁNGELES – C.I.A. UNCOVER OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT
Michael knock,impatiently, to Kendall’s door.
- We have problems... big ones... I need an extraction team, armed and ready, in Brazil. Bristow has been caught. And we have to take her out of there, inmediatly, sir... – he said without stopping to breath.
- Just a moment, agent Vaughn – Kendall answered – Sit down and tell me more in detail.
- There’s no time. We have to take her out before it’s too late. I don’t even have many details, only the GPS coordenates.
- So, do you pretend that I send a team with my best men, without knowing for sure all the data concerning the mission? You must be crazy, Vaughn, if you think I’m gonna authorize this. I understand perfectly your personal implication in this issue, but I must remind you that we have procedures, protocols, you know, which are above this, agent. We’ll have to wait and compile all the information, then I’ll decide.
- But, sir, with due respect, it could be too late for her – Michael was exasperated
- Hope it isn’t. We have days to do this correctly, I’m sure. They need her alive, don’t they? Until then, just relax and be a good agent as you’ve been till now and don’t give me headaches, O.K.?
- Please, sir, I...
- Enough, Vaughn! I will only allow you to go to Brazil and investigate. But under no concept, I repeat, under no circumstances, will you act until you receive a direct order from me, understood?
- Yes, sir. Understood.
Michael left Kendall’s office with relaxed gesture, but he boiled in nerves. He knew that what he had in mind had lots of chances to fail, and that even he was successful it could ruin his career as Goverment agent. But he wasn’t going to allow any damage on Sydney; he wasn’t going to lose her withour trying to rescue her. Kendall knew well each one of his agents, so he wouldn’t believe Michael was going to stay quiet until orders came. The menace, though hidden, had been so clear, but Michael would cope with the consequences if so he could bring Sydney back. Not so long ago, she had done the same for him, and though she hadn’t done it, he would have taken identical decission. A voice put him out of his thoughts.
- I was looking for you, Michael. I’ve just known it – it was Weiss who talked – I suppose you want act inmediatly, although we have few information. What does Kendall think about the issue? Because you come from his office, don’t you?
- Extraction not allowed – Michael answered darkly.
- What?
- It’s true. I’m allowed to go to Brazilia to investigate, until we get data he find acceptable enough to order her extraction.
- But until then... – Weiss didn’t dare to continue
- Then it could be too late and I’m aware of it. I don’t even think to play Kendall’s game. If I’ve learnt something during these years in the Agency, is that I must value risks and consequences, act and asume what derivates.
- So, you’re not gonna stay quiet...
- Ssssh... not here. Meet me at the coffee at the corner...mmmm... in an hour moreless. You come with me to the airport and we talk, O.K.? I must solve some things here before taking a flight.
- O.K.... See you then.
Michael went to Operations Department, to fix some requirements before leaving.
- I want a ticket for the first flight going to Brasilia, direct or not. I don’t mind class, It’s good even the transport case. Just send the key to my pager, good? – Michael was talking to Agent Campbell. He knew her well, they were together at Langley and they were good friends. She wouldn’t ask anything more.
- Of course, Michael. I suppose it’s really urgent, isn’t it? I will fix it inmediatly. What more do you need?
- The usual field equipment, non-determined stay, facturated to the plane with my usual log. As soon as you get it, please, send me the details.
- Rumours have spreaded quickly, guy. Hope you’re lucky.
- Thanks, Amy. I’ll be.
- Take care of yourself. And don’t make foolish moves! – Campbell smiled.
- I’ll do it. See you! – Michael smiled weakly.
He came back to his desk and connected the computer to transfer data to his PDA. He was nervous. He didn’t like to begin any operation with many unsure information and nothing was sure in what he was just to do.
The only thing he knew was that Sydney was under great danger and he could not allow it.
- Sydney... where are you? Just stand strong, please... – he whispered while he worked with his computer.
MAÇOIS BAY (Brazil) – THE BUNKER
Once more in the bunker she had escaped from, Sydney began to recover consciousness. Slowly, she was remembering the nightmare she was living. She tried to move to look around and pain went through her. She was tied, hands and feet, and her shoulder had gone worse. Somebody had bent it, but pain hadn’t diminished. They needed her alive, it was clear. She felt weak and sick, but she realized she was again in the room she had escaped from hours ago. Outdoors, it was dark. She was thirsty and everything moved around her.
A noise distracted her. Two men she hadn’t seen before, came into. She tried to act as if she was still dismayed.
- Don’t even try, miss. We’ve already seen you’ve waken up, so don’t try to take the mouse over us, O.K.?
One of the men went near her. He took the ties from her feet off and made her sit down on a chair. He wore a some-days beard and smelled.
Sydney had no strength to resist. The other soldier stood at her back.
- Well, don’t waste our time and tell us who you are and what on hell were you doing here.
Sydney nodded, without saying anything.
- Believe me, darling, we can get all the truth in the good way or the bad one. And I assure you’ll not want to experience it.
He made a signal to the man behind Sydney and he pushed heavily her wounded shoulder. Sydney shouted.
- You’re crazy if you think I’m gonna say anything. I... – a hit muted her words.
Sydney looked at him, defiant.
- You have to keep me alive, don’t you? And I’ve seen you’re moving anywhere, so it’s urgent for you to leave this place, am I wrong?
- You think you’re so clever... – the man answered, out of his nerves, taking her by the neck – O.K., we’ll talk in our next location... and you won’t like it.
She was taken outdoors, where a dusty jeep was waiting. The bunker seemed now completely dead. In the distance, through the path, a little convoy of vehicles could be seen, towards some unknown place. She was pushed into the back part of the jeep and they closed with the key.
Where would they go? She wondered, nervous. For the first time she had no control at all of the situation, without no staff to help her, wounded and with no resources to appeal to. Her only hope was Vaugh, if he didn’t leave her to her fate. But Vaughn was an agent respectful to rules, and Kendall wouldn’t authorize an extraction without information.
The path was full of bumps. The wound hurt so much that she couldn’t less than cry. If the journey lasted too long, she would begin to shout. She was frightened, so much, because she depended solely on Michael. In her state, she couldn’t be able to escape. Through the canvas, she could notice that they were going into the forest.
LOS ÁNGELES – C.I.A. UNCOVER OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT
Michael went downstairs to the department parking. During the short time he had spent working with his computer, he could realized that his situation was the gossiping subject for all the staff. He needed to breathe fresh air, so he went out through the back door and walked a pair of streets to meet with Weiss. It was 3 p.m. and his flight was taking off at 5:05 p.m. Amy had done her work fast. In Michael’s neck, a silver chain shone. He had bought it for Sydney, he wanted to give her before she left for Maçois but, as usual, he didn’t dare to do it.
Weiss was already waiting for him at the coffee’s door.
- Let’s go for the car – Michael said – My flight departs in two hours. We’ll talk on the run.
They walked along two streets, until they arrived where Weiss had parked his car.
- Why do you never use the Department’s garage? It seems to me to be more secure – Michael inquired.
- Well, it’s that I love my car – Weiss looked at the car with proud eyes. It was a shining black Porsche, almost completely new – Our section is not a whole uncover building, you know, so if some crazy terrorist puts a bomb I don’t want my car to suffer the consequences... – Weiss laughed.
They opened the car doors. But Michael stopped.
- Weiss, is your car securre? I mean, you know what I’m talking about.
- Affirmative, Vaughn. You’re so paranoic... No follow apparatus will go into this car, without my permission. Have such a gag here could show advantages, but one has his private life, you know. So, let’s go! – Weiss ran the motor.
While they went fast along the road leading to the airport, Vaughn decided to talk. He didn’t want to mess Weiss, his only working partner which was his true friend, but he had to. What he was about to try was almost a suicide, but if he also do it without some sort of logistic support it was impossible to have success.
- Weiss, you understand what I’m gonna do, don’t you?
- You’re crazy guy – Weiss said – Kendall will cut you neck when he noticed about this. And better not to think of Haladki... And mine too, because I suppose you’re gonna need some uncover help.
- You don’t have to do it. I want you to know, but I cannot force you to do something which can finish your career.
- Well, Michael, you don’t have to force me. You’ve helped me out of many issues, and I’m gonna help you out this time. I don’t mind consequences. It’s logical you want to do this, if I were you I’d do exactly the same... We’ll always be able to fix a private investigation agency when this is over.
- Thanks Weiss. I owe you a big one.
- So, tell me what do you need. But before, asnwer a question and for one time, though I know perfectly the answer, be sincere with the subject... you’re mad about Bristow, aren’t you?
- I love her as I never thought about loving anyone. Thinking about what she can be undergoing in this moment makes me insane.
- Michael, Syd is strong. She was trained for this. She knows the risks. O.K., she has problems right now, and big ones, but be a little positive cowboy, she’s not an unprotected lady from medieval times.
- Yes, I know... Well... We know moreless where the bunker is. GPS coordenates could not be far from there. Sydney told me she was hurt, so she couldn’t have gone so far when she contacted me.
- So you want me to deep the zone around the coordinates with the satellite, to see how things do there.
- Yes and no. See, she mentioned they wanted to move her to another location. I need you to follow any indice of locations around that zone, recent constructions, recent movements... and so. Without more coordenates I don’t know where to begin the search.
- It’s not gonna be easy, but count with it.
- I also need you to filter the communications established with me. I’ll connect a call diverter in the refuge, but in case Kendall wants to contact me, you’ll have to be quick with the decoder.
- What means to take work home, Michael. You’re a heartless.
- Thanks Weiss. I know this is a suicide, but if you weren’t there...
They were arriving to the international terminal in Los Angeles federal airport.
- I’m sure you will remember a million of useful things that you don’t notice now. Day or night, Michael, day or night, use that GPS and let me know, capicci?
Michael smiled. They went out the car to pick the little luggage Michael had brought.
- Weiss...
- Tell me Michael
- If something happens to me, I want you to know that it’s been great to count with your friendship. Don’t change ever, you’re one of the few fair guys in that department.
- Vaughn, don’t act foolishly. You’re gonna come back. Just take care of yourself and bring Sydney back. It’s a direct order.
They hugged each other, aware of the fact that it could be the very last time they saw each other.
- See you, Agent Vaughn!
- We’ll be in contact, Weiss.
Michael turned to get his ticket and check that his equipment was in order. Everything seemed correct, except Michael’s nerves. The flight would depart in less than an hour.
- Bristow, keep yourself, please. I don’t know how, but I’m gonna go and take you out of there – Michael whispered as a letany.
