Chapter 3 –high stakes

Silence has fallen in the room as Brandt awaited the decision of the people he'd come to think of as friends. Friends who might be required to put bullet through his head for real this time.

"You say the country will be in danger if we don't help you", that was Benji asking what was to him the most important question. "Yes, just as much as in our Russian mission", Brandt responded seriously.

That got their attention. "So what is IMF doing about this danger", Ethan asked seriously.

"Nothing", was Brandt's blunt reply. Ethan flushed a little, "I don't believe that",he stated firmly

"Really not even knowing that he", Brandt kicked the unconscious guy, "works for IMF and was sent here because you got curious about me". Ethan was not ready to accept that either just scowling at Brandt and proclaiming', "so you say". "You have been disavowed Brandt, I have to believe there was a good reason for that". The next movement was rapid Brandt sprung from the sofa and grabbed Ethan roughly around the neck. While the grip was hard he was not preventing Ethan from breathing.

Ethan struck back trying to kick Brandt's legs out from underneath him only to find that he could not. The tension in the room rapidly grew, "maybe you don't care about your country Ethan", Brandt growled as he pressed even harder.

Benji sat in a corner of the sofa just watching the two of them with frightened eyes and wondering which one of them he should stop. Jane not about to sit by leaped up her eyes flashing, "guys you are on the same side", she told them firmly. Brandt let go, but Ethan still kicked his legs from under him making him fall to the ground. 'I am loyal to my country Brandt", he spat out angrily. Getting up of the floor Brandt knew he had to soften his stance somewhat, "I know you are Ethan", he replied. "But my problem is that IMF is not acting in the countries best interests".

Ethan still felt angry and confused, so far there was no definite explanation for Brandts behavior. "According to you", he challenged." It is not your job to decide how IMF acts". You come here telling us we have to go against our own agency even insisting they will take us out. I can't understand why they would do that."

He stared at his agent, "if something has happened you are not happy about maybe you should just stop whining and get over it". Brandt's eyes flashed, "you don't get over your country being in imminent danger", he snarled.

Benji squirmed again, Brandt was in full scary mode now. But this conversation seemed to be getting nowhere, "we need to know more", he stated. "I agree", Ethan confirmed quickly. "For now we are prepared to listen Brandt. But as for helping you, it will depend on what you say".

Brandt guessed he had to be happy with that for now. He walked across the room, "you want to know what this is about", he asked. Pushing the power button he turned the television set on. 'It is about him", he pointed to Premier Mulun.

Ethan nodded slowly, "go on", he prompted.

"Did you take time to see who was under those other sheets at the IMF mortunary ", Brandt challenged.

They paled at that feeling guilty about being only focused on their colleague. "Agents Jaymont, Tyrell, Baxter and Michaels, the team I went on a covert mission with while you were all stuck at desk jobs."

"As soon as I saw them I knew the mission was a set up. They were all old school agents who had at one time worked on missions gathering information about Mulun. They uncovered many dirty secrets about the man. But now that peace is on the table Mulun asked for the price of their heads. Retiring was not enough as he knew they'd all be vocally opposed to his visit. So he had IMF take them out", Brandt reported.

It was not something that was pleasant for any of them to hear. "The price of peace is high", a pale Ethan whispered . "It is too damn high", Brandt growled. "Another point of interest is that Mulun has wanted to visit for awhile now. But the former secretary of IMF was vehemently opposed and told the President not to go ahead. "Now he is dead too".

Benji shook his head, "that was to do with the bombing of the Kremlin", he stated firmly.

"Was it Benji", Brandt challenged. "I thought so at first but when Mulun contacted Denver just one day after the secretaries death I was not so sure." I think Mulun arranged to take him out and replace him with someone more biddable".

"Brandt you are seeing conspiracies where they do not exist", Ethan challenged bluntly. "I know it is upsetting to have colleagues die in the name of peace but it is the nature of the business. We all accept that we might have to make the ultimate sacrifice for our country."

He could understand Brandt's sorrow and anger over losing agents to IMF themselves. But he could also see the bigger picture. In the future no agents would have to risk their lives in Muluns country.

"I don't like it either Brandt but fair is fair, Mulun lost his super spies to our side", Benji stated.

"So let there be peace at any cost", Brandt muttered. "If this is all about you being angry at IMF for taking out it's own agents then I'm sorry Brandt we cannot help you", Ethan confirmed.

Brandt shot a poisonous look at him, "that is not all Ethan", he replied. He looked over at Benji, "you mentioned the super spies the Betrayer and his protégé. They were the best of the best of the other side. So did you ever wonder Ethan why you were never sent out against them. As IMFs top agent you would think you had the best chance of taking them out."

It was a question that Ethan had to admit he had asked himself. "I guessed it might happen soon", was what he told Brandt. 'It never would have happened Ethan because there was the risk you might actually succeed.' He stared into Ethans eyes, "what Premier Mulun never knew was that the betrayer was a double agent. It meant of course that he had to give up secrets and people to maintain his cover. But IMF felt the price was worth it for inside information on Muluns regime ".

"Hold on one minute that can't be right", Benji protested, "The betrayer and his protégé were taken out by our side. Why would we kill one of our best assets."

"Both sides had a plan regarding the Betrayer", Brandt told him. "For Mulun to be granted a visit to the US he would have to sacrifice the betrayer. For us the plan was different, 'the betrayer was slowly dying and wanted to be taken out by us rather than Mulun".

"Before I met up with Ethan in Russia I planned the mission to send an IMF team to take care of the betrayer and his protégé. Of course the protégé was another double agent so the team took out a decoy instead. The real protégé was actually in another country at the time. Both sides at this time knew he was alive and had a different agenda for the man.

However a few weeks later Mulun proposed peaceful relationships with this country. However he could not afford to let it be known the protege was still alive. Our side had the same view not wanting a man who held damning knowledge of Mulun to interfere with peace talks."

"So he became became a wanted man by both sides".

"Why, if he is an agent then he knows how to keep his mouth shut", Ethan stated.

"The protégé is convinced that Mulun is planning to act against this country during his visit".

He has however no firm proof to back up his claims so the secretary was not inclined to listen. Feeling passionately that he was in the right he told IMF he was prepared to expose the knowledge of his missions for Mulun in public".

"This of course would also expose the existence of IMF". It was something the protege was prepared to do to protect the country against Mulun."

"So IMF tried to take him out, but it didn't quite work out", Brandt stated.

Benjis was chewing his lip, "Brandt I am not quite getting what this has to do with you".

"You obviously know the proteges real identity but you are not going to make a public proclaimation."

"I know who is he and where he is right now", Brandt responded.

""I support the belief that Mulun is planning an attack against this country during his upcoming visit. If the protégé remains alive he may be able to get specific details of this attack. IMF however does not share that belief. The protégé is now a man stands in the way of the US making a lucrative deal with their former enemy. They cannot afford to let him speak out because of some belief he cannot substansiate".

"Hold on a minute Brandt, you say you know where is he. But you work for IMF, so we must know that as well", Benji stated.

"IMF believes he is dead Benji", Brandt replied.

"But if they believe he is dead why did they try to take you out", a puzzled Benji wanted to know.

"Benji haven't you been listening", Brandt pressed. The tech flushed, "of course but you are just speaking in riddles Brandt. I don't understand why you are in so much trouble".

Benji looked over at Jane whose furrowed brow indicated she had no idea what Brandt was trying to tell them. However when he looked at Ethan, Benji saw a different expression, a definite chilled look on Ethans face. He obviously did understand and it disturbed him.

"Sorry for being stupid Brandt but you are just going to have to spell it out for me", Benji told him.

"Yes, well If you are stupid then so am I Benji". Jane looked up at Brandt. "Will I don't understand what is going on. You are obviously upset about Muluns visit. But the secretary and president are not stupid men. They know what Mulun is and will have heavy security for his visit. This is not your crusade. Just apologise to IMF for whatever you did and hope they will reactivate you as an agent."

Brandt looked rather disgusted at her words, "haven't you been listening either Jane", he sighed.

"How do you think I know all this information", he asked. "You learnt it during your time as an analyst", Benji replied. Even as he said it he knew it could not be true. Brandt had not worked as an analyst recently. "I don't know maybe you hacked the system or something", he decided.

Turning to Ethan, Brandt stated, "you understand what I am telling you", he confirmed.

"Yes", Ethan acknowledged. "Then do you want to tell them or shall I", Brandt asked.

Ethan just gestured at him, "you want to know what this has to do with me", he said to Jane and Benji.

It is simple guys, "I am the protégé".