Ok guys, I realized I had skipped a crucial scene, so I went back and added it to Ch.4 (which you are now looking at). Sydney's counter mission and the actual Budapest mission (which you may have already read) is in the next chapter. Sorry if there is any confusion. PLZ REVIEW :)
Sydney sat in the meeting room, waiting for Sloane to start the meeting. He got up abruptly, and the last trace of whispers in the room quickly vanished.
"Good work at Budapest, Sydney. However, it seems that our work in Budapest is not yet complete. We've just gotten further intel that a valuable Rambaldi device is being held at the facility. Our reports indicate that the device resembles a statue in the form a child holding a basket of flowers; the bottom is supposedly stamped with the sign of Rambaldi. We don't know its exact function, but that can be determined after the device has been retrieved. Sydney, you'll be accompanied by your father on the mission. You will be traveling as a Russian insurance agent there to appraise the property for a coverage plan. Sydney, your alias will be Tatyana Grigorevna, you'll need to be heavily disguised to prevent being identified with last week's incident. Marshall, the ops"
Marshall stumbled to his feet, with a wide grin on his face. "The Rambaldi statue reminded me of this documentary on weeping statues. Did you know there's a statue in Chile that weeps blood, especially in the presence of children?" A sharp glare from Sloane was certainly sufficient to steer Marshall back on course. "Um..oh yes. Ops. From your last trip, we compiled a map of the area to help us find the statue's location. Sydney, you'll drop this while you're walking." Marshall held up a shiny wrapper. "See, its just a pretty candy wrapper. Like you might be walking on a sidewalk, when your boyfriend comes up and you need your breath to smell good, so you chew this candy, and then you dispose…"Sloane cleared his throat, his glare maximized a thousand times in anger, if that was possible. "Yes, anyway, the wrapper has a mini-camera to catch the new access codes. Then you'll use this pretty device. Looks like a cigarette liter, right? Actually, its loaded with an agent to put your 'tour guide' right to sleep. Using the wrapper camera, Mr. Bristow, who will be in the control room, will give you the access codes. You'll slip away, and go into this room." Marshall said, pointing to a square on the map. "Its on the fourth floor, two doors down, on the left. You'll put in the code and ta-da, you'll open the door. Use the same access code for the safe containing the statue, which will be behind a large tapestry. You'll take this bag with you to put the statue in. Simple enough."
Sloane ended the meeting, standing up, his chair rocking back into place. "Your plane leaves in four hours, good luck to both of you."
As they exited the meeting room, Sydney pulled her dad aside. "Dad, we need to talk."
He led her into the familiar room, going through a very familiar routine. He took the cap of the pen, and then nodded to acknowledge her understanding. 2 minutes, Sydney.
Sydney wasted no time in getting to the point. "Dad, why couldn't you just tell me the truth? I know the truth about Project Christmas, and frankly, I'm tired of being shocked over and over again as I learn more and more. First, you don't even tell me about it. Then, you tell me I was the only one involved, you were just testing it, and it was for my protection. Now, I've discovered Vaughn was involved. How many others, Dad? How many more children lost their choices in life?"
Jack Bristow's eyes took on a glossy and unfocused appearance. "It was beyond my control, Sydney. I'm so sorry."
Sydney stood up abruptly, unchecked anger flashing in her eyes. "You know what, Dad? Sorry just doesn't cut it anymore. How many more layers of lies do I have to peel through to find the truth?" Sydney edged so close to him that he could have counted her eyelashes. "I'll bet when I've peeled through a lifetime of layers and I find the core of the enigma Jack Bristow, the core will just be another lie. Jack Bristow, the infinitely lie-layered onion. It does have a certain ring to it, doesn't it?" said Sydney, her voice sharp and stinging, bitter with irony.
"Sydney, let me explain…"
"Dad, more than anything I would love to hear your explanation. You couldn't possibly imagine how much I want to hear your pathetic excuses and then convince myself you really care about me. But I can't. I'm so tired of believing you and hurting myself. I just can't give you the power to hurt me one more time. I'm sure you understand, you never want to give mom a chance because you don't want to be hurt…"
"Stop! Don't you ever compare our relationship to that backstabbing, treacherous…"
"What makes you so different?" said Sydney softly and sadly as the timer for two minutes went off.
"Thanks for clearing up that problem for me," said Sydney, her fake smile falling right into place.
"Anytime Sydney. I'm always here to help…"
REVIEW, PLZ :)