Syrina

Chapter Two

Conference

            Sydney was seated inside the conference room at the Operations Center.  She was actually being allowed in one of the meetings.  She had a distinct feeling that it was because she'd met this new player in the field.  She was partnered with Agent Weiss, which didn't really bother her.  Weiss was one of the few who didn't treat her any differently than he did before.  Weiss and Marshall.  Sydney waited impatiently as Dixon pulled up some pictures on the screen.  It was one of a younger Sark and a girl.  It had to be Syrina, though she only looked to be about twelve.

"Mr. Sark and his partner known as Syrina Khasinau.  From what I've seen, they've known each other for nine years.  Though Mr. Sark is a known free agent, he has remained dedicated to Syrina.  She's the daughter of Alexander Khasinau and started spying when she was fourteen.  She's remained fairly low key until she joined The Covenant, the new terrorist group.  She has shown to be top level in this organization.  She appears to be quite innocent, which works to her advantage since she is far from it.  We have absolutely no idea who the head of The Covenant is.  The request for Sark's release was the first time The Covenant contacted us.  I would guess it was Syrina that demanded Sark's release."

Sydney stared at the picture.  Syrina was so young.  A sudden wave of sympathy crashed over her.  Syrina's young face looked hardened, but her eyes seemed so alive when looking at Sark, even through the photograph.  Sark was gazing down at her, a small smile gracing his face.  His admiration of her was obvious.  He was handing her a perfectly wrapped package, the moment seeming so normal.  She looked up when she realized all eyes were on her.

"What?"

"I asked you about your meeting with Syrina."

Sydney nodded and began.  "She was smug, arrogant even, and definitely intelligent.  She wasn't afraid and she has a fairly good game face.  She got right down to business and didn't turn her back on me.  She obviously knows what she's doing, no matter how young she is."

"There's a new part of Rambaldi's manuscript.  The last part of the prophecy.  It's about The Two.  We need it to complete the pages.  It was recently in the possession of some monks in Sri Lanka, but was stolen.  It was found in Italy, at the home of Roberto Gelili.  We want to beat Sark there.  Weiss, Sydney, here are your covers.  You leave tonight."

Sydney stood up, taking the folder Dixon handed her.  Vaughn started to speak, but she glared at Vaughn and his wife, Lauren.  She was not going to pretend she was happy about the recent situation.  And that included not making the office any more comfortable.

            Sark entered Syrina's bedroom silently.  He whispered, "Syri?  Are you awake?"  She was snuggled deeply into her pillows, a fluffy blue comforter surrounding her shoulders.  Her eyes were shut and her breathing shallow.  She looked so peaceful, Sark began debating whether he should wake her up or not.  But this was way too important.  Besides, they'd be leaving Spain soon.

"Syrina, are you awake?"

He heard a loud groan as she pulled at her pillow and replied with a "Nu uh."

"I need to talk to you."

"Syrina is shleeping right now, pleash leave her alone and she'll get back to you tomorrow morning."

Sark shook his head and sat himself on the edge of her bed.  He tugged at her comforter, yanking it off of her.  She growled and curled into a tiny ball.  "Go away.  I'm sleepy!"

She sounded her age at that moment.  Sark brushed some of her hair off her face, and leaned down.  His hands roamed down her body, stopping at her sides.  He tickled her and she squealed.  "You evil man!"

"Yes.  What about it?"

Syrina glared at him.  "What do you want?"

"We're leaving for Italy in four hours."

"Why?"

"The ending of The Telling has resurfaced in Rome."

Syrina's eyes widened and she sat up.  She pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them.

"The Two?"

"Yes.  And I'm sure by now the CIA has heard about it.  We want to beat them to it."

Syrina slid out of bed, going to her amoire to pull out a pair of jeans and a shirt. 

"Just let me take a shower first, then we can go."

"All right.  I'll have Rissa pack a bag for you."

Syrina nodded.  "Okay.  I'll be ready in an hour."

"Wonderful."

Sark stood to leave.  "I'm sorry I had to wake you, Syri."

"This was important, so I'll let you get by with it this time.  But next time, you lose something..."

Syrina strutted away to the bathroom, leaving Sark there, shaking his head.