DISCLAIMER: 'Still haven't saved enough money to buy them (little figures, those that are called ALIAS characters), so I still am a mere author tying to watch them from afar. My only properties are those that are new. Read and please… review.
CHAPTER TWO, part two
My head was still spinning. I squirmed on the soft surface, still feeling the pain in my neck. Then I opened my eyes. Just then I realized that the CIA has captured me. I looked around; absolutely, I'm not in prison. I sat down on the bed as Reyes' revealing flashed in my head. Just then, I noticed someone else was in the room.
"You recovered fast," she said sitting uncomfortably on the bench. She's been staying there. "We had to inject to you anti-depressants. The tracker that was activated in your neck before gave sudden pulses when I gave you a blow. I'm sorry I had to hit you. The team would have shot you if I didn't."
I just stared at her. I was still having second thoughts about the things that were happening; I wished I could hit her, too, but the medicine still had an effect on me. I didn't care for her excuses.
"Why am I here?"
"I had an access to your laptop. I never told you, the CIA never believed me that you are a KGB agent," she stated. Despite that I felt that she just played on me, she tried to convince me that she, too, had mistakes. She admitted that if it weren't because of my secret files, the CIA would believe that I am involved in the attacks both in the CIA and the KGB through the Bristow's report. Liun's works were clean enough they couldn't trace any visual evidence.
"There were attacks in the CIA?" I asked.
"The assistant director was shot inside the compound. We suspected that that traitor that we caught is under Lhuzikov's orders. We traced that he was secretly passing intel from one party to another. Some of the CIA files were even missing," she reported. "We wanted to retrieve everything back."
Reyes paused then looked meaningfully.
"You know I won't work in the CIA," I cleared as soon as I felt what she wanted to ask.
"We also planned to recover everything and everyone who were held in captive after the KGB attacks," she persuaded. "We already have initial information that can support this mission. Agent Liun is now working with us."
"Don't think that because Liun chose to help you I can't work alone."
"Ilinova," she whispered. "The intelligence department is filing a case against you. They traced that you had worked unauthorized over the CIA personal files. And they know now that you were just following orders then. But they still want to ensure that you won't be able to use anything that you know about these files. Surely, they'll have you in custody if you refuse but if you'll agree to work with us, they will withdraw the case."
"You cannot convince me," I cleared firmly.
Her gaze locked on mine; testing me. She continued.
"And as a privilege of having you with us, we will allow you to visit your mentor, Irina Derevko, in her cell."
The words registered fast. What she's holding on now was too personal.
"How dare you try to measure me," I lowered my voice. My fury burned again against her. "If you think you already know enough about me, think again. My relationship with someone I look up to doesn't and won't affect any of my decisions. I was trained to think better than to feel with. You can't use her against me."
"I know. But we can't do all of these alone. That's why were asking you, we never wanted to force you," she defended.
"And you were asking in the right ways, weren't you? Why would the CIA want a KGB agent to work for them in such matters that even the agent herself is involved?"
"Were giving you 24 hours to consider," she stood. "After that, we'll prepare a place for you in the CIA; which depends on your choice. It's either in the agency or in prison."
She left my questions unanswered. How can they ensure that I will collaborate with them after revealing too much of their most kept mistakes? They must be trying to build something they can hold on to against the reestablishment of the KGB, I thought. But 24 hours was not a long time for me to think.
----------
The next morning, CIA guards took me to their station. I was brought to the conference room and people were already there.
"I accept your offer," I decided. Liun looked at me across the room. "I'll be involved if you'll do this just to help us. We all know that there are better reasons for your helps."
They looked on each other for a while. Agent Reyes was sitting next to her commander, Jonathan Bristow. He looked at me trying to analyze my words.
"Welcome to the CIA, Agent Ilinova," an unfamiliar man greeted professionally. "I am the director of the CIA. We expect your full cooperation on this mission. We request to have you interrogated. Please, follow us."
My hands felt lightly as they took off the cuffs. There were only few officers that were in the room when they started.
"State your name, please."
Few questions were hard to answer but some didn't take me to think. I looked carefully at the one-sided mirror. Could someone they can use against my statements be watching? Another question was asked.
"After you're parents were killed during the Cold War, you said that from then on, your agency took you with them. Why?"
"My parents betrayed the agency. As their child, I must repay for what they had taken. They ensured that raising me will be an asset when time comes."
"Wasn't that hard for you? Working for something you never did?"
"No."
"Who, specifically, took care of you?"
"Irina Derevko, a KGB officer."
"Agent Ilinova," a man called as he took his glasses off as if he was having a hard time asking. "We know that you are totally aware that your mentor, Irina Derevko, is apparently held in prison under special conditions. She is considered as an enemy of this country. We want you to understand that it is also hard for us to expect something to trust on to someone who had long been with this... woman; and specially, someone who admires her. Except from the loyalty that you ensure us, what else do you have to offer for us to trust you completely?"
His question offended me. People oftenly judged Irina through what she's done and not what she's capable of. This makes them think that I, too, am like my mentor.
"That's a question you know no one can answer," I replied coldly. "But I want to clear to you... when I was taken by the KGB, their order to Irina Derevko to raise me did had a great contribution to who I am right now. Irina Derevko is as good as a mother as she is as an agent. Though, she would have quitted her work just to give her personal things better dedication. But she never forgot that it was because of the KGB why she now has her most treasured things. She knew the things that she must prioritize. And you're now looking on just a mere reflection of what kind of a mother she was... but I'm never the same agent as she is."
The interrogators went quiet for a while. But the rest of the day had me stuck in the room full of people who wouldn't just believe whatever you say. I felt I've left myself nothing I had kept for years but the CIA just won't appreciate. I started to wonder how hard it was for Irina to work on these people. Finally, it ended late after nightfall.
"Reports had warned us that Lhuzikov and his teams were looking for you. We request that you stay in our safe house while we wait for your call. You'll standby as long as we don't have orders yet," they informed. "Tomorrow, we will introduce to you your companions and your mission lay-out. Have a good night."
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The guards at the safe house checked and double-checked the area. I refused to have guards but the director insisted for my safety. With the whole area locked up and the cameras watching, I securely slept over my undying thoughts. But earlier than it must, I felt a sudden throbbing pain in my neck. I couldn't get to sleep again so I decided that we go. Before eight, we were off again to the station.
"Good morning," Agent Reyes greeted as I stepped in the briefing room. Liun, Jonathan Bristow and her daughter were already in the room along with the CIA director. They spread out as soon as they heard me step in.
"Good morning. I see we're all here…" the director greeted but looked discontented with the attendance. "Well, again, welcome to the CIA. Today, I would like to introduce to you both your co-workers."
Sydney Bristow is beautiful. I never noticed with the first two times I'd met her. She has expressive eyes and she smiles warmly at anyone she sees. She apologized for shooting on me as well as shooting Liun.
"You have a striking resemblance as your mother," I ended the light conversation. She looked back then glanced at her father with surprise. I was held back by Jack's stare, as if he's warning me from saying another word.
"Jack Bristow, senior CIA officer and Sydney's father," the director stated. Jack Bristow was looking without a blink. "Agent Ilinova and Liun, you will be under your commander, Jack, along with the other operatives that you see in this room."
"Nice to meet you, sir," Liun greeted him politely. He didn't say a word but glanced. I didn't manage to look long on his stoic face; I couldn't even greet him.
"And, Agent Reyes. I think you know each other already," he lastly introduced. He expected that Liun and I would greet her but no one did, even Reyes. "Well, from now on, your cooperation not only with those whom you're already familiar with will be expected. We-"
"Agent Ilinova," Jack interrupted as he called on my name. "Lately, I reviewed your records and profiles. And I found out that you were working in the KGB since you were… a child. How was that possible?"
I looked at the director in confusion. Why was he still asking when I thought that the interrogators have already informed them. The director nodded at me for my answer.
"I was adopted in the agency after my parents were killed," I told them. I wished he wouldn't ask anymore but for the tone of his voice, he wouldn't stop. "Your interrogators had already asked me about these matters. I expected that you know about it already."
"I wasn't informed. How are you related to Irina Drevko?" he asked coldly. From there, I realized that he watched the interrogation and he was just testing. I didn't like his voice approach and Sydney didn't seem that she liked it, too. She looked at her father like she wanted to tell him to stop. "My question is how are you related to Irina Derevko?"
"Was this the thing you've been discussing before I entered?" I asked straightly. I leaned forward on the table in insult. "Mr. Bristow, I wish that you tell me straight what you--"
"Mr. Director!" a male agent called tensely cutting my sentence. He rushed in the room breathing hard like he was being chased. "I need to talk to you and Jack, sir-- it-it's very important."
"What is it Marshall?" Jack, irritated, asked as we were all led to a technical room.
"Well, uh, the... transmitter that we inspected from Agents Ilinova and Liun, uh, have undergone through my own inspection," he explained. He was stammering and shaking in excitement and in tense. "You see it was most unusual that this kind of device would be produced because it is too powerful that-"
"Marshall, please! What exactly is your reason why you called us?!"
"I, uh, uhm, was able to control the device," he reported, stammering more. He continued like his teacher had scolded him. "I gained access to the KGB satellite, the Nikkon Satellite. And I traced another, uhm, transmission from another Russian agent named Gregory Ivanov."
They were all surprised at the intel that this brilliant agent detected. I suddenly thought, the transmitter, the control station is now activated. I hid the pain that I was feeling at my neck when Reyes looked at me as if she knows what's happening.
----------
"Gregory Ivanov," the director pointed to the papers. They immediately had us briefed because Agent Marshall Flickman, a CIA specialist, traced a moving transmission from this agent. "An SVR agent and one of the proven associates of Lhuzikov."
"Months ago, we traced that someone in the agency was having communication with this man. This mole is the same agent that shot the assistant director," Jack stated. "Ivanov is one of those who are held responsible for some of the hacked confidential CIA files. He, through his CIA collaborator, entered and handed files to their mastermind, Lhuzikov."
"I know this man," I informed. "He's a former KGB agent."
"Yeah," Marshall agreed. "Though this man had been out of the KGB for years, he still had access through-"
"Lhuzikov," I interrupted. I tried to recall something. "He has power to some of the KGB accesses. Lhuzikov had been using his personalized program 'The Code'. It must be containing some of our needed intels."
"We can't use your suggestion until it's proven," Jack opposed. He was still eager to have me excluded in this mission. I tried to answer back.
"Excuse me," Marshall broke off. He showed a visual map of the Swedish vicinity and at the corner of the screen was a tracked figure giving off signals. "I think we've got a lead."
Jack went back to his 'common expression'. The director immediately ordered for us to stand by as he prepared our sudden leave. We watched carefully as the figure moved. The signal closed in to a vast area. The roads in the vision faded off as we followed the track then suddenly, we lost the signal. Marshall gave us a worried look. "I think we lost him."
"Try to find him again, Marshall!" Jack ordered sarcastically.
Marshall pressed hard on his computer, his hand and face sweating on the pressure. For sometime, I wanted to shut Jack up. Successfully, he tracked back the signal. Marshall breathed hard and tried to say something. "I think something that is not programmed in the satellite is blocking, or in someway, is cutting the signal. The signal's been on and off. We have to move. Sooner or later, I might not be able to hold this signal any longer…"
----------
The midday sun was up. Sydney, Reyes, Jack and I left as soon as Marshall and Liun held the area monitored. We had just landed from our plane and we rolled off to the perimeter.
"Marshall, are we there?" Jack asked tensely in his transmitter. My transmitter along with Reyes and Sydney's were based on my KGB transmitter while Jack was having an improved transmitter. Jack took another sharp turn and the van almost turned turtle. I nervously held tight on my seat. "Are we closing in?"
"Yes, Jack," the director transmitted. "Take a turn to the left."
We finally left the urban area and the Delta team escorted us as we approached the perimeter. We stopped blocks away and to get equipped.
"Our mission is to abduct Gregory Ivanov," Jack quickly informed as we got on to our suits and loaded our gears. He almost shouted at the midst of the loud propeller noises. "Move unnoticed. Do not forget to follow only what your instructed to do. I expect that your obedience will be submitted totally to your instructions. The case of the mission is too sensitive. We don't know what's the factor and what's the reason for our subject's presence. The team would be standing by to any authorized signal. If something goes wrong, cut through to any conversation through your transmitters. DO NOT attempt to go alone."
We rolled off again. We went around the establishment that only us can see. No satellite, no bugging device can track or identify it because its program was long been deleted. We radioed for the establishment confirmation. It was too clever of Lhuzikov to choose this former KGB lab for a meeting place. We moved tactically under Jack's orders.
"The security system is complicated," Sydney told us as she ran down through the system wiring. "Dad, what should we do?"
"Marshall, download this," Jack ordered silently but his voice kept his tension. The process was consuming time. I glanced at Reyes as I stretched my trembling hand on my rifle.
"We have no time," Reyes informed. She held her rifle ready. "We must find another way."
"I got it!" Marshall exclaimed. Suddenly his voice rushed up. "T-there's a problem, the system's showing a DNA pattern. I don't know why it's like this-"
"We must break in," Jack concluded.
"But we mustn't be noticed. Ivanov must be expect--"
"Behind you!!" the man shot behind Jack but he quickly shoved at my warning. I shot the man behind him and Jack looked quite threatened for a while. "They already know we're here!"
"BACK OFF!!" Jack panicked as he ordered. He shot the fiberglass door then threw a timed bomb on it. "Move!"
Men repeatedly shot on us as we all got in the building. Breathing hard, I saw Reyes beside me. Jack and Sydney were on the other side of the entrance; we were separated. Jack quickly thought for instructions as the men positioned outside the door. Another batch of shots studded the walls.
"Reyes!" Jack shouted as he shot back. He exchanged shots with them and so did Sydney. "Get Ivanov! MOVE NOW!"
Without a word, Reyes grabbed my arm. Shooting as we passed, we almost got all the men down. Sydney and Jack had the chance to follow the run but they were left on a corner keeping the men off.
"Marshall, we need a map," I radioed calmly as we kept on running. "Do you have one now?"
"Got it!" Marshall radioed back.
"Where's Ivanov?" Reyes' voice rushed as she breathed hard. She was running ahead of me.
"Turn to your left!" Marshall shouted. My ear almost went deaf at the transmission. "Take the stairs to your right!"
Reyes pushed the door at the fire exit, as I turned ready for any shooter behind us. We raced upstairs.
"How many more floors?"
"You're almost there!" the director answered back. We pushed again through the door then entered a room full of computers. Surprised, we dived on the floor as Ivanov's guards tried to kill us. They were trying to escape. "Ivanov's heading to the rooftop! Follow him!"
"Ilinova," Sydney suddenly intercepted. "We're trapped! I don't know what to do! Dad's shot and Marshall can't get us out!"
"Reyes!" I called on her as she started to run again. I turned on Sydney. "Are you safe for now?"
"Yes. Please, try to get an access to get us out. Marshall told me he can't hack in through the computers but Ivanov left one open," she panicked. I spotted the open computer as Reyes gestured that she must go. I sat down and tried to run the programs. "We're in the fourth level. Please hurry."
"You're about two blocks from the next stair," I informed. "Sydney, try to get your father moving. There are four men heading to your next direction. Turn to a corner ahead. I'll open an elevator to your right."
"Ok," she said almost breathless as she tried to calm herself. She and her father got in. I chose the elevator that will lead them at the same room. I controlled the elevator for the 10th floor.
"Hold on Sydney," I copied. I sealed securely all entrances in the floor. As soon as Jack and Sydney were secured, I decided to follow Reyes at the rooftop. I took a step but something held me back. I found a program in the computer- KGB files- but there was no time. I radioed in for Liun and he responded when Reyes suddenly intercepted.
"Call for the Delta Team!" Reyes shouted. She was trying to keep herself safe. She exchanged shots with the guards. "Ivanov's chopper is waiting! They can't have a chance to leave!"
"Copy!"
The team arrived. Reyes successfully got Ivanov alive though she was wounded. The team's choppers quickly responded and we got Reyes and Jack on the first chopper for medication. We were already far enough for any follow up shots when another group of Ivanov's extractors arrived. Safe enough to think, I held the disk tight. The chopper roamed. The days done.