A/N: Sorry for the wait guys. Here's the next chapter.
Chapter Seven: The Traitor
"Who was that woman?" Sydney asked. She was sitting in the medical compartment of the plane where Dixon was getting stitched up.
"Kelly Peyton. We believe she's working with Prophet Five." Dixon said.
Sydney nodded, remembering the quick briefing her father had given her on the plane just before they had headed to the bank.
"How do you think they knew we were coming?" She asked, pulling her knees up to her chin. She had changed back into something more casual.
"Prophet Five is huge. They might have a tap or our phone lines. Or they might have a tap on Bill Vaughn's phone line. But believe me, if there is a bug in the office, Jack and Marshall will find it."
Jack had been irritated that someone had found out about the files. He had immediately tasked Marshall and about half of the security department to start looking into a potential leak.
Sydney stayed silent for a moment, debating whether to ask Dixon about what was bothering her. "Dixon, you have kids, do Carter and Isabelle seem… ok?"
"What do you mean, Syd?"
"Well, when my mother… Irina was holding us captive… they didn't seem scared at all. They were more mad than afraid… and in the briefing, I just expected more of an angry reaction. But they just sat there. And they just accepted Vaughn. I'm not saying I'm not thrilled that they're okay with him, it's just, I was so mad at my father when I learned the truth, I could barely stand being in the same room with him." Sydney said, revealing what had troubled her.
"Syd, they've been through a lot. Their emotions have probably just been overloaded. It's a lot to take in." Dixon said, trying to dismiss the subject.
"When I think about it, none of them were scared." Sydney said, softly. "They were… calm."
"Syd, if it really bothers you that much you should talk to your father." Dixon said.
The plane soon touched down in L.A., where they were all escorted to the JTF.
Kendall greeted them. "Jack, Director Chase is waiting for you and the others." He turned to the civilians. "If you would please follow me, we have some paperwork for you to fill out." Carter, Isabelle, and their friends were led away to another room.
"Sydney, Vaughn this way please." Jack said, leading them to a large conference room. Dixon followed closely behind them.
Nadia, Weiss, Marshall, Rachel, and Tom had arrived a few hours earlier and were already seated in the conference room, along with other high ranking officials. For the next few hours, they sat in debriefing.
"Miss Bristow, we know that you have only been doing a little or encryption for us, and Mr. Vaughn… your situation is self-explanatory, but we would all like to have you back in the field. This particular case could use your help."
Sydney glanced over at Vaughn and her father. She wasn't sure she wanted to risk everything. Vaughn felt the same.
Vaughn finally spoke up. "I think that we both want to help out on the case, but being a field operative isn't the best choice for either of us at the moment." Sydney nodded.
"We understand that." Dixon said. "We won't assign you to go on any missions."
"We'll have to talk about it… Carter and Isabelle should have some sort of say in this." Sydney said.
"I understand. But please get back to us as soon as possible."
Grant Bauer and his son Brad were the first to finish all of the paperwork. They sat in the waiting area to be transported back to Tucson. Soon Alicia, Kristen, and Massie joined them.
Massie scratched furiously at her hand. It had been bothering her ever since she had awoken in the cell. Kristen handed her a soda and rubbed her own hand.
"Does your hand feel funny too?" Alicia asked, joining them.
"Yeah, a little." Massie said, frowning slightly.
"Well it's probably just some rash or something. That cell was pretty dirty."
The girls nodded and dismissed the subject.
Jacob and Liam Vanderfield walked toward the waiting room. "Go on in son, I'm just going to call your mother." Jacob said.
"Whatever." Liam said, walking away.
Jacob reached into his pocket and pulled out a small tattered business card. He glanced around to make sure no one was listening before he dialed the number.
"Hello?" A deep male voice answered him.
"It's me. I need to speak with Irina." Jacob whispered.
"You idiot!" The man hissed. "Don't use her name." There was silence as the phone was being handed off.
"Where are you Jacob?" She asked coldly.
"I'm in the Joint Task Force in L.A."
"Fool! You are lucky we have taken the correct security precautions, otherwise you would be exposed." Irina said.
"Well, I've done what you've wanted… when am I…"
"When the time is right. Patience. We've got to make sure that your product works." There was a soft click as she hung up.
"Wait. You said that… my wife…" Vanderfield stuttered.
"If you'd like to make a call, please hang up and try again." The automated voice answered back.
He sighed, hung up the phone and headed to where his son was sitting.
"So what did mom said?" Liam asked.
"The company's having some problems over there with the communication system. She might have to stay another week." Jacob said.
"She's on some insanely long business trip. Are you sure she's not just over in New York partying?" Liam asked, propping his feet up on the chair opposite him.
"Yes, I'm sure of that." Jacob said, trying to add in a small chuckle. But instead it sounded like a sob.
"Are you ok dad?" Liam asked, absentmindedly rubbing his sore hand.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I think I'm just getting a cold." Jacob lied, adding a cough for emphasis.
Irina sat in the underground compound, hidden in the Ural Mountains. She was carefully watching several screens, monitoring the progress of her latest experiment.
"How are we doing?" She asked the doctor.
"Everything seems to be running smoothly." The man answered back, scribbling somethings on his clipboard.
"Good. How soon until we can begin the next stage?" She questioned.
"Not for a few more days. We've got to be sure that their blood pressure stays normal and that they don't get an infection." The man replied.
FlashbackIrina walked into the hospital wing of the compound. "Are you ready?" She asked Dr. Thomas Werner Mittelwork.
"Yes, we have everything prepared." D. Mittelwork said.
Irina signaled the guards. They wheeled in Isabelle, Carter, Brad Bauer, Liam Vanderfield, Alicia Rivera, Kristen, and Massie.
"Take Isabelle and Carter into Room 47." Irina instructed.
Soon Sydney, Grant Bauer, and Jacob Vanderfield were moved in.
"Wait, take this him to the other room." Irina said, gesturing to Mr. Vanderfield.
2 hours later 9 unconscious, unfortunate people were moved into the holding cell. They were still under the anesthesia and wouldn't wake for a few hours.
When they awoke, they all felt drowsy. Each of them gently rubbed their hands, which were unusually sore.
From the observation room, Irina turned to Dr. Mittelwork. "Let's see if what they gave us works."
The doctor nodded and pressed a series of buttons. There was a small buzz and then a series of green lights went on.
"Perfect. Turn her dosage down." Irina said, pointing to Sydney's screen. "Monitor his vitals." She pointed to another person. Slowly increase the dose everyday, slowly enough so they don't notice. Inform our friend that the deal has been sealed." She turned to leave before adding. "But don't tell him what we did to his son."
"Very well." Mittelwork said. He entered the other cell. "We are pleased with your cooperation. You can join your son now."
A guard released Jacob Vanderfield from his cuffs and tossed him into the other cell.
End Flashback