Chapter 9 The Engineer
NOTE: Enjoy this chapter and an all new Birkhoff at 8 tonight on Nikita!
Alex stared at the banner waving at the top of the page he'd left for her to work on. With a tiny smile she studied the rainbow colors and traced the 3D outlines of his creation. "Shadownet...taste the rainbow," she read softly, glancing sideways at the other two programmers working in Operations today. Thankfully they were deeply engrossed in their own assignments, allowing her to study his home page carefully, longing for more clues about him. Lately Birkhoff occupied her mind more than anything else these days, but she realized that without him around she grew even more obsessed with him. He had unwittingly become the center of her universe, but she had no guilt about that fact. They both knew the rules and warnings not to become involved beyond an office type friendship, but she knew what her reality had become. If she couldn't get closer to him she had no idea how she'd survive here, at least not mentally and emotionally.
Thinking this was a start, she clicked the icon he'd highlighted and entered the shadowy world of his domain, more excited by this than any other problem or video game she'd been exposed to. At the portal was a gate, and moving her cursor inside it, she was swallowed by the labyrinthine graphics that quickly propelled her along the highway of Shadownet. Leaning closer in anticipation, she felt the power and life force of his network, further enhanced by sitting in his command chair. She glanced up at the overhead screens that displayed their current ops, feeling that Shadownet was a firmer reality than those. She could feel his excitement and the thrill of power he offered, understanding only part of what he must have felt when creating it. But she could not dwell on his past yet, and diverted her attention back to her assignment.
Holding down her key she sped along the tunneled highway deeper into his virtual world. With the end of the dark tunnel she saw a ring of fire and smiled. Clicking and scrolling, she passed through each successive portal until she entered the maze he'd prepared as her challenge. Gasping in awe, she drank in the mock-up blueprint of all levels of the Pentagon and realized this was a copy of the original he'd used to hack into their system. This is what had tempted him to hack into the real one and suffer the consequences of imprisonment, then later recruitment by Division. As she explored his virtual work she got her wish, already feeling closer to him as she rose to his challenge.
You wanted to share this with me, she realized, staring at the ghostly remnants of his original intrusion. She could see where he'd entered, what systems blinked for attention and a pathway for each choice that could be made. Gripping his mouse tighter she paused, trying to imagine him as a teenager. She was being given a glimpse of the real Birkhoff, which meant that he didn't think of her as an airhead. It also might be a sign that he really liked her after all, to have shared such a personal thing as his past. Her heart melted for him, and she longed to tell him how grateful she felt right now. Leaning back in his chair, she realized that he couldn't have given her a better gift than this part of himself.
"Alex—you having a problem with your assignment?" Archie called, startling her. She turned her head to see his concerned expression as he paused from his own work. "You look overwhelmed."
"I'm fine—just trying to overcome my fears about screwing something up," she said with a shaky smile.
"Kind of daunting, huh?" he commiserated, glancing back at his screen as he resumed typing. "The two of us can barely manage half his workload, huh Jeannie?"
"Unfortunately that's true," she answered without taking her eyes off her monitor. "Working here gives you a glimpse of a different Percy, who's even more of a slave driver here than anywhere else."
"Either he's a frustrated user or he really hates techies," Archie worried, shaking his head. "Poor Birkhoff takes most of the flack, but some of it spills off him and onto us, which you'll find out soon enough."
"Well what he left me to do is challenging enough to keep me guessing for years," she sighed, scrolling over the left-sided icons. "Not to mention cured of boredom."
"Well if you need any help just holler," he offered, getting back to work. "We've got a hard row to hoe until he's back."
"How long do you think he'll be gone?" she asked, keeping her eyes on Birkhoff's network.
"No way of telling," he said, shaking his head, "but he did say it's a top secret Percy Priority."
"I thought all of Percy's priorities were top secret," she stated, staring in awe at the complexity of the Pentagon security desk screen she'd just alighted upon.
"All he knew was that they're bringing in a computer engineer for him to work with," Jeannie sighed, "an odd duck type guy, according to the guard who escorted him down."
"Maybe that's a good sign," she replied, turning to glance at her, "getting someone to help him for a change."
"Let's hope so—we're already behind and he's only been gone a day," Archie smiled wanly. "Thank God Nikita's lying low lately."
She returned her eyes to Birkhoff's screen but smiled inwardly, knowing exactly where Nikita was.
Birkhoff made a face at the older man's deadpan expression, suspicious of the reason for his presence at Division. "Seriously, man—you've got to have a real name," he prompted, "or has it been so long you don't need one anymore?"
"You don't need to know it," he answered distractedly, eyes traveling over every details of Birkhoff's lab. "I'm here for your benefit, not mine," he murmured.
Birkhoff tilted his head, studying him with growing resentment. "What's that supposed to mean?"
He shrugged off a shiver, pulling his trench coat closer. "You don't need it this cold in here you know."
"I happen to like it this way," he shot back, eyeing the clock. They'd already suffered through this awkward encounter for a quarter of an hour. It wasn't like Percy to be late.
"You must have to wear gloves," he snorted, resuming his pacing and avoiding his scrutiny.
"The cold keeps me from nodding off," Birkhoff explained, "courtesy of the long hours I put in here."
He turned with an aloof expression on his face. "Which tells me you're the only one who can do the work."
"So you've come to rescue me?" he wondered, raising his brows in a mock smile.
"That is the question," the engineer sighed, pulling off his coat and laying it on the arm of the couch. He shoved his hands onto his hips and glanced around. "Maybe together we can manage to convince Percy neither of us is expendable."
Cold dread sunk into Birkhoff's gut as he stared at him, jumping when he heard the pneumatic lock hiss off. He shifted his eyes toward the door as Percy walked in.
"Ah gentlemen," he greeted them with a smug smile, "I see you've had time to get to know each other a bit before we start."
"Can't say I didn't try," Birkhoff murmured, half turning to face him.
"Your assignment is to fix the data breach problem we're having with updating," he stated, eyeing the older man before tossing a hard drive to Birkhoff. "You were paid to design a perfect system which I might be able to actually use—"
"It's a superbly flawless design," the engineer argued as Birkhoff clutched the drive and nervously studied their interaction. This guy's not afraid of Percy he marveled, keeping a deadpan expression.
"but maybe with Birkhoff's help you can fix it," he continued, nodding in his direction. "Birkhoff here is a signals expert, and should offer valuable insight into the problem."
"The problem is not with my design but with your operatives!" the engineer challenged.
Percy nodded unflinchingly toward the drive. "Fix it and you can both go back to your lives, but not before," he warned, turning and walking away with calm efficiency.
They eyed each other as he strode from the lab and locked them in. Birkhoff turned to plug the thing in. "You heard him," he sighed, "no parole until we're done."
After two days without seeing any sign of Birkhoff, Alex knew she had to make a move. Nikita was out of the country and out of touch, but her last order was to find out who the visiting computer genius was and why he was here. She sensed it to be a matter of the utmost importance, and without no further orders she knew what she had to do. She'd finished her work in Operations, even helped Birkhoff's aides catch up, and with Amanda on leave and Percy holed up in his office she headed for the abandoned wing she'd brought Birkhoff through. Once she found the duct which led to his lab, she unbolted the grate and slid in, careful to move soundlessly through the air ducts.
She'd memorized the blueprints for this section, slowing down as she approached the juncture. Making a sharp right turn she belly slid along the aluminum surface and heard voices off in the distance. Careful to make no sound, she continued on, overhearing Birkhoff's voice as he tried explaining something about the connections. Light from his lab illuminated part of the duct so she stopped and peered out through the grate that covered the opening to his lab. To her amazement she could see them sitting at a long counter filled with screens and equipment, Birkhoff's right side clearly in view. Then she heard the other man speaking and concentrated on every detail.
"You know, too much work inhibits rationality and fogs the mind," the engineer said with what looked like a ghost of a smile as he studied Birkhoff's profile.
"Yeah, tell that to Percy," he sighed, shaking his head as he programmed something. After waiting to see if something would start up, he slumped back against his chair in obvious frustration.
"I will if he ever comes back," he answered while working a Rubik's cube between both hands. "You usually run the place all by yourself then."
Birkhoff huffed out a sigh. "Not usually this poorly," he admitted, rolling closer to his keyboard to punch in a command.
"Looks to me like your nerves are shot and you're all stressed out," the engineer sighed, setting aside his cube and steepling his fingertips together as he studied him at work.
"I've got a lot on my mind," Birkhoff murmured, frantically typing something else. "Lord Sauron up there is on one of his many rampages, expecting me to perform some sort of magic to make all his problems disappear."
"I can see that," he answered, turning toward Birkhoff to study him at work. "He told me some of your history, and almost boasted about you."
"Yeah I'll bet," Birkhoff replied, shaking his head as he squinted at the scrolling data.
"Shadow Walker," he sighed, smiling conspiratorially. "Caused quite a stir at the Pentagon back in the day, didn't you?"
Birkhoff didn't answer so he continued. "Percy says he couldn't believe his luck, grabbing you from the clutches of the federal penitentiary to recruit you to work here."
"Lucky me, though I have to admit it's a tad bit less intimidating here," he sighed, startling her as he slammed the desk with his hand. "Dammit!"
Alex watched him hang his head, but the engineer leaned back with a hopeful smile. "You know you can do it…it just takes a revelation sometimes."
"I need a whole lot more than that if I want to get out of the dungeon," he breathed, stretching back his head and shoulders.
Alex watched in fascination, drinking in the details of his history as well as the way he interacted with this man as a colleague. So he was Shadow Walker in person, or at least didn't deny it. She thought to the amazing site he'd left for her to explore, marveling at his genius. When she got the chance she vowed to do some research on him to find out more.
"Might I suggest a little diversion?" the engineer proposed as he rose from his chair and walked toward the couch.
Birkhoff turned his head, not moving until he saw him start to set up a video game. Then he too got up, stretched his back out and smiled. She held her breath at the transformation that came over his face when he smiled genuinely, loving him more each minute. But when he walked over to the opposite side of the room and reached for a small envelope, placing it in the microwave and starting it, she nearly laughed aloud. The sound of popping echoed in the cavernous room before she smelled its wondrous scent. Birkhoff bent to take out two water bottles from a small refrigerator and carry them over to the coffee table
He doesn't even have a secret stash of Red Bull, she thought distractedly, studying his every move. He had a lanky gait she thought was endearing, for his long legs ate up the distance wherever he went. He had a lean build except for broad shoulders, and was much stronger than he looked at first glance. She rested her chin on her arms as she watched him, remembering the way his arms felt around her when she'd hugged him that night in her room. It seemed like such a long time since then and she was encouraged by the fact that he hadn't pulled away or made a cynical remark about it. It was frustrating that they had to be so careful in relating to each other, and she often wondered what he would be like outside these walls.
He retrieved the popcorn, shook it into a large bowl and carried it over to the engineer. Then he flopped back onto the couch and took the controller he was handed, his whole demeanor much more relaxed already. The screen was turned away from her direction but she watched them as they played like two little boys, yelling at each other and each cheering when they won a round. She smiled, wishing she could sit between them and play, or even just watch. Birkhoff's couch was old but overstuffed and no doubt comfortable, and she suspected he slept there the nights he was missing from his quarters or his apartment.
"I won!" the engineer shouted while Birkhoff shot to his feet, a troubled expression on his face. He stared at the screen, then gazed suspiciously at his colleague.
"How on earth?" he protested. "You beat me! It's not even possible!"
The engineer laughed as he glanced up at him. "I've been playing games like this since before you were in diapers!"
"Excuse me?" he shot back, looking offended. "I'm not as young as that—"
"You're very young," the engineer insisted, getting up to stretch. "Now—think about the problem with the black box! Think, before your frame of mind changes!"
Birkhoff frowned, averting his gaze. She watched him gesture and mumble a solution or two, prompted to continue.
"Think in a broader scope, Birkhoff!" he challenged like a professor.
Suddenly Birkhoff's face lit up as he straightened and raised a hand. "I've got it!" he shouted, rushing to his counter to programmed it, then waiting expectantly as the data began to sort and process. The engineer came to his side as they both studied the scrolling, then the blocks lined up like a slot machine and an alarm went off while they both shouted for joy.
"Yes!" Birkhoff hooted, clapping his hands together and turning to smile at his colleague. Alex smiled with inexpressible happiness, watching his face transform yet again. His expressions were all so different and so varied, she couldn't help just staring at him.
They were interrupted by the lock banging aside and froze, stiffening to attention as Percy entered, eyeing them without expression. He paused to study Birkhoff's screen as the engineer slowly sat down and Birkhoff shoved his hands into his sweatshirt pockets, both remaining silent.
"Well?" Percy said quietly, eyeing them both. "It looks like you've finally had a breakthrough."
"Indeed we have," the engineer stated, glancing up at Birkhoff with a small smile. "The kid just needed a diversion to clear his mind…then revelation came."
Percy studied Birkhoff's hesitant expression. "So you solved the problem?"
He nodded, eyeing the engineer with obvious respect. "Works like gangbusters."
Alex breathed a sigh of relief, preparing to make a silent exit. Watching Percy step behind the engineer to look over his shoulder at another screen, she listened to Birkhoff explain what they had done and the possible adjustments which needed to be made in the updating procedures.
Percy glanced down at the engineer. "So, you're satisfied?"
"Completely—you certainly have a treasure in this young man—"
Suddenly Percy gripped his neck and they heard a horrible cracking sound before he twisted off his chair and fell to the floor. Birkhoff gasped and jumped back, staring in disbelief at the odd angle of his still form. Percy stretched his arms and looked up, staring at Birkhoff in mild surprise.
Birkhoff looked up at Percy in horror. "O—o my God!" he gasped, glancing back down at his colleague, then back up at his boss. "O MY GOD!" he shouted, "what did you do?"
"I promoted you," Percy replied calmly, avoiding Birkhoff's horrified stare.
Alex covered her mouth with both hands, trying not to cry out as tears filled her eyes and spilled over.
"Go," Percy ordered, gesturing for Birkhoff to leave as he glanced down at his victim.
Birkhoff stood frozen to the spot, still unable to believe what he'd done. He stared at Percy in obvious fear.
Percy looked up at him and smiled. "Go home, take a few days off," he encouraged. "You've certainly earned them."
Under his hardening stare Birkhoff came to life again, shifting away from him with mute horror as he walked stiffly toward the door. Touching the furniture as if to keep his balance, he glanced down and saw her but kept moving, a blank expression on his face.
Heart pounding, she shimmied backward as fast and soundlessly as she could, reaching the juncture in the duct as the door locked behind Birkhoff. Turning around to go head first, she feared Percy would hear her and was careful not to go too fast. By the time she finally climbed from the ducts and fastened the grate over the entrance she breathed a sigh of relief and directed her attention back to Birkhoff. Her mind filled with pictures of him either running or reporting Percy, and as she headed down the corridor she worried about what he would do.
Horror gripped him and turned his stomach as he kept seeing the engineer's lifeless body on the floor. He practically ran toward his quarters, seeing himself come to the same end should he make a mistake or do something Percy disapproved of. He knew one thing without a doubt—he had to get out now, and Percy's giving him leave offered the perfect opportunity. His throat choked up with grief for the man he'd just begun to get to know, regretting the way he'd treated the man at first.
Moving as if programmed he made his way quickly back to his quarters to gather what he needed. Shoving aside the door to his closet, he reached behind his clothing for the hidden latch and opened the compartment. Pulling out the backpack, he carried it to his bed and unzipped it to add a few remaining articles, making sure he had the pin Alex had given him. Carrying it over to his desk, he bent beneath it and retrieved the pouch he'd hidden toward the back, silently reviewing the route he must take.
Pausing at his door, he took one last look around and knew he didn't have much time. By now Percy would have called Roan to clean up the body, but without doubt he'd wait and accompany him on such a diabolical assignment. He thought of Roan and the trip they 'd taken, wondering how he could keep working with Percy. But then he shook himself mentally, forcing himself to concentrate on his own problem.
The switch he'd thrown would scramble the cameras in his wing only temporarily, giving him minutes to get out. Slipping from his room, he checked the hall as he locked the door and rushed off toward the abandoned wing Alex had shown him. Hating the thought of leaving her, he worried that she might be discovered before he caught himself. Alex was a professional now, he reminded himself, and had been so quiet he hadn't even known she was spying on them in the lab until he was on his way out.
Melting into the darkness of the abandoned corridor, he hurried along the wall toward the exit, trying to remember the time and address she'd given for meeting her at her new apartment. He forced himself to count the days he'd spent sequestered in his lab working round the clock, realizing that she would be expecting him tomorrow.
Rounding a corner he spied the ramp which led to the hatch and sped up, hitching the backpack higher over one shoulder. His heart pounded with fear and disgust, and inwardly he was still shaking at what Percy had done. Never would he have suspected him of such a senseless act of murder. He shoved the utility door aside and approached the hatch, hating the stale smell of the place where they'd once done medical experimentation. Shoving away the memories of his early counseling sessions with Amanda he concentrated on the present.
That was a different Amanda, he decided, pursing his lips in a grim frown. And a different Percy.
"Daniel!"
Stopping in his tracks he froze, eyes searching the darkness surrounding him as his heart raced. There was only one person who knew that name.
He spotted her then, standing a few yards behind him. Her eyes were so wide and clear they gave away her position. Narrowing his gaze on her, he saw her lift a hand toward him, her lips parting. When no sound came out of her his own eyes filled with unshed tears as he shook his head in warning.
"Don't follow me," he croaked, swallowing past the lump in his throat.
She held his gaze, stepping toward him. "I saw what happened," she said, a tear slipping from one eye.
"I know," he choked, his eyes devouring her. "Don't ever do such a risky thing again, you hear me?"
She came up to him, tilting her head back to stare into his eyes. "I never imagined him to do anything so horrible!"
"Neither did I," he admitted, unable to look away. "You have to leave here, Alex—don't give him the opportunity to put you in the same position—"
"Were are you going?" she interrupted, gripping his arm.
He stiffened, telling himself to turn away and leave before he did something to get them both killed. "Better you don't know," he muttered, moving toward the door.
"Take me with you," she pleaded, following at his side.
"Don't be a fool Alex," he hissed, hoping to shock her into staying. He raised a hand in warning. "If they find you gone…they'll suspect—"
"What—that I left with you?"
He unlocked the hatch and pulled it open, grimacing at the wind that rushed into the room. "You can't be seen with me—understand?"
She gripped his sleeve. "Don't make me stay here without you!"
"I'll be in touch," he nodded, changing his mind suddenly. "I got your note—we'll talk then!"
"Wait!" she hissed, throwing her arms around him. "I don't want you to go—I need you!"
He dropped his backpack and gripped her close, resting his chin atop her head. Inwardly shaken, he felt panic and horror trying to swallow him up. "I have to.
"They'll hunt you down," she cried against his neck, pulling back to look up at him. "Let me take you to Nikita! We can fight them together!"
He shut his eyes, sorely tempted to give in to her. "Don't talk crazy—"
"Please!" she panted, eyes filled with tears. "I can't lose you!'
Unable to stand it any longer he reached up, cupping her face between his hands as he bent his head and kissed her hard. All the loneliness, hunger and frustration overcame him. He felt helpless to resist her and when she wrapped her arms around his back he nibbled her lips with passionate kisses, tasting her sweetness and drunk with pleasure. She moaned softly, pressing into him and making him feel close to losing control. He bent to kiss her in desperation, afraid he'd never see her again. She gripped him like a mast in a storm, claiming him as her own with each kiss returned. His head swam with emotion as he tried to seal as many details as he could into his memory.
She caressed his chest with both hands, climbing higher in his arms. Then he felt her hand comb into his hair like a healing touch. Breaking the kiss, he rested his forehead against hers and tried to catch his breath.
"Alex," he panted, holding her tight, "you have no idea how much I want you right now."
She pulled his lips back to hers, kissing him ardently before turning to whisper into his ear. "I want you more," she sighed, making him shiver with desire.
"My God," he croaked, turning her back for a deeply pleasurable kiss before he straightened. Staring into her eyes, seeing her desire he shook his head in amazement. "How could you possibly want me? I'm too old for you, not to mention finished, kaput, good as dead—"
"Because I love you," she breathed, smoothing her hands down his chest and driving him crazy. He caught them in his before they went lower, staring at her in disbelief.
"What did you say?"
She smiled, reaching up to gently run her fingertips across his lower lip. "You heard me, Birkhoff."
He studied her expression, bent to kiss her one more time. Then he closed his eyes, leaning his head back. "The crazy thing is I love you too—and I know better."
She lifted her chin. "Course you do—now kiss me again instead of arguing with the rationality of it."
He pulled her closer. "God, you're such a beautiful innocent."
"Then so are you," she complained, devouring him with her eyes. "I'm waiting, Birkhoff."
"As I said before, I'm not responsible when you look at me like that."
Bending her back, he turned her over his left arm and kissed her slowly and deliberately, taking both their breaths before he righted her, steadying her with his arms.
"Thank you…" she sighed, closing her eyes.
He hugged her close, whispering against her hair. "You make me forget what we both just witnessed."
"That's the plan," she sighed, pulling back to look at him. "Promise me you'll show up for your appointment."
He bent and gently kissed her lips before stepping back. "I'd have to be out of my mind not to—now let me go Princess. I don't want anyone suspecting you came this way, or even saw me."
She nodded as he bent to pick up his backpack. Slinging it over his shoulder, he touched her cheek and kissed her once on the lips before turning and stepping out onto the landing. Gazing up the ladder which led to the surface, he glanced back and then began to climb.
Once he reached the top he looked back, relieved to see no sign of her. Getting to his feet, he sprinted through the darkness across the field and into the trees, hoping no one would shoot in the back.
c. 2011 by Christine Levitt