"Shit. Nikita. I lost them," Eventually, Alex cursed into her com. She had chased the mercenaries that had grabbed Stefan and had almost caught up to their car. However, at some point, they made a turn she couldn't see, and she lost them. Alex tried to double-back and locate the car, yet it was too late. They had disappeared. She needed to regroup with Nikita and come up with a plan. Except, when Alex tried to talk to Nikita, she heard nothing over the com. It was just static, "Nikita?"
Two more minutes, and Nikita would've killed Amanda. Two minutes, and the fight- the war- would've been all over. She had had her in that fight. Nikita had fought with everything she had; she was determined to kill Amanda and make up for her past mistakes, no matter what. She didn't care if she got hurt in the process. She just wanted the bitch dead. Two more minutes, and that would've happened.
But then, Krieg intervened. He must've tracked Alex and Nikita to their staging area. However, he was too late to save Stefan from Amanda's henchmen. The teenager was long gone. Yet, the two women who had attacked him to get to the boy were still in the building. Krieg would do anything to rescue his charge. And since he couldn't find Stefan, he'd have the women lead him to him.
Because the two women were preoccupied with killing one another, it was easy for Krieg to incapacitate them. And once they were unconscious, it was easy to bring them to his own staging area and start demanding answers once they woke.
Amanda happened to gain consciousness first. She wasn't surprised to wake up bound to a chair, but she was intrigued that Nikita was bound to a chair next to her. She was also amused when the rogue woke with a start and instantly started testing her restraints. That was going to be fun, "Well this is quite the reunion."
"It's a shame about your face. When I get out of these restraints, I'll fuck up the other side," Nikita instantly grumbled. She hated where she was. She hated who she was trapped with. But at least she could release her anger by snapping at Amanda and by tugging violently at her restraints. She couldn't be clouded by her intense emotions as she attempted to escape. She needed as clear a head as possible if she wanted to survive. And if she wanted to finish her efforts in killing Amanda.
"What the hell, Michael," The instant Owen found Michael, he began yelling at him. He couldn't believe he was being sidelined on that mission. Amanda was involved. Everyone knew what was at stake when that bitch had her claws dug in. Division couldn't afford to make any mistakes. They had to send everyone available to deal with the psycho. Nikita and Alex shouldn't have been alone. Michael of all people had to have known that.
"Owen, not now," Michael sighed. He had other things to worry about than whatever Owen was mad at him about that time. He had to check in with Ryan and Sean. he had to answer a few questions from the other Division agents. He had to keep Ari in the loop regarding Stefan. And he had to get an update from Nikita and Alex. Michael couldn't be concerned with Owen at the moment- or ever, really.
"You sent Alex and Nikita to face Amanda alone?" Chasing Michael down the hallway, Owen refused to be brushed off. He had already felt cast aside when Alex and Nikita left without him. He hadn't even known that the two had gone on a mission until Birkhoff told him (seriously, since when had he been receiving news from the nerd). Owen couldn't believe he was the last to know- again. How was it that he was constantly kept out of the loop. That couldn't continue, especially when the team always stressed the importance of sharing everything.
Michael stopped and sighed once more. There was a reason he hadn't told Owen about the operation. Yes, because he didn't want to be having that conversation. But also, it was more dangerous than sending Nikita and Alex alone. Otherwise, of course he would've sent the former Cleaner. Or, given other options, he would've sent Sean. Or had even gone himself. Alex and Nikita had to be as safe as possible. Which meant, they were on their own and Owen was left behind, "Sean's overseas with Ryan, otherwise…"
"Otherwise, you should've sent me," Owen cut Michael off. There was no excuse for not sending him with the women, especially if neither Sean nor Michael were able to go. It wasn't as though Nikita and Alex couldn't handle themselves in the field. They simply needed a partner in case they ran into Amanda. She wasn't an adversary to face alone; she was too slippery. A team was needed to defeat her.
"So Amanda can neutralize you again with just one word? It's too dangerous," Michael shook his head. If Amanda could neutralize Owen with just one word, then there was no way in hell he was going on a mission where he could encounter her. That'd put Alex, Nikita, and Stefan in way more danger than if Owen just stayed in Division. Even if it was a risk to only send two agents into the field, it was better than adding the unpredictable Owen into the mix. Amanda had already had one too many advantages over them. Division couldn't hand her another. Personal matters aside, Owen had to have realized that.
"But it's not just any word. It's my name. My real name," Owen was aware that Amanda neutralizing him with just a name was a risk, but he didn't care. It was his name. She was calling his real name. She knew everything about him. She had erased his memory for whatever reason, and she was torturing him with that information. Owen knew he was falling for her traps each time, but he had to know who he was. Of course Michael wouldn't understand. He had always known who he was and where he came from. He didn't know how much Owen was struggling- how desperately he needed answers.
"That's exactly what I'm talking about. It's way too personal for you," Michael wanted Owen to be able to know about his past; it was important to know your name and where you came from. But he couldn't put others in danger just to get answers. How could that all have been worth it. Although it was frustrating and difficult to just keep waiting for answers, Owen had to be patient. At least until everyone was completely safe from harm. Then, he could have everything he wanted.
It was in Owen's nature to immediately argue with Michael. However, he knew deep down that the other man had a valid point. Owen didn't want to put Nikita or Alex in danger. He couldn't approach Amanda about anything- considering she'd just trick him or fuck with him, that was a smart decision. Fortunately, she wasn't the only one Owen had to talk to. She had had a partner that- though just as much of an asshole- could be useful, "Then at least let me talk to Ari. He has to know something about who I really am. Amanda had to have told him things."
"Maybe later. Ari needs to stay focused on this. When we have Stefan, you can talk," Michael promised. If anything came up with Stefan, Ari needed to be available. He was Division's only source of intel on Krieg and Amanda. He couldn't be distracted. Besides, Ari and Owen had always had an antagonistic relationship. Division didn't have time for that to flare up again. Who knew where that trouble could lead.
Whereas Nikita fought with her restraints, Amanda remained still. She continued to be unfazed by the kidnapping. Nikita figured it was because she already had a plan in mind, yet she didn't care too much to really think about what that might've been. She simply focused on herself. Until Krieg entered the room. Nikita's head snapped up, her mouth ready to start talking her way out of that situation. But Amanda beat her to it, "Thank God. You saved me. She would've killed me."
"Krieg, I understand what you're doing. But you have to trust me. We're on the same side," Before her irritation at Amanda's fake plea overtook her, Nikita tried to reason with Krieg. She could understand why he had captured them. Yet there was no need for extremes. She would cooperate with him. Anything he wanted to know, she'd tell him. She might've (definitely) made mistakes along the way. However, she was truly there to help Stefan. Unlike the manipulative psycho bitch next to her that was going to ruin everything.
"You threw me off a balcony," Instantly, Krieg called Nikita out for her biggest mistake. She knew that decision was going to bite her in the ass. But she hadn't actually decided on it; it simply happened on instinct. Her thoughts escaped her when she fought. She relied purely on her desperate need to survive or save people. She should probably start thinking more. God, Michael was going to love that she came to that conclusion, even if it was a little too late.
"You attacked me. What else was I supposed to do?" Nikita was well aware that that was a lame excuse. But she needed Krieg to not see her as the bad guy. She was someone just like him- fighting desperately to stay alive and to help people. Despite Amanda and her undermining sarcastic comments beside her, Nikita kept her gaze locked on Krieg. He just had to listen to her. Once he did, everything would work itself out.
For just a moment, Krieg seemed to want to listen to Nikita. He at least seriously considered her explanation for throwing him off a balcony. Unfortunately, that moment didn't last long. He soon shook his head and resumed his mission, "Where is Stefan? One of you has him. You are going to give him back to me. Or I can force you to give him to me."
"She has him. Her dickless goons grabbed him and they're hiding him somewhere," Nikita immediately gave up Amanda. It would've been stupid if she refused to speak. It would've also defeated her purpose. Amanda had Stefan, so Krieg had to torture her for the information. The sooner he started on that, the better. Mostly, so he could save the teenager. But also, Nikita found some sort of sick satisfaction in the idea of the Inquisitor being on the receiving end of a torture device.
"Dickless? Wow. Do you really want to trust someone who uses that kind of language? I don't have Stefan. I want to help him, save him from her," Amanda was doing an excellent job trying to sway Krieg to her side- Nikita had to give her that. But her lies wouldn't get her far. The former special forces soldier saw right through her.
"But I saw you at the school. Do I want to trust someone who would shoot at someone she claims she doesn't want to harm?" Krieg called Amanda out. She had nothing to say to that. Nikita wanted nothing more to laugh out loud and gloat over the fact that Amanda's lies could save her that time. But she had to focus. It wasn't about Amanda- even if she really wanted her to suffer. Nikita needed to keep her attention on Krieg and on trying to convince him that she was one of the good guys.
"Exactly," Nikita couldn't help but shoot Amanda a snide smile. Yet she made sure it didn't last long. They didn't have time for their argument. They could resume it later (Nikita was determined to, especially if it meant she'd be able to kill her). Until then, Nikita would just tell Krieg everything, "Look. It's just me and my partner here. We're working for Stefan's father, Ari. I can prove it to you. Just let me call him."
"So you can track my location, and I can talk to a man in duress? No," Krieg immediately shut down Nikita's suggestion. It was completely reasonable that he did. He had absolutely no reason to trust her- throwing him off a balcony had completely sealed that deal. However, Nikita couldn't help but feel crushed that he had shut her down. There were only so many things she could do to make him listen to her, and that was one of them. If he didn't give her a chance, then they were never going to save Stefan. And Amanda might win.
Amanda knew that as much as Nikita did, and she grinned at that fact. Convincing Krieg was going to be simpler than she thought. A mutual distrust and hatred of Division was a great foundation to build off of, "You'd be walking into a trap. Your money has run out because she has taken Ari prisoner."
"Do you ever stop fucking lying?" Nikita snapped. Of course Amanda would lie so that she could live and so that Nikita would die. She'd do anything to ensure that she won and Division lost. However, the former rogue was so sick of hearing the bitch lie. For once, she would love to hear the truth spill out of her mouth. It'd confirm the existence of miracles if she did. It'd also be a huge relief to know that at least some part of her was human.
"I know things only Ari knows. He told me about Berlin, and what happened to your wife. I'm so sorry. I would never disrespect her but, please, you have to believe I am telling the truth. If Ari didn't trust me, how could I know these things? Let me help you. For Stefan's sake," Amanda ignored Nikita and continuously proved that she was as far removed from a human being as possible. Using other people's pain for her own benefit was the Amanda specialty- just look at anyone in Division. Krieg was not off limits. She'd hit him right where it hurt.
And Krieg genuinely seemed upset by what Amanda had said. The memory of his late wife had struck a nerve, and he absolutely could not fathom how Amanda could try to use her against him. But Nikita could. It was about time they shut the bitch up for good, "Why not just call Ari? Then you can hear him tell you all about this psychopath right here."
Glaring at Amanda, Krieg accepted Nikita's suggestion that time. He prepared the satellite phone and had her punch in the number. She decided to call Birkhoff's line; that'd get her through the fastest. It was a good thing she thought like that because Krieg had a catch. Division didn't have all the time in the world to convince him they were the good guys. He'd only give them a minute and a half to make themselves trustworthy, "You have ninety seconds before any trace can locate us."
After receiving word that Stefan was processed through Division's system and that Nikita and Alex were ready to bring him to the States, Michael went to inform Ari of the success. He had tried calling his interrogation room, but there was no response. If it was anyone else's system, he wouldn't have questioned it. But since Birkhoff had set it up, Michael began to assume something was wrong.
As soon as he arrived at interrogation, his assumption was proven right. Ari's door was locked, and it sounded as though some kind of fight had broken out inside. Michael didn't need to see what was going on to know that Owen was behind it. He pounded on the door and tried to break it down. But it was no use. Owen made sure that he wouldn't be interrupted. He was determined to shake down Ari for information. Yet Michael was just as determined to stop the former Cleaner from going too far. He eventually broke open the door right as Owen pinned Ari up against the wall. Immediately, he pulled him off, "Owen! What the fuck, man?"
"Wait. He was telling the truth," Owen ripped himself out of Michael's grip, staring in awe at Ari Tasarov. He didn't believe a single word the formal head of Gogol said when he first began questioning him about his past. But the more he spoke, the more details he shared, the more Owen believed him. He had been a soldier who had lost his friends to some kind of conspiracy. That conspiracy must've been what got him recruited. It also could've been why Amanda erased his memories. Finally, things were starting to make sense.
"No I was not. I was just buying time until the cavalry arrived. I have no idea who you are. It doesn't matter, anyway. You have been and always will be nothing," Ari rolled his eyes. He looked at Michael like 'can you get him off me know' and completely ignored Owen. He didn't care about him. He only wanted the punching to stop. He had been through enough punishment in Division. Did he really have to keep being punched in the face.
Apparently, he did. After hearing the real truth, Owen went ballistic. He instinctively attacked Ari and knocked him unconscious. Before he could kill him, however, Michael punched him square in the jaw with his prosthetic. It only took one hit for Owen to collapse onto the floor. Barely holding onto consciousness, he glanced up at Michael in confusion. The other man smirked, and flexed his prosthetic, "I finally learned how to make that fist."
Once Ari and Owen were in Medical, Michael returned to Ops. he wished he had returned sooner. Chaos had erupted in the field while he had been dealing with Owen. Amanda and her mercenaries had found Alex, Nikita, and Stefan. And soon, Stefan was gone. Ops did all they could to help Alex locate him. But they had lost all signs of him as well. They also lost track of Nikita. Alex first alerted them to the problem, but it took time to confirm that her track, though active, was stationary. She must've been removed from it. She was gone too.
Pacing Ops, Michael tried to think of where she could've disappeared too. Nikita had last been fighting with Amanda. Could something have happened during the fight. Did she get injured. Did she get captured. Could she have been dead. Before that thought could completely destroy Michael, Birkhoff called for him. A call was coming through the servers with Nikita's verification code. She was alive- at least enough to make a call, "Mikey, it's Nikki."
Without hesitation, Michael took the call. Although he wasn't a religious man, he had been praying to whoever would listen that his fiancée was alright. He was so relieved that she had been able to call. However, that didn't exactly mean that she was safe. Something had happened to her, something horrific if it took her that long to reach out. Michael had to battle the fear in his chest to be able to ask her about it- to be able to continue praying that she was okay, "Nikita, where are you? Alex said…"
"Krieg has me and Amanda. He'll end this call in eighty seconds unless he can talk to Ari," Nikita interrupted. She'd reassure her fiancé once everything was settled. In the meantime, she needed him to work with her. Michael hurriedly rushed back to Medical. Hearing his fiancée's voice was enough to settle his frantic thoughts. But his urgency wouldn't fade away. He was going to ensure that Ari was on the phone in less than eighty seconds. He didn't want to think about what might happen to Nikita or Stefan if he didn't.
"Wake him up," Michael commanded the doctors. It might not have been good for Ari's recovering battered body to be roused from unconsciousness like that. But Ari wasn't the concern then, the warnings Nikita gave over the phone was. There wasn't a lot of time to get that right. Though, Michael could try to get them more- just enough to make certain that Nikita and Stefan could be saved, "He's coming to. There was this thing with Owen."
"I'm out of time," Nikita barely breathed in response. There was no time to rouse Ari. Her ninety seconds were up, she was going to be disconnected, Krieg would never believe her, and Stefan was going to suffer. Michael threw the disconnect phone in panic and anger. That was all Owen's fault. If he had just waited a day or two, then no one would be in danger- then no hell would've been about to rain down. What the fuck was wrong with him. Didn't he realize the full extent of his actions.
"If anything happens to her, I swear to God, I'm going to fucking kill you," Storming into Owen's Medical room, Michael barely contained the urge to kill him right then and there. The second Nikita got hurt, he was going to end Owen. she was trapped with Amanda because of him. She was going to be tortured for information because of him. If she died, then Owen was going to suffer a worse fate. Michael would make sure of it.
I'm so so so sorry this is late. I moved, and everything's been hectic. Things should be back to normal now, though.
