"Got something. Nikki's tip about watching major news paid off," Birkhoff immediately called Michael over to his computer station. It had been a week since either of the rogues had seen the woman, but they didn't talk about it. When the agent returned to the safehouse from DC, the hacker almost asked how the mission went. Then he saw his friend's conflicted expression and the car bombing on the news. He thought it best to keep his mouth shut afterwards. The mission to bug Percy had been a failure, and they would have to leave it at that. How Nikita factored in or why Michael was so upset, Birkhoff didn't dare ask.
Besides, it was better for the rogues to focus on their mission. Tracking Division operations, ruining the black ops group's chance of success, and somehow finding the black boxes needed to be their priority. Michael had to constantly remind himself of that. His mind shouldn't be drifting towards Nikita. She didn't want to be helped- she didn't want to be saved. He had to let it go. Other people needed his help. He had the power to save them while stopping Division. The woman just needed to be ignored, "What is it?"
"Mirko Dadich was released from prison. And guess who helped him escape the mob of reporters," Rewinding the newsfeed and zooming in on the most important part, Birkhoff explained. Nikita had mentioned that Percy was making bolder reaches for power when she informed the two rogues of what she knew. If they were paying close attention, they'd spot Division's movements in the news. That time, they just so happened to catch an agent in the periphery of the camera, ensuring the man the reporters thought they saw was a fake.
"Nice move, Kelly," Slightly impressed, Michael muttered. While the reporters and paparazzi were distracted with the diversion (that was only discovered when a woman grabbed the imposter), Kelly moved the real Dadich to an awaiting Division van. It was a solid plan that definitely got the press off the black ops group's backs. But the rogues knew enough to stay on their ass. Birkhoff was quickly able to locate the vehicle the agents smuggled the convicted former dictator into. Michael proudly smacked his shoulder, and ordered him to keep up the work, "Track the van. Tell me where they take Dadich."
"Where are you going?" Already hacking into the street cameras, Birkhoff wondered. Michael had moved to hurriedly gather his mission bag and a whole lot of cash. The hacker normally prided himself in being able to fund most of their rogue business through untraceable and unhackable online transactions. It kept them from having too much money lying around in case disaster struck. If the agent was grabbing the few stacks of cash they did have at hand, then he was up to something his nerdy partner didn't have access to. After their experience with Nikita, that wasn't a fun thought to dwell on.
"I'm going to grab some new hardware from that weapons dealer, Trevor. I have to make this kill count," Michael admitted. Whereas he was equipped for countermissions and saving Division targets, he didn't have the weapons to accurately get the jump on the black ops group; he didn't have a sniper rifle. Normally, he didn't like the idea of sniping a person. Something about it sent terrible chills up his spine. However, he knew that was his only chance at Dadich. The former dictator would have 'round the clock guards. A long range kill was the only option.
Birkhoff didn't reply for a second. At first, he didn't question Michael's need to kill Dadich. He was a bad guy, and the two were in the business of taking out terrible people. However, they didn't do anything without a purpose. The rogues weren't mindless killers like the organization that trained them. They were better than that. Or, at least, they thought themselves better. They wouldn't let any past or future action drag them down to Division's monstrous level. If they were going to kill, the reason needed to be sound, "And why exactly are we killing him?"
"Obviously, if Percy's going through all this trouble to protect him, he wants something. Considering Dadich was a former dictator, it's gotta be something bad," Voicing his thoughts, Michael recounted the money he had grabbed. He was certain he had enough for a sturdy and superior sniper rifle. If not, he could always convince Trevor to lower the price. The rogues had been working with the weapons dealer for some time. He wasn't within Division's grasp, and he could get the two remarkable equipment. Despite the necessity, Michael felt the same about working with the smuggler as he did being a sniper. But being rogue required illegal activities.
"So we kill Dadich, we stop the trade, and Percy gets screwed over," Birkhoff nodded along. That was a reasonable enough plan. Besides, it wasn't as though the world was going to miss Dadich. He was supposed to be rotting in jail. The fact that he was out was possibly another one of Percy's tricks. The bastard would pull any string he needed in order to get what he wanted. If he had pulled that many strings, and risked getting a hated dictator back into the open, he had to have had something terrible in mind. The rogues didn't want to fathom it.
"And hopefully he gets frustrated enough to do something with the black boxes," The last part of the plan was simply wishful thinking. Michael hoped the black boxes would make an appearance in the world. He knew they were scattered around- one in Percy's office, the rest around the globe. He just needed access to them. Once they were destroyed, so would be Percy. It was all a long shot, though. How did one even begin collecting all those dirty secrets. The rogues were lost on that front. There was no easy answer.
"Yeah. We still need a lot of help there," Birkhoff sighed. The expression Michael gave him in response said it all. The rogues were nowhere closer to tracking down the black boxes than they had been when they first set their sights on them. They simply had to continue stopping Division one mission at a time, until they figured something out. Pissing off Percy by ruining his schemes wasn't enough to bring out the black boxes. At least it felt good to see the bastard so annoyed and agitated. One day, his fury would have to make him slip up. And the second it did, the rogues would be ready to pounce.
Jaden still had it out for Alex, but she could understand why. Although she was the newest recruit, she had gained the most attention. She did well in her training, most of her sarcasm wasn't challenged, and Amanda had placed a special interest in her. Even agents like Kelly were wary of her. The young woman was growing sick and tired of it. She wanted all the people who stared at her- who judged her- to just shut up and go away. Her only solution to make that happen, however, was to fight back whenever Jaden pushed her. If that got her in trouble, so what. It wasn't like Division could take out their golden girl, "Alex. Amanda needs you."
As the guard shouted for her, a quick jolt of panic coursed through Alex. Jaden grinned smugly, excited that the other recruit was caught fighting instead of her. The young woman did her best to glare, but her thoughts were racing about what might happen in Amanda's office. How could she have forgotten about Nikita. Division would kill their star agent without hesitation. It didn't matter what she meant to them. Alex had to remember they ultimately didn't care about her. Both she and the organization were using each other. Maybe focusing on that would save her from punishment, "Do you have any more information on Semak?"
"Unfortunately, no. You're being activated for an op," Amanda replied simply. Alex almost let out a sigh of relief. She wasn't in trouble- thank God. Jaden would probably be even more pissed that her actions didn't have consequences. But the young woman was certain she could finally make her shut up. She was the one going on an op, after all. She had been there for a far shorter time, yet she was chosen for a mission. The pride of that crashed and burned the more Alex thought of it, however. Her activation didn't make sense. She had barely been trained.
"But I've barely been here. And I should be focused on my own mission," While she negated the statement, Alex did her best to sound firm. She really shouldn't be involved in Division operations. If she was going to be ready and prepared to face Zetrov and Semak, she needed to be focused on her own tasks. Another mission couldn't distract her. Also, she didn't want any part of the black ops group's dirty dealings. Using their resources was one thing, but working with them was wrong. They had killed her parents; they had wanted to kill her. What kind of person would she be if she actually joined those monsters.
"You still need training. And we can't have everyone believing you have special treatment. That'll blow your cover. Besides, you're perfect for this op. All you have to do is sit, smile, and speak a little Russian," Smiling sweetly, Amanda explained. Alex wasn't sure how to respond. Obviously, Amanda and Percy wanted her on other missions to test her faithfulness and diligence- it wasn't just about training. The young woman was reminded that she didn't have the full autonomy she thought she had. She used Division, and they used her. She had no real choice.
A week had gone by since she had left the rogues, yet Nikita wasn't feeling better. She was certain she had gotten her strength back. Actually eating and drinking water had granted her that. Her mind, however, remained mush. It was possible she was pushing herself too hard too soon. She had just gotten clean. She should be resting. She should be with people that would look after her. Instead, she was chasing a different high- one only revenge could satisfy. She was so close, she could taste it. After all, she had managed to track down Division's invisible movements, "God, Kelly. You're so predictable. Bet you're moving Dadich to a hotel next."
The news had been a fountain of information in regards to the black ops unit's activities. Since Nikita knew what to look for, and she knew of Percy's schemes to gain even more power, she was able to pinpoint the next illegal operation. It was unsurprising that they were protecting Mirko Dadich. Percy always had a way to leech information, money, and favors from powerfully corrupt leaders. Using Kelly as lead agent was surprising, but it did work in Nikita's favor. She knew what to expect next, "Alright Dadich, lead me to Percy."
Gathering enough weapons and ammo to kill everyone in sight, Nikita rushed out of her safehouse. Compared to the rogues' place, hers was basically a squatter's hole. But that wasn't important. The abandoned loft was just a roof over her head between missions. She didn't have to think about it as she rushed to intercept Division at the hotel she tracked Dadich to. Hopefully, she'd get there in time to shoot Percy. He had to have shown up to collect on his investment of helping the former dictator. If he had, though, it was before the woman arrived. The only ones there were guards she easily took out, Dadich, and a girl he was abusing, "Get off her!"
Instantly, Nikita forced Dadich away from the girl he had overpowered. She pistol whipped him, sending him crashing to the floor. She didn't bother to check on him. Why should she give a shit about that vile man. Instead, all her attention was directed towards the girl. Nikita gently helped her to her feet. Although she was livid about what she had witnessed- about what Division had allowed to happen- she kept herself soft. The girl didn't need to be more frightened than she already was. Except, as the helpful woman cradled the injured girl's cheek to examine her bruises, brown eyes locked with blue. Shock washed over both of them, "You're alive?"
"Division really can't kill you," Alex was breathless, and not just from being roughed around by Dadich for not wanting to sleep with him. She was aware of the rumors that Nikita hadn't been killed during her escape attempt. Yet the young woman couldn't believe them. Division had managed to kill her entire family. They had the power to kill a rogue agent. The fact that Nikita had survived seemed like a miracle. Alex was in complete awe of it. That strength was amazing, especially as she came in to help her at just the right moment. Kelly had abandoned her, the guards had ignored her, but the woman saved her once again.
"Come on. I know a place where you can go. You'll be safe," Nikita instantly offered. She wasn't entirely sure what she was thinking. Seeing Alex again simply made her offer salvation. She didn't ask why or how the teenager was there. She didn't wonder why Division didn't kill her when they found out the truth. She just wanted to keep her safe like she had promised. Alex glanced at her outstretched hand as though it were a godsend. Maybe the trauma of what had just occurred was clouding her judgement. It didn't matter if it was. Lividity coursed through Nikita regardless. She turned towards Dadich with a cocked weapon, "As for you…"
"Dadich!" Before Nikita could pull the trigger, another woman burst through the doors of the hotel room. It was the same woman on the news who had accidentally discovered that the person the press was following wasn't the real Dadich. In hindsight, the agent of vengeance shouldn't have killed the Division guards. She could've used at least some of their assistance. The other woman looked ready to kill, and not just the man she had shouted for. There were more armed people behind her. And at the sight of Nikita and Alex, they started shooting.
Frantically, Nikita got Alex covered behind some furniture. Alex was in shock, obviously still reeling from being assaulted. The former agent shouldn't expect anything from her. She just had to protect her, and fight off the random group of killers. Although they were shooting at her, they were trying to drag Dadich out of the room. Nikita couldn't allow that to happen. She didn't understand what was occurring, but she did know the former dictator couldn't live. She went after him, slamming her body into one of the men who had intervened. As they fought, Dadich made his escape. She tried to go after him, yet Alex screamed in warning, "Nikita!"
She ducked. Just as she did, a powerful rifle shot took out the man she had been fighting. Immediately directing her attention towards the window, Nikita scanned the buildings for snipers. She expected Division, yet what she saw was Michael. The two stared at each other completely baffled. Except, neither had time to dwell on it. He had to chase after the random killers who escaped in the confusion to a nearby van, and she had to refocus on Alex. She'd let Michael have Dadich. The teenager deserved her attention. She could still get her out, "Alex!"
"Go! Division will be here for me at any minute," Alex shook her head vehemently. She managed to gather enough control of herself to shove Nikita away. The woman was even more confused than when she saw Michael. However, there was a determination in the teenager's blue eyes that made her follow the command. Alex seemed to know what she was doing, despite the horror she just experienced. Nikita couldn't argue with that, especially with Division nearby. She would simply have to trust her, and hope whatever answers were out there made sense. God, what hell had they all wandered into.