"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow down, what's a killchip?" Whereas Nikita stormed outside the store, Michael had to take a moment to catch up to what she was saying. He didn't doubt that Percy was a bastard; actually, he knew for a fact that Percy was a bastard. But what he had no clue about was the killchip. Division usually had some spycraft technologies that were more advanced than other agencies. A killchip, however, didn't sound exactly real. At least, Michael hoped it wasn't real. If something like that could be easily inserted into someone's head, then it couldn't possibly be good.
Nikita couldn't slow down. She had to go. She had to discover a way to save Alex from the newest and latest hell. Unfortunately, she had no idea what to do. She couldn't simply remove the tracker; she could perform brain surgery, and doing so might activate the kill chip. She had to discover another method. In order to find it, and get her thoughts in order, she needed to talk it all out. Pulling Michael into an isolated alley nearby, Nikita tried to do just that, "A couple years ago, Percy sent me on a mission to infiltrate a military hospital and plant a deadly chip in a North Korean Official's brain, while he was having surgery on a subdural hematoma."
That was a lot of information for Michael to take in at once. Although Nikita recalled the mission matter of factly, keeping her emotions separate, he had a difficult time adjusting. Percy running a dangerously horrific op, and Nikita managing to complete it made sense. It was the implications of the killchip that had Michael's head spinning. There was so much he wanted to ask; so much he had to know. All that came out of his mouth, however, was the acknowledgement that he recognized what Nikita had said, "Wait. The official that suffered a brain aneurysm right before making a speech about North Korea's nuclear capabilities?"
"Glad to know you kept up on the news," Nikita scoffed. That obviously wasn't the response Michael wanted; except, she was still having trouble wrapping her mind around what was occurring. Not only was Alex in danger (which was horrible enough as it was) but so many recruits were going to be subjected to the new dangerous technology. Despite the rogues' efforts, Division kept becoming more powerful. Percy had found new ways to inflict hell and control, "It wasn't an aneurysm. That chip was some sort of device that let Percy kill the official remotely. It's completely undetectable. No trace back to anybody. You can pull off the perfect kill."
"Has it been used on anyone else?" Michael took Nikita's tactic and tried to remain as emotionless and factual as possible. They could panic over the implications of killchips later. Once Alex was safe, the horror of Percy having such technology could settle around them. Then, the rogues would need to find out how to save the rest of the recruits- and the world- from that hell. By that point, the only option might be to destroy Division. And that continued to be a problem they needed to solve.
"I don't know. But Percy did 'joke' afterwards about merging the agent tracker and killchip together. It would be the perfect way to keep people in line. I hoped it wasn't possible. But the fucking bastard figured it out," Nikita wished she had any answers, yet all she could do was shrug. She wouldn't put it past Percy to have used the killchip on others, especially since he was so willing to integrate the tech with the trackers. That was another thing she didn't know how he did. But she wasn't going to spend her time figuring it all out. Saving Alex, and eventually the other agents, was her main objective. That puzzle needed her full attention.
Michael collapsed against a wall in the tight, dingy alley. He couldn't fault Nikita for not having any answers. But it would've been nice to know something. They were already in the dark when it came to the black box locations. It was just increasingly frustrating. What were two rogues actually supposed to do against killchips. They lacked so many resources and so much information. Even if they could think of a plan, how were they to possibly execute it. What could they do against remote killers, "How the hell are we going to save Alex from that?"
"Birkhoff… maybe? I mean, it's a piece of technology, right? He could know how to at least take it offline," Ruffling her hair, Nikita paced the small area in front of Michael. Treating the killchip like a regular piece of technology could help the rogues. It didn't help them when it came to the black boxes. Yet the chip was also a tracker. Maybe the rogues could take the system offline. Alex could be free. Possibly other agents could be free as well. It was a long shot, and it'd probably require more intel on the killer trackers. However, they weren't looking at a lot of options. Birkhoff needed to hack.
"Yeah, he could do it. By dismantling Division's servers. They'll see his hack coming a mile away," Sighing, Michael argued. Although Nikita was on the right track, Birkhoff couldn't just hack into Division. If he could, a lot of their problems regarding black boxes would be solved. He had been able to infiltrate the system before to gain tidbits of intel, but it wasn't much. And he wouldn't be able to pull it off again. There were too many securities in place. Birkhoff would be caught even attempting a hack, and Division would track the rogues to their current location. It'd be easier to hack the CIA than the hellhole.
The thought of the CIA gave Nikita an idea. It wasn't the greatest idea in the world. And if she couldn't convince the key plates to agree to it, then there was no chance of pulling it off. Yet her plan was definitely worth a shot. Obviously, they had to do something to help Alex. any attempt was worth it. However, Nikita was certain her way was surefire. The more she let the thought run, the more successful it seemed. Her first step was just convincing Michael the same, "Okay. I have an idea. You're gonna hate it. But I think it's gonna work."
"Usually, the ideas of yours that I hate turn out to be the best ones," A crooked grin etched its way across Michael's features without him meaning it to. He'd love to just outright refuse Nikita's insane idea. He knew there was going to be something about it that he'd hate. However, he couldn't dismiss that her craziest ideas were normally the best ones. She was smart. She was capable. She knew what she was doing. He trusted her instincts. If only her instincts didn't involve a high probability of danger.
"Great. Cause we're going to the CIA," Newly determined, Nikita marched out of the alley. The sooner they planned and put things in motion, the better. Mostly, because she didn't have much of an idea past the CIA. She was certain that if the rogues hacked from a field office, Division wouldn't notice what they were really doing; they'd be too distracted by the CIA. Maybe another distraction from Alex inside the bunker could help as well. Huge diversions were their best bet in that situation. Their enemies shouldn't know what they were doing.
"I take that back," Regretfully following Nikita back to the car, Michael snarked. The last time the CIA was involved, Nikita and Owen were almost killed. The spy organization had no business in their war with Division. Either the other agents didn't have the right information, and that'd lead to someone getting hurt. Or, the agents were in Percy's pocket- like the former director had to have been after that disaster with Ryan Fletcher. The CIA was bad news for the team. They shouldn't trust them to get anything done.
"Just Ryan Fletcher, alright. He owes me. And I bet he's looking for ways to hurt Division. He can help Birkhoff do what he needs to do on this side, while Alex can help us out inside the hellhole," While she climbed into the driver's seat and started the car, Nikita explained herself. Michael was reluctant to listen, yet she had him trapped in the vehicle. Involving all of the CIA wouldn't work in their favor. Ryan, on the other hand, had already proved he was on their side. The analyst could help the rogues get anything they want. Besides, just like with Alex, it was time Michael and Birkhoff met Ryan as well.
Although he wanted to, Michael couldn't argue with Nikita. Not only did he not have another idea to propose, he knew she was right. The team of rogues simply had to plan everything exactly to make it all work. Michael and Nikita also had to inform the other's of what they thought. He called Birkhoff at that moment to catch him up, while Nikita planned to talk to Ryan that night once things were more concrete. She didn't mention talking to Alex. He thought she would- she should. Except, she remained silent. That concerned him, "You're going to tell Alex all about her killchip, though. Right?"
She knew informing Alex of everything was necessary. Nikita would hate it if someone kept that huge of a secret from her. She had also just decided to share everything she had with Michael and Birkhoff. Alex couldn't be the exception, especially since she was her mole. The young woman had to know about the killchip in her brain. However, Nikita couldn't bring herself to ruin her excitement about becoming an agent. She was so close to her goal. The rogue couldn't ruin that, "After it's done. She has a lot on her plate right now. Let her enjoy being an agent for a while. She doesn't need to be scared for her life again."
"Nikita, she needs to know," Michael urged softly. He understood Nikita's hesitations. He wouldn't want to tell Alex about the killchip either. That was too much anxiety and fear to place on a person. But if she knew about it, she could do things to save herself. She wouldn't be stumbling around in the dark, and accidently get herself killed. Alex might've had more skills than that. Yet not when it came to a murder chip in Percy's hands. If you stepped one toe out of line, it was over. Alex needed to know the danger.
"When she's safe," Nikita didn't feel great about her decision. She was well aware of how shitty it was. But hadn't Alex faced enough death threats. Hadn't she had enough fear control her. The young agent was only nineteen. She should let her excitement guide her for once. She had so many new things ahead of her. And if it all went right, she'd also have revenge in her grasp. Killchips could wait. Disasters could be put on hold. Nikita would be a terrible liar just to give her that.
Alex couldn't stop thinking about the horrified look on Nikita's face when she noticed the bandage on her neck. The rogue attempted to hide her expression, yet the young woman still saw it. It still burned in her mind as she finished her shopping. The look couldn't have just been because her tracker was in a different place. After all, Amanda had been pissed about it too. Alex just wanted to know what was going on, so she could get back to what was more important. However, that was starting to seem impossible. As she tried to refocus, another neighbor called to her, "Hey. I saw you moving in earlier. You must be my new neighbor. I'm Nathan."
"Alex," Grinning softly, Alex accepted Nathan's outstretched hand. His skin was so warm to the touch, that her grin couldn't help but grow and brighten. Alex wanted to stick to her conviction that she shouldn't get too close to anyone again. Yet between Nikita's urgings, and her nice, welcoming, warm neighbors, it was difficult. The young agent just had to distract herself. She had to keep herself from falling into more friendships that would only get people hurt. As her other neighbor, the one who had called out to her earlier, returned home, Alex figured he would be a good distraction. He'd at least get her eyes off Nathan's, "Who's that?"
"That's Sean, my other new neighbor. Actually, he moved in the day before you," Nathan dropped Alex's hand and nodded Sean's closing door. The thought that he acquired two new neighbors back to back sort of puzzled him. Yet he soon shook it off when he remembered what city they all lived in. He shouldn't question things, just accept them. And try to integrate them into his life. The three were next door neighbors, after all. They'd have to get use to one another, "You know, my friends and I are having a party at my place tonight. You two should come. It'd be a great way to meet everyone. There'll also be some awesome music, believe me."
Alex's gut instinct was to say 'no'. She shouldn't go to a party and make friends. She had to stay on her own, focused on her objective. Though, honestly, with how focused she had forced herself to be, a part of her believed she deserved a break. She should get to relax, breathe, and feel normal for once. Her papa had once taught her that trust in others and self-reliance could go hand in hand. Alex had to rely on herself to kill Semak, but she could trust others to help. Just as she could trust others to help her relax and not become too close. One party couldn't hurt. A moment of normalcy could be nice, "Yeah. That sounds great."