PART ONE

A vast display screen suddenly beeped to life, commands scrolling down at a dizzying speed. The sequence was softly registered by a disembodied voice, which prompted electrical panels to stir into action, their flickering lights casting eerie shadows in the dark. The audible sigh of hydraulic winches accompanied the raising of plexi-glass shells encasing the sleeping occupants of the craft. When the shells completed their arc, a pulsating wave of red light beamed down from a pulley arm in the ceiling and made it's way slowly up and down the inert forms. The beam withdrew and the cabin was plunged into a gloomy twilight.

A slight fluttering of lids suddenly exposed two pale green eyes. They probed the cabin, sweeping cautiously as they adjusted to the familiar outlines and shadows. Michael laid his head to the side at the sound of movement to his left. He heard Dawson groan loudly and then the coughs, sighs and curses of the rest if his team as they awoke. He lay perfectly still, concentrating on his body as the strange itching sensation of waking from deep sleep passed over his limbs.

"It's freaky the way you do that man" Dawson sighed as he glanced across at Michael. "How can you lie there so calm. I feel like someone's been rolling me in broken glass." He scratched wildly at his legs, stretching them out in front of him.

"What's freaky is that the last thing I remember is your whinny-assed voice and now, here it is again" Davenport groaned." He stood slowly and stretched, then started to remove the sensor pads from his chest and arms.

"Well Davenport, let me say, it's a thankless job bringing a sense of continuity to your existence" Dawson grinned.

"Ohh Dawson, you know we'll always cherish the initial misconceptions we had about you" Wilson laughed. She returned Davenport's wink as he moved off towards the showers.

"Very funny Wilson, you're a real comedian. I think I told you that as I pulled you from under that steel girder before we turned that Raldulian base into a black hole. Yup, that was pretty funny" Dawson chuckled softly.

"You're my hero" Wilson purred as she passed him and ruffled his hair.

Dawson turned his gaze to Scully, who sat staring vacantly, idly scratching at her arm. "What's up with you scull? You look like you've had a session in a genibox."

Scully's eyes focussed as she returned Dawson's gaze, a cold chill suddenly raising goosebumps on her skin. She wasn't sure if it was from the icy cold interior of the spacecraft or the mention of a Genifex Unit.

"Don't even joke about that Dawson" she said gravely. "I wish they'd go back to putting a bullet in your head. You may as well be dead once you're in abeyance with that reprogramming, mind manipulation stuff." Scully shivered again as she thought about the eerily vacant expression on familiar faces as she passed them in Section. She'd heard people jokingly call them obeyance Operatives. It really wasn't funny though, what would Section come up with next. Do away with cold Operatives altogether? There were so few left anyway. Oh well, as long as she continued to be assigned to Michael's Team she had a better than average chance of evading that fate. As she broke out of her own thoughts she heard Dawson babbling on beside her.

".... pretty soon that won't even need us, they can just send the drones out . Yeah, but what happens when the reprogramming starts to stuff up. I heard ..."

"OK, cut the yabber Dawson and hit the showers" Walter cut in. "I want you all looking your best for our welcome home committee."

This drew a chorus of laughter as the remainder of the team made their way cautiously across the freezing cold floor towards their quarters.

"You coming?" Walter asked Michael.

"Yes" Michael responded softly. He sat up slowly then swung his legs gracefully out of the cylinder. He gasped as his feet made contact with the frigid floor.

"What's the problem?" Walter asked as Michael peeled off his sensor pads.

Michael looked up at Walter and blinked slowly. He looked around and then shrugged his shoulders.

"Not sure, something doesn't feel right" he said vaguely.

"Of course it doesn't" Walter replied with a smile "we're finally home. Twelve weeks out and two in transit, I never thought I hear myself say it but its gonna be good to get back to the routine of Section." He shuffled out whistling a tune under his breath.

Michael walked across to a portal and gazed out, a slight frown developing on his face. With a deep breath he moved and keyed in a code then placed his hand on the scanner in the control console. He read the data that came up on the screen before letting out a weary sigh.

"Yes, we're home ... but whose home?" he muttered softly as he made his way to his quarters.

************

Loud chatter and laughter came from the crew room as Michael settled into his chair on the command deck. Compared to the grim faces and terse discussion over the last few weeks of their mission, it was a welcome relief to hear them relaxing. He already felt a touch of guilt that their good humour would soon be cut short.

Michael adjusted settings on the communication panel as a green LED went from flashing to a steady pulse. Operations face started to form on the plasma screen as Michael settled the receiver in his ear. Operations nodded to Michael.

"You'll already be aware your Team has been diverted to attend to a situation developing in the Io system." Operations leaned forward and punched some keys in front of him.

Michael's eyebrow raised slightly as data started streaming across the panel to his left. He skimmed through it as he waited for Operation's to continue.

"Io, you'll be aware, is the was only known source of the iolonium crystal, the primary fuel component in iovector drive systems. Any threat to Io is a threat to our entire transportation network. We can't allow it. Section One has been called in to effect a speedy resolution." Operations leaned in and removed his glasses. He whispered viciously "I do mean speedy, Michael. All eyes will be turned to us, failure is not an option." He sighed and stood straight again. "Madeline and Birkoff have already left. They should be on site by 23:30 universal time with four teams of abeyance operatives programmed for guard duty and surveillance. Another Section team will rendezvous with your ship in two hours. Further instructions will come through then. Any questions?"

Michael glanced at the screen to his left then turned back to Operations. "My team were expecting to be back home, we've been gone for weeks, we are low on supplies" he said evenly, not sure what sort of response he was looking for from Operations.

"The rendezvous team should have some basic supplies to supplement what you have. Brief your team and tell them to make do until you arrive at your destination. You will be fully restocked then. How you manage in the interim is your problem." The screen faded and turned to black.

Michael stared for a while at his shadowy reflection in the empty screen. He reached out tentatively to touch it, wondering if it were a better reflection of him than he had just seen in the mirror in his quarters. For too long now he had just been existing in the shadows; like an old photo he could almost feel the colour slowly fading to greys. He ran a finger slowly down the screen.

With a sigh he stood and made his way tell the others the bad news.

************

"Closing cargo bay doors, re-pressurising cargo lock" Scully announced. She continued to speak quietly into her headset while her fingers swept over the keyboard. "Docking cycle complete" she confirmed, then looked across at Michael expectantly.

"Where have these guys been?" Dawson asked from his position at the communications console. "Do we need to initiate a quarantine procedure?"

Walter leaned down and studied the panel in front of him. "Nah, they're clean. The ship log show's a QP when they left Hyakutake IV yesterday."

"Which team is it anyway?" Davenport asked.

Walter glanced at the screen in front of him before answering "don't know. Our systems data hasn't been updated yet."

Michael glanced at Scully and nodded his head as he left the flight deck. He motioned Walter and Davenport to follow him.

"Opening pressure lock doors" Scully confirmed as they left.

Michael heard the whoosh of the airlock doors opening as they made their way down the corridor. They stood in the doorway watching as Operatives unloaded supplies from the small shuttlecraft parked in the cargo bay.

"Way cool" Davenport smiled "it's Alison's team." He strode in, exchanging handshakes and started to help stack supplies on the deck.

Walter looked across at Michael, seeing a small grin on his face for the first time in weeks.

"I'll go help unload" Walter said with a laugh.

Michael smiled and followed him. As he neared the ramp he saw Alison emerge, talking intensely to one of her team as they glanced down at the panel in her hand. She looked up and saw Michael, smiled, then finished her discussion and motioned him over.

"Walter, Michael, howdy" she smiled.

"Good to see you Alie" Walter laughed as he gave her a hug.

Alison grinned as Michael came to join them. "Well hey, good to see you too, thanks for having us over."

Michael looked over the bruises and cuts on Alison's face and then gave her a soft kiss on each cheek. "Mi casa es tu casa" he said quietly.

She smiled then looked around and called out more instructions to her team as they finished unloading gear and supplies.

Michael turned to Walter. "Walter help get this gear stowed, Davenport show then to quarters. We have a briefing in three hours."

Alison and Michael walked slowly out of the cargo bay towards forward command.

"I just spoke to Operations, he's waiting for us" Alison said absently. She glanced around at the stark architecture of the craft "feels like home already" she murmured.

Michael paused and looked closely at her. "You look as bad as I feel, Alison" he said with a grin.

"Then I must look like hell" she laughed.

************

"I've downloaded the data sent through from Birkoff, it should be with you now" Operations stated. "Factions unknown have made an attempt on the life of Emperor Po. Threats have also been made on the Emperor's family. Madeline will direct protection for the Emperor and his family, Alison you will coordinate elimination of the threat. Michael will assist. I want your analysis and a preliminary profile within the hour. Be on stand-by for further intel as it becomes available. That's all for now."

With a sigh Alison keyed in her security codes and scanned her hand print across the panel in front of Michael. Text and images instantly replaced Operations image on the screen. They both leaned in to read the data.

Alison grunted in disgust, sitting back in her chair as she scrolled through the pages. "This sucks" she groaned, standing up and pacing rapidly behind Michael's chair.

"You're a little on edge" Michael said quietly as he continued to read from the screen.

She sighed softy and resumed her seat.

They quickly settled into the task at hand, as they had many times before; reviewing the information and sketching out a profile.

"We could just round up the key players in the Transportation League, hold them until we have some names. The intel points to their involvement" Michael offered.

"I can't believe it's them. The Emperor has cut off the League's supply before and you know the chaos that ensued. Why would they take such a risk again with such an obvious power play? The Emperor knows how to play the power game and he has the political support" Alison replied.

"It could just be a warning. Testing the status quo. The League must be able to summon the considerable capital needed to engage in a protracted war over control of Io's resources."

"If you knew the Emperor you would know that he would never relinquish control to the League" Alison said quietly.

Michael's eyebrows rose in a questioning gaze as he turned to Alison. "You say that as though you have had dealings with him before?"

"Yeah" Alison replied, her eyes fixed on the screen rather than Michael. As he was about to ask another question she quickly cut in "the Emperor can effect his revenge quickly, iolonuim has a short shelf life and he has a captive audience for supply. No one has been able to replicate the crystal structure or find a method for long term storage. The League may be able to gather the finances and support for a war, but without an alternative fuel source any strike would have to be swift and absolute. A protracted war is not a viable option."

"So what are they up to, the intel is constructing an unlikely scenario. Are we being feed information rather than gathering it?" Michael asked.

"I guess that's what we have to find out" Alison replied, finally turning to face him. "It doesn't fit, that's for sure. If this is the start of a League campaign to wrestle supply from the Emperor it is neither strategic nor likely to succeed."

"Agreed" Michael replied as they turned back to the screen to review the data again.

************

Within half an hour they had developed a preliminary profile. As Alison finalised the report and sent it through to Operations, Michael reached across and hit the code to bring up the image file attached to Birkoff's original data.

The face of Emperor Po flashed on the screen. Michael saw power and wealth mirrored in the cold blue eyes and arrogant set to his chin. Alison flicked to the next image of the Emperor's wife, Rane. Her warm face smiled out at them.

"A study in contrast" Alison mumbled as she finalised the transmission to Operations.

Michael turned his gaze from the screen and directed it at Alison. She ignored him and moved to the next image. Arkanii, the Emperor's son smiled at them. Alison leaned in and studied the image closely.

"He looks like his father" Michael observed.

"Yes ... and no" Alison replied.

Michael glanced across at her, observing the strange expression on her face. A small curve twitched at the corner of his mouth as he noticed her discomfort at his gaze. He looked back at the screen as the face of the Emperor's daughter filled the screen.

"Ahhhh..." Alison sighed, "the lovely Nikita."

"Nikita" Michael repeated slowly. He looked closely at the image. The trademark blonde hair and blue eyes of her father and brother were there, but he saw something else, a strange sense of familiarity he was at a loss to explain. For a brief moment he felt light and warmth, then as quickly as it came, the sensation disappeared.

"She looks like her father" Alison stated blandly.

"Yes ... and no" Michael replied with a smile, spinning his chair around to face her.

Alison returned his smile. "Be still my beating heart" she whispered, a sly grin on her face. "Don't even think about it Michael, my dear friend. She'd have a field day inside your head and I shudder to think what will be left once she's done."

"What do you mean?" Michael asked.

"She's a mystic, it's relatively common among the Ioains; mind reading, visions, prediction, all that psychic mumbo-jumbo. Her father credits her with more skills than most. Then again her father thinks she's better than anyone at most anything."

"You've met her too?" Michael asked as he swung back around to stare at the screen.

"Yes, I've met her" Alison said quietly. "Inside that frosty exterior beats a heart of stone. Her father has worked hard to make her that way, he is priming her to take over from him and nothing will stand in his way. Not the combined might of the Transportation League, certainly not some insignificant pleb from the Section."

Alison refused to look at Michael as he stared at her intensely. Instead she gazed at the face on the screen, lost in her own thoughts.

"It's an interesting image, don't you think?" she said absently, "the same arrogant mask as her father, but if you look closely she really just looks ... sad." Alison played idly with a strand of hair and let out a soft sigh. "Be careful what you want young lady ... for you may surely get it" she recited softly.

He followed Alison's gaze, still perplexed by the reaction he experienced when he first looked at the imperious face that filled the screen.

Alison was right about one thing, she did look sad.

************

Alison and Michael called the Team to order over the loud chatter in the crew room. Michael looked out across the Operatives gathered, recognising that with the addition of Alison's team, Operations had assembled the Section's best field teams. He sat at the end of the table, feeling a strange sense of anticipation that had been missing from his participation in mission briefings for a long while.

"We are on our way to the Io system" Alison began. In the centre of the table she pulled up a holographic image of the System and then flicked through images of the planet surface, the palace and the Emperor and his family.

"There has been a threat to the sovereign leader of the planet, Emperor Po. Madeline will be managing the physical threat, we will be neutralising the source. Operations has approved the profile, its been loaded into systems for your review. There is significant background noise to this mission, so everyone needs to stay cool and vigilant. Notify Michael or I of any anomalies, no matter how minor. Stay close and keep outside interaction to a minimum, we need to stay in the shadows to be effective. Madeline's team will handle anything high profile. Any questions on protocol?"

"This sounds like another damn baby-sit" Richmond muttered.

"That's enough Richmond" Alison sighed. "Section has sent in five teams of abeyance Operatives for guard duty. They'll be providing surveillance inside the palace, we may be called on to assist. Just deal with it" Alison replied.

"Will we have to work with the abeyance Operatives?" Scully asked.

"Not directly" Michael replied, "they have been programmed for guard and will be confined to the interior of the Palace. Madeline and Birkoff will be leading the teams."

"Good" Wilson added, "I don't like working with them."

"I heard that" Dawson added.

"Nobody enjoys working with them but they serve a function" Alison stated "and this time they get us out of baby-sitting duty so just sit back and enjoy. Any more questions?"

"What sort of lifeforms are we dealing with?" Davenport asked.

With a grin, Alison looked across at Michael.

"On Io and its associated planets, human derivatives" Michael replied, "standard procedures apply. Empathic and prescience capability is recorded but not endemic. We should take the precaution of neural scramblers. The threat force could include non-hominids. We need to be ready for any contingency."

Alison looked around and saw there were no other questions. "Your tasks have been assigned, we'll combine the teams and maintain current assignments so you'll be working in tandem. Walter and Ricki, we need an inventory posted down to Io in the next two hours. Dawson and Richmond get into comms, Birkoff will send through updates as they are available. Let me know when they come in. The rest of you start your review and systems check. Send inventory requirements to Michael in the next hour. Our ETA at Io is six hours, there's a lot to do in the interim. I'll schedule another briefing thirty minutes prior to our arrival. Dismissed."

Alison sat down next to Michael as the team moved out to their stations. He flicked absently through the holographic images.

"You can trust them .they'll settle down once they get familiar with the profile" Michael said softly. He spun around to face Alison. "Are you going to tell me why you are so uneasy about this mission Alison?"

"No" she replied, staring into the distance for a moment. Turning to Michael she whispered "not now."

"When you're ready I'll be here" he replied.

She smiled across at him and placed her hand on his then whispered "I know, thanks". She noticed the image of Nikita hovering above the table. Turning to Michael she let out a deep sigh "I see that look in your eye Michael, I've seen it before. Watch out for yourself."

Michael stared at Alison's hands resting on his, then slowly raised his head. Her eyes glistened with moisture as she looked at him.

"You know I am always careful, Alie" he whispered.

"Sure you are Michael and I'll be just as careful when I pick up the pieces and put them back together, again."

************

PART TWO

Madeline was waiting for them when the shuttle docked on Io. Michael could read the anger in her stance and squared his shoulders in preparation. The rest of the Team, sensing a confrontation, moved off to one side and waited quietly.

"We expected you some hours ago, what was the delay?" she snapped.

"Hello Madeline" he nodded, then continued "we were held up in customs while they searched our craft."

"You were cleared to come straight in" she stated quietly, fixing Michael with an icy smile. "Where is the Transport now?"

"At their sub-space docking station, they wouldn't allow us to land. Alison has stayed on-board with a skeleton crew while she and Operations negotiate clearance."

"We had planned to use the Section Transport as our base for the duration." Madeline sighed and then turned her attention to the others. "Birkoff is waiting outside, he'll take you to temporary accommodation where you can wait while we sort this out." She turned back to Michael as Walter led the others out.

"Come" Madeline said as she spun on her heels and led Michael into the communications room at the rear of the shuttle bay. She nodded curtly at the two officers inside and sat behind one of the panels, indicating Michael should join her.

Michael slid into the seat beside her and started scanning the local communications frequencies to pick up Alison or Operations. He had been feeling a strange light-headedness ever since they had come into the gravitational field of Io. As he scanned frequencies he was having difficulty controlling the twitch in the corner of his mouth that threatened to erupt into a full-blown smile. Sensing Madeline's frosty glare he turned to face her as he finally tuned into Operations tense discussion with the surface Port Commander.

"What is it Michael?" she demanded.

Michael let the smile emerge as he passed her a comm set. Adjusting some dials he said softly "I've missed you Madeline."

Her face softened imperceptibly as she placed the comm set in her ear. "Well now, that is amusing."

************

"Report" Operation's voice bellowed out from the screen as they settled around the briefing table in the Section Transport.

"We have intercepted a number of deep space transmissions between a senior member of the Emperor's staff and the League, nothing solid but incriminating nonetheless. Birkoff is maintaining a standing watch" Madeline stated.

"Most of the information passing hands is detail on the Emperors movements, schematics of the palace, guard rosters, that sort of thing" Birkoff added.

"Are they using secure channels?" Alison asked.

"No, they're bundled in routine transmissions" Birkoff replied.

"Do we have a source?" Operations asked.

"The trace indicates the source is one Bretnik Rastan" Birkoff replied.

Michael noticed Alison glare at Birkoff. She was about to say something just as Operations asked another question.

"Profile?"

Madeline pulled up data up on the holoscreen in the centre of the table. "He's been with the family for many years, tutored Nikita and Arkanii from early childhood, close to the Emperor, confidant to Rane. He has high level clearance. He's been passed over many times for the coveted position of Principal Advisor on Council when his background should make him more than suitable. My analysis suggests a 60% probability of involvement."

"Is the Emperor aware of these transmissions?" Michael asked.

"Not as this stage" Birkoff responded.

"We have a ... delicate ... relationship with the Emperor" Operations glared at Alison. "60% is not enough to proceed. We need something more solid before we go to the Council." Operations looked around the table. "Anything else?"

"Do we have an identity for the League member receiving the transmissions?" Alison asked.

"Not yet, its going to a multi-user address" Birkoff replied.

"We'll need that intel before we can proceed with any action on Rastan. Can we fast-track some undercover activity to monitor activity from within the League?" Alison asked.

"Yes" Operations replied. "We have a couple of deep cover Operatives in other areas of the League we can move into place quickly. Madeline I want an update on security measures within the Palace, step up surveillance on our target. Alison, I'll expect a revised profile in the next 48 hours. We will be on 24 hour standby here. I want to see everything that comes in. We need to resolve this quickly and quietly. Get moving." Operations snapped, nodded at them as his screen image faded.

************

Nikita sat staring at the documents in front of her, a deep frown etched on her face. Again she tried to focus on the words. The strange images that had been plaguing her for days danced across the pages, mocking her attempts at concentration. She always had supreme control over her visions, that she couldn't make sense of these random images frustrated her to the extreme. In a fit of anger she swept her arm across the desk sending pages fluttering to the floor.

"What is Nikita?" Arkanii asked as he bent to pick up the pages. The concern on his face at this uncharacteristic display of anger took her by surprise.

"I don't know" she sighed and rested her head against the desk. The cool, smooth stone felt good against her cheek.

"Your Father wants that contract finished" Rastan said nervously, "he will be here soon." He walked over and placed a hand softly on Nikita's brow. Her skin felt cool but he could sense the vibration and heat emanating from her mind within. "What is that you are seeing child?"

Nikita brushed his hand away and sat up. "It's nothing" she said irritably, immediately regretting her tone when she saw the wounded look on Rastan's face.

Arkanii looked up from where he sat on the floor reading through the papers. "Nikita, Rastan is trying to help you" he said softy.

"Of course you are Rastan, I'm sorry" Nikita murmured as she stood and walked slowly around the room.

Arkanaii moved to sit at her desk. As he worked he spoke softly "we cannot help if you do not tell us what is troubling you."

Her brother's soft voice calmed her as she tried to gather her thoughts. She had so few people she could confide in. She felt a stab of guilt at her behavior over the last few days to these two that were the only sunshine in the dark prison slowly being fashioned around her.

"I am not sure I can explain, there is no experience before from which I can draw on to make sense of it." She continued to pace around the large room. "It is not a vision, there is no beginning and no end. It is just a random series of images, some recurring, most new."

"Describe the recurring images, Nikita" Rastan asked. He sat patiently waiting for her to work through her aggression in the hope it would bring more clarity.

"I can't" she whispered, realising as soon as the words left her lips that he would know she was lying.

Rastan stared at her with his quiet intensity. Both she and her bother were the product of a domineering fathers smothering love and withering disregard. As if this traitorous thought had summoned him, Rastan looked up at the sound of the doors opening. Two guards entered and stood silently to attention as the Emperor breezed in. From the corner of his vision Rastan saw Arkanii stand quickly at the sound of the doors and move away from Nikita's desk.

"Here you are Nikita" the Emperor boomed as he gently kissed her cheek. "Where are those contracts? We are due at the Council." He glanced across at Arkanii and Rastan, acknowledging their presence with a slight nod of his head before turning his attention back to Nikita.

Nikita looked into the expectant, trusting face of her father. She turned and stared at the pile of papers neatly stacked on her desk, the guilt of not finishing the task he had assigned her stung. Her father strode across to the desk and picked up the papers, his head nodding slowly as he flicked through the pages.

"Ahhh" he sighed as he turned to her with a broad smile. "So they have changed the terms of our agreement. Well done Nikita, again."

"Well done?" Nikita replied absently.

"Well done, Nikita" Arkanii confirmed.

Nikita looked across at her brother, saw his warm smile and the slight nod of his head. She returned his smile and walked over to him, knowing it would irritate her father but moving forward just the same.

Looking him in the eye she whispered "thank you, Arkanii."

The Emperor looked across at them and let out a contemptuous grunt. "Come Nikita, the Council is waiting for us." He moved towards the door, holding out his hand and waiting.

Nikita smiled grimly and walked towards him as another series of images flashed across the periphery of her vision. She saw Rastan close his eyes and then felt his presence in her head as the jumbled images starting to take on a familiar form. The intensity of the vision made her heart race and sent a burning heat through her body. Closing her eyes she saw the shadows swirling around a pair of bright green orbs. Time seemed to stop as the orbs formed into eyes that blinked slowly. She felt the pain and hope that radiated from the eyes as though they were a mirror into her own, secret, desires. The image faded to be replaced by a blackness made all the darker and colder by the moment of pure joy that had just passed.

Nikita opened her eyes to the concerned face of her Father.

"Nikita?" he asked impatiently "what is it you are seeing?"

For some reason she could not explain she was unwilling to share this vision with her father. As her silence endured, his look of concern turned to suspicion.

"Come, we will talk of this later" he said quietly.

"Yes Father" she sighed as she took his hand and let him lead her away.

************

When Nikita returned to her chambers she found Rastan waiting for her.

"Did the Council have any more information regarding who is involved in this terrible conspiracy?" he asked.

"No" she replied, taking a seat next to him. "Father has sent the Imperial Guard out to gather information. Madeline informed us more of the Section convicts have arrived, they are searching but of course have nothing."

Rastan smiled "these sound like your Fathers words, Nikita, not yours. Why should you feel such anger against those who would risk all to protect you?"

"My Father is knowledgeable in these matters Rastan. You should not dismiss so lightly the wisdom and guidance he can provide. Besides, how can they protect me from something they do not understand." She stood and walked over to the window, gazing absently at the manicured lawns and gardens.

"Remember the last time they were here" she whispered viciously "they turned my Father against Arkanii. Why should I put my trust in them again?"

"Things are not always what they seem, Nikita. Trust, like love, is an emotion of the heart, not just the brain. I think this is what your vision is telling you, trust your own eyes. You must start making your own decision, trust they will be the right ones. You cannot continue letting your Father make all decisions on your behalf."

"He does not make all my decisions, Rastan, that is absurd. It is true that he has made hard demands of me, but he only has my best interest in his heart" she said angrily

"Of course Nikita, no one is questioning your Fathers love." He sighed and walked over to join her at the window. He continued in a soft voice "love has many forms, Nikita, you have yet to experience the full spectrum. But love cannot flourish without trust. It is either here ... "he said pointing to his heart and his head, "...or it is not."

He dropped his arms and took a step closer to her and whispered softly. "The question you must ask of yourself, then, is of those who love you, whom can you trust?"

************

Michael sat wedged in a corner of the noisy club. One arm was firmly around Alison's shoulders, the other caressed her waist as he talked softly into her ear. Alison smiled and gently stroked his chest.

"Davenport, any sign?" Michael asked as he ran his tongue slowly along Alison's ear and down to her jaw. One hand snaked its way under her tight fighting shirt, his fingers dancing erotically against her skin.

"Nothing here" came Davenport's voice. Michael smiled at Alison and shook his head slowly as if to disagree.

A soft groan exploded from his lips as he felt Alison's vice like grip on a tender part of his anatomy. Tears moistened his eyes as he quickly withdrew his offending tongue and hand. He sighed audibly as he felt her grip relax. Smiling at him with a tinge of sorrow, she gently wiped a tear from the corner of his eye. "Please don't, ... not now" she said sadly, breathing the words against his lips so no one else would hear.

Michael nodded his head slowly and looked at her with sad eyes. Touching a hand to her cheek he heard her whisper "Scully report".

"Nothing" Scully hummed.

"Dawson?"

"This place is dead" Dawson droned "we've been chasing ghosts all week."

"Richmond?"

"Nothing. This sucks big time" Richmond added.

Michael leaned forward and brushed his lips tentatively against Alison's neck. "Cut the chatter" he hissed. "Birkoff, any movement outside."

"Hold on Michael, I may have something..."

Michael pulled Alison into his lap so she could scan the bar area from over his shoulder.

"Dawson move to cover Scully's position, Mack you take the front entrance, Richmond and Wilson move to the edge of the dance floor near the rear stairs" she directed.

Michael shifted positions with Alison so he could observe the Operatives move slowly to their new positions.

"There is movement in an alleyway behind the building, I'm tracking someone moving towards the rear exit. Three bodies moving quickly through the club to the same exit door" Birkoff confirmed

Alison jumped up from Michael's lap. With a smile she leant down and pressed her lips to his ear, her fingers gripping his hair. "Hold your positions, wait for my call" she whispered.

Michael held her close and whispered softly "we could find another way."

Alison shook her head and smiled. "See you in a minute" she whispered in response.

Michael returned her smile. "How about another drink" he asked. She nodded her head in agreement. His eyes were fixed on her sexy swagger as she headed towards the back of the club.

"Birkoff, Alison is moving into position" Michael said softly as he stood and reached inside his jacket for his wallet, at the same time removing his gun and placing it in his pocket.

"She's live" Birkoff replied.

Alison glanced down the dark corridor at the back of the club and saw their target talking to three others in a doorway.

"Its him, start sequence" she whispered.

She swaggered down the corridor, placing a hand in her pocket and positioning the tracker on a fingertip. When she neared the men she struggled to remove her hand from the pocket of her skin hugging skirt, swaying unsteadily from the effort she bumped against their target.

"Whoa there" he exclaimed, "what are you doing back here baby, the parties out front." He reached out to steady her as Alison lost balance again and fell heavily against him, wrapping an arm clumsily around his neck to stop her fall.

"Sorry, whew, I ummm..." she slurred.

He wrapped an arm around her waist to hold her upright. "Looks like you've had a bit too much to drink honey, not used to the juice they serve here huh?" Alison leaned against him and giggled inanely as he ran his hands lecherously over her body. "We about done here boy's" he smiled at the others "this little lady needs some fresh air and I feel a certain need coming on too."

"Yeah, we're done" one of them smirked "don't hang around too long outside we can't afford exposure at this stage. You'll hear from us again at the end of the week."

"I'll be just as long as it takes" he laughed, tugging on Alison's arm he pulled her out and into the dark alley behind the club.

They crossed the alley and he pushed her roughly against the opposing wall. Gripping her wrists with one hand he pulled her arms above her head, his free hand groped wildly at her breasts, tearing her shirt. It felt like he his hands were everywhere, pinching and pulling at her flesh. He pulled one of her hands to the zipper on his pants, rubbing it over the fabric. Groaning against her neck, his teeth bit into her soft flesh before he moved his mouth to hers. His tongue forced her lips open and invaded her mouth. A hand reached under her skirt, clutching hungrily at her underwear as he ground his hips against her. As he forced her legs apart with his knee she started mumbling. He ignored her until he could feel her start to struggle against him.

"What?" he said impatiently.

"... sick" Alison mumbled again "I'm going to be sick."

He quickly released her arms and stepped back. Alison covered her mouth with her hands and staggered away from him, falling to the ground and crawling forward into the shadows.

He listened to the noise of her retching. "That's OK baby" he crooned "you do what you gotta do, I'm happy to wait for what you got to offer." He leaned back against the wall and lit a cigarette, suddenly aware of the silence.

"Baby doll?" he called. "Now where'd you get to?" he called again. With a sigh of frustration he followed Alison's track into the darkness ahead.

************

Michael leaned quietly against a wall at the back of the club watching the three men huddled at the entrance to the corridor Alison had taken, he quickly surveyed the area. "Start sequence" he said quietly.

Richmond and Wilson moved over to join Dawson and Scully. They exchanged noisy greetings and moved back towards Michael's position to find a quiet place to talk, effectively screening off the three men behind them from the view of others at the rear of the club.

Michael turned swiftly and walked towards the three men, he nodded slightly as he sidestepped to pass them. At the same instant he swung a leg out and heard the snap of bone as one of the men dropped to the ground. His fist shot out and connected with the temple of the man closest to him, his hand forcing him to ground. With his other hand he pulled his gun and aimed as the third man ran down the dark corridor towards the exit. As Michael was about to fire he watched the man suddenly drop to the ground. In his place stood Alison, a small grin on her face as she stared at the gun in Michael's hand.

"Sequence complete" she whispered as she watched Michael smile and nod his head. "Rear Team help with our packages, forward Team move out now. Birkoff pick them up and then bring the shuttle around to the back entrance in ten minutes. Do you have our target up yet?"

"Yes, he left the site five minutes ago, you weren't exposed. We have location and audio signals coming in loud and clear. See you in ten" Birkoff replied.

Michael walked slowly towards Alison. Sensing she didn't want him any closer he merely stood and stared into her eyes. "You OK?" he asked softly.

"I'm fine" she shrugged, pulling at her torn shirt. She glanced at the others for a moment and then turned back to Michael, a wild look in her eyes. "You sure know how to show a girl a good time" she whispered. Michael smiled grimly and helped her drag the body out towards the alley.

************

"Nikita, come, come. I have been neglecting you of late with all that has been happening. Please sit" the Emperor smiled and kissed her lightly on the cheek as he led her into his office.

Nikita returned his smile and took her seat in front of his desk.

"That will be all." The Emperor waved his hand at the two guards that stood inside his door. They turned swiftly and left.

"I have been worried about you my sweet daughter" the Emperor said softly as he stood and poured water into a glass. He placed it in front of her, on his desk.

"Thank you, Father" she nodded "You should not worry. I am fine."

"You look tired, I fear your visions have been troubling you and you have not be sleeping."

"It is true I have not been sleeping well, but I'm sure this will pass. There is much going on, perhaps this is the reason. Rastan has given me some medication to help."

"Rastan? Why did you not seek out my doctor for help?"

"Rastan offered, what does it matter."

"As you say, Nikita, there is much going on. You should be careful who you trust to care for you."

Nikita gave her father a curious glance.

"I trust Rastan, Father" she said softly.

"Of course" he smiled, "have you discussed with him these visions that have been troubling you?"

"No, not really. They are nothing of any consequence."

"Perhaps you should let me be the judge of that, Nikita. What is it you have been seeing?"

"I cannot tell you Father" Nikita said softly, noting the intense gaze of her father. She shifted slightly in her seat "I cannot tell you because I do not understand yet what they are telling me. It is appears to be nothing relevant to our current situation."

"I expect a briefing as soon as you can elucidate the nature of these visions."

"Of course, Father."

The Emperor smiled and nodded his head patiently, looking down at his hands for moment. He lifted his gaze slowly back to Nikita.

"You have been spending much time of late with Arkanii."

"Yes, since Trea and Xantes left suddenly for the outer colonies he has been helping me with my studies."

"That was unfortunate. I trust it was not too disruptive for you. The Instructor at Bope asked for their skills specifically." The Emperor clasped his hands in front of him, smiling softly at Nikita.

"It was disappointing, rather than disruptive, Father. I miss their company."

"Yes, but this is the burden we bear when we must put the needs of our people ahead of our own. This is a lesson you must also learn. It is, often, a lonely road governing unselfishly, that is why we must look to each for support, Nikita."

"Yes Father, you have always been a great comfort to me" Nikita smiled.

He stood and wandered towards the glass wall that looked out over the grounds of the palace.

"Have you had cause yet to interact with these 'people' from the Section?" he asked.

"No, I have been avoiding them as best I can, as you instructed."

"It is for the best, Nikita, their ranks are drawn from the basest elements of society. We tolerate them as a necessary evil to undertake the work that would be a waste of better men and women."

"I sense this father, their minds are mysterious and dark."

The Emperor sighed and nodded his head. "Indeed. I wish your brother was so wise." He turned and looked towards Nikita. "Has he been in contact with their people?" he asked softly.

"Not that I am aware of. I have seen him briefly with that woman that was here last time, but nothing more. He has learnt his lesson, Father, I am sure he will not trust them again."

"Well, we will see. Come, sit with me by the window a while and tell me how your studies are progressing."

"I would love this, Father, but I must go to Rastan. He will be waiting for me so we can go through the contracts one last time."

"Ahhh, yes. I should have mentioned to you earlier that Rastan has been called away to attend to urgent negotiations with the Charter Alliance. I do not expect him back for some time."

Nikita stared ahead for a moment before turning to meet her fathers gaze. "This is sad news" she said softly, "I hope he is successful."

"Yes, yes, the Council were insistent that Rastan was the only one who could look after our interests with those mercenaries from the League. I am grateful he agreed to go at such short notice."

"It is strange he did not say goodbye" Nikita whispered.

"Not at all, my child. He understood the urgency of his commission" the Emperor smiled sadly and held out his arm. "Come Nikita, sit with me. It seems we have time after all."

************

Madeline entered the briefing room and took the vacant seat next to Alison.

"I've finished discussing the situation with our three 'guests'. They have provided us with names of the principles and the location of their base. I have used some mild memory modification and sent one of them back out." Madeline gave a small smile and then glanced at the hologram of the city, floating on the table in front of them. "We also have the names of three members of the League who have been receiving information. They could neither confirm nor deny Rastan's involvement."

Madeline settled her gaze expectantly on Alison.

"Good" Alison replied. "I consider it unlikely that Rastan is involved, though its clear we have at least one conspirator amongst the Emperor's senior staff. Birkoff, what's happening with our tracker."

"The tracker we placed has provided us with two further locations. Our intel from the audio indicates they'll move in the next week, the primary targets are the Emperor and his daughter."

"We still don't know where or in what form they will strike" Michael added. His gaze drifted momentarily to the abeyance Operatives standing silently around them. Their conditioning was so absolute that even in this "friendly" environment they were standing to attention, faces vacant as they guarded the perimeter.

"Can we lose the statues?" Dawson finally asked, following Michael's gaze around the room, "they give me the heebie jeebies."

There were murmurs of agreement from the Operatives around the table.

"Zip-it Dawson" Alison sighed "they need to know what's going on just like the rest of us." Alison turned to Madeline "how do you want to proceed with briefing the Emperor?"

"I have requested a meeting in one hour, you and Michael will accompany me. We will brief him on what we have to date and I will recommend he and Nikita stay within the palace until the sequence is complete." She nodded towards the Operatives standing behind them. "I have updated the palace teams. We'll focus on the inside perimeter of the palace, the Emperor's Guards will take the grounds."

"I suggest we keep details of the threat to a minimum until we can confirm the identity of the informer within the Palace" Alison said.

"Agreed" Madeline responded. "Of course, the Emperor will make accusations if we take this approach." She looked across at Alison who merely shrugged. "I'll take care of it" Madeline added.

"Fine" Alison nodded, then turned to Michael.

"We will gather the intel we need on the location and contents of the base from the locations here in the city and then neutralise them. Based on this intel we then move to the base located on Oort, an outer moon of Io. You'll need O2 suits, Walter has them laid out in systems." Michael stated. "We will be posting the mission profile and assignments in the next hour. Inventory is already with Walter so get kited up, review the profile and report back here in two hours. That will be all."

************

Alison, Michael and Madeline remained at the briefing table as the other Operatives filed out. When the room was empty but for them, Alison turned slowly to Michael and pushed a button on the console in front of them. Michael heard the whoosh of the door closing as he fixed his gaze on Alison's troubled face.

She spoke softly, watching her fingers as she tapped against the hard surface of the table. "Seven years ago I was involved in a similar mission here on Io. Our intel indicated the League was involved in efforts to smuggle a significant quantity of iolonium off planet. The Emperor's son Arkanii became involved." Alison suddenly shifted her gaze from Michael and stared vacantly across the room.

"On his own initiative, Arkanii accessed secure files somewhere on their system" Madeline continued. "Against our advice, he took this information with data from our files to the Council. The Emperor was seriously displeased he had become involved in the mission, and insisted Arkanii name the conspirators. He refused, and insisted in turn that he would only reveal this detail to his Father. A heated quarrel ensued, ending in the Emperor denouncing his son to the Council. He implicated the Section as the cause of his son's rebellion."

"The Emperor maintains a deep distrust of the Section as a result of this" Alison said softly as she took up the story again. "We were ordered to withdraw by Oversight. The iolonium that had been stockpiled was never recovered and the case against the conspirators abandoned. The situation was not made any easier by the relationship that developed between Arkanii and I." She paused for a moment then turned to Michael, her face indifferent but for her eyes, which glistened with emotion. "It was a mistake."

Michael noticed Madeline's sad gaze as she shifted slightly in her seat and then rose.

"We need to brief Operations" she said softly. "I'll patch through from the Command Deck. Meet me at the shuttle port in thirty minutes." Placing a hand momentarily on Alison's shoulder, Madeline turned and left the room.

Michael turned his attention to Alison, watching the relentless drumming of her fingers on the table.

"Did you love this man?" Michael asked.

"Maybe..." Alison whispered as he reached across and held her fingers still. "Probably" she added a moment later.

They sat quietly staring at the hologram still hovering on the table. Michael pressed a button in front of him and deactivated the beam. Alison stood slowly and headed for the door. Before she could leave Michael reached for her arm and grabbed her hand.

"Who would Arkanii have named?" Michael asked softly, certain now that he would have trusted Alison with this information.

She stood facing the doorway for a moment before turning to Michael. Her face was impossible to read as she settled her gaze on his.

"His Father" she replied evenly.

************

PART THREE

Michael and Alison followed Madeline into the sparsely furnished Council Chambers. A sheer fabric hung down in swathes from the ceiling, covering the walls of glass and producing a shimmering light within the room. At the end of a huge stone table the Emperor sat on a dias, his family around him. They were in turn circled by members of the Council and the Commanders of the Imperial Guard.

"You finally have information for our consideration?" the Emperor asked, not bothering to mask the sarcasm in his deep voice.

"Yes" Madeline replied crisply. "Our information indicates the conspirators intend a strike against you and your daughter sometime in the next seven days."

The Emperor nodded his head slowly at this information. "And what do you intend to do to protect my daughter from this 'strike'?" he asked.

"We recommend you stay within the perimeter of the Palace, our personnel will be positioned to repel any immediate threat" Madeline offered.

"And what if the threat is already positioned within the walls of the Palace?" the Emperor asked.

"We have information that will allow us to identify if this is a possibility. We should be able to provide more detail on the nature of the threat in the next 48 hours" Madeline supplied.

"So in the meantime my daughter and I are exposed. You are offering me nothing but innuendo and contingencies Madeline. Is this the best your people can do?" The Emperor glanced around the room with a taunting look. "Surely you should be able to offer me more than vague plans and bold words when the very life of my daughter hangs in the balance" he stated softly.

"Of course Your Highness" Madeline replied with an icy smile "Your safety and that of your daughter is our primary concern. Though, I'm sure you will agree that it is also important for us to safeguard and secure the resource that maintains your Family and people within their current level of ... prosperity." She smiled magnanimously at the Emperor.

The Emperor returned her smile with a scowl, nodding his head slightly to indicate his agreement. "What actions will you be taking to identify the nature of the threat?"

"As soon as this briefing is concluded a team of Section Operatives will undertake a sweep of the locations of those known to be involved in the conspiracy" Madeline replied.

The Emperor clasped his hands in his lap and stared intently at the three Section operatives at the end of the table. He looked down for a moment and then turned his gaze to Nikita. She stared ahead vacantly and he recognised from her posture that she was in the midst of a vision episode. He made a note to ask her about this when they concluded. He turned his gaze back to Madeline.

"I am not satisfied that these ... guards ... you have stationed around the Palace will be sufficient to protect Nikita." Glaring at Madeline and Alison he continued "I want nothing less than your best Operative guarding my daughter, this is not negotiable" the Emperor hissed.

"Of course" Madeline smiled. She stared intensely at the Emperor for a brief moment "Alison is our senior and most experienced Operative on site" Madeline stated evenly.

A deep scowl formed on the Emperor's face as he stared at Alison. She met his gaze, her face not wavering from the calm expression she had worn throughout the meeting.

"I am aware of your activities" he announced, the hatred dripping from each word. "I will not have a Section whore guarding my daughter."

"As you wish Emperor, I'm sure you know best" Madeline replied slowly, her mouth arching into a glacial smile. She paused for a moment and then continued "Michael could be made available."

For the first time during the meeting the Emperor cast his full attention on Michael. Michael returned the gaze with cool indifference.

"Fine" the Emperor agreed "I trust you will take the necessary precautions, this time."

"You have always been able to trust us" Alison said softly, speaking for the first time. She rose from the table and nodded to Arkanii and Rane, then glanced briefly at Nikita before turning and leaving the room.

Madeline gave a satisfied smile and stood. Michael, not feeling the lease bit satisfied, rose beside her. Casting a final glance towards Nikita he followed Madeline out of the room.

************

Madeline paced as Michael and Alison sat at the briefing table back at the Section Transport.

"You will do this Michael" Madeline stated evenly, again "I understand your concerns but they are secondary to this objective. You will join the guard team in the palace and protect the Emperor's daughter, as requested."

Michael sat rigidly in his seat, tired of arguing with Madeline. They had been at it for nearly an hour. He glanced quickly at Alison, she had been silent throughout the heated exchange, just as she had in their earlier meeting.

Michael heard Alison sigh deeply as she stood and turned, talking quietly with Madeline in a corner of the room. As Madeline left the room Alison took her seat again, slouching low and pulling her legs up to rest on the table. They sat in silence for a long while before Michael finally spoke.

"I don't want to do this Alison" he whispered.

"I know" she replied softly "... but you need to, and you will."

Michael sighed and turned his chair to face her.

"Send one of the others. You need my help, the mission profile requires both of us." He worked hard to keep the pleading tone from his voice.

Alison turned her face to him and saw the desperation in his eyes.

"You told me to be careful" he whispered "I am being careful. Don't make me do this."

She shook her head and sighed. "You need to do this Michael, you need to find yourself again. I was wrong about her. Arkanii was right. She has changed, I saw it the moment she looked at you."

"It's a mistake" he threw back at her.

"Maybe, but it will be my mistake, not yours."

"Then don't do it."

Alison pulled her legs off the desk and moved her chair closer to Michael, placing her hands gently against his cheeks. She held his head and gazed into his eyes.

"I know you're afraid but you must trust me. Tell me, honestly, that you don't want this chance."

"I will let you down."

"Tell me."

"I want this chance" Michael finally whispered.

Alison nodded her head and pulled him towards her, wrapping him in her arms and rocking him gently.

************

Nikita sat at her desk beside Arkanii. She rubbed her fingers against her temples again, longing for a moment's respite from the images within her head. They had been getting stronger and more persistent all day. Her father had restricted her movements to the family quarters in the Palace, her normal duties suspended until the Section team returned. Arkanii had spent the day with her as they reviewed the new round of contracts with the League. His cheerful presence had helped relieve the boredom of her task. He had also helped to distract her from the silent shadow that had been hovering near her since the early morning.

She glanced across at Michael again, this time trying to disguise it with a stretch of her body. He was sitting quietly in the adjoining room, his eyes directed at a small communications device in his hand. He occasionally spoke into the tiny communicator that extended from his ear, his voice too soft for her to hear. When he glanced up she quickly diverted her eyes back to her work.

"Why don't you talk to him Nikita, it may help to indulge your curiosity" Arkanii said quietly.

Nikita turned to her brother with a look of indignation. "I am not the least bit curious, I know exactly what he is" she replied.

"So you have already seen inside him?" Arkanii asked.

"No, his mind is a shadow to me, I see nothing but the images that have been with me for days" she said, the frustration clear in her voice.

"Curious" Arkanii said. "You cannot use your skills to access him and yet you seem drawn to him as a moth is to a flame." Arkanii chuckled softly "curious...."

"Don't be absurd Arkanii. He is a distraction, nothing more, and like all distractions he will soon be forgotten." She turned back to the papers on her desk.

Arkanii smiled sadly "Would that it were so easy, Nikita." He stared at Michael for a moment and then turned back to Nikita. "Is your life so full that you would disregard an opportunity for 'distraction', no matter how brief."

"What do you mean? You are getting as bad as Rastan, he has been talking in riddles for days."

"I see the walls our Father is erecting around you, he controls who you speak to, what you do, where you go, even what you think. Do you not think it strange that all those who you get close to suddenly disappear? I fear that if you do not step out from under his shadow soon it will consume you."

"Now you are sounding like Rastan. I think all that has happened between you and our Father has made you see demons where none exist. Why will you never talk of it with me? She must have hurt you very badly."

"Oh Nikita, for one so wise and gifted it amazes me that you can sometimes be so oblivious to the truth the stares you in the eyes." Arkanii brushed his hand along her cheek and gently cupped her chin. "Alison did not hurt me, at least by her own actions. You should judge her by the person she is, not from the web of lies and perfidy that has been spun around her."

"But I hear and see what these Section people get up to, I read it in the cold dark minds of the Operatives around the palace. I have seen the terrible things they do and the moral vacuum in which they operate."

Arkanii sighed and stretched his legs out under the desk. "Do you trust me Nikita?" he finally asked.

"Yes, of course" she replied quickly.

"Then believe me when I tell you that you will never understand what happened between Alison and I if you do not open your mind and heart to possibility. Have some compassion for the job they do Nikita, it is often cruel and unpleasant, always thankless, but upon it is built the fabric of everything we take for granted."

Arkanii stood slowly. After a moments hesitation he walked in to the adjoining room. Nikita watched as he shook Michael's hand and then sat with him by the window. Nikita felt her breath catch as a warm smile shone briefly on Michael's face from some comment her brother had made. After a moment both their heads bowed and they sat locked in a private discussion.

Arkanii was right, Nikita had to admit to herself. There was a connection between her and this stranger that she had never experienced before. It transcended her powers and pulled her towards him in a way that was both tantalizing and frightening in its intensity. She felt a warm flush on her skin as she imagined what it would be like to touch him, run her hands through his hair, feel his breath against her cheek. With a sudden intake of breath she noticed him watching her, a curious look on his face as Arkanii walked back in to join her pocketing a small data reader.

"Good night Nikita" Arkanii said softly and leaned down to kiss her cheek. "I will return in the morning and we can finish this."

Nikita watched him leave and then turned back to the blur of papers in front of her. She felt her pulse start to drum frenetically against her skin with the realisation that, for the first time all day, she and Michael were alone.

************

Davenport slowly lowered Alison through the small vent in the ceiling. When he felt the tension ease off the rope he pulled it up quickly. Bending down he waited for her to get in position in the small space and then passed her weapon through. As she reached up to take it from him he held it for a moment, a tense smile on his face.

"See you soon Alison" he whispered, hopefully. Alison nodded and gave him a quick smile as he replaced the cover of the vent. He stared down and shook his head slowly. He was unhappy Michael was being wasted on baby-sitting duty. He was unhappy with the profile Alison had come up with that had her going in alone. And finally, he was unhappy because the last two sites had given them nothing, the places deserted and cleaned out before they arrived. He was starting to get a real bad feeling about this whole mission.

"Dawson, Alison's on her way."

"I got her big guy, she's on my grid and winking."

"Were moving to Point A, set the damping field."

"Will do, let me know when you're in place. Standing by"

He stood slowly and made his way quietly down the stairs to join up with the rest of the Team.

************

Alison made slow progress, the vent space was smaller than the plans indicated. As she moved her body painfully around another ninety-degree bend she noticed a faint glow in the distance giving a vague definition to the absolute dark. Inching forward she pushed the pulse rifle ahead of her, trying to ignore the jagged edges of steel and cables biting into her skin. She could hear snippets of conversation as she passed silently through the rooms of the building.

As she rounded another bend the light increased dramatically and she blinked, adjusting her eyes.

"Dawson, confirm I am at the bridge" she whispered.

Dawson's slow drawl boomed in her ear "You're there Alison, take it slow, we don't wanna be scrapping your cute butt off the road."

She smiled and eased herself slowly through the narrow join that separated the internal conduit to the external passage, linking it to the building across the road. She settled her weight as she passed into the external passage, pushing the gun ahead and feeling the conduit sway precariously around her. She flattened her body out and waited, then moved forward again, developing a rhythm her mind could focus on rather than the two hundred metres of space between her and the ground below. Arm forward, push, breathe, arm forward, pull, breathe. She repeated it over and over as she traversed the thirty metres of passage. The darkness of the building joint loomed blissfully ahead. With a sigh she hoisted her body through the join and laid still for a moment, taking deep breaths to calm the pulse throbbing in her head.

"I'm through" she sighed softly. "Confirm ahead twenty metres and then right ten."

"That's confirmed" Dawson replied "my guess is twelve minutes puts you close enough to give our bad guys a little touch of Section hospitality."

"OK" she whispered "Davenport?"

"Here Alison."

"Move into position, start sequencing on my mark. Stay in contact with Dawson."

Alison started forward again, willing her aching body to move as her lungs struggled to get enough oxygen from the fetid air in the conduit. As she rounded the final bend she slowed, rolling on to her back as she struggled to remove a small laser drill and optic transmitter from her jacket. Wiping the sweat from her palms and face, she turned and moved forward again, aware of every small sound her body made as she positioned herself over the target room. She could hear quiet discussion from below. Pulling her weapon underneath her, she reached out and steadied her hands as she activated the drill, the quiet hum seemed deafening in the silence. Making a pinpoint hole in the conduit she withdrew the drill and placed the optic cable inside the tiny hole. Positioning her eye over the viewer she pressed the transmit button and scanned the device around the room.

"I have visual Alison" Dawson whispered "confirming four dudes by the eastern door, two at the rear by the external window, three at the table in the centre of the room and our slime-boy from the club doing the pacing thing. Looks like they're expecting us. Confirm ten bodies and positions with a pulse."

Alison depressed the transmit button once.

"Confirmed. Davenport you reading?"

"Got it, we're in position and ready" Davenport replied.

"Wait for confirmation. They've got some pretty fancy hardware in there so you kids keep your heads low. Hold on a sec Alison, what's that...?"

Alison shifted the viewer to see what Dawson had picked up. Below her the alarm on the thermal scanner flashed wildly as all heads in the room looked around and then up at the ceiling. In the moment of panic as they reached for their weapons, Alison hissed "go" and set the laser drill to maximum, directing the beam in every direction at the metal around her. The conduit collapsed beneath her and she tumbled to the floor in a tangle of cables and wiring, spraying an arc of bullets that sent the others in the room diving for cover. She groaned loudly as she made contact with the floor. Rolling quickly on to her stomach she dropped the two by the window as she heard Davenport and the rest of the team come crashing through the door.

Within seconds it was over. Alison rolled slowly onto her back and pulled her knees up, breathing deeply. She grinned at Davenport as his large frame loomed above her, a concerned look on his face.

"You OK?" he asked.

"Yeah" she said softly. "Guess we tell Walter his stealth suit needs some fine tuning" she murmured, rubbing idly at the high collar of the body suit she wore under her mission gear.

Davenport raised an eyebrow and nodded.

"Take your time, Richmond's just 'introducing' himself to your buddy from the club and running through a few things with him, shouldn't take long and then we'll be on our way" Davenport smiled.

Alison nodded her head. "We need him alive" she whispered.

"He'll be alive, just be wishing he wasn't is all."

She nodded again and with a smile he moved off to supervise the removal of the rest of their captives. Alison's body seemed unwilling to cooperate in her attempts to stand, so she just stretched out on the floor, enjoying the steady flow of air into her lungs. She listened to the activity around her as they gathered the weapons and electronic equipment.

"Dawson?" she whispered.

"Yes Mam'?" his voice echoed in her ear.

"Section One, you know, it's not just a job - it's an adventure."

"Hell, that's what I always thought" he replied.

"Dawson?"

"I'm hangin' on your every word."

"Sequence complete."

************

Michael sat quietly in the dark against the far wall. His eyes kept drifting towards Nikita as she lay spread out on the lounge, reading a book under the intense beam of a small light. She had ignored him from the moment Arkanii left a few hours ago. Sensing her discomfort at his intrusion of her private chambers, he had stayed out of her way.

At a bit of a loss as to what he should next, Michael wandered over to the glass paneled wall and stared out into the darkness. He had already made his last communication with Alison for the day. They had the intel they needed from the site on Io and were now in transit to secure the base. He looked up at the stars and sighed. At the sound of the door opening he turned quickly, his weapon immediately in his hand. Two servants brought in a small bed and stood warily at the door, looking across at Michael. Nikita turned briefly towards him and then motioned the servants to put their burden in the corner of her study. They followed her instructions silently and left.

"I'll check on the guards" Michael mumbled softly as the door closed behind Nikita's servants. Reaching for his comm unit, he stepped out into the corridor and spoke with the Operatives stationed outside Nikita's door. He sighed in frustration as he waited for them to confirm his commands with Madeline. Each time he had instructed them to do something during the day they had to go through this farce, their programming not extending to accept his directives. Willing himself to relax he heard Madeline's confirmation as the Operatives moved to take up their new positions.

With a deep breath he turned and re-entered Nikita's room, once again feeling a persistent, throbbing need as he looked across at her. He stood quietly against the door getting himself back in control. His mind was torn between wanting to be here and wanting to be with Alison and his team. Nikita's indifference and inactivity were combining to make him a bundle of nervous energy.

Nikita closed her book and walked over to the entrance of her bedchamber. She looked in at her huge bed piled with soft down and pillows then glanced across at narrow cot set in the corner of the study.

"I'm sorry that is all we could manage, it is a temporary arrangement after all" she said distractedly. Then, as if as an afterthought she added "perhaps the lounge would be more comfortable. I often fall asleep there."

"Thank you" Michael said softly.

She stood clutching the doorframe, her brother's words again coming to mind. She turned and noticed he was still standing in the doorway, watching her.

"Good night Michael" Nikita said, a small smile lighting her face.

Michael smiled in return, "good night Nikita."

His soft voice echoed in her ears as she turned off the lights and climbed into bed.

************

The transport landed with a heavy thump, bouncing across the soft surface of Oort. Richmond gritted his teeth at the impact, trusting eyes directed at Scully as she expertly maneuvered the craft to a stop. With a sigh of relief he stretched and unbuckled the harness pinning him against the cold wall. Davenport grunted beside him as he stretched his hands above his head.

Looking around he saw people start to move slowly into action. Across from him Alison lay slumped in her harness, her head resting against the broad straps supporting her shoulders, still fast asleep.

"First time I've seen her sleep since we hooked up" Davenport said quietly.

"Only place I've ever seen her sleep in the two years I've been on her Team" Richmond replied.

"Wake her up?" Davenport asked.

"Nah, no need, she'll be up roaring round and barking orders soon enough. Something in the stuff we picked up on Io has her nervous, let her sleep it off if that's what she needs to do."

Davenport noted how Tucker and Noble from Alison's Team stood quietly by her sleeping form, subtly moving people in the opposite direction until the deck was clear.