I could tell this would be a difficult task.
Michael had seemed withdrawn and depressed lately. I wasn't sure that this
was the right action to take but was willing to take the risk if it might
bring him out of the shadows that he was lost in.
I picked up a packet of files and glossy photos that lay on my desk. Sifting
through them and seeing nothing immediately, I started to lose hope. Then
I found the picture. She looked like such an angel with her corn silk blonde
hair and dazzling azure eyes that, even through the dirt and tattered clothing
she was dressed in, I knew that she was the one. Picking up her file I
read her story with widening eyes and a measure of sympathy. Though the
sympathy did not last long, it was enough to make me save her file in my
desk drawer with the others who may measure up.
Later that day, after looking at file after file and picture and picture
after picture, I found my attention still on the girl. Nikita, I remembered.
An unusual name. I lifted her file once again and studied it more intently
than the first time. She looked nothing like Simone and acted just the
opposite of her. Nikita had personality, that I was sure of. It would be
a long, difficult journey but I was sure that, as well as being an excellent
operative, she would win Michael's heart and bring him out of the darkness.
There I made my choice, fully aware of the consequences and declaring to
myself not to tell Operations how far the relationship would probably go.
There was still something bothering me about this particular woman though.
I had not read at length what her crime had been, so I decided to do so
before calling in Operations and then, Michael.
Skimming through the police reports I came to the conclusion that she had
murdered a police officer yet pleaded innocent. Before this she had lived
on the streets, scavenging for food when she was hungry and warmth when
cold. When she was convicted it seemed as though the right thing was happening.
Though I would probably never voice this aloud, I had my doubts. What would
motivate her to kill? She seemed to have a record of pure innocence, no
violence recorded and certainly nothing to point to a future as a criminal.
This had been her first offense. I had strong suspicions that she was innocent
but pushed those aside. What we needed was for Michael to get better, be
healthy and be the perfect operative once again. She had been found guilty,
therefore met the requirements for a Section recruit. I made my decision,
a decision that would effect her entire life, in less than five minutes
and called Operations into my office.
The meeting went fairly quickly, when it came to psychological aspects
of Section, Operations left things up to me. He had no idea, and did not
pretend to, of the importance of a happy operative. Or at least, a stable
one. Michael, being neither of these things, was his prize operative and
he wanted him fixed. No matter what the cost. I had to agree, we needed
him. Maybe more than he needed us. I waited until Operations was safely
in his office and called Michael into my office. He entered quietly, looking
thinner than in years and like he hadn't slept in that long. I smiled and
gestured to a chair. He ignored the gesture and continued to stand.
"Michael, we have a new assignment for you." I said this casually, as though
handing him another responsibility, another woman, was something ordinary.
It wasn't and he knew it.
"What is it Madeline?" He asked softly, closing his eyes ever so briefly.
I knew he was exasperated with mind games, tired of tests and just wanted
to go home. I feared that if he went home he wouldn't be coming back
to Section alive.
I handed the folder to him without further preamble and he looked at the
cover blankly. Without opening it, he handed it back to me.
I would not accept it.
"Take it Michael. Study it. Learn about her. About her
fears, dislikes and her heart. Use these things to train her. Create
a new person." And forget about Simone, I willed silently.
Forget about her and move on. I hoped he had enough strength
to do this.
"Yes." He answered with barely concealed rage. He hated me
right now, though I knew this was for the best.
"She is in Entry. Go see her after reviewing the file." Without
a word, he left. I watched him go, a new hope inside me. I knew Nikita
would be able to break him out of melancholy and I was happy with the choice
I made. Walking back to my desk, now content that Section would soon
be back to normal, I turned on my computer and began to create a new profile
of the new recruit, Nikita.