Need to Know

1 December, 2003

The crucible gathered in conference room 4, everyone arriving a little early. Kate had not yet arrived when Colin stepped through the doorway and took a seat at the far end of the table from CJ.

"E'eryone ready tae be abou' i', then?" the ghost asked cheerfully.

"I am", Liz said. "I've made some amazing breakthroughs in the last couple of weeks - not needing to sleep has been a real boost - but I admit I'm looking forward to getting out into the field again."

CJ rolled her eyes as Kate walked in.

"I'm glad to hear it, Agent Vance", the woman said. "We have a critical mission ahead for you."

"They trust us enough for a critical mission?" Ryan asked with a grin. "I figured we'd be on little old lady duties from now on."

Sean blinked in confusion. "Huh?"

Kate just smirked as Ryan explained.

"Lots of older women come in, wanting us to make sure there dead husbands aren't watching them sugar momma some young cutie." The banshee grinned. "Not very exciting, that's for sure."

"And not what we had in mind for you." Kate kept smiling. "Though if you want such a job, I'm sure it can be arranged."

Sean shook his head. "Well, as tempting as the other plan sounds, if you've got something critical..."

CJ snickered.

"Now that that's out of the way", Kate continued. "Shall we get on with it? Good. The mission is fairly simple."

"So even we can't screw it up", CJ muttered, drawing a laugh from the others.

Kate sighed. "Right, I see I need to get this out before anyone else from the peanut gallery feels obliged to comment. This mission is absolutely on a need-to-know basis. I know that sound hackneyed, but it's true.

"We have a mole within Terrel & Squibb, one Kelly Michaels." Kate scowled. "Unfortunately, we believe she's been found out, and we need to get her out of there."

Sean let out a low whistle. "We have moles in T&S?"

"As they probably have here", Liz said quietly.

Ryan nodded. "Hence the need-to-know bit."

"Exactly", Kate responded. "Agent Michaels is due for a meeting this evening at 9:30. Her normal drop point is the Starlight Drive-In on I-20. The theater has been abadoned for several years, so it's been an ideal rendez-vous thus far."

"But if they've made her as a mole", CJ said suspiciously, "they may have made the location as well."

"I did say simple", Kate answered with a smile. "Not easy."

"We should stake out the drive-in, then", Liz said decisively. "As soon as possible."

CJ nodded. "I agree."

Sean clutched at his chest and goggled in amazement. "A miracle! They agree on something!"

CJ shot the wisp a righteous bird while Colin, Ryan, and Scooter laughed.

"Dinnae worry, i' will nay las'", Colin replied through the snickers.

Liz rolled her eyes. "I'm serious, guys. Do we know if Kelly will project or be solid? If she projects, Sean can wend her out immediately, otherwise, we need to have a place to go."

"Normally, she meets with us in the flesh", Kate offered.

"So we need some quick agents in there as well", CJ said.

"And we know you'll be going in solid", Scooter remarked with a grin. "You always do."

The brunette scowled at him. "You want one of those birds, too?"

"Ok, folks, relax", Ryan said calmly. "Let's just figure this out. CJ and Sean can go in solid, since it's too early to wake Liz out of the cradle, right?"

Liz nodded.

"Can we borrow Mrrshan?" Colin asked suddenly.

Kate blinked. "I suppose so, why?"

"If I ride the dog, I can wander around looking like a stray", the ghost said with a shrug. "Makes a good cover."

"That's a good idea", Liz said. "He's probably fitted with one of those ID chips, right? I can inhabit that and stay out of sight."

"Believe it or not", CJ began, giving everyone a dirty look. "I actually agree again."

"So", Sean said with a grin. "We take the van, hide it somewhere nearby, stake out the place until tonight, grab Kelly and bring her back here. That the plan?"

Heads nodded around the table.

"Wow." The wisp looked at everyone. "Maybe we can all just get along."

<--PREVIOUS

DON'T LOOK BACK

NEXT-->

Last Updated: February 2, 2004 by Blake Sorensen