Burn Notice

Amid rumors of a growing insurgency in the Niger Delta, Michael Westen was sent to the NiCongo oil refinery in the port city of Porcouri. A 10 year CIA veteran with experience as an OPEC covert operative, his instructions were to make contact with the insurgents at the plant and gather intelligence on reported plans to retake the Bakassi peninsula from Cameroon.

Establishing himself as, James Iwo, a supporter of the late Sani Abacha, bent on reversing the UN ruling that gave away Bakassi, Westen quickly attracted like-minded individuals. The reports he sent back, through a chain of false identities and invented supporters, told a terrifying tale. Plans were underway as far east as Calabar to damage pipelines and slow production and increase attacks along the Cameroon border.

Westen's lastest report, sent out 2 weeks earlier, had told of the rebels' intent to create a fictitious Islamic extremist group. The 'Niroon Islamists' would take public credit for the death and destruction, while deverting the world's attention from the real rebels. Knowing that the post 9/11 world had zero tolerance, Westen worried that they might just succeed.

Awaiting further instructions, most likely a new assignment, he comtemplated a quiet vacation on a beach somewhere far from oil refineries and international intrigue. With umbrella drinks and bikini-clad women on his mind, he slit open the manila envelope. As several black and white photos dropped to his desk and he scanned the signature at the bottom of the letter, Michael Westen knew that things had gone very, very wrong.

Dear Mr. Iwo,

It is with deepest regret that we must inform you that your project has been cancelled and no further funds will be allocated. To that end, we ask that you cease all further contact with our office.

"You Have Been BURNED!"

Sincerely,

James Alton Montgomery

For seven years, 'Monty' had blamed Westen for his loss of stature at the Agency and had made it his raison d'etre to discredit the man he felt stole his job. But, as he dropped the letter and picked up the photographs, he wondered if someone higher up had helped Monty create pictures of 'Michael Westen' planting explosives along the pipeline.



Find out what really happened to Michael Westen at USA Network's Burn Notice.