We exhibit the appropriate variables allowing the plus-minus (Z(2)) 'reduction' of the 'Wilson loop operator which provides a direct measure of the thin, thick and 'mixed' Z(2) topological, gauge-invariant vortices in SU(2) LGT. Simulations with the Wilson action, as well as a perfect action smoothing procedure, show the string tension to be reproduced from the contributions of these excitations.