For the April Challenge on MFUWSS
Title: Smoke and Mirrors
Genre: Man from UNCLE
Rating: PG
Prompt - Smoke and Mirrors
My thanks to Sparky for her Beta and to MFUWSS for a fun challenge.
“How are you holding up?” His partner wiped moisture from his brow and counted his heartbeats.
“Honestly? I’ve been better.” He crouched behind the packing crate and checked his clip. “I only have a few bullets left.”
“You only need one if you make it count.”
“You make it sound so easy.”
“No, killing a man should never be easy.” He slowed his breathing, concentrating upon himself. “I don’t like killing even when it’s between us and the enemy.” There was an explosion of sound and a crate splintered close to his ear. “However, in this case--” He bobbed up, fired and dropped back down. “We have to move now or we might not get another chance.”
“After you, my dear Alfonse.”
“Easier said than done. You take the four hundred on the right and I’ll take the four hundred on the left.”
“On three… one, two, THREE!” They burst from behind the crate and charged forward into the gunfire.
So shocked was the shooter that for a moment he lost concentration and that was all either of them needed. They left him in a limp heap on the cold concrete floor.
“The exit should be to the right.”
“Okay, follow me--” He started his run and then slammed to a stop at the obstacle abruptly confronting him. It was their worst nightmare.
There he was, standing formidably, arms crossed, not a glimmer of emotion on his face, and them with no cover.
The smoke billowed around him as the head cocked. Without warning, they brought up their weapons and fired. There was the sound of splintering glass and the image broke into a million pieces.
“What the hell?”
“Smoke and mirrors. It’s like some twisted sort of funhouse.”
“I’m not having fun.” Another corner, another image, not exactly but close enough. Then another and another.
They fired again and again until everything was spent, including their energy. Then one of the images stepped away and fired. The two men had just a moment to register surprise before collapsing.
“Well, that was interesting.” He coughed and waved a hand in front of his face. “Napoleon, could you cut the smoke, please. I’m developing a smoker’s cough out here.”
Napoleon crept from the shadows, a self-satisfied smile on his face. “Now, I would call that well played.” He walked up to Illya and frowned, pulling out his handkerchief. “You’re bleeding.”
“Piece of mirror. The hard part was not flinching.”
“I was honestly just happy that they never shot the right image.”
“You and me both. Do you think Mr. Waverly will let me voucher these carnival tickets?
“You can try. After your latest sleight of hand, I put nothing past you.”
Genre: Man from UNCLE
Rating: PG
Prompt - Smoke and Mirrors
My thanks to Sparky for her Beta and to MFUWSS for a fun challenge.
“How are you holding up?” His partner wiped moisture from his brow and counted his heartbeats.
“Honestly? I’ve been better.” He crouched behind the packing crate and checked his clip. “I only have a few bullets left.”
“You only need one if you make it count.”
“You make it sound so easy.”
“No, killing a man should never be easy.” He slowed his breathing, concentrating upon himself. “I don’t like killing even when it’s between us and the enemy.” There was an explosion of sound and a crate splintered close to his ear. “However, in this case--” He bobbed up, fired and dropped back down. “We have to move now or we might not get another chance.”
“After you, my dear Alfonse.”
“Easier said than done. You take the four hundred on the right and I’ll take the four hundred on the left.”
“On three… one, two, THREE!” They burst from behind the crate and charged forward into the gunfire.
So shocked was the shooter that for a moment he lost concentration and that was all either of them needed. They left him in a limp heap on the cold concrete floor.
“The exit should be to the right.”
“Okay, follow me--” He started his run and then slammed to a stop at the obstacle abruptly confronting him. It was their worst nightmare.
There he was, standing formidably, arms crossed, not a glimmer of emotion on his face, and them with no cover.
The smoke billowed around him as the head cocked. Without warning, they brought up their weapons and fired. There was the sound of splintering glass and the image broke into a million pieces.
“What the hell?”
“Smoke and mirrors. It’s like some twisted sort of funhouse.”
“I’m not having fun.” Another corner, another image, not exactly but close enough. Then another and another.
They fired again and again until everything was spent, including their energy. Then one of the images stepped away and fired. The two men had just a moment to register surprise before collapsing.
“Well, that was interesting.” He coughed and waved a hand in front of his face. “Napoleon, could you cut the smoke, please. I’m developing a smoker’s cough out here.”
Napoleon crept from the shadows, a self-satisfied smile on his face. “Now, I would call that well played.” He walked up to Illya and frowned, pulling out his handkerchief. “You’re bleeding.”
“Piece of mirror. The hard part was not flinching.”
“I was honestly just happy that they never shot the right image.”
“You and me both. Do you think Mr. Waverly will let me voucher these carnival tickets?
“You can try. After your latest sleight of hand, I put nothing past you.”