Sometimes We Don't Succeed Affair Chapter 1/5
Go-go dancing, Thrush villains, and Kolob Canyon are the backdrop of a new project by Thrush. The agents need not only to put a stop to it, but first they must find out exactly what the project is.
Chapter 1
Illya prowled like a caged tiger. He couldn’t believe his luck or rather the lack of it. The mission had been a milk run but the information needed to be delivered by a Section Two and he had been tired of no activity. Napoleon had laughed at him when he had volunteered.
“You must really be bored stiff for something to do Illya. You do realize this information is going to Kansas City, Missouri, don’t you?”
“I need something to do that does not include paperwork. The lab has nothing cooking at this time and this will get me out of the office. I know we will not be sent out on assignment until the end of the week when your Section Two meetings are done.”
“Well partner, I’d do this myself to get out of them if I could but Waverly insists that I be there to ensure North America is well represented. These arguments between the different headquarters are driving me nuts.”
“You are the head of Section Two in New York so what did you expect. Everyone wants something and there are only so many resources. Now give me the packet and I will see you tomorrow.”
…..
Illya had no problems making the drop; it was on the way back to the hotel that he noticed Steven Naan, a Thrush chieftain whose appearance usually meant major trouble for UNCLE and the community he was in.
He had notified headquarters of his discovery and his intentions to follow the man. For two days, Naan went from business to business never staying more than a few minutes. Then on the third day he entered a nightclub that specialized in go-go dancing.
The chieftain had gone into a back room and after an hour Illya had informed headquarters he
was going to investigate. Heading down the hall toward the back room, he had heard a noise behind him. Turning he had seen a rifle handle just before it contacted with his head. As darkness came, he had heard, “Welcome Mr. Kuryakin. I’ve been waiting to meet you,” followed by laughter.
……
He had woke up later in a cell where he had opened his eyes slowly looking around his prison. His foot had been chained to a stake in the middle of the floor, clothes had been removed and replaced with a plain jumpsuit and sandals, and all his equipment had been removed. He had a headache that threatened to split his head in half but he didn't think that he had a concussion.
“You might as well sit up Mr. Kuryakin.” Naan voice came from the area of the door.
He knew there was no reason to pretend he was still out. Standing he took a good look at the cell. It was typical of where he spent many hours in his career. A small toilet sat in the corner, cot attached to the wall with a thin mattress and blanket, three stone walls and bars covering the last wall.
“It’s so nice to finally meet you in person Mr. Kuryakin. I’ve been the recipient of your handiwork many times in the past, but never a face to face meeting.”
“What do you want?” Illya growled. His head hurt too much to play games and this man had caused so much destruction in the past that he was very concerned as to what the man was up to this time.
“Really, can we have some manners? Or is that beyond your peasant upbringing?”
“You have done nothing to earn manners from me. Again what do you want Naan? My patience is running low right now.” Illya snapped at the man.
The Thrush agent entered the cell with three of his men with their rifles pointing at Kuryakin.
“I would like to know what you are doing in St. Louis and why you were following me? How did UNCLE find found out I was here and how do they know about my project?”
“Would you like my hat and shoe size also?” The Russian was known to antagonize his captors and although his partner was always warning him of the consequences of his actions, he continued to do it.
A rifle connected with his stomach sending him to one knee. As the guard went to bring it down again, Naan held up his hand.
“Mr. Kuryakin, you can either make this easy on yourself, or pay the price for your stubbornness. I’ll get the information one way or another.”
“Idi k chertu (go to hell).”
Naan’s hand fell indicating that the guard should continue. The rifle connected with Kuryakin’s head sending him back into darkness.
…..
The next few times Illya became conscious he was tied to a chair where they beat then drugged him. He knew they would never believe he just happened to see the Thrush agent so decided it wasn’t even worth the effect to make them accept it. His silence continued to frustrate his capturers, which they took out on him.
During the last session a messenger had entered the room and had whispered something to Naan. The beating had stopped and Illya had been thrown back in his cell.
“Give him some food and water,” he had ordered. “We want him to be in able to answer questions when his partner joins him. No sense in wasting our time with him when Mr. Solo might be willing to talk to us.”
……….
So now he prowled the cell wondering what was happening and if Napoleon would be able to stay safe. He knew they would try to use one against the other to get the information. Unfortunately, he didn’t have anything to bargain with.
…..
Three days after Illya’s Capture:
“I do not like how this is going to go down Solo,” Jo was not happy with the CEA’s plan. “There has to be another way.”
“It took us this long to find Illya and for you and Jimmy to get jobs. We need to get in now before he’s hurt too bad.”
“But you could wind up in as much trouble as him,” she wasn’t ready for another person she cared about get captured.
“And you, Jimmy, what do you think?” He asked Jo’s partner. The agent was just out of survival school and needed to become more confident in his own opinion.
“I’m not sure. I mean it sounds like a good plan but what if something goes wrong?” Jimmy wasn’t convinced which senior agent was right.
“That’s why you two are here. You’re my backups. Naan’s plans usually take more than one team to take down so we’ll go in with that in mind.”
“You have the extra tracers implanted?” Jo demanded not ready to accept the plan yet.
“Yes mother and I’ve exactly,” he looked at his watch. “Seventy-two hours before my stomach acid dissolves them. Any other questions? Now, don’t you two need to get back to the club?”
She grabbed her jacket and paused long enough to give Napoleon a lingering kiss. “You better not get yourself killed, Solo, or I will never let you hear the end of it. Come on Jimmy, work is waiting.”
He watched as the two left. He was hoping that his plan worked as putting himself in the hands of Thrush was never his favorite way to resolve an assignment. But if Naan was involved it was serious and would happen quickly. Besides he had a missing partner he needed to rescue.
….
S
olo sat tapping the table in time to the rock music around him. The dancers in the cages shook their body in time to the beat of the music and if he wasn’t here on assignment he would have liked to see if more than one of them could ring his bell.
Laughing to himself, he knew that wouldn’t happen as Jo would ring more than one bell if he attempted to indulge his thoughts. Funny thing was he really didn’t mind, she was more than enough for him.
Sam Steelton, the manager of the club and member of Thrush had recognized Solo when he entered. Watching him, Steelton noticed that the American was keeping his eye on the new strawberry blonde dancer.
She was dressed in a rhinestone embedded black mini top and shorts, black go-go boots and hair swinging to the music’s rhythm. She oozed confidence. Knowing Solo’s reputation with women an idea formed that would make Thrush stand up and notice him.
Napoleon made it obvious that although he was keeping one eye on what was going around him, he was also keeping an eye on one dancer. The flashing lights and booming music on the cages drew attention to her actions. Watching as she left her cage, she headed toward her boss who waved her over.
“Very nice job, Nicki. How would you like to earn some extra money?” Sam inquired.
“Depends on what I have to do,” she popped her gum as she answered.
“That guy over there with the brunette hair…”
“The one who has been undressing me with his eyes while I was dancing?”
“Yes, that’s the one. I’d like you to take him upstairs and keep him entertained until we are ready for him.”
“Hey, I ain’t going to jump into bed with just any guy,” she popped her gum again.
“All you have to do is keep him company and put a few drops from this bottle in his drink. It only ensures that he’ll not give us any trouble when we come to get him.”
“How much do I get paid for this little favor?”
“It will be well worth your while.”
Nicki smiles, “Sounds like fun and he ain’t bad on the eyes.”
Picking up an empty glass she approached Napoleon’s table.
“Want to buy a girl another drink?”
Solo stood and pulled out a chair for her.
“Ah, a gentleman. I like that.”
“My name is Napoleon Solo, and you’re?” He said motioning for a waiter.
“What can I get for you two?” The waiter stood waiting to take their order. Jimmy grinned at his co-agents. Lowering his voice, he informed the CEA.
“Sam’s keeping an eye on you and there are more of his men in the back. I’ve spotted three.”
“You can call me Nicki. About that drink, I take Vodka straight up.”
“And I’ll have a Scotch over ice.” He ordered dismissing the waiter with a wave of his hand.
With drinks ordered, Napoleon appeared to relax, knowing that Thrush was on to him and his kidnapping was arranged.
He leaned in close to Jo, “So what is the plan?”
Laughing as if he said something funny, she whispered back.
“Drugged drink then they plan on taking you away, but first I need to get you upstairs.”
“And since when was that ever a problem for you,” he pulled her toward him giving her a quick kiss.
For the next hour or so, the two became very friendly. While it was obvious that although the agent was watching for someone, the dancer was getting at least half his attention.
…..
Excusing herself to go the bathroom, she was stopped by Sam. “Get him upstairs now and use the drops. You’ll only need two. See that he drinks it and within five minutes he’ll give us no resistance when we come up to get him.”
“You sure it will not hurt him. I think he is kinda cute.” Jo tried to sound unsure of what they were asking her to do.
“It’ll just make him compliance and unable to defend himself. We’ve a few questions for him that will be better asked without other people around. Beside there’s a hundred in it for you.”
“Well a hundred would be nice, and you promise he will not be hurt?”
“Promise.”
“Okay I will take him up.”
…..
When she returned to the table, she held her hand out to him.
“Well let’s get this show on the road. “With that he took her hand, kissed it and stood.
She allowed him to pull her close and laughed as he whispered in her ear.
“I’ve spotted four men over toward the door. That makes seven besides Sam. My guess is their center of operations is someplace close.”
Chapter 2 http://mfu-scrapbook.livejournal.com/820241.html