Dropping in on Old Enemies (Part 1) - Picfic - June 9th

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

It had been decades since the old water mill had been in operation. The wheel was rotting and the stone building was crumbling, yet it looked beautiful nestled amongst the overgrown foliage. Not that Illya Kuryakin had any inclination to admire the surrounding beauty. It was what he couldn’t see which held his interest.

Two days previously, U.N.C.L.E. agents had infiltrated a symposium which a THRUSH scientist was known to be attending. Dr Graham was then brought to New York for an in-depth questioning, and after several hours, gave up the location of a chemical production plant. According to the doctor, the facility was where truth serums were developed and tested. Illya had been despatched to reconnoitre the area before a proper plan could be put into place. Pulling out his communicator, he called HQ.

“How goes it, partner mine?”

“Not good, Napoleon,” Illya confessed. “Would you tell me, again, the directions I was supposed to follow.”

“Don’t tell me you’re lost.”

Illya chose to ignore the mocking tone in his partner’s voice, knowing it would worsen if he admitted that he could actually be lost.

“Okay, you were to go north from town, following the river for a mile and a half.”

“This is what I have done,” the Russian told him. “I have been at least three miles along the river and back, and all I have found is an ancient mill.”

“I’ll call you back.”

As we waited for his partner to get back to him, Illya began a more meticulous search of the area. Dr Graham had told them that the installation was mainly above ground, with a single basement level, but there was no harm in looking for a hidden entrance to an underground facility.

It was at least five minutes before his communicator started beeping, and as Illya answered it, the ground suddenly gave way beneath his feet. He tried to grab on anything with reach as the earth swallowed him up, but everything he caught hold of came away in his hand. In his office, Napoleon was instantly on his feet at the sound of the Illya’s surprised cry.

“Illya! Tovarisch, talk to me!”

When no response was forthcoming, Napoleon snatched up the phone and called communications.

“Joanne, is Mr Kuryakin’s channel still open?”

“Yes it is.”

“I’ve lost contact with him,” he informed her. “Keep trying to raise him. I’m going to Mr Waverly’s office.”

In the boss’s office, Napoleon apprised Mr Waverly of the situation. The old man gestured for the CEA while called for the file on the mission.

“It would appear that we have been misled by Dr Graham, but then that is why Mr Kuryakin was checking up on the information in the first place. I take it you wish to go and retrieve him.”

“Yes Sir,” Solo conceded. “Apart from anything else, he could be injured.”

“Indeed, indeed,” Waverly replied, as he chewed the end of his pipe. “Very well, Mr Solo. We shall continue to attempt communication with Mr Kuryakin. Call in when you arrive at the mill.”


…………………………………………………………………………………….


Illya opened his eyes and groaned. He wasn’t sure how far he’d fallen, but it had been far enough to turn him into one massive bruise. Carefully sitting himself up, he peered into the gloom, and could just make out that he was in a tunnel. He thought about fishing his flashlight from his pocket, but decided against it; thinking it would be more prudent to retain his night vision. After making sure he hadn’t broken anything, Illya got to his feet and began to inch his way along the tunnel.

He hadn’t gone far, when he was stopped in his tracks by a blinding light. From beyond the glow came a voice Illya recognised.

“Hello, Mr Kuryakin. How very nice of you to drop in on us.”


To be continued with the next picfic.



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I apologise for beginning another WIP, and for the short length of this part. It hasn’t been a great week for me, but I missed last week’s picfic, and didn’t want to miss another.

Comments

[lindafishes8.livejournal.com]

"truth serums were developed and tested?" This can't be good for IK! Don't leave us hanging too long. (Get it? 'Hanging' too long? Like, most of the time he gets strung up and he's left hanging? Forget it. Bad pun...) :P

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

Have you been learning the art of bad punning from Napoleon ? :-)

I haven't strung IK up yet, but I wouldn't rule it out ;-)