"A Soft Spot" for the Short Affair
Jul. 6th, 2015 08:36 am![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
mrua7.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
section7mfuChallenge:The Short Affair
-Prompt Word #1 - Abyss
-Prompt Colour – Pink
Title: A soft spot
Author: mrua7
Charlie Simmons was an innocuous sort of fellow. He was of average height, with very plain features. When the dark-haired young man spoke his words were soft and wispy. There was really nothing memorable about him at all.
In a way his personality fit his job at U.N.C.L.E but being a clerk down in File 40 had its perks, at least to him.
He got to read everything, as he’s not only filed reports by title, but crossed referenced them by location and the agents involved. He had an eidetic memory and recalled everything he read, just like Mr. Kuryakin. That gave Charlie a sort of connection he thought, with a superspy like the Soviet agent.
If someone couldn’t recall the name of an affair, all Charlie had to do was ask where it had been and the name of the agent or agents involved. Instantly he knew which file it was, and the date it was completed. So if Mr. Waverly wanted the records for an incident in Venice involving Mr. Solo falling into one of the canals and contracting pneumonia; he’d have it in the blink of an eye. The Galatea Affair.” Piece of cake. That was the sum total of Charlie Simmons' excitement in life; living vicariously through the exploits of others.
He sighed a lot.
Charlie longed to break free of his confines in the abyss that was the File 40 archive and have some real adventures, just like his favorite agents, Solo and Kuryakin.
Theirs were the biggest files and he’d read them all in detail. He had his nose buried in their latest assignment, a successful one of course. Taking place in Alaska; it involved stopping a fellow named G. Emory Partridge from mining a highly explosive mineral.
“Ahem.” Someone cleared their throat.
Charlie looked up, coming face to face with Napoleon Solo.
“Oh yes, sorry sir. I was preoccupied reading one of your newest reports. Really exciting stuff, wow what I wouldn’t give to be out in the field. You know, on an adventure.”
“Charlie, it’s not all fun. Field work isn’t romantic, it’s very dangerous.”
“Oh yeah I know. By the way could you call me Chas from now on? It sounds so much more cool doesn’t it? Chas Simmons...U.N.C.L.E. agent.”
Napoleon was going to chastise him but decided to let the kid have his little fantasy.“Umm, yeah sure Chas. It’s a good name for a spy.”
“Gee do you think so Mr. Solo?” Simmons’ face flushed pink with excitement.
“Absolutely. Now if you don’t mind, I need a file?
After getting what he needed Napoleon thanked Chas and for a moment contemplated doing something to give the guy a thrill, perhaps sending him on a bogus mission?
“No,” Solo told himself. ”Don’t do it.” He remembered the incident with Mandy Stevenson. * She was like Charlie...Chas, wanting to break the mundane routine of her job by joining in something exciting. It ended up being a near disaster, and he couldn’t...shouldn’t do anything like that again. He’d caught hell from Waverly as it was, though the situation ended on a positive note, thank goodness.
Napoleon knew better all right, but couldn’t help himself. He had a soft spot, feeling sorry for the kid; he took of paper from his jacket pocket, quickly jotting down a note.
“Chas I need an envelope please.”
“Sure Mr. Solo, I have one right here.” He opened his desk, drawer taking one out.
Napoleon quickly put the note inside it, licking and sealing the envelope.
“I have a mission for you Chas, just a courier drop mind you but important none the less. I know it’s not part of your job description but are you up to it?”
“Golly, for real? I mean yes sir I am!” Chas’ voice went up an octave, cracking as he spoke.
“I want to you take this envelope and be very careful with it. It contains vital information that needs to be delivered to Mr. Kuryakin precisely at 6:45 this evening. You’re to meet him at Chang's Chinese restaurant, and the password is...umm, Mr. Waterloo sent me.”
“Mr. Solo? That’s not a password it’s a whole sentence, I mean a pass…”
“Chas do you want the assignment or not?”
“Yes, sorry... yes I do.” He took the offered envelope from Solo’s hand. “You can count on me sir. I won’t let you down.”
“Good, now remember to be careful and discreet. Keep an eye out for anyone who might be following you and take evasive action but do not engage.”
“I promise sir.” Chas actually saluted.
Napoleon smiled, hoping this little ruse wouldn’t end in disaster. How could it, really? It was such a simple plan.”
Chas left work exactly on time, keeping to his routine, and as luck would have it the trench coat he was wearing came in handy as it had begun to rain. He didn’t look out of place at all.
As he walked up onto the street he looked in either direction, making sure he wasn’t being watched and with a loud whistle he hailed a yellow cab for the trip to the restaurant. 'Stealth was his friend, discretion his motto.' He couldn't help but giggle with excitement at that thought.
He kept looking back as the taxi slowly drove off, suddenly becoming nervous when he spotted a black sedan immediately pulling out behind them.
“Driver can you pick it up a little, I think we’re being tailed.”
“Tailed kid? Whadda you some sorta spy?” The driver chortled.
“Umm, no. I think someone has been following me, keeping track of my movements. I’m being stalked by...by an ex-girlfriend.”
“Okay buddy, I hear ya. Ex’s can be a real pain in the butt can’t they?”
In truth Chas didn’t know as he’d never had a girlfriend.
After eluding the sedan, he was dropped off at the restaurant where he found Illya seated at a back table having his dinner, and skulking forward, Chas whispered him the password.
Kuryakin looked at him like he had two heads.
“Charlie, what are you on about?”
“Jeez Mr. K. Mr. Solo umm, Mr.Waterloo sent me with this,” His voice sounded desperate as he looked around before handing over the envelope.
Illya quickly opened it, rolling his eyes as he read. “I need you to wait outside Charlie.”
“It’s umm, Chas Mr. K,” he corrected his fellow agent with a sense of bravado.
“Oh? Well, please do as I say Chas.”
Ten minutes later Illya appeared carrying a paper sack. “Take it to this address and under no circumstances are you to open the bag. I know it smells like Chinese food but that is...part of the cover. Good luck.”
Feeling more nervous than ever, Chas took another cab to an address in the East forties. He climbed the stairs to the third floor, and rapped gently on the door.
A pretty blonde woman opened it and took the package, handing him fifty cents. “Thank you,” she smiled, wishing him a good night before closing the door.
Chas sighed in relief. He’d completed his first courier mission without any snafus. This was great. He was bursting with excitement, and it was a shame he couldn’t tell anyone about it.
.
Napoleon answered the chirp of his communicator, suspecting it was his partner calling him.
“Solo here.”
“Napoleon, next time you want to send an innocent on a merry chase while having your dinner delivered, please count me out. By the way you owe me four dollars for the food.”
“I’ll pay you back don’t worry. Thanks for going along with the game. You made Charlie’s night.”
“You will never learn, will you my friend?”
“Good night, Illya.”
“Good night Napoleon. Out.”
* ref "The Never Never affair"
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2015-07-06 10:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-07-06 10:48 pm (UTC)So a new Little Diomede chapter tomorrow, have you caught up on the story yet. Tomorrow will be chapter five. The story is growing and longer than I first thought it would be. Some unexpected twists to follow. "D
no subject
Date: 2015-07-06 11:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-07-06 11:04 pm (UTC)