Need to Know - Short Affair - Oct 12th

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

Prompts – Whip/Pink
Word Count (approx.) – 543


When Illya had failed to turn up at their rendezvous, after the conclusion of their latest assignment, Napoleon had given him an hour before he went looking. I hadn’t taken long to find the missing man. He was still in the building he was supposed to have taken the THRUSH research files from. It had been discovered that the Hierarchy were developing a new type of weapon and U.N.C.L.E. needed to know how to combat it. Napoleon located his partner, about to be interrogated, in the basement. He was hanging by his wrists from the pipes, and was stripped to the waist.

“You have two choices,” stated the man in front of Illya, “Tell me what I want to know now, or I shall whip it out of you.”

He unfurled the coiled bullwhip in his right hand and struck his captive across the chest. Illya gasped, twisting in his chains. The skin didn’t break, but it did turned a vivid shade of pink.

“That was a taster of what you will get if you don’t comply,” the man, known as Jack Ryman, continued.

“Why the whip?”

The question was so unexpected, that Ryman actually took a step back. Even Napoleon, who had been about to dart the man, held back on his shot.

“What do you mean?” Ryman demanded.

“I know from personal experience that THRUSH has many methods of interrogation at its disposal,” Illya explained, trying to ignore the burning in his shoulders. “Most of them are quicker and more sophisticated than the whip.”

From his position at the top of the basement stairs, Napoleon had to draw on every ounce of willpower to stop himself from asking Illya what he thought he was doing. The Russian seemed to be about to recommend better techniques to break him.

“It’s such a brutal instrument,” Illya went on. “Yet, despite the physical effort needed by the wielder, Thrushies of your ilk seem to prefer it. Is it a fetish?”

Solo rolled his eyes. One day, Illya was going to learn that goading a torturer was not a great idea. Although, he doubted it would be any time soon.

“Just what are you accusing me of?” Ryman bellowed, bringing the whip back for another blow.

Napoleon didn’t wait any longer, and darted him into a deep sleep. As Ryman fell, Solo descended the stairs and stood, with his arms folded in front of his partner.

“Are you going to help me down?” Illya asked after several silent seconds.

“Are you going to tell me what that was about?” Napoleon countered. “Why was it so important to know why he used a whip, and not something else?”

“It’s something which has always intrigued me,” the Russian told him. “With all the drugs, electrical devices and psychological methods they could use, why do so many of them resort to whipping?”

Releasing Illya’s wrists, Napoleon quickly located his shirt, jacket and weapon, and handed them to him.

“Next time you get the urge to question a Thrushie, Tovarisch, make sure it is you who has him captive. Doing it this way around will only get you beaten to a pulp.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time,” Illya quipped, as he headed up the stairs and out the door.

Comments

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

That last sentence was a Kuryakin truism if ever I read one. Nice job cuz!

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much :-)
He's so pragmatic about things like that, isn't he?

[otherhawk.livejournal.com]

I love that Illya's unexpected interrogation is enough to confuse the Thrushie, even momentarily. And I can totally see the moment when Napoleon is standing in front of him, arms folded and just looking at his partner, and the image makes me laugh. So good!

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I'm really pleased it made you laugh. I have to confess to laughing myself when the image came into my head :-)

[lindafishes8.livejournal.com]

That image of Napoleon eyeing his partner with his arms folded gave me a chuckle also.

At least IK gave the THRUSHie a moments pause.

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

It's great to know that everyone can clearly see Napoleon with his arms folded :-)

[jkkitty.livejournal.com]

And won't be the last, though I wondered too

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

It's a question I've often pondered.

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

Great imagery here, and the impromptu interrogation from Illya is a great ploy. I thought Ben was stalling the guy.

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

It's a new strategy, confuse the enemy :-D

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

My kindle thought Illya was Ben... just saw that.

[spikesgirl58.livejournal.com]

Oh, I loved that you actually stopped show of any really violence. That's what always impressed me with your stories; they are seldom the common place! Great job!

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you s much for the truly lovely compliment.