Telling Tales - Short Affair Challenge - 18/01/2016

[otherhawk.livejournal.com]

Prompt word: Capture
Prompt colour: black
Word count - 915

Telling Tales

“Jim! I didn’t know you were working here now.”

“Chuck! It’s good to see you. Yeah, I just got transferred two days ago.”

Smiling broadly, the two THRUSH guards stopped in the middle of their patrol of the corridors and moved into a shadowy alcove to continue their conversation. After all, gossiping on guard duty was absolutely forbidden.

“So what’s new with you?” Jim asked. “The last time I saw you must have been just after Detroit. You went on to work for Kaza, right? I heard a rumour that you’d been terminated after the disaster with that kid Miki.”

“No, thank God,” Chuck said, a hushed tone to his voice. “Though it was a close run thing. The big boss wasn’t happy that Kuryakin escaped on my watch.”

Jim snorted. “If the bosses terminated everyone who had Kuryakin escape on him, there’d be no one left to guard the prisoners.”

“Yeah, like that’s ever going to happen. Can you imagine someone like Gervais patrolling the corridors? First blister he got and that would be that. I’m telling you, this organisation would fall apart without us little guys keeping it going. But do we get appreciated?” His voice took on a tone of injury.

Jim looked around nervously. “Alright, alright, but keep your voice down, can’t you? I haven’t even figured out if the base is bugged yet.”

Chuck looked suitably chastised. “Sorry, pal. Anyway, it wasn’t exactly because Kuryakin escaped…it was the part where he escaped using only a mouse trap that really got their goat.”

“A mouse trap?” Jim repeated blankly.

“Those things really smart,” he said with a scowl. “My fingers were bruised for weeks afterwards. Not that that would matter to that vindictive bastard. I swear he did it on purpose. He was mocking me.”

“Uh huh. You’re lucky he didn’t just kill you.” At Chuck’s look, Jim wisely decided to change the subject. “So, have you heard from Benny lately?”

“Dead,” Chuck said shortly. “He was working with Obermann and they caught Slate, and got a bit too enthusiastic about interrogating him. So when Dancer got there, surprise surprise, Obermann takes off, leaving poor Benny to take the blame. And the bullet.”

“Benny always was a fool,” Jim said, shaking his head. “We should raise a glass to his memory though. And Obermann’s just a psycho. He gives this organisation a bad name.”

“Too right,” Chuck agreed. “But watch yourself, he’s working here.”

“Really?” Jim groaned. "Ah, hell, now I really wish I'd got that transfer through to Europe."

“Oh, yeah, whatever did happen with that?”

“I was all set to go to Austria. I was going to be heading up my own section and everything. Then Solo goes and blows up the base, and suddenly everyone involved in the project has a massive black mark against their name. Even me, and I hadn’t even started working yet!”

Chuck considered. “Kind of sounds like you dodged a bullet there, really. Or a bomb.”

“I guess,” Jim said doubtfully. “I heard he pushed Dr Dabrees down an elevator shaft too.”

“I heard that too,” Chuck sniggered. “Heh. I guess we finally found a woman that wasn't his type.”

They both heard footsteps clattering down the hallway towards them. Cautiously, Chuck poked his head out.

“Oh, there you are,” Fred exclaimed, catching sight of him. “You're missing all the fun. Obermann's managed to capture Kuryakin. He's got him down in the basement now – it's not gonna be pretty.”

“Uh huh,” Chuck said slowly. “I've got to finish up my patrol. I'll come see when I'm off duty.”

“Okay, you're choice,” Fred said. “I'm going to get back. I've always wanted to learn how to swear in Russian.”

Chuck looked back at Jim, sharing a look of silent resignation.

“Speak of an UNCLE agent and they appear,” Jim said grimly.

“Yep.” Chuck sighed. “You know, I was thinking of going to go take a smoke break. On the roof, next to the fire escape.”

“The one that's right next to the garage?” Jim checked.

“That's the one,” he nodded. “Care to join me? As fast as possible?”

“Let's go.”

They hurried through the base, taking care to look as purposeful as possible. Jim grabbed a clipboard and Chuck a stack of papers to brandish at anyone who might look like they were going to question where they were going.

It was already dark when they got onto the deserted roof. They had a clear view down to the garage and the pre-fueled Jeeps waiting just below them. Chuck breathed a sigh of relief. “Alright. So, I'm thinking this smoke break should be a few hours at the very - “

They froze as they heard someone dropping down softly from the ledge. Slowly – agonisingly slowly – they turned to see Napoleon Solo standing there, gun pointing directly at them.

“Oh, shit,” Chuck said with feeling.

Jim swallowed hard. “Um. Look. We're just...um. Kuryakin is being held in the basement. If you hurry, you'll probably be able to get there before Obermann starts on him.”

“Thank you,” Solo said ironically.

“You're welcome,” Jim said automatically. “Erm, if it's not too much trouble, could you give us half an hour to get away before your partner blows the place up?”

Solo smiled darkly. “I'd leave now if I were you.”

Yes. That sounded like a good plan. He grabbed Chuck's arm and together they sprinted towards the fire escape, the garage, and escape.

Comments

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

A different POV; loved it! :D

[otherhawk.livejournal.com]

Thought it might be fun to try something different for a change. Thanks for commenting.