"Marco-Polo" for the Short Affair challenge

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Challenge: The Short Affair

-Prompt Word #2 – Jostle

-Prompt Colour – Silver

Title: "Marco-Polo"

Author: mrua7

Word Count: Approximately 1000

“Marco? Come in Marco, do you copy?”’ Illya sighed.

It was at least the tenth time he’d tried to make contact and now he was getting worried. He was soaked through from the constant downpour of rain that had been going on for days.

He was stuck in the middle of the jungle, waiting and waiting. He spoke into the microphone of the small portable radio he had with him. It had limited range and was being operated at a low frequency but it was only good if someone was at the other end to answer. Communicators were not being used in case their frequency was being monitored.

“Marco, I say again. Marco come in, please?” His voice was beginning to show signs of strain.

He’d not eaten much in days as his supplies had run out; at least he had fresh water nearby, though with the rainfall that didn’t matter. Competing with the indigenous wildlife for fruits and berries was not exactly what he called having a satisfying meal.

It was too risky to light a campfire, or to catch and cook any of the monkeys that skurried about above him. Right now he was hungry enough to eat several of the annoying creatures.

He knew female capuchins threw stones to attract mates, but all their misses seemed to pelt him in the head whenever he poked it out of the shelter, or were they feeling a bit amorous of him. Why did he even think that? It must be his hunger make him think such ridiculous thoughts.

The radio suddenly came to life. “Polo. Marco here...”

“Where the hell have you been?” Illya was half relieved Napoleon had finally responded, but irked the man had taken so long to contact him.

“Sorry I was detained.”

“I swear Nap...Marco, if you were with a woman, I will slice away a particular body part of which you are extremely fond.”

Napoleon hissed,”I have to admit the thought of that truly hurts.”

“Not as much as when I actually do it to you.” Illya pulled his Bowie knife from its sheath and ran his thumb along the blade.

“Rest assured Polo, I was not with a woman; I was detained as a bridge was out. The rains washed it away.”

Not acknowledging Solo’s excuse; Illya went straight business.

“Marco, the compound looks to be pretty laid back. However, I did not want to make a move until you arrived as there are at least half a dozen visible guards. It is possible there are more occupants who might be sheltering because of the rain. How far away are you?”

“I estimate about one click, give or take.”

“Tell me you brought rations? My supplies ran out.”

“Never fear oh bottomless pit, I have plenty of beef jerky, canned beans, peaches, crackers and cheese, among other things. I even brought you some dry clothes and socks just in case you were soaked.

“Which I am, thank you. I take it back about removing your…”

“Never mind, it’s okay, though I will keep it in mind for the future.”

“You are taking my threat seriously then?”

Solo laughed.” Turn on your communicator so I can home in on your signal.”

“Fine, Polo out.” Illya reached under his poncho drawing out the silver pen and after assembling it; he switched it on.

Napoleon arrived, finding his partner sitting under a lean-to, wearing a camouflage poncho.His bare legs were sticking out from under it as Illya was wearing khaki shorts. His skin was full of mosquito bites. The brim of his military style slouch hat made famous by the Australians was drooping from being drenched.

Solo crawled into the shelter, giving his partner a little jostle.

“Hi there.”

It was surprisingly dry inside, but then again Illya was a whiz at building these sort of things. Still in this weather, once you had to step out into it, you were drenched within minutes. It was obvious Illya had done that a few times.

“So tovarisch, when do you want to make our move? In the rain or when it stops?”

“First things first my friend; food then strategy.”

Napoleon chuckled as he tossed a packet of jerky to the hungry Russian bear. He opened a tin beans, followed by the peaches and handed him some crackers.

Illya wolfed it all down in what seemed like the blink of an eye.

“More?”

“That will do for the moment,” Illya half smiled.” I suggest we do not wait for the rain to stop as it could go on for days. With the explosives I have, and you brought, yes...?”

Napoleon nodded, finishing his partner’s sentence.”That should be enough to blow this place to kingdom come.”

“Good,” Kuryakin smiled in earnest now, anticipating some very big booms.”Shall we proceed then?”

Napoleon followed his partner down to the compound and together they took out the guards, whose number was now eight, with sleep darts. They quickly set the explosive compounds around each of the cinderblock buildings, assuring they would be blown to bits.

The location was one known to be manufacturing drugs for distribution in third world countries one many of THRUSH’s operations. Once was taken out and another quickly appeared. Sometimes it seemed to Kuryakin, they were losing the battle, though Solo would assure him otherwise.

The agents stood back far enough to witness their handiwork.

“Nice one if I say so myself,” Illya crossed his arms in front of his chest with satisfaction.

“I agree, now shall we.. hey, will you look at that? The rain stopped.” Napoleon turned his palms upwards with a smile.

“That is a relief,” Kuryakin nodded; he turned to go back to camp. “Might we eat some more before we leave, and I would like to change my clothes, especially my socks. I have had enough of being soggy.”

As the two men stripped away their wet clothing to change Illya again spoke up.

“Now about that so-called bridge that washed out? Napoleon there is no bridge within a hundred kilometers of here.”

“Tovarisch I swear…”

Napoleon’s hands instinctively went to cover his crotch, and that sent the Russian into a fit of laughter.

Comments

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

Okay, that's a zinger of an ending :D A very nice short story, and a successful mission in spite of ... the bridge.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Glad you liked the ending, you had to suspect Napoleon's excuse was leading up to something? "D

Glad you enjoyed the tale and thanks for the comment!

[rose-of-pollux.livejournal.com]

Interesting choice of code names--makes me think more of a swimming pool rather than a jungle... which I'm sure is where Illya would have much rather been, heh.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

I don't know why that "Marco-Polo" thing popped into my head but I think they ended up better than just some sort of code name. Given it was raining so hard they were in a different sort of swimming pool I guess?

Thanks for the comment!

[lindafishes8.livejournal.com]

Loved your ending! The thought of eating a can of cold beans gives me pause. Of course, IK wouldn't care; it filled his belly.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, I've eaten cold beans and tasted fine to me...lol. Thanks for reading, commenting and for liking the ending. Poor Napoleon....we don't get to say it that often.