Deception Affair Chapter 2 of 5.

[jkkitty.livejournal.com]

Link to chapter 1  http://section7mfu.livejournal.com/172000.html

Issek and Josephine Schröder arrived on a beautiful California morning. Stepping from the plane, the sun was shining, a few wispy clouds were floating in the sparkling blue sky giving a false impression of innocence and peacefulness that was about to be destroyed by the underneath growth of hatred, unless they were able to stop this group from using Thrush's technology.

Looking for strength to face the hatred they were about to entered, Jo grabbed for her necklace. However, the absent of it, her family ring, and Illya's medallion brought back a reminder that the items were in their desk at headquarters. These items, if found on them, would identify them as Russians leading to their deaths.

The representative from Issek's new employer met the two as they deplaned. Driving to their newly furnished house, the driver gave them a running commentary of the areas that they were passing. Although careful, a few of the comments made by the driver left no doubt of the hatred he had for minorities.

As they pulled up to their house, the two began to act like happy newlyweds, hugged, and pecked each other on the cheek. Holding tightly to each other, they explored the area outside the home and the house itself.

"What a beautiful house! Thank you Issek, I love it" Josefine threw her arms around her husband and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you. And the area, it is just what I hoped for. Private without any undesirables around."

The driver looked up the driveway and smiled at the comment before he left promising to return in an hour for Issek.

"You deserve it my dear Josefine", Issek assured her loud enough for anyone listening to hear.

….

He placed his arm around her waist as they entered their new home. As the door closed, the two quickly swept the room then the rest of the house for devices, the last area being the bedroom. Illya looked up after finishing the corner he was examining to see Jo grinning at him, "What is so funny?"

"Do you remember the last time we shared a bed?" she asked pointing to the room's single bed, "I was five, and we were living with Babushka".

"I remember that you got us into trouble by starting a pillow fight when we were supposed to be sleeping," Illya said as he turned to look out the window. Remembering even the good times was hard for him at times.

Unexpectedly he was hit in the back by a flying object. As he turned toward Jo, a second pillow hit him. Grabbing the first one, he shot it back at her. Pillows and loud laughter, a sound rarely heard from the two of them flew in the room.

After a while, both agents laid on the bed reliving the last time they had shared this kind of fun. The fun had ended when the Nazi killed the rest of their family then separated them.

"Illya, have you thought about why we picked the life we did? Any moment we can die with all the destruction all around us and death is a norm in our line of work. No commitments for us, or it could cause others to be in danger, but we would do nothing else. Are we crazy?" Jo asked seriously.

Before Illya could answer, a honk blast announcing the return of the driver to take Illya to his lab brought them back to reality. Jo's eyes turned sad, and Illya held her for a few moments. Looking into his eyes, she saw determination in his icy, blue stare as they darkened to show his change of mood.

"I promise, we will put an end to them," he said as he went to the waiting car.

….

Illya walked out the door ready to be taken to the compound while Jo began to set up her computer that was a prototype from UNCLE Section 4 and the other equipment for her part of the assignment.

The equipment was organized in a side room as it took up so much space. Using the codes that Napoleon had already recalled, she entered the Thrush sites for the project they were beginning in the area

….

Illya was driven to the lab where he would be working. He was met by König, the head of his department. "Welcome to our lab. I was informed that you are an expert in viruses and their creation."

Illya clicked his heels together and offered König a handshake. "Thank you for the welcome. You are correct, Herr Dockor; my specialty is viruses. I was told you needed someone who could mutate an existing virus so that it is more powerful and easier to spread." With a knowing smile he continued, "We are going to use this to help fight the undesirable problem, nein?" he asked.

König returned his smile, "Ja. We are trying to continue what our leader started years ago. I understand you and your wife have just returned from Brazil where you spent some time with relatives. How are some of our older members doing?"

He was referred to some of the Nazis still hiding in that country. It was rumored that Schröder's father had been prominent in the original party.

"They are fine, danke; however, they miss their homeland. They expect to be able to return in glory when we can get back what is truly ours", Illya answered.

This pretense was beginning to get to him. What he would've liked to say would've resulted in his and Jo death.

Sometimes assignments caused him to hate himself for what he said or did, but in this case, he had the opportunity to turn it down but didn't. Reminding himself that if they pulled this off, another bed of hatred would be wiped out.

"Pardon, Mr. König, I was daydreaming about how wonderful this would be when we finished and am anxious to start," Illya said as he realized that König was speaking to him.

"No problem. You are right, when this project is finished we will have a step toward our alternate goal," König proudly agreed.

"Sir", Illya began, "I do have one concern. I understand an organization that is not purely Aryan is helping us. Is not this a problem?"

"Do not concern yourself. Once we have our project completed, they will be eliminated," he answered with a knowing grin. "Shall we look at the lab," he continued as he took Illya's arm.

As they walked through the building, Illya watched for Thrush agents. One or two lower level men were about, but no direct contact was made.

….

As they entered the lab, most of the other employees stopped what they were doing to see who this new scientist was.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is Dr. Issek Schröder. He will be working with our virus to achieve our goal. I expect all of you to help him in every way possible", with this he left Illya in his lab office.

Picking up the file, which outlined the virus and its properties, Illya placed his tinted reading glasses on. After looking the data over, he whistled.

'We are in trouble if we do not destroy this project', he thought to himself. 'It will actually work even as it is now."

He asked a lab assistant to set up a culture so that he could examine it under the microscope.

Before long König reappeared and reminded Illya that it was time to leave for the night. "I would not want your young bride mad at me on your first night here. Tell me, what do you think of our little virus?"

Illya thought it was time to see if König knew of Thrush's participation in this virus, "Very interesting and satisfactory. However, I did find it intriguing that it is almost exactly like one I have seen before."

"True, true. Our partners offered the basic design to us. I hope you will be able to improve it for us. Is it possible?" König questioned Illya.

"Of course, a little work but feasible. I will be solely responsible for this work—I mean it is our partner virus?" pushing some more.

"No, No Dr. Schröder. You won't be bothered by them. They are not allowed in this section of the building. Now, home you go to that pretty, young wife of yours. A car outside has been assigned to you and your wife. Treat it as your own. I'll stop by tomorrow morning to see how you are doing." With that, König walked Illya to his car.

….

When Illya arrived at the house, he found Jo working on the computer. "How is it going?"

"Okay, I just need the rest of the codes from Napoleon to finish this up. And you my dear 'husband' how did it go for you?" Jo teased.

"Thrush has some men around but all lower level. It seems strange to see the Nazi and Thrush uniforms together. They are not allowed in the lab, and I have a door that I can use to enter and exit the lab, so I should be able to avoid them. However, we need to wrap this up quickly. The virus is extremely dangerous and almost complete."

Illya called in to report his findings to Mr. Waverly after which Jo updated their boss on her progress.

"How is Mr. Solo doing sir? Is he ready to give me the rest of the codes yet?"

"The doctors are going to hypnotize him later today, and we will send the codes by carrier. This virus must be destroyed Mr. Kuryakin. And you must make sure the party doesn't rely on Thrush again", with this he clicked off.

"Does he ever say good-bye?" Jo asked handing Illya back his communicator.

"Nyet, what is for supper, my beautiful young wife?" Illya responded and ducked before a potholder headed his way.