"We're expendable"~ for the Short Affair 9/26

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Challenge: The Short Affair.

-Prompt Word #2 – Exchange

-Prompt Colour – White

Author: mrua7

Title: “We’re expendable”

Word Count: Approx. 800

It was a cheerless morning; the day of the exchange. The leaves had already fallen from the trees, what ones not stuck to the damp ground swirled around beneath his feet. The air was filled with a cold mist as he shrugged his trench coat to keep warm.

“Peachy,” Napoleon Solo mumbled to himself. It felt like it could snow; if Illya were here he’d know for sure.

He walked towards the Gothic Arch, one of the many bridges in Central Park. Built in 1864, the cast iron and steel arch pedestrian bridge carried a park over the Bridle Path north of the Reservoir near 94th Street. There was no one here this time of the morning...too early and too chilly.

This is where he was told to wait.

His eyes darted in every direction until he spotted someone walking towards him.

“Good morning Mr. Solo. A bit of a damp day to conduct our business wouldn’t you say?” It was a unidentifyable accent.

“Quit the small talk Veritas. Where is Kuryakin?”

“Patience, in due time my dear chap. In due time.”

“I don’t have patience when I’m being manipulated," Napoleon spoke with a sharp tone." I have what you want, now I want my partner.”

“Give it to me Napoleon and you will have him.” The man, Roman Veritas, was one of those megalomaniac types. He was a sickly looking fellow, though he seemed to fancy himself as rather rakish.  His black hair and dark, deep set eyes gave him a rather ghastly appearance.

“On the contrary Roman, give Illya to me and you’ll get what you want.”

“You spy-ish types are all the same,”Veritas chuckled. “So mistrustful. Very well.” He let out a loud whistle and appearing on the bridge above them was a man dressed in black. In front of him being shoved by a rifle barrel was the Russian. His hands were bound behind him, and a piece of silver duct tape covered his mouth.

Illya’s face was white as a sheet, he was bloody and bruised. He seemed to be in a daze as he staggered forward. Coming to a stop, he was turned to look down at his partner.

Around Illya’s neck was a hangman’s noose. His guard tied the end of the rope to the railing of the metal bridge, but kept the rifle aimed at Kuryakin.

“There’s your partner,” Veritas pointed upwards,”though he’s not in the best of shape. However if you do not give me what I want then his condition will change for the worse, and permanently. I will have my man throw him over the side, and you can watch him die. The drop will most likely break his neck, or if he’s lucky he’ll take a few minutes to strangle to death. Those are my terms.”

“Well since you put it that way, I’m afraid to tell you that we U.N.C.L.E. agents are considered expendable.” Napoleon’s voice was emotionless as he enunciated his words.

Veritas let out a loud laugh this time.”If that were the case then why did you agree to make this exchange?”

Napoleon nodded, his brow knitted for but a second.

”Hedging I suppose.”

In one flawless motion Solo drew his Special from his shoulder holster and fired. Two shots, hitting Roman and the guard. Unfortunately the latter slammed into Kuryakin and sent him flying over the railing.

It was the shot of a lifetime; Napoleon hit the rope with a single bullet and Illya dropped to the ground.

He moaned as he hit, but it was a hard fall and he was definitely injured but at least he was alive.

Napoleon gently removed the tape, nestling his partner’s head in his arms, allowing Illya to catch his breath. He pulled his communicator, calling for medical assistance.

“Where does it hurt tovarisch?”

“Dare I say everywhere but my eyebrows...actually I think my ankle might be broken. Other than that, there are merely the usual contusions and abrasions one receives after a good thrashing at the hands of a lunatic. That was a pretty good shot, I do not even have a rope burn around my throat.”

“Pretty good?” Napoleon couldn’t help but smile. Even on the brink of death Illya Kuryakin could be as sarcastic as ever. “Glad to see your sense of humor wasn’t broken.”

Illya screwed up his face.”Did I say something funny? I did not intend it to be so.”

“I know, I know.” Solo helped his partner stand, even though he didn’t think it was a good idea.

Illya gasped as he tried to put weight on the ankle.”Thank you for your timely rescue Napoleon.”

Solo’s eyes opened wide. “Timely you say. What no pithy remark?”

“Perhaps later,” Illya winced.”So expendable, enh Napoleon?”

“Mr. Waverly’s words...not mine.”

“Good to know.”

Comments

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

*mops brow* I wish this had happened in canon. Besides the great action, the dialogue was good - I love the last two lines.

Also most quotable is everywhere but my eyebrows.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the great compliment, and really pleased that you enjoyed the story. Yep, the eyebrow line was one of my favorites.