[identity profile] rose-of-pollux.livejournal.com posting in [community profile] section7mfu
Short Affair 10/10
Prompt: Adapt
Color: Black

Title: Training Exercise
Author: Rose of Pollux
Word Count: ~540

Napoleon waited for his eyes to adapt to the inky black of the pitch-dark training room. It was one of several mandatory refresher courses that all field agents had to take once a year—training with a sparring partner in a dark obstacle course, trying simultaneously to avoid getting caught by their partner while also being able to catch and restrain their partner. It was not an easy task, pitting your skills against someone who would be able to match them perfectly, but therein was the challenge.

And while it was difficult for most agents not to find it slightly disconcerting to be up against someone who could not only match you, but get inside your head, it was more so for Napoleon, for he and his partner knew each other better than perhaps any other team of U.N.C.L.E. agents.

Just my luck that my partner is an extremely catlike human. I bet Illya can see in the dark

Trying to silently move 175 pounds was no simple task, but Napoleon’s prior stealth training had allowed him to do so. Once he had established a rhythm of quiet darting and pausing to listen around him, he began to seek out his partner’s location. He abandoned trying to make use of his practically useless vision and instead focused on the sounds around him—the air from the ventilator, the sounds from outside the doors… He concentrated harder, trying to hear his partner’s footfalls.

Napoleon whirled around as he suddenly heard a noise in that direction.

So that’s where he is…!

He started to creep in that direction, but then paused. This was too simple. And Illya would never betray his position so carelessly like that…

Napoleon smirked.

Nice try, Illya

He slowed his pace, but then paused again.

Wait… Illya knows me. He knows that I would know that he was being obvious, so maybe he is being obvious after all because I wouldn’t expect it… Unless he knows that I would think that

A rush of air jolted him from his thoughts as he dove to the side. He heard a quiet grunt and then dove back, tackling his partner to the ground.

“Gotcha,” Napoleon grinned, as he held him in a restraining hold. “Looks like I win.”

“How did you manage to outmaneuver me?” Illya asked, annoyed by his loss.

“Tactical planning,” Napoleon said, proudly.

Illya let out a snort of disbelief.

“You were overthinking things again, weren’t you? I missed because you were still mulling things over? Sheer dumb luck is on your side yet again.”

“Well it worked, didn’t it? You can’t argue with success.”

“Watch me. You are not supposed to doubt yourself when it is you against an enemy.”

“Except that you are not an enemy; you know me, and if I can outmaneuver someone who knows me in and out like you do, then I say that I can handle some THRUSH assassin even more easily.”

“Perhaps you have a point. Now kindly release me so that I can prove to you this was just a fluke.”

“Ah, but this is part two of the refresher course, remember? Escaping when restrained. You’re up first.”

“Laugh now. When it’s your turn, I guarantee you will not be laughing.”

“Promises, promises…”

Date: 2016-10-10 07:55 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jantojones.livejournal.com
Out-thinking your partner is probably the hardest test UNCLE could put to their agents. I suspect that Napoleon is going to regret teasing Illya.

Date: 2016-10-10 07:56 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] otherhawk.livejournal.com
Heh, I really like the ending. And Napoleon's overthinking of just how many moves of each other's he and Illya can predict. Bet they can never play rock paper scissors either.

Date: 2016-10-10 08:01 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lindafishes8.livejournal.com
Napoleon's thinking 'I bet Illya can see in the dark… ' is most likely correct. He IS part cat.

Date: 2016-10-10 08:10 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] laurose8.livejournal.com
Excellent scene! Solid and well written pov, and good suspense, too. And there's the bits about Illya being to see in the dark, and sheer, dumb luck working and...

Date: 2016-10-10 11:03 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jkkitty.livejournal.com
Oh this would be an exciting match and the two of them do enjoy getting the other one.

Date: 2016-10-11 02:41 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mrua7.livejournal.com
Thoroughly enjoyable! Hints at the rivalry between the two but the friendship as well.

Well done!

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