The Boo From U.N.C.L.E. Chapter 4
Oct. 14th, 2016 05:42 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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section7mfuThe Prompt: "Wickedness comes in all shapes and forms" by mrua7
“Illya? Why haven’t you checked in?” Napoleon stared at his communicator, willing his partner to answer. When he did not, he contacted security.
“Peterson? Where is Mr. Kuryakin?”
“I was about to contact you, sir. We finished our sweep and found him on the stairs near your office, unconscious. We notified Medical and they’re on the way.”
His sprained ankle forgotten, Solo quickly headed in the direction of the stairs, running through events of the evening in his head. U.N.C.L.E. headquarters was quickly becoming a dangerous place to be. Contacting Waverly was out of the question. Something needed to be done and now!
When he arrived at Illya’s side, the Russian was sitting up and protesting loudly at the Medical team’s ministrations.
“I am fine! I have a slight headache and that is all.” It was true. The agonizing pain that had brought him to his knees earlier had been replaced with a mild one and for that, he was grateful.
The doctor was not easily deterred. “We need to do an X-ray, but that won’t be possible until the main power comes back online. I want you in our unit for observation. That lump on the back of your head needs tending and the fact that you experienced extreme cephalgia has me concerned.”
“Listen, Doctor,” Illya’s voice sounded strained, “I’ll put some ice on it and Napoleon will keep an eye on me, but right now the security of our people is my biggest concern. When we are all safe, I’ll come down to medical, agreed?”
“Well… ” The doctor was trying to decide. “Your pupillary reaction is good and you are alert and oriented, but protocol in a case such as yours requires… “
Napoleon interrupted. “I need him, doc, and at the first sign of a concussion, I’ll call you right away.”
Illya carefully stood, his hand gingerly examining his head where it had made contact with the wall.
“Alright; I’ll hold you to that, Napoleon.”
Napoleon looked the blond over as the medical team descended into the bowels of headquarters. The amber emergency light cast an eerie glow.
“What the hell happened?” Solo hissed.
Illya let out a long sigh and explained, leaving out the identity of the apparition
“Which one was it this time, Riley? Mr. Ecks?”
Illya studied his partner’s face for a moment before answering, “Nexor.”
They climbed the last few steps to the third floor where their shared office was located. Reviewing the last few files of recent cases revealed no clues to explain who was behind the attacks.
“I suspect this was a ruse to separate us, Napoleon.”
“And I suspect it goes further than that, tovarisch. Listen, I have a plan.”
BOO-BOO-BOO-BOO-BOO-BOO-BOO-BOO-BOO
Except for the security team, Napoleon ordered all personnel to the cafeteria, reasoning that there was safety in numbers. By doing so, he hoped whoever was causing all the havoc would have to play his hand and expose himself to the enforcement agents. Carafes of coffee were set out along with platters of pastries and donuts. At least no one, especially Kuryakin, would go hungry during this crises.
“This plan of yours is downright ridiculous, Napoleon,” Illya said loud enough for those around them to hear. Then he finished his last bite of pumpkin pie with a flourish. The ice pack he had used to numb the bump on the back of his head lay discarded and melting on the table.
“Is it? If we can draw the culprit or culprits out into the open and force their hand, we can stop the attacks and things will return to normal around here.”
“I refuse to be part of it.” The Russian scowled, crossing his arms across his chest in defiance.
“You will and that’s an order.”
“Tell me how you’re going to explain holding a séance in headquarters to Mr. Waverly.”
Eavesdropping George Dennell spoke up. “You have to keep an open mind about these kinds of things, Illya. My sister held a séance and well, the ghost that was haunting her garage was never seen or heard from again.” He grinned, pleased with himself for rubbing elbows with the Section II men.
“There, you see?” Napoleon raised his eyebrows. “George’s sister’s garage is ghost-free.”
Illya rolled his eyes and snatched the last apple fritter off his partner’s plate.
“Tell us what we need to do, George,” Solo said.
“Well, we’ll have to find some candles and a round table and three, six or nine people. Any number as long as it’s a multiple of three. Oh, I almost forgot the most important part! The Medium. Good thing I’ve studied up on this, isn’t it fellas?” The CEA nodded.
One of the girls from the secretarial pool was steering another woman towards the agent’s table. “Julie Anne is a fortune teller! I’ll bet she could run the séance.” Julie appeared nervous and perhaps still shaken from her experience in the elevator.
“I… I really don’t know if I can do this, Mr. Solo. This ghost business frightens me and besides, I have only done one once before.”
Napoleon stood and took her by the hand, patting it soothingly and turned on the Solo charm.
“This is important, Julie my dear.” His voice smooth and eyes warm pools of brown chocolate melted her reserve. “A séance may be the only way for us to contact the spirits who are haunting the halls of U.N.C.L.E. You want us to catch whoever shoved you and left those marks on your arm, don’t you?”
“Well…“ She hesitated.
“You’ll be in a room with Illya and me and we won’t let anything bad happen. No one will get hurt. Scout’s honor.” Solo held up three fingers making the Boy Scout’s sign then crossed his heart for good measure.
Julie broke into a broad smile and the Russian shook his head at how easily his partner could turn on the charm.
It was decided Waverly’s office would be the best place to hold the séance. Auxiliary lights were turned off and lit candles were placed on the table and around the room in groups of three. Julie explained the more candles, the better because spirits still seek warmth and light. In the center of the table was placed a bowl of hot chicken noodle soup and a slice of bread from the cafeteria. This was believed, Julie informed them, to help attract the spirits that still sought physical nourishment.
Napoleon, Illya, and George sat in every other chair while Julie, Wanda, and Misty from translations took the seats between the men.
“What the eyes see and the ears hear, the mind believes,” Illya said to no one, in particular. It was a quote by Harry Houdini and seemed appropriate for the occasion.
Once the nervous chatter died down, everyone looked to Julie.
“Let us begin.” She pulled a black veil kerchief from her purse and placed it on her head. ”Join hands. Spirits of the past, move among us. Be guided by the light of this world and visit upon us."
All was quiet. The candles cast eerie shadows that danced to and fro, showing the illusion of movement where there was none.
"Beloved, we bring you gifts from life into death. Be guided by the light of this world and visit upon us."
Illya casually glanced at each of the surveillance cameras strategically placed for Waverly’s protection. He had instructed security to inform him of any abnormalities occurring in the room via his earpiece.
“Something odd is happening,” the voice in his ear hissed. “I’m seeing that green glowing blob again. It’s hovering directly above the table.”
Illya looked up, seeing nothing. Napoleon followed his gaze as both men became more alert.
Julie spoke once more, entreating ghosts to make themselves known to the rooms’ occupants.
“Mr. Riley, Mr. Ecks, Colonel Maximilian Nexor! Be guided by the light and visit upon us. Show yourselves!”
Suddenly, the green blob began to appear out of thin air. The circle of hands was broken and Wanda and Misty screamed. George yelled and pushed himself away from the table so fast his chair flipped over backward, taking him along with it.
Only Illya, Napoleon, and Julie remained calm. The two men stood and as they studied the apparition a misshapen face appeared.
A booming male voice filled the office.
“Nice to see you again, gentlemen. I hope you all are prepared to die.”
“Illya? Why haven’t you checked in?” Napoleon stared at his communicator, willing his partner to answer. When he did not, he contacted security.
“Peterson? Where is Mr. Kuryakin?”
“I was about to contact you, sir. We finished our sweep and found him on the stairs near your office, unconscious. We notified Medical and they’re on the way.”
His sprained ankle forgotten, Solo quickly headed in the direction of the stairs, running through events of the evening in his head. U.N.C.L.E. headquarters was quickly becoming a dangerous place to be. Contacting Waverly was out of the question. Something needed to be done and now!
When he arrived at Illya’s side, the Russian was sitting up and protesting loudly at the Medical team’s ministrations.
“I am fine! I have a slight headache and that is all.” It was true. The agonizing pain that had brought him to his knees earlier had been replaced with a mild one and for that, he was grateful.
The doctor was not easily deterred. “We need to do an X-ray, but that won’t be possible until the main power comes back online. I want you in our unit for observation. That lump on the back of your head needs tending and the fact that you experienced extreme cephalgia has me concerned.”
“Listen, Doctor,” Illya’s voice sounded strained, “I’ll put some ice on it and Napoleon will keep an eye on me, but right now the security of our people is my biggest concern. When we are all safe, I’ll come down to medical, agreed?”
“Well… ” The doctor was trying to decide. “Your pupillary reaction is good and you are alert and oriented, but protocol in a case such as yours requires… “
Napoleon interrupted. “I need him, doc, and at the first sign of a concussion, I’ll call you right away.”
Illya carefully stood, his hand gingerly examining his head where it had made contact with the wall.
“Alright; I’ll hold you to that, Napoleon.”
Napoleon looked the blond over as the medical team descended into the bowels of headquarters. The amber emergency light cast an eerie glow.
“What the hell happened?” Solo hissed.
Illya let out a long sigh and explained, leaving out the identity of the apparition
“Which one was it this time, Riley? Mr. Ecks?”
Illya studied his partner’s face for a moment before answering, “Nexor.”
They climbed the last few steps to the third floor where their shared office was located. Reviewing the last few files of recent cases revealed no clues to explain who was behind the attacks.
“I suspect this was a ruse to separate us, Napoleon.”
“And I suspect it goes further than that, tovarisch. Listen, I have a plan.”
BOO-BOO-BOO-BOO-BOO-BOO-BOO-BOO-BOO
Except for the security team, Napoleon ordered all personnel to the cafeteria, reasoning that there was safety in numbers. By doing so, he hoped whoever was causing all the havoc would have to play his hand and expose himself to the enforcement agents. Carafes of coffee were set out along with platters of pastries and donuts. At least no one, especially Kuryakin, would go hungry during this crises.
“This plan of yours is downright ridiculous, Napoleon,” Illya said loud enough for those around them to hear. Then he finished his last bite of pumpkin pie with a flourish. The ice pack he had used to numb the bump on the back of his head lay discarded and melting on the table.
“Is it? If we can draw the culprit or culprits out into the open and force their hand, we can stop the attacks and things will return to normal around here.”
“I refuse to be part of it.” The Russian scowled, crossing his arms across his chest in defiance.
“You will and that’s an order.”
“Tell me how you’re going to explain holding a séance in headquarters to Mr. Waverly.”
Eavesdropping George Dennell spoke up. “You have to keep an open mind about these kinds of things, Illya. My sister held a séance and well, the ghost that was haunting her garage was never seen or heard from again.” He grinned, pleased with himself for rubbing elbows with the Section II men.
“There, you see?” Napoleon raised his eyebrows. “George’s sister’s garage is ghost-free.”
Illya rolled his eyes and snatched the last apple fritter off his partner’s plate.
“Tell us what we need to do, George,” Solo said.
“Well, we’ll have to find some candles and a round table and three, six or nine people. Any number as long as it’s a multiple of three. Oh, I almost forgot the most important part! The Medium. Good thing I’ve studied up on this, isn’t it fellas?” The CEA nodded.
One of the girls from the secretarial pool was steering another woman towards the agent’s table. “Julie Anne is a fortune teller! I’ll bet she could run the séance.” Julie appeared nervous and perhaps still shaken from her experience in the elevator.
“I… I really don’t know if I can do this, Mr. Solo. This ghost business frightens me and besides, I have only done one once before.”
Napoleon stood and took her by the hand, patting it soothingly and turned on the Solo charm.
“This is important, Julie my dear.” His voice smooth and eyes warm pools of brown chocolate melted her reserve. “A séance may be the only way for us to contact the spirits who are haunting the halls of U.N.C.L.E. You want us to catch whoever shoved you and left those marks on your arm, don’t you?”
“Well…“ She hesitated.
“You’ll be in a room with Illya and me and we won’t let anything bad happen. No one will get hurt. Scout’s honor.” Solo held up three fingers making the Boy Scout’s sign then crossed his heart for good measure.
Julie broke into a broad smile and the Russian shook his head at how easily his partner could turn on the charm.
It was decided Waverly’s office would be the best place to hold the séance. Auxiliary lights were turned off and lit candles were placed on the table and around the room in groups of three. Julie explained the more candles, the better because spirits still seek warmth and light. In the center of the table was placed a bowl of hot chicken noodle soup and a slice of bread from the cafeteria. This was believed, Julie informed them, to help attract the spirits that still sought physical nourishment.
Napoleon, Illya, and George sat in every other chair while Julie, Wanda, and Misty from translations took the seats between the men.
“What the eyes see and the ears hear, the mind believes,” Illya said to no one, in particular. It was a quote by Harry Houdini and seemed appropriate for the occasion.
Once the nervous chatter died down, everyone looked to Julie.
“Let us begin.” She pulled a black veil kerchief from her purse and placed it on her head. ”Join hands. Spirits of the past, move among us. Be guided by the light of this world and visit upon us."
All was quiet. The candles cast eerie shadows that danced to and fro, showing the illusion of movement where there was none.
"Beloved, we bring you gifts from life into death. Be guided by the light of this world and visit upon us."
Illya casually glanced at each of the surveillance cameras strategically placed for Waverly’s protection. He had instructed security to inform him of any abnormalities occurring in the room via his earpiece.
“Something odd is happening,” the voice in his ear hissed. “I’m seeing that green glowing blob again. It’s hovering directly above the table.”
Illya looked up, seeing nothing. Napoleon followed his gaze as both men became more alert.
Julie spoke once more, entreating ghosts to make themselves known to the rooms’ occupants.
“Mr. Riley, Mr. Ecks, Colonel Maximilian Nexor! Be guided by the light and visit upon us. Show yourselves!”
Suddenly, the green blob began to appear out of thin air. The circle of hands was broken and Wanda and Misty screamed. George yelled and pushed himself away from the table so fast his chair flipped over backward, taking him along with it.
Only Illya, Napoleon, and Julie remained calm. The two men stood and as they studied the apparition a misshapen face appeared.
A booming male voice filled the office.
“Nice to see you again, gentlemen. I hope you all are prepared to die.”
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Date: 2016-10-16 12:52 am (UTC)You've set things up nicely, as have the previous writers. I hope I can write something to match the fine quality. Fingers crossed.