AvalancheEscaping pursuit from angry THRUSH by skiing hadn't been in their original plans. Then again, being spotted by an agent who knew the two of them by sight had started the downward spiral.
Illya mused that in an twisted way, being ambushed, beaten and taken to the mountain top satrip had worked out in their favor. The files that Mister Waverly had ordered them to retrieve had been there for the taking and take them they had on their way out. Napoleon had the file strapped against his body under all the layers of protective clothing.
The trouble wasn't that they couldn't ski - both he and Napoleon were quite accomplished at that particular skill. The trouble was the sound of snowmobiles that he was able to catch more and more often. Their pursuers were getting closer. Quickly taking in their surroundings as best as he could, Illya then pushed himself so that he was slightly ahead of Napoleon and stopped. Napoleon immediately followed suit.
"What is it, tovarich? We don't have much time,"
"I know. Go ahead - ski as quickly as you can and get out of the direct line from the top as quickly as possible. I will do what I can to stop them from following you."
"What about you?"
"Worry about yourself for now. When you and the file are safe, come back for me."
There was no time to argue and much as Napoleon didn't like the thought, the file couldn't be allowed to fall back into THRUSH hands. Too many lives would be lost if it did. Still, it was with a heavy heart that he pushed his poles back into the snow and took off back down the hill, leaving Illya behind.
Illya was far from idle. He was ripping off his mittens and quickly digging out the small explosives he never went anywhere without. There wasn't time to do any calculations for the best place to plant them, so he made do with his best guess before using his skis to propel him off to the side of the rockface, finding a spot where he could brace himself.
He could see the trio of snowmobiles now and braced himself. Just seconds before they reached the spot he'd left the explosives at, Illya hit the detonator. The deep snowpack's stability was immediately compromised, starting an avalanche that swept the snowmobiles along in the mad downward rush of snow and ice.
No longer worried with pursuit, Illya leaned heavily against the icy rocks as his eyes continued to follow the path of mayhem he'd created. There was nothing he could do for his partner and he could only hope that Napoleon had been successful in getting himself out of the path of the avalanche.
There was no safe path down now from where Illya was. He debated with himself and decided that he would wait for as long as he could for Napoleon before taking the risk of trying to ski out himself. Pulling his cold weather gear to enclose himself as much as possible, Illya settled in for a long cold wait.
The sound of a helicopter an hour later took some time to register with his cold-numbed senses. When the sound did get through to him, Illya was unsure if he was facing rescue or recapture until his communicator tones went off. Answering was a bit awkward but he managed and was rewarded with the very welcome sound of Napoleon's worried voice coming over the speaker.
"Thank goodness. Ready to get out of here, chum?"
"More than ready, Napoleon."
Napoleon was lowered down in a harness from the helicopter, quickly helping attach a second harness to Illya before the winch began to pull them both into the air. The warming blankets that were waiting on him inside the helicopter were a welcome sight. Even so, Illya found he had to ask one question before he could relax.
"The file?"
Now that the doors to the helicopter were all resealed, Napoleon was in the process of exchanging Illya's snow covered outerwear for the blankets as he answered.
"Already in route to Mister Waverly. As we will be ourselves after we get you defrosted, chum."
Illya just nodded slightly to that as he allowed the warmth to lull him to sleep. Napoleon just chuckled to himself and wrapped another blanket around his partner before settling down protectively by his side. Silently, he reached out and held onto Illya's shoulder, reassuring himself with that touch that they were both there and safe. They'd beaten the odds again and he was profoundly grateful in a way that he'd probably never be able to express with words.
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mrua7.livejournal.com2013-01-15 06:34 am
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