The ABC AFFAIR 2019- H is for House

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

“Solo here,” Napoleon cleared his throat before answering his communicator.

“Yes Mister Solo,” No surprise that it was Waverly.

”After some consideration I have decided that once you and Mister Kuryakin have located and retrieved the codes, you are to destroy the satrapy. Even though nothing of consequence has come frome it as we cannot afford for THRUSH to get another foothold in the south, especially in the city of New Orleans. Our operation there is not one of our strongest.”

"And collateral damage sir?"

"So be it."

“Yes sir, we’ll get on it right away.”

“Be careful on this one Mister Solo. THRUSH knows of your and Mister Kuryakin’s presence and may still be on the hunt for you both.”

“Affirmative on that sir, Solo ….”

“Wait, Mister Waverly sir, Illya called out.

“Yes Mister Kuryakin.”

“There will be no need for us to retrieve the Triad Codes as I had a look at the document before it was stolen from us. I have the codes committed to memory, but I did not want to say anything until we were in a location that was secure.”

“Well done, well done. You should transmit them from the field office at your earliest opportunity Mr. Kuryakin.”

“Sir there were only six sequences of numbers. I could give them to you right now.”

“Six you say? That isn’t the full Triad list I suspect, as there should be at a full page of codes. Transmit what you have from the field office and say nothing of what you are doing.Waverly out.”

“Well here we are back in the action again. No rest for the weary,” Illya said.”I knew I was right about those codes.”

“Or the wicked,” Napoleon added with a wink. It was a catchphrase they’d used often enough.

They readied the mattress, washing up and changing into to their pajamas without conversing. Illya was the first to hit the bed, Napoleon climbed in after closing the lights.

“Good night tovarisch,” Solo whispered, but there was no reply; Illya was already asleep.

“How does he do that?”Napoleon mumbled as he rolled onto his side. He tossed and turned as he was correct about the noise keeping him awake. He finally dozed off, and felt as though he’d only been asleep for a minute when Illya woke him up.

“So soon? Five more minutes mom?”

That bit of silliness actually made the ever serious Russian laugh.

They skipped breakfast and headed straight out to the field office also located in the French quarter on St. Ann Street between Bourbon and Royal. Their destination was a nondescript building with a brick front.

Wearing their masks and top hats, Napoleon and Illya made their way there being sure they weren’t followed. Their disguises saw to that but one couldn’t be too careful.  Once they were sure the coast was clear, they headed inside, removing their costumes.

The initial entrance was a gated archway that opened into a courtyard replete with plantlife and three tiered fountain. Sitting atop of the fountain was a statue of a winged cherub blowing a small trumpet from which the water flowed down to the next tier, which overflowed to the next. It was quite charming. Little did anyone know what operation was inside one section of the building.

Solo and Kuryakin were no strangers to this field office as they’d been on several assignments to the Big Easy already. The entrance to the office was off to the right and out of view from the area of the archway.

The entrance was a steel door painted to match the red brick walls , and one had to be buzzed in after giving the proper identification. Napoleon pressed a buzzer, spoke the code into the speaker and the door slowly swung open.

Apparently THRUSH hadn’t discovered the location of the office, not that there was anything of importance kept here. It served more of a surveillance purpose than anything and was minimally staffed.

Like every other UNCLE location, the interior was sterile looking with the walls painted grey. The real Agent La Croix greeted them as they entered.

Just as in headquarters in New York city, there was a receptionist's desk where they received their visitors badges.  After they were pinned on they went through a second door into the main office.

Inside there were several desks with computer monitors,  and a communications station; except for a storage closet, several sofas and a weapons locker, that was it.

“Welcome back gentlemen,” La Croix said. “It’s not much but it’s home. What can I do to help you?”

It was clear the Old Man hadn’t clued the office in on the plan.

“I need to send something to New York and will need the communications station.”

“Sure no problem. Miss Georgia, could you please let Mister Kuryakin use your station?”

The pretty blonde flashed a smile at the Russian. She was dressed in the standard UNCLE uniform for support staff, that was a pale yellow blouse and a black pencil skirt. Her curvaceous figure wasn’t lost on him.

“Why my pleasure sugar. The seat’s nice and warm for you.”

“Thank you.” Illya paused for a moment. “Lovely perfume you are wearing Miss.”

“Georgia, Georgia Couture and thank you sugar. Aren’t you sweet for noticing.”

Napoleon couldn’t help but pick up on the fact that his partner blushed ever so slightly.

Illya sat in the chair and began typing away, sending the codes out to New York. While he was doing that Solo pulled Agent La Croix to one side, asking him for any information they might have on the possible location of the suspected satrapy.

“Our undercover agent hinted at it being just outside the city, possibly in the old Gautier House.” He saw a look of concern in Napoleon’s eyes. “I’m the only one here who knew about his assignment.”

“That’s good to know.” Solo whispered to himself. “Bingo.”

La Croix had to be the mole.

“I also know that he’s dead Mister Solo. I monitor the local police reports and that’s how I found out.”

Napoleon nodded. At the moment there was nothing he could do to expose La Croix. Most likely giving them the name of this Gautier House was setting he and Illya up for a trap.

“Thanks…”

“Nathaniel sir, but you can call me Nate.”

“Good job, Nate. I’ll be sure Mister Waverly knows what you’re doing down here.” Solo winked.

When Illya was finished transmitting the codes they left the field office, it was best to work out their strategy free of prying eyes and ears.

“LaCroix is the mole,” Napoleon said. “He told me he was the only one who knew of our undercover agent.  Waverly specifically told me no one else knew and he wouldn’t even reveal the man’s identity to me.”

Illya nodded. “He did not give us the location of this Gautier House, I presume to not make it easy for us. He thinks we are unaware that we are being manipulated. So what is your strategy, since La Croix will let THRUSH know we will be coming? ”

“I agree and good question tovarisch...good question.”