The Congo Affair Chapter 14 "The End is Nigh"

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link to chapter 13: http://section7mfu.livejournal.com/272912.html

                       

 The sun was shining high into the sky when a knock at Napoleon's door woke him, and he looked with eyes that were barely willing to   open at the wooden clock on the wall, seeing that it was nearly noon.

"Come in," he called out, after putting on his robe.

"Good morning sleepy head." It was Maggie and she had a tray of food with her."I think you could have slept the entire day away."

"It think you're right," he yawned.

She placed the tray on a nearby table, pulling up a chair as Napoleon seated himself beside her. He reached out, taking her hand and gave it a gentle kiss.

"Mmm, looks good," he said, eyeing sausage, eggs, scones, a bowl of fresh fruit, and most of all a pot of coffee."Thank you." Napoleon poured himself a cup and one for her."

After the meal was finished, Maggie gave him some bad news...

"Napoleon, I'm afraid your friend...Illya has taken a turn for the worse. His fever is back again, he's congested and coughing. Richard says it's full-blown pneumonia, and he really needs to be hospitalized. The nearest one is quite far off in our capital city, Livingstone, but if we..."

"No we can't risk that sort of trip, he's been through enough. The helicopter will be here for us."

"Are you so sure? These sandstorms in Egypt can be quite debilitating. I've been in Cairo during the Khasim, and everything practically shuts down."

"I have faith Maggie, they'll come through for us. So I suggest you have the Clayworths ready for travel. There is the off-chance the helicopter could arrive sooner than expected."

An unexpected knock a the door interrupted their conversation. "Who is it?"Margaret called out.

"Kwasi, Miss."

She opened the door, giving him a stern look. "What is it now?"

"There is a Belgian officer at the door who says he is looking two men who fit Mr. Schoonvar and Mr. Rosbrük's descriptions. He is quite adamant about speaking to someone."

"Where are my father and brothers?"

"In the field Miss."

"You did right to fetch me then.: She turned to Solo...

"I heard."

"I'll get rid of him for you," Maggie answered, closing the door behind her.

Napoleon stepped out to the balcony, drawing his pistol and holding it ready as he hid himself from view behind a potted palm, listening to the conversation below.

                                                     

"May I help you sir?" Maggie spoke calmly.

"Yes, please pardon my intrusion, Madam. You are Margaret Kinsford?"

Napoleon recognized him as the Colonel who'd interrogated them at the border.

"Yes I am, what can I do to help you?"

"You were seen several days ago in the company of two white men at the refugee camp... one dressed in a Russian uniform and the other in a Belgian uniform."

Maggie paused, pretending to think for a moment. "Oh, yes, I recall them. I fed them soup at the food tent and afterwards gave them a lift on the road heading to Lusaka..."

"Did they say that was where they were headed?"

"No not really. They were not very talkative. Did they do something wrong?"

"Yes, we believe they are spies and were holding them in custody. They injured several of my men during their escape. If you happen to see them again, stay clear as they a very dangerous. Send one of your people to notify me if the are seen in the next twenty four hours, as I will be stationing men at the border crossing near the refugee camp."

"Oh my goodness, spies you say? Well I for one hope they are long gone, thank you Colonel. Now if you would excuse me, I must attend to the midday meal for my family. Thank you and good day."

Napoleon smiled as he heard her summarily dismiss the man and close the door, no doubt, in his face. He continued watching as the Colonel climbed back into the jeep and waited until it was out of sight before returning to his room.

There was a knock and Maggie came right in this time. "How did I do?" She stopped short, seeing the gun in his hand.

"Couldn't have done any better myself." Napoleon grinned, and quickly tucked his weapon under a pillow in one swift move. He pulled the woman into his arms and down to the bed as he kissed her playfully, sending her into a fit of giggles while he helped her remove her clothing...

After relaxing in the afterglow, Maggie finally rose from his side, dressing herself, and giving Napoleon one last kiss as she left him with a sad nod, taking the brunch tray with her. Margaret Kingsford knew she'd not see this handsome man again once he'd left, but that was something she'd have to live with, like so many other things. She wasn't sure what had drawn her to him; perhaps it was loneliness as there weren't many eligible bachelors in the area. Or was it possibly that she sensed he was dangerous, and that was a lure like a honeybee to a flower to her...it was a different kind of excitement, and she liked it.

Napoleon dressed himself and went to Illya's room, finding his partner awake but coughing badly. He spied a red glass bottle of cough syrup with codeine on the nightstand, and opening it, he poured out a spoon full, offering it to his friend.

Illya opened his mouth like a little child, letting his partner minister to him. Though he'd been given the shots by the doctor, he felt weaker than a day old kitten and knew his condition was worsening by the minute.

"Hey good news buddy, a chopper should be here within a couple of days at the latest. We're going home, by way of Cairo. You'll need to hit medical there of course, but at least we'll be in an UNCLE headquarters, and that's as good as home right now."

Illya nodded, trying to fight off another bout of coughing. "We did it, did we not?"

"What do you mean chum?"

"We made it out alive...well at least you did. I am not so sure about me." He started hacking away again.

"Hey none of that fatalistic crap, you're going to be fine. Promise me you won't give up."

"I never give up," Kuryakin smiled mischievously, though at the moment he felt like doing so. His chest was hurting terribly and
breathing was becoming very difficult. I was beginning to think he was really going to die.

The next morning the sound of an approaching helicopter filled the air, as it slowly descended to touch down on the lawn in front of the house. The Kingsfords and their guests stood by as two of their servants carried Illya on a cot, helping to load him into bay as he was too weak to walk. The Clayworths said their farewells and climbed into the passenger seats in the rear.

Napoleon offered his gratitude to the Kingsfords for their hospitality and wished them good luck, with Maggie walking him to the chopper. She said nothing, but gave him a peck on the cheek before backing away and watching the American climb on board.

He waved, pulling the door shut and moments later the helicopter rose with the blades whipping up the hot air. Solo looked out the window to the west, seeing more black smoke plumes rising into the sky from Katanga, ones that were even closer now.

Wondering if the fighting would spill into Rhodesia. he hoped the people in the camp would somehow remain safe, as would Maggie and her family.

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Comments

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Yes sigh of relief indeed, but we're still not done! One laaaaast chapter!

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