section7mfu | Good As Gold

If Illya Kuryakin could have predicted what sort of day he would have, it would have been cold cereal and then back to bed. Oh, and a cup of tea most likely. As it happened, he was anxious to get back to the experiment he had stumbled upon after he and Napoleon captured a stash of gold jewelry in the hands of a THRUSH scientist. Whether or not the gold had been fashioned by science or nature, Illya intended to do a little experimenting of his own. The claims made by the scientist were bold, and he had pointed to alchemy as the source of the treasure confiscated by the UNCLE agents. Illya intended to find out for himself.

~~~~~:

Napoleon Solo was still sitting at his desk when he heard the first rumble, then quiet overtook the building. Then, suddenly and without warning, an explosion rocked him from his seat, sending him sprawling out onto the floor. Klaxons rang and people ran the corridors with intention, each with a position to maintain in the face of an emergency. Napoleon’s job was to get upstairs to Mr. Waverly’s office and make certain that he was all right.

A squad of agents armed with converted Specials flanked every doorway that led to an exit; all elevators were covered as was the reception doorway that connected Headquarters to Del Floria’s. The screen had gone dark into the tailor shop, and so far no one had determined a course of action beyond defense.

Napoleon arrived at the office of the Chief of UNCLE Northwest and was relieved to find the old man at his desk, calling in help from the New York police. Whatever had struck his building was working from the outside in, he was sure of it. It might be random, or might be an all out assault; determining which it was remained undone at present.

“I appreciate it Mr. Mayor. We appear to be contained within our location, and so far outside surveillance has not produced any tangible evidence. Perhaps your men will be able to assist us in that endeavor.”

Waverly waited, listening to the man on the other end. It paid to have good relations with the local authorities, and in this instance it might be to the benefit of the city to have its own investigation.

He looked up at Solo, motioning him to his regular seat at the big table. He said his good-byes to the mayor and heaved a sigh worthy of the weight of responsibility he carried.

“Bad business this, Mr. Solo. Reports are coming in and so far we have no damage to report. Obviously there was an explosion however, and without knowing who the culprits are... well, flying blind is not a favorite activity of mine.” Solo nodded in agreement, all the while wondering where his partner was. He hadn’t had time to try contacting the Russian, but he was certain the man was in the building. Somewhere.

“Sir, if there are no signs of damage, and nothing outside that hints at how or what... Do we know anything?” Waverly looked at his agent and blinked. This man would someday, if all went according to plan, take his spot here at the table. He had the capability of doing the job and doing it well.

“Mr. Solo, I’m putting you in charge of investigating this event. Do whatever you deem necessary to find an answer to your own question.’ Waverly reached for a pipe, fingering it before actually picking it up and placing it in his mouth. He removed it again before finishing.

“And find your partner. Last I heard from Mr. Kuryakin he was downstairs in the laboratory attached to ... “ Answers began to flood Napoleon’s mind.

“Sir, the lab is next to the bomb disposal unit. Do you think...?” Waverly smiled and then stifled his amusement. Setting off bombs was serious business, and the Russian was sometimes peculiarly fascinated with the whole process.

“Get down there, Mr. Solo and find out what happened.”

Napoleon was on his way down to the labs before his boss had finished speaking.

To Be Continued...