"The Ruse" part 4 (the conclusion) for the Song Story Challenge

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Links to: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

The prompt:

   

The end of the week arrived as it normally would but there was nothing normal about what four Section II agents would be doing.

Infiltrating THRUSH Central was no easy task, as with UNCLE, it was presumed they had numerous and perhaps more deadly security measures in place.

Napoleon Solo being the master strategist had reworked the plan, with April Dancer now accompanying her partner in disguise as the Thrushman Charles Chevalier. Together they’d enter enemy headquarters to complete the mission, and that was to destroy the newest version of the Ultimate Computer.

Their ruse was that they possessed the UNCLE master codes and the location of every sub-station and outpost around the world. Such information in THRUSH hands would result in a bloodbath as they could eliminate all of the agents at those locations, thereby crippling the Command.The codes would give them access to the most top secret of communications.

The United Network Command for Law and Enforcement was the only true roadblock in THRUSH’s mission to subjugate the planet, once out of the way every nation would bow to their organization, whose very name touted their desire for worldwide domination.

Such were the supposed carrots that Mark Slate aka Charles Chevalier, would dangle in front of their greedy noses, and ones they no doubt couldn’t resist.

The team of agents exited their vehicle a block away from Central’s main entrance. The feathered ones seemed to favor using a men’s haberdashery as their cover, which Solo always thought to be a great idea.

“Gee I wonder if they’re carrying any of the Italian designers?”

Napoleon made the off-handed remark as he walked side by side with his partner along the sidewalk, knowing it would just irk the man. It was an attempt to lighten the tension, though Illya might not get that as he tended to be very single-minded and focused. Perhaps moreso, wound very tightly when they were on assignments such as this. Everything needed to go off like clockwork, otherwise they could lose Slate and Dancer.

“My friend I swear you have a one track mind at times,” Illya remarked, but when he saw Napoleon gaping at April as she removed her coat and exited the car, he amended his statement. “Correction you have a two track mind…”

Solo’s eyes opened wide as he saw how she was rather scantily clad in the shortest black mini-dress he’d ever seen. It was low cut as well, revealing a good deal of cleavage. Her auburn hair was gatherered up into a sort of French twist, and completing her ensemble was a pair of black stiletto heels.

Mark on the other hand was looking rather natty, dressed in a grey sharkskin suit, sporting a fedora with a black walking cane being twirled in his right hand.

“April,” Napoleon spoke into the microphone clipped beneath his lapel. “I hope you’re wearing panties under that? If you bend over you’ll be giving the whole world quite a sight.”

She grinned, hearing Solo’s voice in her earpiece, and responded into the microphone sewn into her bodice.”

“That’s for me to know and you to find out later, lover and a few Thrushies, that is...” she flirted unmercifully.

“And where exactly do you have your gun? He continued his interrogation.”

“Again darling, that’s for me to know,” she giggled. Like a magician, some secrets just couldn't be revealed.

“Hey mates let’s keep the eyes on the prize please and focus. A last run though if you don’t mind?” Slate interrupted.

“Go ahead Mark,” Illya spoke into his own mic.

We’ll enter Central using my Thrush ID taken from the real Chevalier. I’ll tell them I need to input time sensitive data into the Ultimate Computer that will bring about the downfall of U.N.C.L.E.  April will use her feminine wiles to distract any birdies while I plant my explosives to destroy said computer and then we’ll make a hasty retreat from the building.”

Illya continued where Mark left off.” This will have to be accomplished within twenty minutes as we will cause a distraction out in the store front to draw out as many guards as possible.  Of course if you do not return in a reasonable amount of time that means…”

“Don’t go there darling.” April said.” But but if we are captured, we’ve been instructed to use our pills…”

“We’re not going to be captured luv, this is going to go off flawlessly,” Mark reassured her.

“Just be careful you...two.” Napoleon interrupted. At that moment he ached to take April in his arms for one last embrace, as he had a bad feeling about her involvement in this operation.

Illya was right in reminding them they needed to control their emotions and sublimate their feelings. Letting them control him would cause a danger to himself and the others. Napoleon pushed his concerns for Dancer aside. He had to concentrate on the task at hand.

Solo and Kuryakin waited at a reasonable distance, watching as the others entered the ‘Passerine Haberdashers;’ passerine related to the latin term Passer Domesticus, the scientific name of the eponymous species, the house sparrow and ultimately from the term passer for Passer sparrows and other similar small birds… the class of which thrush were members.

Mark sauntered into the shop with an air of arrogant confidence, followed by April who walked rather provocatively, swaying her hips and snapping a wad of gum in her mouth. They were both pleasantly surprised being greeted by the tinkling of a brass bell at the door, not unlike the one at Del Floria’s.

“Can I help you Mister,” a balding hawknosed shopkeeper asked, eyeing the two with suspicion. For a haberdasher he was dressed most unstylishly, sporting an oversized grey cardigan sweater. His shirt and bown trousers were ill-fitting as well.

Mark drew his T.H.R.U.S.H. ID card from his breast pocket, making sure the fellow saw his luger nestled in his shoulder holster.

“Oh...OH….um Mr. Chevalier. Yes sir. I have your suit ready for you in the back, it’s being pressed. If you just step through the curtains my assistant will help you.”

“Merci Monsieur.”

“...but not the young lady.”

“And why ‘ees this?” Slate demanded.”She ‘ees with moi!”

“She doesn’t have the proper credentials.”

“She weeel as she ‘is, ‘ow you say...a new recruit and for the moment she is my partner and paramour.”

“Oh, well when you put it that way. Go ahead in Miss.”

April snapped her gum as her reply.

They passed through the curtain, following a short corridor to a small room and there they were met by a receptionist, who greeted them.

“Welcome back Monsieur Chevalier, we didn’t expect to see you this soon...and this is?”

“Mademoiselle Candy Sweet, my new partner in crime. She wishes to join zee organization and has many unique talents to offer. First things first ‘owever. I have vital information that must be immediately input into our Ultimate Computer. It is information that is time sensitive and will bring down our arch nemesis UNCLE. If they find these files have gone missing...in about twenty minutes, we will lose out on our window of opportunity to take control of zeir computer systems, and access all zeir secret files. So dépêchez-vous ma chère. (hurry up my dear).”

“Yes sir, right away. I’ll just call the Commandant to notify the Council...”

“Non, Mademoiselle, now! Time ‘ees wasting. We ‘ave but minutes to do zis.”

His attitude and demeanor were confident enough to bully her into cooperating. She hit the switch opeing the next door through which they needed to pass to gain final entry.

“Yes sir right away, this way...well you know that,” she nervously chattered.

Mark moved quickly through their primary entrance, with April right behind him. Luckily they had an escort taking them right to where they needed to go, so there was no guesswork in finding it, even though they had an idea where it was located.

The Ultimate Computer stood there in the middle of the room, a grey hulking machine whirring with its flashing lights; its memory storing all the evil of THRUSH.

A security guard sat behind a table and stood as Mark and April entered the room.

“Credentials please.”

Slate flashed his ID as well as a small piece of paper.

“I ‘ave little time and must enter these codes before UNCLE knows zey are missing. Out of my way.”

Mark stepped up to the machine, seating himself in front of the keyboard and screen located on the console pretending he was about to type in an access code.

“So handsome,” April leaned forward on the table, giving the Thrushman a spectacular view of her breasts.” You like working here at Central?” She had a cherry red lipstick in her hand and applied it slowly, sensually, getting his full attention as she puckered up her lips.

“Yeah, there’s good benefits and especially good benefits when babes like you stop by. Wanna come with me to my office baby, I have an itch I’d like you to scratch for me.”

He walked around the table, taking a glance at what Slate was doing.

April knew the risks of such provacative behavior, especially if she were captured. She was in essence setting herself up for the very abuses she feard, but she had to do it. It was her job and she needed to give Mark time to do his. Inside her mouth, she ran her tongue along the false tooth containing the suicide pill.

"Oh my, how clumsy of me?" She blurted out as she dropped her lipstick on the floor and bent over, giving the THRUSH guard a view he never expected...that was enough of a distraction to allow Slate to plant the more powerful gelignite plastic explosives and timers exactly where he needed to.

C4 wouldn't do, not for this job, Illya had recommened the compound, though a little less stable, it was more powerful. This was a one-shot deal and hand to work. Gelignite would ensure that, inspite of it being more dangerous to use. Leave it to Kuryakin to select such an explosive...

The timers were set to go off in three minutes, not leaving much of an opportunity to escape, but it had to be. They couldn't give anyone the time to disarm the devices if found.

Slate and Dancer both knew they were expendible.

“Yeah honey, show me more of what you got!” The guard, now fully distracted, began to drool as he stared at Dancer's naked fanny.

“All right ma love, we are done ‘ere,” Mark announced, keeping in character.

The doors to the computer room suddenly opened, and in dashed several more guards, clad in the standard green jumpers and black berets.

“Hey, that’s April Dancer. Get her and get him, whoever he is!”

The men took hold of her and April struggled in their grasp as they visciously wrenched her arms behind her back; one of them tore away at her dress, exposing her brassiere.

Mark turned, his gun in hand, darting the guards in rapid succession, but it was too late. He watched April collapse to the floor.

“Dear Lord no!” He ran to her side and checked, but couldn’t feel a pulse and he detected the faint odor of bitter almonds. Mark’s heart sank as he realized she must have taken the suicide pill.

He reached into his pocket, pulling out a fresh magazine containing live rounds and switched it out for the one with the remaining sleep darts. It was time to fight dirty.

Slate hoisted April’s body over his shoulder. If he was going to leave this world, it would be with her.He stepped out into the corridor just as alarms began to blare. Solo and Kuryakin must have initiated their part of the plan.

Napoleon and Illya entered the Haberdashery, knowing full well they’d be instantly recognized.

They began to argue loudly and appeared to wrestle, knocking shirts and ties off nearby tables. They sent a mannequin flying just as some THRUSH goons came running out after them, but wasted no time in darting them.

The shop manager screamed like a girl, diving behind his counter.

Solo and Kuryakin heard the sound of muffled shots, and watched as Slate emerged through the curtained entryway carrying his partner over his shoulder.

“Down!” Illya yelled as he tossed an explosive device though the entrance once Mark was clear.

It detonated with an ear-shattering blast, sending smoke and debris into the air, and seconds later a larger explosion rocked the building.

Marks work was done, but at what price? Napoleon said nothing as he lifted April’s lifeless body into his arms. They quickly left the smouldering satrap, making their way back to their car.

Illya slipped into the driver’s seat and Mark, pulling off his disguise, sat beside the Russian on the passenger side. His face ashen with grief at the loss of his partner.

Napoleon was slumped in the back still cradling April in his arms.

Not a word was said as they drove across town, returning to headquarters. Illya pulled into the secure UNCLE parking garage away from public view as they’d have to bring Dancer’s body inside.

Napoleon’s face was frozen in an impassioned gaze as he stared down at April, fighting back his emotions.

“Why, why did she do this?” He asked himself that over and over. They could have rescued her if she’d been captured, he had to believe that.

As the car pulled to a stop, medical personnel arrived with a gurney but it was then Solo heard a quiet moan, and watched in shock as April slowly opened her eyes.

He pulled her to him, whispering in her ear.

“Oh God April I thought I’d lost you.”

“Hmm, now you know how I felt about Mark,” she mumbled.

“Fair play,” Slate called back to her as he fought back his own tears of joy.

Napoleon gathered April into an embrace, kissing her cheeks, her nose and finally her lips for a very long time.

She was finally lifted to the gurney and taken to medical for examination. Apparently the suicide pill she taken had been defective, and happily so.

After the incident Alexander Waverly banned the use of such drastic measures with his people.

April, having been released after passing her checkup with no adverse after effect from the drug. She went with determination, straight to Waverly’s conference room to give him a piece of her mind, but when she saw how upset he was at her possible death, she let her anger dissipate.

“My dear, I do apologize for the way we handled Mr. Slates supposed demise. I was wrong in keeping you in the dark and should have trusted you to perform to the utmost of your ability.  Your gesture to put your life on the line to help complete the mission today proved that.  Can you forgive  an...Old Man?”

He actually opened his arms to her, offering her a hug. Such familiarity was unheard of, but April cooperated, letting Alexander Waverly wrap his arms around her in a fatherly embrace.

“Yes sir I can...but don’t let it happen again,” she laughed playfully, but meant every word of it.

“Rest assured my dear, I will not underestimate you again. On that you have my word.”

Dancer spent the next few hours together with her partner in their office, simply chatting and feeling grateful they were both still alive. Later on Napoleon popped in, handing April what looked like an invitation; she opened it and as expected it was for dinner at the 21 Club and for whatever was to follow afterwards. Waverly had granted them all a few days R & R and Solo didn't waste any time in making plans.

Later that evening, she again found herself in the arms of Napoleon Solo. They stood on the balcony of their hotel room at the Ritz-Carlton there in the city; a brief but luxurious getaway for the both of them.

“Let’s go somewhere tropical, maybe hop a flight to Miami, just you and me Red, “Napoleon spoke softly as the night breeze blew her hair out of place. He tucked the stray lock back in to where it belonged while the strains of a piano accompanied by a soulful saxaphone played on a radio inside.

Below them, the din of the city below was muted, and everywhere the lights twinkled, along with the stars; adding life to the darkness of the night sky.

“No. New York is fine. I love it here,” April said. “Let’s take a cruise on the Hudson River tomorrow, or go to Chinatown, or Times Square. I don’t care.  The city is so alive and vibrant and I want to share that with you Napoleon. I feel like I have a new lease on life, a second chance if you want to look at it that way. We travel the world all over but, there's no place like this city. It's part of me, you and U.N.C.L.E. I feel so out of touch when I'm away from here."

“Wow you’re in a nostalgic New York state of mind aren’t you?” He smiled.

“That and a Napoleon Solo state of mind. I’m sorry about this morning, I’m sure it upset you thinking I was dead. Trust me I didn’t do it to teach anyone a lesson, but it sort of turned out like that didn’t it?”

“I’ll be honest, it did. It made me realize how important you are to me, and to the Command. It took a lot of guts to bite down on that pill. In a way it was an amazing power to have control over the moment you’d die. As spies we never know when death is going to come knocking do we? Sometimes I feel like we just live day by day."

“Well thank goodness it didn’t work. I didn’t really want to die but...well it’s different for a woman. Given we’d infiltrated Central, I figured I’d be in for the worst of it if captured and it looked like it was going to happen. That’s why Waverly authorized the suicide pills. Torture is one thing but the abuse and humiliation I would have suffered at the hands of those animals, well I wasn’t about to let that happen.”

“I understand, really I do.” Napoleon turned her around and kissed her tenderly; in one swift move he scooped her up into his arms and carried her through the candle-lit sitting room to the bedroom.

                     

He gently laid April down on the white satin coverlet; watching as she slowly unbuttoned her blouse, and slipped out of her skirt. She was wearing flimsy and very sexy black lace underthings, and that suddenly jogged Napoleon’s memory.

“Hey I forgot to ask,"he whispered, his voice now a little husky, "were you wearing panties today or not?”

April laughed, telling a white lie. “Of course I was darling.”

“Good, because I wouldn’t want anyone else to see what I see,” Napoleon crinkled his nose as he lowered himself to her and they made love with more passion perhaps than they had in quite some time.

Second chances could do that to one’s enthusiasm...

Comments

[lacik9.livejournal.com]

Very interesting and emotional story. How difficult it must be to decide to take the cyanide pill - thank heavens it was defective. Nice though that it taught the boys a lesson.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Yes I couldn't even begin to imagine the courage it would take to do that, but considering what April would have faced over and above the normal interrogation and torture, I guessed it would be the better move for her. She's not a high level agent really like Solo and Kuryakin so she might not have been as valuable a captive. yikes.

Yet as you said her luck at surviving the suicide pill taught everyone a lesson, including Mr. Waverly.

thanks for reading and commenting.