Johannesburg, South Africa

The woman sat behind her desk drumming her fingers as she watched the men file silently into her office and take seats that had been arranged in a semi – circle facing her. She had called this meeting to discuss several new initiatives, but first, one piece of old business needed to be addressed. Her Number Ones of Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa took up most of the seats while the others were taken by her Chief Financial Advisor, her head of world – wide security and finally, a blonde she had heard about, but never met. She looked at her expectantly.

"Chairwoman Kosovo, may I present one of our top operatives, Agent Angelique DeChien of THRUSH Europe," said Teddy Bogus. Dragica "Dragi" Kosovo had appointed him to take over from Cosmo Lawrence after he had…disappointed her.

"Agent DeChien," Dragi purred, "So we finally meet. I have heard that your mission success rate is quite impressive. May I call you Angelique?"

Angelique's face showed pleasure and pride when she answered, "Of course, Chairwoman Kosovo, I would be honored if you did." Internally, all of her senses were on high alert. It was not overstating the facts to say that Dragi Kosovo was one of the most dangerous, if not the most dangerous, woman in the world. For what seemed the hundredth time Angelique thought, What does she want from me? She felt like she was in a dark cave with a deadly viper, not knowing if where she stood was safe or when it would strike.

"Excellent! You must call me Dragi. We women, we must stick together, yes?" At the blonde's nod, she smiled and said, "I had Ted bring you here because I have a job I want you to undertake. The last two agents assigned were only able to complete half the mission."

"They were killed?"

"Yes. UNCLE had relocated them to the western United States after capturing and debriefing them. I found and executed them. Personally. That precipitated Teddy Bogus' and Bernard Cyrus' elevation to the Number One positions in Europe and North America, respectively." She must have read something in Angelique's face because she quickly added, "Oh, do not worry, Angelique; I have no doubt you will be successful. Lawrence and Toles were at the end of their usefulness anyway and their failure put a period to their lives. Let me give you some background."

Angelique listened attentively as Dragi recounted how the defections of Valerie O'Shea and Mikhail Sukharov to UNCLE had affected THRUSH's finances and compromised quite a few long term operations worldwide. She could certainly understand the chairwoman's anger and frustration at having so many plans thwarted. I think I know what she wants now.

As if she read Angelique's mind Dragi said, "I want you to finish what Toles and Lawrence started: Locate and kill Valerie O'Shea for treason against the THRUSH Central Committee. The last intelligence report I received indicated that she is living somewhere in the state of New Hampshire under an assumed name with Sukharov's grandmother." She handed a large envelope to the agent. "This is all the information I have. Good luck."

"Consider it done, Dragi. I will not fail you," Angelique replied as she took the proffered material. "I will leave for the United States immediately."

Five hours later, Angelique was sitting in the first class section of a South African Airways flight on her way to New York City reading the contents of the envelope Dragi had given her. She sighed heavily as she sipped her martini. I should have known, Napoleon Darling, that you were up to your eyebrows in this business. Please don't make me finally have to kill you.