Race For Your Life
Two motorcycles raced through the dark night on the winding road, one slightly ahead of the other. Their riders, anonymous in black helmets and equally dark garb, crouched low over the machines as if to coax them to greater speed. The rear rider glanced momentarily over his shoulder as they approached a curve and sped up next to the leader.
"They're gaining," he shouted over the wind to his partner. Napoleon nodded in acknowledgement and gestured with his chin. Illya followed the movement and saw a small side road approaching rapidly. He gave his own nod and the two bikes swerved simultaneously onto the other road. With the same silent symmetry, the lights turned off on both vehicles and Illya again dropped slightly to the rear.
The only light now came from the half-moon wavering in and out of thin clouds, but they slowed only slightly on the unfamiliar road. Fortunately no other traffic seemed to be out at this late hour. Or, rather, this early hour, Illya reflected wryly, calculating time even as he skillfully dodged a pothole at the last moment. They'd met the courier at 11:30pm, the THRUSH ambush had occurred only a few minutes later, and the ensuing chase had been going on for nearly an hour. At least they'd managed to draw the gunmen away from populated areas, so there was less risk of civilian casualties. Now if they could just avoid UNCLE casualties as well…
A brief gleam of light cut short his musing. Even as he looked he saw it again in his rear view mirror. Headlights, and approaching far too quickly to be a local resident heading for home. Illya frowned in annoyance and pulled up next to Napoleon again.
"I saw," the other man yelled before he could speak. "Ideas?"
"If they've radioed ahead we could be heading for a trap," the Russian said.
Napoleon grimaced in agreement. "Make a stand?" he suggested.
Illya shook his head. "We're outnumbered." He thought fast. "We've got a lead and it's still a winding road. Get around another curve or two and duck into the trees off the side. With any luck they'll go right by us and not realize for a while."
"If we had luck," Napoleon muttered too softly for his partner to hear, "we wouldn't be out here in the first place."
They gunned the bikes again, staying side by side, and lost sight of the headlights behind them. Past an intersection - good, that meant more directions THRUSH would have to search - around one more curve and then Napoleon pointed. They were approaching a stretch where the woods flanked the road for some distance. Without a word, he pulled into the trees on the right, while Illya sought shelter to the left of the road. It was rough going and even slowing rapidly he nearly lost control. Fortunately it had not rained for some time and the ground was hard beneath the wheels as he pulled up well into the brush and trees.
Not wasting a moment, Illya jumped off the bike, leaned it against a tree and opened the back compartment. He quickly removed the dark camouflage fabric and draped it over the bike, effectively hiding any metallic gleam. Satisfied that it was as invisible as possible he looked around for a hiding place for himself.
Off the other side of the road, Napoleon was taking similar measures when his pen chimed softly.
"Are you set?" Illya asked. "I can't see you."
Napoleon chuckled. "That's the idea. Yes, I'm ready. There's good coverage here. What about you?"
"I'm up a tree," came the answer. "Good vantage point and I don't think I'll be visible from the road."
"We could take out their tires as they go by," Napoleon suggested.
"You're itching for a fight tonight, aren't you? Why don't we just let them go by?"
"Sometimes your Russian practicality is annoying," he complained, but his partner's response was lost at the sound of an approaching motor. Both agents closed their pens, pulled their guns and crouched in their chosen spots.
