PART 1
99 rushed into the Chief's office after getting an
urgent message from him that he wanted to see her.
"Yes Chief, what's up?", 99 asked, instinctively.
"Please sit down 99, I have something to tell you."
The Chief was not very good at hiding his emotions and
99 sensed immediately that the news he had to tell her
was not good.
"It's Max isn't it? What's happened to him?" 99 rushed
to ask.
The Chief knew that he couldn't hide anything from her
and decided to be upfront with the situation.
"Don't worry, Max is ok but he has been arrested and
charged with spying against the Country of Montania".
99 let out a sigh of relief. She knew that the news
was not good, but at least Max was alive.
"I don't understand, Chief. Max was sent there as a
consultant for a new secret service branch that the
government was creating."
"Yes, the government did ask for our help, but it seems
there is a group that plotted to overthrow the
government with this new service we were helping them
develop. The military caught wind of it and they
arrested 7 people they believe are the ringleaders.
Unfortunately, Max was meeting with this group when
the arrests were made. Now the military believes he is
part of that group."
99 bolted out of the chair and reached for the phone.
"We've got to get him out, Chief. I'll catch the next
plane ..."
"Wait 99...", the Chief grabbed the phone out of 99's
hand. "You can't just rush into that country and 'get
him out'. We're talking about a small country and
their foreign protocol is something we know little
about. We don't want to risk any chance of this
blowing up in our face, and getting Max convicted of
espionage."
"But Chief, you know the penalty for spying in most
countries, if they find him guilty ..." 99 started to
think about the consequences. "We can't wait!"
"We're doing everything we can to contact the
government, but it's a sticky situation there. With the
coup in effect, all communications are monitored by
the military."
"I can't just sit around waiting, Chief. There must be
some way for us to get to him", 99 said with some
urgency.
"Well, there is one way. We can send you there as Mrs.
Maxwell Smart, not Agent 99. They wouldn't deny a wife
of seeing her husband under these circumstances. Your
true identity of being a CONTROL agent cannot be
revealed or you'll risk being arrested, too."
"I'm willing to take that chance to save Max", 99 pledged.
"99, if it were any other agent, I'd say no. But, you're
one of our best, and Max is your husband, so we'll
arrange for you to fly there and have an audience with
Prince Devoreau. The president will send a sworn affidavit with you to present in Max's defense. It should clear Max of any wrongdoing the military might think he's
involved with."
PART 2
In a small, dark and dank cell on the military post,
Max sat alone, waiting for some word of his fate. He
wondered if the chief was notified of his predicament,
and when he would be able to contact him. He
especially wondered how 99 would be taking the news.
He was in good shape, considering the interrogations he
was put through. Just tired from lack of sleep and not
much food. The captain of the guards came through the
steel door of his holding area and approached him.
"Mr. Smart?" Max stood up from his cot and walked over
to the bars. "Colonel Landau will be taking up your
case in the morning."
"Has my government been informed of my arrest?"
"Yes."
Max waited for more of an answer, but none was forthcoming.
"And is there anything else?" Max asked, eagerly.
"They have been informed," Captain Antoine said in a
monotone voice as he turned and left.
Max was relieved. At least the gears were in motion to
get him released. But when?
The next morning Max awoke with a start from the
outside steel door opening suddenly. The Captain
arrived with two armed soldiers. The cell was opened
and they stepped in.
"Hands behind your back please", the Captain commanded.
"What for?", Max quickly asked.
The Captain didn't wait for Max to decide if he was
going to obey his order. He nodded to one of the
soldiers who roughly turned Max around and grabbed his
arms to cuff his wrists together behind him.
"Is this necessary?" Max winced as the cuffs were
clamped on tightly. "I'm not planning to escape."
The Captain didn't respond and lead Max out of the
cell and down a corridor.
Max was taken inside a room where high ranking
Military officers were seated in front of a long table. The
officer in the middle seemed to be handling the
hearing. He flipped through a folder of paperwork,
studying each paper carefully. Max waited for the
officer to speak first, not wanting to risk saying
something that could incriminate him. The officer put
the folder down and addressed Max.
"Maxwell Smart, you have been charged with espionage
against the country of Montania. How do you plead?"
Max stepped forward. "How do I plead? I haven't done
anything. I was sent here by your government to be
a..."
"How do you plead?" the officer sternly asked again.
"I want to see a lawyer. I know my rights. You just
can't..."
The officer nodded to the soldier next to Max as the
soldier took the butt end of his gun and slammed it
into Max's side. The hit knocked the wind out of him
as he doubled over in pain. The soldier straightened
him back up.
"For the last time, Mr. Smart, how do you plead?"
Max looked at the board of officers waiting
impatiently for him to answer.
"Not guilty", Max whispered hoarsely.
"The plea of 'not guilty' has been duly noted from the
prisoner. Mr. Smart, this court will examine your case
and the evidence against you and make its decision
tomorrow."
"What kind of decision?", Max quivered.
Before Max could say anything more, he was hustled out
of the courtroom and back to his cell. He sat down on his cot
and instinctively reached into his pocket for a cigarette.
Not finding any, he began to pace from one end of the cell to the
other.
He wondered if the Chief was going to get him out of here
before "a decision" was reached. What if the Chief
couldn't get him out and they convicted him of spying?
He could be sentenced to life in jail in a country he
knew little about. Or maybe worse, they could shoot
him as a spy. The more Max thought about it the more
nervous he became.
The outside door opened, and Captain Antoine stepped in.
"Mr. Smart, you have a visitor." 99 appeared from
behind the captain and rushed to the cell. "Max!"
"99!" Max couldn't believe his eyes and pressed his
body against the bars in an effort to reach her.
"Please let my wife come into the cell", Max pleaded to
the captain.
"Sorry, I cannot permit that."
Max was frustrated but it didn't matter. He was
thrilled to see 99.
"99, I've gotten myself into quite a situation", Max
said as he looked at his accommodations.
Softly stroking his face, 99 said, "Oh Max, I am so
glad you're alright. I've worried so much about you.
Poor Max, look at you."
Max looked a bit disheveled, not having shaved or
showered in days. But it didn't matter now. He felt
better that 99 was there.
Max looked over to the Captain, "Could we have a
moment?"
The Captain left Max and 99 alone.
"Oh 99, I can't believe you're here. How did you
arrange it?"
"With the country under military rule, the only way
they permitted me to see you was to come as your wife. I
cannot reveal my identity as an agent."
"I understand, 99, but you need to do something quick.
The military court is deciding my fate by tomorrow."
"Don't worry, Max. I have an audience with the Prince
in the morning. I have a signed affidavit from the
President of your innocence. Our government is too
important to this country to let something like this
happen."
"I hope you're right, 99, or you might be taking me home
in a pine box."
"Max don't say that!" 99 didn't want to hear such talk
from Max. Just the thought of something happening to
him gave her an uneasy feeling.
"Try to get some rest, Max. I'll be back in the morning
and get you released."
Max brought his face up to the bars as 99 leaned in
and kissed him gently. As 99 walked out, Max stood
alone, knowing it was going to be a long and lonely night.
PART 3
Later that evening, Colonel Landau called Captain
Antoine into his office. Standing at attention, the
captain announced his arrival. "Yes sir, you sent for
me?"
The Colonel was checking over his paperwork for the
day. Without looking up the Colonel replied casually,
"Yes, the court has found all the prisoners guilty."
"Yes sir. Even the American, Mr. Smart?"
"Yes, Captain, ... even Mr. Smart. The United States has
wanted to gain control of our great sea port. It all fits
together. The US sends an agent to help create a new
secret service, then those involved overthrow the
government, giving the US access to our port. But, we have
crushed their plot and now they must pay the
consequences," the colonel said proudly.
"Begging the Colonel's pardon, you should know that
Smart's wife is seeing Prince Devoreau in the morning.
Seems she has evidence that proves Mr. Smart was in no
way aware or involved in the plot."
"Captain, we have examined all the evidence against
Smart. The court has come to a conclusive decision of
his involvement. Since we will not tolerate any such
attempts to disrupt the sanctity of our country's prosperity.
The penalty for these crimes against the state is death by
firing squad, to be carried out tomorrow morning.
Unless his wife can show me proof and a stay of
execution from the Prince, Mr. Smart will be executed
tomorrow as scheduled. You are dismissed."
Captain Antoine saluted and turned to leave.
Max stared out into the courtyard from his cell,
wondering what 99 was doing tonight, wishing he were
with her. Captain Antoine came through the door
looking very solemn. His expression made Max uneasy.
"What's wrong? Is my wife ok?" Max asked desperately.
"You're wife is fine."
Max breathed a sigh of relief.
"I'm here to inform you ...you've been found guilty of
spying against our country."
Max's face dropped as he rushed to the bars, "What
about a trial? How can they come to that conclusion
without a fair jury trial?"
"There is no jury trial. It was decided by a military
court."
"More like a Kangaroo Court. And with this decision
brings what kind of penalty?"
"Execution by firing squad ...tomorrow."
Max's eyes grew wide and his voice got desperate.
"Executed? Tomorrow?" Max began to sweat and panic.
"This isn't right! What kind of justice is this? My
government won't stand for this, you know. My wife is
scheduled to get that reprieve in the morning and what
if she doesn't get back in time? Can't you do something?"
"I'm sorry, I'm under orders. Let's hope she gets back
in time."
Max was in dismay. "Please, you've got to get word to
my wife about this."
"It's curfew. No one can leave the post."
"Then make a phone call," Max pleaded.
The Captain shook his head.
"Please, you're my only chance to prove my innocence
and save my life," Max begged.
Captain Antoine could see the desperation in Max's face.
He wanted to be fair, since he felt the Colonel and the
officers came to a rushed decision of his guilt.
Captain Antoine sighed, "I'll see what I can do."
"Thank you." Max looked at his watch. "What time
tomorrow?"
"Noon. I've scheduled you to be last. That will give
you more time."
Max wiped the sweat from his brow. "She's just gotta
make it back in time."
Max looked at the Captain. "I'm innocent. You have to
believe me!"
Captain Antoine gave no indication whether to believe
Max or not. He had his orders, and was expected to
carry them out under the command of his Colonel.
The morning sun peaked through the bars of Max's cell
as he lay on his cot staring up to the ceiling. He
wondered if 99 would make it back before noon. If
there was ever a time that he felt helpless, now was
the time.
The Captain entered the room and addressed Max,
"We informed your wife of the situation and she is
en route to the palace."
Max breathed a little easier but was still on edge.
Again Max looked at this watch, 7am. He began to pace
nervously.
"I sent one of my soldiers to accompany her so she
doesn't run into any roadblocks."
Max smiled at the Captain, "Thank you. I owe you one."
Captain Antoine nodded and left. One of the soldiers
stopped the Captain as he walked down the corridor.
"Sir? Colonel Landau would like to see you," the
soldier said, at attention.
The Captain knocked on the Colonel's door. "Enter,"
came a voice from inside.
Captain Antoine saluted, "You sent for me, Sir?"
The Colonel was straightening his tie in the mirror.
"Have the prisoners been informed?"
"Yes, sir."
"Has the squad been assembled?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good." The Colonel sensed a problem from the Captain.
"Is there a problem, Captain?"
"Colonel's permission to speak frankly, sir?"
"Permission granted," the Colonel said, eyeing him
carefully.
"It's about the American, Mr. Smart."
"What about him?," the colonel said, as he slipped into
his uniform coat.
"I think we have the wrong man, sir."
Colonel Landau finished brushing the lint off his coat
and walked up to the Captain. "You are not here to
think, Captain. You are here to carry out orders."
"But Colonel, Mr. Smart's wife is seeing the Prince
this morning. Shouldn't we wait to see if she comes
back with a stay?"
"Even if she did, why would you think I'd honor it?
Because he's the Prince?" Captain Antoine couldn't
believe that the Colonel went back on his decision to
give Mr. Smart a chance to clear himself. The Colonel
looked out his window. "I've never trusted the Prince
in the first place. If I didn't know better, I'd say he
was involved in this plot, too. Anyway, I don't tell
him how to do his job, and he shouldn't tell me how to do mine."
"So, even if Mrs. Smart comes back with a stay of
execution, you won't honor it?" Captain Antoine asked
flatly.
Colonel Landau turned and placed his hands on his desk,
leaning forward looking the Captain straight in the
eye. "Captain, Mr. Smart was found guilty of spying.
You know the penalty for spying. Now I don't want to
hear any more about it. You have your orders. Carry
them out or I shall have you court-martialed. Understood?"
Captain Antoine knew the Colonel was serious, "Yes,
sir. Understood. What do I do about Mrs. Smart, when
she arrives?"
"I'll take care of Mrs. Smart. You just follow your
orders."
The Captain left the office feeling the Colonel was
abusing his newfound power. He made his way back to Max's cell.
Max stood up as he saw the Captain approach.
"I feel I need to tell you the situation facing you,
Mr. Smart."
Max swallowed hard, knowing the news was not good by
the look on his face. "How much worse can it get?"
"Even if your wife got here in time with a stay ...
the colonel refuses to honor it."
The news hit Max like a shot between the eyes.
"That much worse. Then I guess this is it," Max pondered.
"I'm sorry."
"Do you have a cigarette?" Max asked.
The Captain pulled one out from his coat pocket and
passed it to Max. Reaching for it, Max looked at his
hand as it began to shake. His nervousness caused him
to think out loud.
"We were about to celebrate our one year anniversary
next month. I was going to surprise her by buying a
little house. We were planning to have kids soon, and I
didn't want them to be raised in an apartment. My
dream was to have a house and a yard so my kids could
play and be safe." Max took one last drag, dropped
the butt to the floor and put it out with his foot.
"Guess it was just a dream."
Max stood up and walked over to the Captain. Taking
off his watch, Max commented, "Would you give this
to my wife? She gave it to me when we were married."
Max started to smirk as he looked at the inscription on the back.
"How ironic," Max said as he held it tightly in his hand, then
offered it over to the Captain. Max turned and walked
back to the cell window looking out to the courtyard.
Captain Antoine turned and walked out. Standing in the
corridor, he turned the watch over to read the inscription on the back:
"To my love, Now that I have you, I'll never let you go."
Part 4
It was ten minutes to twelve and still no sign of 99's
arrival. The outer door to the cell opened and in
walked Captain Antoine, accompanied by a soldier. Max
could see the captain telling one of his men
something, then leaving the captain to enter alone.
A knock came on the door of the colonel's office. A
private entered standing at attention in front of the
colonel.
"Mrs. Smart is here to see you, sir."
"Send her in."
99 entered with some urgency as she rushed to the
colonel's desk. She laid an official looking document
down in front of him.
"Colonel, this is an official stay of execution from
Prince Devoreau, and an order for the release of my husband."
Colonel Landau looked at the document and studied it
carefully. Setting it down, he turned his attentions to
99.
"What am I to do with this?" the colonel replied,
pointing to the paper.
"You are to release my husband, that's what you're to
do with it", 99 said, glancing over to the clock with 3
minutes to spare.
"Oh?" The colonel took a cigar from a large box on his
table. With a match, he lit his cigar then took the
document and lit the edge of it. The document started
to burn as he placed it down on the metal ashtray.
"The document!", 99 gasped, as she began to reach for it.
"What document?" the colonel asked with a sadistic
smile, as he moved it out of 99's reach.
99's eyes grew with panic. "I don't understand. I was
told you would honor a stay from the Prince."
The colonel took a big drag off his cigar. "Who told
you that?"
"Your Captain Antoine informed me."
"Is that so, Mrs. Smart? ...Or shall I say Agent 99 of
CONTROL?"
99 stood frozen, and shocked that her identity was
exposed.
Colonel Landau stood up and walked over to the big
picture window. Looking out, he could see the entire
courtyard.
"I warned your government not to send another agent,
but they totally disregarded my order. I want your
government to know that I mean business and I want to teach
them a lesson."
"And that's why you're going to execute my husband?"
The clock tower began to chime. The colonel pulled out
his pocket watch and opened it.
"Yes", the colonel said casually. "And you're just in
time to witness it."
99 looked over to see Max being brought outside with two
soldiers in front of him and two behind him. Captain
Antoine followed behind them as they lead Max to a
wooden post in the middle of the courtyard.
A chill coursed down 99's spine. She yelled at the
colonel, "NO! YOU CAN'T DO THIS!!" 99 rushed to the
window, screaming as loud as she could, "MAX, MAX!!!"
There was no response from Max or the captain.
Before 99 could pound on the glass the soldier in the
room grabbed her and held her.
"They can't hear you, Mrs. Smart," the colonel calmly
said.
99 struggled as she watched Max being led to the
post.
The soldier put Max up against the post, then brought
his hands around, cuffing them behind him.
99, still struggling, kept yelling out Max's name.
The soldiers took their places 20 feet in front of Max
and stood at attention. The captain walked over and
pinned a small white cloth target over Max's heart.
"Please call it off!! PLEASE, I'M BEGGING YOU!", 99
pleaded, as she struggled to free herself.
Captain Antoine looked up to the window and was given
a nod from the colonel.
"READY!", called out the captain. The soldiers' guns
swept upward.
99, seeing the soldiers in their ready position, had to act fast. She
caught
the soldier holding her off guard, and dropped him with
an elbow to the ribs. The colonel rushed toward her,
only to get kicked backward over his desk.
"AIM!", came the second command.
The bolts on the guns clacked back. Max closed his
eyes, anticipating the next command.
Grabbing a chair, 99 flung it against the glass,
shattering it into pieces. 99 screamed out, "MAX!!!!"
Hearing the glass break and his name called out caused
Max to lean forward only to go so far because of his
restraint. Seeing 99 franticly reaching out to him
from the balcony, Max yelled back, "99!!!!"
"FIRE!!"
The rifles crackled in unison as the volley of bullets
slammed into Max's chest, pushing him back against the
post. The impact took Max's breath away, wincing as a
blinding pain shot through his body. A wet crimson
color rapidly darkened the chest area of his white
shirt and a shroud of darkness surrounded him as he
began to lose consciousness, his body sliding slowly
down the post to the ground.
99 stood in shock as she saw Max lying on the ground.
"OH MY GOD, MAX... NO!!" She swung around to confront
Colonel Landau, but was quickly restrained by the
soldier.
"YOU MURDERER!", screamed 99.
Colonel Landau straightened his uniform, "I should
have you arrested for that outburst, but I want you out
of our country as soon as possible. You can send a
message back to your government that any further attempt to interfere
with our political situation here will result in the
same action, Agent 99."
99's eyes began to flood with tears. She stood
speechless, not knowing what to do.
The colonel addressed the soldier in the room,
"Private, you will accompany Mrs. Smart to the
infirmary, where she may claim her husband's body and
make arrangements to leave the country."
TO BE CONTINUED