Babyhead Fungus Affair
By Jkkitty
The two walked across the campus, backpacks slung over their shoulders and heads together. The girl had waist long pale, strawberry blonde hair, while the boy's hair was pale blonde.
They were dressed in matching tie dye tee shirts, faded blue jeans with matching jacket a large peace signs on their back, and natural leather boots. The only difference was the fringe that edged the girl's jacket and boots. The young woman waist long hair was braided with flowers intertwined.
The two heads seemed to be sharing quiet moments together, smiling, laughing, and talking. Most who saw them believed they were too young to be in college.
As they approached a bench on which a dark haired professor was sitting, "Would you mind us sharing your bench?" the boy asked with an accent that left people often wondering where he was from.
"Actually, I was just leaving. Be my guest." With this, he stood and moved off leaving a newspaper.
A minute later the girl notice the paper, "Professor, your newspaper," the girl called with the same unidentifiable accent. The professor seemed not to hear her, so the girl picked it up and examined it.
In the margin the words 15 minutes, your room was written. Placing it in her backpack, she stood. "Let's head back to the room. It's time to work," the boy reminded her.
Sighing deeply, "I know. It's just…." the girl let the final words died away. Giving her a hug, the young man knew what she meant.
Two weeks ago
"Sit down Miss Kuryakin, gentlemen," Waverly had summoned them to his office urgently. "We have found that there is a new Thrush threat in Texas. It seems to have some connection to the Huston-Tillotson College, Biological Science Program in Austin, TX."
"What type of threat, Sir?" Last time Napoleon answered a college threat he was a professor, not one of his favorite roles.
"A total of five students in the last five months have been found dead in northwest part of Texas in Llano County. All five were students of the Biological Science program. The autopsies have indicated that they were killed by an unknown substance but always the same one. A substance that the college insist is not one of their."
"The three of you will go in as students and try to find out what is going on. Miss and Mr. Kuryakin you will go as a brother and sister foreign exchange students."
A grin crossed Waverly face, "Mr. Solo, you will go in as a biker who just returned from the war. Remember, we don't know if it is students, professors or a combination of both who is behind this. Just be aware that Thrush agents have been sighted in the area."
Picturing himself in jeans, sleeveless top, and denim jacket with an American flag on the back, boots, and riding a bike did not appeal to him, "Sir isn't that a little more within Illya's field of expertise."
"Mr. Solo, we need to make sure that if Thrush is there, they will recognize you. I think this identify will put you in the spotlight and achieve this purpose. Thereby allowing the Kuryakins to roam at will."
Illya and Jo attempted not to smile, but failed. "Napoleon, I am sure we can help you make your role believable," Illya offered, "No part in the hair, maybe a small beard or one earring. I do think I can help you."
"Thanks loads, partner. With friends like you who needs Thrush," he frowned.
"Here are your assignments. Mingle with the students and staff. See what you can find out and put a stop to whatever is happening immediately."
The three agents stopped by Section 8 for some items to help Napoleon with his clothing needs. "I can do this myself, Illya. I don't need your help."
"Napoleon, my brother is an expert at this," Jo grinned, "He will make sure you are properly outfitted for your role."
"I think you two are having entirely too much fun at my expenses. Just go away."
Instead, the two went through clothing and choose some that had Napoleon getting depressed. "I can't believe the Old Man did this to me."
He took the clothes and headed for the changing room.
Jo followed him and soon Illya heard, "Josephina Nichovia Kuryakin, cut it out."
"What is going on in there? This is not the place you know."
"Funny Illya, you two are just a riot," Napoleon pushed out of the dressing room pass Jo,
"She was trying to put this on my head," throwing a bandana at Illya, "I draw the line at that or an earring."
Smiling Illya reminded him, "Your tattoo appointment is in 15 minutes." Although not permanent, Napoleon still hated had them painted on his body.
He shot a deadly glare at Illya and Jo and left them. Before the door slid shut, he could hear the two of them begin to laugh uncontrollably. He was also sure he heard some of the Section 8 staff joining them.
The College
The small Volkswagen pulled up in front of the dorms which had rooms reserved for co-habs. Stepping out of the car, the young man and woman looked around. Beginning to unload the car, they introduced themselves, "I am David Nicholas, this is my sister Nika." to the other students offering greetings of welcome and help.
Taking their guitars out of the now empty car, Cindy, one of the girls helping them clean out the car, "You two play these things?"
"My brother and I both do."
"There a campfire later this evening. Bring it along, we can always use music."
"Well, we actually planned to get organized tonight, but David can we?"
Illya looked over at Jo. He saw a light in her eyes that rarely was there. The excitement was running throughout the students around them seemed to be rubbing off on her. Innocence could be seen in the faces around him, Jo's face showed the same thing.
"Well we can always set things up later," he agreed whispering in Jo's ear, "After the fire then."
As they were walking up the stairs to the building, a motorcycle raced up to the area. As it was turned off, the rider looked around. Some of the girls walking up the steps with them stopped and stared.
"Wow, look at that guy—so cool." The rest of the girls turned around and whistles were heard.
"Even as a biker, the girls love him," Jo said softy to Illya.
A group of girls surround the rider. "Hi girls. I'm R.V. Soloman" came the same charming voice that held the hearts of many women, "Anyone want to help me get this stuff inside?"
Within a few minutes, Napoleon's things were in his room. With a peck on the cheek for all who helped him, he closed the door and pulled out his communicator. "Open Channel S, Illya are you there?"
"Yes, and what a disgusting show you put on."
"Jealous, tovarisch."
"Really Napoleon, after all, that is what you are here for to keep the attention away from Jo and I."
"Okay," with a chuckle, "I will inform Mr. Waverly that we have arrived and are settled in. What are the plans for later?"
"There is a campfire this evening. Afterwards, we will do a little recon in the labs here."
"Ah a campfire is a great place to meet others and get to know people, great idea. I will see you at the campfire then," Napoleon clicked off and placed his call to Waverly.
"Mr. Solo, they have found two more students down. Do not take long to figure this out. That makes seven," leaving an empty communicator staring back at Napoleon.
"Yes, sir," he answered into an empty pen.
One week before
Although always there to assist, Jo found campus life exciting, nightly campfires, sing-a-longs, and other activities delighted her. More than once, the men met her at an activity to go on a recon.
Seeing the innocent of the moment in her eyes hurt Illya. He knew what sort of lives the two of them had missed out on. Multiple state-run orphanages, shuttled from one labor camp to another, then state ran specialty schools, military service, and then ordered to join UNCLE as a Soviet agent never left them time to just be a child.
Napoleon and Illya met in the forest behind the campus after one of their classes, "Where Jo?"
"Homework, my friend. She is taking this experience extremely seriously. "
"Illya, she seems withdrawn from this assignment, is she okay?"
"I believe that she is discovering what could have been. She will deal with it, but it does not mean the desire is not there. "Napoleon glanced at his partner, "And you?"
"I feel guilty. I wanted so much for her, and could not ensure any of it. It hurts to see what could have been."
Neither man had heard Jo entering coming up behind them. "What type of spies are you two? I could have shot both of you before you got your guns out," her grin turned to sadness, "Do not fear. I will not let either of you down. I am an agent first, person second. I have always known where my responsibilities lie."
Hugging each man, "What was and what could have been can never be revisited. So what are the plans for tonight?"
The night before
Breaking into the final lab was more difficult that the other they had entered. The locks were of better quality and an alarm needed to be bypassed. After entering, Illya and Jo began to go through the papers in the draws, nothing was in evident that could give them a clue.
Napoleon kept watch while searching for any other place papers could be hiding. "A safe," he announced.
Illya quickly joined him. With a mock bow, he let Illya open it. As soon as the door to the safe opened, a light started to flicker on the desk, "Damn, a silent alarm. Get out," Napoleon tossed the papers in the safe at Jo, "Now!"
The two men pulled their guns covering her as she exited the window. As Illya started climbing out, bullet buzzed his head. Dropping to the ground, Illya heard "Drop your gun, Mr. Solo."
Illya could see Napoleon lowering his gun and standing before the window. Before anyone could come nearer, Illya reached up, grabbed his partner's shirt, and pulled him out of the window. Surprised at Solo disappearance, the men ran to the window.
By the time they arrived, there was no sign of Solo or whoever else was helping him. "Search the area," a voice demanded, "They have the files."
Arriving at Illya and Jo's room, Napoleon shook himself, "Thanks, I think. Every muscle in my body hurts."
Illya shrugged his shoulders, "I could have let them take you."
"I'm not complaining. Did you get to look them over?" glancing toward Jo and the papers.
"This is not my specialty but from what I do know; this fungus is something I never saw before."
Illya examined the papers over her shoulder. "I have not either."
"Okay, I'm no good here anymore. I'll take them to headquarters and notify you where we will go from here." With that he quickly changed into the clothes stored in their apartment, "Take care. Just because they didn't spot you don't mean they won't be looking."
With that Napoleon left the dorm and climbed into a car that had been sitting on the side of the dorm waiting for use.