The mediterranean sun blazed down unmercifully; the heat draining the energy from the two men as they pulled in the sails on the yacht named the Nereid Thetis. The waters were unusually still, enough to let the boat drift aimlessly on the clear aqua-blue waters of the Aegean without concern. There wasn't a cloud in the sky nor even a breeze, turning the water into an immense mirror reflecting 'i chrysí sfaíre tou Apóllona_the golden orb of Apollo' with near blinding intensity.
A young, dark haired man named Aeneas dropped the anchor leisurely into the water creating a small splash, sending ripples across the smooth surface, catching the interest of a small group of grey dolphins that broke the surface gently, releasing a spray of water from their blow-holes as they swam close to the boat.
The Thetis would stay anchored there, just off the shore near the village of Fira on the crescent shaped island of Santorini situated south of the Greek Cyclades Islands of Ios and Anafi.
Villas dotted the island's steep cliffs, made of typical white Cycladic design with blue painted window trims that faced the black volcanic rock of the caldera of what was once a volcano that had collpased into itself, then filled with the waters of the Aegean. The high escarpments that remained, ranging from 150 to 300 metres in height, offering a spectacular view of the caldera to those hearty enough to make the climb.
A slightly built, fair-skinned blond finished tying off the sails. He was dressed only in a pair of tight-fitting white bathing trunks and a t-shirt to hide the numerous scars that covered his torso. He wiped the sweat from his brow with it, passing on applying sunscreen as he seated himself in a deckchair, lifting his dark glasses to rest them on his forehead, revealing eyes that were nearly the color of the sea that surrounded them.
Though he had been a wanted man in Greece only a year ago; it was now no longer of concern him; for someone else, someone more deserving of punishment had had been captured and executed for the assassination he had been assigned to carry out; felt no guilt as the man mistaken for him was not licit, having been a member of the military who had murdered and tortured countless innocents in the name of the junta that now ruled the country.
But erring on the side of caution; he remained onboard the boat, waiting while his American partner went to meet the men who had contacted U.N.C.L.E. only a week ago.
He lowered his sunglasses, sighing contentedly; grateful that there was no seasickness today as he leaned back in the chair leaving only the extreme heat for him to contend with. To any other boat passing by he would have looked like a pale tourist working on his tan, but he was in reality watching the shoreline intently from behind his sunglasses. When no one was near, he would periodically lift a small pair of binoculars, carefully scanning the distant cliffs and the shoreline.
Aineas spoke as the blond looked through the binoculars again.
"Min anisycheíte eínai me to Spyros kai Hektor aftós tha ei nai mia chará_don't worry. He's with Spyros and Hektor, he'll be fine."
"Eímai anisychoún gia tous_I am worrying about them. Napoleon has a habit of attracting trouble at times. And that trouble is usually the kind that sneaks up behind you; it pays to remain vigilant.
Illya watched until he saw a small motor boat carrying his partner and the two archaeologists leave the pier at Gialos Port, heading towards the yacht.
Napoleon Solo had met with the two men, sitting at a table in front of a small taverna in Fira, ten kilometres southwest of their archaelogical site on the outskirts of Akrotiri, the ancient Minoan settlement not far from the famed red beach of Santorini.
The sign above the establishment crudely hand lettered named the place, 'O Chaménos Adelfós_The Lost Brother.' It made Solo feel uneasy as it reminded him that he and his partner were separated. He did not like the idea of not having Illya in close proximity to watch his back, and conversely for him to watch Illya's as well.
The heat of the day was even getting to Solo, though usually he was as cool as a cucumber, as the saying goes. It was his partner who really suffered in unseasonable temperatures such as this, given his penchant for cooler climates, due to his Russian blood. Though he knew there were blond blue-eyed Greeks, Napoleon had yet to see one; giving all the more reason for Illya to lay low as his pale features would make him too conspicuous right now. He would need his partner to make a more obtuse appearance once the Thrush involment had been verified.
Hektor Michaelides and Spyros Giannapolous became concerned when their latest research brought them unwanted interest from a man identifying himself as a member of T.H.R.U.S.H. claiming to have helpful information in their search for a very rare antiquity.
Their contemporary, Professor Marinatos concentrated his efforts on the official dig at Akrotiri while Hektor and Spyros had ventured off on their quest southwards in search of a legendary grotto where many rare items of historical and scientific nature are purported to lay hidden for centuries.
"I remembered Nickó, I mean...Illya having mentioned the name TH.R.U.S.H. when last we met," Hektor said to Napoleon, " telling me that they were an evil organization bent on world domination. At the time my only concern was the evils being committed by the junta but when this man approached us, I became very nervous and contacted your organization. He does not know we have found the grotto and we have been directing his attentions closer to Akrotiri. We have let him think that is still our focal point."
Sypros poured them each a rather large helping of ouzo as an old woman brought them a mezé plate full of stuffed grape leaves, fresh wholemeal bread, spanikoptia, hummus, Greek olives, and feta cheese.
"What exactly did he say to you Hektor?" Napoleon asked, spooning a mouthful of the spinach pie, savoring it's flavor while the man spoke to him. He realized amusedly that his always hungry partner was missing out on some great food.
"He offered only his services, with but one caveat," Hektor said, "in exchange he wanted to be the first to be able to examine the device if found, and nothing more.
"That's what he wants you to think," the agent whispered. "Once he gets his hands on what he wants, you and Spyros would be dead men. He's using you to do the work for him because he can't get permits to do it himself and it's too risky to have an illegal dig in operation. I think that you two should come back to the yacht with me. Your friend Aeneas is waiting with Illya, we can speak a little more privately there."
Just then Hektor's attention was drawn away as he glanced past Napoleon's shoulder.
"What's wrong?" Solo asked, catching the concerned look in the Greek's eyes.
"Napoleon, he is coming our way."
"Alright, let me do the talking; I'm with the antiquities department of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and we're funding your dig." he quickly whispered.
"Kaló apóbevma synádelfoí. Epitrépste mo mazí sas_Good afternoon gentlemen. May I join you? " a man spoke as he stood behind Solo."
"Parakaloú me na to práxoun_please do." Hektor said, "May I introduce..."
"Vaughn, James Vaughn, of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York...antiquities department." Napoleon interjected, offering his hand to the man.
"Pleased to make your acquaintance Mr. Vaughn." he spoke, switching to English. "I am Dr. A. Stavros Stronghilos and am an extremely interested party in the work of these men. Department of antiquities you say?" The scarred man with an eye patch, dressed in a white linen suit returned Solo's gesture, offering his hand in return.
"Yes, the Metropolitan has consented to fund the dig for the rest of the season for these two fine men of science. We are quite excited about their work."
"As am I Mr. Vaughn. I hope you don't think me brash, but you are aware of Greece's policies regarding their antiquities and outsiders?"
"But of course, "Napoleon spoke confidently. "we at the Metropolitan have no designs on their discoveries; we merely wish to assist in their efforts and hope perhaps one day when Greece eases it's policies; that the finds from Thera might someday be loaned to us for an exibit on the Minoan civilization."
"Ah so there are good intentions then, most commendable...perhaps you and I might discuss things further Mr. Little. Would you care to have dinner with me at my villa this evening? It would be a pleasure to have an opportunity to speak English as I have so little chance to use it of late. And the company of such a cultured and educated man as yourself would be a pleasure."
"Why thank you Dr. Stronghilos, I would be delighted."
"Excellent, shall we say seven then? These young men can tell you were it is." Kaliméra_good day."
Napoleon sighed in relief, thankful that he had actually paid attention to Illya when he had launched into his lecture about Thera and Atlantis. He reminded himself to pick his partner's brain for more information before heading to Stronghilos' villa, as he and his companions headed back to the Nereid Thetis.
Hektor and Spyros greeted Illya with great enthusiasm as the boarded the yacht after Napoleon, that included bear hugs and kisses to each cheek.; both happy to find their Russian friend was well.
A week earlier Kuryakin and Solo sat with Alexander Waverly in his conference room, discussing a call received from Hektor Michaelides, a friend Kuryakin had made on a previous and near disastrous mission to Greece.*
"Mr. Kuryakin we have been doing some research into the man your friend has called to our attention. He has been identified as Dr. Adolph Starke, a known member of Thrush and their scientific community, he is goes by several other noms de plume... Stavros Stronghilos, Stavros Strong, Adolph Strong."
A photograph of a man with dark hair, a black eye patch and a jagged scar along his jawline came into focus on the video screen mounted on the wall in Waverly's control panel alcove.
"There's a classic looking baddie if ever I saw one, " Solo mumbled under his breath to his partner who as usual, was concentrating on a file in front of him; jotting down copious amounts of notes.
"You have something to share Mr. Solo?"
He smiled innocently. "No, not at the moment sir."
"Then if I may continue. Starke's biological father was a Nazi officer and his mother a Greek national, he being the result of a relationship between the two during the German occupation of Greece. He is known for his specialty in computers so his presence at the dig in Santorini is rather surprising given antiquities, to say the least are out of his area of expertise."
"Michaelides clearly indicated to me that he was inquiring as to their recent dig to find an intact specimen of a device called the Antikythera," Kuryakin said, " He apparently seemed quite enthused with their research."
"I know T.H.R.U.S.H. has shown interest in the past with antiquities but what would make this Anti-thingy device an object of their attention...what exactly is it?" Napoleon asked, knowing his partner, a veritable fountain of obscure knowledge would explain.
An image of the object now flashed on the video screen.
"A partial specimen of this clock-like mechanism was found corroded and crumbling from lying for 2,000 years under the sea," Illya said. "Just before Easter in 1900 a party of Dodecanese sponge divers were driven by a storm to anchor near the Greek Island of Antikythera. At a depth of 200 feet off Point Gyphadia, they found the wreck of an ancient ship in which the device along with several bronze and marble statues were recovered. In 1901 an archaeologist at the National Museum in Athens was examining a lump of calcified corroded bronze when he recognized fragments of a mechanism. The Antikythera was initially identified using x-ray technology."
Illya's eyes brightened as he disseminated the specifics regarding the ancient device as he flicked a switch, zooming in on the image, showing the details of its many gears and wheels.
"The Antikythera consists of a box with dials on the outside and very complex gear wheels mounted within, resembling in appearance an 18th century clock. Doors hinged to the box served to protect the dials and on all visible surfaces of the box, the door and the dials were inscribed with Greek inscriptions describing the operation and construction of the instrument."
"The forms of the letters are those of the first century B.C. hardly being older than 100 B.C. nor younger thatn the time of Christ. It was supposed that the purpose of the device was to indicate the sidereal, synodic and draconic months, planetary phenomena based upon the theory of Seleacid Babylonian astronomy. It is therefore hypothesized that it is an astrological computer."
Napoleon's attention drifted past it all, barely understanding a word his partner was saying until he said one word that registered to him.
"A computer?"Napoleon said, "well that explains Starke's interest. But how could something over 2,000 years old...even though you say it's a computer, be of use to T.H.R.U.S.H. and why are they involving Hektor and Spyros, why not just go after it themselves?"
"Dr. Starke does not possess the proper credentials to oversee any dig as the current government," Waverly said, "has become quite strict in issuing permits for any such work. At present, they are granting them only to Greek archaeologists. They are attempting to control and limit the illegal trade of their country's ancient artifacts and are quite wary of outsiders and since Starke is of questionable parentage and nationality, he is all the more limited in his actions. So your acquaintances Mr. Kuryakin are a matter of convenience to Dr. Starke."
"I have decided Mr. Solo that you and Mr. Kuryakin will go to Santorini to verify if it is indeed T.H.R.U.S.H and to find that out just exactly why there is an interest in this Antikythera."
"Interesting." Illya said." the island of Santorini or to be precise, Thera is said to be one of the proposed sites for the ancient city of Atlantis, where it rumored the Antikythera could have had it's origins. It is hypothesized that the ancient Atlanteans were scientifically advanced; their level of technology was believed to be far ahead of that found on mainland Greece and it is thought they even delved into the use of solar power, laser development using quartz crystal, and even possibly manned flight."
"The lost city of Atlantis? That's just a myth isn't it?" Napoleon asked as he walked out of the conference room with his partner. "I hope this isn't going to turn into another weird assignment like we had in Oaxaca."**
"You did not find our experiences in Mexico interesting?"
"No not really, they left me very...unsettled and I don't think you found it all that interesting as you never mentioned what happend in your report did you?" he smiled.
"Oh it was extremely fascinating but there is a fine line between what one might percieve as interesting and what others might call bordering on the fantastic, better those things were left unsaid. Let us hope this assignment will not drift in that direction?" the Russian smiled, " at least not too much."
"Illya, Atlantis is a myth right?""
"The story of Atlantis does have a basis in fact," Illya said," Plato described its demise by earthquake and flood and Thera is the site of a massive volcanic caldera that had an island in its center. The island was engulfed in a volcanic eruption around 1600 B.C. It is referred to as the Minoan Eruption and is considered the most powerful seismic event in the history of civilization. Earthquakes of that magnitude generate massive tsunamis, just as Plato described Atlantis as being sunk by an earthquake and tidal wave, causing the island to disappear beneath the Aegean sea."
"The archaeological site at Akrotiri has revealed buildings dating to the Minoan time period and show a knowledge of advanced engineering and the construction of three and four-story buildings with intricate water piping systems for hot and cold running water, advanced air-flow management, earthquake resistant woodwork and masonry." Illya became quite animated as he continued to speak. "It is interesting that Plato described rock quarries on Atlantis as yeilding stones of distinct coloring...white, red and black. Rocks matching that exact description have been found on Thera". The possibility that Santorini is indeed Atlantis is most exciting."
Napoleon again felt overwhelmed by the sheer bulk of his partner's knowledge and seemingly passionate curiousity on the subject.
"O.K. you've convinced me that you know a lot about the island and it might be the stuff of legend," Napoleon childed. " but just keep your focus on the mission please and don't get all excited about the science?"
Illya raised his chin as he frowned, feeling a bit indignant at Napoleon's chastisement for his enthusiasm about Atlantis.
They left the next day arriving at Mikras airport in Thessaloniki, then taking a ferry to the island of Alonnisos, where when last there; they had left the yacht in the care of Aeneas Theohari, cousin to it's late owner Dr. Aphrodite Theohari, who was for a very brief time, Illya Kuryakin's lover while he was under the influence of capsule B during his last assignement in Greece. They boarded the boat after receiving a warm greeting by Aeneas, then sailed to the island of Santorini.
* ref. "The Archangel Affair" ** ref. "The Oaxaca Affair"