Act 9

They didn't get up very early the next morning as they didn't get to bed until the early hours after their brief recce of the airbase the night before. They pottered round the house and studied the map that Illya had found, but it didn't have much detail to be very useful in regards to the base, but would be helpful for navigating around the town. They had lunch and decided to wait for Rebecca to report in before going to look around the town. They didn't want to go back to the base until dark again, they were planning to get into the first buildings and search the upper floors this time unless they found any other lead before then.

Just as they sat down for lunch a communicator beeped, Napoleon answered

"Good morning Rebecca, it is morning there isn't it?"

"Yes, Napoleon its 8 am here. We are going for breakfast in a minute, I'm just reporting in what we know so far."

"Okay, go ahead."

They discussed her interrogation of Konrad Reinhardt. He didn't know much of any use, and seemed to have messed up his assignment even before it really got started.

"Oh-ho, THRUSH isn't going to like that!" Snickered the Russian.

The only lead they had at the moment was a codename XJ23-S, but didn't have any clue to what kind of aircraft it would be.

"As far as I know 'X' is usually used to denote an experimental aircraft, most have that as a prefix. The number is usually the version of that particular prototype design. The 'J' and 'S' I don't know, they could mean something, but could also just be a random letter." Illya explained.

Rebecca told them that they were going to the Skunkworks to find out what they could about the mystery aircraft and would report back later.

"Okay, Rebecca, just be careful and report back when you can."

"I'll contact you at around five with what we find out."

"That'll be about ten here, okay, we'll wait for your report. Solo out."

Napoleon put the communicator away "Seems like Rebecca's getting somewhere now."

"Yes, at least they are having more luck than us, it will be interesting to know what kind of aircraft THRUSH have got their eye on."

"I presume they want the plans so that they can build their own version. We still need to find out why they are interested in it and what is being planned for it. Let's kill some time and have a look round the town."

They decided to walk to the town centre and found the walk in quite uneventful, THRUSH didn't seem to be aware that they were here yet. Leipheim was a typical Bavarian town with white buildings, red roofs and coloured wooden shutters at the windows. The centre was dominated by St. Vitus Church dating back to the 1400's. They walked around observing the daily life of the town, they paused at some of the shops that caught their interest and noted a few restaurants that looked inviting. They had stopped at a jewellery shop as something had caught Illya's eye when there was a familiar voice behind them.

"Hello Napoleon! So good to see you again… and you Illya. So what do you think of our little town?"

"Ah, hello Felicia, nice to see you too. It is a very nice town, we were just having a look around the old part."

"Napoleon, I'll leave you to your companion, there is something I want to get from in here." Illya said as he went inside.

"Okay Illya, we'll wait." He watched his partner enter the shop and then turned to Felicia "So what are you doing today?"

"Just getting a few supplies for Mother, she finds it hard to get around now, so I said I'd get the things she wanted."

"I suppose you know all the good places to eat around here then?"

"Yes, there are some nice places to eat around here 'Waldvogel' is my favourite."

Illya came out of the jewellers looking very pleased with himself.

"Well, looks like the cat has got the cream!" Smiled Napoleon.

Illya looked around puzzled "I see no cat with cream or otherwise."

Napoleon laughed "It means you look very pleased with yourself!"

The Russian rolled his eyes "Oh, more American slang! I am, I saw this and thought that Rebecca would love it."

The Russian opened a small black velvet covered box and inside was a small perfectly made, very finely detailed silver biplane charm on a delicate silver chain.

"It is lovely, this Rebecca is a lucky lady!" Felicia said admiring the necklace.

"I think it is more the other way round! Illya is lucky to have the lady. I'm surprised you remembered how to open your wallet Illya, not like you to splash out!"

Illya grinned "It wasn't so much; the exchange rate is very good at the moment!"

"Go figure!" grinned Napoleon "Are you hungry and before you ask, yes, I'm buying!"

The blond grinned "Do you really need to ask?"

"No, I suppose not, I already knew the answer. Come on." Napoleon put his arm out for Felicia to put her hand through and the three of them made their way to the restaurant recommended by Felicia.

"Waldvogel. An unusual name; translated it is 'Forest Bird'." Illya commented

"It comes from when the owners first settled here, they had a large pig farm in the forest before the main roads were built, the farm attracted lots of birds and people used to come to eat and drink here."

They found a quiet table in the garden and placed their orders. While they waited they chatted about various things and then Felicia mentioned about the air base

"Seeing that necklace you bought reminded me about the airbase here."

Illya and Napoleon looked surreptitiously at each other wondering where this was going.

"Oh, the airbase, yes we heard that there is an airbase here, is it still used?" Napoleon tried not to sound too interested.

"Yes, it is. My father used to work there when I was little; he used to take me with him sometimes."

"He's not there now then?"

"Oh no, he died a while ago. He used to be a scientist there."

"Scientist. On an airbase?" Illya threw a look at his partner.

"Yes, they constructed aircraft and some types of bombs there, he used to work in the labs; they were underground if I remember. It was near a large building next to the north side of the runway."

The food arrived and they all tucked into their meals, while the conversation moved on to other things, both agents were digesting the information about the airbase provided by Felicia.

Felicia excused herself briefly to go to the ladies room.

"Bit of a coincidence is it not, Napoleon, telling us about a lab on the base?"

"Hmm, isn't it? Just happens to be one of the things we are looking for."

"Do you believe me now? I think it is too much of a coincidence. Oh, and another thing?"

Napoleon sighed "Go on, what now?"

Illya grinned, enjoying this moment "Coming here and the name of this restaurant, it suddenly clicked. Her surname 'Vogelsoor' translates to 'Bird Thrush'."

Napoleon groaned "I think we need to keep an eye on her. "I think we will have to assume that she has been sent by THRUSH…."

"and they know we are interested in what is going on." The Russian finished.

"I think you're right, partner mine." He indicated to Illya that she was returning "Think she's just been speaking to her feathered friends?"

"Most probably."

They quickly changed the subject and Napoleon engaged her again in conversation. When they had finished their meal Napoleon picked up the tab and they left.

"Well, Felicia, it's been a pleasurable afternoon. I presume we will meet again sometime."

"Yes, that would be nice, I come to town most days, so I'm sure we will meet again the next time you're in town!"

The agents made their way back through the town, pausing at shops that took their interest, covertly making sure they weren't being followed.

It was late afternoon by the time they got back to the house, Illya checked the security before they entered. Once inside Napoleon poured some drinks, Scotch for himself and Vodka for Illya, it was still nice so they decided to relax in the garden.

"I think we will postpone our trip tonight, if Felicia is THRUSH, she will be expecting us to act on the information she gave us tonight."

"Yes, a prudent move I think, if she is not, it will not make much difference by not going tonight." Illya sipped his Vodka and closed his eyes. "Just don't tell Waverly that we have had a night off!"

"You won't find a mention of it in my report Illya!" Napoleon grinned.

Illya spluttered, nearly choking on his drink "The day you write our report, I think I will have it framed and mounted on our office wall!"

"I don't know what you mean, I wrote one the last time you came back unconscious!"

"Yes, you did, but did you know that The Old Man had me write it again when I was able to?"

"No, I didn't know that, Why?"

"He complained that your writing was illegible and that his three year old niece could write better than you!"

"See, the one time I do our report, everyone complains, now you see why I leave them in your capable hands!"

Illya opened one eye "Da, imenno to, chto by vy delali bez menya?(Yes, just what would you do without me?)"

Napoleon grinned "There's plenty I can do without your help tovarisch!"

The two agents took the rare opportunity to relax while they could before Napoleon went in and started to prepare dinner, they chose to eat outside making the most of the warm evening, after clearing away, they played one of their favourite word games, Superghost.

"I'll start with 'H'"

Napoleon enjoyed trying to out think his partner "Okay add 'T' before."

"'A' after"

"'E' before."

Illya thought for a bit "So we have got 'E.T.H.A' Okay add 'Q' after"

"I could think of a few before you added the 'Q'. I think you're bluffing, come on give!"

"Methaqualone" Illya said grinning.

"That's the trouble with you scientists, always cheat with impossible scientific words, how am I supposed to get a chance?"

"I'll choose a non-scientific one next time, something simple for you!"

"What is Methaqu… what ever anyway?"

"Methaqualone, it's a sedative-hypnotic drug. Rebecca would know it!"

"Well, I'm not surprised, seeing as she deals in hypnotics!"

"You start then!"

Just as Napoleon was thinking of a new word the communicator beeped. "10 already?"

"I'll answer, give you time to think!" Illya smirked reaching for the communicator "Kuryakin here. Go ahead Rebecca."

"We've identified the aircraft that THRUSH is interested in, but as to why they want it, we still don't know."

Rebecca told them what she knew about the stealth bomber.

"Illya, you've never seen anything like it! It is completely invisible to radar and even difficult to see when it is right in front of you."

The Russian was surprised at this news, he had never thought that an aircraft could be completely invisible and he wanted to know more, but that would have to wait until he could see the files for himself.

"We are going to try and find out who the leak is, maybe that will help us to find out what THRUSH is planning. How are things going with you?"

"Slow, we haven't found out anything much, Napoleon has made a new friend who knows the area and is helping us."

"I presume this new friend wears skirts!" Rebecca grinned.

"Of course, what else would you expect with Napoleon!" replied Illya "But do not worry, she is not my type vozlyublennaya! (Beloved)"

"I should hope not Kuryakin, I don't think a rival for your affections would fair very well against me!" Rebecca laughed "I'll report in again tomorrow morning, lunch your time. Andrews out. Spokoĭnoĭ nochi, lyubovʹ moya (Goodnight, my love)"

"Spokoĭnoĭ nochi, serdtse moe (Goodnight heart of mine)"