The prompt: What if Illya Kuryakin really was working for the Soviets? What if his loyalty to UNCLE was severely handicapped by his devotion to duty regarding his homeland? What if Napoleon found out?
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It was early in the partnership of Solo and Kuryakin that Napoleon started to become a bit suspicious. At first the Russian's tight lipped demeanor seemed worthy of that suspicion.
Illya wouldn't speak of his past, not only\what he did working for military intelligence back in the Soviet Union, but his personal life.
Napoleon could understand the former but not the latter. He had to go to Kuryakin's personnel file to find out he was born in the Ukraine with a Russian father and Russian-Ukrainian mother. Yet he grew up in an orphanage in Moscow.
No details about what happened to the family, nor what sort of childhood Illya had...Napoleon could only imagine it, and none of it was good.
Solo knew the KGB and GRU often gleaned recruits from the orphanages, hand picking the gifted ones to bring under their wings. Someone must have taken a liking to Illya...he had to have been around sixteen or so when they got their hooks into him.
He received his higher education at the Sorbonne and at Cambridge, so his Soviet masters were aware of his intelligence.
Why he'd been palmed off on UNCLE, and no doubt he was, Napoleon couldn't help but wonder.
So far Kuryakin had completed his tutelage of all things UNCLE under Harry Beldon, but according to his records he didn't attend Survival School until just being transferred here to New York...Cutter even kept the man an extra month after graduation to teach a course in demolitions.
So if Illya was so great, why did the Soviets give him away? Or did they?
It wasn't his place to ask Waverly, and he decided to launch his own investigation.
Napoleon knew the skuttlebutt, that giving the Old Man a Soviet representative would allow the Kremlin access to intelligence as they were now a member nation of UNCLE. Not everything mind you, Waverly had the final say on which member country saw what information.
Still it didn't make sense for them to just give up an agent of Illya's caliber. That added to Napoleon's suspicions. He began to keep track of Illya's comings and goings, beyond his partner's penchant for jazz clubs. That surveillance revealed no clandestine rendezvous.
One Friday afternoon, Napoleon decided to follow Kuryakin. It was quitting time and since no work was pending, agents could leave for the day.
Napoleon had made note that on the first Monday of the month, Illya would be out the door like a shot.
Given they lived in the same apartment building he could easily see the comings and goings of the residents as there was only one returned like clockwork at seven o'clock.
Finally Napoleon discreetly place a bug in the Soviet's apartment, that was directly below his, setting it in the chandelier in the middle of the living room ceiling.
Of course he kept his fingers crossed that Illya wouldn't sweep for bugs. He'd been with UNCLE in New York for nine months and three years if you counted his stint with Beldon.
He and Kuryakin were partners for the last three of those nine months, so there was a sense of trust and acceptance established between them... per se.
On the first Monday morning of the month Illya would make a telephone call before leaving for headquarters. Speaking in Russian with a minimum of words,
"Da. Nyet. V to zhe vremya. Obychnoye mesto."
Translating to, yes, no, same time, usual place."
It was obvious he wasn't arranging a rendezvous with a woman, not with that cold emotionless voice. He was definitely not making a date that would last only an hour, not with that tone.
Granted Illya liked women, that Napoleon knew, though the Russian was quiet and awkward around them. The man wasn't a monk, but sometimes he sure acted like one.
So here Napoleon was following Illya out of headquarters, at a discreet distance of course. Finally a taxi became involved and Solo quickly hailed one and it taxi took off after the one Kuryakin was in.
The Russian's cab arrived at the Soviet Mission to the United Nations on Park Avenue. As Illya exited the taxi, he quickly flashed some sort of identification at the gate and was granted immediate access.
Napoleon watched this happen over the period of a few months. The same pattern repeated again and again until Solo had enough. This he waited outside the Soviet Mission, and there he confronted his partner.
"Missing home that much, tovarisch?" He was leaning casually against a lamp post with his arms crossed in front of his chest.
"Napoleon what are you doing here?" Illya's face blanched.
"Better question is what are you doing here? As an UNCLE agent you're not supposed to have contact with your former government. So what's going on?"
"Nothing is going on." Illya shrugged and began to walk down the sidewalk.
"Oh no, you're not pulling the silent treatment with me."
Kuryakin stopped dead in his tracks. "Fine if you must know, my government still requires me to check in with them. They question me but I tell them nothing, as there is nothing to tell. They ask me if the intelligence that Mr. Waverly sends them is genuine, and I confirm its authenticity, but nothing more."
"So you're still acting as an agent for the GRU?"
"Technically yes. I am still their agent as well as a Soviet citizen. I am merely on loan to UNCLE and though I swore an oath of allegiance to the Command, I am still loyal to my country. Surely you feel the same way about your own home?"
"Oh I love my country, but as an UNCLE agent I've given up those, shall we say loyalties. The Command is my home now, as it should be for you."
"Are you questioning my fealty to the organization?" Now Illya's face was flushing pink.
"Well if it really comes down to it...yes."
"Did I already not say to you I tell them nothing? I am holding true to my oath to UNCLE. I go to merely verify the intelligence to my country is valid. It is they who are being mistrustful not I. Once they realize that everything UNCLE gives them intelligence wise is genuine, they will no longer require me to validate."
"And what if they ask you to spy for them...you did say your are still their agent."
"Napoleon please do not put me in such a position? I am an UNCLE agent and a loyal one and that should suffice."
Solo stood there in silence, carefully wording what he was about to say.
Illya I like you as a partner and the you're first one I've been able to work with. We make a good team and I know you have my back and I have yours," he paused, "I trust you...tovarisch. The question is do you trust yourself?"
"Trust myself?"
"When the time comes, and it just might someday, when you have to make a choice between being an agent of the GRU or an U.N.C.L.E."
"Napoleon I am an UNCLE agent, I have given my word, but if that day comes, if I have to choose I cannot tell you what my choice will be. It really depends upon the circumstances I suppose."
"Fair enough."
"Napoleon are you going to tell Mr. Waverly of this?"
"No, but I wouldn't be surprised if he already knows about your monthly visits to the Soviet Mission."
"You know, you are probably right my friend."
Solo looked at his wristwatch."I don't know about you but I'm famished. How about dinner at my place. I have a couple of steaks marinating as we speak."
"Thank you Napoleon for giving me your trust."
"You're welcome, but don't disappoint me pal."
"I will try my best." Illya offered his hand as a sign of his promise.
Napoleon took it; that handshake to him, sealed the deal.