It was freezing cold, literally, with the windchill bringing the temperature down to well below zero. A light snowfall was falling on a Pennsylvania landscape, already blanketed in white. Had it not been for the fact that they were being pursued, Solo and Kuryakin might have paused to admire the tranquil setting.
The UNCLE agents had taken refuge in a log cabin-style hunting lodge as it was too cold to continue their escape on the snow mobiles, even with two THRUSH goons on their trail.
The cabin door was securely barred, and Napoleon in his favorite red and black check hunting cap wearing the ear flaps down, and his matching woolen jacket wrapped himself in crocheted afghan, huddling in a worn armchair. His partner wore a fur Ushanka on his head, also with the ear flaps down, along with a dark green parka, as he sat on the sofa pulling an American Indian style woven blanket around his legs.
There was a fireplace in the sparely furnished living room, decorated with trophy heads and antlers, and in the bedroom was a cast iron pot belly stove. Except for the a sofa, and the padded chair; there was not really anything to burn.
The problem was, they had no firewood, and could only take some comfort in the fact that the THRUSH agents pursuing them were freezing their asses off outside in the woodshed...
"We need to get some firewood in here tovarisch, otherwise we're going to make it," Napoleon said, with his teeth chattering.
"I agree," Illya responded, "but the wood is out there with our company."
Solo smiled, as he'd come up with a plan. He'd offer the agents a truce.
They could come in and sleep in the bedroom with a nice warm fire in the stove, as long as the UNCLE agents could bring in firewood. He and Illya would stay in the living room and would use the fireplace for their heat source. It made sense, as they could all end up dying it the cold.
The THRUSH accepted the terms, and gladly put their guns away in favor of being safe and warm for the night. What tomorrow would bring would be another story.
The fires were lit, and the THRUSH agents retreated to the safety of the bedroom. Solo and Kuryakin took turns standing watch and sleeping on the sofa in the living room, just as a precaution.
Just before dawn, Illya woke his partner to stand guard, while he disappeared outside. The sun was just starting to show itself in the sky. with a spectacular golden sunrise, as it had stopped snowing.
The Russian uncovered their snowmobiles, and looked to the ones driven by their pursuers.
A few minutes later, he quietly opened the door, beckoning Solo to join him, and together they started up their machines; taking off in the direction of the rising sun and safety.
The goons heard the engines roar, and ran out into the snow, still putting on their coats,ready to give pursuit, but found their hopes dashed. The stood snarling and cursing the UNCLE agents, watching them disappear into the distance.
Napoleon and Illya drove for sometime, and finally pulled to a stop when they were sure no one was following them.
"I don't get it?" Solo said. "Why aren't they coming after us?"
"This is why," Illya said, proudly holding up several spark plug wires."
"Oh very sneaky Mr. Kuryakin." Napoleon happily grinned.
"Thank you Mr. Solo."