It didn't take long for the quartet of agents to all converge around the assumption that the American couple, and Cynthia, were all CIA. Illya's suspicions about the Cheswicks added to the intrigue, and posed more questions than answers concerning this trip to Bali.
The room was equipped with a wet bar that was well stocked, so Napoleon set upon mixing martinis for everyone. The conversation continued to flow around the consumption of alcohol, creating an ease among them that subdued the tension they each felt.
"What do you know about Bali, about Indonesia for that matter?" Napoleon was looking at Illya, but he welcomed a response for any of them. The Russian in the room knew about as much as anyone else, although his perspective was different, less naive perhaps.
"The mindset is moderately inclined to revolution, inasmuch as the current conditions still reflect much of what was left by the Dutch ruling class. The Balinese people are invested in things related to religion and nature, much of it reflected in their art which has become a primary source of income via tourism.' The others were listening, taking mental notes as Illya spoke.
"In an effort to elevate the culture of Bali within their quest for increased tourism, a new term was created; pariwisata, a Sanskritized term meaning 'fulfilled journey'. The idea of cultural tourism is how the Balinese are projecting themselves into the experience they invite tourists to engage in."
April was impressed that Illya should have this information so easily at hand.
"I like the idea of pariwisata, or a fulfilled journey. It sounds more worthwhile than simply seeing the sights."
"Why do you think the CIA and, whoever the Cheswicks work for, are interested? I'm not aware of any political turmoil, outside of some communist activists who seem to live amiably with their neighbors." Napoleon knew there had to be something motivating outside interests; intelligence agencies didn't vacation.
"I think the Cheswicks are probably MI6." Mark let that sink in before continuing.
"I delivered something to their stateroom and was met by the Missus, and I caught a glimpse of a dossier folder, and I know where it came from; I've dealt with MI6 before, held one of those in my hand."
That made everyone sit back and consider the ramifications of two separate intelligence operations besides their own, all heading for Bali.
"Illya, Roger Durning made mention of you, he knows you're a Soviet citizen. Watch your back partner." Illya nodded. He'd been doing it for years, why should it be different on the high seas?
"What are they doing here?" April was stumped, but then she knew little about Bali, or Indonesia in general. It didn't seem likely that the Vietnam Conflict was a contributing factor here.
"I think that's something we'll have to investigate ourselves. Mr. Waverly is sending us some updates on the THRUSH activity, and how it might be related to anything political on Bali. There is apparently a rumble concerning a possible coup, but it seems unlikely. Sukarno has the rhetoric of a revolutionary, has ambitions of aligning with Red China and maintaining the political balance of nationalist, communist and religious parties. He's holding everyone in check by endorsing and affirming all of it.''
"That is a very erudite observation, Napoleon. I do not know that it will hold up with the army, it is not as content with the status quo as the other branches of the military under Sukarno's leadership." Illya seemed to have some insight into the situation.
"How do you know this?" April was curious, and wondered why the rest of them didn't have this insider point of view.
"I hear things, and I know that the communist party is hoping to raise its standard and gain the majority in Jakarta and Bali. Whether or not the numbers are accurate though…' He paused, was hesitant to sound critical of his own government.
"I believe that in Bali, as in other countries where the Party is legal, some are … coercion is sometimes a tool.' Should he elaborate? He decided it was necessary.
"Say, for instance, that the company you work for is owned by a member of the Party. You might be encouraged to join in order to ensure that you are able to remain employed. An entire workforce may join, whether they agree with the tenants of communism or not."
Napoleon looked thoughtful, recognizing that Illya was shedding an unflattering light on the system he identified with.
"So, do you think perhaps that American and British… um… let's call them entities; do you think they are interested in diminishing the presence of the Communist Party in Bali, and Jakarta?" Illya didn't want to be the one to point a finger at either government. He trusted the people in the room, but his allegiance to his homeland was necessarily a part of his make up, his sense of integrity. He was Russian, and he did not wish to engage in something that required making a choice based on nationality.
Mark wasn't going to be reticent about what he thought, he recognized Illya's hesitancy, and understood it.
"I think we're dealing with spooks, that they're headed to Bali to either undermine the communist movement or undergird the nationalists, or both. We're there to stop THRUSH. The two don't have to intersect. Do they?" He looked at Napoleon, expecting their CEA to have an answer.
Napoleon took a sip of his martini, stood up and headed back to the wet bar to pour another one. The cool blue interior of the room belied the hot topic of conversation that permeated it now. They had a CIA team with three people, a British contingency representing MI6. The only people they hadn't encountered, which were the focus of UNCLE's business here, was THRUSH.
"We have a few days onboard this ship, no way out and no other allies to back us up. I say we stick close together, keep our eyes and ears open to anything that looks suspicious, and enjoy a couple of days by the pool. I don't think anyone will make a move on us, they have no reason to do so." Napoleon took another sip of his drink.
"Anyone for another round?"
