"I just don't buy it. That little Soviet pet of Waverly's is on a mission that has more to do with why we're here than some made up THRUSH scheme. I don't trust any of them, but him least of all." Roger Durning was an impatient man, anxious to rise in the ranks at Langley and not willing to be two steps behind a known Soviet. Not even UNCLE had a right to hide an enemy agent behind their smoke screen of all for one, one for all nonsense.
Sharon Landers had changed course professionally, left behind the schemes and lunacy of THRUSH for a chance to help make the world safer, better.
"Roger, you brought me in because I have experience with THRUSH. Well, I know Solo and Kuryakin as well and trust me when I say that…"
"I don't have to trust you, or your motives or what you know about UNCLE or THRUSH… ' He took a deep breath, his head about to crack wide open if he didn't slow down and take some aspirin or, better yet, have a drink.
"That impetuous little liaison with Napoleon Solo..' He saw her blanch at the reference to her night with the American agent.
"Yeah, I know about it. Hell, with that place you have everyone could know about it. I hope you have something to report after spending a night with Kuryakin's partner.'' Durning was boring a hole through Sharon, daring her to not have something to share that would confirm his suspicions about Illya Kuryakin.
She gathered her composure, reminding herself that she was trained to be a THRUSH agent, and could probably kill this man with little or no effort if she were to call on the skills she possessed.
"You're wrong. Illya Kuryakin is a Soviet on the record book, he's a Russian, and that's a different thing entirely." The look she got in return was one of incredulity.
"He is loyal to the Command, I've seen him near death because he was willing to give his life for Alexander Waverly's organization. He's loyal to a fault, and not to the Soviets. You've got it all wrong, and if that's an avenue you're set on following, you'll be disappointed." Roger Durning wanted someone to be at fault, needed to bring in the head of an enemy agent. If Landers was right about Kuryakin, he'd just find someone else.
"Okay, so maybe I'm starting to believe you. If it isn't him, then who are we after here? Sukarno is turning to Red China and the Soviet Union, and someone has to be helping him out of sight of the military." Sharon sat down on a rattan settee that was flanked by two palms. An open window let the ocean breezes cross the room, the salty aroma cleansing it of the stale cigarette smoke that Durning continued to blow into the air. He was tasked with stopping this, finding the conduit of information that traveled from Indonesia to the two Communist super powers. Something devastating was brewing beneath the surface and with Vietnam showing no signs of resolution, this region had to be kept in check.
"The Brits are willing to go along with whatever we think is a workable solution. Suharto is ready to step up and take the reins if Sukarno falls."
Sharon was beginning to wonder just how much better off she was working for this covert group. THRUSH took pride in being evil, this guy didn't seem to know that he might actually be the bad guy.
''And just how far does it go? Murder, revolution? I'm a little confused, I thought the idea was to maintain peace and security." She was sincere, and the idea that she might actually help to foment violence made her nearly sick to her stomach.
"We do what is necessary. Indonesia must not fall in the domino trail of Communism. It's that simple. People get hurt Sharon, that's just the way it is. There is a Greater Good. We represent that."
She wanted to ask if he was sure about that, but instead she nodded her head. Who was she to judge, after all she had once been a part of a murderous organization. She just hoped her change of venue wasn't merely a lateral move.
