Chapter 5

The four agents woke chained to the wall. Arms and legs spread eagle, they faced one another. "Proklyatie," Illya said as he opened his eyes, "I have a massive headache, and I see we are in a cell again."

"It's not my favorite place either," Napoleon answered him.

"Why can't they design gas that doesn't give you a headache? I'd be willing even to give them our formula if they want," April said.

Jo only added a string of profanity in Russian to the conversation.

"I thought you were working on your temper," Napoleon teased.

One icy stare and he decided not to continue, "I can't believe they were so willing to risk the kidnapping," she said annoyed.

"What do they want?" April asked.

"Seems they lost an important part of their machine, and they think Illya and I have it."

"And I suppose you know nothing about it." A grin was the answer she received.

Though not affecting the women yet; the cold was working against Napoleon and Illya, as their fevers were beginning to return. The musty smell of the air caused both of their stomachs to rebel and the headache to worsen.

"Now all we need is Restrepo," Illya said just before the door of the cell opened, "And speak of the devil."

Restrepo stormed into the room, and immediately backhanded Napoleon and Illya. "You will suffer for what has happened because of your interference."

"Guess Thrush Central wasn't too happy about our escape."

Illya shrugged his shoulders, "What do you expect when you are second best?" earning himself another backhanded slap.

Restrepo brought his attention to April. "Ah, Miss Dancer truly a pleasure. I understand you are moving up nicely in UNCLE. It is a pleasure to meet you," Restrepo gave a small polite bow.

"Yours alone I'm sure," April answered him. Rage began to appear on his face.

"And so Miss Nichols I have a question for you that has been nagging at me." he said turning towards Jo.

"Oh and what would that be?"

"When I removed Solo and Kuryakin's guns earlier, they each had their last initial on the handle. Miss Dancer had a D on her handle, but your gun confuses me. Instead of an N it has a K on it. Why might that be?"

Jo gave him a grinned, "Oops must have picked up the wrong one at headquarters."

He slapped her and angry countered, "Do not play games with me, Miss Kuryakin, I not the fool that you think I am. I know who you are and you are not as clever as you think."

She glared back at him in response, "Then why ask, besides cannot blame a girl for trying." He lifted his hand to strike her again but stopped himself.

As they watched, Restrepo slowed down his breathing and straightened his uniform. "Gentlemen, I believe we have some unfinished business," he said turning back toward Illya and Napoleon. "I want the machine bit, now."

Napoleon and Illya knew that because of the women; it'd be more difficult to say nothing, but they also knew that if they gave him the piece, the world wouldn't be safe.

"Do not be concerned for the women. I will not insult you by assuring you I will exchange their lives for the information; as we all know that will not happen. In addition, I believe that UNCLE agents are as expendable as are ours and the assignment must come first. No, I will keep them alive for now so that they will see my success after you cooperate."

'Yea, right.' Napoleon thought to himself. 'Well at least they'll be okay for a while longer.'

"Bring them," Restrepo he told the guards, "When we leave, you may unchain the women."

One More Time

Illya and Napoleon were taken to the 'lab' where they were told to remove their clothes. When they failed to comply, the guards began to remove them for them, pulling off the bandages also. They were made to lie on cold metal tables with their hands and feet chained in place.

Electros were attached to various places on their bodies. One of the guards handed Restrepo two syringes filled with an orange fluid.

"I believe you gentlemen remember this little drug. It will increase any pain that you feel. Perhaps you would like to tell me where the part is before I inject you."

Neither man said anything, preparing themselves for the pain that would follow. Once injected; a pail of ice water was dumped over both of them and within minutes the discomfort from it was almost unbearable.

"You know how to stop the pain," Restrepo reminded them, "Do you wish to tell me where it is?"

"No," the two agents said in unison.

He hit the switch, triggering the generator to emit jolts of electricity through their muscles causing them to contract and tense. Both men gritted their teeth against the pain as they twisted and turned as much as their bindings permitted.

The burning began at the site of each electrode and sped throughout their bodies; though they managed to avoid acknowledging it at first, their anguish could no longer be left unvoiced. Their screams tore from their throats in unremitting agony.

Restrepo turned the current off, "Gentlemen you do not look well," he said glancing at the agents. Their bodies were trembling in agony, sweat poured from their faces. "There really is no reason for us to continue, just tell me where it is."

April and Jo

"Well you please stop pacing?" April asked Jo.

She had been walking nervously back and forth for the last two hours. After Napoleon and Illya were taken from the cell, the women had started searching for any means of escape but they had no success and so they waited in anticipation; listening to the screams that came from the next room.

April reach out and stopped Jo from pacing by pulling her into her arms and holding her in a hug giving her emotional support. Jo reacted stiffly at first and sat there. Slowly she encircled April also and both women sat silently for a while before speaking.

"Sorry April, I just cannot sit listening to that."

"I know it hurts to listen, I don't like it either." After each subsequent scream, the two women squeezed each other tighter for mutual support.

"We need to be strong for those two. I've known them for a long time, worked with them and fought with them. They're like brothers to me. I'll never get over the pain of listening to them suffering."

After sharing a few tears, they regained their composure and sat just holding hands for support. "Talk to me Jo."

"About what?" once again the cry of pain pulled her eyes to the door.

"The ring Napoleon gave you," April grinned.

The ring had been the talk of the water cooler for over a week before a new subject took over. Everyone had their opinion, but only the few who knew Napoleon and Jo personally believed that he had given it to her.

"I do not know what you are talking about, April. Why would he want to give a ring to me?" she lied.

"Really Jo. Just watching the two of you together gives away your feelings for each other." Jo was somewhat shocked at that statement. "It's not hard to see the truth? And I'm sure Mr. Waverly has a good idea what's going on."

Jo put her head into her hands and shook it, "Chertvoz, he has not said anything."

"And probably won't unless it interferes with your job. Personally, I think it's wonderful for both of you. The ring?" April asked again pointing at it.

"Just that, I liked it and brought it." Jo said still continuing the lie.

"Okay, keep denying it, but let me tell you, I don't buy it.'" April noticed the silence from the next room, "It's quiet."

With no sounds came from outside the cell, a slight fear began to form in both women as they waited to see what would happen next.

The Missing Part

Once again, the men refused to talk. Just as Restrepo was ready to restart the current, one of the guards came running into the room. "How dare you interrupt me?"

"Sir. They found it. The La Maquina Mortal will now work. The searchers used a Geiger counter and located it in the hole where the two men were taken. It will be here in about 30 minutes."

Napoleon turned his head toward Illya, "They're calling it the Deadly Machine. Where do they get their names?"

"I believe they must have a division whose job it is to think them up."

"I see that you have not lost your wit, gentlemen. We will see how long it last when I'll keep you alive long enough to see how well my device does and how badly you've failed. Throw these two back into the cell. See that some water and their clothes are given to the women. "

Illya and Napoleon were dragged into the cell and dropped on the floor. Their clothes and the container of water were left next to them, "The boss wants them cleaned up and dressed," was all that was said before the cell door slammed shut again.

April and Jo went to the men.

"Don't touch us," Napoleon said. "He gave us a drug to increase our sensitivity, everything extremely painful."

"We need to get you off the floor and at least clean you up some. We'll be as gentle as possible," April assured them.

Their chest, legs, and arms had burns. Each one was reddened and the shape of the electros clearly visible. Leg and arm muscles twitched as they laid the men on the straw.

Each stroke of the cloth felt like someone was using a scrub brush on them, but the men allowed it. Soon they were helped into their clothes and laid back down. Napoleon's head rested on Jo's lap while Illya rested on April's.

"I take it that they found what they want," April said.

"Did not think about radiation," Illya explained, "They used a Geiger counter. We need to stop them," he said trying to sit up but April pushed him back down.

"Get some rest," Jo told them. "We cannot get out of here yet; there is still some time. He is waiting for the Central envoy to arrive," once they heard that two men drifted off.

"I do not suppose they will feed us," Jo said to April knowing in order for all of them to escape that they would need all their strength.

"Right. They'll do that right after they give our guns back," she kidded continued the banter.

…..

Later that evening Restrepo came to the cell door. "Come with me," he invited cheerfully, "I want you all to see what I've achieved even with your interference. After that, I believe you have a date with Central." He waved the guards to herd the prisoners out of the cell.

They were not bound which surprised them, but they were surrounded with guards. The agents had made some plans but needed to wait to see what was awaiting them to determine how to proceed.

The ramp above the machine was empty except for the prisoners, their guards, and the representative from Central. They could hear Restrepo screaming at the men down below and then saw him climbing the stairs two at a time in anger.

He grabbed Illya and yanked him toward the steps. "You will replace the piece as you found it. The man who was killed first explosion that you caused was the machine's operator."

"No, I think not," Illya replied.

April and Jo had guns pointed at their head, the threat obvious. "I doubt you are willing to let either one of these ladies die."

Illya saw no alternative at this point and advanced toward the machine. He took the piece and attempted to put it in the opening. Although he did attempted to replace it, his found that his hands were too swollen from the restraints and torture to fit it in the opening correctly.

An idea came to mind. It might be the end of all of them, but better to destroy this machine and themselves than let Restrepo achieve his insane scheme. He glanced around and saw the men who were present had larger hands than his.

"You tender care, has swollen my hands and I cannot place it correctly," he informed Restrepo. As Restrepo was raising his hand toward his men, the Thrush Representative spoke, "I can see from here that he is telling the truth. Have one of these women do it."

April was pushed toward the stairs by the guard. "No," Restrepo, "Bring the other one; he is less likely to do anything to kill his own sister."

Jo moved forward and down the stairs. As she approached Illya, they heard "Remember Mr. Kuryakin, the first to go will be you and her."

"Miss Kuryakin, ensure you make no mistakes. Your hands will be small enough to install the piece back where it belongs. I will be watching very move you make."

Jo took the bit from Illya who instructed her how to install it. Tripping he fell forward into her; quickly saying in Russian "Uprotivopolozhnoe tomu, chto ya vam skazhu , a zatem sprygnutʹ bystro. (Do the opposite of what I tell you and then jump off quickly). The guard pushed Illya away with the butt of his rifle.

"Speak English," he demanded.

"I was just saying I was sorry for bumping into her," he spit back.

"Enough," the Thrush Representative roared. "Either get that thing working or I'll leave now!

Illya gave Jo directions on inserting the chip. He also managed to use some code words, which signaled April and Napoleon to get ready to move.

Once Jo completed the last turn, she yelled, "Now," and the four agents when into action. Knocking down everyone who happened in their way, they ran out the door at the same time that a massive explosion took place eliminating many of Thrush personnel.

From the forest, gunfire began and removed the few guards that remained. Luis and Carlos had found the outpost and were rounding up the last of the Thrushes who were still alive.

The Central envoy step out of the destruction, bushing himself off. He walked over by the four agents, "So you managed to escape our conversation again. One day you will not be the winners, and then we'll have our little talk." Carlos led the man away who seemed unconcern about his capture.

"Everyone okay?" Napoleon asked just before passing out, followed immediately by Illya. Their abuse, lack of food and sleep finally caught up with the two of them.

…..

When Napoleon and Illya next woke up, they could smell the antiseptic odor of Medical. The gray walls with the same pictures that were there to ensure the agents that they were in New York. IV's were running and the heart monitors were beeping, soothing sound even if it was annoying; it said home to injured agents.

Dressed in the outfits they had purchased in Columbia, April and Jo came into medical with gifts for the men. For Illya they had science magazines in various languages and Napoleon magazines were about sailing and boating. Finally they handed them copies of their contributions to the final mission report, to be combined with Napoleon and Illya's half.

"We're sick you know," Napoleon complained. "You could've put them together for us."

"Sorry luv," April explained, "Jo and I will be joining our usual partners for assignments. Mark and I are heading for London."

"While Andreas and I are going to Paris."

"Who's going to keep us warm at night," he said giving Jo suggestive grin.

"We even thought of that and bought you a souvenir of Columbia." she informed them. They handed the men each a three foot high stuff monkeys dressed in tee shirts with their names on.

While Illya sat there arm crossed and scowling at his, Napoleon asked, "What am I supposed to do with this?"

"It will help keep your bed warm and my place in it safe," Jo said as the two women walked out laughing as they went off to meet their partners.

"These are cute aren't they," Napoleon teased his partner and by creating monkey screeches. When he didn't get any response, he tossing monkey toward him and said, "A barrel of these are more fun than you are."

Illya returned the monkey by flipping it through the air. Soon the two were throwing them back and forth, laughing so loud that they didn't hear Waverly entering.

"Gentlemen," he said as watched them. Both glanced at him with a look of small boys caught misbehaving. "I'm glad to see you are doing better. Your report is due in my office tomorrow," he said as he walked out shaking his head. They might be his two top agents, but he was happy to see they still had the spark of a child in their soul.