Chapter 4

The two agents watched the site for two days from the forest surrounding the site. It was cool and rainy. The prepackaged food was eaten without being heated to keep their presence undiscovered.

They found no schedule or routine in the guards' activity. The number and placement of their security changed at irregular times. People came and went at different times. The only thing they were able to discover was the building that the researchers were stationed in.

"Any ideas on how to get into that building without getting caught?" Napoleon finally asked after giving the situation some thought.

"Only the truck," Illya suggested.

"That means we only have two minutes to get into it without them seeing us."

The Russian grinned, "Cannot handle it?"

"What do you mean by that?" The American shot back, using the banter to relieve some of the tension they were feeling.

"Well, you are always telling me that you are the senior partner. Just wondering how that affects your ability to move."

"Very funny Kuryakin. Sometimes I wonder why I keep you as a partner."

"Who else would put up with you?" He asked as he started down the hill.

"Put up with me. Don't you mean you with your sulking and know it all attitude."

"Better than your skirt-chasing ways that get us captured time after time."

They had reached the bottom of the hill when Illya stopped short causing his partner to bump into him. "What the …..."

"Shhhh."

Before them, a guard was smoking in the bushes. Creeping up behind the guard, Illya downing him with one chop to the neck then quickly dressed in his clothes.

"Nice job, now if we can get into the truck and inside we'll be in good shape."

…..

It was two in the morning before the next truck stopped by the fence. A guard approached the back of it with a hand-held spotlight. After searching the truck and the driver, the guard walked to the gate to check the paperwork.

The agent ran to the truck jumping in without being seen.

"Senior, indeed." Napoleon huffed.

Grinning Illya chuckled, "Guess you are suitable for a few more years."

The driver climbed into the front seat as they proceeded into the yard. After the truck was parked, the two agents waited until there was silence in the area before leaving to explore.

….

After gaining entrance into the building, the men referred to the blueprint London had supplied.

They grabbed a lab coats off one of the hooks they passed then continued to walk down the hall, keeping their head down heading toward the lab area.

They searched each room and found them empty. When they found the room they needed it was occupied. They pulled their guns and entered, surprising the lab personnel.

"Gentlemen, unless you wish to give up your life for that machine, I suggest you move over toward the closet," the American suggested waving his gun toward them.

All but one moved; that man reached for his gun. Illya darted him.

Knowing that the group didn't realize that the man was only unconscious, they used their shock to get the rest to obey. "Anyone else want to join him?"

This caused the rest to move quickly into the closet. Once the group was locked in, the UNCLE agents started collecting papers.

Illya noticed other files and began to go through them.

"What are you doing?" Napoleon demanded.

"We can use some of this information."

"You do realize we can be spotted at any moment, don't you? Let's get what we came for and get out."

"This data is important. It will only take an extra five minutes."

Napoleon sighed knowing his partner won't leave until he had collected everything he considered essential.

"Five minutes, that's it."

The Russian collected every file he could find, shoving it into the backpack he had brought with him. Then he saw Solo grab the machine and place it under his arm.

"That's a piece of delicate equipment not a football. Give it to me."

Taking the machine from his partner, Illya slipped it into its case before heading toward the door.

Unknown to them, the man shot with the sleep dart had fallen on it before the whole load was absorbed. As they reached the hall, the man managed to pull the alarm sending the alert screaming through the complex.

…

It had been a day since the session with the hypnotist, and Jo was getting bored. So when the call came to go to Waverly's office, she hurried hoping for word on her brother and Napoleon. When she entered, she was surprised to see Jimmy McLaughlin, who had just graduated Survival School. He had saved her life in Fears of the Heart Affair, and she had hoped he would make Second Two after school.

Last time she had seen the 5'10" man with black, wavy hair, he had been dressed in a black leather jacket and jeans, he looked like the typical biker youth of the day. Today he wore the typical suit and tie of New York agents.

"Jimmy, it great to see you," she said sliding into her customary seat.

"Good, I'm glad you remember him. Mr. Petros is being permanently assigned to Greece, and Mr. McLaughlin will be your new partner."

Jo smiled at the young man who she could see was uncomfortable with the way their partnership had been introduced to her.

"Permanent or just for whatever you need done now," she asked.

"Unless there's a reason why I should reconsider my assignment, then that is how it will be." Waverly's voice relaying unhappiness that she questioned him.

"No reason, sir. Just wanted to clarify what was happening. Jimmy, or should I call you James or Jim now?"

"Jimmy is fine, Miss K," he answered using his old way of addressing her.

"If we are going to be partners, it is time that you start calling me Jo."

Reddened by the correction from his senior partner, he just nodded.

"If we can put the amenities on hold until later, I do have other things to attend to later today," Waverly reprimanded her.

"Sorry sir," she said, winking at her new partner hoping to assure him everything was okay.

"You're heading to London so that you can help with the information we've deciphered from the code you gave us. Mr. McLaughlin will accompany you so that you can orientate him to the requirement of my Section Two agents and add manpower to the London office. Your flight leaves in two hours so you will have time to show him his office before you leave, dismissed."

"Yes sir," the new partners said together as they headed out the door where Jimmy picked up a suitcase that was sitting by the couch.

Once they were walking toward their office, Jimmy spoke.

"I'm sorry you have to share your office with me."

"It is normal for partners to share an office. Besides we spend so little time in them, it honestly does not matter."

As they entered the room, she motioned to the desk that had been moved in earlier in the day.

"Guess that one is yours," she said pointing to it. "You will have to wait till we get back to try it out when Mr. Waverly says two hours, he is not kidding."

"Miss K….."

"Jo. We are partners so unless you want me to call you Mr. McLaughlin you need to call me Jo. Beside in a dangerous situation, Miss K takes a lot longer."

"Sorry. Do you think we'll see any action this time out?"

She grinned at him remembering her first few weeks as an UNCLE agent were spent riding the desk more than chasing bad guys.

"You never can tell."

She pulled her suitcase out of the closet. A nod and a smile later the two were on their way to England.