Vladek's pistol was aimed and ready, but what he saw made him freeze as he burst into the motel room.
Kuryakin, Solo and a woman, definitely not Ekaterina had their weapons drawn and already aimed at him, as if they knew he'd be coming.
"Hi there darling," April smiled, pulling off a blond wig."Come to join our little party?"
Vladek's face reddened, dumbstruck for the moment.
A man stepped out from the shadows, a weapon in his hands as well, but like Vladek's it was a Tokarov as well. He was Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the head of security for the Russian Embassy in New York and a man with ties to the GRU.
"Grigory Vladek, in the name of the Soviet Ambassador, you are ordered to lower your weapon and surrender it."
Given he was outgunned, Vladek tossed the Tokarov to the floor, it landing with a thud at Kuryakins feet.
"You do know that I am KGB," he warned.
"Yes, a KGB agent acting without orders," Khodorkovsky said. "You are hereby under arrest for plotting to murder a Soviet representative to the United Network Command as well as using an innocent Soviet citizen to carry out your murderous scheme. And when that plan failed you came here to murder Illya Kuryakin, and Ekaterina Aliyeva, personally and no doubt the American as well."
Vladek lowered his gaze, making a sudden move, turning to retreat out the damaged motel door.
"Where do you think you're going mate?" Mark Slate smiled, pointing his Special directly at the man's chest.
Khodorkovsky approached Vladek, handcuffing his hands behind his back.
"You are being placed into custody to be returned to the Soviet Union to face the charges made against you," Mikhail said, turning to face the UNCLE agents, "Thank you for bringing this to our attention. I will expect Miss Aliyeva to be turned over to our custody at the Embassy by day's end."
"Well guv, there's a little problem with that," Mark grinned sheepishly. "Seems Miss Aliyeva snuck out of the safe house this morning...haven't a clue where she is."
Khodorkovsky shook his head, not being stupid; he knew there was game playing going on. It was not worth his efforts to deal with that at the moment. "I see, so hopefully she will turn up sooner or later and you will let us know, da?"
Illya nodded to the man, "To yest', yesli ona reshayet raskryt' yeye mestonakhozhdenii. Eto yeye vybor sdelat'_that is if she decides to reveal her whereabouts. It is her choice to make."
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A two weeks later Kuryakin stood at one of the platforms at Penn Station. Beside him was Ekaterina, her hair now colored a rich chocolate-brown,she was dressed very much like a young American working girl and carrying a small suitcase.
"Thank you Illya for not holding it against me for trying to kill you."
"It was not you, it was Vladek. You were merely his tool," he smiled at her reassuringly. "Now when you arrive in Schenectady, you will be met by a female agent named McGowan. She will be easily recognizable as she has red hair and is very petite. She will give you the code,'Uncle Alex will be pleased to see you.' You will be shown you to your new apartment, and your job at the 'Scotia' diner. You have been set up with a small bank account to help with your expenses." He handed a train ticket and a bank passbook to her along with documents proving her new identity.
"I do not know how to thank you," Ekaterina smiled.
"You made your decision to stay here, and it was the least I could do to help a fellow Russian with her choice at freedom. Remember though, you are no longer Ekaterina Aliyeva; you are now Kathleen Anderson and are of Swedish descent. So no more speaking Russian." He gently tapped the end of her pert nose with is finger.
"Swedish descent." She laughed, "It is a good thing I speak Swedish."
"I know," Illya smiled.
"Hmm, you know more about me than you are letting on."
"I am thorough in my work," he said placidly. He held out his hand to her, and she took it, shaking it as he wished her luck.
"Remember Kathleen,You must remain vigilant at all times and if you have any problems, I am but a phone call away. ." He handed her his business card.
"All aboard for Schenectady," a conductor called out.
"One last word, maybe two in Russian? Ekaterina whispered. "Spacibo...tovarisch." She gave him a quick peck on the cheek before boarding.
Illya remained there, watching the train as it slowly pulled away from the station, lost in thought, as he hoped the conditioning he'd given her would help. All he had planted as a suggestion was to 'do no harm to others and be a happy.' Like the last line of the rhyme he'd used to hypnotize her; she was indeed running away, but to a new life.
Illya whispered to himself as the train disappeared from sight.
"Tryntsy- bryntsy, bubentsy ,
Razzvonilis' udal'tsy,
Digi, digi, digi , don,
Vykhodi skoreye von! "
"Bubentsy- sani- kolokola,
Tryntsy- bryntsy- zvuk kolokola sani -
Razzvonilis' udal'tsy- v etom kontekste
Digi, digi, digi, don-Digi- Digi-Digi-Don
Vykhodi skoreye von! Vykhodi skoreye von!"
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"And who are you trying to hypnotize now?" A familiar voice spoked from behind the Russian.
"Napoleon? What are you doing here?"
"I thought I'd see the young lady off as well, but I guess I got here a little to late." He handed a small nosegay he'd brought with him to a woman passing by."Have a lovely day," he wished her, bringing a smile to her face.
"Just a little," Illya replied as the two of them began walking towards the exit from the station.
Napoleon looked at his wristwatch noting it was still early. "Tell you what chum, let's go have some coffee and breakfast...on me." His communicator chirped, interrupting his train of thought as he pulled it from his breast pocket. "Solo here."
"Ah yes Mr. Solo, good morning. Done seeing off Miss Aliyeva?" Waverly said.
Napoleon's brow furrowed as he wondered how hell the Old Man knew he was at the train station.
"Yes sir," Illya spoke up. "She is bound for Schenectady as we speak."
"Hmm, very well then. A piece of news from the Soviet Union just came across my desk. Grigory Vladek has escaped custody, no doubt with help from some of his compatriots in the KGB. I have ordered our agent, Miss McGown. to remain in Schenectady for the next month or so to keep an eye on Miss Aliyeva. In the mean time, you gentlemen, are headed to the Yukon. You'll be flying to the West coast and from there will travel north via submarine. It seems our old friend G. Emory Partridge as resurfaced yet again. Report to headquarters immediately for your mission briefing. Out." *
Napoleon looked at his partners face, detecting a bit of emotion in it, disappointment perhaps? He thought that a strange reaction to the news about Vladek.
"You okay chum?"
"I am fine, I guess you will have to owe me that breakfast enh?" Illya tried brushing off his partner's insecurity, not wishing to give away his concern at not being able to see Miss McGowan for at least a month." **
"Not worried about Vladek coming back?"
"Nyet, he is running for his life. The last thing on his mind is bothering us or the girl. KGB will no doubt catch up with him, as well as purge those who aided him in his escape. They will all end up in a gulag, if they do not go before a firing squad. Betrayal in KGB is a very serious matter..."
"Is it Partridge that has you looking so...thoughtful?"
"Napoleon, I am fine."
Solo left it at that, figuring eventually he'd find out what was on the Russian's mind..."'
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* Ref "The Yukon Affair" Season 2 mfu.
** Ref. "The Mind Control Affair"
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