Illya Kuryakin knew that the journey ahead of him would entail a certain amount of emotional upheaval as well as the normal physical danger. What he dreaded most was the possibility that the majority of it would come from his fellow agents and co-workers at UNCLE. After all of this time, it stung a little to think that he was an obvious choice for this mission simply because he was Soviet. He knew it was true and hadn't even concidered balking at the suggestion when it was brought to him by his superior. Mr. Waverly did understand his people, even the aspect of their psyche that allowed them to remain chained to irrelevant sterotypes. Certainly this man, this Russian, had done enough to earn the respect and trust of the entire organization. Certainly it should be true; it was not.
The first order of defection for him had come on the heels of the not too subtle messages that had gone out via the UNCLE grapevine. He had complained more lately, had been obviously upset with missions and orders. Napoleon had overlooked his grumbling for the most part, being concerned but not willing to force a discussion about it. Much of his grousing had been done in public areas where he might be overheard and targeted by the Thrush mole. It was obvious that the Russian would be a prime choice if one were given. Second only to Napoleon Solo in all of section two, bringing him in as a willing operative for Thrush would mean great rewards.
He had also sent out cryptic messages via known Thrush minions; he told one of them he could fly higher than any of their other operatives and then suggested he deliver that message to a superior. He chased down one of those low level couriers and bragged that he would be his boss some day. All of this without telling Napoleon. That was the hardest part.
Illya was introduced to Deacon Duvall with a document in hand that would cause the Thrush official to consider the possibility that this half of UNCLE's famed duo might be seduced into their organization. The information in the secreted documents was real; it had to be in order to convince the in house Thrush of Illya's complicity. That would be the entree' into the criminal lair as well as the damning evidence to the employees of UNCLE. Word would eventually get out, as rumor and speculation initially. Then, when publicly displayed, his betrayal and defection would make him a target for not only verbal abuse and profound disappointment, but possibly physical harm as well. For now, as he made his way towards headquarters and the hallways of what had become his home and support, Illya began to experience a dread at what lay ahead. He shuddered at the realization of how this would affect other people; some who had been kind to him or cared for him. Even when...if...the truth were revealed, how many would still doubt him. He hadn't realized how hard he had worked to be a part of this group. At the time it didn't seem like he was making a real effort, especially after he partnered with Napoleon. It had all been so easy and natural to just slide in on the goodwill offered to the charming CEA. Now, in retrospect, Illya had done his part to learn how to be at ease among the predominately American population of headquarters. His occasional slips in idiomatic slang had amused some, even endeared him to a few. Now he wondered if that could be recovered.
All of this had occupied his mind as he rode by taxi from his meeting with Duvall back to headquarters. As he slipped the cabbie his fare and then descended the steps into Del Floria's, there was an ominous feeling deep in his gut beyond the melancholy of his depressing cab ride. Someone else knew; he didn't know why he was thinking it, but an instinct that he trusted time and again was yelling inside his head that someone else had seen him with Duvall. And because of that, the timetable was moved up from the planned expulsion from UNCLE. He might not be able to finish the course of action as it had been formulated. As he walked through the dressing room door and into the brightly lit corridors of UNCLE headquarters, Illya Kuryakin felt for all the world as though his time was up.