[Magazine 1967-­12] - The Pillars of Salt Affair - Пронзини Билл - Страница 29

Illya Kuryakin: Three cracked ribs, still healing. A mild concussion, still healing. A bitten-through lower lip, presently on the mend. And last, but certainly not least, a bullet wound in the chest, which had not, luckily, caused any internal damage to vital organs, but was nevertheless a serious wound that would require supervised care. Diagnosis: Minimum one month's rest.

Waverly wondered, at times like this, if the two of them were indestructible. Whether or not they were, he decided, he was extremely thankful that they were on his side.

He said, "I trust you gentlemen will be interested that one of the captured THRUSH people revealed the whereabouts of the hidden air base that was to be used as the origin point for the distribution of the salt chemical throughout the world. We conducted a successful raid on this base this afternoon, destroying two THRUSH jets and rounding up quite a number of important THRUSH personnel. All in all, a very auspicious venture on the part of U.N.C.L.E."

"And Dr. Sagine?" Illya asked anxiously.

"As you must have suspected," Waverly said, "Dr. Sagine was not as fortunate as you in escaping the waters of Lake Mead. B Leader One reported that Dr. Sagine was caught in the midst of his own creation, and destroyed by it. Hoist on his own petard, if you will. Rather ironic, I dare say."

"What happens to the salt chemical now?" Solo asked.

"It will be turned over to the government," Waverly said. "Perhaps science can find a peaceful, and constructive, use for such a discovery. And since we have the formula for the antidote, we need not worry about THRUSH using it against the world again."

"Then this case is officially closed?"

"Officially," Waverly said. "And now I suspect I should be leaving. U.N.C.L.E. operations does not come to a standstill, even though you two gentlemen do not happen to be there."

"That's odd," Illya said with a faint smile. "I thought that it did."

Waverly cleared his throat. "I shall look in on you again, when time permits. I have no doubt that you will enjoy your vacations very much."

"Immensely," Solo said, stretching languidly. Waverly shook his head sadly, buttoned the collar of his tweed coat, and went to the door. He bid them goodbye, closing the door gently behind him.

Solo looked across at Illya. "You know," he said, "I wouldn't have told Mr. Waverly this, but I don't think I'm going to enjoy this particular vacation at all."

"My sentiments exactly," Illya said. "I would just as soon be dodging THRUSH bullets, for some strange reason."

"We thrive on danger, that's why," Solo said with a grin. "It's our motivating force, you see."

Napoleon Solo laughed softly, rolling on to his side. "Good night, Chet," he said.

"Good night, David," Illya Kuryakin answered as he reached over and switched off the light on the stand between them. A month, he thought glumly. It would be a long time.

THE END

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posted 10.1.2000, transcribed by ?