by Loke

"You mentioned plotting earlier," Napoleon said, breaking in on Illya's thought.  "Exactly what sort of plots are we getting into?"

"Remember what you were told back in New York, about Byelobog and Chernobog?" Illya asked.  Napoleon nodded.  "Not every generation has to face the testing, thought each had to be prepared.  These things are determined by certain patterns of events.  The patterns fell into place for this generation, possibly because I'm an UNCLE agent and my cousin is THRUSH."

"What kind of tests will we be facing?"

"I'm not certain," Illya replied.  "It is different every time.  I know we will be set a number of tasks, never less than 3 and -- so far -- never more than 12.  The tasks will usually involve doing things which will thwart the tasks assigned to our opposition.  Which reminds me to ask," he said, turning to the others in the room, "what is my cousin up to at the moment?"

"He's currently engaged in several projects for his THRUSH masters," one of the men replied.  "We're trying to work out which one is closest to completion before we strike, and waiting for our Pyerun and his second, of course.  Did you wish to see the files?"

"I think we'd better," he said, reaching for the proffered documents and translating them for Napoleon's benefit.  "Hmm, what have we here?  A plot to overthrow a government in Africa, a report on the development of a chemical weapon in South America, the announcement of a breakthrough in communications technology in Japan -- oho, what's this?  The possible development of a new, more efficient rocket fuel by the Soviets?  At a secret base less than 200 kilometers from here?"

"It's just a hunch, Illya," the American remarked, "but that last one raises my hackles."

"Mine, too," came the reply.  "How soon can we move on it?"

"Give me an hour to make arrangements," said Sergei.  Illya nodded.