Illya opened his eyes, slowly, blinking at the sudden brightness.  When his eyes finally adjusted he found himself staring into deep brown eyes set in a remarkably beautiful female face of about 30 - a face thatseemed so familiar.   "To whom do I owe this pleasure?", he asked, politely.

The woman smiled.  "Forgive me but for now that is not important.  What is important is your answer to my question", she replied, her voice a pleasant baritone.

"Which is?"

"Do you truly love Napoleon Solo?"

Illya regarded her through slitted ice blue eyes.  "You may tell Don Julian that you are not only wasting your time, but his and mine as well", he replied, hoping she noticed the coldness in his voice.

She laughed, a throaty sound sending an odd thrill through him.  "Trust me, I'm not here on behalf of Don Julian.  I've seen what that monster is capable of."  Still seeing the mistrust in his eyes, she paused , reached into the inside of her blouse and pulled out a large ornate locket.  This she held out to him.  "I show this to convince people."

Illya took the delicate object and opened it.  Inside was the portrait of a young man of 15 years.  It was the face that sent a shiver down his spine - the same Italian beauty, aristocratic features, the dark hair and those eyes.   'Could it be....?'  his mind supplied.  "I take it this is your son", he prompted.

"No, Illya, that was me."

For several moments Illya studied the photo, then the woman, things became a little clearer.  "Don Julian did this to you?"

She nodded, the brown eyes dulling in remembrance.  "To be brief - like all of us we were raised in THRRUSH .  I, like many others, finally realized, what THRUSH was and escaped.  Father Alexander found and trained me.  I used my skills and knowledge to thwart THRUSH at every possible opportunity."  She paused to catch her breathe, then continued.  "When I was twenty I allowed myself be recaptured to save Father Alexander and some 'new recruits'.  This was my punishment for
treason.  A total sex change performed before the main elite of THRUSH.    To keep safe my family, and the revolution, I submitted to anything he asked.  When the opportunity presented itself a second time, I escaped.  I've not seen them since."

"Then why is Napoleon your business?"

"Please, Illya, answer me?", she pleased, ignoring the question.

'Do not let my instincts fail me now.'  Illya prayed to whatever Gods may be listening.  "Very well.  Yes, I love him with all my heart and soul."  He held up his scarred palm as proof.

"Good.  Then let's hurry.  I don't even want to think what that bastard might do to him when your escape has been discovered."  Without waiting for an answer, she left.

'Yes!  The same fire, the same spirit...!!'  Illya followed.

"Don Julian!!"

The cry roused the entire camp bringing the head of THRUSH rushing from his tent.  "What is going on here!?", he demanded.

"The Russian has escaped and his guards are also missing!', the sentry called back.

For several moments Don Julian stood at the entrance to his tent, livid with rage.  "Commander!"    Responding to his summons a young girl of about 17 stepped forward and knelt.  "You will execute that man for negligence then bring me my son!"

"Yes, sir!", the girl replied, crisply.  Rising, she signaled two other female guards.  Minutes later, after discharging their task with great relish,  they delivered a chained Napoleon Solo at his father's feet.

Don Julian knelt next to his son's prone body, grabbed a handful of dark hair, and pulled causing the head was at an awkward angle. Napoleon gasped in pain but did not cry out.  The elder Solo gazed down into eyes black with hatred and grinned.  "I know there is nothing I can do to your little catamite that probably hasn't been done already, however, you are a different story.  You who has had the best of everything, has been pampered and expertly trained without knowing your
parentage.  Gang rape would be an extremely painful, not to mention humiliating, experience.  Is the Russian bitch worth such a price?"

Napoleon spat into the face of the head of THRUSH.  "Betraying Illya would make me like you.  To avoid that is worth any price", he replied, letting all the contempt he felt break free.

"Fool!  You could have had everything, now you have nothing."  He motioned to two guard.  "Hold him down!", he  commanded.  As they obeyed Don Julian stripped his son of the flimsy nightshirt he wore, then stood before his followers..  Waving it like a flag. "Come, men, and take what I know most of you have wanted for many years;  yet, out of loyalty to
me, you restrained your desires.  This", he pointed down at the prone body, "is my reward for your restraint.  Who shall be first?"

A burly guard stepped forward, saluted his leader, stripped himself , knelt over his victim's body, and plunged into the tight channel.

Napoleon stiffened as white hort pain lanced through his body, intensifying as the guard plunged deeper and faster.  "Enjoy this while you can, Don Julian, but watch your back", he hissed, fighting unconsciousness.

Don Julian sniggered.  "Whom should I fear, my son, your catamite?"

"No, father!", a new voice rose from the laughter that followed the Don's statement.  "From me, Antonia Sophia Solo!  She who was once Napoleon's brother, now his sister, by your own hand!"