From Part 9: "Are they what you call a mated pair? Does the sex cause the being pain?"

For several minutes there was silence, the one of the THRUSH operative, the one sent to setup this satrap, cleared his throat. "Uh, well, from our most certain information, we know they are very close friends", he replied.

"Explain the term 'friends' ", the female voice demanded.

"Partners", the operative responded.

"That.....", the male voice began.

"...is incorrect", a new voice, male, definitely authoritative, finished.

"Who dares intrude?", the male voice demanded.

"Who I am is none of your concern at the moment, my extraterrestrial friends and, since you need us as much as we need you, I suggest you not argue the point. Now, as to your first question, we have long suspected but have never been able to gather enough concrete evidence."

"What 'concrete evidence' have you gathered?", the female voice inquired.

"One constant has stood out - Napoleon Solo, the dark-haired one we supplied you, would do anything to save the pale one, Illya Kuryakin."

Once more there was silence. The THRUSH operatives held their collective breathes. Would these obviously advanced beings be naive enough to fall for their scheme?

"I recommend we draw our own conclusions", the male voice finally said.

"And how will you do that?", the first operative asked.

"Yes. Napoleon Solo has escaped you", the newcomer added, his voice laced with contempt.

The female emitted a high-pitched shriek causing the THRUSH operatives to cover their eyes. "Ah, forgive me", it finally said. "That would be, I believe, what you could call a 'chuckle'. Let me assure you we have our methods."

"Leave us!", the male voice commanded.

Both operatives opened their mouths to protest but no sound issued forth. Angered by their inability to control the situation, they watched as a full 3-D image of UNCLE's medical section filled the room.

UNCLEUNCLEUNCLEUNCLE

Napoleon Solo's eyes snapped open startling the doctor. Recovering quickly, he patted the CEA's shoulder. "Welcome back, Mr. Solo. I have excellent news. Mr. Kuryakin will be all right", he announced, smiling.

Solo ignored the man, sat up and climbed out of bed.

The doctor stepped in front of his patient expecting him to stop. What he did not expect was to be hurled across the room by a mere wave of Solo's right hand.

As he fought to remain conscious, the doctor watched Solo pick up the now sleeping form of Illya Kuryakin and exit the medical unit. "Your mistake, Solo", he murmured. "Every alarm will go off and Alexander will have your guts for garters!"

His triumph was short lived as entire medical section was plunged into total darkness. He punched the nearby alarm button. Nothing.