Текст книги "[Magazine 1966-­02] - The Howling Teenagers Affair "

Автор книги: Dennis Lynds

сообщить о нарушении

Текущая страница: 6 (всего у книги 6 страниц)

Alexander Waverly said, "I see you accomplished your mission. I suggest we all leave this area without delay. I think the Australian people can clean up the miserable remains."

"Yes, sir," Solo said. "But how—"

Waverly tapped at his empty pipe. "I began to wonder about that Max Booth tailoring establishment. It seemed too simple. When I arrived in Sydney, Mr. Kuryakin's message was there. It was not too hard to identify Marcus Fitzhugh from the description."

"And you got my message about where we were?" Illya said.

"No, I'm afraid the man you entrusted that to was one of their men. However, the Australians managed to locate this particular piece of Fitzhugh's property. He owned it in his own name. THRUSH can sometimes be so careless, almost arrogant. Now, shall we return to Sydney? Miss Mahyana is needed in Africa, I believe."

The owl-eyed U.N.C.L.E. leader turned and walked calmly back to the helicopter. Solo helped Joe Hooker. The bearded boy was staring after Waverly.

"Like, crazy," Joe Hooker said. The bearded youth was in bad shape, but he could still manage a wan smile.

Looking at him, Illya nodded.

The forces of evil, all over the world, could do their damndest, he was thinking. But for every weakling they seduced, every poor unfortunate they trapped, the essential decency in mankind was bigger, stronger than all of them. In the end, it would have to destroy them.

It was a good thought. It would help to make bearable the memory of the unspeakable hours that had passed.

After a while, the taut nightmare memories left Hooker and he could sleep.

The helicopter took off, circling once over the gaping hole in the vast wasteland that still steamed fingers of gas into the sky. Already, helicopters were below as men in gas masks approached the stronghold and factory of Marcus Fitzhugh.

"THRUSH will need a new member of council, it seems," Waverly said. "Unfortunately, we need a new chief enforcement agent for Section-II, Africa. Would that appeal to you, Miss Mahyana?"

"Yes, sir, and thank you," the lithe brown girl said.

"We will have to watch for the remains of the teen corps," Illya said, his Russian mind still on the problem. "They will be very sick without their PowerTen."

"The hospitals have been alerted, and the police," Waverly said grimly.

"What about Maxine Trent?" Solo asked.

"Her body was found in the river," Waverly said, looking for his tobacco in his old tweed suit. "But I have my doubts it was really her, Mr.—uh—Solo."

Solo smiled. He had his doubts that Maxine would be ended so easily. He thought he would probably meet her again. Strangely, the thought did not displease him, deadly though she certainly was. A little danger was always interesting. And Maxine Trent was born for danger.

"You know, The Beavers are going to seem mighty square after you swingers," Joe Hooker said. "I mean, crazy."

The helicopter whirled off toward the jet that waited for them at the bush airport.

THE END

* * * * *

home

posted 10.26.2000, transcribed by ?