The Man From U.N.C.L.E: A Mission In Istanbul

Chapter 2: Introducing Simona and the Mission

The plane had come to a sudden halt. As the doors open, Alexander Waverly's majestic silhouette entered the plane. He was an aged man, but his face lit up and beams of wisdom filtered through his wrinkles. He took off his thick-lensed sunglasses, revealing piercing, milky blue eyes. Those eyes slowly turned to each spy before he directed his attention back to the folders. With a quick readjustment of his red tie, he opened his mouth to reveal his next instructions to the group.

"Good, good," he said to them, realizing the folders had been opened and clearly read. "Well, I've got a bit more information to tell you. But first, I have a surprise for you."

The spies looked at each other, confused.

"Please let me introduce you to a new colleague: CIA Agent Simona Veranda. She'll be helping you on this mission." Waverly stepped out of the way of the entrance revealing someone behind him.

Simona was elegantly dressed, with a red and black tartan skirt and white shirt with the lapels fashionably encrusted with snowy white jewels. Her tall, black heels clipped the floor sexily every time she walked. She smiled at the spies and flung her designer handbag over her shoulder. She walked around the plane cabin, admiring each of her new colleagues individually before walking back up to where Waverly was standing proudly.

"Well, they're not as intimidating as I thought," Simona smiled at Waverly and took her crisp, white sunglasses off her forehead before tossing them carelessly into her open handbag. "I'm Simona Veranda. I'll be helping you with the mission."

Illya sighed, frustrated. "We don't need another American. Cowboy is enough." He nodded in Solo's direction and glared at Waverly and Simona in turn.

Simona walked over to Illya, her skirt only covering the top part of her thighs. "You must be the handsome Russian spy. I've heard a lot about you."

"Impossible." Illya stubbornly responded. "You know nothing of a KGB Agent."

Simona hastily grabbed a folder out of her handbag and shoved it in Illya's face. "You're the KGB's best agent. You're trained in judo, speak several languages and your family..."

Illya grunted angrily and shoved the folder out of his face. Gaby grabbed his arm, calming him down and stopping him from doing any damage. "Illya, calm."

Simona raised a knowing eyebrow. "And quick-tempered."

"He's not the one you should be interested in..."

Simona turned around only to be faced with Solo, now standing up and walking in her direction. He begins to talk: "You can call me..."

"Napoleon Solo." She finished and grabbed another folder from her handbag. "You were a sergeant in the army and served for seven years before being caught for stealing post-war antiquities. You speak German, Japanese, English, Russian, Spanish and Italian, although yet to speak sense."

Illya and Gaby snicker as Solo raised an eyebrow whilst Simona finished reciting the contents of the folder. "You're weakness is hand-to-hand combat, though..."

"I can confirm." Illya smiled teasingly at Solo.

Solo starts to look angered by Simona's direct attack on his past. "Listen, doll..."

"And you're a serial-womanizer." Simona smiled knowingly at him and placed the information carefully into her handbag. "Pleased to meet you."

Solo sat back down, confused by his defeat, but impressed by Simona's fast approach and clever research on each agent. Simona turned to Gaby, and her smile faded when she saw her.

"Gaby," she gently took her hand. "May I first give my condolences to your father."

Gaby nodded her head, wary that Simona had previously spoken harshly to Solo and Illya. "That's OK. Thank you for your concern."

"German?" Simona continued.

"Yes." Gaby looked down, obviously scared that Simona will repeat her past. She then realized that Simona had not taken out her folder yet. "Do you have my folder too?"

"Unfortunately, your folder is nearly empty." Simona walked back to Waverly.

Waverly smiled and turned his attention to Gaby. "We've only recently recruited you, so our files about your weaknesses are very incomplete. The more you complete missions, the more we fill."

"So that's why I'm here." Gaby sighed.

Waverly chuckled. "No, Miss Teller. You're also admittedly an incredible spy for the little training you've had."

"Yes, I've read that." Simona smiled at Gaby. "A talented mechanic, driver and you speak German, English, and Russian, I believe."

"Yes," Gaby continued, "Illya taught me the Russian."

Illya smiled at Gaby, but she avoided his look. "Anything else, Simona?"

"No, that's for me to decide during the mission." Simona grinned and winked at her.

Waverly walked closer to the middle of the spies and guided Simona to her seat. After she sat down, he then adjusted his tie again. "Talking about the mission, I'll fill you in. We have information from an agent that a rebellion Nazi group is in Istanbul. They shouldn't be much trouble, but they've got blueprints for a nuclear weapon."

"Like Victoria's?" Solo asked.

"Ten times more powerful than Victoria's. Ten times more dangerous. It can wipe out regions as well as cities. We're in trouble if they manage to build this weapon. Some of the blueprints, however, are incomplete. We need you to capture their blueprints, as well as the other blueprints and you can bring them to the agency to be destroyed. The Nazi group are angered by the success of your last mission, and they will definitely be expecting U.N.C.LE. to succeed in this mission as well. But you must succeed. If you don't we could be on the verge of a nuclear war. We must avoid it at all costs."