The Man From U.N.C.L.E: The Thief From Moscow

Chapter 34: Public Execution

Illya was crouched behind a wall, lurking in the shadows. His gun was in his hand and his finger was stealthily poised on the trigger. Around the short bend, Albert Salnekov and a couple of his men were studying a map of Moscow and pointing out different places. Illya turned on the recording device and listened in closer on their conversation.

"...and here we'll make sure the whole of Moscow," the man paused and chuckled, "no, the whole of Russia is watching. Gentlemen, tomorrow we'll publicly execute Alexei Kosygin in front of the Moscow Kremlin so he can be made example of. With the council tearing itself apart, we'll become the face of Russian freedom and we'll rule this land."

Kosygin is here, Illya remembered as he walked slowly to the other side of the corridor, breathing as quietly as possible.

On the other side of the hallway, there was a door. It creaked noisily as Illya opened it. He paused, but Albert Salnekov was still talking to his men. Inside the room was a barred off cell, locked with several padlocks. In the prison was Alexei Kosygin, gawking open-mouthing at the sight of Illya.

"Agent Kuryakin?" Kosygin gasped and his eyes squinted, almost as if he did not believe Illya was really in front of him. "Is that you?"

"Yes, sir," Illya approached the prison and started observing the padlock. "Now I need to get you out of here."

"Is my daughter alive?"

"She's safe and protected by many of the agents." Illya replied and started picking at the lock with a piece of metal wire he kept in his pocket.

The first lock opened easily, but the other three were securely locked. Illya tried to work as quietly as he could, but it was not easy for the Russian spy's large and clumsy hands.

"Sir, tomorrow they're planning on executing you publicly at the Moscow Kremlin in front of all Moscow. If they do so, the government and council will be tearing itself apart with people fighting over power. Soon, Russia will be on the verge of a crisis. That's when they'll be able to take over as new leaders of the country..."

"Pretty ingenious plan, right?"

Illya shot round, only to see Albert Salnekov and his three henchmen standing in the doorway pointing guns at him. Kosygin trembled behind the bars and sat as far away as he could from his captures. Illya had no choice but to put his gun to the air and surrender.

"I especially like the 'crisis' part," Salnekov chuckled devilishly and pointed at Illya. "Seize him!"

The three men leapt on to him and started punching him in the gut. Illya lurched forward in agony and clutched his stomach as one of the men's fists made contact with his face. He could feel the blood starting to dribble out of the corner of his lip and nose. As two of the men held Illya upright on his knees, another stood up and took out a gun from his pocket to point it at him. It was aimed directly in between his eyes. The man's hand rested teasingly on the trigger.

"You'll be made an example of," Albert could not contain his joy.

"You did wrong to Gaby..."

"Teller?" Albert's eyes were wild with amusement. "Do you know the kraut whore then?"

Illya's wriggled angrily in the men's grasp. "Don't you dare call her that..."

"We always thought she had nice legs." The man holding the gun laughed and waved the weapon dangerously around.

"I might let them have a go when I find her." Albert laughed.

Illya's eyes were blazing with fury. "You'll die a slow and painful death..."

"Enough." Albert stomped impatiently. "I want to kill him. Think of it as a warm up for tomorrow, right Kosygin?"

Kosygin had buried his face in hands, looking away from the scene.

"He's no fun," Albert sighed before he turned the attention back on Illya. He nudged the man holding the gun. "Shoot him."

The man concentrated on pulling the trigger. Illya closed his eyes and held his breath. He imagined death so much he wasn't afraid anymore. He thought of growing up with his sister Maria. He thought of his first mission as part of the KGB. He thought of when he first saw Gaby Teller, who was then only his targeted victim to capture. He thought of his Gaby now; had she read the letter?

The gun went off.

BANG!