Declassified

Declassified Part 71 Darkness

      "This is our only chance, Alex."
      "It's not safe, Thal. Besides we have enough information already."

      Thalia sighed, frustrated. "You saw one sign." She disagreed, staring down at him from her position in their bed. "It could have meant anything."

      "That sign means one thing and one thing only."
      "Lots of things are radioactive." She pointed out. "Clocks. Microwaves. Bananas—"
      Alex gave her a doubtful look. "I don't think we're involved in a banana smuggling ring, Thal."

      Thalia laughed, pushing the blanket up to give them a little air in their little cocoon on the bed. "Probably not."

      "They aren't going to put a warning like that on something unless there is a serious risk of radiation leaking."

      "I just think we should try to get a bit more information before we contact our handler." She put her hand on Alex's arm. "We don't want to be the boy who cried wolf."

      "The boy who cried nukes." Alex grumbled, absently stroking her cheek.
      "We don't know if it's nuclear weapons." She pointed out.

      "What else could it be?" Alex asked. "Whatever we're involved in, it is potentially radioactive, it requires metal parts, and—"

      "Alex, you can't just build a nuclear weapon. You have to know what you're doing." She insisted, shaking her head. "You need a nuclear technician or physicist or something." She shrugged. "I don't even know what kind of experts you need because it's that complicated."

      Alex sighed, but she could tell she was wearing him down.
      "I know I can do it." Thalia insisted. "I'll be in and out. I'll slip in and take a few quick pics, drop the bug, and then be out of there before anyone notices."

      Alex reached out of their cocoon and picked up the stick she'd carved a hole in, examining it to see how noticeable the bug was, wedged tightly in the tiny hole.

      Thalia desperately wanted to do something. She's been so shaken by what had happened with Makar that Alex had decided they'd stay at the foundry for the night, curled up in bed together.

      On the one hand, Thalia had been relieved. She needed an evening to relax and focus on something other than terrorism and violence. But on the other hand she felt guilty. Time was important, and they were delaying their next action because she was afraid. The very least she could do was gather more intel before they contacted their handler. And since the plan was to contact the handler the next day, this was their last chance to get in that building beforehand.

      "I don't even know if they have any intel in there." Alex pointed out, referring to the small building on the foundry property that the potentially radioactive materials had been coming out of. "It's a big risk."

      "Our jobs are risky." Thalia pointed out. "But you said it's dark out there. I'll wear all black and be very sneaky."

      Alex smiled at the incongruity of her playful words and their very serious mission.
      "You can stay inside and make sure no one goes out in the yard." Thalia wheedled, wrapping her arms around him and looking up at him with her big imploring eyes.

      "Okay. Fine." Alex conceded, sighing as he pulled her closer. "But I want to be on record saying that I don't think it's a good idea."

      Thalia laughed and indicated the blanket over them. "If you want to be on record we could just pull this off and see if this room is bugged."

      Alex laughed too and kissed her. "How about you just make sure you do this safely so you can prove me wrong?"
      Thalia smiled, happy to be able to do something to help their mission. "Deal. Now let's make our plan."