Undercover

[evillurks]

Deep in the hold of a freighter, bound eventually for eastern ports, The Shadow composes messages and recieves information regarding crime in New York. Already he has had to warn Burbank that his absence may run longer than expected. The trail he has picked up is leading him not merely to a seaport, but to points further inland. The crates that have aroused his suspicions are marked 'Afghanistan'. The road ahead promises to be long and difficult.

He is not technically traveling as a stowaway, at least not in the traditional sense. The face he wears mirrors that of a man currently held by his agents back in the city. One of the few on board trusted to the secret drug trade operations, this man has provided him the ideal cover for the journey. The man whose face he wears belongs in prison, but his punishment will be a tricky political affair, involving forein policy and extradition. For the time being, he must remain under watch, as his release to the proper authorities would destroy The Shadow's cover. It is an awkward situation in every aspect.
There is little more than a skeleton crew aboard the ship, as most of the real work happens in ports, and is done by men there. Modern freighters require few hands, guided by computers and well-charted courses. There is little for the men to do, from day to day. The Shadow spends much of his time among coarse men, who while away the hours in smoking and card games. The second-hand smoke burns raw in his left lung, and he finds coughing unavoidable. He has convinced the other men this, and his own reluctance for a cigarette, are due to his coming down with a cold. Illness is usually quick to spread in such close quarters, so the other men are glad to avoid close contact with him. This suits his purposes ideally, sparing him from more exposure to their smoke, and buying him ample time for his private communications.
It is a miserable trip, all the same.

Comments

[myra-reldon.livejournal.com]

((With all that smoke I feel bad for the guy. That's the last thing he needs irritating his lung.))

[evillurks.livejournal.com]

((Well yes. I must have a sadistic streak. He'll be all right, but he may come back with a cough. Again.))

[myra-reldon.livejournal.com]

((I believe the icon speaks for itself...))

[evillurks.livejournal.com]

((*Laughs* That may be one of the most expressive icons you have.))

[myra-reldon.livejournal.com]

((Indeed.

Also, revamped userpics noted. I like them.))

[evillurks.livejournal.com]

((...You mean mine? I didn't expect anyone to notice...))

[myra-reldon.livejournal.com]

((I noticed the subtle change in hair color to some of them. :) I think they look good.))

[evillurks.livejournal.com]

((Would you believe I was afraid he didn't look old enough? While I also worry that if the gentleman whose face I've been using ever came across these he'd be distressed to see himself aged. I know how I'd feel.))

[myra-reldon.livejournal.com]

((I think it's a graceful aging, personally. As much as aging isn't always a pleasant part of life. I can sympathize about the 'looking aged' part, though.

He still does pepper/white well, I think. As does The Shadow. ;) ))