Chuck VS the Alien Colonists
Prologue
Washington DC, 2000 AD
Knowle Rohrer is exhausted, out of energy, out of hope, out of time. Back in '96, he had discovered that a clone of some sort had been made of him. That clone-a Super Soldier-had been sent to kill him and take his place in the DOD. He had, of course, taken this to his superiors, only to learn that they, too, had been replaced; either with yet more Super Soldiers, or the Alien Master Shape Shifters who commanded the Super Soldiers. The only option left to Rohrer was flight.
Since then, Knowle Rohrer has been forced into hiding; his family, home, and career lost to the monster that happens to wear his face. All Rohrer can do is keep low, eke out a precarious living out on the margins of society; a far cry from the life he had originally envisaged for himself.
On the other hand, he has learned paranoia, that lesson sunk deep into his bones. After all, there really are people out to get him. So, whenever he goes out, he has learned to scan for anyone who might possibly be hostile.
He has also learned to appreciate Fox William Mulder, with his constant warnings about the coming Alien Invasion. Not that Mulder's approach to the problem has helped much…
But, being paranoid has helped keep Rohrer safe. While out, he got this spine-tingling sense of being watched, of someone following him. So, he fled, as quietly as possible, for anything which might offer some form of security. Now, he is hiding in a decrepit ruin of a warehouse, not actually sure he was being followed in the first place.
He's a wreck, now, and he knows it. His current appearance would be enough to dissuade the average citizen from approaching him. His hair, once kept in military regulation trim, is now a mess of tangled curls stopping just shy of his shoulders. What with that, the equally scruffy beard, and the shabby, smelly clothes that comprise his attire nowadays, he's quite honestly surprised the police haven't picked him up on vagrancy charges yet.
A small mercy, that. Rohrer is certain that a stint in a jail cell would lead them to him; and, after that…
Goodnight Irene…Story over…
Temporarily safe, in this ruin of a warehouse, he leans his head back against a wall, seeking a few minutes of respite from the nightmare his life has become, a few minutes of sleep…
It's the squeaky, rusty sound of the warehouse door sliding open that jolts him back into panicky wakefulness. An intruder stands in the doorway, outlined by the sunlight of early afternoon. There is only the one-male, roughly Rohrer's own height and weight. Rohrer's hands clench into tight fists, as he continues to watch from his hiding place.
The stranger advances carefully, silently, stealth and grace in his movements. The man has to be an Agent of some sort or other.
They've found me!
Rohrer puts his own training in stealth to use, as he creeps carefully to a stack of crates. Peering around the crates, he looks at the intruder. The man is powerfully built, moves like a trained fighter. Dark of hair and skin, Rohrer realizes the stranger is actually not a stranger. Rohrer knows him; knows him well, in fact…
The shock of that realization brings Rohrer to his feet, adrenaline flooding his system, ready to fight or flee, heart hammering in his chest.
For his part, Ty Bennet relaxes and smiles.
"There you are," he says. "I've been looking for you."
"Sensei..?" Rohrer can't believe it. He can't bring himself to hope that the years of hiding might be over.
Sensei…are you, you?
"It's all right, Knowle," the other man surely senses his doubts. "I'm not with them. General Beckman sent me."
"Beckman…" the name is a new one to Rohrer. "Do you trust him?"
Bennet smiles, a touch impishly…
"I believe you will find General Beckman to be eminently trustworthy," he says. "Are you ready to go?"
"Go…" caution grips Rohrer. "Go where?"
"To meet General Beckman," Bennet explains patiently. "That's the first step in helping you to disappear."
"Disappear…" Rohrer repeats the word; not at all certain he likes the notion of being…disappeared…
But, he is tired, beyond belief; running out of options and places to hide. Besides, if they have Ty Bennet, then this-War? Invasion?-is truly lost, and there is no freedom, or peace, to be had this side of death…
So, he allows Ty Bennet to guide him back outside, where an anonymous black van awaits. Because Rohrer is hungry-he hasn't eaten in two days-they stop at the first fast food place they see. It's an odd little place, the Weinerlicious, but Rohrer gets a Jumbo Weiner with the Works, fries, and a large black coffee. To him, right now, it's a feast. Bennet rolls his eyes, mutters something about msg, and biochemical balance, but Rohrer is too damned hungry to care.
Belly full, Rohrer looks out the tinted window, as the van heads out of the city. All that food, and, now he's suddenly drowsy. He hasn't had a good sleep in ages, and the engine's rumble lulls him into sleep…
He jerks awake to silence. It's dark outside, and the van is parked by yet another decrepit warehouse. Bennet is still at the wheel, regarding him calmly.
"I didn't want to awaken you," he explains. "You needed your sleep."
Rohrer nods. He does feel better now; more alert, less scrambled in his mind.
"How long did I sleep?" he asks.
"About nine hours," Bennet opens the driver side door. "We're here."
Rohrer takes a moment to finger-comb his hair and beard, restoring a semblance of order. Then, he follows Bennet into the warehouse. He can't help shivering as the warehouse door slides creakily shut behind them; the possibilities of betrayal always on his mind nowadays…
Once the door is closed, several lights come on, bathing the area in brilliance, revealing several men wearing suits and ties; and one woman, wearing the uniform and insignia of a General in the Air Force.
Me and my big mouth, making assumptions like that. I should know better…
Rohrer comes to attention, snaps a brisk salute.
"At ease," Beckman looks him over, features impassive. "You seem to be somewhat the worse for wear."
"Ah…Yes, ma'am…" Rohrer falters momentarily.
Why am I here?
"You must be wondering why I had Agent Bennet bring you here," apparently Beckman's a telepath, on top of everything else.
"Yes, ma'am," Rohrer nods. "That question did occur to me."
"Well…" she starts citing facts. "You have been ousted from your home and career, by what is commonly described as a Super Soldier. Since then, you have been forced into hiding, leading a homeless existence. In short, right now, you are completely helpless, and useless."
"Yes, ma'am," what else could he say to that? Beckman's analysis of his situation was accurate; devastatingly so…
"However," Beckman continues briskly. "We have a security problem that may well prove to be your salvation. Are you familiar with the name, Major John Casey?"
Rohrer shakes his head. Back in DOD, he has seen the name a few times, always in association with the NSA, but that's it, as far as his knowledge goes…
"He served in the NSA for several years, with distinction and honor," Beckman says. "Then, he went rogue, and joined FULCRUM. Since then, his employment with us has been…shall we say…terminated."
He was killed, Rohrer translated silently
"But what has that got to do with me?" he asks aloud. At Beckman's nod, one of the suits hands him a folder. He looks through the files; a standard bio of a spy in the NSA. It's the accompanying photo that catches him by surprise…
"You're fucking kidding me…" the words are out before he can think of what he's saying.
"Either this is an amazingly serendipitous co-incidence," Beckman agrees. "Or you were twins separated at birth. Either way, we find we have great need of you. Before his death, the late, unlamented Major was known to be in contact with several agents of FULCRUM. We've kept the Major's death a secret…"
"You want me to take the Major's place."
"Yes," Beckman nods. "That's exactly what we need. Perhaps, with your help, we shall be able to erase FULCRUM off the face of the map."
"I would be happy to assist you, General, in whatever capacity you desire," Rohrer speaks carefully. "But, what happens when the mission is done?"
"I think you misunderstand my offer," Beckman looks at him squarely. "This offer is a permanent one. If you accept my offer, you will become Major John Casey; and you shall keep the name, title, and whatever else is appropriate, for as long as you live. The dead Major will be passed off as the homeless Knowle Rohrer. It's Knowle Rohrer who will die today. Long live Major John Casey."
"Then there must be more to it than just the mission," Rohrer returns her stare. "What else are you not telling me?"
"Major John Casey's father was my old CO," Beckman's features soften briefly; so briefly, in fact, that Rohrer can't actually be certain he saw what he thought he saw. Beckman continues speaking.
"John Senior is no longer among the living. But, his wife, Helen is alive, and loved her son very much. I refuse to sully my old CO's memory, or to distress dear Helen, with the fact that their only son died a traitor to the United States of America. But, you can do something here; be a dutiful son to a woman who is all alone in the world, with no one to give her the love, and protection she deserves."
"Yes," Rohrer bows his head, partly to hide that fact that Beckman's words have made him profoundly homesick for his own mother; a woman he'll never see again because of that damned Super Soldier.
"Yes,' he says again. "I can do that. I'll need everything you have on Major Casey; especially if you'll want me to communicate with his mother."
"I'll see to it that you have everything you need," Beckman was preparing to leave. "Agent Bennet will help you get settled in. Welcome to the NSA, Major John Casey."
"Thank you, General," he snaps a salute. "I won't let you down!"
She leaves, along with the suited men, and Rohrer-no, John Casey-is alone with Ty Bennet.
"Where do we go from here?" he asks his old mentor.
"We go Downstairs," Bennet explains. "There's a Castle here. You can get a shave and a haircut, so you look like a Major in the NSA. Then you can look at Major Casey's bio until you know it backward and forward.
So saying, Bennet leads his friend to what looks like a blank part of the wall. But, Bennet knows where the hidden sensors are. He touches a part of the wall, and the thing slides open, silently, this time, to reveal an open elevator with only two buttons…
Upstairs
Downstairs
Bennet presses the downstairs button, the door slides shut, and the newly- minted John Casey is taken onwards into his destiny…