Don't own Chuck
Previous Chuck stories and order: 1 Chuck vs Charles, 2 Chuck vs the Love Boat, 3 Chuck vs The Rock, 4 Chuck vs Amtrak, 5 Chuck vs The Dictator, 6 Chuck vs The Name, 7 Chuck vs The Volcano, 8 Chuck vs The Ghost, 9 Chuck vs The Shooter, 10 Chuck vs The Package, 11 Chuck vs The Jade Dragon, 12 Chuck vs Jai-Alai, 13 Chuck vs The Greek, 14 Chuck vs The Suitcase, 15 Chuck vs The Pirate, 16 Chuck vs The Toy Maker, 17 Chuck vs The Sibyl, 18 Chuck vs The House, 19 Chuck vs The Heist, 20 Chuck vs The A-Bomb
"What do you mean it deviated off course then disappeared off the radar? You know how much those things cost? I want NORAD to give me an explanation. No better tell them, they're going to have to go to the White house and explain. I want to see them sitting in front of a Congressional review hearing," yelled General Beckman as she slammed down the phone.
"Ma'am," said one of her aids as he knocked then stuck his head in her door cautiously. "I have a report for you on that lost spy satellite."
"Bring it in I hope someone has been able to find it. Christ, some next generation technology, billions of dollars and the thing goes dark then drops out of the sky. Worse than Skylab spreading debris over Australia, at least they've got a sense of humor, fining NASA for littering. I thought the Director was going to have a cow. I had a hard time holding a straight face, but then again I was on the other side of the desk then," she said as she opened the folder and began to read. "Crap this is going from bad to worse. Has this been confirmed by the NSA?"
"Yes ma'am the report is from the NSA. The satellite deviated course over the North Pole flying over two of our most secret labs before re-entering."
"Why didn't they imitate an auto destruct command? Are those people stoned over there or are they asleep at the wheel. Christ all those diploma's on the walls and not a lick of common sense."
"They say they did on page twelve but the satellite didn't respond. They've tracked it to an area in Denali National Park in Alaska around Mount Foraker."
"You know that's the second highest peak in the Alaska Range. Christ, I can't believe this thing flew over Santa's workshop, do we know if it was still taking pictures?"
"No ma'am we don't but there's nothing to indicate that it wasn't so we have to assume-"
"Son, anyone ever teach what assumption does?" said the General. Assumption was one word that the military should strike from its dictionary.
"Yes ma'am I'm sorry but aren't you going to send in your team from Burbank? This would be an ideal mission for them considering…"
"Considering? Lieutenant, are you trying to tell me how to do my job? Dismissed," said Beckman as she waved him away. The man turned around and left as fast as he could. However, he was right, the truth was Chuck and Sarah would've been ideal but the stupid satellite had flown over Santa's workshop. The workshop was the code name of their ultra-secret base where special projects were developed among which was the construction of the new intersect computer. A football field size computer being built under the snow and ice of the North, an ideal climate for refrigerating and keeping the super conductors from overheating, plus safely tucked away from prying eyes. But if she couldn't use Chuck or Sarah she still had Casey but who else could she send? This wasn't a solo mission then she remembered an evaluation the Colonel had submitted.
"Where was it at," she said to herself as she shuffled stacks of paper. "Here we go, 'Candidate evaluation ICO Alex McHugh, operative fully trained. Recommend subject for a more active role within the team.' "Connie, get me Colonel Casey on the horn," yelled the General, "I've got a mission for him and Miss McHugh. Oh hell I'll send their wooly friend with them too."
"What was that General?" asked her secretary. "I'm sorry I didn't get everything you said."
"Just patch Colonel Casey into me. I'll want to talk with him."
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Somewhere deep in a cave in the central regions of Papua New Guinea a group of men were sitting around a table with keyboards in front of them and a transparent screen in the middle. On the screen was a terrestrial globe that rotated with the earth, a red dotted line traced a trajectory path round it until the dotted line ended somewhere in Alaska.
"One, two, three over riding mission control locking out self-destruct commands and firing thrusters short burst. Okay we're over the coordinates."
"I got it. Taking a look okay and… taking pictures now," said the man sitting across from the table. "Okay done, we're off site now you can bring her down."
"Firing re-entry rockets, lowering our girl into the atmosphere in three, two, and one, firing rockets thrusters to slow descent."
"No, no, no you idiot you're bringing the thing down in the middle of nowhere. What were you thinking? I had a team already standing by in Australia for pick up," yelled the man across for the table as he got up and walk around trying to calm down.
"Quiet, I've got to slow descent or you'll be picking up ash and don't call me an idiot, moron you're the one who had me alter its orbit. What did you think was going to happen? Did you think we'd just put on a turn signal then move over to the right? Jesus, are you stupid."
"I might be stupid but I'm stupid with the gun," said the man as he showed his friend his Desert Eagle."
"Just goes to prove the bigger the piece the smaller the brain."
"I've got another saying for you the bigger the mouth the quicker it gets shut," said the man on the opposite side of the table. Then both men got up and puffed up their chests like they wanted to go at it right there.
"Will you girls pipe down or I'll shoot you both. Jesus, you're giving me a headache. Jake, get your team back in the air and have then stand by. Wong, give me the coordinates where the satellite went down. Remember our client doesn't like mistakes or screw ups."
"I'm sorry but I can't tell you exactly where it's at, the GPS onboard went out on the way down but this is the rough area that we need to search."
"Thanks," said the man as he handed the note to Jake then pulled Jake's Desert Eagle and shot Wong dead. Apology accepted. Did I make my point," asked the man handing back Jake his weapon. "No more screw ups now let's go and someone clean this mess up."
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It was early in the morning before sun up when Chuck woke up. He felt a heavy weight on his chest and it was hard to breath. Walking up half asleep and in his morning haze at first he thought he was having a heart attack. But his fears were soon dispersed when he say two little eyes look down at him Sam sitting on his chest holding her rabbit.
"You almost scared your father to death my little sweet pea," said Chuck as he grabbed her and gave her a tickle attack. She laughed and giggled then Chuck heard Sarah moan he almost forgot she was still asleep.
"Shush, let me go then when I get back I'll take you back to your bed. It's too early for you to be up and about," said Chuck as he got up laying her down on his side then stepped out. But when he came back Sam was sound asleep on his side and he just didn't have the heart to wake her so he let her sleep.
"Okay Chuck what can you do at four in the morning?" he said to himself as he went into the kitchen "First thing is to make coffee," he said to himself but as he was making it he thought he heard someone outside so he went out but he didn't see anyone. When he went back inside he checked the time, it was way too early for the newspaper boy or the trash men.
"I knew I shouldn't have eaten that other slice of pizza then again that extra weigh on my stomach didn't help," he said to himself as he tried to write off what he heard but he there it was again. However, this time it seemed closer so he turned off the lights and hide behind the door with his dart gun at the ready.
"Christ this is for Sarah and Sam, I've got to keep them safe," Chuck said as he waited but he didn't have to wait long. The knob turned slowly then the door opened. Chuck saw a gloved hand reach in to grab hold of the door as it swung open. Chuck flashed. He rolled from behind in a ball out to the front coming up firing two darts in rapid succession into the burglar catching him dead center in the chest. The only thing wrong was that it wasn't a burglar but Morgan.
"Oh boy," said Morgan as he looked down at the darts in his chest then dropped.
"I'm sorry little buddy," said Chuck as he ran over to him. Casey applauded from the courtyard by clapping his hands.
"Well that's idiots one and morons zero," said Casey as he and Chuck dragged Morgan back outside to the water fountain where they propped him up.
"Can you tell me what's going on? You know I could've killed him and if it'd been Sarah she would've with her Smith and Wesson."
"Calculated risk. Did you make coffee? I can smell it."
"Yeah I just made a pot, go help yourself," said Chuck as he knelt down checking on Morgan making sure he hadn't over dosed his friend. Casey went in then came out with two cups.
"I brought you yours," said John as he handed him his cup. "Why are you up anyway we thought you two would still be asleep."
"What do you mean? And what was Morgan doing breaking into our apartment?" asked Chuck thinking he'd seen Casey do some pretty stalker things but this took the cake.
"I was giving Morgan some spy training. He's been observing you guys at night trying to find the window of opportunity."
"Looked more like a door than a window but what? Come again, he's been observing us so he can sneak in for what? Just to prove to you that he can do it? Casey you know people go to prison for this, don't you? I might be wrong but I think you might remember a president who got in trouble for having something like this done."
"Take it up with Beckman. Remember Grimes is the diamond in the rough and my job is to make him sparkle even if it kills him."
"Which it would've if Sarah had been the one awake. You guys are insane. If I didn't have my dart gun I would've used Sarah's nine."
"Doubtful, you and firearms don't mix and I know Sarah is storing hers now unloaded under her pillow so I'd have time to stop her before she ventilated the Troll."
"You're mighty sure with the life of your future son in law," said Chuck as Casey grunted then took a sip of coffee.
"Okay so you know why we're here, why are you up? You're normally asleep at this hour or that's what I see on the cameras."
"Cameras! You've still got those cameras up and you're watching us when we're you know. Oh I take it back; I don't think you're sick I know you are. How would you like it if I filmed you and Gertrude or Kathleen? You wouldn't like it then would you?"
"Calm down before you pop a gasket I was just joking. So what gives? Sarah kicked you out of bed for snoring?"
"I don't snore… do I?"
"My surveillance footage is for official use only, so what gives? Why are you up and about at five in the morning now?" asked Casey as he looked at his watch.
"I had another type of intruder alert going on in the name of Sam. I found her sitting on my chest smiling down at me."
"And you make fun of me but I thought you put that motion detection system in so you guys would know when she was out and about? Sounds to me like you should be asking for your money back or getting someone out to check it out."
"Well we talked about it but in the end we just put in the one sensor on Sam's door and I put it in myself. Before you say anything I know what I was doing. After all these years in the nerd herd and extra training I should know how to set up one lousy sensor and alarm."
"I agree, you should but your evidence says a different story or don't you agree?" said Casey as Morgan dropped over and they straightened him up again. "I swear I'm going to slap him if he drools on me."
"Yeah you're right about my install not about slapping Morgan, let's get that straight. I'll run a diagnostic check tomorrow."
"Sounds like the right thing to do. Yeah, I would if I were you. Now for what to do with sleeping beauty here I vote to leave him and let him sleep it off.
"No John, help me and we'll put him on our couch. Then I'll get breakfast started and you can have the first batch of pancakes."
"Now you're talking. I guess I should call Alex soon too before she starts looking for the Troll and not finding him. It would be a shame though if he got misplaced."
"No John, Morgan's my friend," said Chuck as they dumped him on the couch. He made a high pitched whinny sound when he got dropped.
"Yeah your friend you shot. Didn't that sound like a woman?"
"I think he was dreaming about doing the Morgan. Probably having nightmares about being shot and for the record it was an accident. Hey, when you talk to Alex tell her to come over and have breakfast with us too. It will be great to have the whole gang over here for breakfast. I need to also thank Kathleen for helping out."
"Well that you have to tell her, she's the one who volunteered to babysit," said Casey as he poured himself another cup and seeing the pot was low he made another one.
"I know she's only available during the day but it helps a lot. That way Sarah and I can still go into Castle to work. We're vetting babysitters but that's coming along very slowly," said Chuck as he slid the first stack of pancakes in front of Casey.
"You can tell him," said Sarah as she appeared from around the corner from the bedroom. "The problem is me I'm being too picky or at least that's what I've been accused of."
"Not true, I haven't said a word," Chuck said as Sarah poured herself a cup of Casey's coffee and almost gagged.
"John I can always tell when you make coffee, it comes out forty weight," said Sarah as she took a fork and stole a bit of his pancake.
"Mine," said Casey as they all laughed.
"Pancakes! Do I smell pancakes," said Morgan as he rose from their couch like Count Dracula from his coffin.
"Morgan, I don't know if I should be laughing or running," said Chuck, "But yours are up after I finish Sarah's. I'll explain Love."
"Chuck! Dude, you shot me so not cool. Not cool Chuck not cool," said Morgan as Chuck passed Sarah her stack.
"Let me explain," said Chuck as he started to explain to her about Morgan's training but she stopped him.
"I know he's been watching us for his so called 'window of opportunity'. He's been at it for about a week. I take it he didn't make it?"
"Well let's just say his window was a door and it got closed in his face," said Chuck as Casey shook his head looking at Morgan.
"What I was careful. I did everything you told me to do I don't understand," said Morgan as he came over to inhale his portion and he tried to steal another.
"Behave Morgan. No you had yours, the rest are for Kathleen and Alex when they get here. But I don't understand if you knew what he was up to, why didn't you say something?"
"Alex made me promise not to tell and besides Sweetie I figured the worst that could happen would be Morgan would get a little sleep. And you two don't be mad at Alex, she told me because she cares about you Morgan and she was afraid I'd shoot you which I probably would've."
"I think I told them the exact same thing," said Chuck as he poured out Casey's Mississippi mud and made a new pot.
"Sweetie I rolled over to kiss you and found Sam. Did we have Space invaders?" said Sarah as Chuck laughed then kissed her.
"Yes and I like the nerdy analogy I think I might be rubbing off on you," said Chuck pulled her in close and kissed her again.
"Yuck some of us are still trying to eat here. Can't you take that back to the bedroom where it belongs?"
"We need to get ready Alex and Kathleen will be here soon," said Chuck. "You know there's a water shortage in California and we're under water rationing."
"So if we took our shower together we'd be doing our part to conserve water," said Sarah as she smiled back at him with a coy look in her eye.
"Well, I think it'd be irresponsible if not criminal if we don't," said Chuck as he took her by the hand and pulled her into the bathroom. Sarah laughed as they disappeared inside.
"Jesus I think I'm going to be sick," said Casey as Morgan got up. "You touch a pancake and you're dead." Morgan sat back down.
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An hour later everyone was there. Alex and Kathleen had showed up together and were drinking coffee in the kitchen when Chuck and Sarah came out in bathrobes. They went into their bedroom and changed. Sam was still asleep but considering her mission the night before was at four and they didn't know for how long she was awake before that, they decided to let her sleep in.
"Hey we need to go," said Casey, "Beckman just called and she wants to brief us at Castle in an hour. You two set for transportation I've got my daughter and the Troll."
"Sure I'll drive us in I'll use my Lotus."
The team left for Castle in two vehicles. Chuck and Sarah left after they got Kathleen settled in with a promise that they'd check with her at lunch. However this delay made them late and when they arrived at Castle Casey was already in the middle of the briefing.
"I'm sorry General but we had a small problem getting out of the house this morning," said Chuck. Without Emma it just takes longer sorry.
"Well I can understand that can be a problem and since Sarah, your mother is not available still in Montenegro I believe?"
"Yes ma'am with my father and my sister. But we should have a sitter soon and Kathleen, Alex's mother is watching our daughter during the day since Alex has been going out on missions."
"That's right I have Colonel Casey's fit for duty reports right here on Miss McHugh along with those of Agent Bartowski, S. and they led me to come to the conclusion that Agent McHugh is ready for field operations. As it is there's a mission that has come up I think would be good to get Agent McHugh's feet wet so to speak. One of our spy satellites has malfunctioned and went down in Denali National Park around Mount Foraker. Agent Carmichael, Agent Grimes no puns please. The memory module contains highly classified and sensitive material which needs to be recovered. Agent McHugh I'm sending you along with Colonel Casey and Agent Grimes to find and recover the memory module."
"What about Chuck and Sarah, I means Agents Bartowski Ma'am? Shouldn't they be coming with us?" asked Alex.
"Since they're having sitter problems they can provide support from Castle, any questions?"
"Excuse me General but they won't know what a memory module looks like let alone how to remove it. Are you sure you don't want one of us to go with them if this is such a simple mission?"
"No, they can call and you can walk them through if necessary using sat net coms. I'm sure you can handle this."
"You don't think that's a little ironic to us a satellite to communicate on how to operate on another satellite. I hope its name isn't Hal. General would it be possible to see the satellites orbit path and reentry trajectory?"
"No that's NSA classified data need to know. The NSA doesn't want their mistakes published for the world to see, sorry."
"Chuck, give it a rest. It's time you let Alex have her day like we did for you. The General knows what she's doing."
"Thank you Colonel Casey but Chuck's concerned for the team which is what a good leader does and I understand. Beckman out."
"Way to go," said Morgan as he congratulated Alex. "Your first mish this will be something to look back on."
"He's right," said Chuck, "congratulations and make sure you pack plenty of thermal underwear you'll need it up there."
"Come on we need to plan," said Casey as he took Alex and Morgan into the Armory. Just then Sarah got a call it was Kathleen.
"I've got to take this," said Sarah. "Kathleen what's the matter … Really? Should I come home? … No I'm on my way. I'll be right there."
"What's the matter?" said Chuck as Sarah grabbed her bag and keys.
"Kathleen just called and said Sam has a fever. I'm running home to check on her I'll keep you informed."
"No let me come with you, looks like we're not needed here anyway."