Chuck vs. A Christmas at Eureka
Still waiting. And still don't own Chuck or Eureka for that matter.
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
So is a lot.
-Albert Einstein
Chapter 2a—Two Turtle Doves
Chuck heard her alarm and decided it would be best to get up now too. His room had a shower and a small bath. He quickly got ready putting on his blue jeans and white shirt. He went out the room and found that Sarah was coming out at the same time. But Sarah was wearing a jogging outfit. He asked, "You know it snowed outside?"
"Yes. I saw there was a workout room off the patio. I was going to try that for a quick workout. Let's check whether Casey is up and you can see where the system is connected." Sarah waved Chuck over to Casey's door. She knocked on it and called, "You up?"
"Yeah, what you need?" Casey opened the door. He had his tee shirt on and sweat pants. He said, "Okay I know you're not going for a work out Bartowski. Thought we didn't have to be to the restaurant for another hour and a half?"
"I was going to get a quick work out. We were thinking maybe you two could trace the system and find out who is doing it," Sarah said and pointed to where the camera was.
Casey nodded, "Let me get dressed and meet you over at Chuck's room."
It took just a couple minutes and Casey came over to Chuck's. Sarah went to he worked out. Chuck and Casey prided open panel covering the camera. They pulled out the camera and found it only had electrical wires to it. Casey opened his sweeping case. After a couple changes in settings, he was able to capture the frequency for the camera's transmitter.
Chuck looked over the camera and said, "There ought to be a matching frequency to adjust the camera. If I take off the tape, the main system should send out a signal to adjust the camera. See if you can find that. Ready?" He held the camera high and facing the room, then he pulled the tape off.
"Got it." Casey locked in that frequency.
"Okay, can you take that and scan the building. I'll stand here and put the tape on and off. That should get you some signals so you can lock in on it," Chuck said. He got his tape ready to go.
Casey grunted and went to the hallway. "On the count of ten change it."
Chuck counted to ten and put the tape on. Then counted to ten again and took it off. It seemed like forever before Casey came back to the room.
"I think I have it narrowed down. Put the tape on and come on," Casey said.
Chuck and Casey went down stairs the first floor. They found a hide-a-way room under the stairs on the first floor. Chuck looked at the equipment. He found the main transmitter and receiver went through a processor to a stack of memory banks. When he saw a serial number on one of the pieces he flashed:
The Blue cube
Reel to reel tapes
Images and images
Advanced robotics.
"Okay this is like a state of the art system from 20 years ago. I think some of it might have been from an old KGB model. But what I have on that in the Intersect is what I would call outdated and old files. We are going to have to find out who would have been around then and maybe what they were working on," Chuck told Casey.
"But all that would be old now. That would be before the first Gulf War. What would they want now? You think someone just forgot it was here and left it?" Chuck asked.
Casey shrugged his shoulders. "But that is a good an explanation at this point. Can you tell whether it has a relay?" Casey asked. He pointed to the transmitter area.
"I don't see one. Casey, that transmitter looks pretty low power. It would be enough to handle the cameras in this house but not much further than that. Wait this is a display. Let's see what we got." Chuck hit a few keys on the pad.
A video came up that displayed Sarah going to the door to Chuck's room. Another setting showed Chuck's hand coming with black tape to the camera. Next Casey was doing a scan with his box and then blank. Finally there was Julian and them at the lobby. Chuck put in a year and date of ten years ago. This video happened to show two women sitting at what looked to be the parlor drinking some tea. Suddenly, the brunette slumped in her chair. Next they could see the red head pull the body out of the room.
Chuck flashed again:
High-level network, a ring
Diplomatic
Congressional seal
Section 5, the artifact
"Okay, well that is not exactly what I expected. The person in the video was Beverley Barlowe, the previous manager here. I think the other woman was a scientist named Doctor Ruth Hienzer. There were other things that came up, but we better be in something equivalent to Castle to talk about it. But it will 'Ring' a bell for you." Chuck turned to Casey with his eyebrow up in question.
"Well, we'll tell Walker. But for now no one else. We don't know who those people are. Can you tell the date and time this was recorded?" Casey asked.
"Yes, I have written it down. That was ten years ago. I can't imagine how much is stored in here. Should we keep looking through this? I don't know how far back this will go." Chuck was ready to type in other dates.
Casey said, "No, we need to see if we can get a system to record this and then review it so we don't lose the main files." Casey put a hand on Chuck's shoulder. "Shhh."
They both listened for a second and heard footsteps. Moving as fast as they could the closed the door to the little room. When they turned around Sarah was standing there.
"Okay, I assume you found the control station. In there?" Sarah asked pointing behind them.
"Yes, you want to see?" Chuck moved to grab the latch.
"Yes, please. We'll need to be quick I think Julia is starting to get up."
Chuck opened the door. Sarah ducked her head and looked inside. She said, "Oh, that's kind of big for just a relay station."
"It isn't a relay. Bartowski found that it keeps videos of the people who stay here. And of the little we have seen at least one person was killed here and it is still recorded in there," Casey explained.
"I flashed on it and it is old. Possibly something from the cold war. And likely something that has been forgotten. And I flashed on the murder. She was Beverley Barlowe, the old manager here. There were connections to several things, some with a 'Ring' to it," Chuck said with his eye brow up. Chuck closed the door.
Sarah's eyes opened bigger.
"I said, we don't tell anyone yet," Casey suggested.
Sarah nodded, "Yes. We definitely have a bigger problem. Chuck, you show Casey how to work the system when we get back. Casey, can you out something on it so that we know if someone comes close to it?"
"Yeah, while you shower and change, I'll put a security system on the door and show Chuck. We'll meet you back in ten." Casey said and then went up to his room.
Chuck stayed behind and looked around the room. He did not find any cameras that would have an angle to record anyone by the closet. When he got further into the room he found a camera and microphone. The camera was high up again, but the microphone was the top of a lampshade.
Casey showed Chuck how the security system was installed and then closed the closet door for the last time that morning. They met Sarah and Julia in the lobby. Julia got her car and again agreed to meet over at Café Diem. Chuck and Sarah walked outside. There was about two inches of snow outside. They got in Casey's Jeep.
"Casey how secure is the Jeep?" Chuck asked.
"Probably, not secure enough?" Casey answered.
"So how are we going to do this? Go out in the woods someplace and hope no one is around."
Sarah then said, "I am sure GD will have some place that is secure."
"Okay, I'll wait till we get there."
The scene on the way over was peaceful. The temperature had fallen to the twenties and the snow covered the roofs, grass and trees. The roads and the sidewalks were generally clear. There was a special heating element along with the old underground piping that ran through Eureka. It kept the houses at normal ranges and ran under the roads and sidewalks. They rounded the corner and got on to the main street of Eureka. The shops were opening as they pulled in the parking space in front of an electronics store. Chuck got out and opened Sarah's door. While there was no snow to impede her, Chuck took her arm as they went to the sidewalk. The storeowner next to them was just opening the door.
Chuck said, "Good morning, snow sure is nice."
The man came over to shake his hand and said, "Yes it is. We haven't had snow for Christmas in quiet a few years. Would be nice if it stays."
Sarah said, "That would be wonderful." She happened to look in the front window and saw them. "Well I think I win today, a pair of turtle doves, right?"
"Yeah, the second day is a pair of turtle doves. Where did you see doves?" Chuck asked as he was looking around.
Sarah pointed to the window. She said, "No, Chuck look here."
Chuck looked down in the window. The turtle doves were a pair of diamond earrings.
"Now, I win and I know we might not be able to get that." Sarah said. She knew the old Chuck would not have the money.
"Wait let me see. Hey, Casey we'll be right with you. Get us a round of coffee will you."
Chuck and Sarah went into the jewelers. Chuck asked, "Sir, how much are those earrings? They look like Christmas turtle doves."
"In a regular jewelry shop I would imagine that they would be around $2000. But as you will see in Eureka, things here are not often what they seem. That display window has the articles I have made.
"They do look real though. I generally price those for how much time it took to make them." The jeweler said. He went to the computer. "Just a second, I'll look it up. Okay, they would be $225. And we do have a special. If you buy something in the shop between the 15th, that's today, and Christmas, you may get a rebate. If it snows on either the 24th or the 25th and we have a White Christmas, they are free."
"Wow, you're not just doing that because of the snow?" Chuck asked.
"No, we are part of a small chain through the western mountains to the front range in Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. It is the real Christmas special. Although I agree with you, I think this year we may lose."
"Okay, it's a deal." Chuck gave him a credit card.
"Do you want these wrapped?" He gave back the credit card and the receipt.
Sarah said, "No actually I'd like to wear them."
"Well, here they are. Merry Christmas." He gave them to Sarah.
She looked in the mirror over the counter and put them on. She was really smiling. When she turned, she gave Chuck a big kiss, "Thank you."
"Merry Christmas. Come on, we better catch up with Casey."
Sarah was smiling. "Thank you again. Chuck this is very special. Merry Christmas." She grabbed Chuck's arm and they went out the store over to the restaurant.
Café Diem
Dr. Tess Fontana and Sheriff Carter were sitting at the counter with Casey and Julia. Fargo joined them. Vincent had already served them and left two extra cups. Two cups were for Sarah and Chuck. He also left a special coffee pot thermos. Vincent's special of the day Christmas muffins decorated the corner. He had made a variety of muffins with ingredients of raisins, cranberries, oranges, blueberries, chocolate chips, macadamia nuts, and powered sugar. When Chuck and Sarah came in, Tess pointed to a table and they join each other there.
"Hi, I'm Tess Fontana."
"Good morning, I am Sarah Walker."
"And hi, I am Chuck Bartowski."
"And I am Douglas Fargo."
Jack said, "We'll get to who they work for when we get to GD. Here, let me get your cups."
When he poured Chuck's cup, Chuck said, "Thank you, we have some questions for you. I don't think either of you have been here for more than ten years. Are there people at GD that have been here that long?"
Jack and Tess looked at each other. Jack shook his head, "Right, we haven't been here that long. We'd have to look at the records at GD to see who was here back then. I am not even sure whether Henry was here ten years ago." He looked at Fargo.
"No, Sheriff. I have been here only a year longer than you. Dr. Blake might know who has been here that long, but I don't even think she has been here more than five or six years," Fargo explained.
Tess asked, "How does that relate to our problem?"
Chuck looked at Sarah, "Well, it might. We'll need to wait until we get to GD then."
"Okay then," Jack entered, "Meanwhile, you ready to order? Vincent has a special service and he can make just about anything." Jack waved when everyone agreed.
Zoe came over to take their orders. "Good morning, what would you like?"
Sarah looked up and said, "Good morning, so you're?"
Zoe nodded.
"Well then, congratulations. It's a good school. You'll like it." Sarah said smiling at her.
Chuck was a little surprised. He thought he just found out where Sarah went to school.
"Thank you," Zoe looked at Sarah. "Oh, you got those. They do look so nice on you."
"Why thank you," Sarah said. She was almost embarrassed.
"Okay, well I would like pancakes, eggs over easy and bacon," said Jack.
Tess asked for waffles. Chuck and Sarah got pancakes and bacon. Casey got the same as Jack. Fargo and Julia decided on scrambled eggs and bacon with a cranberry muffin.
Jo and Zane came into the restaurant for breakfast too. They were holding hands and almost swinging them. Zane's jacket had traces of a violent snowball attack. And Jo's hair had a little snow and wetness to it.
"Morning sheriff," Jo said as they got a seat at the table.
"A little snowball fight?" asked Tess.
"Oh, I wouldn't call it a fight, it was more like a slaughter," Jo said with a smile in victory.
"Until I got you with the snow ball pie," Zane laughed.
"Good thing that didn't have any ice in it or I would have locked you up for assaulting an officer," Jo said. She almost had her tongue out.
Zoe came over with the first order. "Oh, what do the snow troopers want? Who won?"
Jo and Zane both raised their hands.
"Well, what do you want? Snow cones?" Zoe said.
"Very funny, I'll take pancakes and bacon," said Jo.
"I'll do the same."
Henry walked up, "Mind if I join you? Good, I'll take the same. And when you can get us another round of coffees. Thanks, Zoe."
"Sorry, I am Henry Deacon." And the introductions began all over again.
Chuck covered his face as he flashed during the introductions. Sarah noticed and put her hand on his leg. He shook his head after it was over. He was almost laughing. He had just got information on Henry and at the same time information on everyone at the table. He had remembered the Doctor, Doctor, Doctor conversation with Doctor Zamir. Doctor Fontana had three doctorate degrees. She was here originally as an Astrophysicist. Worked at Area 51. And a nominee for a Nobel prize in physics. Zane, held a doctorate after a torturous path through schools and hacker paradise with a little jail time. Henry held a doctorate and was the current mayor of Eureka. His file was a little clouded with a closed file related to an incident at GD. Even Fargo and Julia had doctorates. Fargo was implicated in one file with Beverley but nothing else matched there. As it turned out even Zoe had a file. She had been in and out of jail as a teen. But then it looked like the pre-med at Harvard would ensure she became a Doctor too.
When it was done and he could control himself, Chuck leaned over to Sarah and said, "Big flash on almost everyone, will tell you later. But they are all okay."
The conversation drifted back and forth between the snow and the weather in LA. When they finished eating, Tess agreed to go with Casey, Chuck and Sarah to get to GD.
When they got out of town, Tess was riding shotgun and had Casey take what looked like a back road. When he made the turn, the road appeared to end over a bridge that had fallen down. But Tess said, "Keep going, it's okay."
Casey was hesitant.
Chuck looked at the area and noticed something strange. He said, "It's okay Casey, pull ahead."
When Casey got to the lip of the bridge, the road cleared and the way up to GD was obvious. Tess turned and looked at Chuck, "How did you know?"
Chuck pointed, "It was the snow. Everything around the road had more snow than town. But when we turned on this road, the picture or hologram or whatever it did not match the surroundings. It wasn't that hard."
"Okay, well something new to get fixed for the season. Welcome to GD, we will have the normal security paperwork for you to sign when we get to my office. We'll explain what we know and maybe a little more than Jack could last night." Tess said. Then she turned, showed her ID and the camera scanned her face and the others.
Casey pulled ahead.
A/N Hope you had a great Thanksgiving. Please review.
It's the candy that keeps the Christmas Elves writing. Got to keep them awake, too much tryptophan made them sleepy.