Don't own Chuck
The team was huddled over Chuck as he was decrypting the flash drive that was recovered from Heather Chandler aka Dr. Mindy Ravano's stateroom. Running through algorithms, Chuck wished Ellie were there. She was much better at decoding than he after deciphering all their father's messages through the years.
"What's on it Chuck?" asked Casey. "Haven't you had time enough?"
"I'm almost there. You know you breathing sown my neck isn't helping" Casey replied with a grunt.
"and here we go. Crap, what's this?"
"Okay what are we looking at? Medical records? She keeps her medical records hidden in a book."
"No, these are Sarah's medical records. These are the records Beckman had destroyed when we found out Sarah was pregnant."
"What? They're trying to kidnap your kid? If there's one thing I hate that's kidnappers."
"I don't like this. I don't like this at all. Casey, where's the Ohio we need to get to Sarah as soon as possible."
"But Chuck this doesn't explain why they took Alex?"
"Probably she was just at the wrong place at the wrong time little buddy."
"Which means they don't have any reason to keep her alive," said Casey. "I knew she shouldn't have come on this mission. I'm going to kill ever last one of them. If they've hurt one hair on her head I'm going to find them and in the heart of the night put a rusty blade through their eyes. They're going to beg for mercy but they're not going to get any."
"Wow, I think I've seen that movie but now can we concentrate on the rescue," said Morgan.
"Casey if we tell Beckman they want to the baby she's most like going to send in a B-2 strike. This has to stay between us at least until it's over. But as far as what Casey said I'm in and more. If they touch Sarah or my baby I'll burn their house down with them inside."
"And Chuck I've got the matches." Just then Mike Hardy came in.
"We've got the Ohio off the starboard side they're sending a boat over to pick you guys up. Hey, I just want to wish you all good luck and give them hell."
"Oh there will be hell to pay and with interest," said Casey.
Chuck just sat there and stared at the computer screen all of Sarah's medical information including the brain lesions she had suffered at the hand of Quinn. He reached out and touched the monitor tracing them with his fingers. There was a note Ellie had made about their baby: Child's brain developing more rapidly than normal. Why hadn't Ellie said anything to them? Did she think she was protecting them? Just writing it put everyone at risk. Chuck's blood boiled as the Charles in him started to emerge. He had to do something this sense of helplessness was driving him mad. He grabbed the monitor and flung it against the bulk head in rage where it crashed and broke.
"Casey, it's time to go," he said. Mike Hardy was shocked to see Chuck's transformation for the nerd to killer elite but not Casey he was half expecting it. Now he was sure that everyone one would be all right. The only problem Casey and Morgan faced now was trying to get Chuck over to the Ohio in their boat before he dove in and swam over.
"Morgan are you coming?" said Chuck now coming back in himself. "Casey and I will understand if you want to stay here."
"Are you kidding they've got Alex and I'm going to help get her back. Alex is my girl and they've messed around with the wrong boyfriend."
"Little Buddy this isn't a video game and I won't be able to take care of you when crab hits the fan. I've got to think about Sarah and our baby back."
"I know and I've got Alex so let's watch each other's back."
"Okay ladies, let's stop talking and get a move on it. Tom Clancy's waiting it's time to go hunt for red October."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BACK ON THE HYDRA SUB
"Sounds like someone's coming," said Alex. "What do we do?"
"Wait and see what they want, just be ready."
They heard the key in the lock and then the door opened. Heather walked in flanked by two goons.
"I see you've got two new boyfriends. You don't feel safe in here with us all alone? You're probably right to worry."
"I just came down to make sure you two were comfy. We should be arriving soon. I'm told that we're to hold you until a group of our doctors can arrive so I guess you'll be our guests for a little bit longer. I thought we could use this time to bond."
"Heather the only thing I'd like to bond with you is my fist to your nose."
"Do you know how much a nose job costs these days? It's outrageous. You know I'm a little disappointed no small talk. You're not the least bit curious about what I've been up to or who I've seen since our last encounter."
"Well, I'd say your social calendar has been booked for you seeing as you were at Supermax and I can't see that you had much time for dating."
"Oh but that's where you're wrong. Even in Supermax you get yard time once you've gone through enough solitary confinement. It's supposed to be some sort of reward to get you to rat out your friends."
"I didn't think you had any friends to rat out."
"Funny, very funny but probably true; however, I was able to make friends there. You remember Hugo, Hugo Panzer the guy that was trying to kill me. You were asking about Frost before well it seems that Hugo's upset with his old friend who forgot the pay him and left him to rot in the joint. Just thought I'd pass on that little bit of trivia. See I can be nice."
"Heather why are you doing this?" asked Sarah. "Is it for the money?"
"Money? Well I'd be lying if I said no but why should you get a happy ending? Do you think you deserve it? Then as for the rest let's just say I like my secrets."
"I heard that before and it turned out they were all lies."
"I know and I know the true you so you're not going to fool me anymore not like you've got that dopey husband of yours fooled. Worse is I think you've even fooled yourself. Just look at you, kid on the way all your missing is the house and dog."
"Sounds to me you're jealous," said Alex tired of hearing Heather ramble.
"Oh the mouse that roared."
"Heather, leave Alex out of this. This is between you and me. Why don't you let her go? You have me isn't that what you wanted?"
"She can go. If she wants I can put her out right now. Jettison her with the trash just that this far down it wouldn't be very good for her complexion. So just sit back and enjoy the trip. Go Cougars."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
ONBOARD THE USS OHIO SOMEWHERE UNDER THE PACIFIC
Chuck set up shop on the Ohio tapping into their communications and satellite links. Then sending the feeds back to monitors into a war room he established onboard. With him additional to Casey and Morgan, were the Captain, Commander Paul Williams and Lieutenant Joe Bash officer in charge of the commando squad.
"Okay from the course our target is travelling this is the island their going too. Casey and Lieutenant this will interest you. Here is real time video of the island. See the encampment around the foot of the volcano. It seems they've used the lava conduits to house some of their facilities."
"What kind of base is that?" asked Morgan.
"That's a commando school. You can tell by the structures and there see them training."
"That's not just any commando school," said Casey. "That's a ninja training center. I hate ninja's they're sneaky."
"Okay Big Guy not more Lone Wolf and Cub or Zatoichi, The Blind Swordsman for you," said Morgan. "Can we bring it back to reality?"
"No Morgan, Casey's right this is a ninja like training camp which will mean that it won't be easy to get into."
"We've made more difficult incursions. My men are up for the action and ninja or not, one round one dead."
"Lieutenant I like the way you think," said Casey.
"Thank you Colonel coming from you that's an honor."
"Captain, how many x-wings do you have onboard?"
"How do you know about them? They're still experimental but we have four, why?"
"I need to get at them but first Lieutenant I need to see your armory. If everything runs according to plan we attack after dark. Now get me to those drones." Chuck worked for hours modifying them and as he worked his thoughts were with Sarah and what she was going through. There was a loud crackling sound and an electrical spark arched.
"Crap," yelled Chuck as he got shocked then got angry slapping the side of the launch tube as tears welled up in his eyes.
"Hey Chuck, how's it going? Are you okay?"
"Yeah, just crossed some wires," Chuck said as he wiped his face on his sleeve. "Thanks for being here."
"Hey, I don't have any cherry cheese cake but I can feel for you. I'm feeling the same for Alex."
"Morgan, you know you're not going to be able to go with Casey and me. We're going to have to make an amphibious assault with the team and there just isn't enough time to train you."
"Chuck, I've worn a wet suit before."
"But not like this. However, I've got something else for you to do that's just as important. Remember all those flight games we played. Well you're going to have your own squadron to fly when I'm done."
"As long as it's not just your way of telling me to stay in the van."
Later on back in the war room Chuck was mapping out his plan and watching the video feed from the spy satellite he positioned overhead.
"Casey you don't want to see this," said Chuck as he was watching the feed.
"Bartowski the last thing you want to tell someone one is this is something they don't want. Now, what is it? Show me now or I'll twist your little nerd head off." Casey turned his attention to the monitor, "Christ, I don't usually like killing women but in this case I'll make an exception." They watched as Heather hit Alex.
"Casey did you see what happened before? The way Sarah took out that guard I'll bet she's up to something. I just wished I knew what it was."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BACK ON THE HYDR SUBMARINE
"Well we're here," announced Heather, "our little home away from home. We'll be taking you to the detention area where you can enjoy the scenery of four walls of lava stone. You should also say your goodbyes because in a while you two will be parting company."
"Heather I meant what I said about hurting Alex. If you do you'll have to answer to me."
"I don't see as you're in much of position to hurt anyone. Take them to their accommodations on the island."
Sarah and Alex were escorted rather rudely off the sub but Sarah couldn't help but notice the bullet holes in the hull had expanded and had formed a gapping gash in the side of the vessel.
"Alex look, Chuck and Casey left their mark."
"What does that mean?"
"The cavalry will be coming. I'll explain later."
"Move along and stop talking," yelled an angry guard as he shoved the women. Sarah responded with an elbow to the nose and a push over the side of the pier. However, the other guard drew his gun and pointed at them.
"Stop," yelled Heather, "not yet. We still need them." But she walked up to Alex and slapped her across the face with her pistol. "I warned you," she said to Sarah, "this is on you."
"I warned you too," replied Sarah as she helped Alex up. They were taken to the detention cell inside the mountain and once inside Sarah looked at Alex's face. "It'll be okay but it will hurt for a few days."
"What do we do now?"
"Escape," Sarah pulled out a magazine clip she had palmed off the guard she had thrown off the pier. "If he misses it he'll think it fell into the sea and be too a ashamed that a woman beat him to say anything. Now watch this," she said as she removed the wire she had woven in her waist band and with the clip formed a garrote. "This is called la loupe. It was developed in the French Foreign Legion. The technique is quite simple two loops so if the target gets one off he just tightens the other. Try it on the bed post."
"Like this?" asked Alex.
"Yes good, Alex you're the one who's going to have to use this. I will have to act like I'm hurt the guards will come inside in pairs. I will take care of the one closest to me but you'll have to do the other one. I can't fight two and we can't risk them warning anyone so they must be dealt with what I'm trying to say is we have to kill them."
"I know," said Alex as she looked at the wire she had in her hand.
"I'm sorry I wish I had more time to bring you to this but we don't have any. The garrote will bit the guy's neck and in all likelihood cut deep so don't be surprised if there's a lot of blood. There might even be a spray but focus and remember that if he gets out of your hold he will kill you. Alex look at me, are you ready?"
"Yes, I can do this."
"Alex once we start there's no turning back. If we do we die. It's that simple"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BACK ON THE OHIO
Chuck with the Lieutenant and Captain were huddled over maps and satellite feeds laying down a battle plan. Chuck as senior (intersect) agent in the field took charge of the mission.
"Lieutenant, we'll come ashore here and make our way to the outside of the compound. Then Captain I need for you to start the fire show by torpedoing their sub then tomahawk their hydroplanes. When that starts Lieutenant take your men to the front gate. There's a causeway that cuts through the lagoon that encircles the volcano. It will be where they expect us to enter. I need you to engage them and keep them busy while Casey and if cross the lagoon. There are auxiliary shafts on the far side so they won't expect us. If my modifications hold we'll have air cover for the first hour or so but if the mission goes longer than that well Lieutenant pull your men back then call in an air strike."
"And leave you?"
"At that point it won't be a rescue anymore but a recovery mission."
"How do expect to cross the lagoon? You want to walk over?"
"No drive." Casey came in in that moment.
"Chuck, we've got a problem. Beckman found out. They intercepted a boat with a group of hydra doctors and personnel on their way here. I guess the Admiral ordered an interdiction around the island; anyway they were taken and talked. Beckman has ordered in a B-2 strike. They've got orders to turn the island into shoal water. They'll be here in a three of hours. What do we do?"
"I'm going in. I don't know about the rest of you and I can't ask you to come along."
"Chuck, Alex is there I'm not staying here. I walked out on her mother and I won't make that mistake again. I'm in. Morgan before you say anything, I know you want to come and rescue Alex. Morgan, we need you here. Someone needs to tell Kathleen, tell Kathleen that well just tell her whatever you want but make it the truth."
"So let's gear up," said Chuck.
"Wait a minute we've still got a deal. My guys aren't going to pass up an open bar so like it or not we've got tickets for this dance."
"Quartermaster," called the Captain, "note in the deck log that as of 0700 our Sat gear and communications equipment were down for maintenance."
"You guys know if this goes sideways we'll all have adjoining cells at Supermax."
"Agent Carmichael, we're wasting time. Besides I've never seen anyone drive across water."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BACK IN THE DETENTION CELL
"Okay, Alex you're going to have to call the guards inside. Hold the garrote out of sight and wait until they get in. Look at me, are you ready?" Alex nodded her head. "Then go."
"Hey, we need help in here! There's something wrong with Sarah. I think she's losing her baby. Hurry up get in here! Help!"
"What's going on in there? Step back away from the door," barked a guard. The door then opened and a man stepped in followed by another.
"Can't you see she's in pain? I don't think your boss is going to be happy if something happens to my friend."
"Move back," barked the guard again.
"Okay it's your butt not mine but I saw one of your guys with a bullet in his head so I wouldn't want to be you." Alex should have been in the movies.
"Taki, help me get her on the bed." As both men moved to Sarah, Alex circled behind.
Sarah sprung twisting round using her body's centrifugal force to deliver a punch to the first guard's throat which sent back gasping. The other guard was about to react when Alex slipped the garrote around his head and then with her full weight pulled back. Sarah punched the guard again but this time in the groin that sent him down to his knees then she straddled him grabbing him by the hair and banged his head against the metal frame of the bed. She continued to bang until the man's blood soaked hair slipped from her hands.
Looking down at her bloody hands Alex came to mind and turning she saw a grisly site. Alex stood behind the guard with her back to him garrote still in her hand. The man had dropped to his knees with this hands dangling down by his side, his tongue was half bitten off hanging out and his eyes were bulging out. But Alex still held on with all her strength with her eyes closed. Sarah ran over to Alex.
"Let go. Let me have it and go over to the door. Make sure no one is coming." Sarah took the garrote so she could keep the man's face from Alex. There was no reason she should see this sight. Sarah remembered her first time and the senior agent who thought it was funny to watch her heave. She could still hear his laugh in her head and the taste of her own vomit. No, this was something she could save Alex from dreaming of for the rest of her life. Sarah let the man drop making sure he stayed face down then search both for weapons.
"Take this," she passed Alex a pistol and an extra clip. "We need to get out of here and make it to the beach." Just then the room shook and the lights blinked.
"Is the volcano erupting?"
"No my Chuck is here. Let's go they'll be coming for us now."
