Don't own Chuck

John was fast asleep in the bunkhouse but the night sounds of the Australian outback gave way to the jungles of Central America. He or someone that looked like a younger version of him was in the middle of an army camp and he was receiving orders from his Commanding Officer. But they weren't the orders he was expecting or hoping for.

"Lieutenant Alexander Coburn? Thank you for your service, Lieutenant, but you have not qualified for training with Special Operations Command. You'll be returning home with your unit at 0800 tomorrow. Dismissed." He couldn't believe that he was being dropped just like that. "Dismissed."

"Tic Tac?" offered a Colonel. He knew he knew the Colonel but from the way he felt he knew he didn't like him.

"I'm sorry, Colonel?" He heard this Lieutenant say. He remembered being naïve and inexperienced especially to a world that was about to open up to him.

"I know it's silly, but they remind me of home," said the Colonel. Why was it he felt he couldn't trust him? "Go ahead and keep them. I have a feeling you're going be out here a while. How would you feel if I told you that there was a covert black ops team of America's finest snipers, rangers and men willing to do anything to protect this country, and that team wanted you?"

"I'd say that sounds like a dream come true, sir," he heard the Lieutenant say. The serpent was smiling and he was about to bite the apple. He was about to start down the long road that would lead to perdition.

"And I'd say you have quite a choice to make. Either go home to your family or you become the soldier you always dreamed you could be. So, tell me, Lieutenant Coburn are you ready to die today?"

So Coburn used to be his name. It sounded as foreign as John Doe or that other name the Deputy called him Jason Bourne. But could this be his story a covert member of a black ops team. If so what happened to him? Had he had enough and decided to disappear the way Lieutenant Coburn had? He didn't know and worse his headache was coming back with vengeance.

There was a knock at his door that woke him up and in his half sleep the noise seemed to get louder. Until he made out two people entering the bunkhouse but his vision was a blur.

"Keller go away before I kill you," said John as he jumped out of bed but the room started spinning and he fell to the floor.

"John, John can you hear me," said Bill standing next to him was Sammy. They both stood over him as he looked up from the floor.

"What happened? How did I get here?" said John as he slowly got up. Bill helped him back over to his bed.

"I don't know we came to get you to do some chores before breakfast but considering everything you might just want to take it easy today."

"No I'm fine," said John but he really didn't feel fine. "I'm okay I think I had a dream about where I came from. There was a name Coburn and I think it has to do with me."

"You threatened to kill a Keller if he didn't leave you alone," said Sammy. Bill gave him a look. "Well he did and you heard him say it too."

"That would be Colonel Keller and he gave me a box of Tic Tacs," said John as he stood up. He felt a little wobbly but he was mobile.

"Well if you threaten to kill someone who gave you Tic Tacs I think you can forget me offering you any Violent Crumble," said Sammy and they all laughed.

"Well if you're sure you're up to it you have a choice you can milk the cow or feed the chickens," said Bill. "I tell you what let's keep it simple you can feed the chickens. I'll milk the cow. Sammy you stay with John."

They went to the feed shed and got some chicken feed put it in a buck then they went to the hen house.

"That's strange," said Sammy as they got there. "The chickens are all stirred up. They're normally all quiet and calm waiting until we come and open the door to let them out. I don't know what's gotten into them." Sammy opened the door and the chickens all leaped out the door at once some tried to take flight others just charged the door. John caught movement in the back of the hen house then there was a strong smell of cucumbers.

"Sammy look out," he yelled as he pushed the boy out of the way then he drew from his boot a shuriken spike and threw it as a copperhead attacked Sammy.

Lizzie was coming to collect eggs when she heard the commotion the chickens made then heard John yell for Sammy to look out

"What's wrong? What's going on in there?" she yelled. "Why doesn't one of you answer me? Oh my God," she said as she stood in the door way shaking as she saw the snake nailed to the side of the hen house with a spike threw its head. Then she saw Sammy on the floor with Casey standing over him.

"Oh Sammy are you all right," said his mother as she ran to him. She grabbed his arms and legs checking him for signs of a snake bite.

"He's all right," said John as he put his hand on her shoulder. "I was able to get him out of the way in time."

"You killed the snake with a nail?" said Lizzie. She was filled with gratitude that John had saved Sammy but also fear at what he was capable of.

"Oh Mom it's called a shuriken needle. I've seen enough Japanese cartoons to know a Ninja weapon when I see one... That's it John you're a Ninja."

"I don't think so I think Ninjas are supposed to be Japanese," said John as he went over carefully grabbing the snake by the head then pulling it off the wall.

"I don't think I've seen any of those around here," said Lizzie as she examined it. "Do you know what kind of snake it is?"

"It's a copperhead and they wouldn't like the environment around here. They live in a more a wet woodland home. Sammy, do you have any aborigine things like a spear and a spear thrower?"

"Yeah why? What do you want it for?" Sammy wanted to see John do some other cool Ninja tricks and he had an idea he was going to do one.

"Just go get it and hurry back," said John. Lizzie waited for Sammy to leave then she grabbed John by the arm.

"Thank you John. If you hadn't been here... well I don't even want to think about it. Now what aren't you telling us? What I don't understand is how did that snake get in here."

"I have an idea I do," said John. "But you're right looked around and there are no holes the snake could've gotten in through and the floor is a poured concrete slab. This snake wasn't here by accident."

"Someone put it here but why? They wanted one of us to get bitten then what? Those evil bastards for the mines... they're up to this."

"Probably," said John as Sammy came running in. "Good give me that spear. There are tribes in South American that use frog venom to hunt with." He said as he took the snakes head and pressed on it to expose the fangs. A clear liquid ran over the spear tip.

"Now what are you going to do?" asked Sammy. "Are you going to use that to go hunting but for what?"

"I think the Chinese used to call them two legged goats," said Casey as he put the spear in the throwing stick. "You see if I were going to lay a trap like this I'd hang around and make sure it worked. But I'd pick someplace close by but out of sight."

"Someplace like the knoll outside the hen house towards the road," said Sammy. Casey nodded his head.

"Sammy, I want you to stay inside here. Don't come out until your mother or I come for you," said John. He saw Sammy's look. "I'm serious I'll make you a deal I'll show you how to make a slingshot like the one David killed Goliath with and how to use it."

"You will! You promise," said Sammy. Casey spit in his hand and stuck it out Sammy did the same and they shook.

"I expect you two to wash those before you come to breakfast," said Lizzie as she walked out with John. "Now what is it you don't want Sammy to see?"

"This," said John as he took a step forward and launched the spear in the air like and ancient Greek warrior throwing a javelin with the aid of the spear thrower. The spear flew true to course high up in the air then came down. They thought they heard a distant scream of pain.

"What's going on," asked Bill. He saw Casey throw the spear and came up carrying a pail of fresh milk. "Are you trying to become a local?"

"Give me that bucket," said Lizzie. "John can explain to you as you go up and see if you hit anything. Sammy," she yelled. "Feed the chickens then wash your hands. I don't allow heathens at my table."

John and Bill walked up to the knoll as John explained to him about the snake and what had happened in the hen house. Then about the spear and why he threw it up to where they were heading.

"You really think those people would be that low to risk killing my boy to get at me," said Bill. "I knew they were… well not nice people especially after what happened to Tom. But I really thought that was an accident and what happened to you guys was the company trying to cover it up… well like I said an accident."

Bill and John walked up the knoll to the small flat spot on the top. It was the perfect look out post and there lying in the grass was the spear. Bill walked over behind John shaking his head.

"Well it looks like you missed so I guess that means we've got nothing to worry about. Let's go back and eat breakfast. Have you ever had vegemite?"

"I think you're calling this a miss is a little premature," said John. "I've got blood over here and there's blood on the spear. There's a trail going off in that direction." Suddenly they heard a quad start up then there was a dust cloud that appeared in the direction of the trail disappearing in the distance.

A few hours before….

Two men laid in the prone position on the knoll. The sun was just about to come up and it was going to be a scorcher for sure. One called in while the other kept a watch on the farm below.

"Hey it's us. Just wanted you to know the package was delivered now we're observing to make sure it gets delivered properly."

"Hey we got movement. The kid and that new guy are headed for the hen house. Boy, are they going to get a surprise when they open the door."

"I'll call you back after everything is done and let you know what happens. … Yes as soon as I know something I'll pass it on." With that the man on the phone hung up. "What's going on?" asked the man as he got out his binoculars to watch.

"I don't know I saw the chickens come flying out then that new guy and boy went inside. Wait look there that's Bill's wife, she's running to the hen house. I think we got someone."

They waited and waited for something to happen then finally they saw the boy come out running all the way to the house.

"Good, good I think we got the new guy. Keep on watching while I call it in. This is going to make the boss' day," said the man as he took out his phone once again and called. "Hey I think we did it I think we got him…" The guy started to say but the man's partner cut him off.

"No he's still alive and he's got… well you're not going to believe me," said the man as he watched Casey throw the spear up in the air.

"I'm not going to believe what," asked the man on the phone but his partner looked up in the air. "Is there something wrong with you?"

"Oh Geez," said the man as he ducked out of the way. He figured out too late that the spear was going to land on them.

"Augh," screamed the man on the phone as the spear landed in his thigh. "Take it out, take it out now. I just got speared," said the man into the phone. "Geez, why didn't you say something you idiot? I guess it could be worse. I'll have to call you back we need to get out of here. That new guy must've figured out what we did," said the man as he hung up his phone. The other man pulled out the spear then tossed it off to the side.

"I'm sorry but I didn't figure it would reach this far," said the man trying to justify why he never told the other one to move until it was too late.

"Come on idiot help me up and let's get out of here. They'll be here soon and we don't want to get caught," said the one as the other one helped him up then let him put his weight on him as they headed for the quad.

As they drove away as fast as they could back to town the wounded man started sweating and a fever took hold. He patted his partner on the back.

"Stop, stop I need a drink. I'm burning up," said the man as they pulled over to the side of the road. He grabbed their canteen and took as big swallow of water then poured some over his head. "I don't feel so good. Look at my wound and tell me if it's infected?"

"Holy crap your leg has swollen up so tight it's starting to split your pants. You don't think…" said the man but he knew he needed to call it in.

"You think they tipped that spear with that snake's venom. Crap we need to get out of here. You've got to get me to a Doctor as fast as you can. Get off the phone and let's get a move on it. Come on I don't have much time."

The man hung up his phone then went to the back of the quad pulled something out of pouch then walked over to his friend.

"I'm sorry Jake but it looks like you ran out of time," said the man as he pulled out a Colt revolver and put two rounds through the man's head. "Boss says we can't risk going to see a doctor."

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The C-5 landed in the Kabul International airport then taxied over to the Northside garrison where ISAF had their headquarters and where they were supposed to meet Verbanski. Chuck and Sarah felt the plane come to a stop then there was the sound of hydraulic motors kicking in as the nose and tail sections went up to facilitate a quick offload. Gertrude was the first face they saw after they deplaned.

"Right this way," she said the Chief of staff wants to have a word with you before we get started separating the chaff from the wheat."

"Well we're not going to do any thrashing if that's what you implied," said Chuck. "At least I don't think so and definitely not for now. Oh just take us to this Colonel."

Gertrude walked them across the hot tarmac into an air conditioned space and past a civilian secretary that just motioned for them to go in. Evidently she knew they were coming so she didn't stand in the way.

"Colonel Whitehead let me introduce you. These are agents Carmichael the people who will be heading up the interrogations."

"And my General told your General he didn't like this. These are men and women of the Army not some Taliban terrorist group. They put their lives on the line every morning they put on their uniform and come to work. I don't like the insinuation that they might be traitors. Some of them I know and promoted what does that say about me?"

"That you're a fair man," said Chuck taking advantage of the Colonel's pause. "They did good work and were recognized for it. We're not saying they all are traitors but we suspect one might be but even that we're not sure of a hundred percent. I know you don't like this... I don't think I'd like this if I were you but the only way to clear them is to interrogate them."

"I'm not going to sign off on any of your CIA shenanigans. There will be no waterboarding or anything like that done to men in uniform."

"I have no intention of doing anything like that. I'm simply going to ask them some questions. Maybe take them on a plane ride then turn them loose. I hope at the end to know which one if any is the traitor. If I fail then we're going to have to rethink."

"Okay, I'll sign off on this but I have your word there will be no physical torture. If I find out there is I'll pull the plug and let the stars work it out."

"Well Colonel, there is no clear definition as to what torture is," said Sarah. Everyone looked at her. "What? I'm just saying there isn't."

"Right so if you don't mind Colonel, Gertrude take me to see the four staff sergeants," said Chuck as he and Sarah said goodbye to the Colonel and went about their work. Gertrude took them out of the air conditioned across a small courtyard.

"The men are inside they've been told there's an internal audit is being performed and they are to cooperate with you. Each man has brought their ledgers and inventories for you to look at."

"Good let's get this over with so I can go look for John," said Chuck as Gertrude looked over at Sarah. "What? The sooner I can get this done the sooner I can get to the outback. I don't know why that's so hard to understand."

"Calm down Mr. Cleaver, I understand how you feel. Oh and by the way I have this for you. You said you wanted a raufoss round."

"Yes thanks," said Chuck as he and Sarah walked in walking past the staff sergeants and into an office where they set up shop. Once they got situated Chuck asked Gertrude to bring the first man in.

"Good afternoon Staff Sergeant," said Chuck. "You can hand you books and ledgers over to my assistant then sit down." The man sat down on the other side of the table from Chuck with the fifty caliber round sitting on the corner of the table.

"I want you to give me your hands," said Chuck. The man hesitated. "You heard me give me your hands or I'll have you arrested and thrown into the stockade soldier." The man gave Chuck his hands reluctantly.

"What's this all about? I was told this was about an internal audit and now I've got you holding my hands. There's something else going on?"

"You think something is going on? Why do you have something to hide? If you've got nothing to hide then there should be no reason to get all agitated."

"I've seen the way you people twist people's words to fit whatever they're looking for and I won't do it. I won't incriminate myself."

"I'm just going to ask you a few questions and on the basis of your answers we'll see if we need to take this to the next level."

"Next level? What's that supposed to be? You're not from the Officeof theAuditor General are you? You're what CIA or Army CID?"

"Something like that now my job is… well I'm kind of like a human lie detector. It's a natural trait I have so state your name for the record. I need to establish a baseline."

"This is ridiculous no one's a natural lie detector," said the man as he tried to pull his hands away but Chuck held them.

"Have you ever been in trouble with the law?" asked Chuck. The man looked over at Sarah who was busy looking through his ledgers.

"Okay I'll play along. No, I've never been in trouble with the law so what does the human lie detector say to that?"

"That you're lying. I'll even tell you what I think happened. You and some friends decided to go joy riding so you stole a car. The police caught you but you were a minor and were tried in Juvenal court. You got a reduced sentence because you were just a passenger and your records were sealed by the court."

"How'd you know all that? Those records are sealed," said the Staff Sergeant. "No one is supposed to have access."

"Like I said I'm the human lie detector. Now let's get down to business. Have you ever stolen or know of anyone who has stolen weapons or ammunition from your depot?"

"What? No," said the man. Chuck let go of one hand then moved the round close to them but eh man didn't act like it meant anything. "I'm sorry I really don't know anything." And that was the way it went for all four. After the last one was sent out Chuck leaned back in his chair tired, tired from the flight over and just plain tired from the lack of sleep.

"Well that was a bust. I'm missing something or they're all innocent. I don't know maybe I should take them up and threaten to throw them out of a plane or helicopter. One of them might talk then."

"And the Colonel would have your butt," said Sarah as she laughed. "Now who's sounding like Casey?"

"I don't know what else to do. There's no one else to interview and one of them has to be guilty," said Chuck frustrated.

"Maybe not bring them back in. I want to talk to them," said Sarah. She caught Chuck's look. "I said talk nothing else Mister 'drop them out of a plane'."