Don't own Chuck
Pulling up in front of the hospital Beckman organized her men in the lobby while Chuck and Sarah ran to the laboratory. They knew they had to get there in a hurry but what they found they weren't prepared for. Lying on the floor in a pool of her own blood was Marlene and the rest of the Lab was empty. At first they thought she was gone but Chuck checked for a pulse and found a weak one. Sarah grabbed a nurse and a stretcher from the hall then she and Chuck rushed the hospital manager to an operating room while Sarah was on the radio with the General.
"Set up an IV with type O," yelled Chuck. "Then get me a doctor. Sarah, tell the General to send some people to the loading ramps and have someone secure the CCTV footage maybe we'll get lucky. Where's the duty doctor?"
"I'm sorry but Dr. Woodcomb is in the quarantine zone. We've sent for him," said the nurse. "But it takes time to get through Decon." Chuck couldn't believe what she was telling him.
"Chuck, we don't have time we're losing her. She's going into ventricular fibrillation," said Sarah as Marlene began to flat line. Alarms sounded from the EKG. Chuck flashed.
"Okay I got this. Nurse we need to defibrillate hand me the paddles and charge the machine, clear," yelled Chuck as he placed the paddles on Marlene. Her body jerked as he charged them. "Tell me you've got something." Chuck yelled over at Sarah.
"Yes, she's back," said Sarah, "Good work Sweetie." Sarah monitored the EKG machine as the screen indicated she had a slow but steady heartbeat. "Chuck, she won't survive another episode."
"You're right she won't, we need to stabilize her. A hospital full of doctors and you can't find me one to operate on this woman."
"I hate to point out the obvious but it's up to us. You got this just think about what Captain Awesome would do?" said Sarah as she brought the surgical tray over next to him. Time to be awesome I know you can."
"Awesome… Awesome went to medical school then interned then operated after having years of schooling and experience but I don't have that time," said Chuck as he picked up a scalpel and flashed.
"Doctor, are you alright," said the nurse standing next to him. She noticed his knees seemed weak almost going out from under him. This was no time to pass out at the sight of blood.
"Thanks for calling me doctor … we both know I'm not. No, I'm not but we've got this. Nurse, give the patient ten ccs of lidocaine. Sarah, give her oxygen then come and stand next to me. We're going in." Chuck put gloves on then had the nurse exposed the wound. He flushed it out with disinfectant then probed inside with forceps extracting the bullet. Once he removed the projectile Marlene's blood pressure went up and her pulse increased. The bullet had lodged against an artery causing a partial obstruction. Now that it was removed her vitals were returning back to normal.
"Bro I got word you needed some help," said Devon as he walked in scrubbed and ready to go. "But looks like you did what I would've done. I'll take over from here and close up that is if you don't mind."
"She's all yours. We just we need to talk to her as soon as she's able and… even before for that matter. Devon we found her in the lab and it was completely emptied any idea what happened?"
"That can't be. My God there were over fifty petri dishes full of bio mass Liz was cultivating…Oh my Lord, Liz. Where's she at?"
"I think she's in on it. If she didn't shoot Marlene she was there when it happened. Finish here then come and see us in the lab we need to talk."
"Sweetie come on you need to wash up the General wants to regroup in five in the lab. Devon, Chuck's right we need to talk to you and anyone else Liz dealt with here in the hospital."
Chuck and Sarah went out into the scrub room where they washed up after dropping their bloody gloves in the bio waste container. Sarah noticed Chuck staring off in the distance as he scrubbed his hands.
"What is it? You're thinking about something. What is it that's bothering you? I know you by now and I can see that little squirrel running around in your head."
"See what? Oh it's what Ellie said about the accident you know the one that killed Liz's parents. Liz told Ellie that her twin sister was killed in the car with her parents but the clippings and Russian newspapers don't mention a child being in the accident."
"It could've been an oversight or just left out," said Sarah. But he was right her story didn't match published facts. "What are you trying to say?"
"I don't know but I think it's important. You go see the General and tell her I'm on my way. Don't tell her but I want to call Anatoly first and ask him to do a little investigating for us. I'll be right there, it won't take long I promise."
"You promise because she's already mad at you over Ellie. You should've let me take the heat, it was my fault. I let Ellie use my tablet and password."
"The General is always mad at me for one reason or another but she knows she owes me so nothing will ever come of it. Besides I was doing what any good husband should do cover for his wife," said Chuck as he pulled her close and kissed her.
"Just hurry up and don't always count on Beckman being so forgiving. Remember she sent Roan back into Fatima's palace after his cover was blown even though she and Roan are an item."
"I hear you and I'll be quick," said Chuck as he gave her a kiss.
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Liz and Monica drove out of the hospital parking lot and were about to turn out on West Augusta leaving the Ukrainian village when they were passed by line of black SUVs with blue lights flashing and sirens screaming. Monica smiled as she watched the vehicles go barreling by knowing they had just gotten out in the time. Looking over at Liza, Monica could see she wasn't happy with the new change in their game plans.
"Smile, it's not so bad sestrenka now we can be together and everyone will know about our father's work. I know you're afraid because you're going to have to give up your old life. It's only normal. I was afraid when I left with Mom and Dad but I adjusted. You will too you'll see. I gave up everything but I learned to live with it you will too."
"We're twins so stop calling me little sister. Besides I came out first that's what Mom always told me so if anything I'm the eldest. I still don't understand why they took you and left us behind. Why couldn't we all go?"
"I told you, the KGB told them they could only take one of us with them. Then when Evan and Nicky got sick the choice fell on either you or me and they thought I could adjust better than you. Dad was happy when he found out you took up his studies," said Monica as they drove to the new safe house.
"I know I just wish he could see us together now," said Liz as she looked out the van window. "Monica, who are these men that are working for you? Did they fight with Evan and Nicky at Gorky?"
"They're all freedom fighters if that's what you want to know. Each and every one of them is willing to die for a free homeland. This is what our father wanted you read it in his journals. Liz this isn't the time to have a change of heart. We've come too far and we've done too much to go back now. You've got to be strong and see this through."
"You don't have to preach to me. I know what's at stake and what we've done," said Liz. Monica was well aware that up until now she had taken all the risks and done the things that needed to be done while Liz had kept her hand clean working in the lab. She also resented it if the truth were known but this was the way things had to be to complete their father's work.
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When Anatoly got Chuck's call for help he was already on his way deep in the Ural Mountains. He was headed to a cabin tucked away from civilization not far from Pokrovsk-Ural'skiy. A dacha owned by Igor Troski an elderly man who today was out splitting wood with an axe. Anatoly had to dig in the deep archives of the former KGB to come up with Igor's name and if it was hidden that deep no one wanted it to come to light. But Stefan and Chuck were Anatoly's friends and at the risk of ending up in the Volga he paid Igor a visit.
"Privet" said Anatoly as he got out of his car. The weather was cold he could see his breath as he talked but Igor was splitting wood in nothing but a shirt and taking shots of vodka between swings. He basically ignored Anatoly and kept on swinging. "I said hello Mr. Troski. I have a few questions for you. State matter," said Anatoly holding up his FSB badge.
"What State? There are so many these days it's hard to keep track. What does the FSB want with an old solider like me?" asked Igor as he swung his axe down and the block of wood broke in two.
"Your name came up in an investigation I'm conducting," said Anatoly as he placed his hand on his service pistol. From what he read about Igor he was not sure he could trust him. "I came to you for information."
"Information about a case? I haven't left this place since Gorbachev left office so I don't see how anything I have to say can…." Anatoly cut him off.
"I need information on Frederick Myer," said Anatoly. Igor dropped his axe then look over at Anatoly as if he were studying him.
"Are you here to kill me?" Igor asked bluntly. "Because if you are come back in a month and my cancer will have done your job for you."
"I'm not here to kill you; I'm here for information like I said and why would I want to kill you? I figured there was something going on when I had to dig deep for information on Doctor…" This time Igor cut him off.
"Don't repeat that name. Come with me inside the house," said Igor as he lead Anatoly inside the dacha. The cabin was built around one large room with a roaring fireplace and a blackened kettle of water hanging over the blaze. "Frederick Myer, I thought I'd take that name to my grave. Would you like some tea or vodka?"
"A tea would be good, spasibo, thank you," said Anatoly as Igor prepared two cups. He couldn't help but noticed the pharmacy Igor had on his mantel above the fire place.
"You should see the collection I have in the bedroom next to my bed," said Igor as he came back with their tea.
"Doesn't do any good taking them with vodka" said Anatoly remarking at the way Igor was downing swigs outside while he was chopping wood.
"Oh that, that's water I saw you coming before you got to the house so I had to put on my little act until I could tell who I was dealing with. Dr. Frederick Myer was one of ours, an illegal we planted in the US then when his time was over we brought him back with his wife another illegal and a daughter."
"He was a scientist who worked on Rebirth Island."
"Yes, he took his Russian name Andrei Potskov but his return was less than successful."
"I don't understand and why is his file nowhere to be found?"
"There are those people who joke about blowing up the world; well he was serious about it. The man was a raving lunatic with a degree in virology. One of his ideas was in order to create the perfect socialist state was to exterminate everyone and start again. He said if we erased the blackboard we could write everything and he was actually trying to do it."
"How far did he get?"
"I don't know, all his research material was packed up and put in boxes on Vozrozhdeniya Island where it was archived. In Lubyanka square it was decided that the good doctor's brain had to stop working."
"I supposed you were given the task."
"I worked in Spetsbureau 13 Otdel mokrykh del, Department of wet affairs, at the time. The doctor never got the hang of driving over here. There was a fiery accident outside of Sevastopol almost in the same place as before but this time his wife died and almost his daughter."
"The daughter do you know what happened to her?" asked Anatoly. His interest was perked when he heard Igor mention her.
"She was an odd one. She joined the secret service then went to fight in Chechenia where I heard she disappeared. I figured the rebels got her. But when everything went to pot I left that life and moved here that's when I found out I had terminal cancer. I guess I'm still alive only because I won't be soon.
"Would you know this girl if you saw a picture of her," asked Anatoly as he pulled out his phone and showed him a photo.
"Yes that's her all right. When I heard she was killed by the rebels I didn't think it was possible. The last time I saw her she was too pissed."
"The last time you saw her? You told her about her father, didn't you? You went and found her to tell her the truth about what happened to him."
"She had a right to know and I'm dying. There are just some things I needed to get off my conscience before the end."
"But at what price. What if I told you she found her sister who happens to be a virologist like her father and they're trying to complete their father's dream? How does your conscience feel about that?"
"Looks like I'll have a lot of company on the other side," said Igor as he sat his tea cup down. "Now if you'll excuse me I've got wood to split."
"You're an idiot," said Anatoly as he got up and walked out the door slamming it as he left.
"No I'm dead," said the old man as he took their tea cups away.
Anatoly got into his car and headed back to the helicopter that had brought him where he was. On the way to the field he took out his phone and dialed Chuck. The road was slippery with ice and snow so he put the phone on speaker when Chuck answered.
"Chuck this is Anatoly. I've got the information you asked for. I just finished interrogating Igor Troski…" Chuck cut him off.
"Anatoly you know who he is or was," said Chuck. "Spetsbureau 13 Otdel mokrykh del. You need to be careful."
"Now he's just a sick old fool," said Anatoly as he told Chuck what he found out. "I'm telling you this now because I have a feeling someone is going to pay me a visit and tell me to keep my nose out of this. But at least I got you this before that happens. How's Stefan doing?"
"Not well I'm afraid. We set up a Skype connect so he can talk to his wife and kids but how do you tell someone you love goodbye. I wish I had more. There's something I missing here something important."
"Well if anyone can solve this it's you. I'm probably going to be given some time off so I think I'll take my wife and pay a visit to Stefan's. I feel we need to be close to her right now. How is your friend, John Casey?"
"Thanks for asking. He's in the same situation as Stefan. I need to find these people Anatoly. You don't have any idea where they might be holed up?"
"You didn't hear this from me but if you take some people and go down Chicago Avenue around 800 North there's a rundown apartment complex. There is a basement under the basement. It's a safe house we use in case someone needs to lay low. There are a couple of agents that rotate in to guard the place and keep an eye out. Please be nice to them and just send them home."
"Thanks Anatoly I need to go I can already hear my General yelling for me. I'll get word to Stefan you were asking about him."
"Spasibo," said Anatoly as he hung up. Chuck finished walking down the corridor to the lab where the General had her arms cross and tapping the floor with her foot.
"I'm glad you could grace us with your presence Agent Carmichael. As I was telling everyone who managed to get here when I called them we need to get out there and find these people. They took us for a ride and made us look like idiots while we gave them the means to stock pile their product. Their next step will be to put the product in canisters for distribution. People we need a location!"
"Chicago Avenue around 800 north, a rundown apartment complex. The complex has a basement under the basement. If they aren't there we'll find two Russian guards I promised we'd bag, tag then send them home. But if the Myer sisters are there the Russians will be dead. I was late for a reason General."
"Well the rest of you don't just stand around. Let's get a team over there on the double," said the General. "Agent Carmichael you can brief me on our way over there."
"I'll be right there," said Chuck as he looked at the bulletin board in the laboratory. Sarah walked up behind him and put her arm around his waist then kissed him on the neck. The General was about to yell at Chuck to come along but when she saw Sarah kiss him she just shook her head then left to see where everyone else was.
"You need to come along. I thought the General was going to blow a gasket or something before you got here. You saved yourself with that little bit of intel. I take it Anatoly came through."
"What?... Oh yeah he gave me some good information but I just noticed this," said Chuck as he pulled down off the board a notice about the activities that were planned on the Navy Pier.
"What are you thinking that Monica and Liz might use this as place to release the pathogen? It would be an ideal location most of the activities are under covered areas. But you don't think they'd do anything in the Children's Museum do you?"
"I hope not but their father was criminally insane. Come on let's take this with us and you can listen as I brief the General."
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Back at Ellie's, Sam and Clara were bored with playing in Clara's room so they went out and flopped on the sofa. Sam was still playing nurse to Mr. Rabbit and now Clara had become her patient as she listened to her heart beat. Sam had mastered doctor down well. When she took Clara's pulse she made a face that looked concerned then just shook her head.
"What's the matter doctor" asked Ellie trying not to laugh.
"Aira no good," said Sam shaking her head with a serious look like Clara was on her death bed or she had something terminally wrong.
"I've been saying that for years," said Ellie as she laughed. She couldn't hold it in anymore Sam was just too cute and with her serious look it was just too much.
"Oh Mom thanks," said Clara as their house phone rang. Ellie answered.
"Clara it's for you. One of your little friends from school, Debbie Martin," said Ellie as she passed the phone to Clara. Sam was not going to let her patient get away and went over to Clara standing next to her as she talked on the phone.
"You're going where? …. I see …. I don't know I have to ask my Mom, let me check," said Clara as she turned to her mother. "Mom, Debbie has an extra ticket for the Children's Museum. She was going to go with Sue but Sue can't go because she's got the flu and is throwing up so she wants me to go with her. Her mother will escort us. Please I'm bored crazy here, sorry Sam."
"Aira no good," said Sam as she held out the end of the stethoscope.
"You know how your father feels about the Navy Pier. For some reason he thinks the fleet's in or something."
"What does that mean? Dad doesn't have to know," said Clara coming up with a stratagem around her father. "We could tell him I went over to Debbie's house which is true."
"No absolutely not. I don't like half-truths. Okay you can go but when your father asks where you went we tell him the full truth. And Clara I want you to always tell us the truth no matter what. I promise we won't get mad at you."
"Does this also cover you two and when you backed into Dad's car?"
"Don't you need to get ready?"