Chuck vs. the Defense Contractor, Chapter 10 – 18 minutes ago
Disclaimer: I don't own anything at all related to Chuck. No characters, no plots, no themes, no nothing. Enjoy!
Basement of Century City HQ of Miller-Johnson Corporation, Los Angeles, 2:12am on a weekday
Ryan sat Chuck down in a corner of the GDN. Everyone in the room was scurrying about securing data, erasing hard drives, and shredding paper. On his radio, Ryan listened to progress reports on the NSA/CIA attack and barked out commands.
"Look, I think you guys have everything handled here. Can you tell me which way the bathroom is?"
Ryan looked annoyingly at Chuck. "You choose. Die now, or die later?"
Chuck gulped and squeezed himself deeper into the corner. "Um, later."
"Too bad. Now shut up and stay put."
Ryan's face left no room for argument.
Outside of top floor, Century City HQ of Miller-Johnson Corporation, Los Angeles, 2:13am on a weekday
Using borrowed night vision goggles, Sarah and Agent Vazquez dangled off the building's top floor on the opposite side from the CEO's office. This unoccupied part of the floor contained secretaries and assistants offices. The hastily taped together circle of C4 hung between them. They taped the explosive to the building's glass in a roughly oval shape, with the v-shaped cuts in the C4 facing the glass. A detonator had been pressed into each block.
With the explosive ring fastened, the two agents scrambled sideways away from the blast zone. Small suction cups held them in place. Sarah spoke into her radio.
"Everyone clear on the plan?"
"Roger. You're good to go."
Sarah looked at Agent Vazquez who gave her a thumbs-up, then pulled out her wireless trigger, flipped the safety, and pressed the fire button.
CEO's office, top floor of Century City HQ of Miller-Johnson Corporation, Los Angeles, 2:13am on a weekday
A deafening explosion rocked the floor. After ducking involuntarily, Raymond Johnson turned to his third guard.
"Keller, they've breached the floor earlier than expected. Activate the roof ADS now!"
"Sir, the generators haven't stored enough power yet. It won't be lethal."
"Doesn't matter, we need to slow them down."
Keller called security on his radio and gave the order power the rooftop ADS.
Outside of top floor, Century City HQ of Miller-Johnson Corporation, Los Angeles, 2:13am on a weekday
The smoke cleared quickly and Sarah felt relieved upon seeing that the shaped charge had indeed carved an oval hole in the building's glass. She and Vazquez would enter first, followed by most of the other CIA agents on the roof. They would rappel down in pairs.
Sarah released the suction cup and let gravity swing her toward the hole. She pushed off the building with her feet and perfectly anticipated her entry. She sailed through the opening cleanly, detaching her harness as she did. Her feet touched the floor first and she did a forward roll to the right, bringing her rifle up to the firing position as she finished up in a kneeling stance. Agent Vazquez was right behind her and ended up in the same position to her left. No threats were seen.
Sarah keyed her mic to order the rest of the agents down the ropes, but was unable to make contact. She heard incoherent screams over her earpiece.
She looked at Vazquez. "CEO's office, now. Fast and hard."
The two agents quickly navigated the empty hallway leading to Raymond Johnson's office. They crouched on opposite sides of the closed waiting room door and deployed a fiber optic camera underneath. Hand signals communicated that one armed and one unarmed person were on the other side. Sarah placed lumps of C4 onto the door knob and hinge areas of the door, affixed detonators, and inched back along the wall. Counting with her fingers, she pressed the fire button on three.
The door shattered into a thousand pieces as the blast deafened Nikki and Abrams on the other side. Nikki was blown off her feet, but Abrams remained upright, being further from the door. Nikki caught a flash of blond hair fly through the smoky doorway before noticing that Abrams was falling backwards with a red hole in the center of his forehead. He never had a chance to raise his P90.
Sarah and Agent Vazquez rushed past Nikki who looked back in surprise. Sarah's face clearly sent the message she was trying to convey. Stay on the floor or die.
They rushed the inner door to the CEO's office, firing several rounds at the lock, handle and hinges before kicking in the door. As they did, Keller fired at them with his P90, but didn't connect. Using the sides of the doorway as cover, Sarah and Vazquez threw flash bang grenades into the room, and entered as soon as they exploded.
The bright light and loud noise had the desired effect as Raymond Johnson and Keller both staggered back for a moment. Keller recovered quickly and began to spray the room wildly with bullets. He shot high since the agents had both rolled into the room and Keller was taken down by another headshot from Sarah.
In an instant, Sarah rounded the desk, and hit Raymond in his mouth with her rifle butt. He landed hard on his back. She put her foot on his chest and aimed the rifle at his eyes.
"Do you have an ADS on the roof? Turn if off now."
Raymond smiled with bloody teeth while he caught his breath. "Nice to meet you too Ms. Walker. I will gladly turn it off if you show me your warrant."
"I'm not screwing around Johnson! You're going to do what I say. Turn it off now! Where the hell is Chuck?"
Raymond laughed. "Do you know who my friends are? You and your agency will be finished after this. Go ahead, beat me up. I'll win in the end."
Sarah ordered Vazquez out to guard Nikki while she regrouped. She spoke into her radio.
"Casey, CEO office clear; ADS being used on rest of team on roof. What's your status?"
"We haven't hacked the biometric locks yet. Our techies can't figure it out."
"Copy. I'll try and find a solution up here."
She looked around the office. She tried the workstation, but was locked out of any sensitive files and networks by Raymond's password. She didn't have time to get that out of him. She pulled out her phone and called Chuck only to hear his phone ring in Raymond's office. She had to find him, secure the GDN downstairs, and get Casey and his bunch past the lobby. And deal with Nikki Johnson. All the contractors were probably downstairs guarding the GDN. The building's passive security had already given them fits and incapacitated the rest of her team.
Sarah looked at Raymond's sneering face and unsheathed her largest knife as an idea occurred to her.
Waiting area of CEO's office, top floor of Century City HQ of Miller-Johnson Corporation, Los Angeles, 2:15am on a weekday
Agent Vazquez stood above Nikki and let her know that she wouldn't tolerate any foolishness. Nikki had to find a way to get down to the GDN. She had to find Chuck.
She didn't think Sarah would believe her story about stopping the E-bomb. While her mind raced, her ears were still ringing when she heard her father scream in agony. She had never heard him shout like that. In fact, she had never heard any man scream like that. There was another blood-curdling yell that didn't last as long as the first. Then, it was back to the ear ringing until Sarah emerged from her father's office. She was wiping blood off her knife.
"Vazquez, give him first aid and make sure he doesn't bleed out. He won't be going anywhere. I'm heading down to the lobby. And shut the door."
Agent Vazquez left Nikki and went to her father's office with a curt nod. Nikki noticed what Sarah was carrying in her hand. It looked like two of her father's fingertips.
"My GOD, Sarah! How could you?!"
Sarah emotionlessly put the two fingertips in a Ziploc bag, then into a vest pocket.
She slung her rifle over her shoulder, un-holstered her pistol, and began screwing a silencer on.
"Stand up."
Nikki felt true fear for the first time in her life. She stood, faced Sarah and pleaded.
"Sarah, you have to listen to me! You have to trust me, or trust Chuck at least! He told me all about the company's involvement with Fulcrum. He told me that I could come in to you and that you would protect us; that the CIA would protect us. He said that I could help take down Fulcrum…"
Sarah finished attaching the silencer. What the hell is she talking about? Is she trying to buy time? This is my best chance to kill Nikki and save Chuck. I may not get another opportunity. I have to do it now. Sarah had killed dozens of people before, but always on account of orders. She had never killed someone to satisfy her own agenda. She felt very dirty as she began down the slippery slope. God save my soul. She began raising the pistol to Nikki's forehead.
She's going to kill me! Nikki noticed a moment of doubt in Sarah's eyes and her body reacted. With her left hand, Nikki grabbed the barrel of the pistol and twisted it left. She simultaneously aimed a right jab at Sarah's neck. Sarah countered quickly and stepped back so the jab glanced across her jaw instead. Her left hand still twisting the gun, Nikki stepped into Sarah driving a shoulder into her chest. Sarah stumbled back before Nikki slapped the gun out of her grip. Sarah reached for a knife when Nikki dove into her and tackled her to the ground. They both grappled for position, but their strength and skills were evenly matched. Both managed to land a few short punches and elbows without causing much damage. Sarah's grabbed Nikki's left hand and twisted hard, dislocating her middle finger. Clamping down the pain, Nikki drove an elbow into Sarah's neck causing her to break her grip and threw a punch at her eye. That missed and connected with her forehead, opening up a cut. Then, Nikki head butted Sarah, causing her head to bounce off the floor. Nikki watched as Sarah's eyes rolled back into her head and she stopped fighting. She stood and took one of Sarah's knives.
Before Agent Vazquez could return to see what the noise was about, Nikki ran down the hall to a supply closet and into the elevator. She pressed her finger to the biometric reader and the door opened. She punched the button for the basement.
Basement of Century City HQ of Miller-Johnson Corporation, Los Angeles, 2:18am on a weekday
Nikki reached the GDN and took in the chaos. She found Ryan and Chuck in a corner.
Chuck took in her appearance and oddly angled finger and asked, "What the hell happened?!"
"They're here. They've captured my dad and will be down here any minute. Clear the room."
Ryan got on his radio and ordered the contractors in the basement to defend all entry points. He then ordered all regular personnel out. The room cleared quickly.
"Ryan, you can go now. Leave Chuck here with me as a shield while I make sure the signal goes out."
Ryan looked unsure. "Ma'am, I don't think I can do that."
"Do what? Go, or leave Chuck here?"
Chuck stood up. "Nikki, I think he's going to kill me! He asked me if I wanted to die now or later. I said later."
Nikki looked at Ryan. "Is that true? Did my father give orders to kill Chuck? Just tell me the truth. I'm a tough girl. It doesn't matter to me if he lives or dies."
Ryan thought for an instant. "Yes ma'am, I was ordered to kill Chuck. Your father didn't want you to see it."
Nikki laughed. "Oh, that old prude! He thinks I can't take the sight of blood! You know what, kill him now for all I care. It doesn't matter. We only have a few minutes left anyway." To make her point, she grabbed her dislocated finger and snapped it back into place with a crack. Her face displayed no pain.
Chuck's eyes bugged out and his jaw dropped. No words came out.
Ryan turned his back to Nikki, looked at Chuck and laughed. "Wonder if I can make him piss himself before I kill him!" He flicked the safety off on his P90 and began to lift the weapon. Chuck closed his eyes.
Nikki flicked Sarah's knife out from its hiding place in her sleeve, raised it, and drove the entire blade into the back of Ryan's neck. His spinal cord severed, he silently collapsed.
Chuck was beginning to shake when Nikki walked over and touched his arm. He jumped at the contact and opened his eyes with a girlish scream. Nikki embraced him.
"You're ok now Chuck. Ryan's dead. Now help me stop the E-bomb. Start that laptop on the desk and make sure it's on the network."
As Chuck ran to the laptop, Nikki reached into Ryan's pocket and transferred something to her own.
Waiting area of CEO's office, top floor of Century City HQ of Miller-Johnson Corporation, Los Angeles, 2:19am on a weekday
Sarah woke with a start, as Agent Vazquez slapped her. "Walker, Agent Walker, wake up."
For the second time tonight, Sarah saw stars. She sat up and almost passed out again.
"I got the ADS shut down for the whole building. Johnson gave it up when I pulled out my knife and threatened to cut off an appendage which he only has one of. I'm in contact with the roof teams. They're a bit sunburned, but they'll live. Agent Casey is waiting for you in the lobby. I told him you have the keys to this joint."
"Good work. Damn NSA couldn't even get past the lobby! Anything else of use from Johnson?"
"He has a special access elevator directly to the GDN. It's located in a supply closet on this floor, and behind a false wall in the lobby. It only fits two at a time, but that's faster than taking on all the contractors head on. There are about forty of them down there in strong defensive positions. He said we're already too late. That Nikki will make sure the Beta Intersect dies."
"Help me up."
Sarah rose unsteadily but quickly regained her strength. Agent Vazquez handed Sarah's pistol back to her.
"I think you owe that bitch an ass kicking."
She holstered her pistol with a knowing smile.
Lobby area of Century City HQ of Miller-Johnson Corporation, Los Angeles, 2:20am on a weekday
Casey was extremely frustrated. With all the firepower at his disposal, they hadn't been able to penetrate further than the lobby. His agents hadn't been able to get the elevators or stairwells unlocked, and they were armored by metal as hard as the glass that made up the building's façade. He needed to get some of that for his next Crown Vic. Walker and the CIA had somehow found a way around the obstacle and reached the CEO's office. Now she was on the way down to let them in. The whole operation was FUBAR. He needed to shoot someone.
The elevator dinged and Agent Walker emerged looking a little worse for wear.
"Agent Vazquez and the CIA team have secured the top floor. Johnson needs some medical attention, but he'll live. There are two enemy KIA up there."
Casey felt a pang of jealousy. Walker already got two!
"Casey, here's the situation. Nikki and probably Chuck are down in the basement. There's a private elevator we're going to take down directly to the GDN. The rest of your guys will take the main elevator down and initiate contact with the contractors. There are about forty of them and they're well dug in. We need them occupied while we take care of business."
He took in the gash on her forehead and the disheveled state of her clothing and hair. He asked seriously, "Couldn't go through with it?"
She looked back with an equally serious look. They nodded to each other in silent understanding.
Agent Lee ran up. Sarah pulled out her Ziploc bag and handed one of Raymond Johnson's fingertips to him. Casey sneered, grimaced, and grunted at the same time.
"Here's your key. Keep the contractors downstairs occupied and away from the GDN."
"Yes ma'am."
"Casey, let's go end this."
Basement of Century City HQ of Miller-Johnson Corporation, Los Angeles, 2:24am on a weekday
Chuck looked over Nikki's shoulder as she worked on the laptop. She calmly wrote a few lines of code, pasted it into a program, and saved the program under its original name. She hit a few more keys.
"That was it?"
"Yeah, that was it. Once the program compiles, I just have to execute it by pressing enter and an override signal will go out. Once ECHELON sees that, it will close the backdoor port my father set up to the Beta Intersect. The detonation signal won't be able to get through when the timer runs out. We have about six minutes."
"You can't just turn off the timer?"
"No, that was part of dad's scorched earth approach."
"How long until it compiles?"
"Not long."
Chuck looked at Nikki and they both burst out laughing. They felt relief that all the stress and danger was about to come to a happy conclusion. They embraced in a hug.
"My friends will be here soon. I think the good guys saved the day again!" Chuck exclaimed.
Nikki's smile faded and she shook her head. "I don't know if you can trust them. Sarah cut off my dad's fingers Chuck. She was going to kill me upstairs."
"What?! You saw Sarah upstairs? She wouldn't cut off…well, she definitely wasn't going to kill you. Why would she do that?"
"I don't know why, maybe the CIA ordered it. Maybe she just hates me, which I get. In any case, take this. Just in case. Remember, the button NEEDS to be pushed before the timer runs out."
Nikki handed Chuck the weapon she took from Ryan.
"No way, I can't use this! I've never fired a gun in my life! Who would I shoot anyways? I'm sure Sarah and Casey will be here anytime."
"It's insurance, Chuck. Just point and shoot. Keep it hidden."
Chuck looked questioningly at her, then put it into his jacket pocket to appease her. He though that the likelihood of actually using it was almost zero.
Chuck and Nikki instinctively ducked when they heard the sound of automatic gunfire coming from outside the room.
"I think your friends are here Chuck. The program has compiled. We should push the button now…"
"Freeze!"
Sarah and Casey closed on Chuck and Nikki, their rifles at the ready. Nikki put her hands up. The gunfire outside masked the sound of their approach.
"Sarah! Casey! I'm so glad to see you guys!"
"Nice to see you too Chuck," Casey said through gritted teeth. Sarah never looked at Chuck. Her eyes and rifle stayed pointed at Nikki.
"Guys, what are you doing?"
"We're stopping a dangerous criminal. Nikki here is a clear and present danger to the United States," Casey replied.
"Uhh..., no she's not! I explained to her that her father was helping Fulcrum. She didn't know about it. She agreed to come in and help us stop them! Sarah, she said she would come in with me to you!"
Sarah glanced sideways at Chuck and finally spoke. "Really Chuck? If she wanted to come in, why did she attack me upstairs?"
Chuck looked at Nikki. "You attacked Sarah?"
"I told you, she was going to kill me! Shoot me in the head in cold blood! I had to attack her to save my life!"
Sarah and Casey exchanged glances.
Confused, Chuck asked, "Sarah, you said you would protect me; that the CIA would protect Nikki and me. Why would you want to kill Nikki?"
Sarah looked at Chuck and for a split-second, he thought her face was saying 'FOR YOU!' He didn't understand.
Sarah's and Casey's radios crackled to life. It was Agent Lee.
"Be advised that several contractors are heading toward the GDN; Repeat, enemy approaching GDN."
"I'll guard the door Walker. You take care of business."
Casey and Sarah shared a look that scared him.
"Take these."
Sarah tossed her rifle and extra magazines to Casey and removed her body armor. Casey ran toward the door, found the most defensible position, and turned over chairs and tables to form a shield. He hung the body armor over the front for good measure.
Sarah un-holstered her pistol and aimed it at Nikki. Their eyes locked.
Chuck spoke rapidly. "Oh yeah, we need to push that button, like real soon. If we don't, an E-bomb will destroy the Beta Intersect." He thrust his hands into his windbreaker pockets out of nervousness and felt the pistol grip. His hand squeezed it tightly.
The contractors arrived and Casey dispatched the first two in the hallway outside the door. The rest found cover and were now returning fire. The office furniture splintered when impacted by their rounds.
Nikki's hand moved toward the keyboard before Sarah stopped her. "Don't even think about it."