Let us do something, while we have the chance.

This story diverges from Episode 3.13.

Still don't own Chuck.

"You saved me."
-Agent Walker Episode 3.13

Chapter 10—the Contest

Morgan walked over to the conference table and sat down, he said, "You know we could just get Sark to do the same thing."

Ilsa looked at him, "Morgan, do you expect everyone to play video games?"

Casey growled at Morgan, "Don't start."

Steven came over to the table, "What did you just say?" He looked at Morgan.

"I was wondering if we could get Sark to come out and play a game. That way Chuck might be able to find him," Morgan slumped back in his chair and tried to avoid Casey's hand that was swatting at him.

"Well, back at Roark, Sark was the best. He was the company champion at Missile Command," Steven replied.

"Whoa, then he'll just have to come up against my man, Chuck. Chuck did win the missile command game," Morgan boasted.

"Wait a minute. We couldn't use Missile Command. My name was on the news reports. Sark would easily connect that to Dad and us. We need something else," Chuck said.

"We could go back to the list we were working with Beckman," Casey muttered.

Ilsa looked at Casey, "But wasn't one of the things on the list the idea of exposing Chuck and pointing Sark to Chuck. Wouldn't the game do that without letting anyone else know about Chuck?"

"That would be easy to do. We put the game on the internet to play and develop an on-line game tournament. We can mention that Chuck will be playing against the others, but we would not have to show where he is located," Morgan started.

"Actually, that should work. I mean even if he does not play the game, he would be coming to get me. Either way, I should be able to identify him," Chuck added. "Morgan can you set that up like you helped with the tournament reply for Jeff?"

"Sure," Morgan looked a little surprised.

"Good,but hold off for a minute. I think Sark is out there trying to get information on Vincent and how to get him out. I have gotten inquires on Vincent coming to Miami police from several government agencies. It is all coming at once." Chuck pointed to the display, "You should be able to follow."

Chuck started working the problem. 'They should be able to see what is happening. I can arrange the displays so that… Okay, here's the queries on Vincent's location. Let's see, I'll order them in a time sequence.'

The display showed eighteen queries on Vincent's location or information.

'I wonder if I can determine their origin. Let's see. Some of them are just emails. But they are phishing. They got the right heading but there root history is wrong. Yeah, they don't have the right IP addresses. So blocking the information should be the key. Let me see, the messages were sent in sequence, all within a second of each other. There is the IP address they came from. I'll map those.'

Another display showed the mapping of the queries.

'I guess I better tell General Beckman what is happening. She needs to get Vincent and the others moved to someplace where electronic stuff does not affect his imprisonment.'

A message from Chuck to General Beckman displayed for an instant and was gone. It said to tranquilize Vincent and move him to a location without any electronics, no cameras, no phones, no electronic anything.

'Ilsa better do the same thing with the prisoners in France.'

Another message flashed going to Ilsa. It asked her to have the French government do the same for the individuals captured over there.

Sarah started watching Chuck. His eyes would flutter for a second then stare straight ahead and then flutter again. This was going on repeatedly. "Chuck, are you okay?"

"Yeah, fine," was all that Chuck got out.

Steven had moved over to the displays that tracked the brain activity and the responses coming back. The graph showed the increased activity was close to exponential.

"Chuck, you need to tell us what is happening," Steven was getting concerned.

"Sure," Chuck said. Then all of the displays became active.

'Let's see how can I do this as a background job. Oh, the displays should work. I'll put a status box.'

The main display had video camera presentations and text boxes with notes in continuous trailers. There was a box at the bottom called Status. The first entry was 'Vincent holding facility under attack.' The next was 'Active search for Doctor Kent Schmidt underway.' The third entry was 'Former Ring agent and Roark computer specialist released, blocking exit.' The last entry was 'Sark location under analysis.'

'Okay, next we'll keep up with Vincent.'

The video showed Vincent in his holding cell lying on his bunk. Light were flashing in the background.

'Okay, at least he is still in his cell. Gee, if I can do this so could Sark. I have to Block this.'

The scrolling text under the video showed:

5:00 Vincent location detected

'I guess I ought to block the whole facility. I'll just add more fire walls. Well, it might be better if we used that old wall I had at Stanford. Let's see that should be back in my computer. Got it. Just a little modification and it is in place.'

5:00 Blocked access by Sark to facility

'Here comes another search from Sark. He is after the Miami Police. Wait, Sark is trying to access the police. Well, I'll just add my new little barricade package. His searches and emails won't get in.'

5:00 Blocked access to police

'I guess I better block access to the city before the Mayor calls down and tells the Chief to release Vincent.'

5:01 Blocked access to City

'Let's see, who else has guns down there. Okay, simple search with a lot of guns. I'll have to block each of these. Don't want them running into the police with their guns drawn thinking that something Sark planted was real, when it was really a deception.'

5:01 Blocked access to other Law Enforcement

'Better take care of our friends in France. Let's see they are still in the facility and being escorted. I'll block the penal system from Sark.'

In the other corner of the screen, the video of the two cells from France were shown. The text scrolling under that showed:

5:02 Blocked access to French penal system

'His search got into the DGSE. What is he going for? Arrests?'

5:03 Sark accessed DGSE arrest data base

'This should work, a new cipher to get through, and new secondary translation system on the line. That should stop the transfer.'

5:03 Scrambled transmission of DGSE data base

'Where is he doing this from?'

The screen in front of Casey was a rolling list of search results. There was a print of what were Sark's commands and then a search on each of the commands' characteristics. Each positive search was highlighted, flashed and produced an associated data presentation.

'He'll still want to go after the scientist from the convention. Better take care of him. Sorry for the privacy invasion, Doc. But we need to make sure you are safe.'

The next screen showed the Doctor at the top. He was back at his hotel room. The screen then had noted that followed:

5:02 Blocked access the Royal Hotel Miami servers

'Let's see fire alarms would get everyone on the street. Better block those.'

5:03 Blocked access to fire system

'I wonder if the Fire Department could get everyone out of the building.'

5:04 Blocked access to Miami Fire Department

General Beckman's face showed in a corner of the main screen, "What is happening?"

Chuck did not answer. His eyes were fluttering almost constantly.

'Better send another update to Beckman. Let's see, got Vincent under control. Taking care of the French, there was a data breach. Next, she needs to move her people into position around the Doctor to keep him safe.'

Casey got up and went to Chuck's side, "General, I think Chuck has engaged Sark. Sark is making a move on Vincent, the French specialists, and the Doctor at the convention. The information on our screens shows that Chuck is blocking Sark's moves."

"Right, his brain activity has reached new levels. It is like he is in some martial arts contest, blocking and striking at the same time," Steven said.

"Does he know Sark's location yet?" General Beckman asked.

Casey looked up at the display, "No, it still says location under analysis."

"Casey, that display is not 'it', that is Chuck," Sarah snapped.

Casey grunted. They saw an email to General Beckman flash on the screen and get transmitted.

'Looks like he's trying again for Vincent. I'll add another barricade. It should slow him down.'

New lines were added under Vincent:

5:05 Facility block updated

5:05 Police blocked updated

'Wow. He's really hammering that line. That's it just keep it up. Come on. I got you.'

The status was updated with: Sark location confirmed. Location

Sarah pointed to the screen, "Casey, that's just a couple mile from here."

"General, what do you want us to do?" Casey asked.

5:06 DGSE block updated

Chuck came out of the flashing for a second. He raised his hand, "General, we have to go get Sark. We cannot stay here. I have been able to put up barricades or firewalls to keep him from doing things. I can get to systems that are connected to a computer and in-turn connected to the internet. I think he should be able to do the same. So when he finds us, he can start things against us. We need Dad and Morgan to get Ellie and Devon and get out of here. Maybe, go up to your place in the woods. But get away from anywhere that he could direct actions by using a computer.

"We will need back up. His place is in the open but has several back doors and tunnels leading away from it. If you can get the agents to block these exits, then we'll go through the front. I'll turn off his surveillance and we should be able to get in." Chuck concluded.

"General, we may not yet another chance. A frontal attack would be a surprise to Sark," Casey added.

5:07 Fire Department block updated

"Look I don't like to get into your operations, but Sark would not be expecting an attack like that. This will work," said Steven. "And General, you should now know that Sark could go after anything. It is good that Chuck found him and that Sark is concentrating on those targets. His next target could be anything. And we would need more than just my son to keep up with him."

"Chuck can you keep him occupied while you get over there?" the General asked.

"Yes, General. He is still going after his original objectives. While I have not seen any direction to one of his teams, we should start to expect that he has one or more teams heading to any or all of the three targets," Chuck replied.

"Okay team, finalize your plans. You have approval to eliminate the threat," General Beckman said. Her part of the screen went blank and was filled in with pictures of Sark's facility.

Casey looked over at Ilsa, "You know I would rather you went with Morgan, but I suspect you are coming with us."

"Yes, Sugar Bear. I couldn't go all through this and not come with you," Ilsa replied. "You know better don't you?"

"Yes, I know," Casey into her eyes. "If Sark has any one there, we stay together."

Chuck stopped fluttering again. "Yes, his people will have Intersect skills. That means we would be fighting people that are the top of their fighting style."

"Chuck, we will head out and get Ellie and Devon. We'll go to the little trailer where you first found me. That should be okay for right now." He held up a small disc, "this little disc should help you with Sark. It is based on the original drawings and the settings of his enhancements. It should short out the discs in his head and the electronics in his lens. He could still use his Intersect to help him fight, but he wouldn't be able to use the computers or the electronic equipment. You take care Son," Steven gave him a hug. After smiling at Sarah and telling her to be careful, they headed out.

Casey came back from the armory and started to pass out vests and helmets, "Put these on and carry the helmet with you. We'll go in the van and stop right here in front of the building." Casey was pointing to the exterior video of the building.

"Ilsa, I have some other shirts in the room in the back. We can wear them over the vests. Chuck and Casey will be doing the same," she looked at Casey and saw him nod in agreement.

After they got their equipment and weapons, they got in the van. Casey was driving and Ilsa sat in the right seat. Casey had a tactical conference line set up and with Ilsa's help was making sure they had all the exits covered. He told the team that would be in the front of the building to follow them in and cover them.

Chuck and Sarah were sitting in the back. Sarah was holding Chuck's hand. She saw that his eyes were fluttering; she even thought it was at a higher rate. "Chuck, is everything still good?"

"Fine, he is still working Vincent." He turned to her, "Please… well, you know. I love you."

"You too," Sarah nodded.

'He's still going after Vincent. I've got one other firewall to use. If this does not hold Sark back then we have to physically get him.'

It wasn't much longer and Casey said, "It's just down the block. I'll stop in front. Everyone go out a separate door. Ilsa and I should be the first to the front door. We will clear and then you and Sarah follow."

Casey pulled to a stop in front of the building.

Chuck announced, "Got through his security, taking over surveillance. Okay, that is on a twenty minute loop. Wait, he's downloading an Intersect into some people. I am going to block it. Give me a second."

Casey was waiting, but the pressure was building. They were already parked in front of the building. One of Sark's men could just come out and find them. They were in the open.

Chuck finally said, "Okay, I stopped it. He'll know we are after him."

"Let's go!" shouted Casey.

Casey and Ilsa went for the door. Ilsa pulled it open and Casey went through first. The man at the front desk began to bring his gun up. Casey shot him twice. Chuck and Sarah came through the front door.

"Okay, shutting exits. He should only be able to come out front," Chuck called out.

At that time three people came rushing out into the lobby, one of them started to bring his gun to bare on Ilsa. Sarah shot him in the side. He turned toward her and was about to shoot when Ilsa advanced and kicked the gun out of his hand. The next man closest to Ilsa started toward her with a knife out.

Casey jumped into the fray and grabbed the man's hand. Bending back on the wrist, the knife came tumbling out. The man brought his foot back in a high kick and knocked Casey back. Casey moved to the side and watched Ilsa deliver a sweeping kick to the head.

The other intruder was a girl. She went for Chuck initially. He blocked her kick and Sarah intervened. She hit the girl with a jab and finished it with an elbow to the head. When the girl started down, her hand went to her weapon. Chuck aimed and shot his tranq gun at the girl.

Casey nodded at Chuck and took out his tranq gun and let the other two have a dart to keep them down. The tactical team came to the front door. Casey motioned to the downed agents. Part of the team took up defense positions, then team started to cuff them and take them out of the building.

Ilsa was going to the door from the lobby into the facility and Casey was with her. She pointed to the cipher lock and Chuck nodded. She pulled the door and it opened.

As Chuck and Sarah came forward to the door, Chuck said, "He has found me. Take this and use it on him as soon as you get close." His eyes closed and the battle began.

'Okay, he found where I am. You think he would have just heard us out front. I want the doors open. That should do it.'

As agreed, Ilsa took his hand and Sarah proceeded with Casey. The doors in the hallway were banging open and closed.

Casey yelled out, "Keep them open!"

'I know. I am trying. Gee I am faster than he is. If I just enable this server… Oh wow, that's him. Guess I better block his access just like Vincent's facility. Got to get him and hold him down.'

Casey and Sarah were approaching each room to keep the door open and then clear it. They had gotten two thirds down the hallway when they saw Sark. He was in the back of a dark room sitting on a chair. They could see his eyes were fluttering just like Chuck.

'If I just wrap myself around him by using the barricades, he wouldn't be able to get out. This is working. I have his path blocked.'

Sarah held out the disc that Steven had given them. She quickly approached Sark while Casey kept his gun trained on Sark. Sarah activated the disc.

'Wow, he just quit. No, a 60 second timer.' Chuck shook himself out if it. He looked to Ilsa, "I'm fine. There is a bomb, get out!" Chuck ran down the hall to the room Sarah and Casey had gone into. There were three darts sticking out of Sark. "We got to get out. He has tripped a bomb!" He went up and grabbed Sarah's hand.

Casey yelled into his tactical radio, "Bomb in building. Everyone back away now. I say again there is a bomb in the building. Get away from the building."

Chuck and Sarah ran down the hallway and Casey was right behind. Ilsa was out by the van. Chuck got her hand and pulled both Sarah and Ilsa across the street. Casey was right behind. They were across the street when it blew.

Sark had wired it to collapse on itself. Chuck later said that Sark probably figured it would be a good trap, trigger the timer and run out one of the tunnels. Sark would have been safely away, when the building fell on its occupants.

The building did collapse on itself and the debris flew across the street. Chuck and Casey were covering Sarah and Ilsa. As the dust settled, Chuck helped Sarah get up. Casey did the same. They went over to the van to report in. Chuck pointed to the side on the van toward the building, "At least it wasn't your Crown Vic." He looked around at everyone, "So, we are all okay?"

All three nodded. Casey got on his tactical radio and had the others report in. The tactical team that came in the front with them had removed the four agents. But no other building occupants made it out of the building. Casey coordinated the clean-up with the tactical team that General Beckman had sent.

Chuck called his dad, "Dad, we got him. It is all over. Please head back to Castle." Chuck got in the back of the van with Sarah. He had his arm around her shoulder and said, "I'll have to undo the blocks I put up and some of the other things. I will be just a second, then things will be back to normal."

A/N Another good ending point.

Hope you enjoy. Please review.