A/N - So here we are about coming to halfway through Chuck vs The Art of War. I an actually quite enjoying writing all the parts out and seeing how it changes from what I initially imagined in my head! Anyway, hope you're still enjoying the story. Thank you so much for the reviews, I really, really do enjoy getting them so please keep them coming.
Chuck vs The Art of War
VI. Weak Points and Strong
CIA Safehouse outside Baden Baden (11.32am 30th October 2009)
Casey and Cole are sparring in the other room and Chuck can hear them talking in low tones. He knows he should go in there and discuss more contingency plans just in case. But right now, all he really wants to do is to listen to the transmitter hoping she'd say something. He knows she's not going to, but he wants to be there just in case. Chuck knows that she's probably berating herself for the slip she had earlier but he's glad that she did. He wonders what she's thinking at times like this, whether she's strategising in her head about next steps and if so, whether she has time to think of him. He knows it's selfish to think like that. He remembers the question he had asked her the day she left and right now, he would really like to know the answer, not for his edification but to know that he's helping her by just being there. On his side, he hasn't stopped thinking about her since they met. it wasn't a 24/7 thing but just the fact that she's always in his thoughts, coded into his consciousness. He looks once again, at the radio, hoping for some sound.
At least they've brought her food and she's eating. He's already had breakfast with her or at least had his own MRE when they had brought her something this morning. Casey had grunted as he walked past (grunt no. 65, She can't hear you moron), but it didn't matter. For the first time in six months, he knew exactly where Sarah was and for the time being, also knew that she was not being hurt or hunted (at least not yet). He knows he should be in the other room, but he just can't make himself leave her, not anymore.
Casey swings, going for Cole's bum arm but the British agent is good and he ducks and sweeps his leg, taking Casey down.
"They're going to hurt you to get back at Walker" Casey's not just making conversation. He's actually curious as to Barker's motivation here. He's read his file, ever since Walker downloaded it the last time they had met in LA. He knows the type, kind of like Bryce but with less prick qualities.
"They're going to try", Cole's trying to find Casey's weak points. it's always been a talent of his, has worked well for him in the past in planning his escapes. He has no doubt in his mind that Benkhofer's going to torture him but likewise, he's also confident of surviving it and winning in the end.
"She's in love with Bartowski, nothing's going to change that." Casey does not believe he's having this conversation currently. He didn't want to go there but the guy had a right to know especially if he was going to put his life on the line. Walker took a bloody long time to admit her feelings but once she did, nothing was going to stop her. Casey's up on his feet, circling round Cole, intending to take him down directly.
"Who are you, her father?" Cole's actually surprised that Casey's brought it up. He knows that Casey's just going to ram into him and decides to let him. The impact forces him into the wall but as he had not put up any resistance, he's ready to hit back and knees Casey in his stomach.
Casey doubles over, "I'm her partner." It's the only explanation he's willing to give. Walker had watched his back and he's just doing his job here. "What are you getting out of this?"
Cole's decided he's had enough, of the sparring and the interrogation but he also knows that he probably owes both Chuck and Casey an explanation. It's not like he hasn't asked himself the exact same question and Felix most certainly has. He extends his arm to Casey, pulling him up. "It's the right thing to do."
Casey sees Chuck come into the room and knows he's at least heard the last part of the conversation.
"They've brought her lunch, I'm just gonna.." he trails off to the MREs stacked in the corner, knowing that Casey thinks he's just going soft again, mooning over Sarah and wasting months of training and time that could be better spent sparring, like Cole.
"We're going to get her back" Cole cannot empathize with Chuck. To be perfectly honest, he's probably never felt anything akin to what Chuck's going through. He's always like to win and accepts that to do so, collateral damage is necessary. He can see Chuck struggling with that decision and wonders if he'll ever get over it. Cole knows that if he doesn't, it will eventually affect the mission. Cole only hopes that the effect will not be a negative one.
Chuck nods, knowing that Cole means what he says and he's actually more surprise at Casey's remarks than at Cole's. He knows that Casey had always been more comfortable leading a unit and the hierarchical military set up and that the Intersect assignment would never have been his first choice. Chuck knows that and he's tried his best to learn from Casey; hand to hand combat, precision shooting, even rudimentary bomb rigging. The only thing he refuses to do is to switch off his emotions. Casey has repeatedly drilled into him the necessity to do that but it's just a lesson he cannot learn. Right now though, he's glad that for all of Casey's bluster, he's still looking out for Sarah in his own way. "Thanks." Chuck directs the comment at the two men standing before him, knowing that they'll both understand what he's thanking them for.
Chateau Haute Rhienstein, Schwarzwald (12.31am, 31th October 2009)
Felix is once again driving towards the castle with a prisoner in the back seat. As before, he needs to get into character and has not spoken to Cole since he got into the car. The problem here is that he just does not have a good feeling about what's going to happen next. Even at the safehouse, he just could not shake the bad feeling and because of it, had armed himself with a bigger gun and accepted a vest from Casey. He knows what they have planned to happen, but ever since this bloody mission had started, things really did not go according to the plan. He's been in worse situations before but most of the time, Cole had been there to bail him out. Right now though, he's the reason why Cole's being delivered to Rainer.
Felix finally pulls up at the end of the driveway, the lights in the Chateau have not been extinguished and he knows that Benkhofer has been waiting for this. He had sent numerous messages to Felix asking when delivery would be made, had threatened to send someone else for the retrieval job if Felix had not returned by midnight. He's already late but he knows that the longer he waits, the less time Rainer has to torture Cole before they leave for Zurich.
Felix grunts as he lifts Cole onto his shoulder. They had agreed that Cole would pretend to be unconscious, the scalp wound courtesy of Chuck's make-up skills. He was slightly amazed that the lad could create such a realistic wound but the explanation of ComiCon costumes and Morgan's propensity for reenacting some scene from Serenity, just went over his head. He walks up the steps and through the front door and is surprised to see Benkhofer waiting for him in the foyer, two guards flanking him.
"I was beginning to think that this was beyond your skill set." Rainer could not wait to begin. He had been tempted to just take some of his frustration out on the Intersect but had to control himself, knowing that the greater prize laid before him and he needed to present her to the Circle, unharmed. He had waited so long for his turn, had planned every step and knew what he needed to do. He would not throw it away so easily. However, that did not mean that he would not be able to get some revenge. Capturing a British agent was definitely a liability to the Ring and could open them up for some retaliation from the SIS. Using Carl Metzger made that possibility a bit more remote but at this point Rainer did not care. Besides, he was not going to be here for long, they had to move to Zug by morning and therefore Rainer only had a few hours to see how much pain he could make Barker endure while enjoying the Intersect's suffering at having to witness it. "Bring him downstairs and chain him up and see what you can do to revive him. Otto will get our other guest."
Felix followed one of the guards downstairs. He had hoped that Benkhofer would not want to start immediately but that did not seem to be the case. The more Felix spent in his presence, the more he realized that the man was truly insane. Felix reached the end of the hallway and was led into a room, chains hanging from the ceiling, the walls lines with various weapons and tools, all of which had seen some usage.
Sarah's laying on the cot when she hears the door open. She knows it's time and wonders if she should leave the transmitter in the room. She does not want Chuck to hear anything but also knows that he's as much part of the team as Casey and Cole are. She hopes though that he understands what she needs to do.
She's roughly pulled up from the cot and almost loses her balance, the guard not caring one way or another as he drags her out of the room. She can see Rainer waiting at the foot of the stairs, a smile on his face that chills her to the bone. Sarah really wants to use her knives now, to stop this before it gets out of hand. She does not know what he has planned and does not want to find out. However, she also knows that they are so close to ending this once and for all, that she has to have faith in her team as much as they have to have faith that she knows what she has to do if things get bad.
Rainer does not want to acknowledge his brother's murderer. He looks into her eyes and he does not see any fear and that makes him even more incensed. He roughly grabs her arm and pushes her in front of him as he prods her towards the stairs. Sarah again almost stumbles but she does not want to give Benkhofer the satisfaction and she regains her footing while slowly palming a knife in the right hand.
When she finally enters the room, she sees Felix standing in a corner, smoking a cigarette, leaning against a large wooden cabinet and Cole suspended from chains from the ceiling. It's a bit of déjà vu for her as she recalls their encounter in LA. He's still unconscious although she can tell he's faking and she hopes that that would delay whatever scheme Benkhofer has in mind. Sarah's pushed towards a chair six feet from where Cole is suspended. Sarah needs to play a different part now as she finally let's some fear show on her face, making sure that Benkhofer sees it. She can see his smile widen at this new development.
She's finally pushed into the chair and the one good thing about it is that her sling has made them complacent and they do not tie her down. Rainer does not waste anytime and instructs the guards to wake Cole up with smelling salts and a bucket of water. He then proceeds to one of the cases and chooses the Georgian Khanjali.
It is as beautiful as it is deadly and Felix can't help the thinking the same about Sarah. He's noticed her as soon as she was brought into the room. He had hoped to try and warn her but its too late. Things are going to get worse and he hates the fact that they are all just going to be observers in Benkhofer's perverse game.
Cole opens his eye and groans for Benkhofer's benefit, he sees Sarah sitting before him and is relieved that she looks fine. She looks into his eyes and he realizes that she's planning something. He wants to signal to her that its unnecessary but does not have the time as Rainer fills his vision before punching him in the gut with the handle of the knife.
He winces again for Benkhofer's benefit. it's not that it wasn't a painful blow but Cole's had worse. He does not look at Sarah, not wanting to give Benkhofer the satisfaction. The next blow is to his kidneys and then to the fake wound on his head. Felix draws back the hilt and hits Cole at the side of his mouth, this time drawing real blood.
Felix can see the blows escalating but knows he cannot do anything. He sees Rainer draw the dagger out of his sheath and thinks that its going to get much worse but he cannot walk away. He does not expect the next words to be directed at him though.
"Herr Metzger, would you be so kind?"
All Felix sees is the hilt of the dagger being offered to him. He does not want to take it, cannot bring himself to extend his hand knowing what is actually being offered to him.
Cole spits out some blood and addresses Benkhofer, "What's the matter?...Afraid to do your own dirty work." He's expecting the next blow although the speed and viciousness does cause him the pain intended.
"I am more interested in somebody else's pain right now." Rainer looks over at Sarah, her features finally betraying some emotion especially her eyes and he knows that she is affected by this. He just wants to see her suffer more. He knows he has to draw a lot more blood for this to happen and again offers the knife to Metzger. "You did say that he gave you just as much trouble in Stuttgart and you would like some revenge for yourself."
Felix forces himself to take the knife, hoping that his hand does not tremble in the process and stands in front of Cole. He sees Rainer walk towards Sarah and is at a loss at to what to do next. Cole does not look at him but he knows that permission has been granted, however, he cannot bring himself to stab a friend even though the mission depends on it. Cole can feel his hesitation and finally looks at him, not in recrimination but in understanding that it has to be done. They do not notice that Sarah has removed her sling.
Sarah knows it's the right time as she sees Felix hesitate to take the dagger. Benkhofer is so intent on the offer that he does not notice as Sarah slowly removes her sling from around her neck. She still cradles her left arm, while her right hand holds the knife tighter knowing that she'll just have one chance of surprise. She sees it as Benkhofer finally walks towards her. She can see his eyes widen in surprise as she jumps from her chair and grabs him around his shoulders with her left arm, her right hand aiming the knife at his jugular.
All at once, all eyes are on her. The two guards look on warily, their guns drawn. She can see Felix almost looking relieved although the expression has passed by so quickly that it could be her imagination. Benkhofer struggles but Sarah's prepared for this and pushes the sharp knife into his neck, causing a deep cut. She can feel his blood drip onto her fingers.
"Let him go." She's directed the comment at Felix hoping that he will obey. She reinforces the words by causing another nick in Benkhofer's throat and he speaks for the first time since Sarah's made her move.
"I'm going to kill you." The venom clear in his voice.
"Maybe, but you haven't as yet and considering you've read my file, you know I can use this very skillfully", again emphasizing her point by nicking him with the knife.
Benkhofer is livid and for a small moment contemplates giving the kill order. He knows Otto is a skilled marksman. But he has waited so long for his full plan to come to fruition that he cannot let it go now. He's waited for over twenty years to finally get to his own goal that he cannot let this woman ruin it currently. "Let him go" he tells Metzger through clenched teeth.
Cole looks at Sarah once he's free and does not move. He cannot bring himself to leave her in the hands of Benkhofer. He promised Chuck that this would work, he will not break that promise.
"Go" she tells him but its like he's rooted to the spot. "Dammit Cole, just go." He sees her wink at him and knows that this was her plan all along. He does not want to play along but respects her enough to know that she has made a decision for them.
He notes that Benkhofer hasn't given the order to shoot Sarah and probably won't and he makes a decision, he walks towards the door knowing that he'll go but he won't leave her. He's memorized the layout of the Chateau and knows where he can hide.
Sarah breathes a sigh of relief as she sees Cole run out of the door. Although she's also cognizant of what's going to transpire next. She hold's Benkhofer closer the knife still pressed to his neck and prays that it gives Cole enough lead time.
Rainer finally makes the next move as he elbows her in the ribs while jerking his head backwards sending her off- balance. His next instructions are said so harshly that Sarah does not register them although the guards do as they descend onto her prone form, legs lashing out. She tries not to cry out in pain, knowing Chuck's probably listening to the transmitter but cannot help it as a boot connects to her back and she let's out a muffled groan and thankfully passes out.
Twenty miles outside Chateau Haute Rhienstein, Schwarzwald (1.02am, 31st October 2009)
Chuck's nervously pacing back and forth, jumping every time he hears a sound, thinking it's coming from the transmitter. When he finally hears voices, he goes pale, knowing that it's started. As usual, Casey's features do not betray any emotion and its just Chuck who winces every time he hears Cole being hit. He stands next to the radio, his hands curled into fists in his pockets wishing he did not feel so ineffectual.
Sarah hasn't said a sound but he can faintly hear her even breaths, knowing that she's trying to hide all her emotions and using the breathing technique Casey had thought him. He thinks he should probably use it as well until Sarah makes her move.
Chuck has to admit that in hindsight, he should have known that she'd do this. Should have realized that she would do all she could to help as well. He knows this will not end well and when he hears her cry out in pain, he flashes.
'Empire State Building, German newspaper from 1944, Granny Smith apple, underground plans, the RMS Lusitania, Empire State Building'. The initial Flash then gives way to a sensation that is getting quite familiar. Chuck begins to see three dimensional pictures in his head and at the end of it, knows that he has gain a physical trait he did not have before.
Casey can see that Chuck has flashed but he does not expect him to recover so fast from it such that he's run out of the door even before Casey can call out. Chuck realizes what he needs to do as he runs for the car. He's in and gunning the engine before he hears Casey yelling over the sound. He does not care though as he fishtails it onto the road and drives towards the Chateau.
"Bartowski" Casey yells as he runs after the car, the tail lights blinking in the distance. Chuck is driving too fast and Casey has no choice but to stop and look as the car disappears around the corner.
"Damn It, Bartowski!"
The End
Next Up, Chuck vs The Art of War Maneuvering
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