Don't own Chuck
Devon worked through most of the night without a break but he was a skilled surgeon with years of experience. It would've been nice to have had another surgeon present to assist but he made due with the team he had. Wadì kept an eagle eye on the two of them throughout the operation and he couldn't understand Dr. Zamir's technique. Then finally it came to him he understood what was going on and he had to talk with Morgan. It had to be said and things had to be clarified to do otherwise wouldn't be professional.
"Dr. Woodcomb may I have a private word with Dr. Zamir in the corner for a moment."
"Sure," said Devon trying to read Wadì but it's hard to read someone when you only see their eyes. But they can say a lot and Devon could tell Morgan's cover was still intact. "I'm about ready to close I just need to check to make sure there is no leakage and provide for drainage but looks like everything is done here. So go ahead and thanks Dr. Zamir," said Devon as he glanced at Morgan trying to tell him to be careful.
"Don't mention it," said Morgan as he nervously walked over with Wadì. He couldn't help but think he was being put in time out.
"Ladies, I need one of you by the instruments and start feeding me suture."
"Dr. Zamir I want to apologize to you personally. I know this was a difficult situation having to work for an American but you did give Miss Tazi his name."
"I can put up with it this time so sure I'll overlook it. But I wouldn't want this to become a habit," said Morgan trying to remember what Casey had told him 'eye of the tiger'.
"Miss Tazi told me about the incident on the way to the compound and then I noticed throughout the operation you kept your back to the American. I can understand I find it difficult too but we must put up with things if we are going to better our cause. We're professionals after all."
In that moment Morgan heard Casey in his earpiece and he never felt so relieved in his whole life to be insulted.
"Moron, if you can hear me switch your mic button to on and leave it on idiot."
Wow Casey had managed to call him a moron and an idiot all in one sentence but he still felt relieved and under his mask he heaved a sigh then did as he was told.
"Professional, you are exactly right," said Morgan, "and what would our cause be exactly."
"The Tazi's plan to strike down western imperialist powers at the NATO meeting in Naples, of course."
"Yes of course."
"Morgan leave it alone," radioed Casey, "Chuck will be there soon. I'll relay the info to him. Don't be a hero or you'll get yourself killed. If you do that I'll have broken my promise to Alex then I'll kill you."
There was something in Casey's logic that escaped Morgan but he was the idiot so he just let it go and it wasn't like he was in a position to argue.
"I thought Miss Tazi had already talked to you about it when she called you," said Wadì. "She told me you were the one that came up with the idea of the transplant to get the activation codes."
"Right what was I thinking, that cause of course. You know I'm involved in so many sometimes it's hard to keep take of them all. I've got my fingers in so many plots these days. You know it's like making the perfect pot roast. You over cook or under cook the vegetables and it's gone or you pick the wrong cut of meat and the same thing. You under cook it and its tough as well as bloody; over cook it and it's dry and hard. It's the same thing."
"I don't understand. I'm sorry but you're not making any sense."
"No you wouldn't, would you and that's the reason you're watching while we're working. So if you don't mind I need to go back and save Mr. Tazi's life."
"Dr. Zamir," called Devon seeing Morgan go off on Wadì, "can you come here I need your assistance, please."
"Sure, so if you don't mind Dr Wadì but we professionals are at work," said Morgan then walked back to Devon and saw the patient lying on the table with a stitch that ran up his chest like a football. "Oh my God," said Morgan.
"I know it's not pretty but I had to make due," said Devon looking back at Wadì who looked perplexed trying to make sense out of what Morgan had said.
"Dr. Zamir do the honors and cut off the last stitch," said Devon. "Morgan, just do it so you'll look like you know what you're doing," Devon added under his breath.
"Do it Moron," radioed Casey, "Captain Awesome's helping you out and don't screw it up."
"Right, I heard the two of you," said Morgan as he took a pair of scissors and snip it was done.
"The two of us bro? Are feeling okay Doctor," asked Devon trying to keep his voice down but worried that the stress was getting to the little bearded man.
"Sorry Dr. Woodcomb, but it's like I can hear my dear old friend John Casey in my head when he complimented me on my first operation," said Morgan as he pointed to his ear.
"Oh, Oh! You need to tell me more about what your friend used to tell you. How often and when did he used to drop in?"
"Doctors," called a voice from beyond the operating room from behind a glass wall. It was Yasmin Tazi. "When will I be able to talk with my father? It's rather urgent."
"I would say in at least a couple of hours but really it could be longer."
"No I need to talk to him now," said Yasmin, "You don't understand."
"You're right I don't that would be crazy and put his life at risk. Why can't you wait," said Devon, We're only talking a few hours then we can see. No toy can be that valuable."
"I need him awake and I need him awake now," said Yasmin. "Dr. Wadì remove Dr. Woodcomb, Dr. Zamir wake my father."
"I'm sorry but I have to go with Dr. Woodcomb on this," said Morgan. He wouldn't wake Omar up even if he knew how which he didn't.
"Dr Wadì do it," said Yasmin as she sent two men inside who escorted Devon and Morgan out and back up to his room. Wadì waited until the two doctors were removed then filled a syringe from a vial.
"Miss Tazi, Yasmin what Dr. Woodcomb warned you about is real so take a second to think about this before I inject this syringe."
Yasmin took a deep breath and paused but as she was about to change her mind one of her men came. He handed her a silver hip flask with the Volkoff seal on it and she immediately recognized the emblem from her past dealings. This did not make her feel any better actually it made her feel worse.
"Where did this come from?"
"There's an old man at the front gate named Juri Sheshenko with a woman named Frost, they want to talk with the Boss." Jasmin looked back at her father with Wadì standing over him. "Wake him and take the incubation tubes out he has to be able to talk. I need those codes now more than ever." Then she turned to her man, "Bring our two guests into the sitting room I'll meet them there."
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Suddenly the gate opened up and on the other side stood the three amazon women that Chuck remembered from Fatima's fortress: Yaida, Amina and Salina, Fatima's personal body guards. All three carrying 47s each with a look that said they meant business.
"Follow us our boss will see you two now," said Yaida.
"Lead the way ladies, I don't want to sound rude but which boss are you talking about Yasmin or Omar, the daughter or the father.
"Just move," said Salina, "we're not the info point for the compound.
"Not very polite," said Mary.
"It's difficult to get good help these days and look what happened to their last employer. Ladies you really aren't very good as body guards."
"Shut up old man," said Salina as she was getting angry and old or not if he didn't shut up she was about to teach him a lesson.
"Calm down Salina," said Yaida, "can't you see he's trying to get your goat."
"I wouldn't say goat as much as sheep like the wool that got pulled over all three of your eyes and take my advice I'd make myself scarce after I talk with your boss, that is Miss Yasmin Tazi," said Chuck.
They marched Chuck and Mary cross the courtyard and into the main house then into the sitting room where they were greeted by an attractive dark skinned woman with oriental features and long black hair. Standing next to her were two men one Chuck recognized from the gate and he looked like he was still angry with him and another man that could have been the first man's twin.
"I hope you don't mind," said Yasmin, "search them."
The two men moved towards Chuck signaling for him to put his arms up. "Not so big now," said the guard that Chuck had words with before.
"We'll see," said Chuck as he took his cane like a bat and struck the man in the knee. It made a loud crack and the man went down then he used it again to crack him on the head knocking him out cold. The other man was stunned to see his brother go down so fast. Chuck made a low sweep taking the man's legs out from under him and he dropped on his back making a loud thud as he hit the floor. Chuck dropped his cane and pulled out two Markov PBs. He pointed one at Yasmin and the other at the three women. Mary followed suit extracting her Beretta with extended clip pointing it at the three girls too.
"Before anyone sneezes and things get messy, although the room could us a little sprucing up, I think you need to hear me out," said Chuck.
"You've got my attention, speak," said Yasmin.
"The first is you've got a spy in your midst and lastly I need to speak to your father. It's rather urgent and can't wait."
"I'm sorry but my father is recovering from a transplant and can't be disturbed. What is this about a spy among us? What do you mean?"
"Yaida, go get Doctor Zamir and bring him to me," said Chuck.
"Dr. Zamir!" said Yaida. "But why?"
"You heard me go. Miss Tazi might you be so kind as to tell Yaida to go and I'll explain everything," Chuck said facetiously. "Girls does your friend ride the short bus."
"Go and bring him," Yasmin said as she waved Yaida to go then winked.
"And bring back up with you like Miss Tazi just told you to do," said Chuck.
"How did you know?" asked Yasmin surprised as his cavalier attitude. She thought he was either very smart or very dumb.
"Because it would be what I'd do if I were you," said Chuck as he holstered his two weapons and signaled his mother to do the same. "I've been sent by our organization to find out why you allowed a CIA spy to operate on your father. Have you given up the cause and turned?"
"What? Never I'm, we're just as committed as ever. I know we're behind on our end but that was taken care of just before you arrived. My father gave the access codes to Dr. Wadì and he passed them onto Novokov."
Chuck flashed. He saw explosions and building collapse. He saw American flags flying outside of embassies then saw the same building destroyed, reduced to rubble.
"Oh boy," said Chuck as the visions passed, "Novokov, would that be Artur Novokov the man who blew up three American embassies in Africa?"
"Yes but the organization knows that."
"Of course we do," said Chuck, "You knew that, right Frost?"
"Yes, I did."
"See she knew it, I knew it and you knew it so the organization knew it for sure." Chuck got a high squelch in his ear piece and he saw Morgan being escorted to him. He grabbed his watch and switched off his mic.
"Here's the man you asked for Dr. Zamir," said Yaida.
"I know you're upset because you killed the real Zamir in Tangier," said Chuck to Yaida.
"What! Are you crazy," said Yaida. "I grabbed the man with the heart and newspaper like I was supposed to."
"Yes you did just that you missed the swap that took place a few minutes before and Zamir pulling out his gun to defend himself but you didn't really give him a chance to explain himself, did you?"
"I don't know what this joker is talking about," said Morgan.
"Mr. Sheshenko, this man operated on my father. He helped transplant a heart in his chest. How can he not be who he says he is?"
"This is the Cobra a master spy and a holder of many titles and degrees, one of which is in Medicine and Veterinary sciences. He specialized in gerbil heart transplants. You know how tiny and complicated an operation that is? I don't think you've got any idea but if you did you would be able to see working on a man would be a piece of cake."
"What you're saying is preposterous. You must be crazy."
"That's what I'm saying. Crazy," said Morgan.
"Men remove them," said Yasmin.
"Really, Dr. Zamir, As-salāmu `alayka," said Chuck then he pause. Morgan looked puzzled. "Did you hear me As-salāmu `alayka. You don't know how to answer, do you?"
"I just don't want to."
"The reply is Wa `alayka s-salām. When a greeting is offered, you answer it with an even better greeting, or (at least) with its like. Allah keeps account of all things."
"Hold up," said Yasmin to her men. "You never answered me last night either."
"Because he doesn't know how and I think this will close my case," said Chuck as he reached into Morgan's pocket and pulled out the bug. He held it up for Yasmin to see.
"What is it?"
It's a GLG-4000 a small, exceptionally powerful tracking device designed specifically by the CIA for use in the mountainous, cave-riddled border regions of Afghanistan. Despite its powerful transmitter, it is still small enough to be implanted inside a human body. My guess is he wanted to plant it inside your father but didn't have the chance. Probably your other Doctor, the American one prevented him from succeeding."
"You know about Dr. Woodcomb?"
"The organization knows everything. It takes approximately six feet of solid steel to dampen the signal so I wouldn't be surprised if the CIA, Delta Force, Navy Seals or even the girl scouts don't come knocking on your door soon and it won't be Avon they'll be selling. Honey, your father is going to end up like Bin Laden soon."
"You SOB," said Yasmin as she pulled a pistol on Morgan.
"Wait," said Chuck as he drew on Yasmin. "He's mine. I've been hunting Cobra for too long and have lost too many men to let him go like this. I assure you he'll go but I want to have some fun with him first."
"Me too," radioed Casey.
"Youch, pesky ear problem that keeps popping up, now what was I saying? Right, Cobra. Miss Frost see to our friend's comfort and take him out to our vehicle and secure him, please."
"You three go with her," said Yasmin.
"Yaida, can you stay, I wouldn't want you to kill the wrong person, again." Yaida growled.
"Yes you stay and you two go with her." Chuck was trying to even up the odds for Mary as she took Morgan out to the Mercedes. They had walked out of the compound and were at the doors of the vehicle.
"Salina is it, can you be a love and cover the Cobra while I get handcuffs out of the glove box. Amina stay alert, he might not look it but he's as deadly as his name implies. Just remember my boss wants him alive and you saw what he did back there to your two guys I seen him do much, much worse."
"Actually I think he's kind of hot," said Salina. "I mean he sure seems to know how to handle himself in every situation."
"You can say that again sister," said Sarah as she came up behind her and cold cock Salina with her Smith and Wesson. "But he's all mine and I don't like to share."
Mary pulled a dart pistol out of the glove box and tranq'd Amina. At the same time they felt some pebbles fall from the tower above and they heard two quick thuds like something hitting the side of the fortress wall.
"Just took out the sentries in the tower," radioed Casey.
"Morgan, stay here and keep the Mercedes running. We'll be back with Chuck and Devon," said Sarah.
"Crap I'm staying in the car, aren't I?"
"Yes you are," said Alex as she kissed him.
"Grimes I saw that," radioed Casey.
"Then watch this," said Morgan as he kissed her back. "Come back safe I'll be waiting. I think we need to talk about dates, don't you."
"Are you sure, Morgan," said Alex.
"No he's not," radioed Casey, "head in the mission."
"I'll be here when you get back," said Morgan.
"Grimes remember I'm a trained sniper and right now you're about to get some friendly fire."
Mary walked back across the courtyard and into the house. As she did she signaled Alex and Sarah the coast was clear so they entered too. One took the right side while the other took the left and as they advanced in the courtyard they planted charges that used mechanical timers.
"Sweetie," radioed Sarah, "the charges are set you've got fifteen minutes to secure Devon before they go off and all hell breaks loose."
Mary walked back into the sitting room where Chuck and Yasmin were still talking and Yaida was standing silently next to them.
"Yaida, right I left your girlfriends guarding our prisoner. I don't remember which one it was but one asked if you could come out and relieve her, she has to go to the little ladies room said it was urgent."
"That would be Salina she's got a small bladder. I told her she drinks too much." Yaida left leaving Yasmin with the two men Chuck had taken out before and two more guards.
Yaida walked out of the sitting room and then out into the courtyard. She was at the gate when she felt something wet dropping on her. At first she thought it was rain but it hardly ever rained where they were. The rain fell on the other side of the mountains not where the fortress was. Its construction had been a mistake and for this reason it had been abandoned decades ago.
"What the heck," she said the liquid felt thick and warm on her skin then she touched it and looked at her hands they were covered with blood. The blood of the two sentries Casey had taken out. It was then she saw Morgan sitting behind the wheel of the running SUV and she immediately raised her 47 but she felt something hit her hard that knock her off her feet. She was dead before she hit the ground.
"Dang, Casey that was awesome, not that you're Captain Awesome just that was awesome shooting."
"Shut up Morgan, get out and hide the body before someone sees her."
Morgan got out and dragged Yaida's body out of sight then picked up her AK 47 and put it in the SUV next to him
"Christ, the Troll is armed," mumbled Casey to himself as he watched over Morgan from his hilltop perch. Alex had asked him to watch over Morgan and that was what he was going to do. It was the least he could do for his daughter and future son in law, although he swore to himself he'd never call Morgan son.