Let us do something, while we have the chance, partner.

Still don't own Chuck.

"That is all her."
-Chuck episode 3.17

Chapter 12—Take Down

Wadsworth
November 7, 1870

Chuck helped the ladies out of the carriage. They waited as he gave the reins to the hotel's stable boy. Chuck walked up to them, "Well, this has been a great day. To get all of you back," smiling at Sarah he added, "And especially you."

Sarah took Chuck's arm and squeezed it, "Yes, I am so happy to be together." She was glowing. Happy that her rider was here, she held on hard to his arm not wanting him to leave again.

Lisa took Chuck's other arm. She looked at Carina, "What are we going to do tomorrow?"

Chuck answered, "I would like you to talk with the ladies of Wadsworth and see if any of them knows anything about what is happening at Fallon. And please ask them if there are any women and children at Fallon. Even with the normal looking houses down there, Casey and I only saw three women. You'll need to be discreet with your inquiry. We don't want to arouse any suspicion about us and Fallon. And we don't know if there are any Fulcrum agents here."

Carina asked, "What are you going to do tomorrow?"

"Mostly making sure the troops don't look like troops." He saw the puzzled look of Lisa, "Well, you remember us trying to get the Pinkerton agents to blend-in at Denver. This will be like that. Some of them will be in tents and such. Casey and I will try to make sure they understand not to have them aligned and centered."

Lisa giggled at the reply.

Carina then asked, "So, are you going to wear a uniform?"

"Well, not tomorrow. But yes, when we go down to Fallon, I'll have to. There was no way around that. The Tenth's commander is stuck down in Indian Territory. The Boss did not want to move him. And since we may need troops from Fort McDermitt, the Boss brevetted me to Lieutenant Colonel." He heard the gasp from Carina, "Yes, I know. When I reminded the Boss that Casey was a Major in the War, he sent the orders to make both of us Lieutenant Colonels. I'll be in command of the companies from the 10th. Casey will serve as the Executive Officer and command those from McDermitt."

Chuck opened the door to the hotel and they went up to their rooms. Casey met them in the hall, "Everything okay?"

Carina answer, "We're fine. The ice cream was good." The others nodded in agreement.

Chuck said, "Let's meet for breakfast at seven o'clock." He got agreement and they headed to their rooms. Waving good tonight to Carina and Lisa, Sarah still had Chuck's arm. He walked her over to her room and to other ladies entered the hall way. Chuck's face fell a little. He took Sarah's hand and kissed it, "Till the morning."

Sarah smiled as best she could, "Yes, goodnight." She wanted more, but Carina was right. And those ladies were likely travelers who would be more than happy to spread gossip for lack of anything else to do on a long boring trip.

Wadsworth
November 8, 1870

The next morning Chuck got up and readied for the day. He could hear the others getting dressed. He put on his holster, checked his revolver once again and holstered it. He did the same with the rifle and left his room. Knocking on Sarah's door he asked, "Are you ready?"

Sarah opened the door. She was splendid in her riding outfit. Chuck knew she had one or more guns hidden in the skirt and jacket. But they were well hidden. She closed the door and took his arm, "Good morning." She went to her tip-toes to give him a kiss on the cheek. "You know I was remiss last night." She saw the puzzled look and smiled. "I did not tell you that I love you. I know the messages said it, but like you I want you to know it from me," she said as she squeezed his arm.

They heard the ladies from down the hall open their door. Chuck and Sarah smiled at each other. Chuck was beaming when he said, "Then this is the best morning yet."

Carina and Lisa came out of their rooms and said their good mornings. Chuck even tipped his hat as the other ladies got closer. When Casey came out, they went for breakfast in the hotel's dining room.

After breakfast Chuck and Casey went down to the railroad station and met the officers and sergeants. They verified their covers. Casey gave them a few instructions about the town. Chuck explained that he and Casey could not always be seen meeting the others at the train station. It would definitely give their position away. He told them to meet the subsequent trains and relay the information. The men then went on their way.

After the meeting Chuck continued his part as a railroad engineer and reviewed the design of the huge roundhouse at the Wadsworth yard. The design was a bit different than Cheyenne's. The roundhouse here looked to be more of a fan with a wheeled turn table in the center and pikes going out from there to each of the waiting tracks. Chuck spent the rest of the day there.

Sarah, Lisa and Carina went out to the town. Lisa got off her horse when she saw some children of various ages heading to school. She gave the reins to Carina, "Let me see if I can talk with them." She walked over to a group of older students.

Sarah and Carina looked at each. Sarah smiled, "It might work. We can follow from back here." They hung back and watched as Lisa began talking and walking with the older group.

One of the boys said, "Wow, is that your horse?"

"Yes, how far is school?" Lisa walked along with them.

"Oh, it's another six blocks," said one of the older girls. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, our train got put off to the side when all those lawmen started after the train robbers. I have to wait another day before we can catch the next train," Lisa replied to her. She was hoping the girl would continue.

"Yeah, I heard that they were headed to Fallon," one of the older boys said, trying to make an impression.

Lisa smiled internally, maybe this would work, "What's Fallon? That's not one of the towns we go through."

One of the younger girls chimed in, "Dad says we're not allowed to go there."

Lisa responded, "Really?"

Another boy who looked like her brother said, "There are some good fishing spots down there, better than trying to get anything out of the Truckee."

"Yeah, we used to get some big ones," the older boy shook his head. He saw Lisa's face and knew she wanted to know more. "Dad said the people down there just aren't right. They're trying to take over or something bad."

"Uncle Dan saw them trading guns with the Modocs," the boy who asked about the horse added.

The other girl pointed, "No one goes down there anymore. They even have to send their wagon up here to get supplies." A wagon crossed the street two blocks ahead.

Lisa's eyes got big. The older boy saw that and said, "Don't worry. They won't do anything around here. There are too many people, and with the robbery, too many lawmen." Lisa tried to get Sarah and Carina's attention and motioned to the wagon. The rest of the way to school the discussion turned to baseball. One of the families had come from Chicago the last summer and frequently went to see baseball games. Chicago White Stockings won the championship that year. The last game was a win over the New York Mutual just a few days before. The boys talked about it constantly.

Lisa promised that if she got delayed, she would go with them again and maybe they could find something to do after school. Lisa waited until they had gone into the school and walked back to the corner where she met Sarah and Carina.

Lisa was smiling as she got on her horse, "Apparently, no one goes down the Fallon. That was a wagon from Fallon coming for supplies." They nodded now understanding why she was pointing out the wagon. "The story was they are trying to take over or something bad. And that they were selling guns to the Modocs."

"Oh wow," Sarah said. "That was one of the tribes included in the activities briefings to the President. The Modocs went off their reservation last spring in a dispute with the other tribe that was there."

"Well, that certainly sounds like a credible story. You did a very good job." Carina turned, "Let's go shopping and see what else we can learn."

That night at dinner the ladies had Lisa explain what she heard. They said the information from shopping trip lent credence to the story. Sarah then included what she heard from the briefing.

Chuck and Casey nodded. Chuck said, "Yes, the Boss would want this taken care of right away. We don't want a fight with the Modocs and I don't agree that we should let them be in a position to wipe out the Klamath. That's the tribe giving them problems." He turned back to Lisa, "So, did you hear anything else?"

"No, that was about it. The boys started talking about baseball," Lisa thought about their squabbling over who won. "There was almost a fight over whether Chicago should have won over New York."

Casey brightened, "That must have been something to see. I read about the game on the way from San Francisco."

Chuck said, "Yeah, Colonel Doubleday put on an exhibition game for us to watch during the war." He looked at Sarah and then Lisa, "Remember, he was one of the gentlemen Hiram introduced us to in San Francisco. He was talking about some kind of cable car."

"Oh yes, he was nice," Sarah said and Lisa nodded in agreement.

"Well Lisa, I am sure the Boss will be impressed with what you found. We'll need to stop by the telegraph office. Oh and then, if you'd like, they had banana ice cream on the menu for tonight," Chuck said with a sparkle in his eye.

Wadsworth
November 9, 1870

The next day Chuck checked on the troops and then met Casey at the Sheriff's office. They listened to what the Deputy had heard, "The train robbers must have split up. They arrested one down near Truckee. Two others were captured."

"How much of the money was recovered?" Casey asked.

"Well, from these arrests, not much. The first guy had sixty dollars on him. But the big pot of gold has not been found." The Deputy picked up a paper, "Pinkerton Agents took the assassin this morning. They are taking her to a train. Here are the transfer papers. They listed her as Serena. That's the only name they got."

Chuck flashed…

Circle within Circle bisected by straight line extending above the circle, dot in top left corner of circle

Circle within Circle bisected by straight line extending above the circle, dot on bottom and outside the circles

The crescent, cross and eagle with crown

Several warrants for murder with no pictures

Chuck took his handkerchief out and blew his nose, trying to cover the flash from the Deputy. The Deputy was looking at his notes and did not see it but Casey did. Chuck said to the Deputy, "Wish I had known before she left. She is worse than I thought and has over ten arrest warrants for murder. We need additional men assigned to her. She has associates that will help to break her out of any kind of confinement. When do they leave?"

"They took in a Paddy Wagon down to the train station for the Express that leaves at 9:45," the Deputy answered.

Chuck said to the Deputy, "This will be one of the best places to try and free her. Go get the other Pinkerton agents and have them go down to the train station. Tell them to get to the Paddy Wagon for additional protection. We saw a group of miners come in town. We'll ask them to help out."

Chuck and Casey almost ran out of the office, "She is likely the top Ring assassin and a member of Fulcrum leadership. If the men from the Fulcrum supply wagon found out about her, the reverse of our little plan could be underway now. All of Fallon could be coming up here." Chuck mounted, "I think we have a few minutes before the next train load of the 10th arrives. I'll go to the station and get the flags posted to warn them. I'll take care of that company. You get the other two. Have one of the Captains take two platoons to loop around and guard the road, we don't need anyone going to Fallon and alerting them. Or if they are in time, stop Fulcrum from coming. I'll get the ladies. I'll have them stay in the station building."

Casey said, "Got it," and galloped away.

Chuck went up one street and caught Sarah and Carina watching Lisa talk with the school children again. Chuck already had his rifle out and at ready. Chuck said, "I believe Fulcrum will try to free the Ring assassin at the train station this morning. We only have a few minutes. Where is Lisa?"

Sarah and Carina started at a gallop to match Chuck after pointing to Lisa. They rode up to her with their rifles out and slowed only a step. Lisa mounted on the run and reached for her rifle. There were dropped books and stunned and amazed faces on the students as the four rode down the street.

Chuck explained on the way. Sarah and Carina could tell he was having a problem with this. Sarah asked, "Chuck is there a problem?"

"Well, other than this may turn out to be nothing," he shrugged. "Then again, my real problem is to keep you safe. You are still her main target. If she got freed, she could well turn back to come after you."

Carina was with Chuck on this. She had been the queen of protection when she was with Pinkerton. Going to the train station would keep all the activity in the same spot and all of their fire power would be concentrated. "This will work Chuck. We can keep our heads down if she escapes. And the station is a good defensive point."

They rode hard to the station. Pulling up in front of the station, Chuck called out to the Station Master. "We may have big trouble on the way. Warn the trains coming in." Sarah, Carina and Lisa got off of their horses. Carina took the reins and tied them to the hitching post at the far end while Sarah and Lisa went into the station. Chuck turned to see the additional Pinkerton Agents ridding up to the wagon.

Chuck caught a glimmer out of the corner of his eye. He turned and saw a mirror being flashed from the top of the stables. Chuck turned back to Sarah, "Top of the stables, get ready!" He rode over to the Paddy Wagon. "There was a signal being flashed at the top of the stables. Get ready!" He yelled back to the Station Master, "If you have flares, set them off when the attack starts!"

It started. A group of twenty riders swung around the bend from the south. They began to fire immediately. They had spotted the Paddy Wagon and were shooting all around it.

Chuck brought up his rifle for his first shots. He took three shots and three riders went down. Chuck saw that they noticed his return fire and were starting to aim at him. He raced his horse to the nearest railroad car. Getting off the horse, he got on the coupler and shot around the corner.

When Chuck yelled to get ready, Sarah looked at Lisa and she nodded that she would be. They opened the windows facing the street. Then they turned over the tables, pushing them against the wall for better protection. Each had their Winchesters. They were ready for action when the group came around. Their shots brought down another seven.

The flares fired into the air just as another set of Fulcrum riders rounded the bend. The remaining men of the first group had dismounted and were scattered around the stables and the nearest buildings. The gun fire was relentless. Two of the Pinkerton Agents were down. Chuck was hoping Casey would get here soon.

The whistle for the 9 o'clock train went off. It was coming into town. Chuck knew he had to get to it before it stopped at the station. He swung back on his horse and charged down the track. He passed the Fulcrum agents on their right. In a sweeping turn he came beside the first passenger car. He was able to grab the pole on its back porch and climbed onto the car. He quickly went into the car and identified himself, "I'm Lieutenant Colonel Bartowski." He held out his orders. "Pinkerton Agents and my partners are under attack from the people you were sent to arrest. The agents are at the Paddy Wagon next to the Station's platform. My partners are in the Train Station. The Fulcrum gunmen are generally across the street and mainly to the south. They are attempting to free the prisoner in the Paddy Wagon. We'll be coming up next to them and when we get into the station we'll be across from them. Open the windows on the left side of the cars and prepare to counter their attack."

The Captain that stood up when Chuck came in the car gave back the orders to Chuck, "Yes sir. I am Captain Kellogg. Where will you be?"

Chuck thought a second and answered, "I'm going forward to the engineer and warn him. Put on your uniform jackets if you can. Begin your counter fire as soon as practical. The other companies from the 10th should be coming from the north. I do not know if they have their uniforms on."

The Captain said, "Yes sir," again and began to give orders to his troops.

Chuck went out the door of the passenger car and climbed the ladder leading to the top of the coal tender. He ran across the top of the car and got to the engineer and the fireman, "We have a gun fight ahead. Your passengers have been warned. They are U.S. Cavalry and are preparing to assist in the fight. Pull into the station so that the tender is even with the station and then get down."

A/N Okay Partners, little history.

Information on the activities of the 10th Cavalry. See Google.

Got a better look at the design of the roundhouses from CPRR. See Google.

Truckee is the river on the east side of Wadsworth. See Google.

The Modoc tribe was off their reservation in 1870 and two years later a War began when Army troops tried to force them back to the reservation. See Google.

Okay, that must have been fun. Chicago beat New York on 1 November, 1870 but only because New York walked off the field before the end of the ninth. See Google.

A little imagining, but Doubleday is reported to have put on baseball exhibition games during the Civil War. He is also reported to be in San Francisco, as a Colonel, during 1869 to 1870 and worked on the first cable cars in San Francisco.

Seen several History Channel shows where the rifle was used for anything over 25 yards.

Partner, Please leave a review.