Chapter 12

Release:

Chuck had wasted the last 2 minutes pacing back and forth in front the computer. He had seen the Doctor's user name and password. The problem was that he didn't know if the Doctor let him see it or it was an honest mistake. This was looking more and more like one big elaborate experiment. If he did something wrong, it might get Sarah...and Casey, killed.

Unfortunately, he didn't really have many options at this time. He looked back at the computer and watched as the curser slowly blinked at him. All he could do was try. He just hoped it was enough to save Casey and Sarah.

As he reached to press the keys, he feels a familiar sensation of tingling course through his body. His hands freeze as his mind remembers the last time he had the feeling.

It was in here! When he first awoke after being captured he had felt tingly all over and was able to recall memories of Sarah with exacting detail and control. His eyes unconsciously flick to the glass and the figures seated on the other side. He knows he can still pull those memories, but it doesn't seem like he needs to. It's different this time. He doesn't know how, but it just feels different.

He can't quite figure it out and he has no time to waste. He decides he has to continue with his current task, hoping that he figures it out later.

Chuck types in the Doctors login information and password. It provides him access to a screen filled with simplistic graphical boxes. Each box designating a section or area of importance in relation to the facility he is currently in.

After watching the Doctor use the computer he knows that the screen is touch sensitive. He gently taps the security box. It asks for another password and user ID. He retypes the Doctors information but is denied access. After retyping it twice and failing both times, he figures it must have a different password setting. The tingling sensation surges through him again. This time he was positive it was not about Sarah, but something to do with the computer. On a hunch, he thinks about security access and passwords.

His memory jumps to and pauses on a computer class in Stanford. The professor was discussing various operating systems and the different methods of security.

Chuck is confused. Not by the new ability resurfacing the way it did, but on why this particular memory was chosen. The class was good, but much too basic for this ...Chuck's thoughts are interrupted by a sudden blurring of his vision.

Suddenly his memory was in motion, stopping at a point in time he doesn't remember but can clearly see in his thoughts. He is dumbfounded as he recalls memories that are not his. The memories show several advanced security methods for different operating systems. Everything from the creation, the testing and the dissection of said security. Each method shown is stronger than the last, but ultimately cracked.

Another memory appears. This time he is watching hacking and cracking methods being created from the ground up on several different devices. Everything from computers and cellular phones, to iPods and smaller devices.

When Chuck finally refocuses his eyes back on the computer he is filled with a new confidence. He is also somewhat shaken by the experience, more so when he realizes that less than a minute has passed. At least according to the clock on the computer.

He takes a moment to steady himself, slowly drawing in a few deep breaths, his eyes flicking to where Sarah sits on the other side, while he tries to calm himself. When he refocuses on the screen, he sees a box that he hadn't noticed before. One of the icons is simply labelled Magnetic Controls. His mouth drops open slightly as he re-evaluates what he knows.

He might be over thinking their escape.

It appears likely the Doctor let him see the login information. The Doctor wouldn't give him access to the Security section, but Chuck is willing to bet he has access to the Magnetic Controls.

He's no agent but his eyes squint slightly as he has a gut feeling it might be better to play the Doctors game and hold off on using any of his new security override stuff until really needs it. Maybe after they are safely out of here.

Chuck touched the Magnetic Controls Icon. The current graphics fade out and a new graphical map of the holding cells appears in its place.

Here goes, he thought, as he selected the room holding Sarah and Casey and touched the restrain release button.

--

Casey and Sarah both heard the clicks. The restraints had opened.

Looking at each other they stood up. Casey was the first to respond, "What the hell?"

Sarah jumped at the cart and grabbed some weapons while holding one eye towards the door to watch for personnel coming to stop them.

Casey grabbed a couple of the larger slashing weapons. He grinned widely, his eyes slightly wild in their intensity. "Looks like it's not our time to die. You might actually get to apologize after all, Walker."

Sarah had already run to the keypad at the door. She paused in her examination of the keypad to turn towards Casey, obviously confused at his request for an apology. "What?"

Casey, with his grin still plastered on his face, "Oh, not for me, but for your little wonder bread boy and the finger licking good icing."

If expressions could kill, Casey would be dead several times over from piercing glare exuded from Sarah's eyes. In deadly calm voice she pronounced each word with icy venom, "We need a code. Did you see them use one when they left?"

Casey chuckled at her stare and responded to the question, "No. They blocked the view."

--

Chuck watched and heard the banter between them. His ego puffed up a little when he heard Casey tell her she could apologize to for the restaurant. He was just as quick to squish the ego back into place. He had already thought the whole thing through and knew it was more his fault than hers. She screwed up on something he knew she was not good at. He had made it much worse by being a jerk and over reacting. There was nothing for her to apologize for.

Smiling he activated the magnetic lock release for the Lazy Susan disc.

--

The agents heads snapped around to stare at the disc under the chair Casey had been sitting in seconds ago. They had heard metallic snaps as the locks holding the disc released, then watched as it rose a few inches from the floor and pivoted to the left like a manhole cover on a pin hinge.

The agents peered down the hole. It wasn't hard to see their expressions of surprise as they noticed the small ladder leading down to a 4' high tunnel.

Chuck closed his eyes and took a deep breath. This next part had to go just right. If Sarah knew he was here, she would try to save him and likely get captured and tortured and killed along with Casey. He needed them to bring help. He had a better chance of getting out.

There was no way to get out of this room. He had tried the code on the door and it didn't work and the emergency manual didn't cover escape from his room. He couldn't even go through the window mirror. From his side, he could see that the window was at least an inch thick. He doubted it was even 'normal' glass. He could hack the computer, but he had already decided against that.

No, he needed them to escape.

He would have to use the microphone. He knew it was distorted enough to cover the voice from being recognized. He had heard it echo back through the speakers, at one point, before the Doctor had turned the speaker volume down.

Taking a deep breath, he began, "You need to leave by way of the underground tunnels. You have to hurry. I don't know how much longer before they get back."

Casey responded, "Who is this and why should we believe you."

Chuck wasn't sure how to respond to that exactly, when another tingling sensation ran through him. This time it was a memory of agents performing dead drops. A simple and highly compartmentalized method of passing information using predetermined locations. Behind a loose building brick in some deserted alley or in a garbage can at specific location. Generally the agent had only one contact, his controller.

Thinking on his feet, and drawing on his recent memories with a liberal use of content from movies and games, Chuck began speaking quickly. "The name is Barton. Charles Barton. MI6 at your disposal."

Casey grunts. "And how exactly did you end up here?"

Chuck's brain is running in overdrive as he watches them through the window. Casey has a slight sneer on his face and Sarah's head is tilted slightly, as if she is thinking something through. He had to make this fast before they catch on.

Chuck applies his new knowledge and a good helping of British slang to the reply, "I'm still not quite sure why they captured me. I was performing a simple "dead drop" when I was hit from behind. I'm technically not even in active service. I had an accident with some email a few months ago and it got me in a right bit lot of hot water. I say, it's not like I have any access to important British intel. Neither of my controllers shows an ounce of respect for me either. I guess I'm more of a Nancy boy than they are used to. Probably why they restricted my use of the Walther PPK. Bloody hell, if it doesn't get me thinking that I'm just a duffer."

Chuck knew he had been rambling a bit in his overly lengthy explanation, but he figured it might fit better anyway. He was talking on the fly and he is supposed to be a Nancy boy. He grinned to himself in spite of the situation.

Sarah seemed to shrug off her thinking cap and asked, "Ok, so if you're who you say you are, how do we get out of here?"

Breathing a small sigh of relief he begins to describe their escape route. "The drainage tunnel below the chair is about 4' high and will lead directly outside. If you follow the tunnel for about 50' it will open up into a larger portion for the last little ways. When you come back with help, try using the code 690627 for the doors. It should open most of them on this level, although be careful when using the code. What gets you into a room, might not get you out."

Casey began moving towards the ladder when Sarah spoke, "Is there anyone else being held in this facility?"

Chuck knew what she was really asking, but he couldn't say it was him or she would not leave. He tried to slip into a more commanding Bond voice, "Negative. To my knowledge the facility is clean. You were the only acquisitions other than myself. Now do hurry. They seem more interested in experimentation with me than with torture. That may change quickly."

When they were out of sight, he reset the locks, put away the handbook and tried to return everything he moved back to its original position. He did find some information on a few emergency override door codes but he didn't want to try them, lest he needs them for when Sarah and Casey come back.

Ok, he hoped they would come back. At least they seemed to buy his cheesy British talk. Unfortunately, he had a suspicion it was more likely a result of the distortion device than any usage of his British slang.

He had tried to leave them clues as to who was actually speaking, but if they caught them, they didn't give any indication. This was a good thing anyway, as he needed them to leave then come back with help. He could do nothing but wait.

After what seemed like forever he looked at the clock on the computer. About 20 minutes had passed since they had entered the tunnel. The Doctor should be back shortly. Sarah and Casey should be well outside the facility by now. Hopefully they have found a way to call in a strike team. He felt better knowing they were safely on their way. He could breathe easy now that they were out of danger.

As he looked around the room eyes flicked across the torture equipment in the next room. That stuff gave him the willies. It looked like it would really hurt.

Speaking of hurt. The excitement must be catching back up to him as the pain he forgotten about was coming back full force. Everything really hurt and he hadn't even been tortured. At least not yet.

--

Mary and The Doctor watched the monitors in the lab.

Mary was the first to break the silence, "His resistance to the drug is amazing. The data being recorded is off the scales in some areas. His discomfort is evident now that his co-workers are out of their dangerous situation."

The Doctor verbalizes what they both see, "Apparently his concern for himself is not enough to suppress the drug completely. Interesting. We will wait until his friends have a reasonable distance from the facility."

Mary: "Fine. I am curious. How did you know the analyst would attempt to sacrifice himself to save the others?"

The Doctor: He may be green, but he seems to have all the characteristics of a good agent. Just not trained. He also seems to have the characteristics of a good person. Self sacrifice seems to be a part of his nature. Hero material, if you will." He chuckles.

"Sometimes even the desk jockeys have it. Just never in a position to use it. A shame really."

--