Don't own Chuck
There was a loud explosion and fire ball that erupted from Manoosh's factory. Flames engulfed the building making it impossible to get near. The people of Costa Gravas cheered as the evil foreigner was defeated and their beloved Premier was toted around as everyone sang their national anthem. Casey used the chaos as an opportunity to duck out and head to that hidden airfield Chuck had called him about.
"John," radioed Chuck, "that building Manoosh used as his factory was the old water works building and it's connected to a number of disused aqueducts that run under the city. Manoosh could've used any of them to make his escape.
"Roger that I'm headed to that airfield now and I brought with me a little surprise. The Premier had a SA-18 lying around so I grabbed it."
"Good I'm trying to get through the firewalls at the airport but it's not easy," said Chuck as he was typing away on his tablet trying to get at the security cameras.
"Don't worry about it I'm almost there," said Casey as sat his cigar in the ashtray then swung round throwing open his door and dropping two mercs guarding the landing strip.
"I said not easy I didn't say impossible and what's that sound anyway?" said Chuck as the cameras came on line and he was in.
"Just scratching an itch," said Casey as he reached over and picked up his cigar then turned around driving through the gate.
"I can see you now," said Chuck. "The helicopter is off you nine o'clock and they've got rotors gyrating you need you need to hurry. I see our Mister X and he's got Manoosh along with him. Crap Manoosh has got a set of those glasses on but how?"
"I know you're not asking me," said Casey as he ran over a Merc who was trying to aim at him. "This reminds me of Death Race or as it's better known downtown Burbank."
"John," said Chuck as he watch the guy go under, "no one should have as much fun doing what you're doing you do realize that?"
"What can I say; I'm a man who enjoys his job," said Casey as he took a puff off his cigar. "Crap now I'm really pissed."
"What happened John? Are you alright? I didn't see anything on the cameras? Have you got any bogies I can't see?"
"No, stupid cigar went out. Okay I see them and they're taking off time to come on baby light my fire," said Casey as he pulled over reaching in the back for the Russian made 'needle' SA-18 their equivalent to our stinger. Casey popped the safeties and took aim.
"Never let the bad guy get away," radioed Chuck as he took a deep breath and squeezed Sarah's hand. In a few minutes their troubles would fit in an ashtray.
"Roger that Chuck," said Casey as he started to take aim setting the IR tracker and had his finger on the trigger when communications with Chuck dropped out and General Beckman came on the line.
"Belay that," said the General. "Your to let Manoosh go we've got an escort coming in from the carrier that will pick him up over water and take him back to base for interrogation and detainment."
"I'm not one to question orders General but-" said Casey as the General cut him off in mid-sentence. Her mind was already made up.
"Then don't start now. You have your orders stand down. Beckman out."
Casey was livid with rage as Chuck came back on the line yelling in his ear asking what the hell was going on and he had not answers. He had to shot something and anything.
"Crap Chuck," said Casey that was all he could think to say. It didn't even mean anything so he aimed at the control tower and took it out. It was unmanned but at least he got to shot something.
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Chuck and Sarah were trying to find out what was going on with Casey but all they were getting was static. Their voices got a little too loud and frantic so they accidently woke Devon and Ellie up. Chuck was typing in commands to override the signal that was jamming theirs when Awesome and Ellie walked in still in their pajamas half asleep.
"Hey bro can you keep it down a bit some people have to go to work in a little while. You guys stayed up all night playing video game? Come on Dude and with a hurt shoulder, really bro don't you think it's about time to grow up?"
"Wow that does look realistic and look there's John," said Ellie. "I can see him but I can't hear him why's that?" Chuck just waved her off he was busy and mad.
"That's because we're all hooked in with these earpieces Ellie. Sorry if we woke you guys but there's some fresh coffee if you want some."
"Thanks but why are all those people sleeping near Casey? Oh never mind let me switch on the TV maybe we can catch some news something a little more intelligent. Chuck you know we still need to go in to work this morning?" Chuck just nodded as he got Casey back on the line.
"News brief Action One News," said a reporter on television. "This channel has just gotten a report on one of the shortest lived coups in Central American history. The small country of Costa Gravas was overrun by foreign mercenaries earlier this week but with the help of US aid and local opposition the merc forces were expelled earlier this morning our time. These are some videos that are coming in now. I must warn you parental discretion is advised."
"Hey isn't that John Casey there with the Premier?" said Devon as he almost gaged on his coffee. "But if he's there how can he be playing that… Oh my God Chuck."
"Casey answer me! What the hell just happened and why did you let Manoosh get away?" yelled Chuck. "It was Beckman wasn't it! It was her on that signal that cut in ordering you to stand down. Christ Casey you're my friend and you know what he's done to me. Crap what he will do."
"Sweetie it's alright. We'll get him another day don't worry about it. It will be alright just calm down and listen."
"Listen to what? Manoosh played us and he played me. You know how he played us he knew exactly how I'd react and he did what I would've done." Before Sarah could ask for an explanation Chuck's phone rang 'anonymous' was written across the screen. Chuck took out his earpiece letting it ring and opened the mic on the tablet so Casey could hear too then he answered putting the phone on speaker.
"Hello Manoosh I've been expecting your call," said Chuck as everyone stopped what they were doing. Ellie dropped her coffee cup and it shattered on the kitchen floor.
"It's been a while since we chatted so I thought I'd pick up the phone and give you a ring. How's your partner Sarah she still as hot as ever?"
"You should know you had her killed yesterday. Using my own brother-in-law don't you think that was low even for someone as slimy as you? But that was a part of your plan wasn't it all along you wanted to cut me off from everyone."
"I wanted you to feel what it was like for me to be alone. Yes, I wanted to take you friends away from you. Those glasses I had delivered to Burbank were supposed to be delivered to your friend at the Buy More Morgan and that other partner of yours, Casey. I wanted to take them from you like you took all my friends then I wanted take you family."
"Manoosh you never had any friends or family to miss. You were alone before we even met so I couldn't take what you never had."
"There you go with the lies again I suppose you're going to tell me you didn't steal my invention and sell it to the government."
"Manoosh my father invented the intersect I've more rights to it than you do. You reverse engineered some parts the Ring gave you and what you made doesn't ever work properly. That's what's wrong with you now. You've been wearing those glasses for too long."
"Liar! These glasses help me focus on how to deal with my problems like you. Your father had an idea that I perfected. It's like giving the caveman credit for the automobile just because they invented the wheel."
"That was a nice trick getting the CIA to rescind your kill order. You waved papers in front of a camera and said you knew who the leaders of Hydra were and presto you've got what? You don't think the people in Hydra might not like you knowing who they are?"
"I've got carte blanche Chucky. The CIA wants the names and Hydra wants the glasses no one will touch me, not even you. The best part is Chuck now I can kill you and no one will care. But there still is one person left in your life I have to remove first."
"And who might that be," said Chuck as he put his hand over Sarah's mouth. "No he thinks you're dead," he whispered in her ear. "Please let's keep it that way."
"You still have a sister and a niece."
"That's two people or are your glasses fogging up as well as your brain. If you want me I'm yours," said Chuck as Sarah started shaking her head no and she couldn't let him sacrifice himself again.
"Listen creep you low life worm piece of trash you come near my husband or our family and that carte blanche will turn quickly into carte rouge."
"Sarah, I should've know Devon was no match for you. Thank you for the update on your personal details too I'll take note for future reference."
"Sarah you were safe, why?" said Chuck as he pulled her into him. "You know we're going to have to run now."
"I go where you go I don't want safe I want you," said Sarah as she caressed his face. She saw the worried lines across it and the look but what was done, was done.
"Touching, very touching if you go for that mushy type of thing but getting back to the real world or as I like to call it Le monde c'est moi. I'd love to stay and chat some more but I've got to a plane to catch. Oh by the way that's a lovely town house your sister has in Chicago. I especially like her neighbor's flower beds she ought to try something maybe daises?" With that the line dropped and the phone went dead.
"Chuck what did he mean by that," asked Ellie. "Chuck what did he mean?" Ellie started to shake and cry.
"Devon, take care of my sister Casey did you heard all that? Sarah…" said Chuck but she was already on it looking out the window in the drive. "What was Beckman's plan on how to deal with Manoosh? I assume there was a plan."
"I heard it all you guys need to watch your sixes. She's supposed to have a F-14 intercept his chopper along the coast then force it out to the carrier where they will take him into custody."
"Get word to the carrier to check…," Chuck started to say when the line dropped and a communication blackout fell over the whole neighborhood. "Casey, Casey crap he's gone."
"My phone's dead too," said Sarah. "Listen we need to get everyone up and out of here as quickly as possible."
"Sarah's right we need to get to the hospital that's where the CIA team is and we'll be safe there," said Chuck trying to reassure Ellie and Devon.
"They might be but we won't," whispered Sarah to Chuck. "Crap I've got two black escalades coming down the street. There's no time to change the kids just take them as they are. Tell them there's a sale on ice cream at the hospital, all you can eat just for today but there's going to be a lot of people so you have to go as you are or miss out."
"Sounds like you rehearsed that," said Chuck as he came over to the window with her and looked out. "How many times did Jack tell you that before you caught on?"
Chuck and Sarah drew weapons and checked rounds. Then Chuck went over to look at Ellie's cleaning supplies and started mixing.
"We might have to scuttle the house," said Chuck over at Sarah standing near the window looking outside.
"I was thinking the same thing," said Sarah. "Looks like they're gearing up outside, we don't have much time."
"Hold up! Do what to the house? Guys this is suburban Chicago not Beirut or Baghdad," said Devon. "You can't shoot up the neighborhood. What about Gladys and her flowerbeds?"
"Devon look at me," said Chuck as he shook Devon. "I need you to be awesome. Can you be awesome for me and for our families? Listen Devon and listen close there are men outside who are going to come through that door and they're not coming to sell Avon or invite you to a Tupperware party. I need Captain Awesome to take our daughters and Ellie out the back. Go over to Gladys' borrow her car or steal it I don't care. Tell her she's got a tumor and you're willing to give her a free check-up but you've got to go now."
"That's so not cool; I can't do that that'd be that cold to lie about a person's health that's so unprofessional."
"Would you prefer so dead which is what's going to happen if you don't get a move on it," said Sarah as she started to push Devon and Ellie down the hall.
"You're going to have to go with them," said Chuck. "I'll distract them here and hold them off as long as I can to give you guys time to get away."
"No, I'll make sure they get next door then I'm coming back," said Sarah as her nightmare started to take form in reality.
"Stage them near the back door then I'll need a little cover fire as I get their attention outside," said Chuck. He took everything that he could find that was made out of Styrofoam and put it in a bucket with flammable cleaning agents. The polystyrene in liquid form is one of the elements used to make napalm. Chuck filled bottles with the goop then sealed them off with a rag he doused in alcohol then set them on fire.
"Now," yelled Chuck as he opened the door and threw one inside the one Escalade. It broke and fire started bellowing black smoke as the men inside rolled out on the ground. Instead of taking everyone next door Sarah charged forward to cover Chuck while Devon got everyone to safety. Sarah dropped five men as they came out coughing.
Chuck hit the side of the other vehicle the bottle broke and the burning goo spread on the outside of the SUV making it impossible for the men to get out on that side so they rolled out the driver's side. Chuck was about to duck inside when he saw Sarah circling around.
"Crap Sarah," said Chuck as he flashed. He charged the SUV as she laid down cover and he leaped over it tapping the goo with his shoes so the soles of his feet caught fire. The men were startled as he landed in the middle of them with burning feet. Chuck flashed on Savate. They couldn't block his kicks without getting burnt and each kick he delivered he seared and fried them. Sarah and Chuck quickly dispatched all the bad guys and just in time.
"Crap get them off," said Chuck as Sarah ran up ripping off one of the guy's jacket throwing it over his feet then yanked off his shoes as the soles burnt through.
"You know they use this as a form of torture in some countries," said Sarah as Chuck's shoes smoldered.
"Why didn't you go with the rest like I told you," said Chuck as he felt the muscle in his shoulder cramp up and ache.
"When do you ever and besides Devon will be happy we didn't have to scuttle their home. But we can't come back here. I guess the question is as much as I hate to ask it do we take Sam with us?"
"I'm afraid we do as much as Manoosh found out about Ellie he'll find out about Sam. Ellie will be safe as long as we stay away from her that's what Manoosh wants to isolate me, us from everyone else. But if he finds out about Sam her life will be in danger."
"Let me go get the guys back from next door while you go back inside and find another pair of shoes. I think I can catch them before they leave."
"No help me back inside Gladys deserves a thrill. You know this gives a whole new meaning to hotdogs."
"I knew you were going to say that," said Sarah as she reached over and pulled him close to kiss. Then she helped him back inside the house as the two Escalade bellowed black smoke both engulfed in flames. In the distance sirens could be heard from a responding fire brigade.
"I wonder if Ellie has any marshmallows."
"I knew you'd ask that too."
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When comms went down with Chuck, Casey tried to raise Beckman who promised to dispatch agents but there was little he could do from where he was. But he kept racking his brain about what Chuck was trying to tell him when he said 'get word to the carrier to check' but to check what? Casey grabbed Morgan and Alex then took the first C-2 out to the carrier
"Colonel Casey," said a Commander who came out to meet the COD. "Nice to meet you the Chief of Staff asked me to come down and bring your party up to ops. Follow me please."
"Thanks," said Casey as everyone followed the Commander through hatches and up ladders down passageways as they made their way up in the island.
"The Admiral and COS are anxious to meet you in person."
"That's nice but I need to report in," said Casey. He thought for a while if he should ask but he had to know. "You wouldn't know what's going on with the interception?"
"We picked up a chopper a little while ago flying low over the coast. Two F-14s have been scrambled to force it to us. But the Admiral or COS will brief you they're inside," said the Commander as he knocked on the door then opened.
Casey lead Alex and Morgan inside he felt like saluting, force of habit but he wasn't in uniform so he offered the Admiral his hand.
"So you're the famous liberator of Costa Gravas I've been hearing so much about," said the Admiral as he took Casey's hand and shook it.
"I wouldn't say famous," said the Casey. "This is Agent McHugh and Agent Grimes. Just shut up and be quiet," Casey whispered to Morgan.
"Colonel I'm happy to see your safe and sound," said General Beckman as she came on a monitor behind the Admiral.
"Ma'am I was talking with Chuck and he was trying to give me some sort of warning before our comms went down. What's his status?"
"I'm waiting on a report from our field office I should-" have a report soon was what she wanted to say but Chuck cut in on her communications with carrier and went to a split screen.
"Admiral, do not let that helicopter land on your flight deck. I think it might be carrying a bomb," said Chuck as he came on half the screen. "I recommend you splash it now before it's too late."
"Agent Carmichael this is no time to let your personal feelings get in way of the mission. Admiral we need Manoosh alive."
"Personal feelings! I just had a wet team visit us at my sister's house with our children inside. I don't see how this can be anything but personal."
"Which is why you need to stand down and let the Colonel and the Admiral handle the mission from here on out. I understand you want to get even but this is neither the place nor the time."
"Oh you don't even have a clue as to what I want General and what I'm going to extricate but if you think you've got Manoosh you're a bigger fool than I thought you were."
"Chuck watch you words," said Casey. "There are other people listening and you're bordering on insubordination."
"Admiral, do this, order your fighters to communicate to the helicopter a course change to Gitmo then we'll see what happens."
"But they haven't got enough fuel to make it that far," said the Admiral puzzled over all this battering about wondering who was in charge. "They'll have to land in the Caribbean sea."
"Just do it, if I'm right they won't get that far. I'm trying to save the lives of your sailors and as much as the General is trying to paint me rogue I'm trying to help your people. Will you let me?"
"COS make it happen give the order," said the Admiral over Beckman's protest as she was livid with rage at Chuck.
"Diane, be careful what you say from now on," said Chuck. "People I'm bringing up feed from your F-14s on the big screen and dropping my image out."
"How's he doing this," asked the Admiral looking puzzled over at Casey.
"I don't know that's just part of his magic but if he told me to do something I'd do it. I've learned over the years that nine times out of ten he's right."
Suddenly there was a bright light and the helicopter disintegrated in midair. The F-14s shook violently as the pilots had trouble holding them on course because of the shockwave.
"What just happened," yelled the Admiral. "COS I want to know right now get me a report from the planes."
"Sir the helicopter blew up that's the report we're getting in. They ordered the bird to make the course correction then it exploded."
"Sir, Manoosh was never on that bird. My guess is he was dropped off shortly after he escaped from Costa Gravas. His plan was to have the chopper explode on your flight deck to cover his escape making it look like an accident. But when he called me at home this morning to gloat over his triumph I realized he had an ace up his sleeve. He just thought I'd be dead with the rest of my family and unable to warn you. General he also told me that he'd get away with it because you'd give him carte blanche in return for presumed secrets he knows."
"Chuck that information is classified and above the Admiral's pay grade."
"There you go the confirmation I was looking for. Well Diane if you're looking for an intersect, sorry Admiral that's over your pay grade too. Then I suggest you contact Manoosh Depak and his wonder glasses. You know you can learn a lot from kids like if somebody does want to play fair you can always take your toys and go home. Bye Diane. Goodbye John."
Chuck's side of the screen went blank then the image when back out to full screen. There was a silence in the comms center as Casey stood there looking at the General. He wanted to tell her he told her so but that wouldn't have served anything
"Diane I'm going to have to file a report," said the Admiral. "You almost cost me the lives of my men and women on the flight deck. I hope you've got a good explanation."
Continued Chuck vs The Baguette