Don't own Chuck
Morgan was given the word to bring the man in hooded so he and Alex escorted him into the barn. Morgan hesitated when they walked in his first thoughts were Jeff and Lester's idea of getting real bodies from the morgue for their haunted house which he canned but this was over the top. Morgan pushed the hooded man to the end of the barn where Chuck was sitting behind a makeshift table.
"Sit down I've got a few questions to ask you," said Chuck as he motioned for the man to have a seat but he refused so Alex forced him to sit down.
"I ain't got nothing to say so you can rack off," said the man. "Henry H. Jones ain't no fink you can ask anyone."
"You mean like the ones behind you," said Chuck. Henry turned and saw the macabre sight. There were eight maybe ten men hung by their neck from the rafters swinging in the wind. "They didn't have anything to say either but I'm hoping you've got better sense."
"What the... that's Lee our boss up there," said Henry as he put his hand over his mouth. "What kind of people are you that'd do something like this."
"I could ask you what kind of people comes to a man's house and tries to kill him and his family. What kind of man stabs another person in the back? What kind of person beats another man to death in the street? You've got no moral high ground here and depending on the outcome of our conversation it will determine if you walk out of here alive or swing with your friends."
"I need a drink... something strong," said Henry. Chuck obliged him by pulling out his flask and pouring him a drink. He gulped it down then Chuck refilled it.
"Henry, I know about the plane that's coming in and the surprise so really you're not being a 'fink'. You're just confirming what I already know so you've got nothing to worry about. The conversation in here is just between me and you. Guys can you leave us here alone," said Chuck. Morgan didn't need to be told twice he grabbed Alex by the arm and they left.
"You sure you want to be left alone with this guy," said Casey. "I don't know if you can trust a word he has to say."
"Come on John we can go roll in the hay while Chuck has his little chat with Henry," said Gertrude as she grabbed him bottom. "Or we could go rolling in the mud together. It's nice to get dirty."
"Gertrude will you please control yourself I can't Kat and Alex are here. What would they think," said John. At first it seemed Verbanski was angry then she smiled and seemed happy almost.
"So what you're saying is if they weren't here things would be different," she said as she took his hand and started to lead him out.
"Wait there's one thing we're forgetting," said John as he put a noose over Henry's head then tightened it around his neck. "There you go Henry a nice neck-tie. You see those bales of hay up there well this is tied off to them. If they drop you go up. I think you get the picture about what happens afterwards but think on the bright side you'll be six inches taller. Well goodbye. It was... well not nice but it just was knowing you. Personally I hope you don't talk."
"John please," said Chuck as Gertrude grabbed John then took him outside. Chuck waited until everyone was gone.
"Okay now it's just you, me and your friends. I don't think they'll do any talking so tell me what you know about tomorrow."
"So you do know," said Henry as the noose around his neck suddenly felt tighter. "Okay, okay I'll tell you what I know but it isn't much. The three Orientals and Blanchard have kept everything pretty hush-hush but I heard things about reinforcements coming in tomorrow. They have photos of the North plain just above the town I guess they plan on digging there or something."
"Or something is right, said Chuck describe for me the mine and Blanchard's operations. How many shafts have you got and in what directions do the go."
"I could draw you a map," said Henry. "But I'd need my hands free then I'd need something to write with and a piece of paper."
"Okay Henry but no funny business or you know the consequences," said Chuck. But Henry didn't listen. He figured if he could overpower Chuck he could slip out and go back and warn Blanchard who'd give him a reward turning today into payday.
"Just give what I asked for," said Henry. Chuck put pen and paper on the desk then removed one of the handcuffs and as he did Henry grabbed the pen stabbing Chuck in the shoulder. Chuck fell backward away from Henry and as he charged him he forgot about the noose.
"Augh," said Henry as it tightened then he reached up to remover it but Chuck grabbed a cord on the wall opening a trap door. The bales of hay came down and Henry went up. Chuck laid there as Henry fought the rope for a bit then stopped. That's when Chuck heard someone heaving.
"Crap," said Chuck as he fought to get to his feet and ran to the barn doors to see Sammy running up to the house. Casey and Gertrude came out of the shed looking puzzles. "I thought someone would be out here? John, Gertrude get rid of everything inside. John, Sammy was here."
"Oh crap," was all he could say. "Chuck I need to come with you or they might not let you in the house. Gertrude, you get started while I got deal with this.
Sammy hit the back door ran through the kitchen then he started upstairs into his room but Lizzie who was with Bill in the living room with Kat stopped him.
"What's lit a fire under you boy," she said then she saw the look of horror on the boy's face. "You went to the barn, didn't you?" He nodded his head as she hugged him tight.
"It was horrible they had all those men hanging by the neck from the rafters then that last guy. I saw him go up... it was... it was... I can't say it," he said as he cried in her dress.
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Park was driving into town when he passed a black Range Rover driving out of town. He didn't think too much of it at the time until he arrived at the gates to the mines. Inside the compound there was a bustle of activity as people were running around with weapons. He noticed the atmosphere seemed gloomy and desperate. There was that smell that hung in the air... the smell of fear.
"Can someone tell me what's going on?" asked Park but everyone seemed to be in a hurry to get somewhere, anywhere that was away from him. He knew the debacle was bad at the farm but to turn men into shivering cowards that took some doing.
"What the heck," said Park when he noticed the guards at the gate were posted not only the keep to people out but also to keep people in. That was it he had to find out what the deal was so he made his way to the offices. When he got there he didn't bother knocking he just went straight in.
"There you are it's about time," said Kim as he hobbled around the room. Speared and poisoned just a few hours before but he was up and running albeit badly limping.
"I made it back as quickly as I could. I had to finish what I was doing then I uploaded the photos like we agreed on. Were you able to get in touch with the flight crew?"
"Yeah and I had the first target moved. I'm going to teach those clodhoppers a lesson they're never going to forget in the short life they have left. Oh you don't know what happened you were still out when we got our present."
"I was going to ask what happened. I noticed the men were acting odd when I came in and…well I can't say strange because they never were normal."
"Carmichael's what happened, he sent back our men in one of our own vehicles. He sent a message with them that we had twenty-four hours to clear out or he's coming to kick us out. You got to give it to him he's got nerve."
"That's good we'll have our men in by then so why are all the men running around scared... Oh you haven't told them yet. Why not? It would raise morale and keep people from deserting."
"No, I don't want Carmichael to find out and try something before they get here. I don't trust any of them out there," said Kim as he looked out the window. "I'd like to see Carmichael's face when that plane drops in on him tomorrow."
"Like I said you could be taking out Lee too," said Park as the door to the office opened and Blanchard came in making a beeline for the bar. He poured himself a shot downed it then poured three handing both men a glass. "Take my word you'll need this."
"What's gotten you all worked up?" asked Kim as he took the glass then sipped. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
"Or someone did something to your Wheaties this morning," said Park noticing Blanchard's hands were shaking. "Where have you been?"
"He didn't tell you," said Blanchard as he looked over at Kim. "Someone had to supervise the unloading of our van and you don't have to worry about hitting Lee in your raid. He was in the van with the others and it wasn't a pretty sight I can tell you that."
"I'm going to make them pay for this," said Kim. "They're going to regret this I'm going to make sure of it if it's the last thing I do. This I won't let slide."
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Sarah was outside the farmhouse talking with Beckman when everything went down. She walked in through what was left of the front door as Chuck and Casey came in the back. Chuck had his hand over his shoulder that was still bleeding. Lizzie and Bill were standing around Sammy shielding him from Chuck.
"Mister, you need to go outside," said Lizzie. "I don't want you in my house anymore." Bill started to say something but she motioned for him to be quiet. "I mean it. You've done enough I appreciate what you've done but we have to think of our son."
"I understand I'd like to say I'm sorry but what I did had to be done," said Chuck then he turned around and left.
"Chuck, wait for me," said Sarah as she went after him but she stopped before she left. "If you're still alive to disapprove it's thanks to him."
Sarah found Chuck outside making rockets sitting on the stump. She walked over and sat next to him at he continued working.
"A penny for your thoughts," said Sarah as she nudged him and he cringed. "I'm sorry let me look at that," she said as she took his jacket off slowly. The bleeding had stopped but his sleeve was covered with blood.
"It's nothing," said Chuck as he continued to work. "I've had worse than this and I really need to get these finished."
"Beckman got through for a bit and well she's not happy. I wouldn't count on her sending in the cavalry. Her exact words were to find a hole and hide. You know if you'd followed orders none of this would've happened."
"And these people wouldn't… Well they wouldn't be. Finding a hole might not be bad advice," said Chuck as he caught Sarah's look of concern. "Love we do what's right not because it's easy or for the applause we get but because it's right. Doing the right thing isn't always easy but we do it because it's right. You know it's like in those westerns where the hero faces down a bunch of desperadoes."
"But in the movies they use blanks and if a scene goes bad they shoot it again. Chuck, I love you and you know that but the Kansas City Shuffle was a little too much."
"'Sleven', so do you think it's time I buy a saddle?" said Chuck as he leaned over and kissed her. "So are you going to tell me what Sam said."
"She said she misses us and that Plat du Jour likes gnawing on the legs of Jack's desk which got the rabbit in the dog house."
"Humor, I like it on you," said Chuck as he kissed her. "Something tells me we're going to have trouble getting Sam to come home."
"I think you're right. Emma was having trouble with her because Sam wants to sleep with Plat du Jour. She wants to put the rabbit in bed with her which Emma didn't like or appreciate. But I solved that by having Emma get Plat du Jour his own bed and putting to next to Sam's."
"I don't see the problem with it. I used to sleep with Peaches although Ellie didn't like it but after Peaches one ran away I wasn't taking any chances."
"My only pets were a pony for a few days until it amply fertilized my grandmother's front yard and a goldfish both difficult to sleep with. But now I share my bed with a Nerd, does that count as a pet?"
"Again with the jokes, I don't know from what I've heard he's not really house broken," said Chuck as he leaned over and kissed her.
"I'm working on it but he's a good kisser," she said as she kissed him back.
"Yuck, I think I'm going to be sick. Why don't you roll up a newspaper and whack him on the nose? I hear that works," said Casey standing over the top of them. "I tried to talk sense into them but too much is too much."
"I should go in and tell them there is no too much in dead. Dead is dead and you don't come back from that," said Sarah. "John if it hadn't been for Chuck… well everyone wrote you off including me that is everyone except Chuck and Alex."
"You don't think I know that and I'm grateful but… well these people are simple folk and well somethings are hard for them to understand let alone accept. Heck, they're hard for me."
"John, you realize you've got the possibility for making a do over. You don't have to go to Chicago with us. You can be Alex Colburn again and erase John Casey. This could be your one and only chance."
"Don't think I haven't thought about that but if I don't know how I got here I'm afraid I'll just make the same decisions I made before if not worse. No, I've got to go see this Doctor even if she is your sister."
"I'll let that slide. John, I'm almost done here. I'm going to need the chopper for a bit while I'm gone you need to tell the MacDonalds that we can't defend this position. I'm sorry. Find out from Sammy where that ventilation tunnel is Beckman gave me an idea. We need to know how many people it can hold. It might not be a bad idea to scout it out later when it's dark."
"Bill's not going to like that but Lizzie might. She's wanted to leave since trouble broke out and go to her sister's in Alice Springs. Wait, what about the sheep?" said John then answered his own question. "I know I'll talk to Uncle Willy and have him hold on to them."
"That would be best," said Chuck realizing what would happen to them if they were left on the farm. "He'll need to take care of the Ferguson's too. After that Morgan and Alex need to make a helicopter. Not a real Helicopter," said Chuck.
"I think I already figured that out Einstein," said Casey among grunts. "What kind of chopper are we talking about?"
"It needs to be something that from the air would look like the real thing. They can use straw, hay, sheets and wood then paint it black. Afterwards they can put plastic or a net over it like we're trying to hide it from prying eyes."
"I get it and we can put a tank of gas inside to add to the special effects," said Casey as he looked around and sighed. "Too bad we can't save this. It really is a pity."
"It really is. I'm sorry and I understand John believe me I do," said Chuck as he looked up at John. "But sometime you can't save everyone." Chuck got up and started carrying the rockets over to the chopper.
"What was that all about? Sometimes you can't save everyone one," asked John as he grabbed an arm full. "Who did we lose?"
"His father for one," said Sarah as she went over to him as he was walking back. "Does this mean you finally realize there was nothing you could do to save your father?"
"More like a realization that ghosts have no place among the living and as much as I'd like to change the past what was was and nothing will change that. We just have to move on and do the best we can."
"I knew I married an articulate nerd," said Sarah as she put her arm around him and kissed him.
"Chuck, anytime that chopper isn't getting loaded by itself."
"You know with or without his memory John still is a big pain in the..." Chuck started to say when Casey interrupted him.
"I just want you to know I can hear you. I wonder if one of these things could be used a suppository just think of what it would do when it's lit off."
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Back inside Bill was trying to talk sense in his wife but she wasn't budging. As far as she was concerned a line had been crossed and there was no going back now. The only thing she wanted was to throw somethings in their old station wagon and head for Alice Springs. There was no need in risking their lives and turning their farm into a cemetery.
"I warned you Bill MacDonald anymore trouble and I was out of here. I meant it then and I mean it now. I'm taking Sammy and we're going to stay with my sister until something can be done with the farm."
"We can't just pick up and run like that. There are the animals to think of and the crops that need irrigation. If we run now we'll lose everything."
"But we'll be alive and we have each other or can't you get that through your thick skull. Each time you've won a victory they've come back harder. What's to say you win tomorrow then what will these people do? Drop a bomb on us to get rid of us once and for all. Your friends won't hang around here forever. What will happen to us when they're gone? Some new company will come in and then we start the cycle again."
"I don't know I don't have a crystal ball to look into the future. I only know how to take care of a farm and to tend sheep. That's who I am and what I do. I can't go live in the city with your sister. I don't see many flocks in town. I'm just asking for a little patience."
"I think that's what you've been asking me all along and I'm sorry but I'm all out. So you have a choice you can stay here by yourself or come with us to Alice Springs." Bill stood there in silence. "Well there you go you've made you choice now you're going to have to live with it."
"Wait Lizzie I didn't say anything," said Bill as he tried to hobble after her. "Slow down you know I can't move that fast."
"Lizzie, stand down," said John as he got in front of her. "You're not going anywhere until this is all done."
"Out of my way John, you can't make me stay," said Lizzie as she tried to push past Casey but he planted himself and he was immovable as the stump out back.
"No you need to listen to reason," said John. "You don't think these people have spies on the roads out of here and are just waiting to pick off stray sheep that wander away from the herd. That's what you'll be if you try to make it to Alice Springs."
"You don't know that," said Lizzie. "There might not be anyone."
"And I could be right. You'll be leading you and your son right into the hands of some very bad people who want payback right now. Tell me with certainty I'm wrong." Lizzie was finally quiet. "Good I need to talk to Sammy about this ventilation shaft. I need to know where it's at and how big it is."
"It's actually close by," said Sammy coming down from the stairs. He'd hid at the top before and was listening to his parents argue.
"Good we can take the quad if it's that close. Lizzie, Bill I have bad news for you. There's no way we can defend the farm tomorrow against what's coming so we're going to evacuate during the night to the mines. We're also going to bring the Fergusons and everyone that was going to show up for the barn raising. Once inside you'll wait out the attack then afterwards Lizzie if you want to leave I won't stop you."
"None of you had better not try, any of you."