Don't own Chuck
As soon as Chuck got everyone to the cabin he let them inside. Ettore's men off loaded the provisions and while they were doing that he set up the beastmaster. Afterwards he had the one man start grilling. Ettore and Paolo explored the cabin while Chuck went out with the excuse that he wanted to walk the perimeter to make sure everything was as it should be.
Once he was far enough away from the cabin he pulled out the burner phone and looked at it. He started to call he held his finger above the keypad but he stopped then put it away.
"Zondra, you can come out I know you're there," said Chuck as he picked up a rock and tossed it in a bush. It made a dull thud.
"Ouch! Now was that absolutely necessary," she said as she came out rubbing her arm. "Why didn't you call her? I'd say I hope it wasn't because of me but I don't think I would've stopped you."
"You're right you wouldn't have. I didn't call because I don't want to lie to her. I want you to take Sheila and leave when we get back. I'll make up an excuse that I sent you back to our consulate or something. I just want you two out of here before sunset."
"What happens after sunset and what about trying to get Ettore's database? What do you know you're not telling," said Zondra. But Chuck just started to walk off. "Oh no you don't, who made the speech about being honest with your partner on the plane."
"Okay I'll tell you but I still want you and Sheila out," said Chuck. Zondra motioned for him to continue. "Very well they're going to come for Ettore this evening or most likely during the night."
"How? No one knows where this cabin is except us, Sarah and the rest back in Burbank. How do you know they know?"
"The vehicles we were given are both equipped with GPS and if that's not enough some of the wet team is already here amongst us."
"Where?" said Zondra as she looked around making fun of him. "Chuck, okay joking aside I think maybe you've been playing the Russian a little too long and he has made you a little paranoid."
"Not in the least. Okay let me try to explain better. There was something about Ettore's brother I didn't like then it hit me while I was out here. Ettore told Julius about this Mr. Big being out after him but it was Julius that mentioned Terror, Inc. How did he know that this was the group Mr. Big was associated with?"
"Maybe he knew about the organization and just associated the two together. But I agree it's suspicious. Where was I when all this was going on?"
"Probably defending yourself against the human octopus. However, I think this whole thing is deeper than that I think we just shook hands with Mr. Big or someone very close to him and now he knows where Ettore's at or will very soon. I want you and Sheila out right away just it can't look like we know what's going on."
"No Chuck I'm not abandoning my partner. That's not how this thing works you don't get to make this choice for me and I don't want to hear crap about this being your mission."
"I appreciate what you're saying and would normally go along with it but someone needs to get Sheila out. I can't guarantee her safety. Julius already called her Ettore's plaything and he won't think twice about getting rid of her."
"Sheila's a professional like me and she won't want to leave especially after I tell her what's going on. She's a dog with a bone and Ettore is that bone. She isn't going to let up especially after losing a man then finding out he was on the take... well she won't back down and I can't blame her."
"Listen it's not like that. You're not letting go or abandoning me. You two can get out and call for backup while I hold down the fort here."
"This isn't Fort Apache so forget it I'm not going anywhere. If you think we need backup call the General or make the call you need to make to Sarah, but we need to figure out what to do with Ettore."
"I've already thought about that but you're right I need to make this call," said Chuck as he pulled out his phone but stopped.
"What is it? Why don't you make the call?"
"I can't sure I'd like to hear her voice. I want to tell her I love her and hear her tell it to me back but at what cost? She'll know something is wrong then she'll worry or worse try to come here... I can't be that selfish."
"I think you think too much. So Chuck what are we going to do? It boils down to just us."
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Sarah got back home with Kat and Morgan as Ellie and Devon pulled in from the day at the beach. Sam and Clara had to show them the bucket of shells they'd collected then they all went inside. Kat supervised Morgan as he offloaded the Crown Vic while Sarah and Ellie took the girls into the bathroom to get them cleaned up. After they scrubbed the sand off the girls they went into Sam's room to divide Neptune's treasure while Sarah and Ellie went into the kitchen.
"I started the water for your pasta," said Kat. "Everything is laid out. If you don't mind I'll start and you can jump in when you want."
"Are you trying to politely tell me to let you cook?" asked Sarah as Kat started browning the garlic. "I had the idea so I want to at least help."
"Okay then garlic in or garlic out?" said Kat as she held up a spatula. "Do we keep the garlic or do I just brown it then get rid of it."
"Oh garlic is good for you," said Devon. "It's rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin B6 and Manganese. It helps lower your blood pressure and fights heart disease. There's even studies that says it's good to help prevent Alzheimer's and dementia."
"So we're going with garlic in," said Kat as she continued cooking. As she cooked Sarah pulled out her phone and checked her voice mail.
"Oh crap, I missed Chuck's call," said Sarah. "Kat I still want to help but I really need to listen to this." Kat laughed.
"Go I've got this. Morgan put down the grape soda and break out the shrimp. You're going to be my sous chef."
"You know I trained to be a chef at the Benihana culinary school in Hawaii," said Morgan as he unwrapped the shrimp. "Eww yuck they're still moving. I can't touch those things."
"And now we understand why you never finished," said Devon as he walked around pouring Ellie and Kat a glass of wine.
[Meanwhile outside]
Sarah walked over to the fountain and sat down beside it. She played back the voice mail and listened to Chuck's message then she played it back again this time just to hear his voice. As she started a third time Ellie came out and sat next to her. She played the voice mail for Ellie.
"So Chuck's at the cabin, what does that mean? Is this thing almost over? I heard Morgan going on about what happened in the Supermarket..."
"He needs to learn to keep his mouth closed. Nothing major happened I had that under control. When I do my job... well that's easy there are protocols I follow along with my experience but this," said Sarah as she rubbed her stomach. "This terrifies me and I can't help but feel I'm flying by the seat of my pants."
"I think every parent feels the same way but you've got experience now. Just look at Sam, she's a good kid and she seems to have come out all right."
"Sam is good because she takes after her father and right now I need to bring him home," said Sarah as she placed a call.
"Major, this is Agent Carmichael, Sarah Carmichael and I need to talk with the General. I've been in contact with the other Agent Carmichael. ... Yes, I'll hold."
[Back at Langley]
The General was down in the situation room looking at the big screen as a drone made another pass over the cabin. She had a spy sat brought in place and had it doing a thermal scan so she could account for warm bodies. She was sitting watching and sipping on a cup of cold coffee when the Major walked over to inform her Sarah was on the line.
"Patch her through. Oh crap we were supposed to call her when the other Agent Carmichael landed. I'm still waiting on that information from Dr. Louis. Okay patch her over. Sarah," said the General. "I just found out that my aide was derelict in his duties and failed to contact you when Chuck landed."
"Well that would've been nice but he called me. He left a message telling me that they were heading for his father's cabin. He also asked that we check on a man whose first name is Julius and he seems to be Ettore's half-brother. He wasn't sure about the last name and he said the man wasn't in the intersect. What does that mean?"
"That's interesting. I means he's flown under the radar for a long time. There aren't a lot of criminals that aren't in the intersect or he's known by another name."
"You don't suppose," said the Major. "You don't think he could be this... no it doesn't make sense. Why go after your own family?"
"Speaking from a dysfunctional family," said Sarah. "I can see how one would want to kill a relative if that's what you're trying to say. There were times I think I could've strangled Jack so yes it is possible. You didn't seem surprised when I told you about the cabin. Is there a reason?"
"We followed Chuck and his party when they deplaned in El Toro. I've got a drone flying above them and a satellite overhead..."
"General I don't want to sound like I'm telling you how to do your job but shouldn't you have an extraction team standing by to pull Chuck and Zondra out if things go sideways?"
"I can't alert anyone right now. If I do word could get back to Ettore or this Mr. Big and that could blow Chuck's cover. If I need to I'll grab a Blackhawk from Camp Pendleton and load up men from our downtown office."
"General that could take time they won't have. We could be Chuck's extraction team. We could be suited up and ready to move in a moment's notice."
"I appreciate the enthusiasm but Agent Carmichael, Sarah where are you going to find tactical gear that fits and I was just handed a no-duty chit signed by your doctor. You are now officially on maturity leave. I'm still pissed at the Colonel and Grimes so the answer to your request is no. Don't worry I'm monitoring the situation and if needed I will pull them out so for now I need to close. Beckman out.
"Why do criminals have to use adjectives as their job titles," said Morgan as he walked out. "Think about it Mr. Big meets another Mr. Big. Does one automatically use the comparative 'bigger' one is called Mr. Bigger then if there are three what do we say. This is Mr. Big and this is Mr. Bigger. That one over here well that's Mr. The Biggest."
"Morgan you're not helping," said Sarah as she got up with Ellie. "You came out for a reason what is it? Did you wanted to tell us something?"
"Oh yes the food is almost done and I just called Casey and Alex. They're almost here so you two need to come in and wash your hands. Dinner is almost on."
"Something else I was supposed to do but didn't. I'm such a disaster in the house but I'm not in my job. If Casey and Morgan can go rogue so can I."
"I don't think I like where this conversation is heading. I thought the General told you that you were on no-duty and that you were officially on maturity leave. What are planning on doing?"
"Easy Ellie I'm going to go get my husband and shoot anyone who gets in my way."
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Chuck and Zondra walked back towards the cabin. They could smell the grill going before they got there. Chuck looked around as soon as they got to the cabin and noticed the men Julius had sent with them were missing all except the guy they left tending the grill. Chuck went inside grabbed two beers then came back out handing one to the guy working the grill.
"Here that looks like hot work," said Chuck as he handed the guy the beer. "It looks like you really know what you're doing."
"Thanks, it's fun actually. If you're hungry just tell me what you want? I've got some about ready to come off if you want medium or well done but if want something rare I'm going to have to throw something on."
"What I'd like to know is where are all your friends?" asked Chuck as he took a sip from his beer. "I've been looking around and they seem to be all gone."
"I'm not sure where they are. They were just around here a little while ago I should know I feed them. I'm sure they're around somewhere probably walking off all the meat they've eaten so how would you like that steak?"
"I'll have it medium rare with a side order of truth. How long do we have before your friends come back with the wet team? You see I'm guessing somewhere after sunset or maybe you're supposed to wait until we're asleep so you can let them in and they slit our throats while we're sleeping," said Chuck as he took another sip of his beer.
"I don't know what you're taking about but if you want medium rare I'm going to have to put some more meat on."
"What's going on," asked Paolo. He heard part of the conversation enough to catch his interest and pique his attention. "Yeah where did everyone vanish to anyway?"
"I'm sure they're here somewhere," said the man as he pretended to reach for a steak but came up with a Browning Hi-Power .40. However, before he could clear the grill with his weapon Paolo threw a steak knife that caught him square in the middle of the chest. It made a thud when it hit. The man made a low moan before slumping over face first onto the grill and started sizzling.
"Geez Paolo was that necessary," said Chuck as he grabbed the guy by the back of the shirt and pulled him off the grill then let him drop to the ground.
"You can say thanks if you want," said Paolo as he walked over and kicked the man rolling him over as if to admire the grill marks. "Can you tell me what's going on and why he reached for his weapon? Where is everyone? What's going on?"
"You certainly have a lot of questions too bad you didn't ask them when we could've done something about them. You need to call Ettore over we need to talk."
Paolo got Ettore and Zondra got Sheila while Chuck waved for Ettore's men to gather around. Once he got everyone together he explained their situation.
"Ettore I think you know Mr. Big very well I'm afraid he's your half-brother," said Chuck then he went on to explain how he knew he was Mr. Big. "...if you doubt me just wait until tonight when Julius' men come visiting. Already the ones that were here are gone. I wouldn't be surprised if they haven't taken up positions around the cabin to keep tabs on us until their backup arrives."
"Then let's hop in the SUVs and high tail it out of here. We're stupid if we wait here for them to show up," said the one guy as the rest of Ettore's men nodded their heads.
"You can go for it but I think you'll find they've sabotaged the vehicles before they left and even if they didn't the onboard GPS will tell them where we're at. But like I said go for it; don't take my word for it."
One of the men went over and tried to start one but it wouldn't do anything so he tried the other one and in made the same clicking sound. Opening the hood they discover the ignition coils on both cars were missing.
"Now what do we do," asked Ettore as he looked around him. "Can we hike out of here? There seem to be a number of trails."
"We'd never get far enough in time and besides when the sunsets this place gets pitch black. This isn't the first time I've had unwanted quests here," said Chuck as he led them inside. He pressed a panel on the wall and computer console came out. Sitting down he typed in commands then a green light came on.
"Okay I've activated the perimeter sensors so if anyone comes in the sensor for that sector will go off so we'll know they're coming and from what direction."
"Then what do we do? Tell them they're trespassing and if they don't turn around we're going to use even sterner language with them. Maybe we need a pointy stick to show them we mean business."
"Funny Ettore but you're not going to think so when they break inside the perimeter," said Chuck as he pressed another panel and rack of 47s appeared. "Everyone take one there's more ammunition below." Chuck picked up a Makarov he replaced his dart pistol with then picked up a commando knife and slipped in the back of his belt.
"No not her," said Paolo as he yanked a weapon away from Sheila. "What happens if she decides to us this on us? We can't trust her."
"When those mercs start kicking down this cabin door you're going to want everyone to have a weapon and it's in her own interest to shoot our attackers because they aren't going to be particular about who they shoot," said Chuck as he yanked the weapon away from Paolo then handed it back to Sheila. "Do I need to show you how this works?"
"No I've got this," said Sheila as she slapped in the clip then housed the first round. "Do you think they really will be coming?" Chuck didn't have to answer a sensor alarm went off then another.
"Okay we've got a two prong incursion one from the north the other from the south. My guess is they're scouts feeling out our defenses. The real assault will happen after dark. Everyone stay inside and keep the door locked. I want to go out and take a peek at our intruders."
"Juri you can't it's too dangerous," said Zondra. "At least let me come with you."
"No, I need you here to help with this bunch. Don't worry I'm just doing a little recon then I'll be right back. I just want to have a peek I'm not even going to engage them just see what we're up against. If I can do a little harassing I might but nothing head on if that's what you're worried about." Chuck started to leave then turned around. "Oh and if you could I'd appreciate it if you didn't shoot me when I come back."
Chuck went out the door they watched him from the window as he disappeared in the underbrush. He had in his head roughly the areas where the sensors went off so he circled them coming in from behind. Coming in from behind was strategic the scouts would be focused on what was in front of them so he could get close up and personal before they knew what was going on. Then in a clearing he spotted the first one sitting on a ridge with a pair of binoculars watching the cabin reporting in. Chuck slipped up behind the man quietly. He didn't hear him he was too busy talking into his radio.
"The target is inside the cabin," radioed in the lookout. "The target went inside with everyone else. I see our man down by the grill. They must be..." Chuck heard what the man started to say and he realized he needed to cut him off before it was too late. He grabbed the binocular strapped and pulled it tight around the man's neck.
"Blue scout repeat your last I'm having trouble reading you. Come in blue scout."
"This is blue scout I was mistaken on my last transmission," said Chuck in a muffled voice. "Our man was just bending down I see him up and moving around. Everything looks normal below nothing to report."
"Blue scout this is base are you okay. You're coming in muffled and garbled. Check your radio and raise the gain."
"I'm signing off for now my battery is running low. I'll stay here and keep the cabin under surveillance. If something happens I'll call it. Blue scout out," said Chuck. He heard the base try to raise him to tell him to come back to the base but he ignored the transmission. Instead he used to radio to monitor the intruders activities.
"What am I going to do with you," said Chuck as he stood over the top of the unconscious man. He undid the man's boots and used the boot laces to tie him up. Then he took a sock off and shoved it in the man's mouth.
"There you're all taken care of. Now to check on your friend," said Chuck as he moved around in the direction of the second scout.
Chuck moved through the underbrush trying to be as quiet as he could. The last thing he wanted to do was tip his man off. Finally he found him kneeling by a tree looking down at the cabin.
"Wow that's a big guy," said Chuck to himself. Anyway he looked at it this guy wasn't going to go down easy so he picked up a large rock. "Yes this will do," he said as he slipped behind the man. He raised the rock above the man's head and was about to brain him when he turned around. He saw a familiar face looking back at him.
"Casey! What the heck are you doing here? I was about to take you out."
"In your dreams maybe, I guess you're looking for that guy over there," said John as he pointed to a body lying in the brush. "It's nice to meet you too. Sarah thought you needed an extraction plan. We're it."