Don't own Chuck

John lay in hiding waiting for his target to get within striking range. This took him back to his days in the jungle in some of the worst stinking hellholes in the world. He remembered many times it was just him, his knife and his wits and nothing else. There was no intersect to rely on, no computer program and yet he always managed to come out on top. He tensed up as the man drew near and this time wasn't going to be any different.

"Quick and silent, sorry Charlie but this isn't your day," said John as he grabbed the man from behind to slit his throat. But instead he got judo thrown up and over making a thud as he landed on his back.

"Okay buddy, I tried to be nice and make this painless," said Casey as he got up. "No more mister nice guy."

"What the heck," said a familiar voice as John tried to stab the dark figure but the man blocked Casey's thrust with an outward block then sudden c-stepped in behind Casey. John suddenly found himself spread out helpless over Chuck's knee with Chuck grasping his throat ready to rip it out.

"What are you doing here? You're not supposed to be here. You're supposed to be waiting for me outside,"

"You mean what are we doing here," said Mary as she stepped out of the shadows. "The answer is we came looking for you. We heard they're looking for you and Ettore? Is that true and what happened to change things?"

"You can explain all that later," said John. "How about letting me up and let's get out of here before the Mongol horde find us and just to let you know I pulled at the last minute so don't get any ideas about you getting one over on me."

"Sorry about that Big Guy," said Chuck as he helped him up. "I didn't know who you were. You do know the Mongols have nothing to do with the Chinese? The built a wall to keep them out but it didn't work."

"Don't try to explain that to him we don't have the time even if it were possible. But John is right we need to get out of here I think I hear voices."

"I need to find Ettore. He completed the download then ran off with the intersect glasses. We need to get those glasses back. Wait a minute didn't you see Ettore run past you? I was right behind him so he had to have been in front of me?"

"No, we saw some men looking for you and Ettore but no Ettore just you right now. If he's got the glasses then he's got the glasses. He's probably put them on by now so let's get out of here while the getting is still good."

"Okay but let me check one thing first," said Chuck as he doubled back. They heard men behind them heading their way.

"Chuck, I don't want to say anything but I think we ought to be heading in the opposite direction. Your friends are almost here and they don't sound too pleased with you."

"Just a little bit further then if I don't find what I'm looking for we can turn around," he said as he felt the wall.

"Just exactly what are you looking for," said Casey. He pulled his weapon and so did Mary but as Chuck was rubbing his hands over the wall he what he was looking for.

"Really, you're looking for a brick. What are you going to do with it throw it at them? If you had a few more we could build a wall, a really great Wall"

"The already have a Great Wall," said Chuck as he pushed it. There was a loud clicking sound then the wall opened up revealing a hidden staircase behind it.

"This was what I'm looking for. Ettore had to have gone somewhere. Come on we need to catch him before he gets away," said Chuck. They ducked inside then the wall closed behind them and just in time.

"Okay, now where do we go," said Casey as he holstered his Sig. "I assume up," said John as he took out his phone and used it as a flashlight lighting the way.

"And you assume correctly," said Chuck as he took off running up the stairs leaving Casey and Mary to catch up.

"Will you slowdown and wait for us. You keep up running like that and you'll run right into Ettore. Something tells me he wouldn't greet you with open arms."

"I don't know about that it would depend if he's used the glasses yet," said Chuck as they came out in Ettore's study. The place had been tossed they'd obviously been looking for something to indicate where he'd gone.

Chuck started searching the walls again while John went over lifted up Ettore's bottle of scotch then smelt it before taking a big swig.

"I have to give it to him at least for booze he's got taste. Anyone want a hit," said John as he offered them the bottle.

"No thanks," said Chuck as he kept tapping on the walls. "I don't think Ettore is hiding inside that."

"I'll take hit," said Mary she took the bottle from Casey took a swig then sat it down. "Have you found what you're looking for? They'll be back in here any moment so it's now or never."

"I think I have," said Chuck. He noticed all the books on a bookshelf were covered with dust except for one. He tried to pull it out but it offered resistance suddenly there was another click then the library swung inward.

"I think I've found what I've been looking for too," said John as he found Ettore's humidor filled with pre-revolutionary double coronas from Costa Graves. "Oh, come to papa."

"Don't you dare light up in here," said Mary. But she was too late, Casey was already puffing away when they heard people coming from outside.

"Crap, quick come on," said Chuck. "Hurry up, we need to get out of here. Ettore must've gone this way and I think I can hear him."

"So much for stating the obvious. Sorry darling but you can't come with us," said John talking to his cigar. He took a couple of big puffs then dropped it near the panel that was in front of the stairs that led down to the basement then they disappeared behind the bookcase and just in time. They hear Jian and the Minister talking just outside the door as the bookshelf close

"Smart John, they find the cigar then the stairs behind the wall. After that they'll go down to the basement and find they've been chasing their tail."

"Something like that. It's an old trick but it works. You have your enemy looking where you've been and not where you're going. It should buy us a little more time to search for the evil troll. Now which way do you think he went?"

[Meanwhile back inside]

"This is a disaster," ranted the Minister. "We have to find Ettore at all costs and Chuck along with the rest have to die. I don't care what it takes they have to go then we can blame all this on them."

"Even if we can't get at them right now we can still blame them," said Jian. He could see the Minister was in the middle of covering his behind and he wanted to make sure he wasn't one of the things being covered like the men in then back of the hospital.

"You're right... let me think this through. We can blame the computer problem as an attempt by the Americans to hack into our system. We can call this cyber warfare and threaten retaliation. They will deny it but if we yell long enough and loud enough we can make it stick. After all why would we damage our own equipment. This would sell better if we had someone to hold up in front of the cameras."

"What's that smell," said Jian as he noticed a familiar fragrance in the air. "Don't you smell that? It smells like something my grandmother used to smoke?"

"I don't know what your grandmother used to smoke but that's smells like a cigar. Your people probably helped themselves when they tossed this place. The scotch bottle has been moved too. It was over there now it's here."

"No, I don't think it's them they know better. No, I don't think it's them," said Jian as he bent down and found the lit cigar. He picked it up the end was wet and it was still burning. "Look what I found."

"That's Ettore's, he had them shipped in from Costa Gravas. They cost a small fortune but he had to have them. He said they helped him think."

"But what is this doing here?" said Jian as he held up the cigar and looked at it "It doesn't make sense we checked this room before. This wasn't here and the scotch bottle was over there. The only answer is Ettore or Chuck's been here but how could either have gotten here without being seen?"

"I know you're not asking me I think that's what I pay you for," said Wang. Jian ignored the dig as he searched the wall until he found the catch. The wall popped opened inward and behind it was a staircase going down somewhere.

"You two," yelled Jian at a couple of his men standing at the door. "Grab a couple torches and see where this leads then radio in to me when you've found it."

"Aren't you going with them?" said Wang. He was starting to wonder if Jian was doing the best he could do or if he was setting him up. "You know if I go down you go down with me."

"I think I do after all the times you've told me," said Jian as he searched the opposite wall. "You see that was too easy. That cigar was left there for us to fond and to throw us off the scent. It's an old trick I studied about in spy school perfected by this American in the jungles of Central and South America. You get your enemy to look where you've been and not..." he started say when he pulled on the book on the shelf and it opened inward.

"And not the direction you're heading. The rest of you with me," said Jian as they started to ran into a dark passageway. "Aren't you coming?"

"No, I need to stay here and make a few phone calls. You take your men and go ahead but keep me in the loop. We need Ettore's head," said Wang. He watch Jian disappear in the darkness. He really did have calls to make but he also didn't like enclosed spaces especially ones covered in cobwebs and filth.

"Let me start this game of finger pointing," he said as he pulled out his phone. He would've liked to use a secure phone but this call couldn't wait.

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Back in Langley the General was having trouble monitoring the situation coming out of Guangzhou. The consulate reported they were under siege with MSS agents parked just outside. Things quickly escalated when a couple of consular vehicles were stopped and searched. The State Department would've normally demanded the Chinese Ambassador to come to the White House for a proper tongue lashing but he was out of pocket back in Beijing.

"I know Sheng is out of town," said Beckman. "Mister Secretary, there's little we can do now other than wait this out. … Yes, you could send our Ambassador to lodge a formal complaint with their Premier but I'm not sure it would do any good. … Okay, I'll make contact with Wang and find out what's going on. … Yes, of course I'll keep you in the loop," said Beckman then she got off quickly off the line.

"Do you want me to contact the Chinese security ministry for you and have them connect you to Minister Wang?"

"Why?" said Beckman. She caught his puzzled look. "I just told him that to get him off the line. We know where Wang is and I've got a good idea what he's up to. But you're right I should still go through the motions. Get feelers out Sheng should be talking or talked with his Premier. I want to know the outcome of their chat."

"I don't want to play devil's advocate but what if the Premier decides to side with Wang? Someone has to be behind him that's powerful for him to stay in office this long."

"He's a slimy bastard I'll give you that. A holdover from the old guard and the Generals who turned a blind eye to his activities have long since retired or have been retired which makes him even more dangerous. He'll do whatever he can to stay where he's at."

"But would he go so far as to break international treaties and codes of law by violating the sovereign territory at our consulate?" As they were talking Connie knock on the door.

"I'm sorry for interrupting but you have a call on line one from Minister Wang from China. The line is bad but he's demanding to speak with you. What do you want me to tell him?"

"He's calling on an unsecured line he must be desperate or he wants the call recorded," Beckman said as she thought. "Go ahead and patch him through to the squawk box. Major, I want you to hang around and listen in. I might need a witness later on." The Major nodded as they heard Wang's voice come out of the intercom box on her desk.

"Firstly," said Wang as he jumped right into it. "I have to ask you to excuse my English. It's a little rusty because I don't have many opportunities to practice it these days."

"Really? Then when you were harboring a known criminal who is wanted by half the world you spoke in Chinese to Ettore?"

"You know some people might like the way you people are always direct and to the point; however, for others that could be seen as just plain rude. Let me extend you the came courtesy. I want the criminals you are harboring in your consulate in Guangzhou."

"You're going to have to be a little more specific. If you're referring to agents Grimes, McHugh and Doctor Woodcomb... well two were kidnapped here and Agent Grimes was detained in Shanghai without any formal charges being filed. So, I fail to see where you see any criminals. I, on the other hand, have a Huan along with his team and a David Long in custody any of those names strikes a bell with you?"

"This isn't over not by a long shot. If I catch any of them outside your consulate they'll be my guest here…."

"And if you do, I expect them to be treated like the guests you just called them. I take this to mean you will continue to harass our vehicles coming and going from the consulate."

"You can count on it. Well, I've said what I needed to say and I have other pressing matters to deal with…"

"Yes, I heard about your computer problems. If you want I could send a tech team in to assist you. You can consider this an olive branch..."

"You mean baseball bat… thanks but no thanks. We'll handle this on our own and when we get a hold of the culprits we'll put them up against a wall."

"Your criminal justice system is very streamline with execution for about everything but also it shows a lack of imagination."

"I'm not getting in this with you," said Wang as he hung up. He pushed but Beckman pushed back. Now he had to find Ettore and Chuck. He poured himself glass of liquid courage before he went to find out how the search was going. But before he could leave he received a phone call from a General friend in Beijing. Wang knew this couldn't be good so be poured himself another drink from Ettore's reserve then answered the call putting it on speaker.

"General Zao, what do I owe this honor? Before you say anything, you do realize you're calling me on an unsecure line?"

"And who's fault is that? We're having all sorts of hell here in the capital because of your people. I have a team working on our servers but it will be at least a week before everything is back up and I don't have to tell you about how much this little mistake is costing us."

"Well you can blame the Americans on that. We're tracking down their spies who caused this as we speak," said Wang then he took a drink hoping the General would let it drop.

"You'd better come up with something or someone fast to show the Premier and the council. There's talk about them wanting your head. Mei Sheng is here with the Premier behind closed doors. I don't know what they're talking about but whatever it is you are the subject."

"I need for you to run defense for me for just a little while then I'll be able to defend myself. I think you owe me this."

"I don't owe you crap. You were paid and paid well for the services you provided us and you should remember that. However, that being said I will see what I can do but I warn you I don't know how long I can keep the wolves away from your door."

"I just need you to keep them away for a little while longer. My man Jian is hot on the American's trail. We've taken Tien in custody and the other people involved in this are holed up in the American consulate. They think they're safe inside but they can't stay in there forever. I will eventually smoke them out."

"Well, I hope you're not relying on them to prove your innocents because you don't have that long. I mean it Wang... you may have a couple of days at best. If I get over ruled you might not have until this evening. I hear there are recordings of you saying things you shouldn't have..."

"CIA tricks... I've been investigating Sheng. I think he's been in the States too long and has forgotten where his loyalties lie. The recording is obviously false but you said recordings? There are more than one?"

"I have it from a reliable source that there are two. One was delivered by courier to the Premier in a diplomatic pouch from the ROC marked for his eyes only."

"Lies, they're all lies," said Wang as he downed his glass then filled it again. General, I really need to go and start building my defense. I appreciate the heads up and I won't forget this when this all blows away."

"Just make it disappear or you'll be made to disappear. There are a lot of people here who are nervous about any investigation into your activities and if one is ordered..."

"Then you need to tell these nervous people they need to help me and make this go away. We could use a new Premier and I can't think of one better than you."

"You mean other than yourself. I have no political ambitions. I'm a military man and will always stay one so you're wasting your breath if you think you can sweet talk me into sticking my neck out any further for you. Put your house in order before someone else has to and that's all I have to say over an unsecure line. I've said what I have to say so goodbye," said the General then he hung up.

"Those jerks who do they think they are threatening me. No, if I go down I won't go down alone and they should remember that," said Wang into his scotch. He downed it then went looking for Jian to see if he'd found Chuck or Ettore yet. One way or another he needed results that he wasn't getting.

"You there," yelled Wang as he stopped a man running past his. "Contact Jian and tell him I'm going back into town. Once he's done he can find me back in my office at HQ."

"Yes Sir right away," said the man as he started to walk away.

"Wait before you do that get me a car and driver then find Jian for me. You can also tell him I expect results."

"Yes Sir I will," said the man as he started to walk away.

"Wait don't tell him that last part. I'll tell him that when I see him in office." Wang was flustered and felt like he was grasping at straws but one way or another he would see this through. He'd always been able to and now was no different.