Don't own Chuck
It was getting late and Chuck couldn't help but feel like he wanted to hurry up and get this over with. Morgan was coming home and they should be there to greet him but instead they were out on a mission that seemed to be dragging on forever. So far the security people had followed protocol picking up the load at the parent bank then they got stuck in traffic now they were heading to the branch bank.
"If I'm wrong I'm going to be mad at myself," said Chuck. "We missed Morgan's homecoming for nothing. We should've been there for him."
"Keep it in your pants Bartowski," radioed Casey reminding Chuck he was speaking into an open mic. "Work before pleasure although I don't see much pleasure in listening to 'poor Morgan' again."
"Don't listen to Casey he's got other issues going on. Sweetie Morgan's your friend he'll understand. This is work and our first really solid lead," said Sarah as she tracked the security van. "Here we go boys this is it. Our friends just made an unscheduled pit stop and... oh crap I lost the tracking signal they must be too far down."
"I lost it too," radioed Casey, "that means it has to be some place with approximately six feet of solid steel to dampen the signal or something similar."
"Like an ex-bank vault," said Chuck. "Love, can you give me the GPS coordinates where the security van went missing?" Sarah showed him on the GPS tracker where the van disappeared. "That parking garage was built on the site of an old bank. Because vaults are constructed to be impenetrable they are very difficult to dismantle once the bank goes away. Because of the high cost to demolish them most are repurposed for other uses."
"Chuck thanks for the trivia on bank demolition but try to do something useful like bring up the CCTV feed from inside so we can see what's going on."
"I'm sorry but that's a no can do. There aren't any cameras on their level. Wait I might have an idea," said Chuck as he brought up images from the basement level. "There now if I can zoom in on the ramp mirrors we can get a partial view. The picture is distorted. I'm having a hard time seeing anything. Love, can you make something out?"
"You're right there is activity I think I can make out the security van and another van. I can see what I think is a forklift... Hey it is a forklift with Dale driving it."
"Are you sure?" radioed Casey. "I can nail his butt for this send him to Supermax then throw away the key."
"Eyes on the prize big guy," said Chuck as he looked over at Sarah. "Listen John, Dale isn't why we're here. We're here for the counterfeiting ring and let's not forget that. There will be time for Dale afterwards for now let's keep track of the security van. John you know I'm right."
"Shut up and let's get this over with," said John. He knew Chuck was right but there was no way he was going to admit it.
"They're back on the move," radioed Sarah. "I've got the tracker heading our way. Come on Chuck it's show time." They got out of the van and Chuck helped her get set up.
"I hope you know what you're doing," said Chuck as he charged the EMP. "At least tell me you'll be careful." He kissed her then moved back into an alley out of sight. "John," radioed Chuck. "Are you ready?"
"Yeah I'm coming in right on time. You just make sure that thing works because everything hinges of that fact that that thing actually goes off."
[In the Security Van]
The driver was looking at his watch and looking at his GPS to keep track of their position and arrival time. Inside the back of the security van the unsuspecting perps were making plans for what they wanted to do with their ill got gains.
"So Mike, what are you going to do with your share of the money? The collective is paying us good money what do you want to do with it?"
"I was thinking about taking a vacation when we catch a break and going someplace warm like Hawaii or Tahiti. I could catch some sun on the beach and get one of those drinks with the little umbrellas... a lot of them then sampling a little of the local fauna if you know what I mean."
"I think I want to stay domestic. You know like the Beach Boys song 'California Girls'. You go overseas and there's no telling what you'll be bringing home. No I'll keep my search for flora and fauna close to home. Besides I can get those drinks with those little umbrellas right here. No I was thinking more of a new ride."
"You know what they told us when we started working for the collective nothing in the eye or people will catch on to us. I think your new car would be just that."
"First of all I realize that but it's not like I'm going to get rid of my old one. No the new one I'd keep in the garage and drive when I'm hunting on the strip."
"You're a dog," said Mike's friend. "There's no other word that fits you better. You're nothing more than an old dog."
"Maybe a hound dog or a hunting dog but I don't know about the old part. I don't think I'm that old," he said as they laughed. Suddenly they felt the vehicle stop abruptly. The lights flickered in the back then went out.
"Crap what now," said Mike as he tried the intercom but it was dead too. "We've lost comms. It must be electrical. Help me bang on the walls."
A little while before the driver was speeding along he was looking at his speedometer then at his GPS doing calculations in his head. He was doing everything except watching the road. Sarah stood off on a corner behind a baby carriage then as the van approached she pressed an automatic call button that changed the light to green for pedestrians almost skipping yellow.
"He's not going to stop," said Chuck at first to himself as he stood in an alley behind the van with the EMP. "Sarah, he's not going to stop," yelled Chuck as he darted out. He saw how distracted the driver was and realized he wouldn't see Sarah until it was too late.
"What the..." said Sarah as Chuck ran up behind her. He grabbed her up then pushed her out of the way. He almost cleared the vehicle when it clipped him on his bad side spinning him around like a top then he dropped to the ground with a loud dull thud. Sarah screamed as she got to her feet.
"My baby what have you done," yelled Sarah. She was worried about Chuck but they had to finish the con. "Thank you mister you saved me and my baby."
"I'm sorry lady but you need to look before you cross. That was about the screwiest light I ever seen," said the driver as he climbed out. Chuck rolled over fired the EMP at the van frying all its electrical components as well as the phones the guards had on them. Sarah in her turn pulled a dart pistol from the stroller tranqing the driver. They heard bangs from the back as the men wanted out but with the electronic locks fried they were stuck for duration.
"You didn't have to come charging like that it was all calculated," said Sarah. "Chuck, I already figured in the guard's reaction time and the distance the van would travel before stopping."
"I'm sure you did but you didn't notice that he wasn't looking at the road so he didn't see you and won't have seen you until it was too late," said Chuck as he rolled over on his back. "Can I just stay here?"
"If you're done lying around I could use some help," said John. He backed up with the U-Haul to the security van then opened it up putting down the ramp in the back.
"And the answer is no... I'm fine John," said Chuck as he got up slowly and in great pain. "You don't need to worry about me." John just grunted.
"Take the van out of gear," yelled John as he attached a cable from a winch inside to the back bumper. They pulled the security van right into the back of the U-Haul with the guards inside still pounding on the walls. Then afterwards Casey tossed in the sleeping driver and they were off heading back to Castle.
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Ivan was getting nervous looking out the window then going back outside the outer office to find it empty. His secretary was gone and now it was just him. He'd sent Mikhail out to find out what was holding up Anton but so far there was no answer back. He poured himself a drink and tried to relax sitting behind his desk when his phone rang. He put it on speaker as he continued to sip from his glass.
"Ivan, I think we've got a problem," said Mister X. "The counterfeit bills never made it to the bank. I just found out through my sources that the police are investigating this as a possible heist. Do you have our money? If you do you need to give it all to me so I can ship it out of country. The police will be looking at the serial number now. You do..."
"I wish I did but my driver hasn't come back yet. I've sent people out looking for them and I expect to hear back soon but for now I'm in the dark too. What's going on? What have you been up to that's come back to bite us?"
"Me? You were the one making deals behind my back with Khan," said Mister X. "Didn't you think I'd find out about it but I'll let you slid for now. I think you know who's to blame even if you don't want to admit it to yourself."
"I'm a busy man Mister X," said Ivan. "If you don't have anything to contribute that's constructive I need to go. I have other things to do besides sitting around shooting the breeze with you." Ivan was about to hang up when Mikhail came in with Anton and Dale.
"I need my money Ivan and I need it in a hurry," said Mister X. "I'll be back in touch with you but I expect to be called immediately as soon as you find out something. This money is extremely important."
"We'll be in touch," said Ivan as he hung up. Ivan got up from his desk and came over to them. "What happened? You're late and I just go word the armored vehicle is missing so someone had better start speaking."
"We got hit just outside the compound by Khan and his men," said Anton. "It wasn't our fault he just jumped out of nowhere and the van rolled but it wasn't our fault. Really it wasn't."
"I hear you talking but so far I don't see you dispelling the accusation. Start over from the beginning this time Dale I want you to tell me in your own words what happened."
"Like Anton said we were hit by Khan and his men but he didn't take the full load. He took thirty-three percent that he said was his share then he torched the rest in the van..."
"He torched it?" said Ivan as he looked over at Mikhail who nodded his head. "I don't understand why did he let you guys live?" said Ivan as he looked back over at Mikhail. Mikhail went to the bar and poured them all vodkas then he was waved for Dale and Anton to come over.
"Tell Ivan the rest of the story? I think if you hear this then you'll understand a little more about what's going on," said Mikhail as he handed them both a glass. They tipped the glass up and it was gone.
"Well I'm waiting and you're drinking up my vodka so I expect to be told something," said Ivan as he held out his glass. Mikhail refilled it. "What's it I need to know?"
"Well Khan told us to tell you that a Mister X had tried to kill him twice and that you had sided with the wrong party," said Dale then he went on to explain everything else that happened.
"You can't let this slid," said Mikhail. "Ivan you need to show Khan who's the boss. Let's take some men and pay Khan a visit in his hotel."
"No he's poked the wrong bear this time. Let's take all the men and pay him a visit," said Ivan. "Maybe then he'll realize why they call me crazy. Round up the guys I want to be out of here in half an hour. I'll show Khan he messed with the wrong bear."
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Casey passed Chuck the drill then he dragged the driver out of the back taking him to detention cell. Chuck set up the tripod locked in the drill then put on eye protection. He began drilling into the back of the armored car through the armor plating and as he drilled he oiled his bit. This was a long and tedious job but it had to be done.
"Do you want some water," asked Sarah as she tapped him on the shoulder. "You look hot. Hey I'm sorry if I came off like I didn't care that you save me back there. I really do but one of these days you're going to get yourself killed trying to save me."
"Thanks I could use some. Well we're about to find out if I'm right or if we can add heisting to the list of our resumes," said Chuck ignoring her last remark. He knew that if she were in trouble he would come and there was no way he could do anything else.
"Step aside Chuck let me takeover or we'll be here all night. Kat's made a roast with potatoes and carrots that I don't intend to miss."
"Just don't bind the bit or you'll break it," said Chuck but John pushed him aside. "He's going to break it isn't he?" Sarah smiled and nodded her head. It wasn't five minutes later.
"Crap Bartowski where did you buy these cheap tools. The bit was too soft wait I'll get another one that's harder."
"That one will break too if you bind it. Hold up I've got an idea, said Chuck as he went into the back and came back with a laser drill.
"Now we're talking why didn't you use this before? Come to papa," said Casey as he looked over its sleek exterior."
"Let me set it up first and to answer your question before I wasn't sure how thick the walls were and I didn't want to drill through anyone inside," said Chuck as he set it up. One short burst and they had their hole.
"Now comes the fun part," said John. He and Chuck ran a tube inside through the hole then tape it off. Once that was done they ran gas inside. Sarah looked at her watch then waved to them when it was time to cut it off.
"Okay let's see what we've got," said John. He ran in a fiber optic camera inside. "Okay I've got what seems to be the two guards out cold. Now we can crack the egg," he said as he placed a hydraulic vice in the back door jam and soon the door cracked.
"Let's see what the Easter bunny brought," said Casey. "Chuck, open the door while I cover you." Chuck opened the door and Casey shot both guards with tranq darts.
"John was that necessary? I don't care what anyone says that stuff can't be good for you."
"Stop your whining and get in here and flash," said John as he reached out grabbed Chuck by the collar and pulled him inside. "Now look at this," he said.
"John how many times do I have to tell you it doesn't work like that... Gah! Hah! Well? Thanks, mamma they're all counterfeit. The same type of counterfeit bills printed off the same press that Dale was trying to use to frame Morgan with.
"We need to get the guards to speak," said Sarah as she looked at Chuck. "Do you want a crack at them before we ship them off downtown?"
"I'm not going to make it for Morgan's homecoming," said Chuck as he looked at Sarah. He saw the look in her eyes. "Okay I got this. Wake up the driver for me and I'll be in with him," said Chuck. He walked into the armory taking out what he needed then he went into the detention cell where the driver was coming around.
"Where am I? What is this place," said the driver. Chuck ignored him opening a folder in front of him then Chuck got up pressed the intercom button near the door where he spoke Russian. "Who are you what do you want? If you're looking for Crazy Ivan I haven't got a clue where he is."
"You're denying you work for him," said Chuck as he dropped the folder in the middle of the table. "Remember as a vor you're supposed to admit your Bratva if you're asked."
"That's crazy none of us are Russian and whatever that is we don't know what you're talking about. Where am I? What have you done to my partners?"
"This, my friend, is a holding cell in a safe house outside of L.A. the SVR uses to extract high value targets. You keep lying to me and you'll find yourself in a container bound for the motherland."
"What motherland are you talking about? I was born in Barstow. You've got things all messed up none of us are Russians."
"Then who do you work for and don't lie to me," said Chuck as he pounded on the table. "You'll find I'm not a person to be lied to," said Chuck as he went over to the intercom and started speaking Russian. "Sarah I need for you to come and get me in a few minutes," he said as he kept looking back at the driver.
"I'm not lying and if anyone told you anything else then they are lying. We work for Waldo Fargoes Security Company and if you're telling me the money's counterfeit well I don't..."
"Now you're treating me like a fool and one of your colleagues will pay for that," said Chuck. There was a tapping on the two way glass. "For their sake one of them had better have told the truth." Chuck pulled out his weapon from his shoulder holster so the man could see it then he walked out.
"What are you going to do now," asked Sarah but Chuck didn't have time to answer. He ran to the fridge grabbed a bottle of catsup then ran back then he dragged one of the other guards out into the hallway where the driver could see him.
"I told you no more lying," said Chuck as he fired two rounds into the wall then doused the man with catsup.
"What the..." yelled Casey. He came running as soon as he heard the gunshots showing up with his Sig in hand. He saw the man covered in catsup and two bullet holes in the wall. "You're going to putty those holes this time. I'm tired of cleaning up after your creative interrogations."
"Shush John I've got to go back in," said Chuck. He walked back in to find the driver white as a sheet looking at him scared.
"You're insane. You're certifiably crazy. You ought to be locked up in a nut house and the key thrown away."
"That's an interesting theory but there's only a few problems with that. First of all I hold the key to those handcuffs and secondly I'm the one who can let you go. Now we know you met Ivan's men in a basement and you exchange pallets of money. I've got pictures if you want to see," said Chuck. He was bluffing but he didn't think the driver wanted to see anything that proved his guilt. So can we start again? Your friend didn't take advantage of my good will I hope you're smarter," said Chuck as he laid his weapon on the table.
"I'm just the driver I really don't..." the man started to say but Chuck drew his Makarov and fired a round that whizzed by the man's head slamming into the back wall.
"I'm pulling a little to the right. You were saying who you work for. Next time I won't miss you know you can take quite a bit of lead before you bleed out. I could just gut shoot you then watch you die a slow painful death as sepsis sets in. In the end you'll beg me to finish you."
"Don't you see I can't they'll kill me," screamed the driver as he broke out in tears.
"And what do you think I'll do to you? Hold your hand and sing Kumbaya? It's time to come clean or I can set you on the street after I waste your two friends. I can even deposit some money in your account."
"No the collective will think I talked."
"The collective, so now we have a name and who in the collective do you answer to? Come on I can even do you a favor I can put money in your partner's bank account then turn him loose after we rough you up a bit. No one will know you talked."
"Okay we get our orders from a Mister X no one knows his real name but I saw him once in the Federal building when we had a pick up. I know his name."