Don't Own Chuck

The sound of small arms fire died down to an eerie silence. The perpetual night seemed to paint a surreal face on everything that was happening around them. Chuck turned back watching the submarine's crew hobble back from their attempted assault on Casey's position. He couldn't help but feel sorry for them after all they were just following orders. It wasn't their fault that the people giving them were traitors.

"I'm going to make you a onetime offer," said Chuck as he turned to the Skipper. They had just reached the submarine. "I will let you go. You go back get on the C-130 and I will radio you when the link is deactivated. You'll be able to tell because the panel will read standby. But you have to go."

"I don't understand what do you hope to accomplish by this. But more importantly how do I know I can trust you," said the Skipper.

"You don't but there's no reason anyone else needs to get hurt. If you leave I or my people will have an easier time convincing the rest to lay down their arms before the Spetsnaz arrive. You know as well as I do they won't care if they are conspirators or just some poor Ivan following orders."

"What's this compassion? You won't get very far in this line of work feeling sorry for your enemy. But okay I'll leave my two men with you to oversee that you do what you promised."

"Then I'd better get started but I don't see them as my enemy. I see they as just being misguided and hopefully I can take care of that once you're gone."

The Skipper took a radio from one of his men and handed it to Chuck then he took another one before leaving heading back to the C-130. Chuck turned the men motion for him to follow them.

"Okay we're onboard now I need to go to your communications room," said Chuck. But the men started talking amongst themselves. "I know you thought I was supposed to find that panel but we don't have time to go hunting. Just take me to the communications room or we'll all be vaporized."

"This way," said one of the officers. Then he led Chuck down to Command and Control. They didn't like having an American in the heart of their sub but it seemed there was little they could do about it.

"Okay I need to modify some of your communications equipment. I'm going to need a screwdriver, a hex wrench set, a soldering gun with solder and a cup of coffee or tea."

"Your Russian is very good," said one of his guards. "You must be part Russian. Do you have Russian parents?"

"No but I've done some work there and I've got Russian friends like the two you people were shooting at. Anatoly is with the FSB and Stefan is with SVR. You could call this a joint operation."

"So it is true that the Spetsnaz are coming," asked the officer taking a deep breath realizing what that meant.

"Oh yes that you can bank on. I asked them to wait and let me try to neutralize the missile threat and to wait until the solar winds passed. If I can't get this to work by then they won't need to come. You realize your Skipper is leaving you behind, don't you?"

"What are you talking about?" said the man as he watched Chuck work. "He's going to wait in the plane then when you're finished we're all going to fly out."

"If you think so but I'm willing to bet as soon as I'm done he takes off. He's not going to wait for anyone and certainly not for you two. He'll want to clear out way before the Spetsnaz arrive and can stop him. I can't say as I blame him," said Chuck as he took a sip of his tea. "I really like the orange you add to your tea."

The one guard went grabbed the other guard then they got into a heated debate over what to do. Chuck worked and tried to listen in but at the moment getting this working was the most important thing. Everything else was useless unless it worked.

"Okay I'm done. Once I turn on this switch it will become a low powered signal jammer. It should cause the link to deactivate without activating the destruct command. Once the plane is gone then the link can no longer be reestablish and the system will reset into standby mode. This is your last chance to leave. I'm willing to bet they've already got the engines going to warm up."

"But we were told to execute you after you finished and before we could go," said the one officer as he looked at his partner.

"Well you've got quite the dilemma don't you? If I don't flip that switch one of you will have to but as soon as the switch is flipped your Skipper will fly out of here leaving both of you behind. So might I offer another solution because I really don't want to get shoot. You guys leave I'll give you ten minutes before I flip the switch which if you hustle should be enough to get you off this boat and on that plane. Once you leave the Skipper isn't going to know you didn't shoot me. So what will it be escape or face the music?"

"How do we know you'll do what you say you will?" said the one guard. He drew his weapon but the other guard got in the middle.

"How do you know you can trust me? Well you don't but what do you think the Spetsnaz are going to do to you when they grab you? Good case scenario they take you back for trial then put a bullet in the back of your head. Bad case scenario they take you out on the ice and put a bullet in the back of your head. I think you've got a decision to make."

"I'm out of here, said the one as he pushed by the other bolting out of the hatch. But the other one stood there.

"You're not going to take me up on my offer are you?" The man raised his weapon. "Well at least give your friend the ten minutes I promised him."

"Why should I the man's a traitor."

"Funny you should say that I guess it all depends on perspective. Let me tighten down this last screw then we can switch the flip. A man asked me once why do these types of switches or buttons always have to be red…"

"You're wasting time finish your work then I finish you."

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The Team Leader and his men were going frantic in the Buy More. The two women, the baby and man had disappeared. They didn't see them anywhere. They started looking everywhere but it seemed as if they'd gone up in smoke. At a certain point the Team Leader had them regroup in the home theater room.

"They aren't here," said the driver. "How's that even possible? You don't think they were on to us? I left a thirty yard cushion like I was supposed to."

"I don't know but they aren't here now. They might've ducked back out as we came in to go back to Echo Park. Let's drive there and see. I don't want to be the one who has to tell the Boss we lost them."

"Morning my dear gentlemen," said Big Mike as he walked in on them. "Can I interest you in a home theater unit? I can see you're a group of men who can appreciate one of these beauties in your man cave. Which one of you wants to become the envy of the rest by owning one of these? If you think about it will pay for itself in beer…"

"Wait minute I have to ask how can beer pay for a fifty-two inch plasma TV," asked one of the men. The Team Leader gave him a nasty look but the man just shrugged his shoulders.

"Why it's easy. All your friends will want to come over to your man cave to watch the game so you say sure come on over just bring a case or two with you. You'll never have to buy another six-pack in your life. I don't know about you but all that savings will soon add up."

"You got a good point there," said the one man. The Team Leader faked a cough to tell him they needed to go. "Well he did. It wouldn't hurt to get a price quote."

"Target is Oscar Mike on the move," said one of the men close to the entrance to home theater. The Team Leader went over and saw Morgan and the women walking across the floor.

"I'll get you that price quote in a few, first I need to talk with the store manager for a second," said Big Mike as he hurried out after Morgan.

"Morgan, Son I need to talk with you. Do you have a few minutes for your daddy? Ladies if you don't mind I need the store manager for a few minutes."

"Geez, I'd hoped I could've avoided this but I guess not. Kat, Emma can you please wait for me in the manager's office."

"Sure I think we need to change someone," said Emma. Kat smiled and nodded. Morgan shook his head because he knew where the diaper was going to end up.

"I'll let you have the honor," said Kat. "You've got some catching up to do grandma," she said as she laughed. "Morgan, we're going to use your desk."

"Okay Big Mike what is it? I hope you slept well last night. Listen I'm going to have to take the women out of town. You know with Casey and Chuck being gone," said Morgan.

"What does that have to do with Chuck's mother-in-law but you say you're going to have to take them out of town. Does that mean you're going to have to stay out of town with them... I mean you and my favorite daughter-in-law?"

"You mean 'only' but yeah so do you mind keeping an eye on the place for the next few days but if you need me you can call me. It shouldn't take us that long."

"No take your time... just take as much time as you need. I'll keep everything running here. You don't have to worry about a thing because you've got me to take charge. You won't recognize the place when you return."

"That's what I'm worried about but okay great then I'll get the ladies and get out of here. So what is it you wanted to talk to me about? You were the one who stopped me."

"I was? Right I was. I can't remember right now it must not have been important. Why don't you get your women together and go. Say hi to Sarah and enjoy all that nature. Remember to leave the poison ivy alone."

"For the last time, I was showing Sam how to make a robe using vines. We did it one year in summer camp but come to think of it I spent the rest of the summer cover in calamine lotion."

"Hey did you tell him yet? Did he tell you the news," asked Skip as he came around the corner. Fernando popped around the other corner.

"Come on I've got twenty bucks riding on this. Don't make me lose it. Come on be a pal and help a friend out."

"Hey not fair you're trying to influence him so zip it," said Skip then the two of them started arguing. "Wait a minute. Morgan what is it they say fish and guests stink in three days? Boy what are they like after a week?"

"Zip it both of you, Morgan's going out of town for a few days and so I'm in charge until he comes back. Looks like there might be a personnel change you two are under supervised probation."

"And who's going to be supervising us?" said Skip. "Whoever it is don't make it Carrot Top. Who knows what he's thinking."

"It will be me you fools. So you'd better watch out. First thing that needs to be done is I want you to go over and take out the trash from the manager's office."

"That's it," said Skip expecting something worse. "Okay that's easy enough. Come on Fernando let's take the trash out through the loading dock."

"I don't want to come back there and a get a whiff of any funny smelling cigarettes. I don't care if you've got a medical card or not."

"Oh man my glaucoma is acting up. You don't want me to get a lawyer and take you to court because you won't allow me to take my medication."

"I can dock your pay and send you home. If you're sick then you shouldn't be working. And I can make that permanent so go light up. You'll find yourself so fast in the unemployment line you won't know how you got there. Now go take out that trash." Morgan with a certain satisfaction watched them disappear.

"Okay, tell me what you didn't want me to know? If it's about the cops showing up last night at our doorstep I know about that and it's no big deal. But if you get us fined you're paying for it."

"Oh you do, how did you... well that's not important. It really doesn't matter now because you're going to be out of town so it all works out in the end."

"Wait a minute what gets worked out in the end," asked Morgan. He glanced over to see Skip and Fernando leave his office. Fernando was carrying his waste paper can with Skip holding Fernando's nose and his own.

"Well I called the company delivering our new bed and you know what they said. They had the nerve to tell me it was on back order and I... we... that is your momma and me are going to have to wait a week before it arrives. They were all sorry and apologetic but that doesn't cut it. You know I'm so grateful that we're family. That doesn't mean a lot to some people these days but you son you've got a heart of gold..."

"With a pain in my backside so let me see if I understand your bed isn't arriving today and won't be arriving for another week."

"That would be a fair assessment of the situation and let me tell you your momma and me we really appreciate you letting us stay over. You ought to go take care of your women. I need to go talk to a man about a home theater unit. I might have a sale," said Big Mike as he hurried off before Morgan could say anything.

"I can't believe this I'm already in the dog house," said Morgan to himself as he went inside his office. "Is it wrong to hope for the end of the world?"

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Sarah took her platoon onboard the submarine. She cleared a path for them all the way to the armory then left them as they were issuing weapons. On the way forward she bumped into one of the men that had been guarding Chuck. He came from Command and Control so she figured Chuck was there. She was about to enter when she heard a gunshot. Her blood went cold as she erupted in the room with weapon at the read.

"Hold up it's me," said Chuck. Lying on the floor was the other guard with a screwdriver through his heart. "Come here you," he said as he hugged and kissed her.

"It's nice to see you kids together," said Mary as she followed Sarah in. "But what do we do next. There's still an angry crew outside and your ten men aren't going to be able to hold them off forever. On the positive side the C-130 left with the Skipper onboard."

"Okay first things first," said Chuck. He took his tea and tossed it on the panel with Satellite control. "That's in case there's another relay we don't know about. Now I can turn off my signal jammer and see if we can reach Beckman for an update." But as soon as he turned off the jammer his phone rang. The number read anonymous. He didn't like this but he answered it putting it on speaker.

"Agent Carmichael, Chuck you're really getting in my way," said a familiar voice. "I think I'm going to have to teach you that there are consequences for opposing me."

"Hector, what are you talking about or would you prefer I call you Mr. Big like the hat size that you wear now. You didn't expect us to just stand by and do nothing."

"Well like I said consequences. You might have saved the world but lost something close to your heart in the deal. You have two children now..."

"You touch either of them and I swear I'll burn your house down with you in it. I will become you worst nightmare. I will find you, and I will, then I will kill you but not quickly no. In the end you'll beg me to kill you. Think twice before you go down this path."

"We're already on the path. Just to show you I'm not all bad I'll let you call home and tell them all goodbye."

"Hector, okay you win. You outsmarted me. Just leave them alone and I will launch two nukes. I assume you have people in NORAD who can confirm the missile launch." Chuck looked over at Sarah and she nodded.

"You're willing to sacrifice yourself and your wife for your children how very touching. Personally, I don't have any use for them. But okay I'll take you up on your offer. I'll have my people stay behind them but one wrong move or you try to trick me and they will complete their mission. Goodbye Chuck," said Hector aka 'Mr. Big'.

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Earlier the C-130 revved up engines as men ran to jump in the back but the Skipper and the Pilot weren't going to wait around. The tailgate came up as men scrambled to jump on board. The plane rolled down to the far end of the makeshift airstrip then turned. The pilot opened her up and she began her run somewhere just short of running out of runway she took off climbing into the perpetual darkness.

"Sir we left about half our men back there. The men in the back are grumbling and saying we should go back for them."

"Go back and tell them we had to get out when we did because we got word that the Spetsnaz where just a few kilometers away. Tell them not to worry our people on the inside will take care of our friends. Here pass this around," said the Skipper as he handed the XO two bottles of premium grade vodka. "The first toast is for our friends those who got out and those who didn't. Make sure everyone drinks the toast. I'll be back in a moment."

The Pilot glanced back at the Skipper then turned around. He waited until the door closed then had his co-pilot check it to make sure no one was listening.

"You know people are going to be looking for us and this plane. We're going to have to make us and it disappear."

"I know I'm ahead of you on that. Once we get over Canada the three of us parachute out and leave the plane on autopilot. It'll crash and by the time they sort out who's who we'll be long gone."

"That sounds like the perfect plan if it weren't for all your men sitting in the back drinking your vodka," said the Pilot. "Oh I see your vodka that's why you made sure everyone took a shot. What's in it some sort of toxin?"

"No toxin just a very strong sedative that will keep them out until it's too late or they may never wake up at all. This was my plan all along. If we all had survived then it wouldn't take long for one of the idiots to get caught then he would confess and bring down a manhunt on the rest of us. Like this they'll find the wreckage and think our bodies were incinerated in the crash. No search parties and no manhunts we walk away scot free.

"Your plan is cold... I mean evil cold but ingenious. However, you should go back and make sure everyone took a drink. The last thing we need is for someone to start shooting."

"I'll take care of it," said the Skipper. He walked in the bay to find his men strung about lying where they fell. But as he walked back he found a man kneeling over the XO trying to wake him up.

"What happened to everyone?" said the Skipper as he feigned surprise. "Why are they lying around like this? Did someone poison them?"

"I don't know they all were drinking then they started dropping over. I guess I was lucky because I dropped my glass and the XO was about to pour me more when he dropped. Everyone is out," said the man as he got up to his feet.

"Except you... I mean you're the only one besides me still conscious. You know I bet it was those Americans, the Pilot and his Co-pilot. They gave the XO the vodka to pass around."

"He said you gave it to him to give to us," said the man. He turned towards the Skipper then felt the blade enter him between the ribs straight into his heart. The man gasped then fell to the floor afterwards the Skipper returned to the cockpit. A few hours later they were gearing up for the jump.

"Don't use those chute. Those chutes our Loadmaster tangled up intentionally for our passengers we brought over in case they jumped. Use our chutes. Here take the Loadmaster's." They lowered the tailgate then jumped. Later the wolves found their bodies and made a tasty meal out of them. Little did they realize that Sarah had discovered their chutes had been tampered with so she substituted theirs for the flight crews'.