Don't own Chuck
Morgan finally got out of the Buy More with Kat, Emma and Bunny undertow. They headed back to Echo Park and on the way Morgan tried to explain to Emma and Kat what was going on. He did his best but the whole story sounded so farfetched that he wasn't sure he believed it. As he told the story of how some evil genius planned on opening the North West passage at the sacrifice of countless lives and global destruction his phone rang.
"Oh look it's Chuck," said Morgan as he checked his phone. "Maybe I won't have to have a flood sale after all. Chuck, you can talk dude I've got you on speaker."
"Morgan, I need for you to listen to me very carefully and promise me you won't freak out. First of all is everyone with you?" asked Chuck.
"I've got Emma, Kat and Bunny. Alex took Molly and Sam to SeaWorld for the morning then we're heading out to the cabin like you told us to. Is everything okay? And when I say everything you know what I mean."
"Only partially Little Buddy, I need for you to call Alex and tell her to go to Castle and lock herself and the girls in. Look in your rearview I need to know if you're being followed?"
"I think I'd notice if I were being follow…. Yikes! That's the same Escalade that was at the Buy More. Hold on let me check," said Morgan as he turned off only to see the Escalade make the same turn. "Chuck, I've got a tail and don't tell Casey because he'll try to feed me a banana or something."
"It will be all right Little Buddy whatever you do don't turn off your phone. I want you to get on the Pacific Coast Highway then head north. Don't try to out run them just maintain the speed limit and everything will be okay. You have my word on it."
"I don't know if I want to know this but Chuck who's in that Escalade behind us," asked Morgan as he kept looking up in the rearview.
"That's a wet team that Hector sent to kill you guys because he's mad at us because we foiled him plan. I made a deal with him to keep you guys safe and I intend to make sure you are," Chuck said. They heard Sarah clear her throat. "Pardon me we intend to."
"I want to talk to Sarah," said Emma. "Chuck, please put her on the line I need to have a word with my daughter."
"Sure but it's going to have to be quick. We've got a lot of work to do and a very short time to do it in," said Chuck. They heard muffled voices then Sarah came on the line.
"Hi Mom I'm sorry but we really are short on time. If things go sideways up here make sure our kids know we love them and they are the most important things in our lives."
"Sarah what's going on? What did Chuck mean when he said you made a deal with this Hector? Who is he and what kind of deal did you make?"
"One that keeps you guys safe and right now that's all that matters. We're about to piss off a lot of people but it can't be help. I love you and Jack. I'm sorry I've got to go. This is harder than that night I called you from Budapest."
"I love you," said Emma as she wiped the tears from her eyes. "What can we do for you guys from here?"
"Chuck is down working on the warheads now. Morgan needs to leave his phone on so we can track it via GPS and do like Chuck said just drive the speed limit."
"But for how long? I don't understand where do you want me to drive to? A little more detail would certainly help."
"Take my word for it you'll know when to stop," said Sarah. "I need to run. Kat, I'm sure Casey would've wanted to talk to you but he's not with us. Morgan call Alex now. I have to go we love you all," said Sarah then she hung up.
Morgan hit autodial for Alex then waited for her to pick up as he turned over and over in his head what Chuck and Sarah had said.
"What did she mean when she said Chuck was working on a warhead? She did say he was working on the warheads, right?"
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The two-hour drive from Burbank to San Diego was uneventful. Sam sat looking out the window while Molly slept. Sam was the first one to notice it Molly was sweating profusely so she reached over and felt her forehead.
"Oh no I think Molly's got a fever," said Sam as she took her pulse. "Alex, please pullover so I can examine my patient better."
"What? No, I'm fine," said Molly as she woke up. "Look we're almost there," she said as she pointed out at the sign indicating the turn off. "Besides Sam you had your heart set on going."
"Your health is more important than me seeing dolphins," said Sam as she took Molly by the hand. Molly smiled at her then felt a wave of nausea. "Alex, pull over now we've got an emergency," said Sam. Alex got over to the emergency lane just in time. Molly opened the door then leaned out only to heave up right there.
"You stay in the car," said Alex to Sam as she got out walked back to check on Molly. She looked flushed and pale. "I guess that ends that we need to turn around and go home."
"Here," said Sam as opened up the little backpack she brought with her. She handed Molly some wet ones to clean up. "Now don't move," she said as she took out from it a thermal thermometer and took her temperature from her ear. "Oh you've got a low fever 101.2. You need to get to bed and drink fluids. The more you throw up the more dehydrated you'll become so you need to drink to replace the liquids and minerals you're losing."
"I don't feel like drinking," said Molly as she felt her stomach churn. "I just want to go back to sleep. I'm sorry I just don't feel so well now."
"Here drink a little sip of this, it's apple juice. It will help reintegrate some of the minerals you're losing by throwing up."
In the meantime, Alex got over on the other side of the I-5 then started back home. She kept glancing at Molly in the back but Sam was doing a good job of taking care of her. She was on her way back when her phone rang. Caller ID said it was Morgan.
"Morgan, I'm glad you called," said Alex putting the call on speaker. "Molly isn't feeling well and we're on our way home. Molly needs a bed. Sam measured her temperature at 101.2 and is giving her fluids."
"Chuck called don't go to Echo Park but go straight to Castle. Once you're inside put it in lockdown until further notice. You can tuck Molly in one of the cots in detention."
"Chuck called? Did he say how things we going up where they are? And why do we have to go into lockdown? Wait don't answering that," said Alex as she looked at the girls in the rearview. "I'll call you later from Castle then you can give me my answers."
"That means she doesn't want us to hear," said Sam. "They do that all the time. I think they believe I'm some dumb little kid who doesn't know what's going on or doesn't know better."
"I know I get the same thing back home. Have you ever played seven and a half or a card game called, scopa." Sam shook her head. "They're Italian card games that we added in the casino. You play them with Neapolitan cards. I brought a deck and I can show you. If nothing else you should learn because…"
"If you know all the cons you'll never be a sucker," said Sam. "You're looking better now and you've got more color. Maybe you needed to throw up."
"I feel better too," said Molly as she reached over and took Sam's hand. "Rahzib told me to tell you hi. He's going this summer to visit his relatives in Chicago. He hopes to see Clara. You know they email each other every day… sometimes even twice a day."
"Are they going to get married? If they can they should skip the engagement part it's probably better," said Sam. Then she spoke in a low voice. "Some people have been engaged for as long as I can remember."
"Hey you two old spinsters back there. Stop talking about other people. Clara's too young and so is Rahzib to even think about anything serious. I wasn't allowed to have my first boyfriend until I was fourteen. You are way too young to even be talking about this anyway."
But the only affect her speech had on the two girls was they started whispering back and forth followed by giggling. Alex's ear started to feel warm.
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Back at Langley the General was monitoring events from the situation room. Long range radar through NORAD had picked up the C-130 before it reached Canadian airspace and was plotting its course as it crossed. The Royal Canadian Air Force scrambled two CF-18 Hornets to intercept. Once they were in range they began trying to hail them but with no luck and so far all attempts to communicate had failed.
"Command this is Red Wing Leader. I'm getting no answer to my requests to identify. I'm going up close to take a peek inside. The plane is not trying to veer away."
"Be careful up there Boss," radioed the second pilot. "I don't like this. The tailgate is down and I see people inside lying around. There's no movement inside."
"I've got something disturbing up here too. There's no one at home. I mean the pilot and co-pilot seats are empty. They must be flying on autopilot. Command do you read me?"
"Roger that read you. I'm running this up to see what High Command wants us to do. For now drop back and escort. The Americans will take over when it crosses into their airspace."
"With all due respect Command but this is a flying bomb waiting to drop on someone's head. Track her course then let's bring her down in an unpopulated area. If that thing drops in Toronto or Chicago or Detroit that could spell disaster, a disaster that can be avoided."
General Beckman listened in on their communication from Langley watching them from above. She heard the Pilot's request. She couldn't figure out why they didn't give the man permission to engage.
"Major, call our contacts in the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and tell them they should give the order to their Hornets to down our C-130. The man is right it's a flying bomb."
"Shouldn't we do a thermal scan first to see if anyone is alive onboard before downing it," said the Major.
"And if they are what do we do? Put up a ladder maybe or like in the cartoons have them put on their airbrakes. Without a pilot we've no way of contacting them. I'm sorry but their fate is sealed. How far out are Igors troops from the target site?"
"The last we check they were a half hour out. I can run up above and get an update if you want after I contact the Canadians."
"No that won't be necessary I'm just getting a little nervous. It's only been a few minutes and if I keep calling it will just tick off Igor. What does NASA say about the solar winds when will they die down?"
"They said that they've already weakened and in a few hours we should be out of the woods. I've got satellites standing by to move as soon as NASA gives us the okay."
"Very good I want them moved as soon as we can then bring up the image on the big screen. We can finally get a peek and see what's going on."
"Yes ma'am," said the Major. He was about to leave when a Captain stopped him and handed him a folder. She noticed his face turned gray as he looked over the document then glanced over at her. She knew this wasn't going to be good news.
"Okay Major spit it out," said the General as she held out her hand for the folder. "What's happened now?"
"Ma'am, it's NORAD they've confirmed that two SLBMs were launched from our Russian submarine. They're working now to figure out the trajectory."
"Get me SAC command and the White house. They need to know the Russian aren't coming and we don't need to respond. I want those possible target sites ASAP in case we need to evacuate."
"Ma'am, what does this mean? Could agents Carmichael have failed this time?"
"I don't know, your guess is as good as mine. Yell at NASA we need eyes on site now. Come on people let's get the lead out. There are people depending on us and I for one don't intend on letting them down."
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A half hour before on the submarine Sarah had just gotten off the phone with Morgan and Emma. She wiped her eyes. Chuck went over and held her then kissed her. She knew what she had to do and he knew he had to do too. She began working the ballast system on the submarine moving the ballast from tank to tank. Outside there was a rumbling from the ice beneath their feet.
"Is this an earthquake," asked Casey as he slipped and fell on his back. "What the heck is going on?" But looking out he saw what the source was. Slowly the submarine righted itself. The open gash in the side slid under the ice
"Isn't this what we didn't want to happen," asked Anatoly. "Come on we need to reach the submarine and find out what's going on. I think without the Skipper the rest of the crew might listen." They advanced slowly through the camp there was no opposition.
"What's going on here? Where is everyone?" asked Casey then out of tent a man came running towards them. Casey raised his minigun.
"Wait, don't shoot," said Stefan as he jumped out in front of John. "He was one of the people we talked to before. Let's hear him out."
"Okay then we can shoot him. You jump out like that again and I'll shoot you," said Casey. "That's close enough comrade say your piece then I'll give you some peace."
"What? No everyone believes you and they're all inside waiting for our troops to arrive. It's time that this ends. We just want to go home now and see our families."
"Very good make sure your men are unarmed and tell them to stay inside," said Anatoly. "Do you know what's going on inside the sub?"
"No just that onboard there's that American man the Skipper took onboard and then that blonde American woman. They've taken charge."
"That sounds about right," said Casey as he grunted. "Come on we need to get onboard before they hurt themselves.
As they were talking there was a loud blast from the ships horn then two missiles launched one after the other. Shortly after that there was another loud alarm but this one was different this one was to abandon ship. The crew onboard looked like ants scrambling out of anthill as fast as men were leaping off the boat sliding down the sides then running for cover. Casey, Anatoly and Stefan plus the two pilots went to help people off.
"Something is wrong here," said Casey as he looked at the sub. "The boat doesn't seem to be sinking. It's suspended on a block of ice so how is it sinking."
"I don't know but you can ask them," said Stefan. Chuck and Sarah helped Mary down then they argued over who was going to help the other off first.
"Sarah let me lower you down then I'll jump. It's not that far down. I can do it," said Chuck but Sarah pushed him away.
"No, I'll lower you down then I'll jump. It might not be that far down but remember I'm the one with cat like reflexes so the fall won't hurt me."
"I can't do that it's women and children first so I can't go if you don't go first. I think there's a United Nations Law that says that somewhere. I'm sure of it."
"Since when did you become a UN lawyer and we both know where you pulled that one from. So what do we do?"
"Idiots," yelled Casey. "You both jump or so help me I'm going to let my little friend talk some sense into you." They held hands then jumped. Casey caught Sarah and Chuck made a dull thud as he landed on the ice.
"I told you to let me lower you down but you wouldn't listen," said Sarah as she came to check on him. "Are you hurt?"
"No, just my pride," said Chuck as he got up. "Come on let's move it. We need to get away from here," he said as he took Sarah by the hand then ran away from the sub as fast as they could.
"Okay hold up we're far enough away," said Casey. Anatoly was wheezing. "Now can you explain to us what's going on? The submarine isn't sinking so why did you sound the abandon ships alarm?"
Suddenly one of the Bulava missiles came back down strike the submarine amidships. There was a loud explosion with a shock wave that knocked everyone off their feet. The tents near the sub went up in flames while the submarine itself buckled in the middle and the two halves slid down in the hole the explosion cause. The water churned and bubbles rose to the surface as the boat made her last voyage to the bottom of the Arctic Ocean.
"Oh Chuck, you're in so much deep doo-doo that it's not funny," said Casey as he pointed to the helicopters coming in with the Russian Spetsnaz onboard. "They're not going to be too happy with you."
"I did what I had to do John and if people get upset then so be it. I'm the one who made the decision and executed it so I'm the one who'll take the blame."
"No way, we did this together and we'll face this together," said Sarah. "We're a team remember."
"Kids, it doesn't matter who's to blame because the Russian are going to arrest us all."
"Well Bartowski I hope you like borsht just tell me this was worth it."
"Yes John it was and I'll explain to you why," said Chuck as his phone rang. "It's the General. You can listen in as I report."
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Morgan was beginning to get nervous. His fuel light was on and he should pull off soon to get gas but Chuck told him to keep on driving and Sarah said he'd know when he could stop. But so far he didn't see any sign he could pull off. The Escalade was still behind them on their tail. Morgan checked in his rearview one more time and it was still there but as he was checking Alex called. He put her on speaker.
"Hey Alex, are you back at Castle yet? You've had enough time by now," said Morgan. We're still on the Pacific Coast Highway heading north."
"Yeah we're back and we've been back for a while. Molly wasn't feeling well so I was getting her settled in bed. I gave her a couple of aspirins for her fever and Sam has her drinking ginger tea. Right now she's resting. Any idea how long we've got to live underground."
"What's the matter with her," asked Emma. "The ginger tea is good for the stomach. Has she been vomiting? How high is her fever?"
"Sam measured it at 101.2. Before you ask she carries a portable thermal thermometer with her in her medical backpack. So when is this going to be over?"
"I wish I knew. Chuck told me to get on the Pacific Coast Highway and head north. He even told me to drive the speed limit but I don't know why," said Morgan as he glanced up again in his rearview. "I've still got uninvited guests on my tail. I'm in the dark here too."
"Morgan while I've got you on the line I want to apologize for the way I reacted to your Mother and Big Mike coming over to spend the night. I over reacted and I want you to know I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it I understand. Believed me I do but what can I say she's my mother. Chuck has his problems with his Mom and I have mine. Certainly mine aren't the same or as big as his but maybe that's what brought us together. I understood him and he understood me. Funny I never thought about it before and we both had our Dads leave us so wow there's that. Chuck's like the brother I never had. Maybe that's why he's put up with me all these years."
"Well I just want you to know that if the opportunity comes along again. I won't mind if you invite your mother and Big Mike to stay with us."
"Gee I'm glad because as it turns out their new bed is on back order and probably won't be here for a week so they asked me if they could stay. At the time I thought we'd be at the cabin so I said yes."
"Of course you did. Okay Morgan I've got to run and check on Molly. I'll talk to you later," said Alex as she hung up. As soon as she hung up she dialed another number.
"This is Agent Alexandra HcHugh," said Alex then she read off her badge number and authorization code then waited.
"Agent status verified what can we do for you Agent McHugh?"
"I need a bed picked up and delivered ASAP. It's vital for an operation we've got going… operation… operation 'Call of the Wild'. It's classified if you're wondering why you haven't heard about it but the bed is vital for global peace," she said as she thought about her peace of mind.
"Roger that, just tell me where we need to grab it and where it needs to go."
