Chuck vs. The Proposal
To recap the previous chapter: The main them was finding your center. Casey used a modified form of meditation that he learned from his former sensei Bennett. As for Team Chuck playing video games and throwing daggers help in centering Sarah, as well as Alex possibly. As for Morgan along with the 3 men who are using him as bargaining chip unbeknownst to him they comfortably centering themselves as they are approaching soon to their intended destination. So what happens this chapter? How are the movies Starship Troopers and Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol involved?. Plus, does Team Chuck actually have a some type of transport system that beams them off and on the Bird of Prey? Also, why did Morgan do Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal lean? Read and find out! Anyways, hope you enjoy the read and leave a comment to share your own thoughts on this particular chapters. As always, reviews are awesome.
Again, if you enjoyed reading my stories and left a comment I truly appreciate it. Please continue to do so as it gives me the incentive to write more chapters.
I don't own Chuck.
A Knife Lesson
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Morgan is transfixed at the location where the Sikorsky CH-53K Stallion he's hitching a ride in is slowly descending down in a barren desert wasteland. However, it's not necessarily barren as he spots what looks to be an opening to an underground facility. A facility that seems to not have been used for quite some time and has been partially buried under the sand due to the wind. As the copter gradually touches down, a scarf of some sort and goggles are suddenly handed or should I say dropped by Packard causing a bit of confusion on the former Buy More green shirt's face.
"It's for protection. The wind and sand out there are a nasty combo my small, bearded friend. Visibility is going to be rough. Trust me…" he stated reaching to briefly pat him on the left shoulder. "…I've been here before. So stick close." he added with a firm nod.
Morgan reciprocates a nod back. His attention on the man with an expressive charming smile is suddenly turned outside as he is able to look closer at the conditions outside. What he now sees as they continue to descend lower and lower is nature where wind and sand are mixed together into on large chaotic storm. A chaotic storm that is heard beating against the outer windows and façade to where the impact of jostles the copter from side to side.
It also causes the copter to experience problems for the pilot as well as he tries to direct it to a safe landing spot below. His focus on the conditions outside is broken by the sound of the pilot's voice in his headset. "Sorry boys. Gotta land 1 click away from the target area due to the swirling winds and some rough terrain below."
"Affirmative." Packard's laid back demeanor turns serious on a dime. The look of focus and determination set in as he along with his 2 cohorts do a weapons check before Sikorsky CH-53K Stallion finally lands. He then speaks up directing his attention to T.I., Mackintosh, and also Morgan. "Remember." he stated looking around the confines of the copter at all 3 men. Mostly at T.I and Mackintosh. Don't lose sight on why we're here. Yeah, our pay day is so close each of us can taste it. Stick to the plan and we all win." he proclaimed flashing his familiar charming smile.
Mackintosh nods in agreement after hearing that in his headset. "And Casey gets what's coming to him" A noticeable sinister grin showing on his face.
"Damn straight." T.I. growled.
The way Mackintosh said that sent a chill down his spine while sitting back and keenly observing the 3 men since they appeared at their makeshift camp sight. In his mind, his threat sounded so convincingly real it felt to him like Casey's buddies are in fact out to kill him. That's when you know the performances are real. To him, it's not acting the part to make the challenge believable it's also being able to sound it as well. The believability is most definitely the selling point and from Morgan's point of view Mackintosh didn't lack the emotion and feeling or wasn't over the top with it as well he thinks to himself.
True, they are actors in a way being that they're in a business where it's all about the danger and not to mention absolute deception all for the greater good. For him, they've been given a role by Casey to potentially sink their teeth into and use their skills in the spy game to make him flinch. Fortunately, he hasn't flinched and doing his very best to keep on point on to where he matches stride for stride with them. In that moment he remembers that scene in Starship Troopers where Sgt. Zim portrayed by Clancy Brown from Highlander fame as the evil Kurgan but now well known as the voice of Mr. Krabs from the Nickelodeon series SpongeBob SquarePants gave an order to Ace Levy played by Jake Busey.
In any case, he was ordered to put his hand against the wall for completely failing at sticking the knife at his intended target. What happens next is that Ace ends up questioning the value of knife throwing and how it's much easier to just push a button. This leads St. Zim to grab the knife behind him, flip it, then throws it straight through the crowd of trooper cadets and deep into Ace's right hand. So what was lesson he thinks to himself?Simple. The enemy cannot push a button if you disable his hand.
Since the moment of their arrival, he's determination to make them flinch first has been a driving factor in proving to Casey that whatever preconceived notions he's had when it comes to being a permanent fixture in his daughter's laugh will all be answered by the end of it. In other words, he's got his right hand firmly against the wall while Casey along with his 3 military buddies are doing their best to get him to flinch by doing anything and everything to take his hand or in this situation focus away thus causing him lose the challenge. It's when he loses that focus and takes his hand away that he ends up losing the control. That is Morgan Grimes version of the knife lesson.
His thoughts concerning that particular movie scene in Starship Troopers that has implication to his situation now is subsequently broken due to the hard landing. Afterwards, he turns his attention to Packard who he hears in headset speaking to the pilot.
"Stay with the copter. Contact you once pay day has been confirmed."
"Copy that."
It's that point, Packard's attention is directed to Morgan. He then points and motions for him to put on the scarf and goggles because of the nasty conditions outside. It doesn't take long for the potential son-in-law of John Casey to put on the goggles but the scarf that was handed to him is giving him considerable trouble. Fortunately, Packard helps put it correctly after he along with his 2 cohorts sat back watching the funny situation unfold in front of them involving not only the scarf but headset as well. Once it's over, he removes his headset and locks eyes with him.
"Stay close!" he bellowed loudly over sandstorm going on outside.
Packard then wraps his own scarf around his head then nods at his other 2 teammates. It's at that point, he moves forward unlocking the sliding door then slips it open. When he does, the impact of the sandstorm is immediately felt leading Packard to jump out but not before turning on electronic map strapped that is now strapped to his forearm. Once he is ready, he signals Morgan to follow his lead in order to not get lost or get pushed out from their minimal line of sight. After Morgan jumps out it's Mackintosh and then T.I. bringing up the rear with all 4 men eventually disappearing out of sight within the sandstorm itself.
XXX
The sound of snoring continues to be faintly heard as Dalton continues to lay or should in this case sprawled out like a starfish. A trail of drool slowly streams out the right corner of his mouth as a smile slowly appears then falls flat. He starts to incoherently mumble that vaguely unrecognizable as a he momentarily stops snoring in order to let out a reasonably seismic fart. It seemingly lasts forever but eventually fades in absolute silence. It would soon be replaced by snoring once again but that would last too long. Why? A liquid is dropped and splashes on his wash causing him to abruptly wake up from his drunken slumber.
"What the hell!?" he angrily shouted with some confusion on his face.
"This is your wake up call. So get your ass up!" grunted Casey.
A seemingly bewildered Dalton is still trying to get his bearing straight while dealing with a pounding headache after downing the last of the remaining bottle of bears. Plus, it doesn't help any that he was laying own asleep in a very uncomfortable position evident by how he's wincing in pain as he stretches and readjusts every part body part, as well as muscle after standing up. Once he finishes, he once again wipes his face with the palms of both hands then tugs at his now soaked upper half of his Hawaiian shirt. In doing so, he leans in to take a quick smell of it.
"What's that smell? What did you wake me with any way? It reeks?" he announced waving his hand in front of his face. A noticeable cringe expressed as he continues to lean to the other side of his shirt to smell it.
Casey turns around, heads to, then stops in front of the entry way to the cockpit area. "Don't know. Don't care. Congrats, you can have your plane back now."
After unbuttoning and then taking off his Hawaiian shirt Dalton crumples it up into a ball. "Great…" He wipes his face then takes one last quick smell. When he does, his head quickly leans back because of the potency of the order. He shakes his head then tosses his shirt over his left shoulder. "…thanks." the supposed retired weapons dealer sarcastically added.
Fortunately for him, he's wearing a white wife beater underneath giving him the opportunity to air out the stench of whatever liquid he was doused with. In a sense, that smell of that liquid cuts deep like a knife to the point where even though he was able to dry himself off, the stain of that smell still lingers on him as if he's continually being stabbed that smell in question. For him, it's in a way a life lesson that he's learned the hard way when it pertains spilled blood, especially in the business he was in. Now that he's retired he in all intents and purposes washes his hands of it, which he considers to be squeaky clean.
In any case, his focus on the stabbing smell is eventually averted to the hulking man standing at the entry way of the cockpit. A man who is solely responsible for taking his plane without permission and making his life a living nightmare since he forced him to be a participant in a plan that he didn't really want to be a part of. To him, the moment he got clocked in the face and got verbally threatened in every which way it began an unwanted journey or in this case a plane ride to enter without permission a country's airspace whereby setting off a potential war between 2 countries.
A war that he so wants to avoid and not get himself either blown up, shot down, or far worse thrown in an Iranian prison for that matter. All he wanted was to live the good life while relaxing with his feet up on his deck in secluded area of a lake he calls home. A life that's been a dream come true in being able to enjoy his "retirement" and savor the sweet nectar of his favorite beverage of choice that he enjoys downing on occasion. In addition, every now then take a ride on his boat to enjoy some fun in the sun in the process. Music on the radio and a few babes at his side to make it even more enjoyable he thinks to himself.
Unfortunately, those dreams are dashed because of Colonel John Casey. A name he will never forget as long as he lives. If I wasn't so much of a pacifist I would give him a much deserved beating but the pounding headache I'm dealing with at the moment is killing me right now. Of course, it's also not helping that there is an incredibly annoying beeping sound that is making matters worse for his already throbbing head.
After taking a moment to pinch the bridge of nose, he then reaches over with both fingers of his hands to massage his temples. While doing so, he suddenly realizes that familiarity of that beeping sound. He immediately directs his attention to Casey who has now walked past him heading towards the back of plane after standing in front of the open entry way for few moments. He's keenly notices right then and there he's got a parachute strapped on him and not to mention carrying a green duffle bag that is probably filled with his weapons.
In that instance, he quickly makes his way towards the cockpit and spreads his arms in order to grab hold of either side in order to lean forward to where part of his upper torso is inside. Once he does, Dalton realizes that the annoying beeping noise signifies that radar has detected aircraft approaching. It's at that point, he hangs his head breathing out a few incoherent expletives under his breath. Afterwards, he pushes himself back he does an 180 degree spin in order to yell at the man responsible for all the chaos.
He's about to say something when he suddenly notices that Casey has pushed a button that inevitably opens then lowers the back of rampway but not all the way. It's in that moment he realizes that instead of heading in at a low altitude to avoid detection the government agent intentionally flew just high enough to be detected by the Iranians. It's that thought in which he the anger begins to build up within him as he angrily marches toward the man who is kneeling at the now open rampway.
Unfortunately, when he approaches him Casey suddenly stands up and turns around shoving the green duffle bag into him to where he's now holding it. It's then he sees him strap on one of the tracking devices to the duffle bag full of weapons itself that has a parachute also attached to it. Once attached, Dalton's attention is then directed to Casey checking and inputting some numbers into the device attached to his forearm. A locating device to tracking the location of the duffle bag itself, which were in one of the weapons crates that he was forced to bring in by him.
It doesn't take long for Dalton to witness Casey grab the duffle bag and throw it out the back but not before pulling the chord to have the chute itself open. This all happens in one fell sweep for the man who a history with a man named Travis Riley. At this point, Dalton wants to give Casey a piece of his mind but it's too late as Casey backs up to the edge of the rampway.
"Have fun!" shouted Casey with a sly smirk towards him. Afterwards, he turns around putting on goggle and then reaches up to wrap around inevitably covering his face inevitably enough room in between for those aforementioned goggles to see through. Once it's quickly done he takes a few steps forward then leaps out quickly disappearing out of sight.
Dalton is left momentarily speechless as he stands there a few feet away from the opening of the rampway. A muffled scream of a 4 letter words is barely heard as Casey quickly freefalls down leaving Dalton to fend for himself against a possible attack from the Iranian government.
XXX
"Agent Walker..." Lt. Commander Franklin said approaching Sarah. "...ETA 35 minutes to the target area dropzone. We entered Iranian airspace 10 minutes ago but have been fortunate enough to fly under their radar. However, I did pick up chatter that aircraft have been scrambled to intercept a cargo plane."
"Casey." responded Travis with his hunch. "I'm betting dollars to donuts that's the big guy all the way." he added shaking his head with a faint smirk expressed. "How and by what means he was able to "borrow" it is going to be interesting to say the least when he gives his report to Beckman once this is all over. I'm sure it will be an awesome read."
The mere mention of her father bring us a well of emotions within Alex. Yet, she pushes them all down for her own sake and for the sake of her friends who she has entrusted to keep her safe knowing she joined in on their mission through sheer stubborn will alone. She wasn't going take no for answer even if she was tied down in a chair to keep her from even going. She firmly stood her ground and the next thing she knows she finds herself standing inside a plane ready to actually jump out of it. That's the John Casey side of her as her attention on Travis is directed to Sarah as she speaks up.
"That's later Trav. Let's focus on what's on what's happening now." Sarah retorted with seriousness in her voice. After a brief silence, her attention returns to Lt. Commander Franklin once again. "Anything else to report?"
"Weather conditions indicate its considerably high risk. There's a heavy sandstorm blanketing the surrounding area but more so heavily hit where the signal that's being tracked making it difficult to get an accurate read."
"What does that mean?" wondered Alex with great concern in her voice.
"It means..."Chuck interjected. "...the heavy sandstorm out there is going to be an added problem we have to deal with." He shakes his head looking a bit dejected at the news of something totally out of their control like mother nature for instance playing a role in being an unforeseen obstacle to contend with.
It's at that point Lt. Commander Franklin intercedes to give some much needed sliver of hope after failing to give an uplifting news to start off with. "However, the heavy sandstorm is slowly dissipating as it is heading slowly away from us. It's gradually passing over said target location where the signal seems to have stopped."
Alex immediately stepped forward directing her attention to Lt. Commander Franklin. "Stopped? It's gone?" she inquired feeling of a sense of panic within her. Her whole body feeling as if it's about to lock up causing her to unable to move from where she's standing in the conference area of the The Bird of Prey. Yet, she steels herself in order to lock eyes with the pilot.
Fortunately, for her a sudden touch of her left hand breaks the sudden panic and tightness that would have fully embraced her. The hand that touches hers belongs to the blonde beauty who now standing just off to her left. A soft smile of encouraging reassurance given her way to in some ways soften, as well as relax the seemingly intense atmosphere that has unfortunately permeated the area where all 5 individuals are presently standing in. After giving a slight nod to he long time partner's young daughter, she looks into her eyes and speaks up.
"It doesn't mean it's gone necessarily. I think..." She pauses for a moment to briefly glances at the Team's pilot then returns her attention to Alex. "...what he meant by it is that they may have already reached the location and its the reason it has stopped moving."
"Right Lt. Commander?"
"Affirmative ma'am." nodded Franklin to Sarah. His attention is then averted to Alex. "Ma'am". Alex acknowledges his efforts apologizing in the way he worded his findings.
"So, Morgan and Casey's former teammates are stationary. That's a good thing." chimed in Travis.
"It's a possibility." Chuck nodded. His attention is then averted to his wife seemingly lost in thought as if contemplating their next critical move. "Sarah, your call." Her attention is then directed towards Chuck standing just a few feet away from her in the conference room then at Travis and Alex standing on either side of him. "We'll back your play on whatever you decide." he firmly nodded expressing a supportive smile towards her.
After acknowledging the nod giving by her husband, Sarah is given another nod by the 4th member of the team Travis and inevitably ends when she feels a squeeze of her right hand. A hand that belongs to Alex who also gives not just a nod but that same encouraging smile of reassurance that she gave her. It gives her that much needed boost of confidence to make a plan knowing her teammates are with her every step of the way.
"Okay..." stated Sarah with a renewed sense of vigor. "...here's the plan. As we know from the Lt. here, the heavy sandstorm is highly concentrated in the target location of where we need to be right now. So instead of going in high risk from the top, we go in low risk from the back."
"I see what you're getting at." Travis responded pointing at her. "Jump somewhere into the low risk area of the sandstorm and just follow the leader from the there. It's sort of like the sandstorm movie scene in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol where Tom Cruise chases after a high valued target in Dubai. Only the sandstorm was behind Ethan Hunt and ready to be eaten up. Now, what we're simply doing is going through the much less riskier back door." Travis proudly shared.
"Ok. Sure. We'll go with that." nodded Sarah turning around to face Travis. She then glances over her left shoulder towards Lt. Franklin once again. "Slow our course and fly towards the back end of the sandstorm Franklin."
"Copy that Agent Walker." complied the veteran military pilot.
Afterwards, Lt. Commander Franklin quickly disappears out of sight leaving the remaining 4 individuals in the conference room. It's not long before Sarah pipes directing her attention to Chuck and Travis. "We don't have much time. Grab you chutes, the essential equipment we need, and protection from the sandstorm. Even though it may be the less risky route we're taking we still have to take precautionary measures for own health and well being. We'll meet up at The Transporter Room."
"Got it babe."
"Let's lock and load." nodded Travis lightly hitting Chuck on his right shoulder. Both men heading making themselves scarce in order to get ready.
As Sarah and Alex stand there together in the conference room alone in momentary silence, the 2 women simultaneously speak up. "Thanks"
The simultaneous exchange of appreciation causes some much needed laughter between the two women. After it subsides, Sarah reaches over and places her hand on Alex's left shoulder. "You ready for this?"
"No..." she answered with noticeable hesitancy in her voice. "...but I am." Alex nodded with mixture of nervous determination.
"Let's go." she softly said. Her head tilting towards the direction of where Chuck and Travis headed off to. She takes 2 steps before suddenly stopping in order to turn around and face Alex. "Hold up."
"What?" she wondered with curiosity.
"I want to give you this." Sarah reaches behind her and retrieves what seems to be a dagger in its sheath. It's not just any dagger as its a dagger from the secret area that Alex entered from within the weapons room. She hands it over to the daughter of the best damn partner she's ever had. After watching her take it out of the sheath and give it a quick once over, Alex carefully placed it back into its protective holder. Sarah then continues on. "Just a reminder of what it represents and the lesson it has hopefully taught you."
As much as Alex would like to shed tears right now, she restrains from crying and composes herself. For her, Sarah, is not just a friend and part of her extended family, but has partly become her unofficial mentor. Of course, its a title that she thinks the happily married woman and proud mother would most definitely accept. In any case, only one words escapes her mouth because all the other words she's trying to think up are just top jumbled up in her head to even formulate a complete sentence. "Thanks."
"No problem. Keep it on you somewhere so that you can have easy access to it just in case you need it."
"I will."
The two women head towards and disappear down into the same corridor that Chuck and Travis went down. While doing so, a question is posed by Alex. "What's The Transporter Room"
XXX
All groups are slowly converging to the same location. While the proud Marine is dealing with just entering the high risk atmospheric dangers of the heavy Iranian sandstorm, he knows that visibility would be absolutely minimal making it absolutely dangerous. Thankfully, he's relying on instincts from previous jumps he's done in the past to safely navigate his way down through the irritatingly, seemingly violent sandstorm to where he hopefully lands without suffering any major injuries. Granted, he's had times of near misses due a some miscalculations regarding the ground itself but those happened during his younger, rookie day.
Now's he an insanely, wily veteran and is able to trust his own instincts enough to know when to pull the chord just at the right time. Of course, he relies on his altitude meter but that doesn't matter knowing that the sandstorm itself that screw up the perception of which is way up and down. In any case, the descent he's experience is physically brutal as if he's being attacked by thousands of needles stabbing at him whereby causing him to think that this may be karma biting him in the ass for what he did to Dalton. OR the fact he experienced the same situation last time but the weather conditions were far less treacherous. He mentally shrugs it off and continues his descent towards to truly ending what his former teammates started years ago.
As for Team Chuck, they have all convened in the back area of the Bird of Prey where its primarily space for a loading and storing area. Yet, there's once spot located smack dab in the middle of it where a small platform is situated with a panel with button just off to the side sits. Sarah would give a quick explanation to Alex the reasoning behind the name given and the short version is that it sort of relates to Star Trek's transporting system when beaming people up or down. Chuck and Travis immediately called it The Transporter Room, which is the other concession that Casey allowed them to have. The first one being the Klingon writing just above the main entrance door hatch.
So the name stuck and whenever warranted a quick bail out, all one has do is step on the platform and a protective glass casing is raised then pressurized for safety precautions. When a thumbs up is given to signify the individual is ready a button is pushed via the panel leading for the platform to open underneath their feet dropping the person in question straight down. True, it may look confining but once the floor opens out from underneath your feet you'll totally forget where you just were to begin with. She also explained to Alex that since they have to be at a certain altitude to be undetectable by radar, they would have to immediately pull the chord to initiate their chute. It's a risky move that can cause risk of an sort of injury, but it's the only alternative they have. Despite her misgivings on the transporter, she puts her entire trust in Travis as they prepare to transport down.
Meanwhile, Casey former teammates along with Morgan finally reach the opening to the underground facility after an arduous trek though the sandstorm itself. For Morgan, it was like being in Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal video doing a lean forward as he's feels the full force of the sandstorm's impact pushing against him. Thankfully, he lived to tell about it after taking a physical beating that he feels is another part of the challenge that relies on endurance. Once all 4 individuals enter inside through the broken entrance door to the safety of a broken down entry way, they each breathe out a sigh of relief. Morgan more so than the rest of the guys after removing his protective covering provided to him by Packard.
After shaking off the sand from the top of his head to the bottom of his shoes, he is about to get the sand that he knows is stuck down in the crack of ass when he hears the sound Packard's voice behind me that echoes within the confines of the broken down entry way bouncing off the walls.
"All right boys..." Morgan turns around somewhat uncomfortable as he tugs down the back of his pants listening to echo slowly fading away. He stands listening to Packard continue on after the momentary distraction. "...let's go set up the party favors to welcome Casey back to where it all started for us." he stated flashing his charming smile.
While doing so, he reach in one of the pockets from his vest then takes out the same white paper that he took out in the Sikorsky CH-53K Stallion, which Morgan keenly takes note of. His attention on the white paper is subsequently broken by the sudden brightness after standing semi darkness for a few moments.
"Let there be light." hollered Mackintosh emerging from the now lit corridor. The echo of his voice reverberates with the entry way then slowly dissipates.
"Good." growled T.I. "I hate the dark."
As Packard and Mackintosh rib their tattooed tank of a partner, Morgan is once again transfixed on the white paper clutched in Packard's right hand. Unfortunately, his concentration is broken when after the 3rd try hears his name called out.
"Yeah!?" echoed Morgan's voice.
"You coming?" he inquired pointing down the corridor. Mackintosh and T.I. heading in with Packard motioning for Morgan to join them. "I'll be on your six. he added flashing his signature charming smile. In response Morgan smiles back with a nod back towards him. He watches as their potential new partner tip toe his way on heels towards the corridor following suit behind Macintosh and T.I. all the while observing him tug down the back of his pants. It's an unbelievably amusing sight to see from his point of view so much so that he shakes his head while giving off a faint chuckle. Afterwards, he briefly takes a look around then heads in the now lit corridor to not only set up the aforementioned party favors but finally get their hands on the retirement they've so anxiously been foaming at the mouth to get their hands on.
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NOTE: HOPE EVERYBODY IS STAYING SAFE DUE TO THE CORONA VIRUS AND STAY INDOORS! HOPEFULLY THIS CHAPTER AT LEAST HELPED IN EASING YOUR BOREDOM! AS ALWAYS LEAVE A REVIEW!
