Don't own Chuck

[On the Annabel Lee just before she was boarded by the pirates]

Roan and the General were in their cabin now after Roan and Spud had mixed more than a few cocktails and sampled them all. Diane had mainly watched and ate the fruit out of a bowl they used for garnish. But Roan was determined to make the perfect Hurricane and he wanted her to be his Guinea Pig. However, after a number of tries Diane was ready to call it a night.

"You can stay here and keep on trying but I'm calling it a night. I'm tired and sleepy and I want to get up early tomorrow to see the sunrise."

"Well Spud it looks like I'm going to have to call it a night too. We can do this another time but I think I know where my problem is. I'm using too much fruit juice and Grenadine that's watering down the rum."

"Too much what? Already no one can go near that with an open flame. I can smell the rum in it from across the room," said Diane. "You've had too many that's your problem. You can't smell or taste anymore."

"You know she could be right," said Spud as he looked at his watch. "Do you need me to take you to your cabin?"

"Why are you looking at your watch? Do you have someplace to be," said Roan as he smiled. "No, we don't need any help I pride myself on always being able to navigate myself to bed."

"Just that bed might not be your own," said Diane. "Come on I want to take off my makeup then go to sleep. You hear me. I said I want to go to sleep and nothing else."

"Yes, oh Captain, my Captain, said Roan. "Lead on and I shall follow. Goodnight Spud, I'll see you in the morning."

Roan and the General went down a ladder then forward to the guest berthing then to their cabin. They went inside and as soon as they entered Roan took off his bow tied, undid his jacket then dropped on the bed.

"Come here and lie next to me," he said as he patted her side of the bed with his hand smiling at her.

"Now with that look in your eyes," said Diane. "I told you I was tired and I wanted to go to sleep. If you have other ideas you should've stopped after the first Hurricane. Now roll over and go to sleep but only after you take your shoes off."

"Oh Diane, maybe you're right," said Roan but as he started to take his shoes off there was a knock at the cabin door but Roan wasn't moving.

"Just stay there and let me get that," said Diane as she walked across the room to the door. When she opened it she found two drinks on a tray outside with a note that said try these.

"It looks like Spud is trying to show you up," said Diane as she brought the tray with the two drinks over. She sat them on the bed and handed Roan one.

"I hate to let good alcohol go to waste and we're not doing anything so bottoms up," he said. "Not bad but it's got a funny after taste... almost like medicine. What do you think? Try it."

"Okay, but only for you. Yes, an odd metallic taste like..." That was all Diane got out. The next thing she knew she was on a Zodiac speeding away from the Annabel Lee across open water. She felt a little cold with saltwater mist hitting her face and the strong smell of sea but that was just for a little while until she passed out again.

"We have the targets onboard with us and are coming back aboard," radioed Luiz as he looked at Diane and Roan lying in the back of the Zodiac.

The USCGC Mohawk (WMEC-913) cut through the fog searching for the Annabel Lee. The 270-foot cutter routinely patrolled the waters around the Keys where she was homeported. However, it's latest mission brought her down to Puerto Rico and in time to be called into service by Agent Marley who was on the bridge with the CO and XO.

"When we find our vessel their going to have some explaining to do," said the Skipper as he looked out at the fog bank that was surrounding them. "According to law they should have a class B transponder."

"You think they sailed this way? It seems to be a little off their original chartered course," said Marley as he strained to see out but the fog was closing in quickly.

"This is a hunch but we know from the chopper that they didn't sail the route they filed. However, this isn't that far off course and…" But the old man didn't have a chance to finish.

"Sir, we've got something on the radar. It looks like there are two unidentified vessels dead ahead of us. One is stationary while the other vessel is sailing away from us but neither have transponders active."

"I don't like this. We've had reports of pirates operating in these waters. Sound General Quarters and take us to the stationary target. I want lookouts to keep their eyes peeled," said the Skipper. "Also try to keep track of where that other vessel is heading. We might have to give her pursuit that could be the pirates we've been looking for."

"You mean Black Bart," said Marley. The Skipper gave him a look. "I'm sorry but on Saint Thomas he's the talk of the town even if they don't mention him by name."

"Well unless Black Bart has motorized his galley, I think we're looking for some modern-day pirates. Although there's a lot to be said for hanging them in cages at the port and letting the birds pick at their rotting flesh. Something like that would send a message to any would-be pirates."

"And bring back the cat-o'-nine-tails… floggings under the mainmast," said Marley shaking his head. The Skipper just gave he look.

"Sir, we've found her," announced the watch officer pointing at the sailing boat that was coming in sight.

"What's that glow coming from her," said Marley as he began making out the silhouette of the vessel through the fog.

"She's on fire," said the Skipper. "Get a fire party together and prepare to board. Helmsman bring us alongside. XO, you're in charge of the fire party. Tom, don't risk our men when you get over there. If you can put it out fine but if not rescue the crew then get out of there. You'll board when we come alongside then we'll need to pull away in case she blows. Once we're at a safe distance we'll put a boat in the water to pick you and the crew up if necessary.

"Yes sir," said the Lieutenant. "Boats have the fire party muster on the portside with me," he said then disappeared from the bridge. Marley heard the message broadcasted over the ship's 1MC.

"Prepare for boarding… not much different from when Black Bart navigated these waters," said Marley wishing he could join the fire party to have a look around.

"With one major difference, we're trying to keep her afloat," said the Skipper as he picked up a radio. "XO, Tom, I expect a report as soon as you board. Mr. Marley if you want you can ride the boat over. I think you want to have a look see as quickly as you can."

"Yes Sir, I'm going to have to report in and my boss isn't very understanding."

"I think we've all been in a situation like that at one time or another."

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It was agreed that they need to mobilize and take the investigation to Saint Thomas Island. However, Chuck insisted that this be kept under the radar as much as possible. They all knew that if wind of this got back to DC it wouldn't be long before the Omega Protocol would be put into action. The Omega Protocol dictates a director who has been compromised must be terminated with extreme prejudice in the interest of national security. In practice, each director signed their own death warrant when they took over the office and Beckman was no exception.

"Casey's got our jet gassed up and ready to go," said Chuck as he stepped out of the van with Mary following him.

"Major, you're to go back to DC and make it seem as if everything is business as normal," said Mary. "It's important that no one knows what's gone on. I'll take care of the Cast Guard and our people on Saint Thomas. Be especially careful to General Thomas, Tank has a noise for when things aren't right. You can bring Connie in on this but no one else."

"I can drive you guys to the airport then find Kat and leave the kids with her before I go to Castle," said Sarah. But Mary shook her head.

"No, this is an all hands-on deck mission. Especially, if we're going to make this look like business as usual. I'm sorry but everyone needs to come along and that means even the girls."

"Hold on a minute," said Sarah. "My children aren't a part of the team and I don't want them in harm's way. I think you should agree on this considering everything."

"They won't be I harm's way. I'll see to that and when you and Chuck go out I'll watch them. If there's even the hint of danger I'll make sure they get pulled. But this is the only way to keep this low key."

"As much as I hate to agree with my Mom on this," said Chuck. "But she's right. If we leave the girls here and take everyone else then that will look like we're on mission. However, that being said if I get even a hint that something isn't right the girls are out of there and Mom I mean it. Omega protocol or not I'm not risking them for Beckman. She knew what she was doing when she became director."

"Hold on a moment. What about me? I need to start school," said Sam. "What am I going to do about learning to read? If this keeps up I'll have to get a job that involves a series of hair nets and memorizing flavors."

"However, you'll learn applied mathematics on the job when you try to figure out the volume in small, medium and large," said Chuck. Sam gave him a look.

"What part of not helping don't you understand," said Sam as she gave him a look. But Sarah put her arm around her and hugged her.

"We can find you a school on Saint Thomas but since Chuck and I will be going out investigating Nana Mary will take you."

"Right, of course… that's what I meant," said Mary. "We all have to pitch in here and pull together. Even the Major, he'll get us a list of schools so we'll have one lined up for you before we land."

"Yes ma'am of course," said the Major. He wondered when child care provider was added to his job description. His career was definitely taking a downward turn for the worse.

That was two hours before now they had five and a half hours left on their flight to Saint Thomas and were leaving Texas entering the Gulf of Mexico where they would dip further southeast following the Greater Antilles to Saint Thomas. Sam sat near the window looking out thinking about school with Sarah sitting across from her holding Bunny. Sarah wished she could do something for Sam but everything seemed to be on hold for now. Mary walked back carrying a tablet and sat down next to Sam.

"I think we've solved your school dilemma," said Mary as she sat the tablet in front of her. "The Major's been a busy little beaver and he came up with this. Lockhart Elementary School on Kongens Gade in Saint Thomas. He's working on getting you in as we speak. You'll study English Language, Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies with kids your age."

"But all my supplies are at home," said Sam as she looked at the website. "See there's a list of what I need."

"Don't worry, there's a man getting all that together for you and if you don't have everything the first day we can get it later."

"Mary's right Sweetie," said Sarah. "It's not like you're going to need six glue sticks or twelve sharp pencils the first day. That would be a lot of writing and gluing if you did. Can I see the tablet for a moment," said Sarah as she looked over the school's website. They were really going to owe the Major a big favor because this was way over above and beyond not to mention the agent who was having to get all these supplies together.

"Look here," said Sarah as she turned the tablet around for Sam to look. "See here. You'll be arriving in time for their Sundae Funday."

"If that means ice cream sign me up. Maybe this won't be that bad after all and I'll get to make more friends. But this time I want them to remember me. Not like what happened with Maria and… crap, I never found out what that other little boy's name was."

"Maybe we should begin school with trying not to say crap every other word," said Mary as she looked over at Sarah.

"I know other words but you won't like them. Mommy tells me I shouldn't repeat what Uncle Casey says," said Sam as she smiled. "But I hear him use them all the time."

"You can forget the words you hear Uncle Casey use unless you want another vacation from school," said Sarah. "I know you want to defend your friends but can we try not to get into any dust ups the first day."

"Like mother like daughter," said Mary as she looked up at Chuck walking back. "You've got a face that tells me you've got something to say that I won't like. You had that same face when you told me about breaking my necklace."

"I was a kid then and you could've told me you weren't mad at me. That cost me hours of therapy before realizing I was just a kid back then."

"And yet here we are talking about it. I hope that's not why you came back here to talk to me. There are more important things we need to deal with."

"No that's not why I came back here even though we should address the elephant in the room. But no that's not why I'm here. I just got off the horn with Agent Marley… no kin to Bob by the way."

"Dude, that's an old joke," said Morgan walking past him with two cups of coffee. "Excuse me, I'm taking this to Alex."

"Can we get back on topic here? Charles please try not to get distracted," said Mary. "Okay, so you talked to Marley and what did he have to say?

"I'm not… I'm… well never mind. Marley said he'd been in touch with the Coast Guard and was on one of their cutters retracing the course the General's boat sailed to try and find her. He also said the General's boat wasn't answering up on the radio and either they didn't have a transponder or something happened to it because no one was picking up its signal."

"I'm beginning to think more and more that we might be too late. Maybe I should initiate the Omega protocol."

"No, not yet… at least not until we know more. If you do and the General is stranded somewhere someone could…" Chuck started to say but saw Sam looking at him with eyes wide open. "Well, you know what I mean. I know it doesn't look good but we need to pursue all avenues before we give up and that's what Omega is giving up."

"I'll take that under consideration but ultimately I'm the one who's got to make that call. But maybe you're right, it's too early just yet. However, it won't be long before the vultures who want this job start circling."

Sarah wondered if Mary included herself in that flock of carrion eaters but for once she held her tongue. But filed it away for future use.

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Back on the Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk, the away party reported back that they'd found the crew locked in the engine room and were helping them putting out two fires. However, everything came to a stop when an ordinance was discovered on the boat. The XO wanted to get everyone off the boat immediately but Troy wanted to finish putting out the fires.

"We need to get everyone off this boat now. We don't know what kind of bomb we're dealing with and for all we know it could have some sort of delayed detonation."

"I don't think so," said Troy. "They wanted to sink us while we were locked below but you showed up faster than they anticipated that's why they started the fires.

As the two argued a small boat pulled up alongside bringing Agent Marley onboard. He boarded and went to have a look at the device.

"Okay, I think I can take care of this," he said as he studied it. "I don't see any liquid mercury fuses but they could be buried inside." He took out of his pocket a switchblade knife and slowly cut the C-4 in half.

"Should you really be doing that? Won't that make it go off?" said Tory as Marley continued to cut until half the block was cut then he removed it.

"This is military grade C-4… plastic explosive in laymen's terms. It needs a detonator to set it off and we've just reduced the power of the explosion by half."

"Why don't you just cut the detonator? Won't that deactivate it? Then we can toss it over the side and be done with it."

"I want to try to keep it as intact as possible to check it for fingerprints and DNA," said Marley as he quartered what was left of the C-4. "If I'm lucky I'll find something that will tell me who made this thing."

"But I doubt if they left anything you can trace in it. It would be safer for everyone if you just tossed it over the side."

"People who work with explosives and want to continue to work with them don't wear gloves. You can't feel what you're doing and explosives aren't very forgiving. But if it's because ghosts don't leave fingerprints or DNA I'd have to ask you since when did ghosts go in the bomb making business and where did they get their C-4? This isn't a keg of gunpowder."

"I didn't mean that but the people that board my boat certainly looked like pirates complete with cutlasses…"

"Yeah and some of them had flintlock pistols," said Spike. "I tell you they were the same people who boarded my boat. When are you people going to do something about this," he said looking at Tom.

"About what? If you're talking about catching these pirates that's why we're here but if you're talking about rounding up Black Bart and his crew that's the job of an exorcist."

"Okay there we go. I've removed enough C-4 to expose the blasting cap. Now comes the delicate part. I need to free it from the rest of the C-4," said Marley as he slowly pulled on the blasting cap sideways. The C-4 was like putty at first it didn't want to let go but Marley worked it slowly until it was free.

"Done," he said as he sat the last of the C-4 aside. However, just as he was finishing up he noticed a cell phone that was hidden under the C-4. Suddenly, the dial on the phone lit up.

"Crap, it's going to blow," Marley said as he pulled Troy and Tom back tossing a blanket lying nearby over it. The blasting cap made a loud pop but the blanket kept it from sending any shrapnel from flying back at them.

"That was a close one," said Tom as Marley inspected what was left under the blanket. Troy just shook his head.

"Maybe we should've tossed it over the side like I first suggested. If this had happened earlier we wouldn't be here right not."

"But it didn't," said Marley. "Now I need to inspect your passenger's cabin and for the time remaining that it will be off limits to everyone even for yourself. We need to bring this boat back in port where I can get my people onboard to have a look at it."

"You're not impounding my boat, are you?" said Troy. "This is my livelihood. What kind of cruise service can I operate without a boat?"

"That's not my problem," said Marley. "Right now this is my crime scene and I'm going to need to interview every member of your crew as well as yourself. Starting with why your radio and transponder were working."

"The transponder should be working or at least I thought it was. The radio and radar crapped out the day we pulled out. Spike and I were going to have a look at it and if we couldn't fix them I was going to have them looked at the next port we pulled into.

"That's right, and by the way my name really isn't Spike but Henry Jackson. I'm the acting first mate but this is just like what happened on my boat. You see my boat's in the impound yards because I told everyone that… well the same person boarded my boat and robbed me. However, now with this robbery do you think my boat can be released?"

"That would be up to the court that impounded it but I think you could make a pitch to have it released. I've sailed around here long enough to know the legend of Black Bart but that's all it is just a story. The person who boarded your boat was flesh and blood. Ghosts don't need supplies…"

"Nor do they plant C-4," added Marley as he wrote in his note book the serial numbers off the C-4. "Now can I see your passenger's cabin."

"Who were these people he kidnapped? We figured out they were some sort of Federal Agents but Black Bart's never kidnapped anyone before… well not since he's come back."

"Yes, I'm sure… okay, Skipper, I need to see that cabin now and I'm going to need all the keys to it," Marley said.

"Just follow me," said Tory as he led him away.