Don't own Chuck
Sarah and Alex held their position despite two attempts to overrun them. However, soon after the last attempt they noticed a lull in the action. Instead of pressing them as before the fight became more a stalemate. They were pinned down by three or four shooters but it seemed as if the rest had retreated disappearing in the woodwork.
"What's going on," said Alex. "They can't be running out of ammunition or are they worried they'll follow their friends to hell?"
"I don't know but it is strange," Sarah said as she looked at her watch then tried to call Chuck but the jammer was still in place. "I've lost the feed from the drone overhead and I can't get through to Chuck."
"You don't think they could be trying to retreat and these guys are just here to keep us busy. The boat is gone so what are they fighting for? Money's hard to spend when you're dead."
"I was just thinking the same thing," said Sarah. "I wish I could get in touch with Chuck and have him tell us what he's seeing from above." Just then as if on cue there was a loud explosion and a good piece of the wall disappeared into smoke. There was a loud noise like a bulldozer coming from the smoke then suddenly a Vietnam war era M113 armoured personnel carrier came rolling in through the breech.
Luiz's men fired on the carrier but their rounds just ricocheted off its armour. Then Morgan popped out of the turret and laid down fire from a fifty-calibre M2 Browning that cleared out whatever resistance was left. That was enough for the men who were left. They dropped their weapons then tried to make a run for it. The vehicle roared as it rolled over towards them then stopped and the back hatch came down.
"Anyone call for an Uber," said Chuck as he popped out from behind. "Come on we need to roll while this thing is still running. You know what kind of lousy gas mileage you get in one of these things?"
"Hurry up, we need to get after those guys before they get away," said Alex as Morgan came down to help her onboard.
"We were the distraction Marley's coming in from the other side with a team so not one is going to get out of here. I bet you're wondering where I get this?"
"By now I've learned not to ask," said Sarah as she put her arm around him and kissed him. "Just appreciate you always show up. Where are the two Generals? I expected to see Beckman with you?"
"General Thomas is with Marley on the other side of the compound coordinating the tac team and our General sent Mary on a chopper to meet up with the Mohawk."
"That leaves Beckman where's she at and who's watching the girls? How'd you get a babysitter this late and on short notice?"
"Funny you should ask… well… well, someone had to stay in the room to coordinate everyone and to watch the girls."
"No, General Beckman is babysitting Sam and Bunny? Good grief, I don't know how I feel about that… I mean I see someone needed to stay but the General of all people. How much are we supposed to pay her?"
"Well there wasn't much of a choice and then the Major called as everyone was going places so she had to stay to talk with him. So, in the end she was the logical choice not that she was happy with it but she agreed. Besides the girls are asleep so there's nothing really to do."
"Famous last words, but one thing for sure, I don't see Sam getting over on her like she has done with other people," said Sarah as she looked at Morgan.
"What? Are you talking about me?" asked Morgan as he closed the hatch. "Chuck, it's time to roll out of here." Chuck revived up the engine then they took off across the compound.
"I think I've got the hang of driving this thing considering it was sitting in a museum forty-five minutes ago. We got it oiled and gassed up then I had to do a few tweaks after that she fired right up. I bet they never knew the Browning was in working order."
"I guessing they probably didn't," said Sarah as she took up position in the vehicle commander's seat behind Chuck.
"Chuck, quick question, do we have to turn this back in the way you found it?" yelled Morgan down from the turret.
"I don't know. I kind of just took it but we blew the wall before we rolled through and small arms isn't going to hurt anything. Worse come to worst I can have it touched up. Why?"
"RPG," yelled Sarah as she looked through her scope. "Hard left then right. Put that tree between us and him. Morgan, why aren't you firing that Browning?"
Driving the M113 was like driving a bulldozer. Chuck locked the one track to spin the vehicle in that direction which required coordination when doing multiple turns.
"No, Chuck your other left," yelled Sarah. "Morgan, I'm not hearing that Browning and that guy's taking the safety off."
"This stupid gun is jammed," yelled Morgan. "It's been sitting too long in the museum."
"Look out incoming," yelled Sarah.
Chuck knew it was all up to him now so he flashed. He was able to bring the M113 around as the man with the RPG followed them through his crosshairs. The man led them a little concentrating on his target not where his target was going.
"Got you," he said as he pulled the trigger. The back blast almost knocked him over but he was sure he'd taken out the carrier. However, he was so concentrated that he didn't see that a tree was about to come in between him and them. Chuck timed it just right so when the man fired the rocket it struck the tree cutting it down.
"Oh no this is going to hurt," said the man as he looked up to see a palm tree coming down on top of him.
"Good driving Sweetie," said Sarah as they continued on towards the villa. "Morgan, let me look at your weapon."
"I've got this," said Alex as she climbed up in the turret with him. "We need to clear the jam. Hand me a screwdriver and watch. This is something Dad taught me," said Alex then she paused as her eyes watered.
"Don't worry, I'm sure John's safe wherever he is," said Morgan as he handed her a tissue from his pocket. "Now let's get this thing working before someone else jumps out with a pocket rocket and decides to try to ruin our day.
"It's easy just watch me," said Alex as she cleared the jam then they reloaded the belt and the weapon was ready to fire again. "We're hot up here again."
"Good, we're almost at the villa. Who's that standing outside the villa? Is it Dad or Roan," said Alex as she wiped the tears from her eyes. She got excited then they got closer.
"No, I'm sorry that's Marley and General Thomas. They must've already secure the villa. I don't see anyone else with them."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
General Beckman stayed behind at the Waldron to coordinate everyone's activity and to talk with the Major. He'd called as everyone was leaving so she stayed behind. He was filling her in on what he'd discovered from Igor's lead and the latest from the office when Sam walked in wearing her onesies holding her rabbit.
"So, what are you saying Igor's lead didn't pan out? There has to be a reason he wanted us to see that website. Download the on-line video then send it to me. You can also tell those other vultures that there's nothing for them here. … Don't be cheeky and no don't quote me on that. If they don't believe you or they want proof of life they can talk with General Thomas. That should keep those buggers happy… or unhappy if they were rooting for my demise. … You don't have to candy coat it. We both know what some of them wanted."
"Where is everyone?" said Sam as she walked from the bedroom yawning. "Where's Mommy and Chuck?"
"You should be in your bed asleep," said Diane as she held her phone to her head. "No, I'm not talking to you and you'd better not be talking to me from bed. Next time I want a video call. I need to let you go and don't forget to send me that video. There has to be something in it that we're overlooking."
"So, where's Mommy and Chuck? Don't tell me they've go off on another adventure again. I want to go on an adventure too one day."
"Well, that will be a few years from now. However, if you think about it everyday is an adventure. You should really go back to bed. It's late and you've got school tomorrow. Your parents will be back soon so why don't you go lay down and wait for them in bed?"
"But I'm not sleepy now. Can I sit here with you and we can wait for them together? Maybe you'd like to play a friendly game of cards to pass the time?"
"I know how you play cards and it's everything but friendly. No thank you," said Diane as she got up and went to the kitchenette. "I'm getting coffee would you like a cup?"
"I'm a kid. I'm not allowed coffee but no thanks. I tried it once when no one was looking and I really didn't like it much."
"I figured as much knowing you. So, with that out, how about a shot of Scotch? Now that will help you go to sleep."
"Ditto and I hope you're joking. Do you know about the effects of alcohol on developing brains? I have to be careful I've got a plan and I can't let anything get in the way. I'll take a glass of water and if you could put a little lemon in it. Thank you. My tummy still feels a little strange."
"Then drink your water slowly," said Diane. She made herself a cup of coffee then poured Sam her glass. "What are you doing?" said Beckman when she walked back in the living area.
"I'm watching Chuck and Mommy," said Sam. She'd made herself comfortable of the sofa and used the remote to bring up the satellite feed from the compound.
"I don't think this is good for you to watch," said Diane as she took the remote from her. "How'd you even know how to do this?"
"I watch and I listen. Most people don't even realize I'm in the room when they're talking. What?" said Sam as she noticed the General's look. "I might be a kid but I'm not stupid," she said as she yawned.
"No, I don't think you are," said Diane as she watched Sam curl up on the end of the sofa. "Let's call your grandmother and see how things are going with the Coast Guard. She should've checked in by now but she hasn't. There's boat that needs to stopped."
"A boat? Not a pirate boat," said Sam as her eyes grew big and she sat up. "You know who wouldn't be aboard, would he?"
"You know who? No, I don't know who?" said Diane as she looked confused. "How am I supposed to know who is if I don't know who is? Oh, you've been around Grimes too much."
"Well to be honest, I'm not the person with the problem here. Because when I asked about you know who, I knew who 'who' was."
"See this is how I know you've been around Grimes too much because I'm starting to get a headache."
[In the meantime]
The pirate vessel sailed out of the hidden inlet then out into the open sea. It made a mad dash for international waters, sailing a full speed kicking up quite the wake as she cut through the water. Right behind them on their stern was the Mohawk hailing them to stop and be prepared for boarding. However, the pirate vessel showed no signs of obeying and if anything, it was trying to put distance between them. They were taking advantage that the Mohawk was receiving a chopper.
"Skipper, they're not answering our hails," reported the Officer of the Deck. "It looks like they're trying to make a run for it."
"Boats' radio aft and check the status of our bird. If they aren't down soon we'll wave them off and give chase. Our rabbit isn't getting away this time."
"Sir, the XO just radioed up that the bird is down and he has our pax in hand. They're on their way up to the bridge now."
"Good, full speed ahead and let's catch those biscuit eaters once and for all. Sound general quarters and have them activate the fire control radar. Let's give them a wake-up call fire a round next to her."
The ship's crew went to their battle stations and the gunners manning the Mark 75 loaded the first round from the magazine. Then tracked the target using fire control radar until they locked on.
"Sir, ready to fire," reported the OOD as the XO and Mary walked onto the bridge. The XO motioned for Mary to be quiet.
"Fire," barked the Skipper as he looked at the target through binocular. The gun made a loud noise and the Skipper watched the splash and the spray kick up over the pirate's boat. They began zigzagging using evasive manoeuvres but showed no signs of slowing down.
"Idiots, what do they think they're doing?" said the Skipper as he continued to watch them. "Standby to fire another round."
"Sir," said May as she stepped forward. "I'm sorry we haven't been introduced yet," she said as she glanced over at the XO. "But we could have people onboard that boat."
"What do you want me to do? Let them go. I don't hardly think so. But we're gaining on the now," he said as he though. "They're zigzagging which is slowing them down. Soon we'll be in range to use our .50 cals on them. We can target their engines and disable them."
"If that happens I'd like to go over with the boarding party. I know what our people look like," said Mary but before the Skipper could answer one of the lookouts yelled.
"There's a man on the stern with LAW. It looks like he's trying to shoot it at us," yelled the man from the bridge wing.
"Give the gunners a green light to target their stern," said the Skipper then he turned to Mary as she was about to object. "I'm sorry for your people but I've got to worry about mine first."
"Sir, weapons officer reports they've got a small problem loading the next round," relayed the Boats'.
"Tell them there is no such thing as a little problem when you're being fire on," said the Skipper. "XO, go down and kick some butt."
"If I can say something," said Mary. The Skipper rolled his eyes as she started to speak. "Just hear me out first. They'll have to turn port to fire that thing if not the back blast with rip apart everything behind it."
"Conning officer, you heard the lady, let's hold her steady. As soon as we them turn port we'll see a puff of smoke on their stern of their boat we turn hard…"
"But you want to wait on port or starboard and see which way they're going to lead you. If I'm right that LAW operates by line of sight… what I'm saying is when you shot at a target you never shoot where they are but where they will be."
"When your chopper radioed in they wanted to land I debated whether to bring you onboard before or after we took our care of our friends. I'm glad I decided not to wait. Nothing like a good game of chicken to get the blood circulating. Let the weapons officer know I want to know how long his 'little problem' is going to take to work out."
"Sir, they're beginning their turn," yelled the OOD.
"Boats' quickly turn off our running lights then turn them back on but reversing the colors. Come around hard starboard," yelled the Skipper.
"You're going to trick the man on the fantail thinking you're turning port when your turning starboard."
"I'm betting he won't have time to check with his bridge for them to look on their radar," said the Skipper and he was right. There was a cloud of smoke and a flash on the fantail then a pocket missile went racing past them out to sea.
"That worked once but it won't work again. Where's my gun?" barked the Skipper as he kept watching the pirate boat through his binoculars
"Weapons reports they're ready to fire," yelled the Boats'. A sigh of relief could be heard on the bridge.
"Fire," yelled the Skipper. The gun barked and the projectile hit home making a loud explosion followed by smoke and fire. However, there was a secondary explosion that engulfed the whole boat in a ball of fire. When the flames died down the boat was gone. The only thing left was a fiery oil slick and some floating burning debris.
"What just happened? Did we hit a fuel bunker?" said the Skipper. "Put small boats in the water. Initiate a search and rescue for survivors." But they all knew there probably weren't any.
"Double crap," said Mary as her phone began to ring and she looked at the caller I.D. It was Beckman calling to ask about what was going on. "How am I supposed to explain this?"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Natasha was topside watching as the last lines was undone and the ferry whistle gave a loud blast meaning they were underway. The flag was brought down from the mast then taken aft to the fantail where it was hoisted. She felt the ferry start to move slowly away from the pier with the aid of two tugs. Soon the vessel was turned around and headed out of the port on her own power leaving the terminal behind.
"So long old life," she mumbled to herself as she leaned against the railing. The air was crisp and clean burning her lungs. "You need to get to your cabin and get things done," she told herself but she wanted to stay just a few more minutes watching Saint Petersburg disappear behind them.
"Okay, now you really need to get to work," she told herself. She went back to an internet point onboard and logged on. "Get to work… You need to book a flight to Honduras from Helsinki. Here we go… yes, a window seat in the middle of the plane. All right, tickets will be waiting when you show up. Now to lay down a false lead," she said. She opened up the book app one more time.
"Time to sow some bread crumbs for the Director and his people," said Natasha. "I'll book a flight from Saint Petersburg for later on today for Havana. Since they've already seen my website then they'll all think that's my destination." She was happy with the arrangements and paid for everything using Paul's credit card.
"They have to find this. If they don't then they're pretty bad at this line of work. But what if they've already figured out I'm on this ferry. Well, we're almost in international waters so I don't think they're going to make an incident out of arresting me."
"But nothing is going to stop them when you reach port. Do you want to take the chance," she said to herself as she looked at her reflection in the monitor. "No, I don't," she answered herself.
"Then we need another ticket," she said as she booked another flight through Finnair. "Let's book you a flight to Mexico City in business," she said as she typed. That should get them going if they find this. No extradition treaty so they can't touch me."
"But that didn't help Trotsky," said Natasha as she looked at her reflection waiting for some good advice but nothing came.
"What good are you," she said as she cleared the cache and all her data from the computer's memory. She then got up and started to walk away as she did a man came over. He was the next in line to use the machine but as they passed each other their eyes met for a moment and she felt like she'd been made.
"k Chertu, this isn't good," she said as she looked back at the man as he sat down. He was tall dark and well built in an Armani suit. He screamed spy to her but she wasn't certain. "Come on you don't know who he is for sure."
"Again do you want to take the risk," she said as she glanced back at him sitting there. Then suddenly he turned around and smiled at her.
"Crap, he's noticed me. Now what do I do," she said as the man got up and walked straight over to her. "Okay, stay calm," she said as she put her hand in her purse feeling for her weapon as the man approached.
"I'm sorry but I think you forgot this," said the man as he handed her Paul's credit card. She'd left it after she'd booked the flight to Havana and had overlooked it when she'd gotten up. "I couldn't help but notice the name on it, Paul? But Paul is a male name, isn't it?"
"Yes, Paul is my partner and he lets me use his credit card from time to time. He gets points when I use it to book my travels."
"It must be nice to have someone that let's you do that. He must be very understanding even if he's just getting points."
"Oh, he gets more than just points but I pay him back promptly and often. We have a very special relationship. Do you have any special relationships?"
"I think my relationships are a little more mundane when compared to yours," he said. But as he was talking Natasha got close to him and the man almost instinctively backed up.
"You know I don't even know your name? If I could get your cabin number I could drop by later and we could share something."
"You could put it on your friend Paul's credit card. But I'm afraid he won't get any points that way," said the man smiling.
"I think he's max'd out and we've only got tonight. The ferry pulls into Helsinki tomorrow at dawn so you'd be doing me a favour keeping me from getting bored."
"Now we can't have that, can we?"