Don't own Chuck
To make the trip to the Hydra Command Center Frank had to fly into a neighboring country. There he found a Range Rover waiting and then they had to drive through back roads and trails. The jungle was lush and full which made it that much hotter. If it wasn't for the air conditioning in the Rover it would've made the journey a tropical hell. Finally after what seemed like days of travel they broke free of the impenetrable forest to arrive at a cenote as the natives called it or sink hole.
"We're home," said Marcus as the Rover stopped and he hopped out. "Come on you need to see this from up here on top. I think you'll find it amazing."
"Gez, can someone turn down the furnace," said Frank as he got out. Odd choice of words considering what he had witnessed but that's what it felt like. Getting out of the air conditioned Rover the heat and humidity of the area seemed literally to suck the air literally right out of his lungs. "What is it you want me to see?"
"Come here and look," said Marcus as he pointed down below. Frank walked over joining him on the edge. "That's our Command Center. We use the sink hole to hide our operations. The buildings were constructed so they float above a river that flows underneath. Its current turns a dynamo that produces the electricity we need. This way we didn't need to look for an outside power source," said Marcus as he took Frank to an elevator down.
"So we're energy independent and green but doesn't the hole interfere with satellite communications?" said Frank not recalling seeing any antenna array.
"We communicate with one satellite the mother of the constellation that is in geosync directly overhead and it connects with the rest. But Dr. Martin will be able to explain all that to you. Oh here, I almost forgot to give you these," said Marcus. "You should've started taking them when we boarded so for now you're going to have to stay inside the main building."
"What the devil are you talking about and what are these pills?" said Frank as he held the bottle up as the elevator stopped and the doors opened up.
"Those are your antimalarial medication and I suggest you take one right away," said a Red-headed woman standing in front of him. "Here you can use my water. Take one every morning when you get up. This hole is filled with mosquitos, you forget to take them just one day and you'll risk catching something you wished you hadn't."
"This is Dr. Silvia Martin, the lead scientist on our team," said Marcus as the woman started to walk away.
"Hold up for a second," said Frank wondering what the woman's hurry was. "I've got a few questions for you."
"And I've got some for you, like why did they send you? I don't need to a babysitter or have someone who hasn't got a clue about what we're doing to be looking over my shoulders. I've got a deadline to meet…"
"Then why aren't you on schedule? You've got two weeks to be on line and cost what it costs you will meet that deadline Ms. Martin. There's a reason it's called a dead...line. I want a progress report twice a day in my hands. No questions asked clear."
"Oh really, maybe you'd like breakfast and dinner thrown in too," she said sarcastically looking over at Marcus who was trying to signal to her to tone it down.
"I think that's an excellent idea," said Frank looking the two of them over. "I'll enjoy your company this evening. Marcus, coordinate with the staff and make it happen. See I knew we could come to an understanding."
"Well if you'll excuse me I've got slaves to whip so I can show progress for this evening's report," said Silvia as she started to leave.
"Oh by the way, you don't have to worry about getting all dolled up for me. This is an informal meal as informal meals go. Marcus, point me in the direction of my quarters then you may go. I think I want to rest up a bit, the travel was exhausting getting here. Dr. Martin I'll see you at dinner."
Silvia walked away shaking her head thinking her new boss was a light-weight butt hole. She turned back watching Marcus explained Frank the lay out of the Command Center then turned around again to go back to work. After Frank was gone Marcus went to one of the computer labs searching for Silvia.
"There you are. I've been looking for you everywhere," said Marcus as he came close to her. "You know you need to be nicer to him. He's in charge after all."
"He's like that other guy they sent before. What was his name? Jackson, Johnson. Arrogant, egotistical and conceited..."
"And in charge... The name of the guy before him was Johannsson and he used to be Frank's superior too. I use the past tense because Mr. Johannsson with two n's and s's is now ash. I mean literally so be careful there's no reason to get into a pissing contest."
"Aren't I always," said Silvia as put her arm around him and kissed him. "Besides I know I've got you watching my back."
"Just give him a chance for me. You know it's known that only the female mosquito bites," said Marcus as he kissed her.
"She does that to reproduce," said Silvia as she bit him on the neck.
What neither knew was that Frank was outside the room listening. He waited for Marcus to leave then followed him. He thought something was up with those two. After working on Capitol Hill he developed a sixth sense for scandal and as mad as the Doctor was at him she and Marcus had doe eyes when they looked at each other.
"Well, well seems I'm right again," said Frank as he walked in on them. "Don't worry; I could care less about your escapades as long as we get back on schedule. Are these all the pieces left from that downed satellite?"
"Yes," said Silvia looking over at Marcus wondering what they should do and how much Frank overheard. "I was looking them over one last time before we get rid of them. I thought there might be something we could use. But there isn't much left."
"Could you tell from this mess that it was shot down?" asked Frank. Silvia looked over the pieces then shook her head no.
"Everything here would be inconclusive under examination plus there is not residue. The char could easily have happened on re-entry so no. It would be impossible, why?"
"I've got an idea but I'm going to need some C-4 to create a crater. Just get everything together and Marcus I need to see a map of the area. I want you to find me a place that's uninhabited and almost inaccessible. The key is almost." He saw their puzzled looks. "Haven't you ever heard of seeding a mine before?"
A week later...
The initiative was back on schedule and Frank was relatively happy. His false lead was still there untouched and unfound. Maybe they hid it too well but there was something else bothering him. He had been there a week and he still hadn't had the pleasure of meeting El Comandante. This was starting to get to him. How this person could blatantly ignore his authority was just totally unacceptable until one day he couldn't take it anymore.
"Marcus you know what they say if Mohammed won't go to the mountain, themountainmust come toMohammed. Let's go see El Comandante. I've waited long enough this guy needs to be rattled a little bit to understand his place in the food chain and bring a couple of men just in case he acts up."
"We'll need to drive into the capital to do that. Are you sure you want to? I mean going to the capital there's always the possibility of being seen."
"Well it doesn't seem he's coming here anytime soon. I still don't know what it is he actually does for us and why are we paying him?"
"It's not so much what he does as what he will do," said Marcus as he explained. "He's our candidate in the upcoming elections and once he's elected he'll be in our pocket."
"Are we sure about that? Because I have to say I'm having some serious doubts. If he can't find the time to meet me I'm not so sure he's capable of being our man. Let's go have this heart to heart maybe I'll feel better."
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John flew in on the milk run down from Travis on a C-130 that made the run to all the embassies in Central and South America. Officially the mission was to pick up correspondence and dispatches that were sensitive but not secret that needed to be carried by a courier. Everything truly classified travelled via secure net now. With the electronic age the need for this flight was dying out. The whole reason that it still existed was to move personnel around and to bring people like the Colonel into places without being detected.
"Good luck Colonel," said the flight chief dumping him off on a dusty airstrip as they serviced a consulate in the middle of nowhere. Casey gathered up his things then walked through the terminal where a man in a uniform waved for him to come over. The man had been watching a telenovelas and Casey was keeping him from seeing the end.
"Passport and visa por favor business or pleasure," said the man as he leaned back to look at the television. Casey looked around and wanted to ask if there was a third option.
"Both I'm a photo journalist," he said showing the man his camera then he specified. "I shoot people for a living."
"No, no you can't take pictures in here. No public buildings or public officials which includes policemen. Comprende?"
"Comprendo," said Casey as the man quickly handed Casey back his passport then motioned for him to go so he could get back to Verónica Castro and Los ricos también lloran, the Rich also Cry. "Gracias," said John but the guy was already gone. He picked up his bag then headed out the door. The sun was bright so he put on his sunglasses then walked across the street to an open air bar.
"Cerveza cold," said Casey as the bartender gave him a strange look. "You know cold," he said again then he hugged himself and shook acting like he was cold. But the bartender laughed then blew him a kiss. Casey walked behind the bar stepping over the bartender he just decked then got his own dropping money on the man as he started to moan.
"Fría was the word you were looking for," said a man in a dark suit and sunglasses sweating like a pig.
"What?" said Casey as he passed the man his beer then got him another one tossing more money down at the man who didn't act like he was in any hurry to get back up.
"Cerveza fría means cold beer. Gez talking about being the ugly American," said the man as he peeked over the counter at the man on the ground.
"Talk about sticking out like a sore thumb. I guess you're the RSO from the embassy?" said Casey as he took a sip. "See this is something I just never understood it's hot as hell and you can't get anything really cold."
"I've asked that question often, Mike Carver RSO, Colonel," said the agent sliding Casey a set of keys. "I brought you transportation."
"You got to be kidding me," said Casey looking at a Norton 500. "Come on a commie motorcycle. Give me a break."
"Sorry but this guy named Ernesto cut me a good deal," said Mike as he pulled out a map showing it to Casey. "This is the area the government has searched. This one over here is bordered by centos what we'd call sink holes but our first pass with drones we missed this. Do you see it?"
"Yeah it looks like something made a small crater and took out some of the vegetation. I don't know why we didn't see it the first time and why hasn't the beloved Premier gotten his men there yet."
"The area is pretty rugged and the jungle is impervious. If you noticed they searched all the easy spots but avoid this because..."
"Because it was too hard, I got you. Well this is going to take a couple of days so I'd better get going," said Casey as he downed his beer then went out and saddled up. Mike raised his beer to him as he rode out of town followed by a trail of dust.
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Frank drove through a little town on his way to the capital close to the border. He had to pass through winding streets with vehicular and animal traffic in the way slowing him down. They had to come to a complete stop when they met a man herding his goats their way. Then from behind the goats they saw a man come up on an old motorcycle honking his horn.
"Where does he think he's going," asked the driver still stuck in the middle of the herd as the goats slowly strolled by baaing.
"I don't know," said the man riding shotgun. "But I like his bike with a little work that could be a nice ride. You don't see something that sweet every day."
"Vintage usually means old," said Marcus as he looked out the window at the man as he drove by ridding his horn to get the goats out of his way. "You need to honk your horn."
"I can't or it'll scare the goats and the stupid things may not move. I'd like to floor it and make mutton stew," said the driver as he looked at the man disappearing in a cloud of dust behind them.
"Crap, crap I know that guy who just drove by," said Frank. It was like someone had turned on a light switch in Frank's head. He suddenly remembered who that was on the bike. "Crap that was Colonel John Casey. This isn't good. Marcus call back to the site and have they reinforce our security."
"What can this Colonel do by himself?" said Marcus as he pulled out his phone. "He's only one man what do we have to worry about from him. People disappear in the jungle all the time."
"First of all he usually isn't by himself and if the rest of his team is here I need to know. Reach out to our people and see if he arrived in country alone. But even alone he can hurt us if he gets word out we're operating here," said Frank as the last goat finally walked by and they were able to start up again.
"I've got security on the horn they want to know what you mean by reinforcing. Do you want them to set up more patrols?"
"Gez, put the idiot on speaker. Listen..." said Frank as he paused to think. "No don't add more patrols but set up more hidden cameras and tie them into our CCTV. Make sure the patrols stay out of sight. I don't want Casey finding anything that will cause him to be suspicious. That being said if he acts like he's on to us he'll need to be taken out."
"Boss, how do you know he didn't see us when he drove by," asked the man riding shotgun. "Seems to me if you saw him, he could've seen you."
"Rocket scientist," said the driver. "You're forgetting the windows are tinted so unless he's Superman with x-ray vision there's no way he could've seen us. Boss we're coming up on the city limits."
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Devon and Ellie along with Chuck and Sarah were about to leave the hospital to go to the nearest Ben and Jerry's when a motorcade composed of three black SUVs pulled up. Men jumped out in olive colored BDUs taking position at the entrance. Chuck and Sarah pushed Ellie and Devon behind them as they took up a defensive posture.
"Chuck, what's going on," asked Ellie as she got behind Devon. Then a Colonel got out and they saw he had as a shoulder patch a flag they recognized, Costa Gravas.
"Chuck, Sarah, stand down." They heard a familiar voice yell coming from the elevator. They turned to see General Beckman approaching. "I was just informed these gentlemen had arrived and I came to tell you."
"Just arrived," said Chuck looking back towards the elevators.
"Oh yes... Well I… I went upstairs to look for you but they told me up there you'd already gone out for lunch so I was going to call and warn you from my car."
"I'm sure you were," said Chuck as he looked over at Sarah who shrugged her shoulders. No buying it either but it wasn't the time to call her out.
"Dr. Woodcomb, Mrs. Dr. Woodcomb, my name is Colonel Sancho Panza, the leader of our country our beloved Premier would like to invite you for the celebration of our new constitution. Naturally you'll be our guests in the palace, the most beautiful place in the country."
"We've been there before and while we appreciate the offer..."
"Wait a minute babe I think we need to talk this over. Personally, I think we ought to go," said Devon as Ellie stared at him like he was crazy. "Yeah, I think we ought to go. I mean if they're going to celebrate their new constitution it's also because of us or me... I did save the Premier's life not to mention his wife's... I mean we all did and it would be kind of rude if we didn't go."
"Sarah, what do you think? Is it safe?" asked Ellie but before Sarah could answer Devon cut her off.
"Going to and from work can be dangerous during rush hour. I mean it could be dangerous just getting out of bed some days," said Devon. "Right guys, don't you agree?"
"Absolutely, I can also send Chuck and Sarah along with you two," said the General and before Chuck could protest. "Chuck, you wanted a tropical vacation on golden beaches. This is the perfect opportunity."
"If Casey were here he'd say I smell a rat," said Chuck. "Sarah, how do you feel about this I'm okay with this if you are."
"I guess I'm okay with it. Sam and Clara can gather shells on the beaches and the water is warm," said Sarah. But she was really thinking that like this she could get out of seeing Gwen, her OBGyn, for a little while longer.
"And Babe think about the sultry nights, hot and muy caliente. Come on Babe don't be a party pooper," said Devon as he took Ellie in his arms and began to dance without music. Chuck and Sarah stood off to the side and watched them then he kissed Sarah.
"I want to go talk to Beckman for a second but you and I have the next dance," said Chuck as he kissed her then went over pulling the General to the side.
"Now General tell me what's really going on here and don't give me the line about coming to tell us that the Colonel's in town. You just happened to be in Chicago and if I call and talk to the people on Ellie's floor I'll find out you were never there. Devon was a little too enthusiastic about his desire to go on this trip. You went after the weak link and I want to know why."
"Okay I admit your brother-in-law and I had a conversation but the invitation is real. Alejandro basically order me to make sure Devon and Ellie attend his little ceremony on the first of May but I guess I didn't go about this as fast as he'd liked so he sent in the troops. But this doesn't change the fact that he wants them there and by the way you and Sarah were invited too along with Casey."
"Morgan told me he was on some secret mission. Was that the only way you could get him to go to... how did he put it, a stinking slimy Commie hellhole?"
"Actually his was a real mission, we lost a spy satellite over Costa Gravas and I sent him in to locate and retrieve it. We wanted to send in troops but as soon as this constitution goes into effect one of the first things that's going to happen are free elections..."
"And if we send in too much show of presence it could sway the voters. But who'd run again the beloved Premier or is the beloved not that beloved?"
"By some yes and by others no, rumor has it his opponent in the elections is someone you know Comandante Juan Pablo Turrini."
"The former head of the Costa Gravan secret police, I bet he knows where there are quite a few skeletons buried and the shovel that was used."
"Enough to keep him out of jail after his coup failed. Alejandro was given the choice to pardon him and his wife or send them both to jail."
"The heart wants what the heart wants," said Chuck looking over at Sarah. She smiled then turned and came over to them.
"I thought you guys would like to know the decision has been made. It looks like we're all going to Costa Gravas. Sancho said he has the Premier's private plane waiting for us at Midway International and we can leave tomorrow morning."
"Well, I need to run and notify State, he'll be happy. I'll be in touch with you once you get in country," said the General then she left.
"You know this is sounding more like a mission than a vacation. Are you sure you're up to this," said Chuck as he took her hands. "You look tired and then there's your nausea."
"No, I'm not pregnant Chuck. Have you been talking to Ellie? She asked me the same thing in the restroom. Chuck, I'd better not find Gwen won a mysterious free vacation to Costa Gravas."
"I was thinking more about her lucky number was extracted in the national lotter of Costa Gravas for invitations to their Constitution party."
"Chuck no and I mean it. I'm not so there's no need. Gwen is busy I'll see her as soon as we get back."