Don't own Chuck
Mary watched from across the way as Frank and his men left the block building. She guessed that was where the General and everyone else were being held. Her first thoughts were to liberate them but she couldn't guarantee an alarm wouldn't be sounded. Without weapons they'd be cut down in no time before they could do anything. Her only option was to work from within and to do that she had to first survey the situation and to do whatever it took to sabotage their efforts until she could get word out for help.
Mary made it back to the hangar where men were still hard at work dismantling the Hypersonic. A team was inside gutting while another was outside taking it apart piece by piece carefully boxing and tagging.
"Be careful," she heard one of the techs yell at one of the movers. "That box has the data core you damage that and all these become just pieces of metal.
"Bingo she had her first target," she said as she walked around to get behind the worker carrying the box. On the way she noticed they had set up a coffee mess with coffee, cups, cream and sugar. She snatched up two cups of coffee as she walked by like she was taking coffee to someone. Her sortie was made easier by an argument that erupted between the Argentinian workers and the Russians.
"All you guys do is sit around all days and drink coffee while we work and then what? You boss us around when we go to your little boat," said one of the Argentinians. "You're worse than the English at least they work."
"You've got your job and we've got ours so get back to work or I'll have to do something you won't like but I will."
"I'd like to see you try," said the Argentinian. His friends tried to get him to cool down but he wouldn't have it. "We can do it here or outside if you're not too scared comrade."
"Right here is fine by me compadre," said the Russian as he started towards the man rolling up his sleeves. But as they were about to fight Frank and Marcus walked in along with the Captain Lieutenant, Blake and Richard.
"What's going on and why have you stopped working?" Accusations started to fly back and forth between the Argentinians and the Russians. In the end Frank just yelled for everyone to be quiet. "You are the two men responsible for this disorder?"
"Well yes but they started it," said the Argentinian. Frank pulled his Beretta and shot him dead then he pointed it at the Russian. "You're only alive because I need you to run the boat. But the next time they may have to get along without you. Am I clear?" The man nodded his head. "I need for you to say it. Am I clear?"
"Da..." he said and nodded his head slowly but Frank waved his pistol for him to continue. "Yes I understand."
"Good everyone get back to work now the show is over and clean this mess up. Captain, take your men back onboard the sub and keep them there. Oh I heard you had a run in with my Lieutenants. Know that they speak for me and if they tell your men to jump they jump."
"They work for me," said the Captain Lieutenant. "The chain of command is if you need something you come to me first."
"Technically we all work for Hydra and I'm the council's representative here. So you all work for me. If you don't like that you're free to go but remember the SVR will be looking for each of you soon. Without our help how long do you think it will be before they find you? If they do we all know what that means so go and take your men with you."
Mary was busy listening in and working at the same time. She opened the cap on the gas tank and poured both cups inside. Then she grabbed the box the tech had pointed out when the Russians started marching out.
"Crap," she said as she had to do a quick about face before someone asked her why she was headed in the wrong direction with a box.
"Here let me help you," said one of the Russians as he helped Mary into the back of one of the trucks with her box.
"Spah see bo, Thank you," she said as she smiled at him and it worked the Russian smiled back.
"De nada," he answered trying to speak Spanish smiling back. This one seemed nice which was going to make what she had to do even more difficult.
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Chuck dropped the photos on Silvia's bed but she still played it off denying she had said anything before. But she had unintentional given him something to work with. She had said something that he picked up on or something she hadn't denied which deserved to be looked into. He motioned for Sarah to follow him then they both went out.
"A little heads up that she knew about 'Carmichael' would've been nice," said Sarah outside more than a little cross. "Let's go back in there I think she's about to crack."
"What good will it do?" said Chuck. "We can't believe a word she says and the General is running out of time."
"And so is Mary, Chuck, I realize you're thinking about your mother. I'm sorry but we've got to go about this properly."
"What good will it do? First of all it will make me feel a lot better," said Casey as he cracked his knuckles. "Everybody talks sooner or later."
"Just hold up a second okay," said Chuck as he punched in code to connect with Langley and the Major came on the line.
"Major, I need for you to get with NASA and have them do a discreet satellite check. When our spy satellite lost orbit I remember the General saying that it pivoted on its axis first because of a misfiring of one of the nacelles."
"Yes why? Is that important now? I think that's old news. We can forget about the crash for now what has top priority is the General's disappearance."
"I think there's a connection..." Chuck started to say but the Major cut him off.
"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. What I meant was..." This time Chuck cut him off.
"I know exactly what you meant but I chose to ignore it. Listen Major, at the time of the downing, which is what I believe it was, find out if there was another satellite nearby. When you find out there was... I know you will, I want photos taken discreetly of it. Your satellite was shot down because when it turned on its axis it accidently took photos of something someone didn't want you to see."
"I'll get on it but I still don't see how this is related to the General or your mother's disappearance," said the Major looking vexed.
"Just humor me and I think we'll figure that out soon. Carmichael out," said Chuck as he looked at both Casey and Sarah staring at him. "What? When I mentioned to her that she had shot down the satellite she didn't deny it. If it had been shot down by a rocket someone would have seen and tracked it which leaves a satellite killer. But why bring attention to yourself by downing another bird unless it was absolutely necessary. The rest we'll find out when the Major calls back."
"We all need to go change for the function and reception," said Sarah. "I wish we didn't have to but we have to still all attend. Chuck at some point you're going to have to tell Ellie about your mother."
"I know. I've got an idea but you guys aren't going to like it. But right now Silvia knows nothing can happen to her because we're protecting her. What if we kick that chair out from under her?"
"As long as theirs a noose around neck when you kick it out from under her," said Casey as Sarah gave him a look. "What? Don't tell me you didn't think the same thing."
"Okay maybe but what is it we're not going to like," said Sarah as she looked at him and knew. "Oh Chuck, don't tell me you want to take her to the party with us?"
"And I want to make sure she gets her picture taken by all the press too. I want her to be on the headlines of ever paper tomorrow as well as on every news broadcast."
"You realize that will make it difficult, if not nearly impossible to make her disappear afterwards. Right now no one knows she's alive so she won't be missed."
"True and Hydra isn't looking for her because they think she's dead. That's what she meant when she talk about what we'd find in the cenote. She's a lose end and she knows it."
"If they see she's alive they'll come after her and there's a good possibility they'll succeed this time. Chuck, I know you don't like her but do you want to do this?"
"Of course he does," said Casey. "So she has no place to go but to work for us. It's kind of a cold way to treat your..."
"I told you guys she's not my ex," said Chuck. This ex story was getting on his nerves and he wanted it laid to rest. Just it looked like Silvia would with it.
"Oh chill Chuck or you're going to pop a gasket or something," said Casey. "Actually, I was going to say nemesis."
"The Chinese say 'Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves,'" said Sarah. "Or if you prefer 'revenge is a dish best served cold'."
"Says an old Klingon proverb but guys this is nothing like that and it's certainly nothing to do with getting even. The past is the past that's why it's called the past. This is about the now and speaking about the now we need to hurry. It's time to change for the reception."
A few hours later they were in the conference room of the Premier's hotel…
The music was playing a low rumba as the Premier was walking around the floor with his wife greeting their guests. She was beginning to show a definite baby bump which added to her glow. Ellie and Devon were standing with Clara and Sam off to the side waiting for Chuck and Sarah. Casey was already there at the bar drinking the Premier's free Scotch.
"Devon, what's taking Chuck and Sarah so long? The ceremony is about to start and they're nowhere in sight. Did something come up?"
"I don't know Babe. You should ask Casey, I left after I stabilized their prisoner," said Devon as Sam and Clara gave him a look. "I mean their guest."
"Here they are," said Ellie as Chuck and Sarah got off the elevator with a third person. "Oh they brought a guest with them." Devon almost choked on his drink when he saw who it was.
"They did what? Oh she shouldn't be here," said Devon as the girls laughed and he tried to clean himself.
"Mommy," yelled Sam as she ran over to Sarah. Chuck grabbed her up as she ran to them and held her in his arms.
"Not one word," whispered Sarah. "Remember we're ten floors up which means it's a long way down but you can reach the bottom in a hurry, if you know what I mean."
"I don't know why I had to come here if you're going to cut me loose. But I do appreciate the free booze," said Silvia as she grabbed two champagne glasses and offered Sarah one but she refused.
"We'll be right back," said Chuck as he took Sam back to Ellie and Devon then went over to the Premier. There he whispered something in the Premier's ear pointing back at Silvia. He nodded as Casey joined in then Alejandro passed them both a cigar they all smiled and shook hands.
"What's up with the bro fest over there," asked Silvia as she saw Chuck and the Premier looking back at her. "Why are they looking at me?"
"Not everything is about you," said Sarah as she grabbed a fruit juice off a tray. "You could be a little grateful we did save your life in the jungle."
"I figure it was more you were interested in what you could get out of me, my intel, than actually caring about saving me. I know Chuck would've loved to watch that jaguar eat me."
"If you think that then you really don't know him. You probably don't remember this but that jaguar charged him instead of you."
"And I bet he coughed his fool head off as allergic as he is to cats. Oh I know about that too," said Silvia. Sarah thought about breaking the champagne flute Silvia had in her hand then shoving the stem in her throat that would keep her quiet for a while.
"Sarah, can you introduce me to you guest," said Ellie as she came over with Devon and the girls. "I don't know but have we met before? You seem familiar." But before Silvia could say anything Chuck came over and got her.
"The Premier wants to meet you," said Chuck as he took her across the floor to Alejandro then disappeared into the crowd. Suddenly the lights went dim and a spotlight came on with them in the middle.
"My countrymen, guests I want you all to meet Dr. Silvia Martin. One of the people instrumental in helping me foil the coup attempt. My personal spy, who at grave risk infiltrated the dastardly operation that almost robbed us of our liberties, thank you," said the Premier as he raised his glass. There were flashes from cameras and television cameras pointed at Silvia as she tried to run but the Premier held her. "You have to forgive her she's a little camera shy."
"No that can't be that Silvia, Silvia the Bi..." Sarah faked a cough to stopped Ellie then looked at the girls who were looking up at her puzzled. "I mean Silvia the one from Stanford."
"I'm afraid she is," said Sarah as she grabbed another fruit juice wishing she could drink something stronger. Casey walked by with a cigar in his mouth puffing away.
"Nice bit to get the Premier to go along with it," said Casey as Sarah started waving trying to get rid of the smoke. "What's the matter feeling nauseous?"
"If you keep it up you'll find out soon so why don't you take that thing outside on the balcony or would you like to be covered in... well everything I've eaten or drank." That was Casey's cue to move on.
"I got the results back on your first blood work and as we thought your hCG level is fifteen. The Doctor friend of Casey's says he thinks you're pregnant..."
"You're pregnant," said Silvia. She had somehow come back up on them without them seeing her. "So you're expecting your second rug rat. One wasn't enough?"
"Remember what I told you about the balcony and going splat. That can still happen you know even if you're a TV star now."
"That's what I need to talk to Chuck about. He set me up. Where's he at I need to talk to the expectant Dad?"
"He's on the balcony but you open that cave of mouth of yours or breathe one word about me being pregnant to him... well, I swear you won't have to worry about your people getting to you. I'll beat them to the punch and quite a few of them as a matter of fact."
Silvia left Sarah steaming as Sarah watched her go out on the balcony with Chuck and Casey. Sarah stood there looking on as she saw arms waving. She knew it was about to happen but it didn't make her feel any better. Silvia began to cry and Chuck held her. He was predictable like that always the knight in shining armor and she had every intent to make sure Silvia knew he was hers.
"I don't like her either," said Ellie. Sarah had forgotten for a moment that Ellie was standing with her. "If you need any help throwing her over the balcony you can count on me. I was telling you about your hCG level, it came back at fifteen and as I said a five to a twenty five is considered equivocal result. We'll repeat the test in forty-eight hours which if things go as planned you'll be around a thirty or higher."
"Then there can be no doubt. I should get an ultrasound done too. Oh Ellie I wasn't sure before but I really want this."
"I know you do and I want it for you too," said Ellie as she hugged Sarah. Devon came back with the girls they both had ice cream and chocolate smiles.
"Group hug," said Devon. "Can we all get in on this?"
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The truck made it almost to the pier where the submarine was moored when it began to sputter and buck. Then there was loud bang as the engine backfired. It started misfiring then the engine died altogether and they had to roll into a stop next to the berth.
"Well, this is the end of the line," yelled the driver into the back. "I'll look at the motor while you unpack but we might have to walk back to camp."
"Great mumbled," some of the men in the back adding some choice words in Spanish as they climbed out and started moving boxes.
Mary got out and grabbed her box then she walked down to the quay wall where the sub was moored under camouflage netting. Her fellow workers unload the truck with parts they had dismantled from the Hypersonic and they all headed towards the gangway. At the end of the pier there were hoses coming into the sub that had 'steam' stenciled on the side. Then it clicked the submarine had a lead-bismuth cooled fast reactor.
"Crap that's how they slipped past the rest of the fleet," she thought. Everyone was looked for the noise of a water cooled reactor but this one was silent plus it had other advantages. Starting with it was more energy efficiency up to 1.5 times higher. Liquid lead-bismuth systems were safer. They couldn't cause an explosion and the lead-bismuth quickly solidified in case of a leak. Most importantly they took less time to get underway because the reactor had to always be hot or the lead-bismuth would solidify in the reactor. That was the reason for high pressure steam from the pier to keep the reactor hot and the lead-bismuth liquefied.
"Hey why aren't you moving? Move along," yelled one of the foreman behind Mary then he gave her a shove. She almost lost her balance as she stumbled with her box.
"Sorry, sorry," said Mary as she readjusted the weight in the box then started to walk away but the man wasn't going to let up.
"Hey you, stop I'm not done talking," said the man. Mary turned around and waited for him to get up close. When he was almost up on top of her, she dropped the box in her hand on his feet. He let out a yell as he fell to the ground. She helped him up as he tried to wave her away but she insisted.
"Sorry," she said as she watched him hobble off but in the commotion she was able to palm a screwdriver from his tool belt. Retrieving her box she got back in line and headed towards the submarine.
Mary followed the line to the sub. There men walked on board one gangway with boxes in their hands then came off another empty handed heading back to where the trucks were parked to pick up their next load.
"Hey, what are you doing standing around? Get to work that truck won't unload itself," said another foreman yelling from the boat.
"Yes sir, coming," said Mary as she carried her box following the line of men going on board. They made their way down to the missile silos. There they deposited their boxes under the watchful eyes of a Russian officer.
"No not there," yelled one of the officers as she sat her box down wiping the sweat off her forehead. "I said not there," he yelled again then he came over to her.
"Okay, okay one moment. You guys are a little wound up," she said as she picked up the box but pretended she slipped and spilled the box in front of the Russian.
"What a klutz," he said as Mary bumped into him then he shoved her backwards. She fell down then got up apologizing.
"I'm so sorry," she said as she got up. When the Russian shoved her she was able to lift his lighter and pocket knife.
She hung around until the rest of the workers had gone before the next wave arrived. Then when she was alone she came back up to the Russian that had shoved her. He was on a radio calling someone to see when he could be relieved. She waited then approached him when he was done.
"What are you still doing here," he said. "You should be out getting the next load. Move it or I'll call..." he started to say someone when he looked down to see a screwdriver protruding from his chest. He looked up at Mary as she pulled it out then shoved it in his neck. Gasping he tried to yell but couldn't. She left him to be found with the screwdriver.
"One down," she said to herself.