Don't own Chuck
Chuck and Casey rolled down a narrow road behind them were snow cover mountain tops. On the right side were cliffs that extended into the sky and on their left a straight drop that seemed to go on forever with a raging river flowing below. As they approached the gate a large cannon barrel protruded from a porthole pointed at them. They pointed their cannon barrel down so no one would get nervous.
"Steady there John, I know you've got an itch that wants scratching but we've come too far to blow it now."
"You just get us past that gate and I'll take care of my itch," said Casey as the guard radioed them asking for the password.
"Here goes nothing," said Chuck as he gave the password written in the notebook. There was a pause. Casey had already housed a load all he need was raise and fire. He had the gun controls in hand when the gate started opening.
"Welcome home komandirskiy," radioed the gate guard. "Sorry for the delay but the gate controls are acting up again. Drive on in and park, the Czar is anxious to hear what went wrong. Just to give you a heads up he's in a mood."
They drove into a deep underground tunnel that was extremely narrow for the tank. Chuck held to the center with very little room to manoeuvre.
"Chuck, I don't have to tell you that there's no way we're going to be able to make it back out this way once crap starts happening," said Casey as he kept a watchful eye out in case this was some sort of trap.
"You're right you don't, but this factory has to stop producing and I need to get Izad along with the others."
"You mean we do," said Casey. "I'm in this now too."
"Thanks John, but like I said before, I'm not taking prisoners. The threat to my family ends and I'm going to see to it."
"Look alive, we've got another check point coming up," said Casey. However this time there was a man standing with another man waving for them to stop. "I can take them out."
"No hold on Casey, I've got an idea," said Chuck as he came to a stop put on the helmet then pulled down the visor sticking just his head out of the tank.
"I heard we lost everyone," said the guard. "You know the Czar isn't going to be happy. I don't know if you should've come back."
"And do what desert? Where would I go? What would my men do? Can you get out of my way the Czar wants to talk to me and you're holding me up or do I need to tell him you kept me from reporting in?"
"Okay, okay, it's your funeral what flowers grown in the mountains in winter?" asked the man. Chuck looked at him that wasn't in the book. "What flowers grown in the mountains in winter, Commander," said the man again looking over at the other man next to him. Then Chuck realized that the answer was so obvious that there was no need in writing it down.
"None, now let me through," said Chuck as he dropped back inside and closed the hatch revving up the engine as the gate came down they drove through.
"Nothing like making me sweat in here," said Casey as they pulled into the depot. "I've got multiple targets, there's a fuel depot on our right at ten o'clock and a munitions dump on our left at four. Which one do your want to take out?"
"Both," said Chuck, "let's rock and roll."
"I was hoping you'd say that," said Casey. Out in front of the tank was a man with paddles who was supposed to give the tank commander instruction where to park the tank but Chuck ignored him.
"John, zero the fuses and on my mark fire at will," said Chuck as the man with the paddles was going crazy waving at Chuck but he was ignoring him
"Stop, stop, no over here. Gez, are you blind?" yelled the man as he took the paddles and banged on the outside of the tank.
"Mark," yelled Chuck as he banged. The cannon fired making a deafening sound inside. The man for a moment looked at his paddles wondering if he made the man inside fire. The round hit the fuel supply and it exploded in a fireball that shook the whole structure. Casey quickly expelled the spent round then the cannon automatically loaded the second two part round. Casey spun the gun around and fired another round making the same deafening sound; however, this time there whole bay was already raging in fire.
"Boom!" they heard in the tank and the force of the blast literally pushed the tank sideways as the munitions exploded.
"Chuck, get us out of here," yelled Casey as the munitions and fuel started a chain reaction of explosions and fire. Chuck floored the tanking and rammed a fire door driving through into the plant floor with a fireball following them. The flames engulfed the machinery and equipment as men ran trying to escape.
"John, your four o'clock that's an airlock that's where they work on the chip assemble," yelled Chuck as he positioned the tank.
"Roger that," said Casey as he fired the already housed round. The whole plant was shaking now like there was an earthquake.
"John, take over. Go straight down ahead you'll come to a tunnel. Take it keep on going it will lead you out. If you don't see me in half an hour head back to Borz."
"Chuck, I'm not leaving you here I'm coming with you. We'll get them together. If you want to take them out go for it I won't stop you."
"No John, I need you to get back to Sarah for me. I need for you to tell her if I have to choose I'll always choose her. Bye John and wish me luck."
"You better show up in half an hour or I'll kill you."
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Roan changed putting on his white evening jacket and black bowtie he was ready to go hunting. Stepping out into the hall he made his way down to the elevator. The same girl was at the reception desk was there when he stepped off. He nodded to her with a smile before walking into the bar. There sitting by herself in a booth was a gorgeous red head in a drop dead crimson red sequin cocktail dress.
"I'm jealous," said Roan as he walked up to her table. "Do you mind if I sit down?"
"Go ahead. Would you like a drink?" She said as she wave for him to have a seat then signalled the barmaid to come over.
"I'd like to be that drink. Men must take one look at you and tell you all their secrets," said Roan. "I'll have what she's having and bring her another."
"Yes sir two dirty Martinis coming right up," said the girl as she walked away.
"So mister…"
"Roan Montgomery and you are?" asked Roan as the barmaid sat down their drinks. Roan took the bill and wrote his room number on it.
"Natasha Fatale," she said as she offered Roan her hand.
"Enchantée," said Roan as he kissed it. "You know I have to ask myself what's going on. I look around and see you sitting here by yourself when you could have anyone sitting here."
"Maybe no one has caught my eye yet. So Mr. Roan Montgomery, impress me," said Natasha as she reached over taking his hand then he felt her leg under the table.
"Okay, here's one. Just before I checked in I was across the square in the FSB headquarters. I was invited up to the office of the Director of Clandestine and Covert affairs.
"So you're a spy?" said Natasha as Roan motioned for her to hold down her voice. "You're a Russian spy? Oh, that's very exciting Roan."
"Oh no but we oughtn't be talking about this here. I've got an idea why don't we go up to your room where we can talk in private," said Roan as he smiled.
"Naughty, naughty Roan. I have to wonder are you telling me this just so I'll take you up to my room?"
"Well darling there's only one way to find out. I could ask the same thing. A beautiful woman in a bar all alone but I'd have to say what a way to go."
"Well then if you're willing to take the chance so am I," said the woman as she led Roan out of the bar and towards the elevator. As they stood waiting for the doors to open she put her arm around him and kissed him.
"That was just a sampling of more to come," she whispered in his ear. He pulled her into the elevator as the doors opened then kissed her back.
"Why waste time with hors d'oeuvres when we can go straight for the main course," said Roan as he looked into her green eyes. The elevator stopped and she took him by the hand down the corridor to her room then she hung the 'do not disturb' sign on the door.
"Make yourself at home," she said motioning him to the bed. "Let me slip into something more comfortable. Pour us a drink."
Natasha walked out going into the bathroom. Roan took off his Jacket then bowtie. He removed his cufflinks then poured them a drink. All the time she was spying on him from the door. She watched him lift the glass then walk to the window. That's when she came out.
"I thought you were changing," said Roan as he dropped his glass. "You know suddenly I don't feel so good. Did you put something in the bourbon?"
"Roan Montgomery. Did you ever think your storied life as a spy would come to an end because you picked up a girl in a bar?"
"Well, actually, yes. That's precisely how I thought I'd go," he said as he heaved a sigh. "How long do I have?"
"Don't worry it will be quick and painless. But the drug wasn't in the bourbon I put it in the glass. A tetrodotoxin extract from pufferfish," she said as she took out a glass from the draw and poured herself a drink. "You have to ask yourself was a meeting me was worth dying for? Here's to you. May you rest wherever." She raised her glass and drank.
"But only a few people knew I was here who betrayed me? I hope it wasn't anyone I know. Can't you tell a dying man?"
"Well if you want to know it wasn't anyone you know. I don't know if that makes this better," she said as she looked at her watch. "You'll be dead soon."
"But that's not what's happening darling," said Roan as he got up.
"What? Oh? Mm-mm," she said as her vision became blurred. Roan took her glass from her then helped her lay down. "How? I saw you drink from the glass."
"You only thought you saw me drink from the glass. I made sure my back was to the bathroom door then I brought it up to my lips then sat it back down. Oh, I drugged the bourbon. Don't worry unlike you I don't want you dead but soon you'll have to answer some questions."
"And why would I do business with a CIA pig?"
"Because rolling around in the mud can be so much fun but alas I won't be asking them. You see my friend Igor will have his men here soon."
"You bastard."
"I answer to that too."
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Nikolai stood there listening to Izad he couldn't believe that he was actually considering running but if he stayed this hole in the ground would become his tomb sooner or later. If he ran then he could reorganize and fight back. Yes that was the way he ought to look at it he wasn't running away but making a strategic retreat following the adage he who fights and runs away lives to fight another day. Nikolai's decision was made when he heard the first explosion.
"Come on," yelled Nikolai as he grabbed Izad then they ran down to where the two professors were basically locked in a room.
"Open the door," ordered Nikolai, "then go down on the floor and help out. There's some sort of fire we need everyone to contain it." The two guards opened the door then ran off.
"Ryder, Shepherd come on we need to get out of here," yelled Izad. Seeing Nikolai standing next to him they were hesitant to follow. "Move it. We don't have long or would you like to die here?"
"No, but what's going on Izad? You promised us money and wealth so far we haven't seen anything?" Suddenly there was another explosion and the whole facility began to shake and crumble.
"I think any discussion should be tabled until we get out of here," said Dr. Shepherd as he pushed past Ryder. "Show us the way out."
"Follow me and stay close," said Nikolai as he led them down a long corridor. On their way they bumped into two of his men. "You two follow us. I want one of you in front and one to bring up the rear."
"Yes sir," said the men as they fell in. If nothing else they thought they were in the right place at the right time.
"What's going on," asked Nikolai to the point man. "I haven't been able to contact anyone and no one has reported in."
"Sir, it's chaos up above. Borz snuck men in on a tank and they started a chain reaction of explosions that are ripping out the supporting beams. Most of the upper floors have collapsed and this one will go soon. Sir, we ought to be going in the opposite direction for the exit if it's still clear."
"Izad, what are we going to do now," said Ryder. He understood enough to know they were in a desperate situation. "We left Pasadena for this?"
"No my dear Doctor you left it for the money we promised and paid you two so shut up and keep up or this is where we'll leave you."
"Okay we're here," said Nikolai as he punched in a code on a key pad and the wall rolled up revealing a tunnel with a BTR parked on the other side. "Climb in and let's go."
"You always had an escape plan. Where does this tunnel lead?" asked Holter as he took up a seat next to Dr. Ryder.
"Do you really care as long as it's not here," said one of Nikolai's men as he started up the BTR. "Close the hatch back there." The man's partner locked it up and they began pulling out driving as fast as they could. The vehicle shook as there were multiple explosions behind them.
"Just be thankful you're not there," said Nikolai as he sat down next to the driver. "Take us to Vladikavkaz airport there's supposed to be an airplane waiting, right Izad?"
"Yes my people confirmed they'd have one waiting on deck if we should ever need it. So yes there's one waiting. Relax Doctors," said Izad. "I've been told there's a new lab coming on line in the Amazon."
"Thank God, no more cold."
"Just relax you're safe now," said Izad as they headed towards the airport.
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Chuck jumped out of the tank and began fighting his way towards the command and control room. If Nikolai was around he thought he'd be there directing the defence of the facility. However, as he made his way most of the people he met didn't pay him any attention they were more concerned about trying to save themselves.
"Listen," said Chuck as he grabbed one man pinning him to the wall. "If you want to live tell everyone to follow the tank out. This whole place is going to come down soon." The man looked at him like he was crazy then ran off. He didn't know if the man had listened but he hoped he could save a few lives at least.
Finally he arrived at the door with управление и контроль [command and control] written on it. Chuck pulled his Makarov and entered but the room was empty. As he was standing there he felt two more explosions and the building started to shake. Quickly he went to the controls for the internal CCTV monitors and rewound the video from moments before until he found Nikolai, Izad and the two doctors escaping though the emergency tunnel.
"Looks like I've flushed the rabbit out of the hole," he said as lights started to flicker. Chuck looked up at the gauges for hydroelectric plant he realized the pressure valves had been damaged and soon the whole place would collapse then flood.
"Casey, can you read me," radioed Chuck from the center. "Listen I don't know if you can hear me but you've got to get out of here. This whole place is going to go soon and a flood of water will come down that tunnel. Go to Borz, have him call Igor to send a plane for you. I'll make my own way home. Don't worry about me just go and remember to tell Sarah what I told you. I love her.
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General Thomas was sitting in his office waiting for more news from the situation room. He'd passed word on to Diane about the defeat of Czar Nikolai by Borz the wolf. Now he was anxiously waiting on intel of Chuck's whereabouts and his follow up. The tank that had been seen leaving the encircle army had disappeared in the nearby mountains. Everyone had assumed that was where Nikolai had stashed Izad and the two professors to produce the Hammer of Thor chip. As he was sitting staring at the phone wishing it would ring he heard a commotion outside.
"You can't go in there," he heard Connie say. "Who granted you access? This floor is off limits to all unauthorized personnel"
"Connie, what's going on out there," said the General as he got up to see what was going on. In his outer office were two men with visitor badges. "Connie, who are these men?"
"I don't know I just know their badges don't authorize them to be on this level. I've called for security to come and escort them out."
"General Thomas," asked the one man and the General nodded his head. The man reached inside his jacket and as he did Connie pulled out a Python .357 from her desk cocking the hammer back.
"Slow and easy this has got a hairspring trigger," said Connie. The General was both surprised and amused it was like watching his grandmother draw down on some bad guy scary and hilarious at the same time.
"I'd do as the woman said. You've got the wrong credentials in a highly classified building. She would be well within her rights to drop both of you if you breath the wrong way."
"General, you've been served," said the man as he handed the General a piece of paper. He took it and opened it. "That's a call of the house you are to report to Capitol Hill to testify before the special sub-committee on the charges listed."
"Charges? What are they talking about? Is this some kind of joke," asked Connie as security arrived to take the two men away.
"No Joke. Take them and lock them up for trespassing for now. I may think up some other charges after while like breaking and entering. Oh and make sure they get a full body search. They could've taken classified material."
"Hey you can't do that we're officers of the court," protested the one.
"I don't know that. You gained access to my office by violating federal law as far as I'm concerned you could be terrorists. You're lucky I don't ship you off to Gitmo which I haven't ruled out yet and terrorists don't get that one free phone call. Now you can take them away."
"Sir what's going on," asked Connie as she put the safety back on slipping the revolver back into her desk.
"I could ask the same thing? I assume you're small arms qualified?"
"Of course and I have a license to carry a concealed weapon. General Beckman gave me the weapon and got me the license. I went down below and got qualified. The General said with all the crazies we have to deal with it was a good idea if I have a weapon out here."
"She's probably right. Looks like Agnes Greene is going after my head. In five days I'm supposed to testify before her senate sub-committee. I'm being investigated for abuse of office and running illegal ops."
"You should call her up and tell her what you think. It wasn't too long ago they tried that crap with General Beckman that's when that congresswoman shot herself. Chuck and the General were called that day then suddenly everything went away after she died."
"That's right I remember that," said Tank. He did more than remember he had read the file on the incident and knew the congresswoman was a mole for Hydra. He had his suspicions but without facts there wasn't anything he could prove. "Well let's get back to work."
"General," said the Major panting and short of breath. "Colonel, I'm standing in front of him you can speak. Sir it's Colonel Casey."
"Oh Colonel what can you tell me. Is Agent Carmichael with you?"
"No Sir, we got separated when we took out the production facility. The plant has been completely destroyed. They won't be making those things there anymore. It's just… well the last I saw Chuck he was inside. He went to take care of Izad and the two doctors while I secured our escape route. Then as I was waiting he radioed me to leave because the way we were supposed to take was about to get flooded. And as I was leaving my vehicle was almost washed off the road by flood waters. Sir, I don't know if Chuck made it out." There was silence.