Don't own Chuck
Morgan caught a glimpse of all the activity outside his door and his greatest fear was that Big Mike would try and come in. The only thing Morgan could do was hope that Casey would show up soon with the cavalry because he was running out of ways to stall Mr. Brown. But the most important thing for him was that Mr. Brown couldn't learn about Alex or rather who she was. After this was over he definitely was going to have to have a talk with Casey about giving him a gun to keep in his office.
"What's the matter? You look nervous. Why are you always looking at the window?" said Mr. Brown as he glanced over but kept Morgan covered.
"Nervous, you have someone stand over you holding a gun and see if you can stay calm. I keep wondering when Casey is going to get here so we can clear this huge mistake up once and for all. You know I'm a good judge of character and I can tell you're a good man."
"Well that just goes to prove looks can be deceiving and I don't want to say anything but if you're such a good judge of character why'd you hire that lot outside?"
"What can I say a momentary lapse of reasoning," said Morgan as he laughed. "No okay you got me. I told you Big Mike is my step-father so you've got to help out your family."
"I can see that it's the same with us my bâbâ, that's father, he gave work to my amu, that's my uncle on my father's side. Family is complicated."
"I know complicated. But go ahead how so? It seems well… family is family and you do what you can do. I think that's pretty much the case all around the world.
"Well I have my mâmân, my mom, then my father also had his hawǔ, which is his co-wife, and she has my dâdash, my brother."
"Boy, I bet that does cause problems," said Morgan trying to think of anything to stretch this out. "I can see it would also be a hassle for birthdays and holidays." But before Mr. Brown so say anything there was a knock at his door.
"Son, we need you out here there's… there's someone on the phone for you," said Big Mike as Skip and Fernando gave him the thumbs up and signalled for him to go on.
"I'm kind of busy in here Big Mike. Can you take a message and I'll get back with them?" said Morgan as he got up and went to the door. "If I don't do something they're going to keep on bothering us." Mr. Brown motioned him with his pistol as he move to the side of the desk to keep him covered.
"Just don't do anything stupid," said Mr. Brown as he made sure Morgan understood he meant business. "I'd hate to have to kill all of you."
"So would I," said Morgan as he unlocked the door but as he was doing so Big Mike let the cat out of the bag.
"Don't you want to talk to Alex, you fiancée? She's on the line and is waiting to talk to you. You know she doesn't like to be placed on hold."
"Alex your fiancée? I see now what you've been up to. Her last name wouldn't be McHugh would it?" said Mr. Brown as he knocked Alex's photo over on Morgan's desk.
"I swear I'm going to kill Big Mike," said Morgan then he turned back to Mr. Brown. "No it's Trebek. There's this guy with the same name. He hosts a TV show and well she gets embarrassed all the time when they get her confused with him."
"I'm sure they do. But let's play final jeopardy," said Mr. Brown showing he knew the program. "Why don't you let your step-father in and we can all talk about it?"
"I don't think that's such a good idea. You see he's suffering from the early stages of senility so he might get things confused."
"Open the door or I'll shoot through you and the door hitting whoever is on the other side. I won't repeat myself."
"Okay, okay just put the piece away first. I promise I won't do anything stupid I just want everyone to stay safe," said Morgan. He waited for Mr. Brown to hide the Glock under his jacket then he opened the door.
"How you doing son," said Big Mike as he walked in then turned his back to Mr. Brown then winked at Morgan. Morgan rolled his eyes and hoped Big Mike wouldn't get them both killed.
"I'm doing fine Big Mike the same as I was doing a little while ago when we met outside. Have you taken your senility pills? Do you feel okay?"
"What are you talking about? Pills? The only pills I take are those little blue ones to get the motor roaring, if you know what I mean. Your momma has one setting aside for me now after we have supper and she called them my super energy pills…"
"Not plane, nor bird, nor even frog,: It's just little old me…"
"Morgan was just showing me the picture of his fiancée," said Mr. Brown as he held up Alex's picture in one hand. "But… wait I'm sorry I don't remember her last name. McHugh wasn't it?"
"Is that Alex's picture? Is it new?" said Big Mike as he was moving closer to Mr. Brown. "I'm sorry but I don't have my glasses on. I forgot them in the break room can you bring that picture over closer."
"Is this better?" said Mr. Brown. He was beginning to wonder if Morgan hadn't told the truth about his step-father.
"No come closer," said Big Mike getting Mr. Brown up close. Then Big Mike dropped the disco stick out of his sleeve. "That's my future daughter-in-law you've got in your hand and Morgan, he's family," said Big Mike as he juiced Mr. Brown. The shock knocked him across the room then before he could pull his weapon Big Mike zapped him again. "They call me Mike, Big Mike."
Casey and Alex parked out from then ran in with weapons drawn but as they entered the Buy More they heard two gun shots coming from Morgan's office.
"We're too late," cried Alex as she welled up. "Oh God please no, please no."
"I swear Mr. Brown, or whatever his name is, will go but he's going to go slow," said Casey as they cleared the floor. In front of Morgan door both Skip and Fernando were lying on the ground
"Check them," said Casey as he went straight inside. But when Alex checked them they were okay they had only passed out. Skip had bumped his head on the floor but other than that they were fine.
"There all right just passed out," said Alex as Casey came right back out. "But we heard shots, what's going on?"
"Come inside and see but put away the piece," whispered Casey as he led her inside. Big Mike was standing in the middle of the floor breathing heavy. Morgan put a glass of water in his hand then took his disco stick from him and placed it on his desk.
"Just sit down and relax. Drink slowly it's all over but you were great. You saved me from that robber."
"Robber?" said Alex. Morgan looked over in the corner and there was Mr. Brown dead bleeding on the carpet. "What happened?"
"It was self-defence. How was I supposed to know that fool had the gun tucked under his jacket with his hand on the trigger and the safety off? You saw it son it was self-defence I saved you, right? I can't go to gen pop."
"That's right Big Mike you saved me. Don't worry you're not going anywhere. When Big Mike zapped him with his cattle prod Mr. Brown's muscles contracted so he shot himself."
"But we heard two shots?"
"I zapped the fool twice I wasn't taking any chances. But I don't understand why did he say he was here for you John. Did you do something to him or did you know him from somewhere?"
"I can explain that," said Morgan. "He just used Casey's name to get me alone. He saw Casey's name and photo on our employee bulletin board out front. It just happened to be the first thing he saw then when he looked around and didn't see John it was a way to get me in the office. He wanted me to open the safe but I wouldn't."
"You risked your life for the Buy More son."
"Some people might say it was heroic but…" Big Mike cut him off.
"Some might but I say it was plain stupid. You're going to risk your life for some chump change? Think what getting killed would do to your momma and your fiancée. There isn't any amount of money you can put on a life. I swear I ought to zap you too, maybe zap some sense into you and I would but the batteries are dead. John you try and talk to him," said Big Mike as he got up and left. "What the hell are you two doing lying around sleeping on the job? Get up and get back to work or the next place you'll be sleeping will be under the L.A. freeway on cardboard."
"Morgan we heard everything," said Alex as she kissed him. "You were brave. I'm proud of you and Dad is too."
"Let's just leave it at pleased. But you did good, I'll grant you that even if you did throw me under the bus. 'Casey will be back soon and I can call him in' I believe is what you said. If you were a Marine you would've let him shoot you then laughed in his face."
"Don't pay any attention to Dad. He's just trying to make fun of you," said Alex as she kissed him. "You're my hero."
"Yuck, I swear you say one word about the Cobra and I'll let the mongoose loose on you," said Casey as members of the Tac team came in and saluted Casey. They put Mr. Brown in a body bag then cleaners came in when they were done the place was immaculate.
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Chuck and Sarah transported Adama and Gertrude to an open field outside of camp where they were met by a Park's Department helicopter. They loaded Adama and Gertrude up for the trip to the capital. It was to be a fly straight into the Zamibian Medical Center where a team of surgeons were standing by waiting for their patient. But as they were loading up Adama grabbed Chuck and pulled him close whispering in his ear.
"Don't worry about it. We'll take care of everything you just get better," said Chuck as he squeezed Chuck's hand. "The chiyang'a tells you, you will heal." Adama smiled then let go.
"What did he say," said Gertrude before getting on the chopper. She was still uncertain about going and leaving her post.
"He asked me to bless him and I figured it couldn't hurt so I did. Gertrude, you need to get on that bird right now," said Chuck as he pushed her on board then slid the door closed.
"You're a terrible liar Chuck," said Sarah and she was happy he was. "What did he really tell you? And don't come out with a blessing."
"I couldn't tell Verbanski the truth or she would've never gotten on the chopper. He told me he was pushed from behind. The problem is the only people around Adama on the ferry were Africans which means…"
"We have infiltrators among us," said Sarah as everything was sinking in. "We've got to be extra cautious now."
"Yes and I've got another bit of news. I helped assemble this Lightning collection device they're supposed to be using and guess what, it doesn't work."
"What? Are you sure? Dr. Ryder said…"
"I know what he said and he also told us that they had this system for cooling down the electrical current before it over heated the battery cells. I didn't see anything like that and the circuitry they have can't take a charge like that without frying."
"And you're sure about that?" said Sarah. Chuck nodded his head. "Our circle of trust is just me and you."
"I think we can add the girls but they won't be much help. That may explain why they get sent for coffee and why there's not been enough data collected because there's none to be collected. But I'm not willing to bring them into our circle yet, they could've been sent to gather our intel too."
"Chuck, you realize we can't trust anyone."
"Well that's not true, I trust you," said Chuck as he kissed her.
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"Boy Casey your people really did a good job in my office," said Morgan as he walked in the conference room in Castle. "They even took out the grape jelly stain that Big Mike make when he almost gagged on a pastry and spit it up on the floor. We tried to bring Jeff in to cleaning it up but he licked all day and only got a carpet burn on his tongue."
"Pipe down Troll. Can't you see the General's on the line," said Casey. Morgan had walked in the middle of her briefing.
"I'm sorry General but as you might have heard we had a little bit of stir up above but I handled it," said Morgan. "There's no need for medals or thanks."
"Good because I wasn't planning of giving any. We wanted that man taken alive. He was the only person who could've told us the depth of the VAJA penetrations and what their end game was but thanks to you he took that information to his grave."
"You know Becky I don't want to complain," said Morgan getting a little upset. "But it could've easily been the other way around."
"Hardly," grunted Casey. "You have to know something to take with you to the grave."
"You know when you say things like that it hurts me on the inside," said Morgan as pulled up a chair and propped up his feet.
"We can always match the outside with the inside. I'd hate for you to be lopsided," said Casey as he shove Morgan's feet off the table. "Feet off the furniture."
"If we can get back on topic Gentlemen," said the General. "I want Agents McHugh and Grimes to go back out to Pasadena. Agent McHugh I want you to run point on this investigation. Look into that accident and see what you can find out."
"General you're actually letting me out of the Buy More and into the field," said Morgan, both happy and confused at the same time.
"Don't worry you'll screw it up," said Casey as Morgan gave him a look. "What? It's just greater than you are. At least Chuck isn't here because you usually end up trying to kill him."
"Yes, Agent Grimes I think you deserve this shot. Don't make me regret it. Colonel Casey I want you to go with them and have a talk with Dr. Beech. I've sent you a copy of the DoD findings see if our report matches the one he has on file there. If anyone gives you static about this tell them the word comes down from the top. Beckman out."
"Roger that," said Casey.
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Izad and Yousef's plane landed in a small inlet cove not far from the mission site. There they met up with a small group of commandos recruited from the local riff-raff. One thing the continent abounded with was mercenaries for hire, ex-freedom fighters who found ideals difficult to cash and use to make car payments with.
"Izad, who are these people," asked Yousef. None of the people he saw there looked like someone really interested in the revolution. "I thought our people were going to send us our own."
"It was thought these people would be better. If anyone is captured this can't be traced back to us. We needed a buffer after Los Angeles. Besides don't worry they know their profession quite well."
"Izad, said a man who came out of a tent to greet him. "Come inside I've got tea brewing I know your favorite is jasmine.
"This is the General," said Izad as he introduced him to Yousef. They shook hands but Yousef didn't understand.
"Your title is General but what's your name?"
"No that's my name and my title. I never knew my parents and I was raised in the PLA, the Peoples Liberation Army. Someone thought I was general material so that's what they called me and it stuck until finally I made General so technically my name is General General."
"You have news for us I take it. Good I hope," said Izad as he and Yousef followed the man into his tent. There he invited them to sit down then he poured them tea.
"One of our people in the camp reported he was able to neutralize two of the security people by pushing one of them off the ferry into the lake where he was attacked by a crocodile."
"You said two of them," said Yousef. "I'm sorry but I don't understand and do we know who they were?"
"The man attacked was a local and the other a Verbanski who was contracted to organize security. She and this local were medivaced to the capital," said the General content.
"However, there's still that couple left," said Yousef as his phone rang. He looked down and smiled over at Izad. "Professor you had me worried," he said as he answered smiling over at Izad. "We heard about an accident on board the plane but didn't know who was killed. … I see and no one suspects. … When did you say? … Okay it doesn't matter we'll hit at first light just calm down. Tell me where the chip is exactly. … I understand. We'll be there at dawn."
"So your professor's still alive," said Izad. "I take it our timetable just got moved up. General is that a problem can you get word to your people in time?"
"I don't see a problem," as they looked at a map of the site. "The workers go home at night so the only people that will be there will be the team and the men hired for security. Our men inside should be able to neutralize them but just in case I suggest a two pronged attack as we discussed before."
"As you discussed?" said Yousef not really surprised because it was evident that Izad knew the General well. "You two already have something planned out?"
"We just batted around a few ideas. This was one of them; you lead half of our men by boat landing at the head of the bay then marching in under darkness. I'll take the other half and circle around coming in from the rear that way we'll take them before they know it."
"Yes we cut off all their means of escape and they'll have no choice but to surrender. It's a good plan let's run with it. Also the professor said that a storm front should be passing close by if we're lucky the storm will help cover any noise we make."
"Good and the workers will wait until it's over to come to work which means we'll have less collateral and fewer people to deal with."
"Then we all agree at dawn we hit the camp."
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Dr. Beech was sitting at his desk reading reports initialing the ones he approved. Then lining through the sections of others he wanted eliminated and some sections he tried to reword so someone with a third grade education could understand. That was his target audience he had established for any report going to Capitol Hill. As he was trying to think about a particularly torturous sentence his phone rang.
"Martha can you get that I'm busy," yelled Dr. Beech but he got no answer and his phone continued to ring until he was forced to answer. He put the call on speaker so he could continue to work. "Dr. Beech, what do you want?"
"Sorry Doctor to interrupt you but this is security. I'm giving you a head's up we've got federal agents here and they're demanding to look in that closed lab. You know the one where the accident took place."
"That lab is off limits, did you tell them that," said Dr. Beech as Casey walked into his office dropping a piece of paper on his desk.
"That says it's not off limits to us. Who is this?" said Casey as he leaned over the speaker. But he got no answer from the other side. "Well you're obstructing justice and violating a few other Federal laws. I think you we can safely say your employment at this institution is over." Casey hung up the phone.
"Do you know who I am? I'll have your…" Dr. Beech started to say but Casey pulled out his Sig nine and laid it on Oscar's desk.
"I think you need to calm down and as for who you are? Well I think you're the one who's been asleep at the wheel for a long time. My General doesn't like being lied to or made fun of."
"I never lied to her. I swear is this what this is all about? She thinks I lied to her. Get her on the phone and I'll clear this up right now."
"First things first, she asked me to show you this," said Casey as he handed Oscar the copy of the report General Thomas gave her. "She wants me to see your copy and compare the two." Oscar took the folder and flipped through the pages.
"I got something similar… I remember it but my version didn't have these finds or recommendations in it. What's going on? Wait, I can prove it as soon as my secretary gets in. She handles all my filing and correspondence. But she's out right now."
"I bet she is."