Don't won Chuck
They had made their last refueling and had JP-5 to spare so they kicked in the afterburners and set a new record at almost Mach two for the Super Hornet. The sun was setting behind Mount Fuji's snow covered cap as tower control gave them permission to land and it wasn't long after that they were on deck looking for ground transportation. They literally hopped out of the cockpit tossing their duffle bags out and handing the awaiting ground chief their helmets.
"Here's the keys to that Humvee," said the Chief as he pointed to a black one near the hangar. "I was warned that you guys would be in a hurry. In the back seat are two box lunches with Subway Sandwiches. We got Subways here on base… I didn't know what you wanted so I went with two club sandwiches on hearty Italian and a couple of chocolate cookies with Macadamia nuts."
"My favorite, thanks," said Casey as he took the keys. They loaded up then sped out towards Shimoda port as fast as they could.
"I didn't know Club Subs and chocolate Macadamia cookies were your favorite," said Sarah as she nibbled on her cookie while Casey drove.
"My favorite food is any food someone gives me for free. Besides he didn't have to get us anything and me telling him that makes him feel good."
"See there's that heart again, the one you keep denying," said Sarah as she sat down her food. Her stomach was in a knot and she just couldn't eat.
"There you go with those female emotions. I tell him that and he's all happy with himself so the sap will do whatever I want him to do the next time I need a favor."
"So he becomes your mark, that's what you're saying. You and Jack have more in common than you'd probably like to admit."
"What are you talking about," said Casey as he looked over at her as a pedestrian stepped out in front. "Jesus lady," yelled Casey.
"Look out!" yelled Sarah as John swerved to miss her almost losing control but managed to hold it on the road as everyone around them yelled insults.
"You got a death wish lady," yelled John back at the old woman. He watch her shake her fist at him in the mirror. "Pass me my sandwich. I'm hungry."
"After that you're going to eat and drive?" said Sarah as she unwrapped Casey's sub. "Why don't you pull over and let me get behind the wheel?"
"If we stop we lose time and right now we need to get to that port as fast as we can and this bus doesn't stop until we get there, so pass me the sub."
"Compromise I'll feed you. Here take a bit," said Sarah as she held out the sandwich for Casey and he took a hunk out.
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A traffic camera took their picture and send it to police headquarters where an underpaid public employee looked at it and was about to issue a ticket when he saw Sarah in the passenger's seat. He pocketed the image then made a phone call and shortly afterwards he had to go out for a smoke.
"When did you start smoking," asked the man's supervisor. "Okay go, I'll cover you while you're gone but you know the department's policy is strict when it comes to where and when you can go on smoke breaks." His boss thought this was just a way the guy wanted to get out from behind his desk.
The agent walked behind the station where a man zipped by on a motorbike grabbing the pack of cigarettes out of his hand then sped off into the night. Somewhere on the outskirts of Atsugi the bike rider pulled up next to a waiting car. The passenger lowered his window and took the packet from the rider then drove off heading for the Tokugawa compound. The passenger jumped out before the car came to a complete stop then ran up to the main house and to a man who was waiting next to Larry. The man ran up and bowed handing the white gloved man the pack of cigarettes. He opened it then pulled out the folded camera image with memory card.
"Boss we've found her," said the man as he bowed then handed Larry the picture. "I'll have our men go and pick her up."
"Good do that but make sure they know I want her alive. They can kill that gaijin with her," said Larry as he smiled looking at the picture. "Maybe I ought to bring the council back together?"
"I think they're still digesting the last meeting. If I were you, boss I'd wait until I had the girl in hand then call the council."
"Maybe you're right," said Larry as he started to walk away. It was almost time for his Kendo lessons something he never missed.
"Oh boss one more thing I'd like to reinforce the guard around the compound. Hiro's relatives could come looking for revenge after last night."
"Let them come. Hiro was a lone wolf in a flock of sheep. The rest of them will fall in line in good time I just have to push them a little."
"But even Lone Wolf had a cub," said Larry's confidant.
"I don't know why I tolerate you. Are you saying this one is Lone Wolf's cub what would that make her the Shogun assassin?"
"I'm not saying anything Tokugawasan. I am your most humble servant and if I have dishonored you in any way you may take my little finger as reparation and tribute."
"That's why I tolerate you and seek out your council, Takeo. You hold true to the old ways. No I don't want your finger… yet. Bring me the woman like I asked for and if it makes you sleep better go ahead and beef up security. It can't hurt but if Hiro's relatives try anything I'll burn what's left of his house down and pull out all the weeds. Now I need to go you know where to find me."
A couple hours later….
Takeo had called up for additional men and arranged their disposition around the compound. He was looking over the plans for Tokugawa strong hold and marking where he wanted these additional troops placed when a man came running in. The man bowed in front of Takeo and handed him a note. Takeo unfolded it then looked back at the man.
"Crap where did you get this from?" asked Takeo as he waded up the piece of paper and threw in the trash can.
"From the man who's waiting in the courtyard, he wants to be compensated. Do you want me to show him in or send him away?"
"No send him in and call the men we sent after that American humvee I need to talk to them before they do anything.
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The Captain's cabin onboard a submarine especially an old submarine was extremely austere. Kenji had the two dead merks removed and their bodies jettisoned via the aft torpedo tubes. The forward torpedo was still locked down with the wet team sealed safely inside. Chuck had everyone sit down around the table.
"Now Nee-san I think I know what you want. You want to live and you want Dr. Roberts to correct your problem. Jill would it be possible to re-create that virus we talked about and secondly what would the side effects be?"
"Chuck it wouldn't be easy. I'd need a lab to work in and instruments and even then I'm not sure it'll work. I'd need access to a flu like virus then I'd need a DNA sequencer…"
"How about an Illumina next-generation sequencing machines with technology acquired from Manteia Predictive Medicine and developed by Solexa. We have Lee's lab the way he left it when he went to see you in Zambia. That's how I knew to come look for you from his notes he left in the lab."
"Okay that's the place to start," said Jill. But there was something else Jill wasn't saying about her connection to Lee. Chuck could tell and was determined to find out what it was. However, he thought he best not get into that now and not in front of everyone present.
"So we go from there," said Chuck. "I assume you've got transportation taken care of from the pier. I just hope your people there are more reliable than the ones who helped you fake your death because the fake almost became reality." Kenji couldn't understand why Nee-san didn't say anything, if it'd been him who talked to her like that she would've bitten his head off.
"We'll drive ourselves I've got cars stashed in a warehouse near the pier," said Kenji not really liking Chuck acting like the boss and his boss looking at Chuck the way she was. "If you don't like my plan you should come with me and when we pick them up. You can see our security for yourself in fact I insist."
"Sounds like a good idea. This yakuza boss that has it out for you, Larry Tokugawa, what's his story? So you killed a relative and now he wants revenge but to come after you by buying a submarine and sending in a wet team seems a little over the top. He could've simply planted a bomb and have taken you out or waited for you to sail back. You really must've pissed him off."
"There was a fight and to make a long story shot I disarmed him. He thinks I dishonored him before the yakuza council and they won't elect him their leader until he gets his revenge."
"I told you, you should've killed him," said Kenji. "Then none of this would be happening right now. I'm sorry for blurting that out."
"No it's good to get things out in the open," said Chuck. "But Kenji things like that mark you, they define you. Taking a life, even if it is the worst man alive is still taking a life and something like that should never be easy. If it is then you really have to wonder about yourself. No one is born a monster," said Chuck looking at Nee-san. "People chose to be monsters."
"Does that apply to people who are not… well you know what I mean."
"Just because you were born in a different way doesn't mean you weren't born. If I cut you do you not bleed? But Nee-san Kenji isn't all wrong you never let the bad guy get away. I did once and we're all still paying for it." Chuck ended it there because somehow he felt responsible for Nee-san and her condition. It all had to do with Quinn and a decision he made but he couldn't tell them that.
"Chuck," said the skipper sticking his head in the cabin. "We're here. It's dark enough we can surface and put you off in boat. But the moon is full so there still is plenty of light out."
"Thanks Captain, I know your employer isn't going to be happy with you," said Chuck as he took a piece of paper and wrote down a note. "When we're gone call this number and ask for this person. Tell her I owed you and that she needs to settle my debt. Take the money and go home, the life of a pirate isn't for you."
"Thanks Chuck," said the Captain. "I'm sorry for the circumstance but I'm glad we met." With that the Captain went back out. They heard the siren and the announcement as the boat began to rise.
"Kenji it might be dark but we're going to make quite the spectacle when we surface so we'll need to move quickly this Tokugawa guy will be onto us soon."
"We'll off load in two waves," said Kenji. "You and I will take the first boat ashore and retrieve the vehicles then Nee-san and the Dr. Roberts take the second boat so by the time they arrive the cars will be on the pier and we can leave straightaway. "
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Two black Nissan SUVs pulled off the road near and intersection leading to the Port of Shimoda. It was a choke point and the Humvee would have to pass through. The men were getting out taking up positions and about ready to lay spikes in the road when their leader's phone rang.
"KonbanwaTakeosan," said the man after he answered. "What are we doing? We're taking up position right now the gaijins should be passing through shortly. If you're calling to tell us to take the woman alive we already know and understand. … "What! That's not possible. They couldn't already be at the port they'd have to pass by us first. … The submarine was sighted in the port. Then what's this? … You think a trap. I guess it could be," said the man as he began to look around nervously. "You're right that's probably the best thing to do now. Okay we'll follow them and see where they lead. I'll call you back when we're down at the port …"
The man hung up his phone then ordered his men to pack everything up and to get ready to move out.
"Change of plans guys. Let get everything back in the vehicles on the double. We need to get down to the port as soon as possible. It seems our ship, or in this case our boat, came in. Let's get a move on it."
Takeo hung up the phone with his men and handed the informant an envelope with money. The man bowed as he took it then turned around and left. This tributary system Takeo had established had placed him at the head of the Tokugawa household and second only to the self-proclaimed shogun himself.
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Chuck and Kenji with five of his men rode the first boat to shore where they landed next to the quay wall. Kenji's men disembarked first running up the steps to secure the pier. Then Chuck and Kenji headed to the warehouse with two drivers to get the vehicles.
"Kenji we're all alone now," said Chuck. "I think it's about time you and I have a chat…. How do I start this… Kenji I know you're in love with Nee-san," said Chuck. He knew he was blunt but he wanted to see what kind of reaction he'd get.
"Don't be ridiculous she's my boss and that's it. Anything else you read into that is a figment of your own imagination."
"Is it? Listen there's nothing wrong with being in love. Some people view it as a sign of weakness but I don't. Please just don't wait around to let her know how you feel. We both know she might not have that much time."
"Can we just go get the cars? I don't want to talk about this with you of all people," said Kenji as he saw Chuck's expression. "I saw the way she looked at you and hung on your every word."
"Kenji it's only natural for her to be curious but I don't love her if that's what you're trying to say. As much as she looks like my wife and sounds like her, she's not her."
"But she likes you" said Kenji then added, "a lot and it shows. The men noticed it and are laughing behind her back. The mighty blonde…" Chuck cut him off.
"I get the picture and if they talked about my wife like that then they'd have a problem with me. Maybe the problem isn't with Nee-san or your men but with you. Have you thought about that?"
"You know you talk a lot doesn't your jaw get sore. The cars are inside here," said Kenji as he opened the doors to a large building on the pier. "We need to hook the battery cables then we can go meet Nee-san and Dr. Roberts on the pier."
"Listen Kenji it took me too long to tell my wife how I felt and it's something I regret. Don't you see we could've been together sooner? What I'm saying is we wasted way too much time, something if Dr. Roberts' work doesn't pan out for Nee-san you two won't have so you can't afford to waste a minute."
"Drop it, just drop it… Can't we just get these cars started and go?"
"Kenji let me tell you one more thing then I'll be quiet. There are two things people want. The first is obvious. We want to live and that's what Nee-san hopes Jill will be able to give her more time. But something she wants but is afraid to ask for is love. People want to be loved and we'll do extraordinary things for love. I think she loves you but she realizes she doesn't have much time so she doesn't want to drag you down. But even the Mayfly has a mate. Remember the brightest flames burn only for a short time."
Kenji listened to Chuck as his men got the cars started then he took a crescent wrench from one and tightened the battery terminals.
"If you're done talking can you come and look at this. Are you going to bill me for a consultation fee? You should have me lying down on a couch asking me about my father and mother."
"Funny you should meet my friend John Casey, you two would get along. What do you want me to look at?" said Chuck as Kenji knocked him out. Kenji left Chuck in the warehouse unconscious as he drove out with the two getaway vehicles. With Chuck gone Nee-san would go back to her old self and if Kenji admitted it he wouldn't be as jealous.
"Where's Chuck," asked Jill as Kenji got out of the vehicle not seeing him with Kenji. But he ignored Jill not answering.
"Kenji where's Chuck," asked Nee-san. "What have you done?" This time he had to answer but he had to think fast.
"Chuck escaped and I didn't have time to go looking for him. We can't worry about him now we need to go. I thought I saw some of Tokugawa's men at the warehouse. We're not safe here out in the open."
"Kenji… are you sure?" said Nee-san looking at him but she dropped it there. Neither woman believed him but if Chuck was gone maybe it was for the best.
What they didn't see was Kenji's excuse was actually true. Two black Nissan SUVs pulled off into the shadows of the pier not far from them.
"Takeosan I'm looking right at them. They just got off a launch from the submarine," said the man. "These are the ones we're looking for. There's that American blonde woman and that other guy Kenji her right hand man the traitor. What do you want us to do?... Okay we'll follow them," said the man as he tapped on his driver to start the SUV and to pull out slowly. Then all hell broke out.
Chuck came too in the warehouse with a very bad headache and an ostrich egg bump on the back of his head. He knew Kenji was jealous but not to this degree. The room was still spinning when he got himself up and headed for the door. Outside he saw Kenji getting everyone in the cars to leave but not far away he saw the two dark SUVs and for a moment one of the men turned on the dome light so he could see inside. That was enough for him to figure out who they were. Chuck knew he had to do something.
"Come on Chuck, if this were Sarah you'd flash and take them out," he said to himself as he ran back inside picking up the wrench Kenji used on him then headed back outside. That's when he saw it parked in the corner. Chuck found a forklift used to move pallets around on the pier in and out of the containers. Starting it up, he headed out of the warehouse and towards the parked vehicles.
The SUVs started up and were about to pull out when Chuck rammed the first one lifting it up and depositing it in the bay. The second vehicle stopped and the men inside piled out drawing weapons. Chuck swung the forklift around and sent it at the SUV as he jumped off. The teeth of the forklift went through the door panels like butter making a terrible metallic scream. Chuck charged the men who had to duck out of the way of the forklift as they watched their car being pushed sideways. There was a loud boom as the tires popped losing their seal.
"Kill him," one of the men yelled in Japanese. Chuck took him out with a whack across the face with the wrench that lifted him off the ground.
"I got him," yelled another as he fired but Chuck dodged and he took out one of his companions. Chuck spun around and threw the wrench. It made a loud ping as it bounced off the man's forehead and he gave a low moan as he dropped. However, when Chuck turned around he was looking down the barrel of a Type 14 Nambu.
"I bet that was your grandfather's," said Chuck. There was little he could do the man had the drop on him but suddenly the man's eyes rolled up and he let out a low moan as he dropped in front of him. Behind him was Sarah with her Smith and Wesson in hand and Casey standing next to her.