Don't own Chuck
In the Tokugawa compound Larry was giving a repeat performance of his previous attempt to impress and threaten the yakuza council. Again black limousines pulled into the gravel parking area inside the walls. Again men in black suits wearing white gloves came out to open the doors of the vehicles of the arriving guests. They were ushered into the same dining area where each was seated according to clan. The only difference this time was a place empty at the table, Hiro's, Tokugawa left that one vacant on purpose. When the last boss was seated Larry Tokugawa made his entrance.
"Good evening friends I'm glad you could come and share this moment with me," said Larry as he had people bring out a large screen TV. "I have something you'll find interesting. I suppose I shouldn't tell you this but we're all friends here, right? For some time now we've had a mole in Jōhōhonbu and this evening I want to show you what we can do."
Larry signaled his people to begin the live feed. There was absolute silence when the video came up showing the area around the tunnel with guards patrolling outside.
"This is what I can do," said Larry. "My enemies can't get away from me, not with this new technology. I can see them wherever they hide now. I'll have that gaijin and that traitor Kenji tonight just wait and see."
"Impressive Tokugawasan," said one of the men on the council. It finally looked like Tokugawa was going to get his wish and, if he did rule this man wanted to be on the winning side.
"Yes very impressive may I cheer you and offer you my best wishes for success," said another man wanting to jump on the bandwagon before it was too late. Soon everyone was filling their sake cups.
"Kompai," yelled Tokugawa as they watched his men drive up on the screen and downed their cups at the same time. Suddenly among all the cheers and jubilation the video went out and static came on the screen.
"Crap! Takeo!" yelled Tokugawa. Then he remembered he sent him to lead the hit squad. "Get me someone in here who can fix this."
"Yes sir," said one of his bodyguards as he bowed then left.
"Just a momentary problem, you know how it is with new technology. There are always some bugs to work out. We'll be back up soon."
"Maybe you could put the ball game up while we wait. The Giants are playing the Tigers in Koshien Stadium," said one of the clan chiefs without thinking.
"I heard Hirokazu Sawamura was pitching for the Giants," said another one joining. "He's strong this year the Tigers are going to have a hard time."
There was a general up roar as the Tiger fans on the council defended their team. Soon the topic of conversation was the strengths and weaknesses of the various baseball teams and their lineups this season. This was not how Tokugawa wanted this evening to go and he was livid with rage.
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The reason the signal went out was that when Kenji activated the jamming device once they were inside the compound that disrupted all communications within. They made their way across the courtyard and around the main complex. They quickly and silently eliminated the two guards out front.
"When we go inside we need to avoid the servants so we can cut down on collateral," said Sarah as they made their way inside. "Hold up listen," she said as they listened to voices coming from inside. "What are they talking about? Baseball?"
"Yeah it's one of our number one sports. That's the council! Tokugawa will be there. Come on," said Kenji as he started to head straight for the voices.
"Hold up there will be more servants there too and a greater risk of being discovered before we get to the target. Kenji these rice paper walls wouldn't stop bullets and with zen design there's little to hide behind.
"So do you have a better plan?" asked Kenji not seeing any other possibilities.
"As a matter of fact yes, make your way to the back of the building and wait for my signal," said Sarah as she started to go back out front.
"Wait, hold up, How will I know?"
"Don't worry you will. Now let's get a move on it. I've got a bad feeling we need to get this over with in a hurry."
Sarah went out front and slipped out into the night hanging in the shadows as she made her way to where all the limousines were parked. The drivers were all congregated at one end chatting and gossiping about their bosses. She looked around but didn't see any guards.
"Good now let's get this done," she said to herself. The guards were probably only posted inside and the rest were sent to attack Chuck.
"God I wish I knew how things were going," she mumbled to herself as she taped an incendiary grenade to the gas tanks of one of the limos. After it was secured she attached a string to the pin then crawled out from under making her way back to the shadows. The drivers hadn't noticed a thing they were still smoking and gossiping.
"Showtime," she said as she yanked on the string then ran to the back of the building to Kenji as the limo went up in a fireball causing a chain reaction and mass panic inside.
"Tokugawasan," said one of the bodyguards. "We need to move you to a safer location. Please come with me."
"Contact Takeo and tell him to abort. I need him here…"
"Sir we tried but all our communications are down. It looks like…"
"I know what it looks like. All of you come with me," said Tokugawa. "I will keep you safe." Actually he was hoping the opposite. No one would attack the council and as long as he had them as human shields he thought he was safe.
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Takeo was on the phone trying to get through as they barreled down the road heading back to the compound but he wasn't having any luck getting through. All his calls were going to voice mail. Looking up he noticed they were slowing down.
"Why are we stopping," yelled Takeo as he slapped the driver on the back of the head. "Baka, fool run all the red lights. We don't stop until we reach the compound."
"But Sir what if the police try to pull us over what do we do then?"
"We don't make regular contributions for nothing so drive and leave the worrying to me. If anything bring the tail car up to lead. They can run interference for us," said Takeo. All those years of watching American football finally paid off.
Takeo worried that they would arrive at the compound too late. His video feeds and all communication were down; the only thing he had now was the sat feed Big Brother was providing. At least from above it looked calm. Famous last words at the parking lot erupted in a huge ball of fire as limo after limo blew up
"Crap! Put your foot down," yelled Takeo. "Have everyone check their weapons we're going in hot." They were close enough now to see the light of the fire. "Take us around back. We'll go in the back gate."
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Chuck didn't say anything this was the only option he had and he was going to take it. He put on his helmet then slipped two Sig 9mms in his back belt with extra clips in his pockets then climbed aboard the powered parachute. Meiyo placed a katana next to him zip tying it in place.
"Dōmo arigatō gozaimashita, thank you," said Chuck realizing why Meiyo had given it to him. It was the spirit of the Bushido he wanted Chuck to have with him.
"Dō itashimashite," answered Meiyo but it was more than 'you were welcome' that he meant and Chuck appreciated it.
"Okay girls enough with the crap. You need to get out of here," said Casey. He wanted to say enough with the samurai crap but for once he was cultural sensitive.
Chuck flashed then gave a thumbs up. Mayo and Casey stood off to the side as Chuck started the engine and began rolling forward. He brought the chute up then he gained speed; in less than a hundred feet he was airborne. The little two stroke engine whined in his ear as he gained altitude. He then buzzed them before banking regaining altitude and heading straight for the Tokugawa compound.
"John can you hear me," radioed Chuck. He had to yell over the motor which didn't help with his trouble hearing. "John, you're going to have to yell. How do you read me?"
"I read you loud and clear. Don't get cocky up there Ace that was a little low before. You know if you scare up any birds you'll be eating feathers."
"Thanks John I'll remember that. Hey I need for you to keep on Morgan. Have him try oscillating the communications signal to get through. He might have to transmit over a multi-spectrum band to cut through the interference."
"You think Morgan can do that? The bearded wonder was a green shirt remember. I'll tell him but Chuck you're the cavalry now so you need to be safe. Be careful up there, stay above power lines and watch out for trees and birds. When you get close to the mountain be ready to react to any current shifts. You know I wish I could be there."
"I know you do Big Guy and don't beat yourself up. This isn't your fault. You were probably right not telling me because I most likely would've gotten myself killed."
"Just cut the chatter out and bring back everyone safe. Oh and Mayo wants his sword back so you've got to come back."
The icy winds off the volcano top cut Chuck to the bone but he didn't have time to feel cold his only thoughts were to push the PPC as hard as he could to get where he needed to be. The motor sputtered and the PPC bucked but like an untamed horse Chuck rode it out. Max speed was thirty-five mph but he was able to get it up to forty-five harnessing air currents and turbulences. After what seemed an eternity the compound came in sight illuminated by the fires burning in the parking lot.
"Casey I'm almost there, gaining altitude. Casey, can you read me?" There was no answer but he couldn't worry about that now. "Well Chuck here goes nothing," he said to himself. He got into position then went into silent mode. Chuck glanced down at Meiyo's katana. "Bonzai!"
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Larry came out of the building as Sarah thought he would do. His guards were herding him and the council out the back gate to vehicles they had stashed there for just such an emergency. Kenji had already engaged by the time she got there. He had dropped one of the bodyguards but Larry hide behind some of the council until he could duck behind a shrine rock formation probably for some local kami.
"Come out Tokugawa," yelled Kenji. "If you have the courage we can end this like men."
"What do you think you're doing," said Sarah. "I made a promise to Nee-san to keep you safe. If you think I'm going to let you go out there to prove your manhood with a despot you're stoned."
"You even get mad like her. What happens if we get back and she doesn't remember me? I've lost her so at least this way…" He never got to finish what he was about to say as Takeo and his men broke through the back gate.
"Crap, where did they come from? Come on we need to get moving," said Sarah as she grabbed Kenji retreating to safer ground."
"After them!" yelled Takeo. "Make sure they don't get away. Boss, how are you? We came as soon as we could. I had to leave Moriyama in charge of…"
"Thank you for coming, now make sure those two don't get away. Go get them. Gentlemen sorry for the scare," said Tokugawa as he turned to the council. "You can go back inside and my servants will bring you drink and food while I finish this inconvenience."
"If it's all the same Tokugawasan I think we'd like to go home," said one of the members and the others heartily agreed.
"Maybe I didn't make myself clear. Go back inside sit down and shut up," said Larry as one of his men brought out a backpack.
"We found this next to the wall. It's some sort of electronic jamming device what do you want us to do with it?"
"Bakayarō, idiot do I have to tell you everything," said Larry as he grabbed the man's gun and emptied the whole clip into it. "I think it's off now. Take these people inside."
The man took the council inside where the big screen was back on again with the sat feed from the tunnel but instead of Tokugawa's victory they saw his debacle. His men were all tied up include Moriyama, the leader of the fiasco.
"Look at this, his men are captured and the only men he has are the ones here," said one of them as they looked at the one guard Larry had sent in with them.
"I hear what you're saying," said another one as he fixed his stare on the lone guard. "It's now or never. For Hiro."
"Wait what are you old men…" He never finished what he was saying as one of them shoved a tantō knife into him as the others called for reinforcements from home.
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Kenji and Sarah were running and firing as they were forced to retreat deeper and deeper into the compound. They kept running until they were boxed into a corner behind a tree. Sarah looked up and flashed. She could make it up and over but as she was about to help Kenji up he was hit in the shoulder. He fell down so she ducked behind the tree and returned fire taking out two of Tokugawa's men. He had five men plus Takeo left which was plenty they were cornered and about out of ammunition.
"Well, well… "Kenji you offer to have this out man to man. Well I think I'll take you up on that," said Larry arrogantly as he had Takeo toss out a katana to Kenji then he drew his.
"He can't fight he's wounded," said Sarah. "If you want to duel then duel with me or are you afraid that a woman will defeat you."
"The deal is for him, take it or leave it but either way you will die," said Larry as Sarah's phone rang. "You might want to take that so you can say your goodbyes." Larry and Takeo laughed. She looked at the phone, it was Morgan.
"Morgan this really isn't a good time but… I'm listening. … He's what? Where? … Really," Sarah said as she looked up and smiled. "Thanks Morgan. Tell Casey we'll be seeing him soon." She hung up.
"Maybe in the next life," said Tokugawa as he was about to order his men to fire but Sarah stopped him.
"Don't you want to know what happened at the tunnel? We captured all your men. It was a complete fiasco."
"You're lying. Kill them."
"But that's not what you should really be worried about. You see I'm not Nee-san and well how to explain this…. I'm a spy and I'm married to one of the best spies in the world."
"Really," laughed Larry. "And where pray tell is this master spy at? Is he some sort of Ninja who can just appear out of thin air?"
"Something like that," Sarah as she looked up. Chuck brought his PPC right down in the courtyard knocking Larry and Takeo down as well as his men. Chuck jumped out of this seat rolling out firing. He threw Sarah one of his Sig's and she took out the other men.
"Mister you messed with the wrong guy's wife," said Chuck as he drew Meiyo's Katana then kicked back the one Takeo had tossed out back to him. Chuck flashed.
Takeo charged with a forward thrust but Chuck sided stepped it then he swung round with the back of his blade striking Takeo on the back of the head. There was a loud metallic ping as Takeo dropped face first on the ground. He made an effort to get up but made a small groan then went out.
"Attack," said Larry as he raised his blade but Chuck just laughed at him. "Attack I say," said Larry as he charged but Chuck just batted his blade away. Larry was so afraid that he'd forgotten all his years of training. He lunged forward but Chuck dodged the blade grabbing Larry's by the guard. Chuck countered by striking him in the stomach with his sword hilt doubling Larry over and making him drop his sword. Chuck kicked it away then turned to walk away.
"No," yelled Sarah as Kenji grabbed Larry's sword with his good arm standing over the top of him ready to finish him.
"Kenji no, if you do this then that will be who you will become and he will have won. You're better than him. I didn't want to tell you like this but Nee-san needs you now more than ever. You have a chance for a new start."
"What about him? He'll never let us go," said Kenji thinking about what happened the last time. "I need to be strong for her."
"Yes you do, but not like this. Look," said Chuck as the men from the council came walking out with their own men. "I think they have something they want to talk to Tokugawasan about. We're going and we leave justice to the council to hand out."
Chuck grabbed Meiyo scabbard and sheathed the sword before getting Sarah and Kenji into one of Takeo's SUVs. Then he started the drive back as Sarah took care of Kenji's wound. As they drove home she caught Chuck looking at her in the mirror.
"Okay, out with it," said Sarah. "I know you want to say I told you so. Can we just get it done and over with?"
"Who me? Really, I wasn't thinking about telling you that. I'm not that type of guy…" Sarah cut him off.
"But, you wanted to add a 'but' so let's have it. Give it to me I can take it. I know I should've said something before we left and I'm sorry."
"Yes you should've… Well, if you really want to know. You slapped me for 'running away with another woman' so what am I supposed to do now that you've run away with another man?"
"What? I didn't really …," she started to say then she stopped. "No it's not the… well maybe it is. How about love me."
"I like that love you, yes always," said Chuck as he looked back at her in the mirror and she looked at him. "I love you."
"I love you too," she said as raised forward in her seat and kissed him on the back of the neck. "I think we can go home now."
"I'm ready but Kenji have you thought about what you two are going to do? You can't stay here the council won't let you and it's not good for Nee-san if that's what you want to call her."
"Are you sure she can't remember?" said Sarah thinking about what it was like for her and what it meant for Chuck.
"We'll see soon we're here," said Chuck as he pulled in. Casey and Meiyo met them briefing them on the latest happenings.
"Alex called General Beckman who called a contact in the Japanese Embassy. With her information the Jōhōhonbu rooted out your guy's mole. Then they sent troops in the take the prisoners into custody. Oh and they gave Meiyo a job offer so it looks like we're going to have friend here.
"Meiyo-san Dōmo arigatō gozaimashita, thank you," said Chuck as he bowed and presented Meiyo with his sword back. I think you ought to know I vanquished our enemy with it. This is the life-giving sword.
"Dō itashimashite," said Meiyo as he took it back smiling from ear to ear.
Chuck looked around and saw Jill standing near the entrance so he grabbed Sarah and they went over to see her.
"How is Nee-san?" asked Sarah. "First of all did the cure work and then Chuck was telling us that she was having memory problems."
"I think so I checked her cellular disintegration and it seems to have stopped as far as how much time she has who knows. But her memory is a problem. Her feelings and emotions are intact in that she knows what she likes and hates but she can't tell you why everything else is a haze. Come with me she's out of the bio pod," said Jill as she led them in the back. They found the door open to the stasis room and inside Kenji and Nee-san were kissing.
"Well I think she had an epiphany in that thing," said Chuck. Sarah pushed everyone outside looking back she smiled then she closed the door.
"Everyone leave them alone or you'll answer to me," said Sarah. "Chuck let's go home. We can drive to Narita and catch the first plane home."
"We don't have to the Japanese want to thank us so they're providing a Lear to run us home to Burbank. Non-stop NAF Atsugi to Bob Hope international.
"Sounds like they want to get rid of us," said Chuck as he put his arm around Sarah. "So Jill what are you going to do now that you're no longer a wanted woman."
"Well I want to take Skye to Disneyland but the very first thing is to celebrate Thanksgiving with my parents. I called my mom and she's wants to do something just for Skye and me."
"Oh crap Thanksgiving! What am I going to do? I'm here and … Oh I didn't finish buying everything and how am I going to be able to prepare everything. This is a disaster, the worst Thanksgiving ever. Everyone will hate me…"
"Love," said Chuck then he kissed her. "Don't freak out. You're spiralling."
"Yuck, don't worry about it. While we were saving the free world, Morgan manned up and tackled the turkey," said Casey as everyone looked at him. "What? The Troll organized a Thanksgiving day celebration at the Buy More for everyone. Now let's get a move on it and Bartowski you're forbidden from saying gobble, gobble."
"Who me?" said Chuck. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed Sarah then whispered in her ear gobble, gobble.
"I heard that!"
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Continued in Chuck vs The Band (on the run from the law)