Don't own Chuck

"Excuse me I have to take this," said Stan as he answered the phone. "What do you mean they crossed the border? I thought this was supposed to be taken care of there. What happened …. You're not the one that has to pass the fail on. Just hold on a second," said Stan as he turned to Marco I'll be right back." Then he went topside closing the hatch behind him. Marco seized the opportunity and finished his text he cursed the accent marks because they slowed him down. He just hit send when he heard Stan coming back inside.

"Okay we're here follow me and keep up," said Stan. Marco could feel Stan's stress level rising the nearer they got to his new boss. Whatever information he had received it wasn't good.

They stepped off the water taxi and in front of them was an AW 109 with rotators turning waiting for them. Keeping their heads down they ran under the spinning blades then climbing on board they took their seats and buckled in. Across from Marco after all this time was sitting the man he'd been hunting for. His first thought was to pull his weapon and end him but that wasn't his mission.

"Nice to have you on board," said the elusive Merchant of Venice as he put his hand out to him. "Maybe you can help straighten up things around here."

"I hope so and I appreciate this opportunity," said Marco as he looked back at Stan who was looking particularly nervous. He couldn't figure out if it was the bad news he had received or if it was the way his boss had taken to him.

"Let's get this thing in the air we've got a meeting to get to. Oh by the way a friend of yours wants to see me, Agent Charles Carmichael."

"Friend! I'd like to shake his hand like he shook mine," said Marco holding up his cast. "Maybe you'd let me have a private conversation with him so we can walk down memory lane."

"We'll see Marco but I like the way you talk."

"But Boss remember Djokivic said this was to be neutral ground and you don't want the Srpsko Bratstvo to get pissed at us."

"See what I have to deal with Marco. Stan worries like an old woman. What do you think of the Srpsko Bratstvo and their patriarch?"

"Small time smugglers and thugs mainly but I respect Djokivic. He's a man who values tradition as well as family and if there is one thing about him you always know where you stand or that's what I've heard at least."

"So Marco, tell me about this guy Carmichael," said Mišović. "You spent some time together so to speak why is he so determined to protect these people?"

"You don't know?" said Marco as he paused for affect. "The woman is his wife."

If it wasn't for the loud noise of the twin engines you could've heard a pin drop in the cabin. Marco could tell he had sunk everyone's battleship with that one bomb. Dejan fell back in his seat with his mouth open.

"Jesus everything makes sense now," said Mišović. "We're changing choppers in Zagreb there's a Mil Mi-26 waiting for us with a group of friends."

"Boss, Djokivic won't like you bringing in that many men," said Stan. He should've stopped there but he didn't. "You know how Serbs are."

"I should don't you think but I really don't care what he likes or doesn't like. Have we heard any more from Kotor? Marco you don't know this but we got word while you were in transit that my two targets were sighted leaving the casino together."

"Boss about that I have two pieces of bad news. The first that Black Hawk that we assumed to be bringing Carmichael in. I talked with him on the phone when I called our men to check on their status which means he took out our reception party.

"Impressive, so I'll actually get a chance to meet him face to face and tell him I killed his wife. It would be only fair I look him in the eye before I close them. Hydra will owe me a fortune."

Marco was about to tell Mišović that wasn't such a good idea when Stan dropped the other piece of bad news.

"Boss you can't technically do that because they aren't technically dead. They got past our barricades and are in Serbia now. They seem to be heading for the meet too."

"Jesus Christ did anything go the way it was supposed to. I want that chopper ready and I want the men armed to the teeth. Tell them I want everyone and everything killed at the castle no one walks away not even a cat."

"Sir may I comment," said Marco. "If this Sarah is coming to the meeting with her father by car and Carmichael has parachuted in for a different direction, well it seems there is a breech in their alliance. Maybe it would be good to hear Carmichael out. Your people could still be in place but if he made the first move then Ševo couldn't blame you for breaking the truce and you would have a free hand."

"He's right Boss. Listen to Marco," said Stan. He couldn't believe he was telling his boss to listen to his rival for that was obviously what Marco was now and to think about all the good advice he had given him.

"Yes Marco, you're right we could still go in hear them out then if I don't like what we're told we can still kill him. The woman and the man are dead one way or another but you're right. There would be a certain satisfaction in looking them in the face so they understand what they've done before I end them. This way I won't have to kill that old Serb and have to go to war with my own country."

"Boss if this is what you want we should put the word out to have everyone pull back until after the meeting. If they get taken down before everything goes to crap and we have to pay a reward we don't have the money for."

Marco was sitting listening and gathering intel. He had gotten more information in these past few hours than the whole host of governmental agencies both domestic and foreign had in the decades they had been looking into the Merchant. He just needed a way to get it out but he had an idea.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The cloud cover was better for mission effectiveness making the jumpers invisible to anyone looking up until the last minute. But it was also as little disquieting for Morgan sure the last time he jumped was during the day and he actually like it but this was different. He heard Casey tell Alex about the dark zone but for him it was a dark zone from the moment they jumped. Morgan continually began shinning his flashlight up into the canopy to make sure it had fully deployed and that it stayed that way.

"Morgan get that light out of my eyes," said Alex trying to be understanding but at the same time he was blinding her. "Morgan it hasn't changed in the last few minutes just relax. I thought you liked this?"

"I do during the day. Did you feel that? What happens if some bird wakes up and decides to go joy flying? He can't see us so he runs into the chute making a hole and we fall to our death."

"You said it right when you said 'he' because it would take a guy to run into something as big a chute and claim he didn't see it."

"Let me look one more time," said Morgan as he arm got caught up in steering line pulling them off target.

"Morgan stop, stop now," yelled Alex as they drifted farther and father off course before they finally touched down. "Jesus Christ Morgan," said Alex as she shed her harness and checked the GPS. "Crap Morgan, we're a mile off target."

"Sorry but one good thing no birds ran into our chute," said Morgan as Alex gave him a Casey look. "You know you're really scary right now. So what do we do?"

"Guess what? We walk keep the light pointed down at the ground so we can see where we're going," said Alex as Morgan's flashlight grew dimmer and dimmer until it died.

"I don't know what the matter is with it," said Morgan as he slapped it trying to get it to come back on but it was gone.

"Couldn't be that you used up the batteries on the way down keeping it on all the time? I don't want to hear another word about birds or I'm going to borrow Dad's shotgun and end Big Bird once and for all."

They started walking in the direction of the drop site in the dark. After about ten minutes of walking the clouds disappeared from the sky and the stars come out. Morgan stopped for a second to look up.

"We can't stop, we have to move it," said Alex as she turned to find Morgan was lagging behind. "You need to keep up or we'll get left behind."

"I'm sorry I was just admiring the view," said Morgan as he caught up and put his arm around her.

"I have to agree," said Alex as she paused and looked up.

"The stars are nice too," said Morgan. She realized then why he was lagging behind and was always walking behind her.

"If Dad catches you, you won't be seeing anything for a couple of weeks until the swelling goes down…. But do you really think I've…well there was a nice view?"

"Without a doubt," said Morgan as he kissed her. He thought he heard voices as they kissed so he kissed her again. Could this be those sweet jams Big Mike talked about? "Do you hear that? Angels."

"Only if angels speak Serbian," said Alex as she put her hand over his mouth. "Dad wasn't sure if he could trust this guy so until we know something sure we stay quiet and try to get nearer." Alex drew her Sig then they started circling making their way in closer.

"Look they've got Dad and Mary tied up," said Morgan. "I've got an idea you go cut them lose while I provide a distraction."

"Morgan, don't do anything stupid," said Alex thinking back on all of Morgan's other great plans and how they ended.

"What no faith in your fiancé? This is a Chuck plan," said Morgan as he gave her a thumbs up and she frowned back.

"Like I said nothing stupid. Okay but please be careful I've only got one fiancé and I'd like to keep him."

"Me too… Oh you know what I meant now get ready." Alex worked her way back around to Mary and Casey while Morgan walked right into the middle of the enemy camp.

"Oh, oh augh my ankle," said Morgan as he hobbled in from the dark. "Boy am I glad I ran you guys I think I twisted my ankle."

"Stop where you are," said one guy holding a 47 on him. "You're an American spy. Where's Carmichael?"

"Where's Car who? My car doesn't have a name but if you call your car Michael that's up to you? To each his own but can we put down the irons before someone like me gets hurt. Can you help me out here," said Morgan as he tried to lean on one but he moved away. "So much for help."

"You're an American spy, don't lie why else would you be here?" said the same man. Morgan was thinking the others didn't speak English or if they did not much. Out of the corner of his eye he tried to watch Alex without being noticed. He had to buy her time.

"Well the American is right. I'm an ornithologist I know that might be a big word for you but it's the study of birds," said Morgan as he flapped his arms like wings.

"You're lying. What kind of birds can you study at night?" said the man pointing the 47 in his face. "You're trying my patience. Where is Charles Carmichael? Tell me or you're a dead man."

"Hold up kemo-sabe. You ask what kind of birds you can study at night? I'm looking for an Eurasian owl call the Eagle-Owl. It's a part of the Snow Owl family and normally it lives farther north like in Mongolia and Scandinavia but I'm trying to prove a theory. I believe they've expanded their range and are now here in the Balkans. Do you mind gathering all your men together for a moment? I'm not going anywhere especially with my ankle the way it is. Come on this is important guy. I need to know if while you were out if you hear a noise that sounded like this," said Morgan as he tried to imitate an owl. "'OO-OO-oo' and then a harsh 'kveck-kveck'. Come on can all of you say it with me?" Morgan got them all to repeat after him sounding like they all had just escaped from an asylum.

"Enough!" yelled the squad leader. "You're crazy enough to be who you say you are but we're going to have to kill you just the same. Sorry but we can't have any witnesses."

"Really dude all those years of animal planet and you still want to kill me? Well I have to tell you that you were right I am a spy and in the spy world this is called a distraction," said Morgan. He dove to the ground as Casey and Mary opened fire with 47s.

While Morgan was distracting the others Alex slipped in and took out the guard left watching Mary and Casey then they took out two more silently. Taking their enemy's AK 47s as Morgan got the squad to gather together then Casey and Mary made short work of the lot.

"What do you call that noise you made wounded troll," asked Casey as he looked over the downed killers for some sort of clue as to who they were."

"Funny John and by the way you're welcome."

"Welcome for what we were trying to get intel. Like why did they think Chuck was with us?" said Casey as a phone began to ring on one of the dead commandos. "Quick find it.

"I got it. Here it is," said Morgan as he answered putting it on speaker. Casey held up his finger to his mouth telling them all to be quiet.

"Do you have him," said a voice. "What's his status I need to know before I get on the chopper with our boss? Can you hear me?"

"Well the status of your men is dead and I'm insulted that you only sent nine," said Morgan looking over at Casey who smiled back firing a round into the ground. "Oh pardon, make that ten. If you're not scared you should be." The line dropped then went dead like the commandos

"We'll take their jeep," said Casey getting them organized. "Collect their arms and throw them in the back. They were kind enough to load our gear for us already. We need to get out of here and on the road to Zenda as quickly as we can."

Morning was breaking over the mountains and already the crows were feasting as vultures began to circle overhead.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Oscar drove to the border then stopped. He was held up at the road block some of his competitors had put up then he had to circle around the burning hulk of a T-72. Something in this just didn't make sense. There were only two people in the car. The woman was definitely who she was but the other. He was wondering now. How could someone drive like she was driving and operate fire controls? Yes she could launch a missile or fire at an adversary with computer assistance but there was something else going on here. He pulled off the side of the road to think and as he was sitting there his phone rang.

"Morning again," said Oscar. "If you keep calling me I'm going to have to bill you for an extra battery. I think I need to invest in a car charger."

"That probably would be a wise purchase but I'm not calling to get your Christmas wish list. The hits' been suspended."

"Suspended? What does that mean?" said Oscar. He didn't like this changing the cards on the table. "So if the targets get hit now what happens?"

"No one gets paid. I know you don't like it and I don't like it either but that's what the client wants. He's not the type to be questioned."

"Maybe someone ought to. Jesus all that mayhem in the square and nothing to show for it seems like such a waste."

"Well it wasn't a total waste I was able to recover Jorgen's body and claim the reward for us which means with your expenses we're breaking even right now. I'm having second thoughts here and am leaning with you. Our client is becoming a little too fickle for my tastes. I want to give you an opportunity I've never given before to anyone. If you want we can pass on this one and wait for the next one."

"If you want me to see it through I will but if you're saying I have a choice, a real choice then yes I'd like to pass. There are too many gunslingers here looking to cowboy the hit. What are your orders?"

"Go back to Kotor and play the tables I'll be in touch. Oh and now you're on your own dime so watch your expenses. I'll be in touch."

The line dropped and Oscar put away his phone then leaned back in his seat looking across the border into Serbia. He didn't know if what just did was a good or bad decision but it was the right one for him.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The Merchant's chopper landed in Zagreb then everyone piled out switching birds with a Mil Mi-26 what the NATO call the Halo. The rotors were already beginning to gyrate when they boarded. Marco looked at the small company of mercenaries he found waiting and wondered just how friendly this meeting was supposed to be.

"Stan," said Marco pulling him aside. "I know Djokivic and he won't be happy with this many armed men showing up at a neutral meeting. I thought the idea was to get Carmichael to be the aggressor?"

"Now you're sounding like me," said Stan as he brought up on an internal monitor showing the battle plans. "You see the Boss is only going to take a platoon in the rest will move into position afterwards once we're inside the old man's castle," he said as he indicated it on the chart. "The idea is let this guy, Carmichael walk into the trap then… well we're ready for everything."

"I hope you are because as much as Carmichael is a high value target so is our boss and there are a lot of variables that can go wrong."

"Such as," asked their boss coming up behind them. Marco felt stupid for letting himself be taken by surprise but he had to make sure Mišović stayed alive until his threat could be neutralized.

"I understand after the meeting starts your people will move in to take the courtyard and area just outside the walls. But if Carmichael places snipers on the hills behind he could pin your men down. Then there are no men covering the back of the castle everyone is concentrated here in the front. I don't know."

"And Boss you called me an old woman," said Stan. This was his opportunity to put the new guy in his place. "The back is too steep for Carmichael to move troops up or down in any numbers that would be of consequence and as far as snipers well the winds between here and there would play havoc with trajectory. There are only a handful of men who could make that shot. Besides we're going to have this baby in the air close by in case we need air support."

"You still don't look convinced," said Mišović noticing Marco's still perplexed look.

"If you're happy, so am I after all you're the boss."

They flew into a drop site not far from the complex where vehicles were waiting. Then after loading up drove to the meeting parking inside the castle courtyard.

"Move out," said Mišović to his men, "I want this area contained. Nothing in and nothing out without my approval."

"Dobor dan, good morning," greeted Djokivic as he invited Mišović and his party inside. "You do remember this is my house?"

"Dobor dan drago mi je, of course we do and we're sorry but you realize Mr. Mišović is an important man and there are people who would do him harm."

"Drago mi je, I guarantee the neutrality of this place but you seem not to trust old Djokivic, Dejan. Come inside," said the old man as he brought them inside. "Can I offer you some rakija while we're waiting? Dejan your grandfather used to make better but I try." Ševo poured out four glasses

"I never liked his swill so no thanks," said Mišović as he pushed the glass away so did Stan. Only Marco took it.

"Živeli, cheers," said Marco as he raised his glass.

"Živeli," said Ševo as he raised his too then they both threw the whole content down. "What do you think of my Serbian sweat?"

"No bad actually, not bad at all," said Marco as he coughed and tears came to his eyes but he held out his glass and the old man filled it again smiling.

"I know you from somewhere, don't I?" But Marco never got a chance to reply. His Boss was getting anxious which meant Stan was too.

"Marco, go outside and see if anyone is coming. I don't want this whole thing to be a waste of my time. This Carmichael is late or doesn't he believe in being punctual?"

"Well Dejan you're actually early so he's not late yet. Can I offer you some slatko? My wife made it and I don't want to sound like I'm bragging but it's the best I think I've ever had."

"My mother used to make it," said Mišović as he became sullen. "I haven't eaten any since she died."

"Yes that was a tragedy but that was a long time ago."

"Not for me."