Don't own Chuck
Everything in Venice that doesn't float on water has to pass under the pavement. Gas, water and electricity all pass in conduits under the sidewalk as well as telephone cables. Under one of the pavement stones Chuck had Casey attached a junction box that relayed all voice and data calls through to a computer he had specially flown in. The transmissions were then sent via satellite to the main frame back in castle processed then back again all done in real time.
"Public works office I'm looking for the canal maintenance office. I need to talk to a supervisor or someone in charge," said Marco. He was placed on hold and had almost finished listening to all four seasons by Vivaldi when he was finally patched through.
"Canal maintenance Tony speaking can I help you?" said the man in black as he looked up at Casey standing over the top of him. Tony gave Casey the thumbs up they were biting at the bait.
"Listen I work at the First Bank in the Dorsoduro sestiere and your people were working on the canal walls..."
"That's their job so your building doesn't slide into the lagoon. So what's the matter do you still have a little water infiltration? You need to wait for all the humidity to dry and that will take time." The other agent standing next to him choked down a laugh then he leaned over and whispered a quick translation into Casey's ear and he smiled.
"A little! We're floating in black water coming from the restrooms. I need for you to send a crew over here right now and fix whatever you did then clean this mess up."
"Wait a minute buddy the first step normally is we send over an inspection team then after we verify the damage was caused by us then we go from there."
"Listen I don't like to be jacked around and neither does my boss so I expect you to send this inspection team over pronto because the next communication you're going to hear from us will be our lawyer. Do you understand?"
"Well no need in getting snotty. I happen to have a team of inspectors and cleaners out working your area now. I'll call them and have them go straight over but I'll need someone to meet them who can give them access to the premises."
"I'll be here. Have them ask for Marco di Padua… Oh forget it I'll go outside and wait for them just have them hurry up," said Marco as he hung up. "Jesus bureaucrats I'd like to shoot every one of them in the head."
"What is it?" asked Stan. "Are they sending a team over to fix this mess?" The smell of the place combined with his weak stomach was getting to him. He needed some excuse to leave and now with his boss gone was his chance.
"They're sending over cleaners and inspectors to see if the damage done was their or our fault. I've got to hang around and escort them around. Are you sure you feel okay you look a little green?"
"No I'm not, and I'm starting to feel worse. I need to go get some fresh air. If the boss calls for me I'm on my mobile phone I'll call him back. When you leave let security know you're the last man out I'll see you tomorrow. When those guys arrive impress on them that this needs to be taken care of as soon as possible with no excuses."
"I'll handle it just go home."
"Oh remember they need to be escorted if they go down to the vault. Security down below will handle that."
[Back at the safehouse…]
"It's done," said the Agent as he set down his headset, "now we need to get over there I've got a cleaning crew standing by that will meet you.
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Sarah was sitting next to Jack when her phone rang it was a message from Chuck saying he was going down to the Bank and not to wait for him to eat. But she was getting angry with Jack, she just couldn't understand why he still tried to bull his way through. He had lied to them when he said he didn't know anything. She thought he'd argue that it wasn't a lie he just hadn't told the truth, which was the story of Jack's life, and hers for that matter… at least before Chuck. But she had a grand old time when she was little skipping down the road to perdition holding on her father's hand.
"Will you stop lying? Will you just quit! You knew what this man wanted the minute you heard about Jorgen White working for the Mišović mob in Chicago because that's where this started. I know and so does Chuck."
"I had an idea but I wasn't sure. I hoped I was wrong but I'm not am I? I'm sorry I should've told you Angel."
"Don't call me that because I'm not, you saw to that. I'm sorry I shouldn't," said Sarah as Jack reached over to take her hand but she pulled back. She was trying to maintain her composure but it wasn't easy. "Dad I was only a kid."
"And you had one adventure after another. You had more fun than any other kid could ever have or can't you see that?"
"A woman died for me, for us to have fun. She was killed so I could have my adventure with Dad. How am I supposed to live with that? How could you? And don't tell me you didn't know, because you did. I put it together that was the reason we left so fast isn't it? You don't have to answer I can see it in your face. Jesus Dad what have we done?"
"When I found out who she was married to I gave the money back. I never took a dime. This you have to believe and after I gave the money back to the old man we left. I'm sorry if I never told you but like you said you were a child."
"Wait you gave the money back to what old man?"
"To the old patriarch then we skipped town. I found out about the woman's… well passing after we left town and… huh you were a kid and I didn't want to tell you because..."
"Because you didn't want me to stop running away with you to have our adventures. Oh Jack, what kind of family do we have?"
"What did Charlie say? I bet he's got to be really angry too? Maybe I ought to take him out for a drink and we can talk. He certainly likes to talk, doesn't he?"
"Rocky Road won't cut it this time and leave Chuck out of this. For your information he stuck up for you and made sure no one else knew what we did. He said that it wasn't your fault what happened but the man's father for killing his wife. Can you believe that Chuck still believes in you after everything?"
"Where do we go from here? Is there some way I can make this up to you?"
"I don't know Dad. I really don't know. If I'm here talking to you it's thanks to Chuck. He never gave up on me, on us even when I did."
"So what are you saying?"
"I'm saying he taught me that you don't give up on the people you love."
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Chuck and Mike moved into the detention cell. Chuck for the past few days had been moving computers and monitors in turning it into a command post with limited access from the outside. Already there was chatter among Margo's troops about what Chuck was up to but she sat on them. The last thing they needed was for something to get back to Venice. Now the preparation was about to payoff.
"Thanks for coming Mike," said Chuck as they sat in front of a group of monitors. "Normally I'd have Sarah with me but she's talking with Jack and I don't want to interrupt. Margo has the station to run and besides me you're the only one who knows how all this equipment works."
"Geez, I'm happy to help out and being a techie this is like dying and going to heaven. So what do you want me to do?"
"Actually I prefer the word 'nerd' reminds me of younger greener days but yeah I understand. What I need is for you to watch these groups of monitors and listen in. If there's something you think I need to know tap my shoulder and patch the feed over. Say hi to our team in Venice."
"Guys Mike's helping out today everyone got their glasses on. Let's do a quick sound check," said Chuck as everyone reported in. "Okay so we're clear, Casey you and Agent Reeves will go upstairs to the main offices while Morgan and Alex handle the vault with Agent Rogers."
"I wish you were here…" said Casey as Chuck cut him off.
"I miss you guys too."
"Keep it in your pants. You know I don't like dealing with computers. I'm more for smashing than fixing them, especially the two legged kind."
"I can't be there yet. If I move from here or Sarah then the Merchant will know we're up to something and crack down on his internal security. You can do this John, I know you can. Morgan, you and Alex know what you have to do down in the vault?"
"Not a problem, be in and out in no time but what do we do if we need to speak Italian? None of us speak more than enough to order off a menu?"
"Let Agents Reeves and Rogers do the talking they're fluent. I'll tell you what to say if you get in a bind but let's think positive."
"We're here," said Agent Rogers as they met up with the cleaners and stepped out on the landing in front of the Merchant's building. Casey and the rest were dressed up like they were going into a plague zone dressed in hazmat gear from head to foot with respirators each carrying a shoulder bag and a clipboard.
"Marco di Padua, I'll be walking you around the building during your inspection. I'm glad to see you came properly dressed because you'll need the respirators. I've got some of our security people who will follow you in the more sensitive areas."
"Good," said Rogers listening to Chuck in his ear. "You can lead us upstairs while my other two friends will start below that way we can get this taken care of as soon as possible while the cleaners do their job."
"I'll have to send a security guard with them that's where the vault is. I think you can understand," said Marco. The man's Italian was too good thought Marco. Almost like what you learn in school without any of the local color. He'd play along but he had to find out what was going on and soon.
Morgan and Alex with Agent Reeves went down in the basement which was already unusual for Venice floating on water and sand. Morgan began banging on pipes as loud as he could then when the man was looking Alex deployed a stink bomb but with their respirators they couldn't smell it.
"Madonna Santissima," said the security guard. "I think you knocked something loose the smell is getting worse. I think I'm going to be sick."
"Hey you two stay here," said Reeves. "Don't move from here. Come with me Buddy. I've got an extra respirator in the boat you can use. You're going to need it if you're going to have to stay with us while we work."
"But I shouldn't…" the man paused as he had a sudden attack of nausea but he fought it off.
"You can come with me and get better then we finish our job or you get sick go home. Your boss will send someone else who'll have the good sense to put the respirator on. One way or another we'll finish just you'll be on your back for a week miss work and not get paid."
"Okay but you two don't move from here until we get back," said the guard as the two men disappeared.
"Okay Morgan, Alex you've got to work fast," said Chuck in their ear. "Remember to take care of the camera first.
Alex extended a tube with arms that acted like rungs as she climbed the makeshift ladder starting work on the camera. Morgan passed her a small box that she attached to the camera leads. In the security office it looked as if the camera blinked then came back on but instead Chuck put the video feed on a loop. Afterwards, Morgan passed her a camera like the one in the vault and she went about swapping them out while Morgan worked on the locking mechanism on the vault.
"Okay Chuck I'm removing the four screws from the face plate," said Morgan as he gave a play by play. "I'm now removing the cover."
"Morgan I can see what you're doing you don't have to tell me," said Chuck. "But if it makes you feel better go ahead. Just be careful with the new screen it's delicate."
"You know he's going to drop it," whispered Casey. "And pipe down Troll your chatter is blocking the sound waves not to mention my ears."
"Crap," said Morgan as Chuck heard a crack. Chuck wanted to bang his head on the desk he probably would've if Mike hadn't been there.
"Morgan what did you just do? Did you drop the screen and break it after I told you to be careful? Please tell me I'm wrong."
"You know you ought to go into show biz Chuck. You're amazing," said Morgan. "You could be one of those mind readers like Carnac the Magnificent."
"There's a second one in your bag I put it in just in case. But wait. Alex, are you done?" asked Chuck. He saw he was receiving the feed and audio from the new camera.
"Yes I'm packing up right now. I understand," said Alex as she took the new screen out held it in place so Morgan could secure it.
"Oh Chuck! You aren't benching me," said Morgan as he looked up at the new CCTV camera. "Really dude come on."
"Morgan, we work better when we work together," said Alex as she caressed his face and held her face shield close to his. They put everything away just in time as Reeves and the security guard were about to show up. When Chuck took the camera off loop the screen flickered back in security headquarters just as they walked into the room together.
"Hey Beppe is everything all right down there," radioed a guard noticing the flicker in the feed.
"Yeah but if you want to come and check it out you're going to need one of these," said the Guard pointing at the respirator.
"No, no I'll take your word. Tell those people this mess needs to be taken care of ASAP we tax payers need to work to pay their salaries."
"Roger that."
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Casey, Rogers and Marco went up to the main offices. Marco kept looking them over wondering what was going on and how to ask without tipping his hand. They walked into the outer office where he and Stan sat. Now was the time to go for broke he reached into his pocket taking hold of the Makarov with his thumb he took the safety off. However, as he did he noticed one of the men put his hand in his pocket too and that wasn't a flashlight in there. Rogers turned the clipboard around with a note written on it 'where can we talk.'
"I think you ought to check out my boss's office," said Marco as he led them over to the door but before he could pass his card Rogers stopped him.
"I think you dropped this," handing him the card they had cloned from Stan.
"Right how absent minded of me," said Marco as he used Stan's card which registered in the log as he being the one who last entered Mišović's office. They entered and he closed the door behind them. He started to talk but Casey held up his finger as she scanned for bugs.
"All clear we can talk," said Casey as he took off his hood and mask. "Doesn't smell that bad in here. Actually it kind of reminds me of being back in Costa Gravas, now that was a lousy stinking hell hole."
"I know John you don't have to remind me but really we need to get all that down. Your memories could be a number one best seller."
"No there are already too many people out now blabbing about things they should keep their mouth shut about," said John as he handed Marco an earbud. "Someone wants to talk with you."
"Marco stand next to Casey so I can hear you," said Chuck so Marco could talk indirectly into Casey's mic.
"Not too close or we'll have a problem and I'll take care of that other arm for you."
"Friendly chaps you have working for you Chuck so what's the plan. Please tell me covering the offices with sewage was absolutely necessary."
"First work with not work for," said Casey as he grabbed Marco up. "I need to see where this computer interface is located."
"What Casey is impolitely asking is well… I assume Mišović put his security network in standby we need to see the access panel and to answer about the sewage I probably could've done the same using the sprinkler system but this way was more appropriate."
"What!" said Casey. "You mean we did all that work in the canals for you to throw crap from your cage like in the zoo?"
"I wouldn't put it like that but… Well yes something like that but we're getting away from the mission at hand."
"There had better be a nice bottle under the Christmas tree this year. Now where's this access panel or do I work on the other arm?"
"Right here," said Marco as he pushed back the panel in Mišović's desk. "You need two keys to activate it. Stan has one and Dejan has the other."
"I don't need either. Casey, remove the four screws then carefully lift up the cover making sure none of the wires come loose. Do that now." Chuck watched Casey work with Marco standing over his shoulder. Rogers when to the door and stood watch looking out for anyone that might be coming.
"Okay it's off, now what," said Casey as he looked inside to a clusters of high speed internet cable plugged into a box.
"Jesus," said Mike without thinking to mute his mic as he looked over at Chuck's monitor. "Each one of those leads have optical cable that could be connected to thousands of servers anywhere."
"Chuck how are we going to hit that many servers at once," said Marco. "Even if we join forces together we still done have the manpower to hit all those targets at once and remember if we miss even one it could spell disaster."
"Marco I know that and I've taken all this under consideration. Now hold the panel back for Casey. John unhook the connectors then reconnect them to your box then take the principal lead and connect it in the port marked 'in'."
"I think I could've figured that one out," said Casey. Chuck watched as they wrapped it up then before they left Casey left a small package in the middle of Mišović's desk.
"Okay pack it up and get out of there," said Chuck. "Let the cleaners finish on their own. It's time to pull back and wait for tomorrow."
"Chuck we've got a situation," said Mike as he passed video over to him. "Reeves is inside with security. Morgan and Alex were heading back to the launch when two guards stopped them. They were hitting up on Alex. Reeves can't break or he'd blow his cover and the rest were just coming down now."
"Roger, John, Marco did you hear that you need to get outside as soon as possible. Marco make sure John doesn't kill them. She's his daughter."
"Can't I at least ding them up a little?" But in the end he didn't have to.
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"Ciao bella," said one of the guard. "You know we could meet up after work and wash some of this smell off each other?"
"Yeah, I have a nice place on the mainland we could party. I know a nice place that serves drinks that glow and I've got a friend who can sell us something to help us get in the mood if you know what I mean."
"Stronzo," said Morgan as he decked one with a dirty wrench. That was his one Italian curse word he learned by watching Italian television. He figured it was bad just from the reactions that the people got when they used it. The other guy looked at Morgan in surprise.
"Questa é mia ragazza," said Morgan as Chuck spoke in his ear. Whatever he said it was enough for the guy to pick up his friend and go away. Casey and the rest came out just in time to watch the men hobble off.
"Oh Morgan you were great," said Alex as she kissed him on the cheek and he turned beet red. That was right before Casey snatched him up and they all piled into the launch to speed away.
"Chuck what did I tell that guy back there?"
"Morgan to told him this was your girl."
"I like that questa é mia ragazza," repeated Morgan as he looked into Alex's eyes.
"Et tu sei mio ragazzo," said Alex on Chuck's suggestion looking back.
"Jesus Christ," said Casey. "Can we cut the chatter I'm getting a headache and get back to the mission?"