Sarah awoke in her apt/hotel room after making all the arrangements she contacted both Langston Graham and NSA Director Diane Beckman. This woman she had never seen before but as she studied her features she started to detect similarities between her and the mysterious Orion and Bryce. Bryce her heart panged again over his loss.
"Agent Walker what do you have to report?" Langston asked.
"Sir as reported the subject is very crafty and intelligent. He has a network of agents working for him. He is quite skilled in HUMINT. Most agents are not aware of his manipulations. He has a Sister and another civilian in close approximation to target is sanction authorized? The subject would be hard to target. He is surrounded at all times. Even a face to face would be difficult he does not like to be touched. A projectile is out of the question due to secondary casualties. Deniability can not be maintained." She reported her observations.
"Sanction is not authorized. Befriend him Agent." Diane said.
"I will proceed I will need more time. The subject while looking friendly is anything but. He is highly suspicious. I will have to break through some sort of trauma. File indicates subject was about to marry but was jilted in last days. I believe that will make him very wary. I will need to approach this subject with extreme caution." Sarah said.
"Good we have your cover job in Burbank at the same locale as the subject's work. You will meet with Owen Brass the owner of the Weinerilous. You have your interview in 20 mins. Good Luck Agent." Langston said.
The laptop was closed and Sarah set up the surveillance for her room. Dressed appropriately she left got in her Porsche then made her interview.
Owen a retired Agent himself was quick to take the new person on and gave her to Darrel to train. On her break from training Owen showed her the entrance through the freezer.
Sarah had her eye scanned the back of the freezer opened and she walked through.
Getting into Castle as the techs called it she met John Casey dressed in a Green Polo shirt.
"Agent Walker? You are in a…interesting uniform." Casey smirked.
"Can it Casey what is going on?" Sarah asked.
Casey brought up the CC of the store. Their target was standing at the Nerd Herder Desk. The Mini gun was situated in the ceiling above that Kiosk. Casey was showing Agent Walker all the countermeasures placed in and around Castle the Anti personnel mines and other protective devices. Chuck seems to be talking to his Agents. Once he was finished they dispersed.
Sarah took the time to change her clothes. Her cell phone was not working and she looked at Casey.
Casey grunted then showed her the other exits out of Castle and the two elevators one into Casey's Locker in the Buy More. The other is next to the loading dock. Checking the camera Casey gave her the OK. She stepped on the elevator and it deposited her on the corner of the building. Sarah stepped out into the warm Southern California sun. She immediately placed on her sunglasses which had cameras which Casey was recording her first contact.
Sarah walked sultrily into the Buy More. All the denizens of this establishment turned their heads to watch her entrance. Chuck was joking with Morgan when Morgan saw her.
"Stop the Presses! Vicky Vale Vick..vick..vicky Vale" He said.
Chuck still having not seen what Morgan was seeing joined in on the rap.
Sarah stood at the desk and ran the bell. Chuck finally turned to see the blonde goddess of his dreams standing in front of him.
"Oh Hi I'm Chuck may I help you…" The flash came immediate and hard. Chuck passed out.
"Chuck you weigh a Ton!" Morgan said catching his friend. "I swear every time he sees a pretty girl this happens. Oh by the way my name is Morgan…Morgan Grimes."
Morgan set his friend slowly on the ground.
"Is he alright?" Sarah asked in alarm.
"Oh he'll come to in a few minutes but what is your name Ms…" Morgan asked.
"Walker Sarah Walker." Sarah said.
"Oh what happened…Morgan Oh no not again?" Chuck asked getting up from the floor with a quick flip.
"I'm afraid so this time she is still here so I guess your fainting did not scare her off…Good work Buddy!" Morgan said.
"I am so sorry you have to witness that…I get fainting spells…. How may I help you? Sarah?" Chuck said.
"I did not tell you my name…So…" Sarah said alarmed.
"I may not be all unconscious…I heard your name being spoken when you talked to Morgan." Chuck said.
"So you were awake this whole time?" Sarah asked "should I call an ambulance or…"
"Maybe I really don't know" Chuck said. "There is no need for medical attention it happens all the time. You startled me…"
"Are you sure you are alright?" Sarah asked.
"Right as rain so you did not come in here to discuss my medical condition so what can I do for you Sarah?" Chuck said.
Sarah finally had time to study the very tall and lanky person standing in front of her. Her eidetic memory was cataloging all his features and she had come to the conclusion. He had to be related to Bryce. He had that same easy going attitude which Bryce showed in their most intimate times.
"Sarah? Do you have a problem?" Chuck asked.
"Oh yeah…I have a problem with my cell phone it is not working…" Sarah said showing him the phone.
"Oh no wonder it is an Intercell these are fine phones but they have a flaw. The battery screw comes loose and with a quick tightening it will be good as new." Chuck said as he did the action as he spoke.
"It works now Thank you…How much do I owe you?" Sarah asked.
"Nothing it is not really something we can charge." Chuck said.
At this point a frantic Man is upset and towing his 8 year old daughter in her ballerina outfit. Sarah stood and watched how Chuck handled the upset man. The reports in the file of him using HUMINT were not exaggerated. He had the man go from upset to grateful in less than 20 minutes and Chuck showed far superior skills in electronics than the dossier stated. Then she was used to be hit on but Chuck was different. He ignored her after her problem was solved and built a rapport with not only the Irate Man but his daughter too. Chuck looked pleased when he returned to the Kiosk.
Seeing Sarah there he was wondering why?
"Is there something else I can help you?" Chuck asked.
"Chuck that was amazing…How did you…That made that man very happy plus his little girl…What did you tell her?" Sarah gushed.
"Oh I told her when she complained she was tall. I boosted her confidence to tell her that all Ballerinas are tall." Chuck said chuckling.
"That certainly did the trick she executed those difficult moves flawlessly. I think people should watch out for this girl she is going places." Sarah said.
"Oh you like the ballet?" Chuck asked.
"Yeah I have studied it." Sarah said.
"You look like you did by the way you hold yourself." Chuck said.
"You like the ballet too?" Sarah asked excitedly.
"Oh yes by the way I did notice no ring…Do you have a boyfriend?" Chuck asked.
Sarah was not expecting such a direct question.
"I did but he died in DC and I left to move far away from where I could be reminded of him. I am very new in town." Sarah said with much sadness.
"Oh that is too bad there is a ballet on for tonight." Chuck said. "I never miss it."
"What about you… any girl friend?" Sarah asked.
"Well you saw what happens when I meet a girl…Most do not want to get to know me after that. So no I don't have any girl friend either." Chuck said.
"Good I don't share!" Sarah said kissing him on the lips. "Pick me up at 7 for our first date."
Chuck sat there stunned…Morgan nudged him…
"It's a date" Chuck screamed as Sarah waved at him leaving the store.
Chuck looked at his card with her phone number and address…Little did she know he quickly had scanned her phone in the seconds he had it in his hand. The intersect was making all sorts of connections. He read all of her encrypted calls too. Chuck was aware of the increase in his abilities.
"Morgan…Get Skip up here to man the Desk. I'm heading for the cage." Chuck said.
"Ok Buddy I'll get him." Morgan said then disappeared and reappeared with Skip.
"Skip… Take over the desk I want to work on Mrs. Brown's computer again." Chuck stated.
\\\\\
"Chuck you can not be serious! You have been attempting to fix that piece of junk since you started working here. Face it… it is a lost cause." Morgan said tagging along.
"Yeah but I have a new idea to tackle it." Chuck said.
"Chuck buddy you have said that 30 times before…Please let it go!" Morgan pleaded.
"So sorry Morgan no can do…! Mrs. Brown has very limited income. Our loaner is not that good she needs this system fixed…And Fix it I will." Chuck said being so determined.
"Ok Chuck…Have it your way…" Morgan said walking away.
Chuck alone in the cage brought up that one system he had not been able to crack. Mrs. Brown let her grand nephew use her system and it contracted a virus which all attempts to eradicate were impossible to do. Chuck had done everything possible to the system but as soon as it was booted up the virus was there! Finally in frustration he removed all the parts and they were spread out in front of him.
Chuck studied each part then the flash hit him. It was not as powerful as the one on Sarah. Chuck finally knew where that virus was located. He carefully removed the power supply. Inside was a Ram card. Who knew Chuck said to himself. Getting a different power supply he rebooted the computer and all trace of the virus was gone. Chuck took a flash chip and loaded the virus on it. Whoever made this Chuck would study its code carefully.
"Hey you fixed it" Morgan said "…Buddy you know it is quitting time? You would not want to be late on your date!"
"My date…! Oh I need to get home…" Chuck said.
"Hey calm down I punched out for you and here are the keys to the Nerd herder1…" Morgan said.
"Wait was that not in the shop?" Chuck asked.
"Yeah… they delivered it today and boy is it sweet!" Morgan said.
"So it has not been logged in?" Chuck asked.
"Would I give you a car which could be traceable?" Morgan asked looking dejected.
"No of course not… You have done well Grasshopper!" Chuck said. "So where are you going?"
"With you…Ellie was so excited she has invited me over for dinner so after you my friend." Morgan said.
"You told Ellie about my date? Don't you think about anything but your stomach? She should not be involved." Chuck crossly said as they both got in for the drive to the apt.
"What you still pining over that jilting bride of yours? Look at Sarah she is a goddess and she wants you!" Morgan said. "How lucky can a Nerd get?"
Chuck parked the car and the smells coming from the apt were heavenly. Chuck entered from the Morgan door while Morgan after arguing knocked on the door.
"Well hello Morgan" Ellie said pleasantly "…Where is …"
Morgan looked at the closed Morgan door
"Oh come in Morgan I know where he is…" Ellie said. "Chuck! Get out here this minute! Do not make me come in after you!"
Chuck sheepishly opened the door.
"Hi Ellie…" Chuck said poking his head out the door.
"Don't you Hi Ellie me Mister…So you have a date what are you going to wear? Come on I can not stand here all day there is a roast in the oven!" Ellie said.
Chuck opened the door and showed her what he chose…
"Chuck Mom taught you better than that! Strip…!"Ellie said with a disapproving frown.
Casey who was monitoring winced she sounded like a DI he remembered.
"Ok show me what you have! I swear you better buy some better clothes this coming paycheck." Ellie said.
"El… it is Halo 3 debut…I have to have it." Chuck whined.
"Chuck you can delay that until later. Keeping a girl friend is your top priority." Ellie said. "Especially after she saw you faint! My Goodness Chuck can you not understand how precious that is?"
Ellie stood staring straight into his eyes while Chuck blinked first.
Casey could really tell the family resemblance in this confrontation.
"Yeah I know El I know…" Chuck said.
"Good you wear this shirt with those slacks and wear a blazer too." Ellie pointed out.
"That is Dad's old thing El…" Chuck complained.
"It is perfectly serviceable! Chuck Shower Now! Shave your scruff too! Get a Haircut soon. It's back making those funny animal shapes again." Ellie ordered.
Casey listened and watched…
"Poor Moron" he said.