Thanks for all the reviews. Hopefully I won't disappoint. Also, hopefully I didn't fail at time zones. Feel free to correct me if I did. I'll be continuing to use mythological figures throughout the story, most will be Greek but a few will be Norse. I do not own Chuck.
Bold + Italics = flashback.
Enjoy.
Chapter 2 – Chuck vs the Color Red
Langley, Virginia
August 6, 2008
5:22 PM Wednesday
Graham entered his office after a meeting with Beckman, slightly worried. Today is the day of hopefully, Agent Bartowski's red test. He is still not sure if Chuck will be able to complete his mission. If he fails, everything that Graham has worked for with the human Intersect will be a failure and the NSA will have the upper hand. Their attempt to get the beta Intersect online was a disaster. Fulcrum was able to blackmail a scientist into uploading a Trojan into the Cipher. Four NSA agent lives were lost that day, almost 3 months ago by now he mused. Chuck's red test was designed and tailored by Graham himself. The goal was to get Chuck over the worst of his possible kills, make him feel the brunt of the emotional pain of taking a life after his first death kill stroke.
Graham hoped to either numb Chuck's emotions or get him used to the idea of taking a life. Of course both could backfire if he failed to eliminate his target. If that became the case Graham would be forced to either terminate or throw Chuck into a bunker. His superiors and Beckman who still followed his progress, would accept nothing less. The red test was designed to push his boundaries and what he would be horrified to do. This red test was on a former CIA analyst who sold intel to Fulcrum and other organizations, along with foreign governments.
I staked way too much for him to fail me now. Graham thought bitterly. Not to mention everyone else, too many people are depending on the nerd's success. Yes. Still a nerd in an agent's body. I tried to get the nerd out of the agent, but that ended up being impossible. Worse mistake I've made in my whole career. Re-introducing Chuck Bartowski to super nerd, Lazlo. God damnit. Now that Lazlo is back on his meds, Chuck looks at him like his very own personal Q. Graham thought back to a few months ago, after Chuck completed basic training when he reunited the duo.
"Well Chuck, I'm sure you remember Lazlo." Director Graham said to Chuck, clearly not too happy about reuniting the evil genius and an aspiring agent-genius. "He is back on his meds." Graham looked back to Chuck who was standing beside him in his standard, cliché, agent uniform – Black suit. Black Shoes. Black sunglasses.
Chuck wasn't quite too sure how to react and made a slight wave as the door opened revealing Lazlo in his very own lab with circuit panels, soldering tools.
"Hey, Chuck. I'm sorry about trying to kill you and your friends, not to mention all those people. Hey are you still dating that hot blond?" Lazlo asked excitedly, having not seen any females, besides the old nurse with the needles since he was recaptured, which to be quite honest he wasn't sure if it was a he or a she.
"Uhhh…no." Chuck replied, clearly not wanting to discuss it.
"Oh that's too bad! Now, I assume you are here about my Intersect hypothesis, sir?"
"Yes. Get on with it Lazlo." Graham replied impatiently.
"Fine, fine. Excuse me for trying to talk to someone else who has seen the outside world on a regular basis." Lazlo said sarcastically.
Graham let out a very Casey-like growl in response.
"Alright. As I mentioned to you before. I believe it is possible to encode languages, manuals, and things like maps. Stuff you would be able to read, into the Intersect and have the host recall the information…I'm sure eventually it will be possible to do more advanced things like martial arts, bullet trajectory calculations, and stuff like that. For the foreseeable future, I can guarantee languages, maps, and manuals. I can have a test put together in a few weeks with your permission, sir…."
He was brought out of his musings by his phone ringing. Right on time Bartowski.
"Graham, secure."
"Bartowski, in public area."
Out with it Bartowski…! "…Status?"
Chuck sighed over the phone. "It is done, sir." Chuck replied, voice filled with emotion and obviously affected.
"Return to home base, you did good son." Graham replied while watching the surveillance video from the test.
"Bartowski, out."
Madrid, Spain
August 6, 2008
10:54 PM Wednesday Local Time (EST +6?)
Chuck followed his target down the street from the proper distance he was taught. He blended in with the rest of the people bundled up in jackets. It was a cold night, but that wasn't on his mind. All he cared about was accomplishing his objective so he could return to base and grieve for what part of himself he would lose.
His target left the side walk and headed down to the stairs leading to the Madrid Metro Subway. There were still many commuters and drunks heading back from the downtown and business areas to their homes. Chuck's target remained unaware of him as he followed him onto the train, a few doors back. Chuck quickly moved through the subway to get close and make sure he wouldn't lose his prey. Good thing this guy isn't paying attention to the people around him, definitely not an agent. I must look like a drug addict with, with how freaked out I must look. Come on. Get a hold of yourself Bartowski. If you don't do this, you won't be able to see Ellie ever again. Don't do that to her. Chuck forced his hands to stop shaking from within the jacket pockets he had stuffed them into.
After about 20 minutes the subway pulled up to the first stop in Fuenlabrada, a submetropolitan area of Madrid. Chuck followed his target out of the car and up the stairs onto the street. They were reaching the target destination designated for the kill. Chuck moved silently after his target, sure that he had not been noticed before the subway, carefully scanning the crowds for anything out of place as he stalked onwards.
His target walked off to his street and Chuck sped up his pace while remaining silent and sticking to the shadows. The street wasn't well lit; Chuck was in nearly full black with leather gloves on and was nearly impossible to notice sneaking up. Come on Chuck, this is just like Call of Duty. Just think of him as pixels. Traitorous pixels. You can do this buddy. Chuck's subconscious quickly took on the voice of Casey as he continued to psych himself up. Do it moron. Stop with all the lady feelings. He quickly and silently pulled out a knife from his jacket. Once he approached he lunged forward and cupped the target's mouth and nose, preventing him from making any noise, just as his trainer taught him. Chuck severed his carotid artery in his neck, causing him to quickly bleed out. Chuck rummaged through the man's pockets and took the money and credit cards out of his wallet while managing to hold back the bile rising in his throat.
Graham had given him all the details needed. Chuck found it odd that he had everything he needed to kill the man, except his name. He saw his face as he lowered him to the ground and didn't flash or recognize him. He was told he leaked information to Fulcrum and foreign governments and had run, dropping off the grid, before the CIA could find him again until recently. The information he had given over caused the deaths of at least ten CIA agents that they know of, as well as a few NSA and FBI agents. He was horrified at what he had done - the first life he has taken. He watched the man's life fade from his eyes as he bent down to close his eyelids. He walked away towards the car the CIA provided, an old not flashy car.
Graham would not approve of it closing his eyes and taking a second to look at his face. Well too bad, fuck him. He was told this is his red test, if he passes; he becomes an agent of the CIA. If he fails, well, there are only so many creative ways to tell him he is going to be in a bunker for the rest of his life or terminated. Kill or be killed. Kill or allow others to be killed, no second chances. Protégé or not.
Chuck pulled out his phone as he drove back towards the Madrid Barajas Airport.
Before Chuck could address Graham, as was protocol, Graham spoke up, "Graham, secure."
Chuck was momentarily surprised, although he mused; it would make sense for him to be anxious to see how his protégé did on this test of his. He has staked a lot, his reputation and possible drastic funding increase for the CIA by handing over the Beta Intersect to the NSA, of course if I succeed, he'll gain funding and I'll make him look good. At the same time, Graham has become sort of a father figure. Who would have thought? Chuck Bartowski – unresolved daddy issues. Anyone? Nahhh. Oh! Mememe. Chuck quipped to himself. "Bartowski, in public area." No one said I couldn't mess with the head of the CIA's head for fun though. I should deserve a little fun in my life after all.
"How is your car not secure! Status?" Graham asked impatiently while looking at the GPS in the car moving down the streets of Madrid.
Chuck sighed. "It is done, sir." Chuck said, voice filled with emotion while remembering looking down at the last bit of light faded from his target's eyes.
"Return to home base, you did good son." Graham replied, in a what Chuck assumed was a proud voice.
On second thought, that could have been just excitement at the incoming dollars making their way into the CIA coffers. "Bartowski, out."
-X-
Chuck had been in the air for over an hour now, on a CIA jet, heading back to Langley after completing his red test. Chuck thought he might feel proud that he will soon be considered a full agent, but he couldn't an image of a horrified Ellie out of his mind. He sighed and tried to meld with the leather chair he was sitting in.
When he closed his eyes all he saw were the lifeless brown eyes of the person he killed, seeing a little part of himself die reflected in them. Chuck quickly got up and ran down the isle of the small corporate jet to the bathroom and promptly threw up into the toilet. He stayed on the floor for a couple of hours, long ago starting to dry heave.
Undisclosed CIA Training Facility
February 25, 2008
10:22 AM Monday
"GET UP CHARLES! THIS IS PATHETIC!" CIA Agent and handpicked trainer for one Charles Irving Bartowski yelled at her charge as he failed to parry a kick and crashed down to the Dojo's ground. She continued to pace around the form of Chuck on the ground.
Chuck had been at the facility for just over a month. The first few weeks were mainly to get him into better shape. He's still not where he needs to be, but at least he can spar for a few hours without passing out from exhaustion and Alex insulting his manhood about not having enough stamina.
"Pleaaaase I know you enjoy knocking the wind out of me, Alex." Chuck quipped while out of breath.
Alex Forest paused a second to put on a show of actually considering before answering. "I do not." Then grunted "What did I say about using my first name?"
"Riiight." Chuck responded in amusement as he attempted to trip her as he got back on his feet. Chuck found himself liking CIA Agent Alex Forest, not in a romantic way, but because she reminded him so much of his friend and former teammate John Casey. The two kept in contact after he went off to train; Casey left his private line with Ellie for him. Graham personally saw to it that Chuck would be able to make a few calls out of the base once a week. He allowed him to call his sister and her fiancé (She accepted of course.) and John Casey. Casey seemed to be opening up more now that he found himself not having to be the one to terminate Chuck. Graham had told Chuck he thought making a few calls might help him get through his isolation. Of course he was not allowed to mention anything about his training to his sister or Devon, but he was allowed to speak about his basic spy training with Casey, including hand to hand combat and firearms. Chuck's performance has been exceeding his instructor's expectations so Graham felt it was working and saw no need to revoke it. At least that is what he told Chuck when he asked and threatened to revoke it if his performance slipped.
Forest jumped over Chuck's leg meant to trip and attempt to kick him as he was rising off the floor. Chuck rolled to the side and quickly stood back up. "Kicking someone when they are still down? Tsk tsk." Chuck mocked.
"Pff…you tried to trip me!" Forest exclaimed with her eyes dancing with amusement.
"I suppose I did." Chuck replied smugly as they began their dance again. Chuck was learning quick, learning to anticipate her actions. He started to pay better attention to her muscles tensing before she would act. Another thing in common with Casey, they are both impatient. Chuck didn't have to wait long to see Forest's left leg twitch as she lunged forward, intending to kick out with her right leg. While Chuck was improving quite rapidly, there was no way he would be up to Forest's level in such a short time. As such, he found himself quickly on his ass again.
Clap, clap
"Doing better, Bartowski." The voice of Graham rang out in the Dojo.
Chuck turned to look at him as he got up, only to notice a feminine boot making its way towards his groin at the last second and caught it while twisting it forcefully, making Forest flip on her side. Chuck rushed forward and jumped down with a knee leading, knowing she would roll away in time. As they were attacking each other and deflecting, Chuck asked Graham, "I'm starting to notice a trend, Graham, I notice you always seem to show up when Alex is training me in hand to hand combat."
"What can I say? I enjoy Forest kicking your ass." Graham said smugly.
"This is payback for my quips and sarcasm from when I was an asset, isn't it?"
"You're point?"
Oopf! Chuck failed to parry a fist to his abdomen and staggered back a few feet. Chuck gritted out, "I expect you to be here when I am the one kicking her ass, Director." As Chuck went on the offensive again.
"That'd be the day." Forest responded.
"And that will be payback for Forest being such a pain in my ass too." Graham replied with a chuckle. "I get to kill two birds with one stone, why pass up the opportunity? I've even got the tapes to replay them for when I am feeling down on a rainy day."
Codename Olympus: somewhere in the former Soviet Bloc
May 12, 2011
5:43 AM Thursday
Chirp, chirp
Chuck groaned and rolled over in his bed, snagging his cell phone. Chuck smirked when his partner started groaning and all he could see was blond hair sticking out from the sheets. She's definitely not a morning person.
"Prometheus here, Althea is with me." Chuck answered.
"Zeus, secure. I've got a new mission that you might have a personal interest is in. However, you might receive some heat from up top for this."
"Why?"
"It involves one of the persons you included as part of your deal to join the CIA. In this case, I'm holding up my end of the deal."
Chuck had a quick flashback to their talk on the beach before he joined the CIA. "In addition to allowing me to tell my sister about my analyst position. I want to know whenever one of the following people gets in serious trouble: John Casey, Sarah Walker, Carina Hansen, Ilsa Tricovich, Ellie, Devon, or Morgan."
"Why Sarah Walker?"
"I still owe her for saving my life, by my count I am behind by at least 9 times. I don't wish her any harm, but I'd rather not see her again."
"Why should I even allow you to tell your sister? That is against company policy."
"You want to give me a cause to believe in and fight for, but I won't sacrifice my sister's happiness for it. Things are going well for her, both professionally and privately. This would set her back in both. There's no reason the Director of the CIA can't overlook that rule once. Don't think I am so naïve, Graham, I know you are doing this for ulterior motives. It doesn't matter if I tell my sister I work for the CIA as an analyst or if you have to agree to watch out for those individuals, as long as you get results. I'll perform better knowing my sister is happy and safe, same goes for the rest of those, relatively speaking. As for the people, they are either family or extended family by relation to someone that is family, or I owe them for saving my life. I don't like being in debt to someone. Besides, both Sarah and John know I am the Intersect."
"Fine."
Chuck was pulled out of his flashback by his partner groaning about the noise. "Who?"
"John Casey."
"Where?"
"Mountains of western Pakistan. This should be a military operation, but in this case, I don't give a flying fuck. He knows about the Intersect and everyone talks eventually. According to our agent infiltrating the Ring, a man named Daniel Shaw had Casey's unit ambushed by some Taliban fighters in exchange for some brand new weapons and equipment. A body was accounted for every man in Casey's team with the exception of Casey, James Wilson, and a man named Miles. Bring him home by any means necessary, Prometheus."
"Yes dad." Chuck replied sarcastically.
Chuck started to poke his partner to get her awake.
"Muurrrhhhhh"
"Wake up. We've got an old friend to bring home." Chuck replied with an evil grin as he started tickling her. It still amazed him that a CIA agent could be ticklish.
"FINE I'M UP, JESUS!" Althea exclaimed.
Chuck got out of bed and threw on a pair of boxers and walked to his laptop in a separate room to start making arrangements for the upcoming op. He made sure to lock the door before sitting down. As he sat down, a dossier with encoded images containing relevant information was received by secure link by Graham containing possible locations and other data. After a few minutes of blankly staring at images, Chuck looked at the screen again. A message was written across the screen.
Operation Recover Deimos
Chuck forced a flash on the name Deimos.
Service records.
Accommodations.
Major recorded kills, mostly located in Eastern Europe and Russia.
Known aliases: John Casey, Alex Cobern, Mikhail Vasilevich, Nikolai Morozov
Current alias: Colonel John Casey, USMC
Known lovers: Ilsa Tricovich – DGSE (General Directorate of External Security), Kathleen McHugh - civillian, Alex Forest – CIA, Carina Hansen – CIA/Former DEA.
Children: Alex McHugh, age 22, daughter of Kathleen McHugh
Current and past partners outside of NSA: András Bakó, Prometheus, Althea, Helen, Ismene, Charles Carmichael, Carina Miller, Sarah Walker, Jill Roberts, and Alex Forest.
CIA assigned name by Zeus: Deimos
Chuck's flash ended as the data was exhausted. Well I already knew most of that. Chuck laughed as he remembered Christmas this past year at Casa Woodcomb. Morgan and Alex together as a couple. He couldn't remember a more amusing sight than Casey fuming at the bearded fellow kissing Alex.
He refocused, pushing those good memories away and forced a flash on Operation Recover Deimos.
Images of region Casey's team was operating in.
Images of the bodies of Casey's team.
Images of Miles.
Images of suspected Taliban bases of operation. CIA provided images of the entrance to the cave where Casey was suspected to be held.
Mission objectives: Terminate Miles and those that took Colonel Casey. Track down and find Daniel Shaw. Current alias: unknown. Find and rescue Colonel Casey, alive. Terminate as last resort if rescue is impossible.
Intel largely submitted by Helen.
Chuck rubbed his eyes and sighed. I'm coming for you old friend. He got up from his chair and unlocked the door. "Set up a HALO drop for the Pakistan border region for as soon as possible. CIA plane only, we're going against the military and Beckman with this mission."
Althea sat down and began typing away at her laptop, organizing the HALO request and their necessary equipment. "How reliable is the intel?"
"Helen provided the info, we can trust her. The job is the one thing she is good at." Chuck replied simply.
Althea nodded in agreement and got back to work.
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