Don't own Chuck
The Commandant waited all day for the new troops the Brigadier had promised him but no one showed up. Evening prayer was over and he didn't know what to do so he sent Gabir and Zaid to find something halal to eat. They had to drive across town to a Persian mart that stayed open late except on Fridays. He watched them in the monitor as they pulled out which left him alone with ten canisters of death.
"Okay I've waited long enough," said the Commandant as he took out his burner phone. He intentionally got rid of his men to make this call. After calling the Brigadier's number he put it on speaker so he could prepare himself some tea. The phone click then there was silence.
"It's me," said the Commandant. "I'm calling because I was expecting more men like you promised but no one's showed up. Is there a hold up somewhere?"
"You could say I've be a little bit busy tidying up your loose ends. I recovered the two canisters from the museum your people missed and I took care of our antiquities expert so you can see I haven't been standing around all day."
"Well I did what you asked with Pete and his crew. I have everything on a flash drive for our clients to watch. How do you want to me to get this to you? I was thinking about a meeting in the park?"
"No I don't think so I'll be back in touch with you but for now hang on to it and wait for me to contact you. Listen I know you're a man of action and sitting around isn't for you but it's the best course of action for us right now."
"There are a number of soft targets we can hit. I was thinking we could release the gas in Union Station or City Hall. We could hit Hollywood the most decadent town in the U.S. Now that would send a message that would have everyone standing up and listening."
"No absolutely not, I'm ordering you to stand down and wait for me to contact you. You still remember how to take orders don't you?"
"Of course I do even those I don't agree with," said the Commandant. His steam kettle started to whistle his water was boiling and not just his water.
"Listen Ali we're close to something big here so don't screw it up and go off half-cocked. I'm counting on you and your men to keep it together. We need to stay focused or we're doomed. Do you understand that?"
"Yes of course I do. I could use something in the way of provisions. I sent my men to forage for us... but I've heard a lot about In-N-out would you recommend it?"
"Yes they have something called animal style you have to try. They caramelize their onions and cook the beef patties with mustard on the grill. If you want something that tastes American then that would be the place."
"Thanks I'll remember that I need to run I need to drink my tea before Isha'a. I'll be waiting for your call," said the Commandant as he hung up. Now Ali was really worried he'd followed the Brigadier blindly but now it seemed to him the Brigadier had spend too much time here in the States so much that he couldn't tell the difference between halal and haram. If he couldn't do that how could he trust him to lead?"
"In-N-Out he recommended it," said Ali as he finished his tea. "How could he? There's no way it's halal. Yet he says it's good like he's eaten there." Ali took a sip of his tea.
"Phew yuck, it's bitter I let it steep too long. Maybe that's the problem with the Brigadier he's been in this country too long and is now he's as decadent as everyone else is."
He poured out his tea just as his men returned with groceries. They parked in the garage then they off loaded the supplies in the house.
"Commandant we found fresh spinach in the mart and we found also lentil soup so we were thinking... we know it won't be like what your mother made but I could make us an omelet with spinach to go with the soup."
"Is it all halal? I don't want it in here if it's not," said the Commandant. "I don't want anything haram here in the house ever and I mean it. So get out of your heads any idea about trying American food."
"Sure no problem," said Zaid looking over at Gabir wondering what was going on. "We were just asking if you wanted an ojji omelet the way your mother prepared them."
"Right of course I'm sorry I just made a bad cup of tea," said the Commandant as he calmed down. "Sure you can try but you've got a high standard to live up to and my mother never made soup from a can."
"Well, all I can do is try right? So why don't you let me make tea for us all. There's still time before isha'a."
"Any word about those other troops," asked Zaid. Gabir gave his a look. The Commandant had calmed down now then Zaid had to go poke the bear.
"About that they might not be coming soon. I talked with the Brigadier and he told us to stand down and wait for new orders." Suddenly the two understood where the Commandant's foul mood had come from. "But enough of that let's drink our tea then prepare of evening prayer."
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Chuck and Sarah spent the rest of the afternoon trying to avoid the topic of the mission. Sarah went to check on Sam who quickly pointed at the do not disturb sign on the door while Chuck went over to see how Morgan was doing. Alex used the excuse to run out of the apartment to be spend time with Sarah and to get some fresh air.
"Chuck you need to learn to stand up for yourself. Are you going to let Sarah decide from now on what missions you can or can't go on? The first time you might break a nail she comes down and tells you that you can't go."
"It's a useless effort to try to tell him John. Chuck has never been able to stand up to any woman. Sarah is one in a long list of dames who've wrapped him around their little fingers."
"Really Morgan says the man with the green poxes, besides the list isn't that long. Both of you, you don't know what you're talking about. We talked it out like couples do then we made a decision together. I'm going so what does that tell you?
"That you got down on your knees and begged. Yeah you talked it out all right after you told her she could make the decision. You knew it was the right thing yet you let her make the decision for you. What would you have done if she'd said no or did you think about that."
"But that didn't happen did it John because she saw that I was right. You're both making a problem where there isn't one and if it's between a mission or Sarah I chose her. I didn't once... I let you guys get in my head and it almost ruined me."
"We're just trying to look out for you," said Morgan. "John since you're next to the fridge can you toss me a grape soda over here?"
"I could but I won't. You need to get your behind off that couch and move around. We also need to talk about those rings on my coffee table. I'd like to know how they got there."
"Right... Sure... well it's like this... oh yes it was Sam, you know she's small cuddly and cute. She brought me a grape soda and sat it on the coffee table by mistake."
"The question that jumps right out at you is why didn't you get it yourself," grunted John as he cracked his knuckles. "The doctor cleared you for light duty."
"I was kind of busy at the time... yeah that's it. I was busy Chuck, dude a little help here for you friend."
"After you threw my daughter under the bus you're on your own organ."
[Meanwhile in Chuck and Sarah's apartment]
"Can you believe my daughter just threw me out of her room? I'm not so sure I like Chuck's idea about giving her that recorder. She's spending a lot of time with it and I don't know what she's recording. I might have to enforce parental guidance."
"I hear that's not the only idea of his you didn't like," said Alex. "I heard Dad telling him he should grow a pair and he should man up over some mission."
"I wish John would butt out. This was between Chuck and me I swear he's worse than an old woman sometimes with his gossiping and agitating. I'm sorry I shouldn't talk about your father like this in front of you."
"No go ahead I have to agree. The three of them have their little bro club sometimes and it gets on my nerves. I stand there but it's like I'm transparent and they just look right through me."
"I know exactly what you mean. It's not like in the end I didn't tell Chuck to go. I just wanted him to think about his actions thoroughly. I need you to do me a favor tomorrow watch out for him."
"I really think it will be more the other way round. He's the senior agent after all but if he does something I think is questionable I'll give you a call."
"That'll work for me. Thanks Alex," said Sarah. "Are you here because they're having their little bro club meeting or are you here because you needed air?"
"Can't it be both. No I had to get out of there. I guess I'm not made to sit around the house all day and look after it doing nothing..."
"...And waiting for your man to come home so you can serve him hand and foot like some slave. I hear you then I see a woman like Noora who is an intelligent woman waiting on her husband like a servant hiding her intellect and it just burns me up. I want to shake her and tell her to wake up."
"Who knows maybe someday she will. But that's the culture she lives in so if she did wake up one day would life be better or worse for her."
"That's what Chuck said but I don't know," said Sarah as Chuck walked in.
"'You don't know' what?" asked Chuck but Sarah and Alex got quiet. "I'm sorry if I butted into your conversation. Alex I just wanted to tell you that I want to leave early to make sure we're there by noon then I want to get this meeting over with so we can get back home."
"Sure no problem, just tell me the time and I'll be ready," said Alex as she glanced over at Sarah. Somehow she thought she might have agreed to it but deep down she didn't like it.
"Great let me do some calculations then I'll get back to you with a time. I was thinking about ordering pizza tonight..."
"Are you asking or are you telling," said Sarah. "If you're asking then okay but if you're telling, well then I can make my own decisions."
"Good grief it's only pizza. If you don't want pizza you can make the decision about what we eat. You make all the others... I don't want to do this. I'm going to get a cup of coffee and sit outside in the courtyard next to the fountain."
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The Brigadier got off the phone then turned to the man sitting across from his desk. He'd had the call on speaker so he heard everything. The man took his glass of Scotch off the Brigadier's desk sipped from it then sat it back down leaning backwards in his chair. It was like he was studying the Brigadier before he said anything. The only noise in the room was the sound of the ice in his Scotch clanking when he turned it up.
"Is your friend going to be a problem? If he doesn't fall in line then... well I will be forced to deal with him."
"He's onboard I'm sure of it. Let me meet with him then I can tell him about our arrangement. I'm sure he won't have a problem with it."
"I hope you're right but dumping those bodies in a dumpster was an invitation for trouble. Now everyone will be looking for... well him. The CIA put your friend's picture up on the dark net so they should have some intel on him soon.
"I said I'd handle him and I will. You called me about the canisters and Doctor Daniels didn't I handle both? So why? Or is it you don't you think I can't handle this?"
"Because this time it involves a friend and a trusted colleague who fought wars together with you and now he's an impasse that needs to be removed by whatever means possible."
"He's not a road block yet and when I talk to him I'm sure I can make him see this from our perspective..."
"And if you can't what then? What are you willing to do for the cause? Our cause, that is you and me. Do I need to remind you there's a fortune to be made and a certain timetable we have to follow?"
"I think you just did. I'll do whatever has to be done. Now tell me about these buyers you've got lined up."
"Let's just put it like this they're willing to pay and what they're offering has so many zeros behind it that if you tried to guess you've have to double your estimate."
"Well then friend or not the Commandant may just have to go away," said the Brigadier as he reached across and took the man's drink and sipped.
"I'm glad we got that cleared up now we can move forward. We have one other loose end to take care of. Our friendly customs agent, who accidently came across the statues and artifacts. If the Feds went after Daniels it's just a matter of time before they back track back to him."
"We can still use him to help facilitate our next shipments as well as help us receive merchandise. Do you think it's such a good idea to get rid of him then try to find someone else to take his place?"
"Well you have to ask yourself if they put him under pressure will he hold up or will he snap like a twig. If the answer is no then you know what needs to be done. Corrupt officials aren't hard to find. They're like dogs you wave a little green and they'll come running."
"I'll handle him. I need to get back to work now so if you don't mind. You know your way out," said the Brigadier as he pointed to the door.
"I expect you to do what you're told to do. We've got too much riding on this for something to go wrong now. I wonder when you and the Commandant raided the museum in Baghdad and stashed these canisters if you realized that one day they'd make you rich beyond your dreams."
"Truthfully we weren't thinking about money when we hid them. We had other ideals we were fighting for."
"Yet here we are. I'll be in touch and stop wasting our product," said the man as he left. The Brigadier went to the window and watched the man drive away. Maybe he'd been living in this country too long but he was in too deep now to back out. He picked up his phone then dialed a number putting it on speaker while he poured himself a Scotch.
"Hey Carlos it's me we need to meet. I've got something I need to talk to you about if you know what I mean."
"Sure but it'll have to be tomorrow I'm in San Diego right now and I'm going to be here all day. One of our agents is out so I've got to cover from him and there are ships coming in all day."
"I really need to see you today. There's no way we can meet at our spot after you get back if only for a few minutes.
"I can't be in two places at once and my super he's watching me like a hawk now. He got pissed because our find got me glory and a bonus. He's mad because I didn't come to him so he could take the credit."
"I told you we shouldn't be talking about this on the phone. Okay I guess it will have to wait until tomorrow but we need to meet first thing at usual place. We'll knock this out then you can be on your way."
"Sounds good to me. Until tomorrow... just text me the time," Carlos said then he hung up.
"I don't think it will but it can't be helped," said the Brigadier as he finished off his glass of Scotch then got him another. "I told him not to talk about this on the phone and what's the first thing he does... the exact thing I told him not to do."
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Chuck sat out next to the fountain with his cup of coffee. He sat there looking at it there was something in the way the water flowed that attracted him. Afternoon turned to evening and was still there studying the water flow. He wasn't sure how long he'd been sitting there when all of a sudden he felt Sarah's hand on his chest.
"Hey it's getting late you should come inside. If you want to order pizza we can I'm sorry if I snapped at you. I was just thinking about Noora and her... well her situation and I guess I overreacted. What are you doing anyway?"
"I'm to blame to I let the Bobbsey twins get in my head. Have you ever asked yourself how we still have water in this fountain when we're under drought conditions?" asked Chuck. Sarah gave him a look. "I'm not crazy. The water that's in it and what they use to water the plants is non-potable. It comes from the same water run off system that flows under the museum."
"I'm sorry is that important? I don't understand," said Sarah as she bent over him and kissed him. "Come on we've got a hungry small child to feed. You can explain everything to me later."
"The truth is I don't know if I know it was something that just came to me while I was sitting. Maybe I am crazy. But I can't help but feel it's important. Whatever, how about I cook tonight? I can make spaghetti Alfredo. It's fast and easy my two favorite things when I'm cooking."
"Can we change it up and use penne pasta instead of spaghetti? I just gave Sam her bath and I'd prefer not have to redo it."
"It's that late? I guess I lost track of time," said Chuck as he checked the time on his watch. "Sure it's all the same for me but are we sure this is the correct time?"
"I was getting worried that you might be really mad at me this time," said Sarah. Chuck put his arm around her then kissed her.
"Yuck, I think I'm going to be sick," said Casey as he walked out in the courtyard. "Don't you guys have an apartment to do that in?"
"Evening John to you too, I'm about ready to go start cooking would you guys like to come over. Penne Alfredo is on the menu for supper."
"Well hold on a second there Emeril, Beckman's on the horn and she wants to talk to you. Somehow she found out about your field trip tomorrow," said Casey as he looked at Sarah.
"Don't look at me I didn't say a word. Come on you can take the call in our place and I'll put the water of for the pasta."
They went into their apartment and while Sarah got the water on for the pasta Chuck brought up the General on the monitor. As the General came on Sarah kissed Sam then sent her to her bedroom to draw.
"General, Colonel Casey said you were trying to contact me. Is there something I can do for you?" asked Chuck. He wasn't sure what she knew or how so he skirted the topic.
"Tell me about your plans for tomorrow? And before you lie my people have been in contact or I should say Banai's been in contact with my people. Let's just cut to the chase he sent word he wants me to make sure you make your meeting with him tomorrow. I assume you know the location in Mexicali."
"Yes there's a farmhouse outside the city the VAJA used as a safe house. I'm planning on taking Agent McHugh with me."
"I'm glad you plan on taking someone. I'm going to be monitoring activity from the sky Border Patrol will lose control of one of their drones for a while."
"Then can I assume you're giving me the go ahead to meet with Banai?" said Chuck as he looked back at Sarah and John. Sarah did not look happy. "If so did he say why he wants to meet with me?"
"Your meeting with the section chief will be unofficial and our government cannot be tied to this in any way which I think is pretty much the same thing his government told him. He did give us a name for our mystery Commandant as a good will gesture so to speak, Colonel Ali Al-Najaf.
Chuck flashed he saw photos of battlefield horrors form the Iran-Iraqi war. He had to brace himself the images were so horrifying. He saw reports on how chemical and viral agents spread death to the villages that dotted the border with Ali being responsible.
"Oh boy so our man was friends with the Dutchman and Chemical Ali. There are a number of outstanding warrants on him from the Hague and Iran. The man has used viral weapons before which means he'll have no qualms about using them again."
"Which means we need this Intel, Chuck you know what's at risk. Go meet with Banai then report back. Beckman out."
"Yes Chuck you know what's at risk. Go and come back to me," said Sarah. Then she kissed him. "That's what will be waiting."
"Oh come on don't make me sick before we eat," said Casey. "Come on some of us want to eat here."