Don't own Chuck
Chuck was sitting back in Castle watching things unfold in the airport. He was already in panic mode when he saw Sarah there with Jamil and no Noora. Then he watched as they boarded the flight and panic morphed into terror. Chuck's mind started racing what if the pathogen were released on an aircraft everyone would be infected before they could get their oxygen masks on. The flight would continue on until it ran out of fuel or was shot down which would be the most likely scenario.
"John, call Alex back and find out what the...," Chuck started to say but took a deep breath to try and calm down but it wasn't happening. "Ask Alex what Sarah's thinking?"
"First of all I'm sure she's got a plan," said Casey. But if she did he didn't see it either. "Oh crap here you talk to her," said John as he put Alex on the speaker.
"Alex, what the heck is going on there?" said Chuck. He was trying to hold it together but he kept getting flashes of plane disasters. "I'm about thirty seconds from grounding that flight."
"I wouldn't do that if I were you. Sarah was looking for someplace she can talk with Jamil. She tried to get him alone here in the airport but he was afraid that someone would see them and recognize her..."
"So she gets on a tin can that's flying at 30,000 feet with the next chance of getting off ten and a half hours away. Oh I forgot to add that he's probably a mule for a canister of VHF."
"Chuck don't freak out," said Alex but she could tell from his voice that he was way past 'freaking out'. "Chuck, be careful what you do."
"You don't need to tell me that I already know. If I tell Beckman what's going on and that we think Jamil is carrying the virus with him she'll order the plane shot down. But even if miracles of miracles she doesn't she'll be obliged to notify MI-6 who will have the plane shot out of the sky. They're not going to risk a bioweapon loose on the streets of London. They won't give a rat's behind who's on the plane."
"What's going on," said Sam as she came walking in behind them. "Is mommy back yet? She went to get Samaa's father at the airport. I think we fell asleep."
"No she's not back yet Sweet Pea," said Chuck as he got up and went to her. "I've got some more work here to do then we're going to go home. Morgan will take you back to where you were sleeping so you can go back to bed. I'll come for you soon I promise."
"Samaa's my friend and she's really sad. Can you help her find her parents?" she said as she hugged him. "I told her you would because you're a prince and that's what they do."
"I'm doing what I can do... everyone is. So be a good little girl and go back to sleep then when we get home you and Samaa can sleep in our bed..."
"You mean like a slumber party. This will be my first. Molly and Clara had ones with their friends. They told me about them but this will be my first."
"The emphasis here is on slumber not on party. I don't think Samaa will want to do too much partying considering everything that's happened to her. Now go with Morgan and let me get back to work."
"I love you," said Sam as she pulled him down to her so she could gave him a kiss on the cheek. "You're the best daddy in the whole-wide world."
"I love you too Sweet Pea now go with Morgan," said Chuck. He watched her walk away with Morgan then turn at the doorway to blow him a kiss. He pretended he caught it and put it in his pocket.
"Okay I need to talk to my wife."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Outside the safe house a van pulled up. It was late at night and they hoped the element of surprise would be on their side. The Brigadier and one of his men got out before the van pulled into the driveway then they flashed their lights and the garage opened up. That was the Brigadier's and his man signal to circled around back. The plan was for the two men in the van to occupy the Commandant and his men while the Brigadier and his man could come up behind them. One quick blow and it would all be over.
"Okay that's it," said the Brigadier. "Let's move out. Be careful to the cameras," he said as they crept around the back of the house. Taking out his Glock he looked through the kitchen window watching the Commandant.
"Any moment now," said the Brigadier in a low voice. They waited then like he predicted the Commandant got up and left.
"Come on this is our chance we can get the drop on him. Shush, not a word when we're inside," whispered the Brigadier as he took keys out of his pocket. Since the safe house was his he had an extra set. They opened the door then slipped inside.
[Meanwhile in the garage]
The Brigadier's men waited in their van in front of the garage door after they had flashed their lights. The door opened slowly standing just inside near the controls was Zaid. He waved for them to pull in motioning them to a spot to park and as they pulled in Gabir walked in yawning and stretching like he had just woken up.
"Boy you guys are out late," said Zaid as he looked at his watch. "I suppose you're here to replace the other two that disappeared or is something wrong?"
"We need to see your boss, the Commandant. Can you go get him for us?" said the one. "The Brigadier sent us with a message for him."
"Sure just wait here and I'll go get him," said Zaid. "Gabir, you wouldn't happen to have seen him would you?"
"I think he's in the kitchen but I wouldn't swear to it. I was sound asleep before you two got here. Do you know how late it is?"
"Yeah they know. If you want to go back to sleep go ahead but if not you can help me find the Commandant for them. You guys wait here I'll be back soon with him."
They looked at each other then at their watches this wasn't exactly the way this scenario was supposed to play out but it didn't seem there was any option. They waited and waited and waited but nothing.
"Crap where is everyone? You don't think the Brigadier got the drop on all of them. I don't think so we would've heard something in here even if they used suppressors. Do you know if they intended on using them?"
"I have no idea. What are we supposed to do just stand around and wait to see who comes through those doors? I don't know about you but I'd like to know if they're friends or foes."
"We've waited long enough it wouldn't hurt I guess to go have a peek at least through the window in the door." They started around the vehicles but something seemed out of place.
"Hey, don't you remember there being more vehicles in here? It seems like there's one missing. Wasn't there a beat up old van?"
"You're just imagining things but come to think of it yeah there was one. But they could've gotten rid of it so that doesn't mean anything. What? You believe them now that Abdul and Ammar split on us?"
"No... no nothing like that I was just thinking the whole thing is odd. The van is missing and now they're missing. You're right I'm making something out of nothing. Let's go take that peek." They went to the door leading into the house then looked through the window but didn't see anything.
"What do we do now? We've waited long enough let's go and see what's going on," said the one man as he drew his piece. The other man did the same they opened the garage door slowly and when they did there was a strange hissing should as they felt air rush past them almost as if they'd entered a vacuum.
"Which way do we go now? You know the floor plan," said the one man as the other motioned for them to go through a door.
"Keep it down. The kitchen should be through there that was where the Brigadier was going to come in at. What the..." said the one. They found the Brigadier and their friend on the floor in a pool of blood.
"Crap the Commandant and his men must've gotten the drop on them instead. We need to get out of here."
"I don't know about you but I don't feel so well. My head is throbbing and... crap your nose is bleeding."
"So is yours," said the other man as they realized what had happened. They thought they'd built a mouse trap for the Commandant but he'd built a better one.
[Across the street in Pete's old van]
The Commandant walk across the road after making sure the trap was sprung then he climbed into the van. Noora was bound and gagged in the back seat. Zaid was driving while Gabir was riding in the back. The canisters of VHF that were left were lying on the floor of the van behind Noora. Everything was ready for transport. The first thing the Commandant did once he got in was to call his benefactor.
"Well it's done or soon will be done," said Ali. "The Brigadier slipped in the back and I turned on the gas. ... I know you wanted me to save it but I didn't want to risk my people and besides it's better them than us. We need a new safe house. ... Sure we can chill until morning. We'll wait for your call," said the Commandant then he hung up. "Zaid take us to the beach we can wait there."
Zaid started the van up then put on his turn signal pulling out onto the empty street. Then within minutes they were on beach in time for first prayer which was what Ali wanted.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Harry Simmons was a sitting in the back of the first class section of the BA non-stop flight to Heathrow. He'd asked for this trip so when he arrived in London he could start his leave. Harry was a Sky Marshal and although they don't normally fly on foreign flagged carriers he'd worked out this deal so he could get to London to spend time with his girlfriend, Lynda. She'd worked the ticket desk but was promoted to supervisor and was sent to Heathrow.
"Harry, can I get you anything," said the flight attendant. The whole flight crew knew him through his girlfriend.
"I'm supposed to be incognito but I'll take a sparkling water with lemon, thanks. What's going on with that man and woman? They seem to have been arguing since we took off."
"I don't know I've had to tell them to hold it down because other people are trying to sleep. But they keep going back at it. I'm going to have to go talk to them again soon if they keep it up. I'll be right back with your water."
"Well if you need help I'll come up and help straighten things out,"" said Harry. "But please I don't need to arrest anyone then I'll have to escort them back. Lynda would kill me."
"Then me for letting it happen... no just sit back. I think we can handle this. You just sit back and enjoy the flight. We'll be serving dinner soon but until then enjoy the inflight movie and I'll be right back with your water.
The flight attendant went and came back giving him his water. He was just getting relaxed with a Liam Neeson's movie 'Non-Stop' ready to go when his phone vibrated in his pocket. He took it out and looked at the number on the screen it read 'anonymous'. He thought about turning it off but FAM regulations required that he keep it on.
"Hello I don't know who you are but I think you've got the wrong number," said Harry trying to get off so he could get back to the flick. "You're who? From what? Is this some sort of joke? Wait let me put in my earbud. Okay much better. Now is this some sort of joke. You know prank calls are a federal offense."
"This is no prank call. My name is Agent Charles Carmichael and I'm trying to contact my team member who's onboard your plane. You can't miss her she's in first class blonde and very pregnant."
"Oh I see her. She's been arguing with another gentleman since we took off. Hey is this something I need to get in the middle of?"
"My wife has everything under control…" said Chuck. As soon as he said 'my wife' he wished he'd held that detail back.
"Your wife! Listen you know there's a thing about using government resources for private gain. If you and your wife have a spat that doesn't mean an Air Marshal has to be your marriage counselor…"
"What? No… Listen I can't get into what she's doing on your plane because it's classified but I need to talk to her before I'm forced to call the Air Force and have your plane forced down or worse. I've already said too much so go tell her to turn her phone on and answer it."
"You realize I'm going to have to report this," said Harry as he looked over at Sarah as she continued to argue with the man behind her. Then he noticed the flight attendant starting to walk back to them.
"I realize that just mention my name and nothing else for everyone's best interest. Then you'll be able to enjoy your vacation when you get to London."
"No," said Harry as he waved at the attendant. "Hey wait a minute how do you know I'm going on vacation?" He said as it registered what Chuck had said.
"Remember the people I work for we know everything," said Chuck. "Now move it and get this done for me."
Harry got up and made his way to the woman and the man. The flight attendant looked at him strangely when he walked up to them but he shook his head then shrugged his shoulders. He pulled out his badge and showed them.
"We know," said Sarah. "The flight attendant already talked to us about keeping our conversation down. I'm sorry…"
"Officer it's all her she continually harasses me. Can you please move her somewhere else I need to get away from her? Lady you've got me confused with someone else I'm not the father of your baby."
"Why you… I ought to let you go…," Sarah started to say as she got angry. If the Sky Marshal hadn't been standing there Jamil would've needed a raw steak for his black eyes.
"Right… well Agent Carmichael I presume, your husband just phoned me and told me to tell you to turn on your phone and answer it or in his words he's going to have the Air Force make us sit down. My fiancée is in London and I'd appreciate if we can avoid that."
"He can't do that," said Jamil realizing if Chuck did that the word would get back and Noora's life would be in danger.
"He not only can but he will," said Sarah. "I have half a mind to let him then we can sort all this out at Langley."
"But they'll kill my wife. You can't let him I have to go to London or she's dead," said Jamil. Harry looked at Sarah puzzled.
"I think you might want to sit down here and listen to this conversation. Sarah brought the Sky Marshal up to date as she turned her phone on then called Chuck.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
General Beckman was in a sound sleep dreaming about her promotion to full general. The weather was perfect with not a cloud in the sky. The president was on the podium in front of her pinning on her fourth star. He mentioned something about it being well-deserved then she turned to address the troops standing at attention in front of her.
"As you were," she heard herself say then she looked up at the troops again but they were all gone. There were just miles and miles of Chucks all standing at parade rest looking at her.
"Major what's going on?" the General asked her aide but he had his back to her. "Major, I asked you a question," said Beckman as she started to get upset but the Major refused to turn around.
"Major is there something wrong with your hearing," said the General as she placed her hand on his shoulder. The Major turned around and it was Chuck.
"I'm sorry but did you want something?" said Chuck as he turned around. General, if you can wait one minute I'll be right with you."
"Chuck, what are you doing dressed up like my Major," said Beckman as she looked over his uniform. "You know impersonation an officer is a federal offense."
"What federal offense? Impersonating an officer? General… General… General… you need to wake up. It's Agent Carmichael."
"I need to what? Agent who? Why am I not surprised I've got to move this monitor," said the General as she rolled over in bed with her hair in curlers and a facial on. "What?" said Beckman seeing the look on the Major's face. "You woke me up so you have to put up with me. Is there someone out there who has decided I don't need to sleep anymore? If there is take him out and shoot him. What is it? Come on man I'd like to get a little more sleep in before I have to drive in and strangle you in person."
"It's not Chuck this time well not directly at least Ma'am. It's Sarah; CCTV has her boarding and departing on a British Airways from LAX. Her non-stop flight departed at midnight their time for Heathrow. The watch officer question her team as to why she departed without authorization and Chuck said he'd only tell you."
"Naturally he'll only tell me because I'm the only person asleep. You know people go crazy from sleep deprivation and I'm about there. He'll only talk to me no one else will do. Was there any one else of interest on that flight?"
"There doesn't seem to be anyone other than Dr. Jamil Al-Bayati. You remember him from the museum incident. He was the representative for the Iraqi government to…"
"I remember who he was so what is he doing on that flight? This can't be a coincidence. He had a family with him are they on the flight too?" The Major started looking down the flight manifest shaking his head.
"No they're not listed so no he's travelling alone. Get me Chuck on the horn and patch him through here just give me a half hour to remove my facial or he'll never let me live this down. You men you don't appreciate all the efforts we go through for you."
"Right General I'll get him on the horn for you."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
[Hours Earlier]
Sarah turned on her phone and it almost immediately rang. Caller ID showed Chuck with his smiling face but he wasn't smiling back at Castle. She answered it holding it away from her head expecting to get an ear full.
"What in blue blazes do you think you're doing boarding that plane? You know as well as I do that someone is using Jamil as a mule," said Chuck. He looked back to make sure he wasn't speaking loudly enough to wake the girls.
"I know but I had to intercept him to get his intel to find Noora. I promised Samaa that I'd bring her father home. You of all people should understand how important that is."
"Sarah for all you know they could be sending Jamil on a suicide mission. That virus deploys onboard the plane, it crashes into London, and the virus is spread through the civilian population. If I go to Beckman she's not going to let your plane land without assurances."
"I didn't think about that," said Sarah as she looked at both Harry and Jamil. "Boys we've got a problem."
"You can say that," said Chuck. "Were you careful and not get seen by CCTV in the airport?" There was a pause on the line. "Geez Sarah, you got on a foreign carrier traveling to a foreign city without notifying Langley first. There are probably all sorts of alarms going off right now. I will stall them from back here."
"Jamil, I need something. Who took you wife? Do you know? Listen for all we know she could be dead right now. I'm sorry to be brutal about this but that's the fact. Chuck is worried that the package you're carrying for them might be trigger to go off during our flight…"
"Going off! As in a bomb," said Harry. He looked around at everyone to make sure no one heard him. "Are we talking about a bomb?"
"Not exactly," said Sarah. "It's a bioweapon like Ebola but weaponized which would cause… well it wouldn't be good if it were release in a populated area."
"You mean like London."
"The museum curator, Anthony Mason, is behind this or at least in part. He's actually Iraqi an ex-member of the IIS Directorate 4"
"I heard that," said Chuck. "I'll have Casey go out and bring him in. Find out from Jamil where the package is he has in his possession then we need to secure it. Sarah, I love you but you… I don't want to get into this now. Please be careful and call me back. I've got to talk with Beckman and convince her not to shoot you out of the sky then I have to tell a little girl her mother won't be home for a few days."
"Chuck if you had been me you would've done the same thing."
"With the difference I'm not pregnant. No you're right... I hear what you're saying. Call me back when you can see the package. I'm going to need photos of it. Once you get over the Atlantic have the flight crew report smoke in the cabin then have them put on their oxygen masks. That should protect them from contamination. Sarah, I love you."
"I love you too I'm sorry for putting you in this situation."
"I'm sorry too but we can get through this."