Don't own Chuck
Devon and Clara arrived at Bob Hope late in the afternoon. They deplaned with the rest of the passengers as they were walking down the air bridge Devon was turning ideas around in his head on how to break the news to Clara about Ellie. However, nothing was coming everything he thought of was either too banal or too horrific. He was greatly relieved when they ran into Sarah and Sam as they came off the bridge.
"What are you doing here? Chuck said no one was going to meet us. Please don't tell me things are worse than before."
"What? No, Devon will you turn on your phone now," said Sarah. "Ellie's been going crazy trying to call you but your phone is switch off."
"She's been trying to do what?" said Devon as he pulled his phone out. "Oh no the battery's dead. I must've forgotten to turn it off. Crap I'm going to need to get a new charger…" he said then he looked up at Sarah frozen as what she just told him sunk in. "But does that mean… well did the serum work?" Sarah smiled and nodded. Devon through his arms around her and almost broke out in tears.
"What is it you didn't tell me," asked Clara seeing her father's reaction. "I don't want to hear nothing because that's not going to fly." At that point there was no reason to hold anything back so Devon confessed everything. "…I'm sorry but I didn't want to upset you or have you worry until it was absolutely necessary."
"But you lied to me," said Clara as she got upset. "You tell me I have to always tell you the truth then when it's not convenient you lie to me."
"Don't argue it won't do any good that's just the way adults are," said Sam as she took Clara's hand then pulled her along. "I'm glad you're here we do a lot of things together. I got to watch a bypass operation this morning. Maybe we can go back up in gallery and watch something tomorrow..."
"Oh no you don't," said Sarah. "I heard about what you did from the nurse and you're lucky they let you back in the hospital. Besides, Clara will want to spend time with her mother not gallivanting around the hospital looking for trouble."
"I was supposed to spend time with Chuck but that didn't happen now did it?" Sarah was about to point out to Sam that she was close to becoming impertinent when an elderly lady pushed her way by them giving them an evil look as she passed by.
"Isn't that the woman from the airport in Chicago?" said Devon as she bumped into them carrying a black trash bag with her belongings in it. "I wonder what happened to her suitcase." Clara smiled at her and waved as she passed them.
"Out of my way," said the woman as she walked past them heading for baggage claims. She looked back and gave Devon a look of disdain.
"Hey lady, watch it," said Sarah. "What'd you do to her Wheaties?" asked Sarah. For a moment something inside her wanted to go after the rude woman and teach her a lesson.
"I don't know I tried to do her a favor in Chicago handing her bag back to her that she forgot and what did I get out of it I almost got arrested. I wouldn't have made the flight if… well I wasn't recognized and we got VIP treatment but I'd really prefer not to get into it."
"Here this is what he means," said Clara as she showed Sarah the TSA officer's Facebook page on her telephone. Sarah tried to stifle the laugh.
"Hey you promised you weren't going to show that."
"And you promised me you weren't going to lie so I guess we're even."
"That still doesn't explain why the woman is so rude or what happened to her carry-on bag. Unless she left it unattended again and TSA found it unattended with the woman nowhere in sight," said Sarah. She noticed Clara just looking away with a 'who me' look on her face.
"You mean like leaving the bag outside the restroom while she's inside," said Clara as she smiled like the cat who ate the canary.
"Uncle Casey calls it what goes around comes around," said Sam.
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Chuck was down in Castle monitoring the activity onboard the ship through their own CCTV system. He wanted to watch but by the same token he didn't want to get caught. If they found out he was in their system then they'd break their link but if they did that then they'd be navigating blind. Chuck was watching the General in her cage when the main monitor flickered then Roan came on.
"Charles, I'm glad to see you've got color back in your cheeks and are hard at work," said Roan as he raised his Martini with three olives in hand.
"Did I have a choice? I've got control of the ship and I'm going through it space after space looking for the canisters but I haven't been able find them yet. If that's what you want to know."
"I need to report something," said Roan as he sat his glass down. "I need to report something to keep the people off my back and from looking to closely. The president has ordered the Hampton out of Point Loma to shadow the Serenity."
"What's that supposed to mean? The storm conditions in that part of the Pacific will make it impossible for them to get a boarding part over or for the General and our people to be evacuated off," said Chuck. But Chuck caught expression on Roan's face as he looked away. "Roan, the Hampton is there to extract our people?"
"Chuck, we have to make sure none of that virus makes it ashore. The Hampton's orders are once we know the canisters are aboard to neutralize the threat."
"But we've got a cure and we don't know for sure if the canisters are onboard or if they are onboard if they are all there."
"I argued that too but my objections were shot down because they said I was too personally involved. Charles, that's why I came to you if anyone can save them it's you."
"Why is it always me with the weight of the world on his shoulders?" said Chuck as he looked up at the two Morgans.
"Because Charles your shoulders are broad. Some people are natural heroes and you my boy are one of them. I know I'm putting a lot on you right now," said Roan. He paused and looked at Chuck in the monitor. "I just ask you to do your best and bring our people home."
"Piece of cake," said Chuck as he severed the connection. "Piece of cake my butt, how am I supposed to track down the missing canisters, spring the General and the Major from the brig, and then extract everyone. Piece of cake all right in my eye... well stop complaining Chuck," he said to himself. "This isn't helping. You've got the football now so you've got to run with it but if you fumble this there will be no do-overs and you'll be in the market for a new best friend. I need to get word to Casey."
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Since they had to double up in their stateroom Ettore and Paolo took one bedroom while Casey along Morgan and Alex took the other. John kept watch on the door making sure Ettore and Paolo were in their designated area.
"I don't like being beholding to Troll II," said Casey as he peeked out to make sure they were still inside. "I should just walk in and whack them both and be done with it. They're going to be a torn in our sides from now on until we get rid of them."
"No John you can't. We've got to keep up appearances until after the auction. Remember that's why we came to get those canisters."
"Don't remind me bearded wonder. But don't get too attached to your Troll friend, he's got an appointment with Interpol to keep when this is over."
"I'm not but it's just… well he's a complicated person. A troubled soul if you like I see myself in him. If I had been put up for adoption and raised by his parents I could be him."
"What you wish you'd been raised by wolves or coyotes? You should be happy your parents were circus people," said Casey. "At least you got free popcorn."
"Funny John, very funny you should take your act to the comedy central," said Morgan. "What are you going to do if you get caught out snooping around? Whatever you do it will come back on us. We need to make this auction tomorrow so you might think about chilling out for the night."
"Don't worry I know what I'm doing unlike some," said Casey. He went back to the door to look outside one more time.
"No John that's an order stay inside. Remember you're my man servant and I'm your boss so I order you not to go out. You do know how to obey orders?"
"Why you little… okay I'm your servant right," said Casey. He took the champagne bucket and poured it over Morgan's head. "Oh look we're out of ice I guess I need to go get some. Now you just chill until I get back." Alex threw him a towel to dry himself with.
"Where are you going this late at night," asked Ettore. He opened the door as soon as John stepped out which meant he had been listening.
"Nowhere," said Casey as he showed Ettore the champagne bucket. "We're just out of ice so I'm going to get some. I'll be back in a flash you need anything?"
"No nothing off hand… I can't think of anything but isn't it kind of late for that?" said Ettore as he checked his watch for the time.
"Well the sooner I go out the quicker it will be that I come back," said Casey as he walked out the door. "See you later don't stay up."
"Just don't get lost," yelled Ettore. "I'd hate to have to send a search party to look for you." Ettore smiled and winked at Alex.
"Hum what are you smiling at," she said then she turned around and went back inside slamming the door behind her.
"Now Paolo that's the woman for me," said Ettore as turned and went back inside. "I could settle down with someone like that and put all this behind."
"You know you don't mean that," said Paolo as he shook his head. "You say that every time you fall in love which is about once or twice a week."
Oh Paolo amore, amore has filled volumes of books. Where are you going?" asked Ettore seeing Paolo was getting dressed to go out.
"To see what the Colonel is up to if he gets caught we're all in trouble. Besides I've got a good idea where he's headed to. I'll be right back but don't wait up."
[Out in the Passageway]
John was in the passageway carrying the bucket when his received a text message. It was from Chuck and read 'put in your earbud and turn on your mic and leave it open.' He did as Chuck said and before long they were talking.
"John, listen up," said Chuck in his ear. "You need to know what's going on back here. You need to get yourself in gear and find those canisters but when you find them be careful who you report it in to. It would be better if I were the only person who knew.
"What aren't you telling me Chuck? Don't make me come back there and knock it out of you," radioed Casey.
"Hold up you've got a shadow. That other guy with you, the friend of Ettore's is behind you. Keep going forward now hold for a second." The light suddenly went out above Casey and a crew member appeared from a through deck passageway. Casey held his breath but with the darkened passageway the man didn't notice him. He turned and went up the ladder to the deck above.
"Now duck in the passageway but hurry," radioed Chuck. Casey ran in and the lights went out in the through deck but came back on in the passageway. John remained still as he watched Paolo pass him by. He had heard the sailor go up the ladder so he went up after him instead of Casey.
"That was a nifty trick Chuck. I could've used something like that when I was hiding in the walls of Costa Gravas. Now let's get back to me threatening to shove my fist down your throat and pulling you inside out."
"You know that's what I miss is our stimulating conversations," said Chuck. He heard a pause on the other end. "What? Have you run out of ways to threaten or insult me?"
"No I've still got plenty and what is it you're not telling me," said John as he walked to the other side of the passageway and admired the bulkhead.
"John, leave the wall alone. Listen Roan let slip that the President sent a sub out of Point Loma. You've got a shadow and their orders are to not allow you to return to port. John, did you hear me? Once the powers that be find out all the canisters are onboard they'll order the Hampton to eliminate you with extreme prejudice. They don't care if the General is onboard and if they knew she was a captive that would just speed up the process."
"Chuck, do you see what I see? Can you see this bulkhead? What do you think?" said John as he ran his hand along it.
"Listen John I know things are bad but we've been in worse situations and we've gotten by. I'll be here for you guys. I won't give up on you I promise but right now John you're starting to scare me a little. Do you feel okay?"
"What are you blabbering on about Bartowski. No idiot if you check the schematics for the ship there was a hatch to a compartment here. It was marked on the one the General sent to me via the Cloud. If you look from an angle you can see the paint is fresher in the spot where the compartment was welded shut. I think I just found our hidden canisters."
"John get out of there the First Mate is on his way there with some men. They don't look too happy either. Go forward then down the ladder then aft. You'll be able to go around them."
"I'm hiding my watch in the fire station. Listen in on their conversation then report back to me what they say," radioed Casey.
He planted his watch with the mic open then was gone. He left just in the nick of time because he was right the First Mate got his men together to talk with them in private. The First Mate arrived with his men then they looked around making sure there was no one around who could overhear them.
"Okay the coast is clear here. I secured the watch here early you two are up next but first what did you find that you wanted to show me?"
"That General was right, we found these below decks," said the man as he showed the First Mate the micro charges Casey had planted. "That Arab guy's planning on getting rid of us like he did his own friends."
"Let me see those," said the First Mate a he took the micro bombs and looked them over. "Looks like we've got a decision to make and measures to take. This doesn't mean the Captain is in on this. He may be in the dark too…"
"Do you want to take that risk and have us tip our hand by telling him or do we proceed like he's in on it too. I don't like keeping the Old Man in the dark but I don't see another way."
"If we're going to do this we need to know what we're doing is right or one false step with people we have onboard and that will be that," said the First Mate. "Captain Bligh like his name sake isn't very forgiving when it comes to mutiny. So we all have to be in on this or it's a no go from the beginning."
Everyone nodded their heads and agreed. But as they were getting down to details one of the men yelled out. The Old Man was heading down our way. In fact Chuck saw him on the monitor heading their way too. This whole thing was starting to become interesting.
"Here," said the First Mate as he handed two of his men a set of keys. "These are for the Captain's cabin. Go inside and see if you can find anything incriminating while I hold him here. Look through his e-mails, browser and telephone if he's left anything around it will be there. Just make it fast I don't know how long I'm going to be able to hold him."
The men nodded then took the keys and ran disappearing just in time as the Skipper showed up. The First Mate had the men standing there and he pretended they'd been talking about watch standing.
"I don't want to find this again," he yelled loud enough for the Captain to hear as he showed up. "When I come through here I expect to see two guards wide eyed and bushy tailed not absent because one needed a cup of coffee and the other a smoke."
"What's going on here," said the Captain as he came down the ladder from the deck above. "I went looking for my crew and found most of them were absent then I was told you had them here. So I ask again what's going on?"
"Nothing Sir I was just getting something straight on how we expect them to stand their watch. I believe crew discipline is my responsibility."
"Yes it is but I expect to be informed if a crew member isn't performing up to par. I have my own disciplinary methods to handle that with."
"Yes I know but if you kill them all who'll sail the ship. Don't worry I've got this," said the First Mate. The Old Man started to turn and leave but he needed to keep him there a little while longer. "However, sir since you're here maybe you'd like to address the men?"
"No I don't think so. You're doing a good job let me get out of your hair," said the Captain. He turned to go back up the ladder but when he did the lights went out and he tripped on the first step. There was a loud boom followed by a low moan. The lights came back and the Captain was down on the deck.
"Geez what just happened," said the First Mate. "Call down to engineering and ask them what they're doing. Sir can you hear me? Here sit on the ladder and don't move. Someone call the ship's infirmary and get the Doc up here."
"No I'm fine," said the Captain. Blood was trickling down his forehead and he still felt a little dizzy but he got up. "Tell the Doc I'm going to come down and see him. He doesn't have to come up here that is if you can promise me we're not going to lose lighting again?"
"No Sir we won't I'm going down to engineering personally to see what happened. I'll report back to you in a few moments."
"I expect you to do just that and I want to know why the emergency lighting didn't kick in. It's like someone knew I was about to go up that ladder and turned the light out on me so I'd fall. What a strange coincidence."
"I don't know what you're talking about or insinuating Sir but I'll find out what's going on and report back to you."
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Paolo followed the footsteps in front of him until he heard voices coming from ahead. That was when he realized Casey had given him the slip. But he couldn't figure out for the life of him how John had figured out he was being followed. The only thing he could think of was that John just automatically assumed he was being followed and doubled back. However, he did it it was useless to continue on in the direction he was headed.
"Let's do a little exploring on our own," said Paolo. He went down inside the ship where the ship never slept. He made his way down past the ship's engine room aft to where the lockers and holds were. There he found the General sitting in a cage with her Major.
"Isn't this interesting," said Paolo. He could free her but what good would that do him or Ettore. If she got free then what? He checked and there didn't seem to be a guard so he came out to talk to her.
"General, I see our hosts are giving you the VIP treatment," said Paolo as he walked out into the light. "I would free you but I just can't see where it would be to my advantage."
"Then why are you here? Did you come to poke the animals in the cage? People who do that usually end up losing a finger or two."
"I don't know why either. I was following your man John Casey and please don't deny he's one of yours but I lost him. To be a blunt weapon he's not bad and said by another one you should take that as a compliment."
"So who are you working for Mr. Hamid or the Captain or both? I can make you a rich man if you play ball with me."
"What are you talking about," said Paolo as he looked around that's when he saw the video camera hidden in the corner. Then he realized why they didn't have any guards down there. There was no need for any. Paolo heard men running towards him and he knew he didn't have much time.