Don't own Chuck
The General, Morgan and the Major were picked up a few hours later by the Hampton then preceded to base at Point Loma. Commander Sanchez gave them his cabin to stay in while they transited back to homeport. Casey walked around Morgan as Grimes attempted to drink a cup of coffee. He was still feeling a little queasy but actually other than sheer terror at being in a tin can under the ocean he was fine.
"John can you sit down you're making me nervous," said Morgan. "What are you looking at anyway? You know I'm me."
"But can I be sure? I was sure about the other one too then I got tranq'd and shoved off the ship into the drink."
"John you're supposed to be a super spy yet you couldn't tell Ettore from me? How's that possible?" Suddenly they heard a bell from the Command/Attack room. Morgan jumped from his chair. "Oh my God we're going to die what's the matter?"
"Yeah, I ask myself that too. The only thing I can come up with is you people from the shire all look alike. General, can I recommend we move our team in from Mexicali? That way we can hit Ettore from two fronts."
"I'll have the Commander send word back to Langley but the more people who show up the more likely we're going to have a firefight. I think we want to take Ettore quickly and quietly."
"Well whoever he was trying to sell those canisters to won't be very happy with him either. He'll be running for some rock to hide under and if we don't get to him soon we might have trouble finding him afterwards."
"He'll be headed back to Bogotá then out of the city into the jungle," said Morgan. "I remember that from studying his folder to get into my character. You know that's what actors do," he said. The General just raised her eyebrow.
"That's nice Agent Grimes but what are you talking about? He has a base in the jungles of Colombia? If he gets to that rat hole it could be hard to root him out."
"I know my way around down there. It actually makes sense Ettore is the type of person the cartel would greet with open arms as long as he kept the guns flowing. I've often wondered how these backwoods groups could get their hands on the latest hardware. Now I guess I know."
"Well the key to this operation is to head him off in Tijuana. If we can grab him there things will be much easier for everyone." Everyone agreed except Morgan who was quiet.
The rest of the way in Morgan sat watching everyone move around him. He was present only in body his mind was somewhere else. He was thinking over the past two days when he was unconscious. Alex was with Ettore who was pretending to be him but she never caught on. He tried to play it off but it really bothered him, it bothered him a lot and he wasn't sure how to deal with it. He felt a little childish but that feeling was there.
"General, we're surfacing now then sailing into port. I've been informed that my Commodore will meet you on the pier to give you a drive over to visit with our Admiral. He wants to chat with you..."
"You mean Third Fleet... Oh joy, what did my people do while I was out of pocket that the Vice Admiral wants his pound of flesh. That is what this is all about after all isn't it?"
"I can neither confirm nor deny but the Admiral wasn't happy with an Agent Carmichael's use of the QKD, and from what I gather, his hijacking the signal from the Mars rover but that's separate issue with the boys at the JPL."
"Chuck… why am I not surprised. At least this time he didn't steal any drones," said Beckman. So Commander what are you telling me I should get prepared for heavy seas to put it in perspective."
"Something like that you can tell Carmichael I'm sorry for having to report him. The truth is if he hadn't violated protocols we would've never found the Colonel and the canisters might've fallen into enemy hands."
"Commander, this may be hard for you to comprehend but protocols are in place so we don't screw up royally but at the same time they're not written in stone. What makes Chuck good is he doesn't let the rules get in the way of getting the mission done and that's why he is one of my best agents. I'll let your three star have his pound of flesh and take one for the team but to tell you I'm sorry… well no I'm not and the Admiral will just have to suck it up."
"Sorry to interrupt," said the X.O. "Skipper we've got the pilot onboard and we're ready to start our transit into port..."
"Good Toby I'll be right up. General would you like to come up on the bridge and watch us bring our girl home?"
"I'd be honored just lead the way," said the General. She and her Major followed the Skipper out leaving Casey and Morgan alone.
"Grimes what is it? You've got that hang dog look like you've got something you want to get off your chest. I'd tell you I was sorry for tranqing you if I were."
"No I understand it's okay no problem… No wait a minute it is a problem but I don't have a problem with you but I do have a problem."
"Grimes you're hurting my ears again with your drivel. If you've got a case to make say it, but try to use English this time."
"Funny John. Well remember when there was that impostor that posed as Sarah. It took Chuck one kiss and he knew she wasn't Sarah."
"Grimes don't make more out of this than what it is. You have to give Alex a break you've got all that facial growth that Sarah doesn't have that gets in the way. How would you like to kiss a Brillo pad?"
"Casey I have you to know in some parts of the world they respect the beard. It's a sign of wisdom and intelligence."
"Boy did they get that wrong. Well, in some parts of the world they stone Trolls keep it up and we'll import a time honored tradition."
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The plan was when Chuck and Sarah took off from Castle they'd drive down to Point Loma pick up Casey and Morgan then proceed on to Tijuana to meet up with the other two teams that were converging on Ettore's landing site. Chuck called Kat to tell her that Casey was okay and that they were going down to Point Loma to meet him Morgan.
"We're on our way down to meet John but we're going on to Mexico to finish this mission that will not end," said Chuck. Kat didn't need to be rocket scientist to figure out something was wrong.
"Chuck, you didn't mention Alex. You're going on to Mexico is there something wrong with her? Chuck I don't need to be a spy to figure something is up. I expect you to be honest with me."
"Well the truth is Alex was taken by Ettore. The same way Morgan was supposed to pretend he was him well Ettore turned the table on us and now he's pretending to be Morgan and Alex doesn't know."
"So my Alex went off with him because she thought he was Morgan. What kind of sick mind pretends they're someone their not to get a girl to go out with them."
"I don't know a pretty sick one I guess," said Chuck as he thought back to all the times Morgan had done it in the past starting with Morgan's on-line dating profile. "I just want you to know that we could be back late so I was wondering if there's a problem with you staying with the girls overnight."
"Sure no problem you don't have to worry about them. As a matter of fact the girls are out in the courtyard playing now. Do you want to talk to Sam I can call her for you guys? They're playing doctor and she's visiting her dolls."
"No let her play we'll call back after we get John so you can talk with him too," said Chuck as he yawned loudly into the phone.
"Sounds like you need to get off this phone and get some sleep. Chuck just tell me I have nothing to worry about."
"Ettore seemed to like Alex and some things you just can't fake so I don't think you've got anything to worry about. The man might be a blood thirsty killer and a gun runner… Ouch!" said Chuck.
"Not helping," said Sarah after she punched him in the arm. "Give me your phone and put the call on speaker. Kat this is Sarah listen what Chuck was trying to say is we don't think Ettore is a threat to Alex so there's no need to panic or freak out. As much as we can I'll keep you in the loop so keep the faith and everything will be okay."
"You mean until they're not. But thanks, I appreciate that especially from one mother to another. Their always your little child even when they're grown up or they think they are. Well I need to let you guys go," said Kat then she hung up.
"Chuck, I'm sorry here's your phone back," said Sarah as she tried to hand it back to him but when she looked over he was fast asleep curled up next to the door. He'd been going nonstop for so long his body finally told him to power down. She smiled at him then looked back at the road signs they'd just passed through Anaheim on their way to San Diego on the I-5N.
Outside of Echo Park a dark Range Rover Discovery pulled up with tinted windows. The door opened up and a man got out he walked over to the courtyard where Sam and Clara were playing. The man looked around then looked back at the Discovery and waved for someone to come. Sam heard someone running towards them she turned to find Samaa standing there smiling at her.
"I thought you were gone," said Sam as Samaa hugged her. "I'm sorry this is Clara my cousin she's come to stay with me for a little while. Clara this is Samaa the girl I told you about, my friend."
"I am leaving with my family. My mother's cousin Banai is finding us a place to live in Qatar. It's not a bad place to live but I'll miss here and you."
"I'll miss you too," said Sam as they held hands. "When are you leaving? Can't you stay for dinner? We can get something you can eat."
"I can't we're leaving today… actually now. Banai has a boat waiting for us that's supposed to take us down the coast to Mexico then we're supposed to fly out together. You know he's a kind of war hero. I also wanted to give this back to you."
"Miriam? No, we agreed you'd keep her to remember me by," said Sam but Samaa insisted until she took it.
"I don't need a doll to remember you by. I'll always remember you and your parents who saved mine. Banai's been great he's told me something about my mother's family and he's promised to tell me more. For once I know who I am."
"Good, then I'm happy for you," said Sam as she took the doll back. "Then I'll keep Miriam to remember you and your parents by." They said their goodbyes then hugged before Samaa had to leave. She waved back to Sam as she left then Sam waved back watching her disappear.
"Did I hear voices out here," said Kat as she came outside to check on the girls. "I thought I heard someone else out here."
"Yes, Samaa stopped by. She came to tell me goodbye before they left for their new home in Qatar. How far from here is that? Can we drive there? I'd like to visit Samaa one of these days.
"You have to wait until she's settled in that's what adults say," said Clara, "which usually translates to mean they don't want to take you because it's not convenient or they're too busy."
"Hold up a minute both of you and come with me," said Kat as she took them back into Sam's room. "You know you should've called me when Samaa showed up. We should've offered her and her parents something."
"But she didn't come with her parents a car dropped her off and a man waited for her on the other side of the flowers," said Sam as she pointed out the spot.
"I don't think he wanted to be seen," said Clara. "But if he did he needs to go back to spy school. He stuck out like a sore thumb standing on the other side of the flowers."
"You guys really should've come and gotten me," said Kat as she pulled down Sam's globe. "Okay see this," she said as she put her finger on L.A. then she turned it to the Persian Gulf putting her finger on Qatar. "Here, this is where Samaa is going to live. See it's not very near."
"But when I visit Molly and Nanna Emma I could jump over and visit her. Look it's really close from Montenegro. When she writes I'll have her address then I can plan a visit."
"But you need to wait for them to settle in," said Kat. Both girls looked at her then shook their heads.
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When the Hampton pulled in Chuck and Sarah were waiting on the pier. They watched as a tug brought the sub in near the pier then lines were shot over and within a few minutes the brow was being pushed up to the boat. Then they heard the announcement General, United States Air Force departing. Beckman walked down the brow and the final bell was given when she stepped off. A few minutes later they were all assembled on the pier.
"General welcome home," said Chuck. "John, Morgan let's load up. A team from downtown is already at the border. We need to play catchup now."
"Hold on a moment," said the General as she looked over at the Commodore sitting in his car with his driver who had the motor running. "I've got to go straighten out one of your messes. Colonel if we can take Ettore alive it would be good but if it's a question of him or Agent McHugh you have my permission to put him down." John smiled and nodded his head.
"General, General," said the Major as he ran over from a black Escalade. "Agents this will be of interest to you too. The Coast Guard found one of the lifeboats from the Serenity…"
"There should be quite a few of them to find. I'm surprised they started looking so quickly or did someone tip them off with an anonymous call."
"Agent Carmichael that's not the interesting part, the interesting part is they found the bodies of the First Mate and Captain onboard. Both were killed by GSWs. There was a computer with banking information from the auction. I'm having it flown back to Langley and maybe we can freeze some terrorist bank accounts."
"That's good but Hamid wouldn't let that out of his sight," said Chuck. "Do you have photos from the Coast Guard on your tablet?"
"Yes," said the Major as he handed it to Chuck. "General, I think we need to put out a bolo on Hamid. Maybe we can get him before he touches land."
"Hold up the only way he's going to touch land is if he happens to wash ashore. See this in the photo you know what that is?" The Major shook his head. "That's Sunich peach nectar I recognize the carton."
"I'm sorry you lost me. So Hamid had a fruit juice after he got rid of his partners then fled in another boat that came to meet them."
"And he left the computer with all the banking information? I don't hardly think so. What's important about the juice is it comes from Iran and it's a message for me. You know in the Godfather where they send Luca Brasi's bullet proof vest with fish in it meaning Brasi sleeps with the fishes, well this is the same message for me about Hamid. Hamid is sleeping with the fishes."
"This is Banai's doing, isn't it," said Sarah. "Remember I was in the restaurant when he sent you that invitation to come to Mexicali."
"Yes this is from Banai and he's confirmed my suspicion the one I told you I thought I'd never be able to confirm. General, I was watching you in the auction room on the ship when you and Hamid were talking about the Mask…"
"You mean the Mask Warka the Lady of Uruk," said the General. As she was talking the Commodore had his driver honk his horn. "I'll be right there," she yelled, "just hold your horses. Okay yes so go on."
"He said he loved the mask then he went on how he shouldn't but couldn't help himself. Where else have we heard something like that before?"
"Jamil said his last conversation with his is father was about that and what was hala and what was haram. Who are you saying Hamid was? I thought he was a part of directorate three?"
"Does being a curator in the museum of Bagdad exclude him from being a member of the Iraqi secret police? One of his jobs was to sell off artifacts on the black market to finance the ousted regime and keep old cronies in the green."
"Certainly it will be hard for Jamil to live with what his father did to him and his family," said Sarah. "What kind of father does that to his own son?"
"Jamil will never know Banai saw to that. The proof of who Hamid was is somewhere in the Pacific and fish food by now. Banai is a man who protects his family. He'll let everyone think the man died a hero but he'll know the truth and so will I. He let me know so I'll keep you from looking for Hamid and the remote possibility we'd find proof who he really was."
"Well I've got to go give my pound of flesh," said the General. "I expect to be kept informed. Major come on we need to go and get this over with."
"That also goes for us," said Casey as he cracked his knuckles. "Let's get a move on it I've got to play a game of whack-a-troll. Did you bring me what I need?"
"It's in the backseat," said Chuck as they climbed in. Chuck rode shotgun while Sarah drove with Morgan and Casey in the back. John started field stripping and greasing his weapons while Morgan stared out the window.
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Ettore flew into a field on the outskirts of Tijuana. The chopper landed making thud because it was bone dry and the pilot wanted to sit down before he ran out. Paolo jumped out unclamping one of the miniguns and took it over to one of the two dune buggies that were waiting for them. One of their men helped him mount it on the roll bar.
"Looks like we've got company," said Paolo as two Escalades came driving up at full speed. "Like shooting fish in a barrel," he said as he opened up with the minigun and made short work of who vehicles.
"Load the girl then let's get out of here," said Ettore. While one of his men laid Alex in the back of one of the dune buggies, Ettore went over to the chopper and pulled out two grenades.
"Boss we're ready," said Paolo as he got in one behind the driver's seat with Alex in the back. Ettore jumped in riding shotgun. Paolo drove by the two Escalades and Ettore tossed in his grenades shortly afterwards they went up in fireballs.
"We've got a problem. The canisters never made it to our client. They want to blame us," said Paolo as they cut across a field then up an embankment where they jumped on the road to the airport.
"Explain to me why I'm to blame for their ineptitude. Tell me! They've threatened to put a hit on me unless I give them their money back."
"Well yes that's exactly what they threatened," said Paolo. "You don't seem to be concerned about it. If I were you I think I would…"
Paolo, amico mio, I've got this all taken care of with her in the back," said Ettore as he smiled like the cat who ate the canary.
"What are you up to," asked Paolo. You're up to something nefarious aren't you? So what are you going to use the girl for… a human shield?"
"No, how crass. No my friend if anyone comes for me she'll testify I'm her boyfriend Morgan Grimes and when he comes for her, and I'm sure he will, I can send all my would be killers his way. If they kill him I'll get my 'get out of jail free card'."
"That is evil but you're going to have to keep up this charade for a while," said Paolo as the approached the airport. Soon they were driving through the gate and to the hangar where an old DC-9 waited.
"Do you notice anything off" asked Ettore as he looked around.
Continued in Chuck vs The Beard Chapter 1