Don't own Chuck

The team leader turned back around pulling out a pair of binoculars and started surveying the neighborhood as well as the apartment complex across the street from them. But as he did one of his lieutenants came up and sat down across from him. In the back another man started putting together the package they were supposed to leave.

"George, don't get me wrong but are you sure about this," said the man sitting across from him. "I mean who's to say this isn't some sort of Agency safe house? Who knows what we're going to find when we break in."

"Don't go getting soft on me now. We've got orders to follow and do you really think the Agency would put their best and brightest in the Buy More? You saw those clowns back in store. Do you think they're some sort of super spies? If they are they're doing a great job at acting like imbeciles."

"The best I've ever seen if that's the case. No, you're right there but why would this Sarah Walker hitch her wagon up to this lot? It just doesn't make sense unless there's more here than meets the eye."

"Well, Franky, in a little while you can ask her but I don't think she's going to be too happy after we cap her hubby. Crap," said George as he continued looking through the binoculars at what was going on across the street.

"What is it? What'd you see? I was right, wasn't I? Come on what's wrong you can tell me. You saw something," said Franky firing off questions in rapid succession.

"Will you take a chill pill and back away," said George. In the meantime, Franky had leaned over and George could feel his hot breath breathing down his neck. "You know if I didn't still need you, I'd drop kick you out of this van right now. I just saw kid's toys out in the courtyard so we might find some inside."

"Does that mean we're going to cap kids? That's just not right no matter how you look at it and I'm not sure the guys will go along with it either," said Franky as he looked back at the men horsing around in the back of the van.

"You'll keep your mouth shut and not say a word about this or I'll shut it for you. If and when it becomes necessary I'll deal with this. Remember what Mr. White said, 'No screw ups' and I don't think you want to try Mr. White's patience, do you?"

"No... no, I don't but maybe it would be a good idea to do a little recon before we jump into a hornet's nest. Look it can't hurt and the more we know the better off we'll be."

"I can see everything I need to see from here. But if you want you can go... go on get out of here and walk around the perimeter. However, whatever you do don't engage anyone from inside. We don't want to tip our hand so before you step outside take your vest off and untuck your pants legs. Leave you hardware behind too."

"I didn't mean send me. What I meant was you should send one of the other guys. Pick anyone of them from the back. You've got your choice."

"Why do I want you to go? It's simple this was your idea now get a move on it and remember no contact with the target or the collateral around her."

Franky realized this was a no-win situation and that he'd really stuck his foot in it this time. There was no backing out of it now so he put on a happy face and did as he was told. He changed up his clothes then got out of the van. The other guys gave him a strange look trying to figure out what was going on but they knew when to keep their mouths shut.

"Geez, thanks for the moral support guys," said Franky after he closed the door then started walking across the street. "Piece of cake," he told himself. "What can go wrong?"

Someone must've been listening because he got his answer. As he stepped out into the street he heard the sound of screeching bakes and realized a car had stopped right next to him.

"Dude, you need to watch where you're going," said the driver as he got out. "Are you all right? I almost hit you."

"No, I'm fine thanks," said Franky. He recognized the driver from a picture hanging inside the Buy More. This was Charles Bartowski employee of the month and husband to their target. "So much for not making contact," he thought.

"You stepped out from in front of the that van and I almost didn't see you in time. You need to be more careful in the future or you're going to turn yourself into a hood ornament," said Chuck as he glanced at the van.

"You're right and I will, sorry," said Franky as he got back up on the sidewalk then Chuck got back into his herder then pulled into Echo Park. Franky looked both ways then crossed back over but this time checking for traffic first. He walked over in time to hear the conversation between Chuck and a little girl.

"Chuck, can you try Mommy again? Maybe she'll pick up now. I know she's supposed to be busy but I'd really like to tell her about my day."

"Sweet Pea, I'd like get her on the line so you can talk to her too but she's doing something important with Uncle Casey," said Chuck but he saw her look. "Okay, I'll try but don't get your hopes up."

"Thanks," said Sam as she stood there and waited for him to call. Chuck tried but the call went straight to voice mail like all his others.

"I'm sorry but there's still no answer," said Chuck. He watched Sam trudge off through the courtyard then to the apartment.

"Chuck... Chuck hold up a second," said Morgan as they let Sam go on ahead. "I just remembered something. I don't remember seeing John's 'go bag' in the armory when I went down with the downtown crew to turn over Eileen. I don't know how to tell you this but if that's gone then they might be gone for a few days."

"Or weeks," said Chuck as he looked up and saw the man he'd almost hit run back across the street to the van that was parked there.

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Marcus walked into the Casino Royale before Carmen. They'd stashed their Panda near the fisherman's wharf not far from the marina. The original plan was to leave it there but pulling into the Marina parking lot they noticed it was filled with Rovers, Jaguars and Mercedes along with the occasional Lamborghini and Porsche. There was no hiding their car there so they drove over to the fisherman's wharf and found a working-class home for it. Now, Marcus was in the casino entrance and walked up to the reception desk.

"How may I help you," asked the man smiling at Marcus from behind the deck. "Would you like to check in?"

"Yes, I have a reservation," said Marcus handing the man another fake passport. "It's under Smythe with a 'y' and a silent 'e'.

"Yes, I can read," said the receptionist as he typed in Marcus' fake name in his computer. "Yes, I've got you here but the checkout date is blank."

"Is that a problem? I've business to do here and I'm not quite sure when I'm going to finish so I could be here a day or a week but no more than two weeks I think."

"Well, we've got a big International Poker Tournament coming up and the Casino is usually booked solid. If you don't mind having to change rooms I'm sure we can accommodate you?"

"No, I don't mind besides I don't believe I'll actually be in the room that much anyway so musical rooms will be fine by me."

"Musical rooms? Of course our rooms are fully equipment and each has an entertainment center. Just please remember to keep the noise level down for the other guests."

"No, that's not what I meant. There's a kid's game where you play music then walk around chairs when the music stops you have to sit down and there's always one player more than there are chairs," said Marcus as he tried to explain but could see from the man's puzzled look he didn't understand.

"I'm sure it's quite interesting for children. Just please remember to keep the volume down. Here's your keycard," said the man as he handed Marcus back his passport along with the pass card to his room. "Let me call you a bellhop to show you the way and to help you up to your room with your bag."

Marcus followed the boy across the lobby towards the evaluators. On their way he noticed a sign pointing to the game rooms.

"I take it the casino is through there," said Marcus as they reached the elevator and waited for the doors to open.

"Yes, but it's closed now, it'll open this evening at six but the slot machines are open all the time if you're into that sort of thing."

"And you're not? Has anyone ever won big here? I mean not just a few euros but a really big pot. I understand the house always wins."

"I don't know but there have been some... I guest you'd call big winners. However, casino employees are forbidden from gambling so I've never really gone inside," said the boy as the doors opened. "Can I see your room card again, please?"

"Yes, here you go," said Marcus as he handed him his keycard. The boy looked at it then pushed the floor button.

"You're on the third floor in the east wing," said he boy as the doors closed and the music started playing as they went up.

"Is this a good room? I mean is it in a good location? For what I'm paying I'd like to have a good view."

"It's an all right location. There are better but they cost more but there are also worse locations. You have a view of the market square and tomorrow they'll be selling flowers so not so bad."

"There sounds like there's a catch there somewhere or am I mistaken. You say I have a view of the market square so what do they use the market square for when there isn't any market?"

"The Ottomans used it for public executions. They beheaded freedom fighters who tried to liberate our country from foreign rulers. Some say headless ghosts still wander around the square looking for their heads," said the boy as the doors opened then they walked down to Marcus' room.

"It's right here," said the boy as he opened the door with Marcus' keycard then he sat his bag inside. Marcus tipped him and the boy left. The first thing Marcus did was go to the window and look down at the market.

"It's a good thing you weren't born during the Ottoman reign. But let's face it, you're no freedom fighter not unless there's money to be made in it," he said as he looked at his watch. "Carmen should be here already. She must've gotten held up," he said as he glanced back out at the square almost as if he expected to see one of the headless ghosts the boy had told him about.

"Crap, she's late. Where in the world could Carmen be?"

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Roan; however, had more luck than the BND he'd seen what had happened and stayed out of sight. He watched Mr. Black move his finger around on the touch screen on his phone then saw the German agent drop. He knew exactly what the target was doing. For a moment Roan thought about drawing his Walther PPK and ending Mr. Black but that wouldn't give them the intel they needed.

"No, you need to follow him," he said to himself guessing that Mary would be detained for some time after the debacle in the square.

He followed Mr. Black through the square as he pushed past panicking bystanders. This also made it easier for him to follow without being seen as he hid in the panicking herd, and in the distance he heard sirens. Mr. Black must've heard them too because he started walking faster in the direction of the parking garage.

"He's not doing any SDR. He must think he's gotten away Scott free. I bet you've got your getaway car stashed in there," thought Roan. He realized if he was going to continue to follow his man he was going to need transport.

"I can't take Mary's car. Our man will spot the diplomatic plates and that will be that. No, I need something else," he said as he looked around quickly.

Mr. Black took the elevator in the parking garage to the third floor. There he quickly made his way over to a late model black Mercedes. In a country of Mercedes, it was the perfect getaway car. He got in, put his thumb on the 'start' button, fingerprint recognition worked, and the car started up.

"One last thing before I leave," said Mr. Black as he sat in his car. He pulled out his phone and opened an app then pressed a red button. The hotel room where he'd set up the sniper nest a cellphone started to beep then the room erupted in a ball of fire. He then dialed up Mr. White then connected the phone via Bluetooth in the car. Driving and holding your phone talking was illegal in German and the last thing he wanted was to get pulled over right now.

"I assume you've got the ledger. I just saw a red banner come across the television screen that a possible terrorist incident took place a few minutes ago in Berlin."

"Yes, I've got it but our friend showed up with help. I don't know if he brought them or they were on to him either way I didn't bother to find out."

"Just tell me you took care of him and he won't be a problem for us in the future," said Mr. White. "They're talking more about you on TV. They say there was a lone shooter and you blew yourself up in some sort of suicide pact."

"Our friend will have a hard time speaking with half his face gone. I used an NSA incinerator in the hotel room to remove any evidence I might have left behind. The Germans will have a field day pointing the finger at the Americans and the more they deny the guiltier they'll look."

"That was a nice touch. I was thinking and I agree you should go on to Montenegro I can handle things here. I've got a team in the field right now to grab the woman so you can go to Kotor and take care of Jack Burton. Don't forget to send me a copy of what's on that drive."

"I'll mirror it as soon as I'm wheels up and send you a copy to your dropbox account," said Mr. Black as he drove through the city heading to the airport. What he didn't notice was a Peugeot HYmotion three wheeled bike weaving in and out of traffic thirty yards behind him.

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Back in Langley the General was asleep in bed unaware of what was going on in Berlin. She knew the drop was immanent but nothing for her to lose sleep over. If she stayed awake through every drop or op that went down, she'd never get any shuteye anymore. Besides her best and brightest were on this so she felt like she could get some rest while it was possible. In the middle of the night her phone began to ring. It felt as if she'd just gone to sleep looking over at her alarm clock as she answered it she wasn't that wrong.

"Hello, who is this and do you know what time it is?" she said without looking at caller ID but she immediately recognized the voice. "Roan, what in the... do you know what time it is? ... Yes, of course I'm in bed. ... Yes, I'm alone. I'm going to hang up on you. ... Where are you? Why do I hear traffic in the background? ... What? Hold on I need to put you on speaker and get me a cup of coffee," she said as she got out of bed and went into the kitchen. She put the call on speaker and poured herself a cold cup of coffee from what was left in the pot."

"To answer your question where I am. I'm on a Peugeot HYmotion, a three wheeled electric bike following a black Mercedes heading for the Schönefeld Airport. You know this thing is fun to drive and I just might have to get me one of these."

"Back up a moment Easy Rider and tell me why you're following a Mercedes to the airport? What happened at the drop and where's Mary. She killed Jim didn't she. I knew she would..."

"Hold on a moment. Yes, Jim's dead but she didn't take him out that was all the guy I'm following. The BND showed up at our little lovefest and screwed things up. If you turn on the news I'm sure someone is reporting about the shooting in Alexanderplatz. I don't have time to get into all of it by Mary's being held by the BND and they're going to be looking for a scapegoat."

"You think they might try to pin this shooting on her," said Diane as she took a sip her coffee. She made a face but she'd gotten used to drinking old coffee in the field. Not that she liked it but she needed the caffeine.

"More on us because Mary was in their custody when the shooting went down so it would be difficult for them to lay the blame on her."

"I'll grab all the CCTV feeds from the square before the BND makes everything disappear. That should clear you and help us figure out who this shooter was."

"It was the same guy who met Jim. He had a gizmo on his phone that allowed him to target and fire remotely. I saw something like that in Bulgaria and the Serbs had it during the war."

"Yeah, but they stole it from us so we don't want to go pointing that out. That'll just give them more fuel for their fire. Let them think there was a second man in the square. I'm going to get changed and head back in to work. Mary put a tracking device inside that pen drive so I can follow him from here which means you need to keep your head down and let me know what you can."

"I'm going to follow him into the airport and see if I can't eye the plane he gets on. I'll let you know when he's in the air."

"Don't take any unnecessary risks. If the BND grabbed Mary you might just have to fill in as the interim Station Chief."

"Roger that. I've got to go he's put on his turn signal and is moving over to get on the off ramp for the airport."

"Be careful and stay safe," said Diane as the line dropped. This put a new spin on what was going down and a realization that these people would do anything to get their hands on whatever it was that Abe had squirreled away.

"This must be important whatever it is. Now, how do I get my hands on it first."

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In a back-water town tucked away in the Cornești Hills not far from Chișinău the capital of Moldova caravans of black SUVs with tinted windows converged on the town. Along with the caravan was a private security force that was more an army that basically took over the entire town placing everyone in it under house arrest.

"This isn't right," said the police chief as he pounded his fist on the mayor's desk. "Who are these people to come in and take over our town."

"Just hold it together for a few days and they'll be gone and everything will be back the way it was except our coffers with be a lot richer."

"I don't care. This is my town too and I don't like this. There are men wandering around armed and we have no idea who they are. You've made a pact with the devil and you expect me... us to go along with it."

"Look there's enough money to go around for everyone so just consider this a paid vacation. Go fishing if you like or go to the tavern and play cards... just play along and everything will be fine. It's the best option for everyone take it from me and just go home."

The police chief was about to give the mayor a few choice words when the doors to his office flew open and three armed men walked in. Two stood on each side of the door while a third man walked up to them.

"You can call me Major or Sir. My people are in place throughout your quaint little town. I'm in charge now so if you have any questions you can address them to me."

"How long is this occupation going to last," snapped the police chief. "I want you out of my town as soon as possible."

"Not a moment longer than necessary. When I asked if you had any questions that really wasn't a question but an invitation to get you two to leave. We're vacating this entire building."

"But this is the townhall? You can't just turn us out," said the Mayor. "This is where we run the town from."

"I've got two men by the door and more downstairs that disagree with that. Please escort these two gentlemen out of the building," said the Major to his men by the door. He waited for the men to be taken out of the room before he pulled out his radio.

"Home team this is Coach," he said into his radio. "The pitch is secured bring in the players and let's get this game going."