Don't own Chuck
Mr. White was onboard a modified DC 9 with his security detail flying across the Atlantic. They'd left trail of carnage behind after White's men shot up the hangar then blew it up as they made their escape. The control tower barked orders at them to stop and asked what they were doing. However, they just ignored them and continued on then with the chaos that ensued after the explosion they simply cut ahead of everyone else waiting to take off. Now they were flying in international airspace with no sign of anyone following them. But just because they couldn't see them didn't mean they weren't there and to make sure they were about to begin phase two of their escape plan.
"Excuse me," said Mr. White. "I need to talk to your team leader. I have to know what's going on and how soon before we arrive in Moldovia?"
"You're going to have to wait. He's busy right now in the cockpit trying to keep us from being shot down so find a seat and park it."
"Yes, of course that has precedence. That was all you had to tell me," said Mr. White as he sat down in his seat. He thought about calling Mr. Black to get an update and even pulled out his phone only to have it taken from him by one of his so-called men. The men who were supposed to be looking out for him.
"No, you can't make any calls out here," said the man as he took the phone. "Even if you could get a signal that would give away our position. Are you trying to get us killed?"
"No of course not," said Mr. White as he held out his hand for his phone back but the man pocketed it then walked off. "I expect to have that back when we land," said White but the man disappeared up front.
Mr. White was starting to wonder who these people really were. He'd thought they'd been sent to rescue him but now it was starting to look as if he were their prisoner.
"I'll see that you get it back once we're on the ground," said a man who walked out from being a curtain then came back to him. "You can call me Alpha. We don't use names when we're on mission."
"That's nice and I assume you know who I am," said Mr. White and the man nodded as he sat down in front of him.
"One's secretary sent us to make sure you were delivered safe and sound to the circle. It seems you have something they want very badly and are willing to go to any lengths to get it," said Alpha as he waved around the cabin.
"Yes, I have what they want on me," he said as he tapped his pocket. "The circle sent me to recover this and that's what I did. I too was following orders."
"And I guess apart of them was taking care of the Turk," said the man as he crossed his legs. That was a rather spectacular explosion in the baths and I know my way around explosions as you can clearly tell."
"Well we were told to make an example out of him and that's what we did so we painted his world with him."
"Rather grisly but effective even if there's always that risk of collateral. But I guess you had no choice considering your time constraints."
"Exactly and I have the thumb drive with the ledgers the circle wants and, in a few minutes, or a matter of hours Mr. Black will take care of Jack Burton. After that I will have concluded all the things the Circle... Mr. One wanted me to get done."
"I see well that's very good and I'm sure Mr. One will be impressed but his secretary asked me to ask you if you're sure the intel you say is on the drive is actually on it? You know him the nervous type always worried that all the 't's' are crossed and the 'I's' are dotted."
"Yes of course I am... but this is a copy from the original that Mr. Black has in his possession so no I haven't actually looked at it. The truth is I didn't want to because I know how some people can be sensitive about their real name being read which could be very unhealthy for me."
"I see so the answer is no, you haven't looked at the drive to authenticate its veracity. You don't think that was a little... well for lack of a better word imprudent."
"Like I said I didn't want to see something I couldn't un-see," said White. He hadn't really given it any thought about whether the drive had been real or not. There had been so much opposition to them getting it and lives sacrificed but now after the Alpha's questioning he was starting to wonder if he might not have jumped the gun.
"I can see I'm making you feel nervous and that's not what I want to do. But you've got to see you've really put your neck on the old chopping block over something you've taken for granted sight unseen. Maybe you should be nervous? I mean If it were a car you'd want to test drive it before you shell out your cash. Will here there is something even more precious riding on the line. I don't have to tell you how disappointed the Circle will be."
"No... no you don't and what if I see something I'm not supposed to see? What are your orders? Are you supposed to open a hatch and let me out without a parachute? Just to be clear."
"Just to be clear, my orders are to take you back to the Circle and I could just as easily see something I'm not supposed to sitting right here next to you. I've got a proposition to make and I'll leave it up to you. I've brought a laptop with me with a decryption program. We run the pen through it then take a peek under the hood. If it's something we're not supposed to see then neither of us has seen anything."
"Okay, sounds like a deal," said Mr. White as he pulled the pen out of his pocket and handed it to Alpha who'd waved to one of his men to hand him the laptop.
"I should warn you if there's nothing on this pen then you will have a problem but don't worry I'm still to escort you to the Circle. It's just... well you won't be getting that hero's reception you thought you'd be getting."
"Well, if there's nothing on the pen that wouldn't mean anything because it could be still on the original that's with Mr. Black. I asked him to burn me a copy and send it to me but he's not very computer savvy."
"Now that's strange because that wasn't what I was told but that will be between you, Mr. Black and the Circle but we're putting our cart in front of our horse here. We still have to run the decryption program and that could take a little while," said Alpha as he attached the USB drive and a green light came on. He pressed the enter key and lights began to flash on the side near the pen and a progress bar came on the screen.
"I don't know about you but I could use a little drink while we wait," said Alpha as he waved for one of his men to bring them a bottle of vodka and two glasses.
"I'm not much of a vodka drinker," said Mr. White as he watched the progress bar begin to move across the screen. He felt a knot in his stomach tighten.
"You need to try this. This isn't that commercial stuff you can buy in supermarkets or use as paint thinner. This comes straight from the motherland."
"It's been a long time since I've heard it been called that," said White as he stared at the progress bar almost hypnotized.
"You may not have to wait that long again," said the team leader as he poured them both shots. "Here take this."
"Thanks," said Mr. White as he took the shot glass from him then they both down theirs. It was ice cold but went down smooth almost like syrup. However, the cold quickly changed to a burning glow inside. "You're right. This is good."
"Killing and drinking, those are the two things I'm good at," said Alpha as he smiled while he refilled their glasses. "Looks like we're almost there," he said as the progress bar jumped to the middle of the screen. "I've never seen it move that fast before."
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Chuck was on the horn with Beckman to tell her that he had uplinked the main frame with ships operating across the Atlantic. He was now able to track their target's plane as it flew across the Atlantic being handed off to one radar then another. He was lucky because it all fell together in the nick of time as the target passed into the dead zone.
"There it goes," said Chuck as it dropped off the monitor leaving the area covered by the spy satellite. "Now we'll let's see what they do."
As Chuck expected the transponder on the plane blinked for a moment but in that moment, it changed call signs and identifiers.
"How do they think they were going to get away with that? Okay, I can see that they might think they could trick us into thinking the plane had gone down but the last I checked planes just don't sprout out of nowhere and certainly not out of the middle of the Atlantic."
"Maybe Agent Grimes, you have learned something," said Beckman from the monitor. "That's a very good observation and I'm surprised you caught on. But they didn't just sprout from nowhere as you said."
"No, they didn't Morgan," said Chuck. "You see there was another plane that left from New York that entered the dead zone at the same time. They simply swapped out call sign and identifiers. What they were hoping is when the planes entered back into an area they could be tracked we'd go after the decoy while they got away."
"That's really sneaky but once the plane lands and we board it won't the cat be out of the bag. And once he's out it's just finding who took over their signal."
"Not if the plane doesn't reach its destination. I've got a feeling there will be some sort of catastrophic system failure onboard that will bring the plane down in deep water. They'll think we'll send a rescue and recovery team but there will be no survivors. To keep up the front General, we should send in a team to at least look like we've been tricked. They'll expect it and be watching."
"I've already thought about that and I've got a unit standing by to go in. We've got them jumping through hoops over something that's a fake that's the only explanation for this elaborate ruse and confirms to me that there is a list or ledger floating around out there somewhere."
"I think given what these people have done and now that you've told me what my mother was up to I'd have to agree. However, what's going to happen when they find out they've been chasing their tail?"
"For right now let's not worry about that. Mary is on her way to Moldovia to get eyes on this group. They tried to do this off the grid but when that many bad guys get together... well it's hard to hide and this can only mean that they've all got something to worry about."
"You're talking about the list or ledger again. But like I said before, soon they'll have to figure out it's a fake and once that happens all stops will be pulled to find it because they'll know we know."
"Not if we can identify and neutralize them first. That's why I've sent the Colonel as a back up to Mary. They'll be operating together..."
"You've given the Colonel kill orders on the members of this group, haven't you? That's the only reason to choose him and that's why you said neutralize."
"They meet the criteria for the use of deadly force and as you pointed out once they find out we're on to them they will pull out all the stops."
"Pulling out all the stops, means they'll drop the hammer down on Jack and on our operation in Montenegro. They'll descend on the Casino Royale like locus tearing it apart."
"Let's try not to sound so apocalyptic and if the Colonel does his job then everything will be fine in Kotor. I would much prefer to find this... this list first but we've run out of time to look for it and Jack isn't being helpful."
"Has anyone ever thought that for once in his life he's telling the truth and doesn't know anything. I can't help feeling like he's being setup as the fall guy," said Chuck. Beckman gave him a look raising her one eyebrow. "I know that doesn't sound possible nor very plausible but that's what my gut is telling me."
"Well soon it will be immaterial what your gut tells you. The problem is Chuck, it doesn't mater what you or I believe but what those cutthroats think in Moldovia and they believe Jack's not only involved but he's got their list so they are going to bring retribution down on him."
"And you asked me not to sound apocalyptic," said Chuck then he looked down at the floor as he suddenly realize. "Sarah's is in their way."
"Agent Carmichael will you please stand up and talk into the monitor. I can't hear you with your head bent down like that. Really, didn't your mother talk to you about slouching."
"It was nothing. I just said Casey's on his way... to help my Mom. That's good so they can take care of what needs taking care of there."
"Right," said Beckman. "Keep me posted on our perps as they fly across the Atlantic. Beckman out." The monitor went blank leaving Chuck standing there looking at it.
"Morgan, I need a favor..." said Chuck. Morgan could see the look in his eyes and saw his determination. Chuck was running in Carmichael mode.
"You want me to get Alex and Kat in here right now," said Morgan as he cut him off. "I know you told them they could get their hair done but if you need them I can get them here."
"What? No... or at least not yet. No, right now I need office supplies... lot of them. To begin with I need a map of Europe, three by five cards, colored pens, poster board and other things..."
"You're coming up with a plan," said Morgan as he pulled a power bar out of his back pocket. "Here you're going to need this before you hit your thinking juice."
"Thank, and yes we're going to come up with a plan," said Chuck as he looked at the mangled bar Morgan had handed him. "Where'd you get this anyway?" he asked making a face.
"Beggars can't be choosers and I got it out of Big Mike's locker, don't worry he'll never miss it."
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Razhib looked around Alibaba's for something, anything then he saw it. On the counter saw a kitchen knife so he looked around once more then palmed it then slipped it into his belt as he left. Molly caught what he'd done and was right behind him. She kept quiet about what he'd done until they were far enough away and that it looked like he'd gotten away with it.
"Enough is enough," said Molly. "Talk to me why'd you grab that knife back there and don't say you didn't because I saw you. It's in your belt right now and why are we heading for Miriam's house. The Casino is in the opposite direction."
"Look, I need to make sure she's safe. Here take my watch and use it to call in the cavalry. You need to head straight back to the Casino and go inside where it's safe."
"Safe? You're talking crazy talk. Look, I'm not leaving you alone like this. I'm going where you go and that's final."
"No, you don't understand... how can I explain to you. Remember that man who was with Miriam? Well he's not who he says he is."
"And who is he? Raz, you're kind of freaking me out. Who was that guy and how do you know he isn't who he says he is?"
"I knew him in another life... I remembered him when he told me about taking off his watch then what he said afterwards. I remember hearing those exact words said before when I was working for the Toy Maker. The man who said them wasn't a journalist. He was a contract killer and he used to give work to my boss to make bombs for him. I'll never forget that voice as long as I live and that look in his eyes... like looking into the eyes of a cobra."
"You should come with me back to the Casino and tell this to Margot and Sarah. You can't take someone like this guy on alone."
"I'm not going to take him on I just need to make sure that Miriam gets home safely... I'll wait outside of her house until help arrives."
"And you think I'm going to leave you like this? No way, I'm coming with you. You can send up the emergency signal yourself and we can trail them together," said Molly. Raz started to protest but Molly held up her hand. "The longer we talk about this the farther they get from us. Talking time is over let's move it."
"I don't think this is a good idea," said Raz as they picked up Miriam and Mr. Black's trail. "You shouldn't be here it's not safe."
"I could say the same thing for you but we're both here. Look, I think I seem them up ahead," said Molly as they ducked in the shadows so they couldn't be seen.
"I wish I could hear what they're talking about. I hope she doesn't say anything that will give me away," said Raz as they continued down the alley watching the two of them talking.
"They sure seem like they've got a lot to talk about," said Molly which didn't make Razhib happy. He realized if Miriam started talking about his childhood in Morocco then Mr. Black might remember him. But there didn't seem to be anything he could do except watch.
[What they couldn't hear]
"I know you must think I'm... well you know from the way I left the pub. I guess I might've over reacted but I'm so tired of Raz putting his family before our relationship."
"I don't think anything. You speak of relationships but aren't you a little young to be thinking about such things?"
"My mother was married at my age and was ready to start a family or that's what she keeps telling me at least. She tells me I'm wasting time..."
"Who can tell what the future holds? It's not for us to force but accept. You say Razhib puts his family first but that girl wasn't a relative. He says he's an orphan and I don't think he's got a first wife still living with his... what did you call her," said Mr. Black. He wanted intel but he didn't want to sound like he was pushing her.
"His aunt... his mother's sister and that girl isn't a relative although he keeps telling me she's like a sister to him. They grew up together in the Casino after they came here. They both came at the same time that is Raz and his aunt and Molly with her family."
"So, they came together? Then Razhib's aunt works for or with this girl, Molly's father. What's her family name if you don't mind me asking?"
"Did you heard that," said Miriam as she turned around and looked behind them. "I thought I heard something or someone. Maybe I'm just hearing thing?"
"It was probably just a cat or a rat running about in the darkness," said Mr. Black as he looked back scouring the places people could hid. He had a sudden thought, what if the Major had found him and was creeping up on him? But that would be like winning the lottery or finding a needle in the haystack.
"Well we're here. Thanks for walking me home," said Miriam. "I need to go inside or my father will come out looking for me."
"I understand but you never told me the family name of that girl. Not that it's important but I might need it for my story. You know since they arrived together."
"I really don't know. Her mother's name is Emma and she's living with Jack Burton but I'm not sure if they're married. That's another reason my father doesn't like me hanging around there."
"So, this Molly is Jack Burton's daughter," said Black as a light came on in his head.
"Yes, I guess... I've got to run inside. Goodnight," she said as she opened the front door and wanted inside leaving Mr. Black standing there.
"Goodnight," said Mr. Black as the cogs turned in his head. He knew exactly what he had to do and if he hurried he could get it done now.