Don't own Chuck

Shortly before in Ettore's study a man came running in to tell him the minister had arrived. Ettore sucked it up and went to the door to greet him. Ettore was tired from the submarine ride and he just wanted to take a short nap before lunch but that was out of the question now. But he had to keep his host happy at least for the meantime, so he put on a smile then went and greeted him.

"Minister Wang, it's an honor to have you visit me here. I apologize for the mess but we're still getting set up and I just returned but that you know."

"Yes, and I wanted to tell you that I've had the Skipper dealt with as you requested. Even if the People's Navy were not very pleased," said Wang as they walked into Ettore's study. "But they'll get over it as long as we can deliver."

"Don't worry I'll give you all the American's secrets just like I promised. Then both your friends and enemies will have to take notice of you. Speaking of taking notice, I couldn't help but notice we're behind schedule with the fibre optics. What's the hold up?"

"Nothing, I just wanted to take our time and make sure this was done under the radar like we agreed. Things have changed now and I will accelerate it. You see there was a man… one of our agents that I wanted to keep out of the loop. He was to be my patsy but things have changed…"

"He found out about it and you had to have him eliminated," said Ettore as one of his men brought in tea. "Is that what you're trying to tell me? I understand but we have a completion date and everything needs to be in place by then. That is if you want to pull off the biggest security heist in history?"

"Of course I do. I won't let anything stand in my… our way," he said as Ettore poured two cups. He smiled as he pretended not to have heard the minister's slip.

"Here you go. I hope it's the way you like it. So this man of yours… was it a clean kill? What I'm asking is do I need to worry about any collateral fallout?" said Ettore. He noticed Wang's hesitation. "Oh, you haven't eliminated him yet, have you?"

"There's a man hunt going on right now and I'm sure by sunset everything thing will be contained. I'm handling this so you needn't concern yourself."

"I hope not. There's a lot riding on your ability to finish getting that cable installed. I need to be connected to your server. There's no other way to handle the data flow."

"Like I said I'm handling this. We suspect that Tien, that's the name of our man, is being assisted by an American operative whose managed to establish himself here in Guangzhou."

"You mean Chuck," said Ettore as he sipped his tea. Wang almost choked when he heard Ettore mention Chuck's name.

"How did you know I was talking about this Chuck person? Who is he? Tien told me that one of the women you have is his sister."

"That's right she is and one of the people in my web I'm weaving. You don't have to trouble yourself too much with Chuck or looking for your man. Sooner or later they will show up here and I'll be waiting. If you spread the bread crumbs too thin you risk them being missed but if you spread them too thick then they'll know they're walking into a trap."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," said the Minister as he finished his tea. He got up sat the cup back on the tray. "I need to run before people start looking for me and I don't want them to find me here."

"I concur. We wouldn't want that but like I said you only need to worry about finishing up the cable. Chuck and this Tien will end up here where I'll be waiting to deal with them."

"Very well but you remember I have a lot riding on the success of our operation and if things go belly up it won't be just my neck on the chopping block."

"Why Wang that almost sounds like a threat," said Ettore as he got up and followed his guest out of his office then out into the garden. "I don't like threats."

"Well then consider it a promise if you like. I guess I could still blame this on Tien but I'll need to be taken him alive then if we're successful he can always disappear afterwards."

"I don't know if you're an eternal pessimist or an opportunist," said Ettore as they walked towards the Minister's car.

"Does one necessarily exclude the other but you understand my position. The cable will be ready even if I have to have men working around the clock to get it done."

"Very good and you can call off your search for your man. I'll handle those two loose ends when they show up here."

"Ettore, you know why the cat is always hungry? It played with its food then it got away," said Wang as he got into his car.

"But when he did eat it, it not only tasted good but it gave him great satisfaction. Goodbye Wang, keep me abreast of your progress." Ettore stood there watching Wang's car disappear down the drive behind a cloud of dust.

"You don't know it but I'm about to serve you up too," he thought as he turned and walk back inside. "Jian," yelled Ettore and a man appeared. Ettore continued to speak English.

"I want our security beefed up and make sure all our cameras, motion detectors and electronic gizmos are all up and working."

"Gizmos?" said Jian as he gave him a puzzled look. "What's a gizmo? Maybe if you explain it to me in Cantonese I might understand."

"Oh, I'm speaking to you in English so I don't have to. Everything needs to be on line and working. Your boss told me that we should expect some unwanted guests."

"Do you want me to open the armory and issue weapons along with ammunition to deal with these intruders?"

"Okay but I want you to tell your people I want them taken alive. Jian everything is coming together. I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas day… oh let me translate that for you. I feel like a kid waiting for Chinese New Year's and my red letters."

"That I understand. Well if there's nothing else I need to go to the trail station to pick up your other guest."

"Yes Morgan," said Ettore as he smiled. "Yes, just like Christmas morning."

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Tien drove to Yuexiu park there he ditched his car in a parking lot. From the parking lot, he made his way on foot through the park to the rendezvous point at the temple. If he'd been in a better mood he would've admired to the serenity and the tranquillity that permeated the park. However, he was in no state or either. All he wanted at the moment was to find the flower Pagoda then strangle Chuck.

"Be careful," he told himself as he kept an eye out for security personnel and cameras. By now they had facial recognition up looking for him.

"I'll take one of them," said Tien as he paid a tourist vendor way too much for a ball cap with Yuexiu Park and a heart printed across the front but he needed it. He put it on then pulled the bill down so it helped hide his face from passers-by and CCTV cameras.

"So far so good," he said to himself as the pagoda came in view. "I should've been picked up by now. If I get rehabilitated I'm going to have to have a talk with my people. They're falling down on the job."

He walked up the stairs to the pagoda thinking about his problems but he couldn't come up with any way out. At least none that had acceptable consequences.

"I could always shave my head then disappear in some monastery somewhere remote and out of the way. But shaving my head and wearing robes well… I don't know how much I can put up with that. However, between doing that and becoming a bum… I'm going to kill Chuck," he said to himself as he walked up the steps. He got angrier and angrier as he walked up the steps until he reached the summit.

When he got to the summit he was smoking. He looked around but didn't see anyone except a woman who was holding a tourist map looking at the pagoda. He walked past her then once around the pagoda but Chuck was nowhere to be seen.

"Excuse me," said the woman. "But the guide says this is the temple of the six Banyan trees. But where are the six trees? And why was a temple built for them. This tourist book I have is rather vague. Didn't the Buddha obtain enlightenment under it?"

"No, he meditated under a bodhi tree… that's a different tree and other than that I can't help you. I'm not a botanist lady so if you'll excuse me," he said. He didn't have time for the woman or her questions. Right now, he needed to find Chuck.

"Thanks anyway," said Lin. She touched her ear. "Okay everything is clear. The person you're looking for is inside waiting for you."

"You mean… you're… I should've known. He wanted to make sure I came alone," said Tien as he headed for the entrance to the temple.

"I also had to make sure you weren't being followed," said Chuck as he came out to meet him. Tien punched Chuck knocking on his can.

"Chuck always brings out the best in people," said Casey laughing as he came walking out of the pagoda after Chuck.

"Who are you and her? No, I don't want to know. You know I've got my own people hunting me now? They think I'm some sort of traitor and that's all thanks to you," said Tien as he began to curse in Cantonese.

"I don't know what you're saying," said Casey as he tried not to laugh. "But believe me I've been there and done that too."

"Well, I can't take all the credit," said Chuck as he got up rubbing his jaw. "Ettore and your Minister Wang had a lot to do with it. I just helped you to see what was going on before you were arrested and shipped off as their patsy. This all came to head when your tech people came over and found that subroutine, didn't it?"

"Well yes, I guess I should've known something was up when the IT office supervisor came over to look at our server in person. He never leaves his office and he always sends his men out but today was different. After I asked him about that virus you mentioned he tried to pull a weapon on me and it was just by pure luck I saw what he was up to in time. There was a fight and he drew the short stick but not before other people showed up. Now, I'm the one on the run and I blame part of this on you."

"And you're welcome," said Chuck. "If it hadn't been for me you would've found a noose around your neck and not known why. This is John Casey… Colonel Casey NSA and this is Lin, Republic of China ROC. Lin this is Tien…"

"I got it… MSS," she said with a certain disdain in her voice. But the look on Tien's face said he wasn't much better with the situation. "Look, this wasn't my idea either."

"No, I was just thinking which relative of mine is going to have to pay the bill for the bullet they use on me."

"No one," said Chuck. "Your mother is dead… well we know what happened to your father and you are an only child so the State will have to suck it up. But that won't happen if you listen to me. But first I need to get to the train station. There's a train coming from Shanghai I need to meet."

"You're forgetting something everyone is looking for me and you. We have a sketch of you plus we have you on CCTV when you went to vault."

"No problem, just wear this," said Chuck as he tossed him a new hat then he gave Lin one too. She looked at it then at him.

"Just wear it. I take it this has the same thing you had on your jacket," said Tien. "We can't see them but the cameras pick the bright light they emit rendering facial recognition useless."

"Something like that now we need to get a move on it. Morgan's train should be pulling in soon and we need to get into place."

"Who's this Morgan and how does he fit into this? I thought you wanted to go after Ettore and find your sister?"

"And find Alex my daughter," said Casey. Tien looked at him confused. "Just try to keep up Chairman. Chuck hasn't mention anything about his mother yet or Anna yet. Chuck, we're starting to get a little crowded here. Are you sure you want to find Morgan?"

"I'll take that as note of concern and yes we do," said Chuck as they went to find a vehicle to take them to the train station.

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Meanwhile Morgan's train pulled into the Guangzhou East Railway Station. The train station was crowded with people getting off and catching connecting trains. There were waves for people entering and leaving the station. The trick to moving about was to get in the right flow then ride the current. The detail around Morgan formed a circle with him in the middle as they navigated the human currents.

"And I thought the crowds were bad at Union Station," said Morgan as he was pushed along by his captures. Morgan looked around searching for a familiar face but saw none.

"I wish Chuck were here," he said as his was shoved along. "Hey, watch the threads. You break it you bought it," he said which didn't make any sense but he was just too tired to care anymore.

"Guys, how about a cup of Joe? You know coffee before we head out to Ettore's evil lair. The train ride down was as long as the flight here. I don't think I've shut my eyes for two days."

"Don't worry there will be plenty of time for that," said a man as he came up and met them. Then he said something to the men around Morgan. They all nodded then started following him. "We have vehicles waiting outside to take you to Ettore."

"That's nice but who the heck are you? Do you work for Ettore too?" said Morgan. He looked around wondering where Anna was and if he shouldn't put into action his plan but he needed to find Alex.

"No, my name is Jian and I work for Minister Wang. I think your people call me a fixer. I get things done for him. I met Ettore this morning when he pulled in with his other two guests and I took them to where they're at right now."

"You're talking about Alex and Ellie," asked Morgan. Jian nodded as they walked through the crowds. "Well if we're guests then are all your people in prison here guests of the state?"

"Funny, let's hurry up. The traffic is always a bear around the station," he said but then he stopped in his tracks staring at another man who appeared in front of them. They exchanged words that judging from the tone weren't too pleasant then the man disappeared. Jian sent two of his guard after him.

"I've seen enough Shaw Brother films to know when someone is talking crap in Chinese. What's going on? You seem like you've seen a ghost. Who was that man? I think I'd like to meet him."

"Soon he will be a ghost and that's all you need to know," said Jian then he pulled out his phone and called someone. Morgan didn't understand what he was saying but he sounded more than a little upset and Jian's actions afterwards confirmed what he thought.

"Come on we need to hurry up," said Jian as he tried to move them along but just then they ran into a group of tourists following a guide with a pointer he held in the air and a yellow flag attached to it. They collided into Morgan and his guards sending everyone flying.

"Get out of our way," yelled Jian. Then he yelled something in Chinese for his men pointing at Morgan. Morgan ran head on into the guy with the yellow flag. The next thing he knew he was on the ground looking up at Chuck.

"I don't have time to talk," Chuck said quickly then he shoved cards into Morgan's pocket. "We've got your back little guy, don't worry."

"I knew you'd come. I have to go with them to find Alex and Ellie. Go before you're seen but I've got this." Chuck nodded then disappeared in the crowd.

"Get up," yelled Jian as he shoved his way over to him. "Who was that man you were talking to? Is he working with Tien?"

"Who's Tien? Can you believe the nerve of some people? He knocks me down then asks me if I need a tour guide. I told him I had one… you," said Morgan as he got back up.

"Hold your arms out away from your body," said Jian. He wasn't buying it so he gave Morgan a quick pat down to make sure he was still clean.

"You keep this up and you're going to have to buy me dinner," said Morgan as he giggled when Jian passed his hands under his arms. He gave Morgan a look. "What can I say? I'm ticklish."

"Just keep on moving. The vehicles are this way," said Jian as he looked around for his men. They went out the exit and found two Nissan SUVs waiting. Jian opened the door for Morgan. He stood there for a while looking around.

"Are you waiting for your men? I don't want to say anything but it doesn't look like they're going to show up. On the way to Ettore's you'll have time to pen a note to their next of kind."

"Do you ever shut up?" said Jian as he got in and closed the door. He said something to the driver then they started to pull out.

"Now about that cup of coffee," said Morgan as he leaned back in his seat. "I don't suppose I could talk you into making a quick stop at a Starbucks, could I?"

[Back in the Train Station]

The janitors had their rounds. They divided the station in quadrants and depending on the time of day it depended on quadrant that was to be cleaned. It was an efficient system that guaranteed the cleanliness of station because it was constantly being cleaned.

"Lao, you start the female restroom while I start the male then we'll join together to knock out the area outside. We're a little behind so we need to hurry this along."

"Geez, why do I always have to get the female restroom? There's always a toilet bowel that's backed up because someone tried to flush something that won't flush."

"Come on, suck it up. It's your turn anyway," said Lao's partner as they pushed their cleaning cart towards the restroom entrance.

"My turn? It's always my turn. You know if you weren't my brother-in-law I'd tell you what you could do with your turn. But you'd go complaining to my sister about how I mistreat you then I'd have to put up with her."

"So after all your complaining you've still got the female restroom to clean," said Lao's brother-in-law as he laughed. "See you out front and remember to hurry up," he said but before he went in a man and a woman came out of the male bathroom. Both Lao and his Brother-in-law did a double take but then they just shrugged their shoulders.

"I don't get paid enough to care and that's your mess to clean up," said Lao as he put the sign out 'Attention Wet Floor'.

"No problem, nothing a little Windex can't take care of," said Lao's brother-in-law. He grabbed the spray bottle along with a rag then went inside. But no sooner had he entered than Lao heard the noise of a loud thud followed by his brother-in-law's screams. He sounded like someone was trying to murder him.

"What's wrong you got what you wanted. Can't you give it a break for the once? You always exaggerate," said Lao as he walked inside.

"What the heck," he said he found his brother-in-law had slipped on the blood covered floor and was now sitting in a large pool of it. There near him were two bodies, one that seemed to have been thrown head first through the stall door and then had his head shoved in the toilet. The other man was face down in a urinal. There were bloody hand prints on the tiled wall around it. Probably from the man trying in vain to raise his face. The room was a cleaner's nightmare covered with blood splatter high and low.

"Well you call the male restroom. I suggest you get up and get to work. You're going to be in here for a while," said Lao as he started to leave. "Oh by the way, you might want to change that urinal cake. I think your guy ate half of it."

"I think I'm going to throw up," said his brother-in-law as he tried to get up but slipped and fell again getting even more blood and bodily fluids on him. "Give me a hand here."

"Well, just remember if you do that'll be more to clean up," said Lao as he smiled thinking this was Karma. "And remember we're behind schedule."