Don't own Chuck
Casey set up an observation station near the sanitarium where they could get a good look at what was going on in the compound. They had been at it all night switching off and on. Mary took the first shift then Lin the second. Sometime before morning Casey took over. None of them liked sitting there on their hands but they had to give Chuck a chance. Casey was on watch with a cup of coffee he'd made with swamp water when he noticed activity just outside the wall.
"Hey look alive," said John as he looked out through his binoculars. "I think something is going on. I've got movement," he said as Mary jumped up. He passed her his binoculars then pointed at some dense brush near the wall. "Do you see them move? Something is coming out."
"What is it," asked Lin as she was the last to get up and stood behind them. "I don't see anything. Wait a minute yes it looks like them."
"Break out the Barrett," said John as he got out the keys to the SUV. "This is what we're doing. I'm going to drive down and get them. Lin can cover me from here with the Barrett..."
"You trust me with your weapon," said Lin. She spoke before she thought but she amazed at his offer. "Sure, no problem I've got your back as you Americans say."
"Don't make me regret this. Mary, you're with me I could use you riding shotgun in case any hostiles jump out of nowhere that is if you want to ride along instead of doing your own thing."
"I was coming whether you invited me or not. But I don't see Chuck or Ellie," said Mary looking through the binoculars. She handed him back his binoculars then took his coffee cup and took a swig. "Do I have to tell you what this tastes like," she said as she spit it out.
"You take what you can get and that goes for them too. We can ask them where Chuck and Ellie are when we recover them. But if you're coming with me we need to get a move on it. It won't be long before someone on the other side of the wall sees them too," said John as he ran out of the hut. He pulled off the brush they'd piled on the Nissan to camouflage it then jumped in the driver's seat while Mary jumped in on the passenger's side riding shotgun. She checked her Beretta as they took off.
"Nice and easy John. We don't want to attract the wrong kind of attention and give away their position before we can extract them," said Mary as she held her Beretta down out of sight.
"I know what I'm doing and I don't need you telling me what to do after all this isn't my first rodeo you know," said John as he drove down near the sanitarium then cut off driving down a side access road that ran around the wall.
"Get in," yelled Mary as she jumped out of the Nissan near them. "Hurry up before you're seen," she said as she quickly got Morgan, Alex and Anna in the vehicle shoving them in one after the other.
"John," radioed Lin. "You need to hurry up and get out of there. I've got people running towards the wall on the other side of where you're at."
"Thanks," said John as he touched his ear. "Okay, is everyone in? We need to get out of here now. Where's everyone else?" said Casey as he looked at everyone in the back seat in the rearview.
"They didn't come with us. It's just us," said Alex as she looked over at Morgan then Anna on the other side of him.
"Hold the explanation until we get back to camp," said John then he turned around and drove back out to the main road as fast as he could, kicking up as much dust as he could to cover their retreat.
"John," radioed Lin. "There were people watching you from the wall when you took off. I see them on radios now talking. There's a lot of gesticulation your way."
"Okay, thanks. We stirred up the ant hill. I'm going to take the long way back to you. Keep us informed about what you see, especially if they send out any vehicles after us," said Casey then he looked up in the rearview. "Now's a good time to explain what's going on? Where's the red tide and Chuck?"
"And where's Ellie," added Mary. "I thought Chuck was going to get everyone out? Don't tell me something happened to them?" said Mary as she gripped her Beretta. Casey looked over at her. "Keep your eyes on the road."
"No... well I'm not sure," said Morgan. "You see Ettore came and got Ellie early this morning before Chuck came to get us out. Then when he found out she wasn't there he decided to stay behind to get her..."
"Of course, he did," said Casey as he looked over at Mary. "He decided to strike out on his own. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
"Tien and I got Morgan and Alex out," said Anna. "But once we were about to break out through the brush he doubled back then you guys showed up. I tried to stop him but he said he had to help Chuck and stop Ettore."
"We should go back and help Chuck," said Mary but as they were talking they passed a convoy of black Nissans appeared heading in the opposite direction.
"Crap, don't look," said Anna. "Keep on driving and whatever you do don't stop." Three black Nissans passed them with tinted windows.
"Who was that," asked Casey as he looked up in the rearview at the dust they kicked up heading back towards the sanitarium. "Are they friends of yours?"
"That was Minister Wang heading to sanitarium to meet Ettore. I think whatever is going down is going down now."
"And what is going down," said John. He turned off on a secondary road to make a loop around following the river bank. He'd come up behind their lookout post without anyone from the sanitarium being any the wiser.
"Ettore is about to try to steal all the Chinese secrets right from under their noses," said Alex. She looked over at Morgan who was sitting in the middle between her and Anna. She was not the least bit pleased with the sitting arrangements but they'd been in a hurry when the jumped onboard.
"He's doing what," said John as the hut came into view. "Let's rethink this, is that a bad thing if you really think about it? We grab him then we have their secrets too but how's he going to get them?"
"Big Guy, he's got a set of intersect glasses. Remember what Shaw did at Christmas that year? Well ho, ho, ho this time it's going to be Chinese New Year."
"I keep asking is that a bad thing but considering Ettore is involved. Yes, it probably is a bad thing. How did he even get a set of intersect glasses to begin with?"
"Can someone explain to me what intersect glasses are? What do they do and how are they going to help Ettore steal the PROC's secrets?"
"That's classified and need to know meaning you don't need to know. However, you have to think he'll have access to all the MSS database which means if it's in their database he'll know about it. That means he'll know about not just domestic secrets but also foreign ones too."
"That means he'll know where all the skeletons are buried and he'll be able to blackmail the guilty parties. This could make him the most powerful man and not just in China."
"Which is what Wang is hoping to use to position himself better," said Anna. "But how does Wang think he can control Ettore once he's got all this intel?"
"Like Chuck said before. He probably doesn't realize what Ettore is up to and is just a pawn in Ettore's plan to grab the prize and run," said Alex. "I guess it must be difficult for you to understand English since you don't use it that much anymore."
"Well we're here," said John as he quickly spoke up before tempers flared in the back. He looked at everyone in the backseat as he pulled up outside the hut. "Okay, Troll, you're with me we have to camouflage our ride. Everyone else can go inside. Anna, Lin is inside I'm sure she can't wait to talk to you."
"Good, there's a lot I need to go over with her."
"Whatever you do don't drink Casey's coffee. If you notice a brownish tint there's a reason for it."
"Hey, I boiled the water first."
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Wang left the center of Quanzhou driving to the Pearl river then followed it in country. There he pulled off on a long dusty road. He hated driving to the sanitarium because it was in the middle of nowhere and that nowhere reminded him where he came from. He was thinking how he had no intention of returning here when another dark Nissan passed his motorcade heading in the opposite direction.
"Who was that," said Wang to the man riding shotgun. "Wasn't that one of our vehicles? I hope Jian hasn't dragged me out here for nothing."
"Yes Sir, it was. I've got the license plate and a quick check says... you're right. It was assigned to the guys station out here at the sanitarium with Mr. LaBarba."
"Very good," said the Minister as he sat back in his seat. There was just something about the vehicle that passed them that stuck out but he couldn't place it. It was just a feeling but he soon dismissed it when the sanitarium came in sight.
"Well this is it," he said to himself as they turned into the driveway. It was going to be show time soon his red envelope day and he could hardly wait.
"This is it, the moment of truth," he said as they pulled up in front of the sanitarium. He looked out as the sun was starting to shine over the nearby hills.
"Did you say something sir?" asked the man upfront as they came to a stop. "I'm sorry I didn't hear what you said."
"I was talking to myself not to you. Now let's get a move on it. I want to get inside," Wang said. The man got out then ran back and opened the door for him. In this respect Wang was an emperor because he did nothing for himself.
"Where's Jian at? He knows he's supposed to be here to meet me," said Wang as he stood next to the SUV. He was expecting to find Jian waiting for him but Jian was nowhere to in sight. "Jian is forgetting who he works for."
"Let me get you inside then I'll find out what's going on," said the man as they walked inside. The first thing they noticed was a flurry of activity but what was upsetting the Minister was that they were ignoring him.
"This is totally unacceptable. Find out what the hell is going on and where Jian is. I know my way to Ettore's study. I'll be there waiting just don't keep me waiting long."
"Yes sir... I mean no, sir, I won't," said the man then he ran quickly up the central stairs then down to the security office. But as he was about to go in he was almost knocked over by two men as they ran out.
"Jiè ɡuò, Jiè ɡuò," [sorry, sorry] They yelled as they ran by. But the man grabbed one by the shoulder stopping him.
"Hold on a moment I'm looking for Jian. I've got the Minister in the study waiting for him and he's in a foul mood."
"Oh Lao, it's you. He's inside with Chen but he's not a happy camper either. Chen got himself captured last night by Tien and we just found out this morning and to make matters worse the Americans are gone too."
"All of them?" said Lao. Then he remembered the Minister asking about the Nissan that passed them on the road as they drove in.
"All of them except that American doctor lady. She was with Ettore when they got sprung. But Jian doesn't want us to tell Ettore or the doctor lady yet. Not until we've had a chance to look for them and check all the grounds."
"I'm afraid that won't do any good. We passed them in one of our SUVs as we drove here heading back towards the river. I'll tell Jian and he can have the people back at HQ start looking for them. They might be in the city by now."
"Why are you standing around out here talking," said Jian as he came to the door to see what was going on. "Oh, Lao it's you. You shouldn't stop my men from doing their jobs...Oh crap," said Jian as he suddenly remembered why Lao was there. "I forgot Wang was coming. Where is he?"
"He's in Ettore's study waiting for you but I hear you lost the Americans. I need to tell you I think we passed them on our way here. We passed one of our black Nissans and there was something odd about it. The Minister even noticed it and asked me if it was one of ours. I was able to get the license plate number."
"Good, go inside and coordinate with Chen while I run down and take care of the Minister. Ettore is still being examined so we have a few minutes to sort this out before crap hits the fan."
"No problem we'll sort this out while you go pacify the Minister. I should warn you he's a mood because you weren't there to meet him and he things everyone was ignoring him."
"I appreciate the head's up and when this is done. You're staying here with me and Chen will be returning to HQ for further assignment. Your job today is to keep him out of my sight or I just might put a bullet through his head. I'm in this mess partially because of him. Now go inside and impress me while I try to calm down the Minister."
"He's expecting whatever it is that LaBarba has promised today so unless you can deliver that I'm afraid there's little you can do."
"I know Ettore told me was going to deliver today and that was the reason I called Wang. I just hope he can or one of your first jobs will be to dig graves in the back for Ettore and the doctor."
"The Minister wants to take out the doctor too? But what has she done?"
"That was the plan all along. We can't have any witnesses floating around to tie us to this mess," said Jian. He was beginning to wonder if keeping Lao was such a good idea after all.
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The Air China flight was in sight of the Beijing Capital International Airport. Rebecca was on the phone with Sarah when a flight attendant came by to tell her she needed to get off because they were getting close to making their approach. However, the Ambassador interceded and the flight attendant went away only after he promised she'd be off in a few minutes.
"I could take her out with no problem," said Rebecca as she put away her phone staring at the woman. "Just say the word and she can have an accident. I can see it now one of those trolleys could break free and crush her to death. What bad luck."
"Is that what you think about all the time, how to cause… well what looks like an accident? What did they find out that was so important that you couldn't hang up and call back when we were on the ground?"
"It looks like you're not in the clear yet. They tracked down the man who paid Dewayne a certain Park. He works or worked with the Triad as a smuggler. After asking him politely, he told her that if Dewayne hadn't been successful someone would try again. And no accidents aren't the only thing I think about. I also dabble in watercolor."
"Watercolor? You actually paint?" said Mei. He looked at her finding it hard to believe. "You never cease to amaze me. What are your favorite subjects you like to paint?"
"I'm big on the Nature Morte – still life and my favorite color is crimson red or blood red but that is neither here nor there right now. We need to make a plan for when we land. I need to get you out of the airport as quickly as possible or you'll risk becoming a still life… a lifeless still life."
"And how do you propose to do that? While I enjoy looking at Chinese painting, I'm not a big fan of Bruegel or the other Dutch masters for that matter with the exception of Vermeer but I don't think I'd like to become the subject of one of their paintings.
"Then let's see what we can do about that," said Rebecca. She pulled up the layout of the airport on her tablet only to get a stern look from the same flight attendant. "I dare her to come over and say something."
"She's only doing her job like you are. You do what you have to do and leave the flight crew up to me," said Mei. "Are you sure Wang is going to try this again and in the airport?"
"Sarah seemed to think so and honestly it only makes sense. He's already committed himself when he sent Dewayne. That was his first volley now he has to realize you're on to him and he needs to take you out before I can get you underground."
"Then what do I need to do? But this is Beijing airport not LAX where they could blame an attack on me as some sort of mugging gone wrong. There are armed guards everywhere in the terminal so something like what they tried in LA won't work here."
"Yes, but don't think they won't resort to gunning you down in the airport if they think you're going to get away. Like I said they want to get you before you go underground. However, I agree with you they will try something different. That's why we need to be ready for anything."
"And how do you prepare for something like that? You know you're not making me feel very safe right now."
"You just have to be on your toes and one thing is certain they will want to get away. So if we work this backwards then we can figure out where these people will try to hit you at."
"And I suppose you've already figured it out?" said Mei as he looked across at Rebecca who was smiling back at him over the top of her tablet.
"Let's just say I've got a good idea."
[Meanwhile in the Airport]
Mister X was busy handing out assignments and getting his people into position. He had to make sure Ambassador Mei Sheng didn't leave the airport up right. He knew it wasn't going to be easy but it wasn't going to be impossible either. The main thing was they had to get out after the hit was made or the million dollars they were getting paid wouldn't do them any good.
"Okay, everyone listen up, eye on the prize at all times. We all need to hurry up and get into position. Fan, I want you to go to the luggage belt. Our target will go there first to pick up his bags..."
"Then I can bump into him scratch him with my ring," she said as she held it up. "The poison in this is fast acting with no antidote. I call it twenty steps because that's about as far as anyone has been able to walk after I've gotten them."
"That's good and it will give the rest of us time to get away. However, we need a plan B if he decides not to pick up his bags. That will be Cong and Ming. Cong, I want you to wait on the other side of customs. You can follow him out and keep Ming informed which way he's heading. That will give you time to setup a sniper nest and you can take him out. You just need one clear shoot then everyone bag it up and head back to the getaway vehicle."
"Excuse me," said Ming. "We've heard what Fan, Cong and I are supposed to do but what are you exactly going to doing while we risk going to prison and getting a bullet in the back of our heads. That's only the good case scenario."
"I'm going to be monitoring your progress throughout the airport and if you all fail then it will be up to me. I'll take him out with my Black Star. It will be up close and personal," said Mister X as he pointed to the arrivals notice board. "Our target's flight is landing now. Everyone go to your station and let's get this done. Our contractor was clear Ambassador Mei Sheng can't leave the airport alive."