Don't own Chuck

Ettore went through the first round of examinations and had finished a preliminary EEG to serve as a baseline. He was relatively pleased with the results, and he was ready to proceed with the second phase or so he thought. This one was to going to be different this reading was going to taken under flash.

"Are you ready for this last EEG? After this is done we can take a pause," said Ellie as she made sure the baseline reading was all right. "I think you'll need a break after this."

"Need what? A break," said Ettore. He was momentarily distracted thinking about what could've gotten everyone agitated. He heard the sound of men running outside the door and saw their shadows passing by under the door. He had an idea but before he could put voice to his thoughts Ellie showed him the intersect card.

"Okay start the machine," said Ellie to the tech as she showed him the card. The needles jumped all over the place.

"Crap," he said as a piercing pain shot through his skull. It was the worse pain he'd ever felt. He grabbed the arm rest and white knuckled them while he closed his eyes hoping the pain would pass soon.

"There it's over now," said Ellie as she watched the needles slowly return to normal. "There it's passed now you can open your eyes and breath normally," said Ellie as she undid his arm bands. "Here's a glass of water drink. You'll feel better in a little while."

"What the heck was that?" asked Ettore as he drank the water wishing it were something a lot stronger. "I've never felt anything like that before."

"The intersect is based on iconic recognition as data. Photos or pictures are encoded in your brain as data which is processed in a flash. That flash supercharges the brain and for that flash of a second your brain processes information over it's capacity. You access it, processes it, then retrieve it in seconds but all that takes a toll on your brain."

"Doc, don't tell me this was all so you can go back to the idea of removing it from my head? I told you before and I'll tell you again that's not going to happen. I just need to know if I reset this thing in my head will it work properly?"

"Just a little more patience, please. Look at these readings this is mine, this is yours and this is the reading under the flash. Don't you see this? Your Gamma waves are all over the place during the flash which is what we've always suspected. But what is new and interesting is the increase in your Theta waves."

"What's that mean? That I'm walking around in a daydream or in a haze? I wonder if your machine doesn't need calibration."

"It could indicate that the intersect is putting you into a semi-hypnotic state so you're able to sustain the flash. Then there's your Alpha waves, they never completely go back to what they ought to be. I'd like to do one last reading with you asleep to measure your Delta waves."

"Well that's going to have to wait," said Ettore as he jumped off the table and took off the electrodes. "I think we have a guest. Oh, and a little bit of advice, there's a man here, our host Minister Wang. I wouldn't tell him if I were you that I plan on rebooting myself using his secrets. He might get a little angry and if he gets angry… well, I won't be able to guarantee your safety or anyone else's."

"So you still plan on going through with this even though I've shown you what the intersect is doing to you? Ettore, this could either kill you or leave you a vegetable."

"No, I've heard you but you and I both know there's another option. It could make me a god," said Ettore as Ellie just shook her head. "I'm just kidding. Come with me, you and I will go to my study. The Minister should be there I'll introduce you."

"Do I have any choice?" said Ellie. He said he was kidding but Ellie doubted if he really was. The tech worked behind them straightening out the leads Ettore had tossed aside and were now intertwined.

"No, I guess you don't so follow me," he said as he opened the door and held it for her. They walked back to the stairs then took them down to the ground floor. As Ettore was walking with Ellie, he noticed the people passing him had a panicked look on their faces. It was as if they were hoping he wouldn't ask them anything.

"Is it just me or does it seem like your people can't wait to get away from you," said Ellie. She'd noticed the same reaction by the people working in the sanatorium as Ettore had.

"Well they aren't my people but they do seem to be avoiding eye contact for some reason. I think maybe your brother could be the blame," said Ettore as he opened the door to his study to find the Minister and Jian standing there talking. Both had a glass of his best scotch in their hands.

"There you are," said Jian as he looked at Ettore with Ellie. "Did you arrange this to go down while you were examining Ettore knowing we'd be watching you and guarding him."

"What are you talking about?" said Ellie. "Maybe in Mandarin that sounded perfectly clear but in English what you said doesn't make any sense."

"Don't be coy with us. You orchestrated the escape of your friends while you were seeing Ettore. Didn't you say at various times that you would treat him if we let everyone else go? It seems your friends have vanished from your room," said Jian. He intentionally didn't mention anything about Tien and Chuck.

"I think you guys need to slow up on the booze. It's a little early in the day and you've obviously gone over your limit.. It's either that or you've bumped your head."

"I have to agree with her and with my private stock too. And you people think I'm paranoid, just listen to yourselves. Where's Chuck? I think is the question you need to be asking yourselves."

"Right here Ettore," said Chuck as he threw open the doors to his study then walked inside. Jian immediately drew his weapon and pointed it at Chuck. "I came here to plead with you one last time. Forget this folly and let Ellie help you remove that thing from your head before it's too late."

"Just say the word and I can take him out," said Jian. But Ettore walked over to Chuck removed his dart pistol and handed it to back to Jian. The Minister looked over at Jian and shook his head motioning him to lower his weapon.

"No, we need him alive… at least for now we do," said Wang. "Your people will offer a lot to get you back and I intend to get every cent you're worth."

"I'm sure you do. Ettore listen to me you don't know what you're doing. If you had listened to me on Snake Island you wouldn't be in this situation now."

"Enough!" said Ettore as he suddenly got angry. "I know what you're up to. You just don't want me to have this but now I have it and I'm not going to give it up. Wang tells me everything is ready so I'm going to keep you around so you can see my success. I have a small confession to make. Everything your sister told me I already knew but I wanted to get you here…"

"This was a trap to do what? Trap my brother. You used me as bait knowing he'd come for me," said Ellie as she turned red. Chuck motioned for her to calm down and shook his head. "You are a real piece of work using me like this. You didn't give a crap about what I had to say about your condition. I was actually concerned about your health but you didn't care about my diagnosis because you never had any intention of taking it."

"Guilty as charged and Chuck, if one thing you are that is predictable. I knew as soon as I had your sister you would come for her. That being said not everything was a trick to get you here. I did and do want you both here… I mean it's only fair that you see your father's work come to fruition in me."

"My father never would've have wanted you to have the intersect," said Ellie as she hissed through her teeth. "Chuck, I'm so sorry you shouldn't have come for me."

"Don't be silly how could I not have? Ettore, I'll warn you one last time don't go through with this. Let Ellie remove it then we can go our separate ways. I'll make a deal with you I'll let you go back to your life of crime for a year before I come looking for you."

"A whole year? Wow, he still my heart. I don't see how Ettore can turn that down. Look around you Chuck, you don't look much like you're in a position to be offering anything," said Jian as he smiled over at the Minister who smiled back.

"Jian, if I were you I'd wipe that stupid smile off my face. You stay with Wang and your days are numbered. Have you ever asked yourself how he's going to tie all this off when things go south and believe me they will?" said Chuck as he looked over at Ettore. But Ettore shook his head as he moved standing behind Ellie.

"If you're talking about Mei Sheng," said the Minister. "He should be landing in the Beijing Capital City International airport now. I have a greeting team waiting for him in the airport and you can take my word on it he won't make it out of the airport."

"If you want to lay a bet on that I've got a hundred right here that says he will. Have you heard from Huan lately?" said Chuck. Wang tried to play it off but Chuck could tell he'd hit pay dirt.

"Huan who? It's a common name," said Wang as he glanced over at Jian who looked back at him puzzled. "It's nothing… Don't listen to him it's just a CIA trick."

"That we recorded you talking with someone you thought was on Huan's team? I wonder what your Prime Minister will have to say? If he hasn't called you in yet that means he hasn't gotten the recording yet."

"I need to make a telephone call and get them out of here," said Wang. He knew he had to contact his team in the airport to warn them not to screw up. This was one time they had to come through.

"You can call Beijing all you want but like you said the Ambassador's plane has just landed so your people are probably in radio silence so good luck on that call," said Chuck as he checked the time. "Well if you call hell you might be able to get them. But I'm not sure if they are on the same time zone.

"Get them out of here. I want them out of here now," growled Wang as he turned red. "Ettore, you need to do what you promised for me now. It can't be put off anymore."

"Don't worry, you told me the main frames are up and sync'd. I just have to connect the glasses… do an upload first then we'll be ready to go from there."

"Ettore, I'm warning you don't go through with this," said Chuck but Ettore just back handed him. Chuck dropped to the floor rubbing his jaw.

"He was just trying to look out for what's best for you," said Ellie as she got between them. "If you don't see that then go ahead… do whatever you want to do and be done with it. But remember the reason you're in this situation is because you didn't listen to my brother the first time.

"Take them down to the holding cells and keep an eye on them. Minister come with me to the computer room," said Ettore as he went over to his desk draw and pulled out the intersect glasses. "Wang, were you able to get that watch for me?"

Chuck never heard the answer because he and Ellie were herded out of the study then down the hallway towards to stairs. Chuck glanced up and saw Tien looking down at them from an upper floor. Chuck nodded his head as he wiped the blood away from corner of his mouth.

"I want to look at that when we get to wherever it is they're taking us. You shouldn't antagonise him like that Chuck. He's brain is deteriorating fast."

"Well, he can't say I didn't try to talk him out of it," said Chuck as one of the guard behind them shoved him. Chuck almost lost his balance but he didn't fall. "Take it easy there," said Chuck in perfect Mandarin. The guards paused for a moment looking at each other then continued to shove them along.

"Okay, okay we're going," said Ellie. "If you don't have a plan little brother now would be the time to come up with one."

"Oh, I have got a plan all right. Actually we're right where I wanted us to be," said Chuck as he glanced up looking for Tien.

"Move along and stop talking," said the same guard behind them as he shoved Chuck again. "You be quiet or we get mad."

"I'm sure you will Pei," said Chuck in Mandarin as he turned and faced them both. The man looked puzzled. "Yes, I know you are Pei Chang from Hobei province. You have an older sister who lives with your parents…"

"Shut up! How do you know these things about me? We've never met before," said Pei. He said it more so his partner could hear than he actually needed to, but he could see the look on his partner's face. "Don't look at me like that. I swear I've never seen this man before."

"Then how does he know where you come from and your sister being older than you?" said the man. He went for his weapon but Pei was quicker.

"No, don't do that," said Pei as he pointed his weapon at his friend. "You have to believe me I'm no traitor. I don't know this man."

"Then why are you pointing a weapon at me? Is this the reaction of an innocent man," said his partner as he looked down Pei's barrel.

"Pei's telling the truth. We've never met before," said Chuck. Pei seemed a little relieved that Chuck admitted they'd never met before.

"See I told you I didn't know this man. Now how do you know about my sister, Mai. What kind of trick is this?"

"It's no trick. I was told to make contact with you if I was ever in need and as you can see I'm in need now so how do you want to play this? I could do your friend in and you can tell everyone I overpowered the two of you?"

"What? No, I'm not going to let you…," said Pei but in that moment his partner jumped him and they began fighting rolling around on the ground. Chuck moved Ellie out of the way letting the two men have at each other. During the fight Tien appeared and knocked out the other guy. Pei started to reach for his weapon but Chuck kicked him in the face taking Pei out.

"Why'd you do that for? Isn't he one of your CIA moles or is this the way you people burn assets when you don't need them anymore?"

"What are you talking about? I don't know this guy.. and you certainly took your time showing up. Ellie, this is Tien, Tien this is Ellie my sister."

"Nice to meet you," said Tien then he turned back to Chuck. "But if you didn't know this guy then how'd you know all that stuff about the his family?" said Tien as he and Chuck moved the men out of sight.

"Oh, that was easy, his accent told me he came from Hobei which led me to think he was from some rural community. You had the one child law but that wasn't always adhered to especially in rural communities so I figured he had a sibling."

"Okay, I can see that but how did you know he had an older sister and that she was still at home with her… their parents."

"Back to the one child rule… to counter the growing number of female babies being… well you know that never reached adulthood. The central government ruled that if the first baby was a girl they could roll the dice again and see if they could get a son. Being with their parents… well in rural areas a dowry is still used and if a girl didn't have it she stayed with her parents. Then it was easy to instigate the fight."

"That's really good. I'm not easily impressed but I have to take my hat off to you. Okay, Chuck now what?"

"I need you to get my sister out of here while I stay here and monitor what's going on. Once you're out you need to make contact with someone you trust and have them gather a team together. This is where you're going to have to trust me. Tell this person you'll turn yourself in but only to them."

"Well I'd prefer to be arrested by a friend then anyone here. But what about Ettore and our secrets? I can't let him get them."

"I made a promise to you and keep them. Now take my sister and go. Don't worry about me I'll be right behind you in a little while."

"No Chuck, I need to stay with you. This was caused by our father's invention so I need to be here as much as you do."

"No, I made a promise to Clara that I'd see you home safe and sound. Don't make me tranq you and have Tien carry you out but I will if I have to."

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The Ambassador's plane landing in Beijing then he and everyone else onboard deplaned via the jet bridge into the airport. Mei headed for the check baggage area like the rest of the passengers. There he waited off to the side with Rebecca then the belt began to turn and people stepped up and retrieved their things.

"I've got the target in sight," radioed Fan. "I'm making my way over to him now. This is going to be a piece of cake. I'll meet you guys in the van and you owe me a beer."

"Cut the chatter and report back when you've completed your mission," radioed Mister X. Then they waited and waited but Fan never answered back.

"Crap, Fan has failed. Cong and Ming, you're next up," radioed Mister X

[A little before while Mei and Rebecca were still on the plane]

"Here put this in your ear," said Rebecca as he handed the Ambassador an earbud. "We have an advantage over these people… they don't know I'm with you. I can stay at a distance and guide you through…"

"I don't know about this but I trust you," he said as he put it in. She did a quick com's check then they were ready to go. When hatches were opened they started to file out.

"Lay back a bit so I can see everyone around you," radio Rebecca. Mei did as she told him then they proceeded forward. Now Rebecca had a good view of everyone but she noticed something odd. The CCTV cameras all seemed to be pointing at the Ambassador following him as he passed by them.

"That's odd," she thought. "If they wanted to hit Sheng why point cameras at him? It doesn't make sense," but as she was wondering what was going on her phone rang. It was Sarah.

"You're lucky you got me I was about to ditch this phone. I suppose you're on the other side of the CCTV cameras. Look, I can't talk right now as you can see we're in the airport and… what? Hold on let me sync this with our coms, the Ambassador needs to hear this," said Rebecca. She quickly sync'd her phone and the earbuds so the Ambassador could hear Sarah too. "Okay, you're up. Can you repeat what you told me?"

"Yes, the General got word that a wet team has been sighted in the Beijing Capital City International airport. I've got control of the CCTV there and using our facial recognition software I've identified a couple of them. If you keep this comms link open I can help guide you through."

"Tell your General breakfast is on me when I get back to DC," said Mei as they entered the baggage claim area.

"Let's get you safely out of the airport first. Why are you even getting your checked luggage? You could have them picked up later and avoid this area," said Sarah. There was silence. "Well, whatever. Your first assassin is at your nine o'clock dressed in green. Her name is Fan but she goes by the Viper. Her favorite means of assassination is poison. Rumor has it that she has a ring she uses to inject her intended victim."

"I've got her," said Rebecca as she circled around her coming up behind her as Fan did the same thing coming up behind the Ambassador.

"Sister, is that you," said Rebecca as she grabbed Fan by the shoulder and spun her around quickly before she got near the Ambassador. "Oh, I'm so embarrassed. But from behind you look exactly like my sister. I'm so sorry and look at that you scratched yourself. Now where is that sister of mine?" said Rebecca as she walked off.

"I can still finish my mission," said Fan as she looked over at Mei. He was now walking away from her with his bag in hand. "I'll get you," she said as she started for him but with each step her heart seemed to beat harder like it was about to bust out of her chest.

"Twenty-one… twenty-one paces," she said as she collapsed right behind the Ambassador. People circled around her but there was nothing anyone could do.

"Come on keep on moving we can't stop here," said Rebecca as she herded the Ambassador along. "That's one down. Sarah, do you have anyone one else is sight?"