CH58

After Kate was gone, "How are you feeling Castle?" Lanie really did want to know. And with Kate gone, maybe he would talk.

"Seriously. What I want right now is to just slow down. Find some kind of normalcy.

Not like that is going to happen anytime soon." Half laughing. Even if it was forced.

"We have Reed and we got rid of his processing plant. I suppose the hired killers here in NY would be next on our list. Provided we stay on the offensive?" Javi offers.

"Well, I read somewhere that the best defense, …" And Rick trails off.

"Lucile. Any of them sleeping in late? Hopefully." Javi asks.

"Sorry detective. It would appear that all targets are up and mobile." Lucile informs them.

"Any other assets that we could hit?" Javi asks.

"Actually there are detective." Lucile replies. And changes from her form to a site view of a large port facility. "This is the naval port facility called Everett. It is located in the city of Everett, WA. It is the navy's most modern facility and is located next to the marina area, 25 miles north of Seattle. It is the homeport of a naval Battle group that includes the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-712) as well as several smaller surface combatants." Lucile tells them.

"I meant targets related to Bracken. Not our US Military." Javi states. Thinking the super computer has blown still another fuse.

"Actually I was referring to this ship container facility that is part of the Naval Base. Five of these shipping crates (and Lucile color codes them to spot them easier) contain weapons that he has siphoned off using his status in the Senate. And are awaiting loading onto a cargo ship bound for Hong Kong." Lucile explains.

"Any idea what is in those containers?" Javi is now almost afraid to ask.

6 - Railguns are electromagnetic projectile launchers that accelerate their payloads - which could be anything from an aircraft to an artillery round - by carefully manipulating an electromagnetic current running the length of two parallel rails

2 – Aeroscraft designed by California-based Worldwide Aeros Corp., the lighter-than-air Aeroscraft could lift 66 tons vertically into the air and deposit it somewhere else, no runway necessary.

12 crates - TrackingPoint rifle. On a firing range just outside Austin in the city of Liberty Hill, a novice shooter holds one and takes aim at a target 500 yards away. Normally it takes years of practice to hit something at that distance. But this shooter nails it on the first try.

18 crates - The Carbon 15 pistol is a firearm similar in design to an ArmaLite AR-15 or the Colt M4 Carbine. The main differences between the Carbon 15 "pistol" and actual M4 is the absence of the shoulder stock and the fully automatic option. You don't really want nor need full auto though, because the Carbon 15 is not designed for suppressive fire, likewise, the red dot sight fitted on the accessory rail optimizes this weapon for close quarter personal defense-ideal for confined spaces.

1 - Northrop Grumman's integrated collaboration environment featuring TouchTable technology, creates a high-definition interactive display to facilitate viewing and manipulation of complex geo-spatial data for a wide range of applications including national security. TouchTable responds to intuitive gestures made by the user, sensing the location of points that are touched

6 crates - The MGL (Multiple Grenade Launcher) is a lightweight 40 mm six-shot revolver-type grenade launcher.

1 - The DREAD weapon system is a revolutionary small arms weapon that can shoot upwards of 120,000 rounds a minute with absolutely no recoil or heat signature.

6 - The Objective Crew Served Weapon (OCSW) is an integrated machine gun system which couples the firepower of air bursting munitions with optoelectronic fire control to provide all-environment operation and enhanced lethality. (FAS)

1 crate - The Flybot, a new robotic reconnaissance fly may help keep a more soldiers, and others out of harms way.
Scientists at Harvard have invented a robotic fly to send on reconnaissance missions in areas too dangerous for humans, such as those contaminated by chemical or biological weapons.

3 crates - The Barrett M107 BMG .50 Caliber Sniper Rifle

Including 8,000 rounds of ammunition for either each weapon or total number of crates of weapons being sent." Lucile concludes.

"HOLY freakin christ! You have got to be kidding me?" Javi can't believe it. "That's worth what? Millions? Hundreds of Millions?" Javi concludes.

"Do we even dare to blow them up though? Think about it. The processing plant was in the middle of nowhere Afghanistan. This is just miles from Seattle. And it's ON a Naval Base. Security guards everywhere." Ryan is not so sure about this one. "And does a shipping port ever actually shut down?" Ryan concludes.

Everyone remains silent for a while as they think about it.

"Ok, so maybe we leave this one. The potential for collateral damage is greater. The chances of us getting caught are increased." Rick concludes.

"There is a lot less security on the container ship they are loaded on." Javi suggests.

"Which would sink the ship and possibly take the crew with it." Rick counters. Not liking the idea of killing anyone. Even by accident.

"Can we plant a small explosive? Give them a warning and allow them to get off the ship before we blow it?" Javi offers. "Not big enough to really do any damage, just enough to get their attention."

"Can we wait until it reaches its destination?" Jim offers.

"And blow up their harbor?" Ryan asks.

"No. But they have to take the containers somewhere. Right? Whoever is getting them is not likely to unload weapons IN someone's port." Jim counters.

"If it's a terrorist group. They are likely IN a city somewhere." Rick counters. "Not out in the boonies."

"Ok, so on board ship is our best option then." Javi states. "Do we have a plan?"

"We will need to know where each container is loaded onto the ship. The size of the ship. How many crew members there are? And if or when we attack it needs to be close enough for the crew to go to safely." Ryan counts off.

"If there is no one on board, no one can threaten us. Sounds like a plan," Javi comments.

"Lucile, can you put in a request for the explosives necessary to accomplish the plan indicated?" Rick asks.

"Yes Richard. …. Request sent." Lucile informs them.

Wondering what to do next. Rick would really just like to go back to bed and lay down. He's getting tired. Then a thought hits him. "We need to go shopping. I wasn't expecting to have guests for an extended period of time. We are going to run out of food. …. Suggestions?"

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market
San Francisco, Calif.

St. Paul Downtown Farmers' Market
Saint Paul, Minn.

University District Farmers Market, Seattle, WA

"Well, let's see. California and Washington are how many hours behind us? Minnesota is closer but still not open yet." Rick wonders what's next.

"Personally, I would love to go to San Francisco. Not sure when or if I would ever get another chance." Jenny states. "And it's big. Likely have most of what we need." Jenny finishes.

"Castle, you used your card in Sydney. Used it recently in NY I'm guessing. Now San Francisco. What happens if Bracken gets a hold of your credit card history?" Ryan asks.

"Probably think that his card has been stolen. Or he has been hit by ID theft. How else would anyone think he was all over the planet faster than anyone could fly?" Lanie offers.

"Makes sense." Ryan agrees. "What do you think General Reed is doing?" Ryan changes the subject.

"Ask me if I care?" Javi answers.

"Do you care?" Rick asks. Not getting the joke.

Javi just looks at him funny. "No Castle. I don't give a flying F..." Javi answers not knowing Castle didn't get it.

Lanie leans in and whispers "ET." In his ear.

Javi still looks confused for some time. "Oh, sorry Castle."

"Well if we are going shopping in 3 or 4 hours, we are going to need a list." Castle pulls out his phone.

Opening the refrigerator he starts talking a list into his phone. Then switches to the pantry and does the same.

Not wanting to be anti-social he goes over to the sectional and lies down instead of going down to his bed. He really does want to rest.

The others go to the dining room table and make their own shopping list. Castle has been a good host and has been through a lot lately. They come up with a plan of something special they can cook to thank him.

They are all interrupted by Lucile. "Richard. Your request has been rejected by 'The Silence'."

"REJECTED? …. Did they say why?" Rick is shocked.

"I'm sorry, no." Lucile answers.

"How could they do that? Don't they know what those weapons are going to be used for?" Javi is more mad then shocked.

"Maybe there is something more important on that ship?" Ryan offers up.

"It is possible they think the possibility of some of the crew being killed is too high?" Rick offers. "Or the damage to the environment from the sinking is too great."

"Doesn't make it right." Javi does not agree.

"Is there another overseas target?" Ryan asks.

"They fly all the drugs out to other locations. Is there one of these we could hit?" Javi asks.

"The only one presently with drugs in it is the one that has landed in Turkey, detective." Lucile tells him.

"Can we hit it?"

"At present it has too many people around it to destroy it." Lucile explains.

"Doesn't mean it will stay that way." Rick offers up.

"Lucile?" Rick asks.

"Request based on parameters discussed sent." Lucile anticipates his request.

"You're the best Lucile." Rick tells her. Rick then lies back down to get some rest.

Having finished their own grocery list. "Since we have some time to kill. You up for a little one on one downstairs partner? Javi asks looking directly at Ryan.

"I think I can let you twist my arm." Ryan replies with a smile. And the guys head downstairs.

"I wish Castle had a pool. " Jenny mentions.

"He does have a hot tub up on the roof." Lanie tell her.

"I didn't buy a swimsuit." Jenny complains.

"Use your birthday suit or just panties and bra." Lanie counters.

"There are guest suits in one of the guest bedrooms. Somewhere. No guarantees they are a perfect fit." Rick calls out from the sectional. Still awake.

"I'll go searching. You go get your little girl and I'll meet you in your room." Lanie tells her. And they both head downstairs.

Lanie finds a number of suits in the room that Kate's father was using. Finding a terribly ugly suit that would fit her and was a one piece, she keeps searching to find Jenny one. With hers and two choices for Jenny, Lanie goes searching for her.

Jim meanwhile after letting the others go, heads over to the corner where a small reading table is located along with a short but tall book shelf to find a book to read.

Talking more to himself than any particular person. "Wish I had my laptop."

"There is a laptop in the lower right cabinet you can use. It is already plugged into Lucile. It is perfectly safe to use." Rick tells him from the sectional he is laying on.

Jim finds it and pulls it out. It was a 'Lenovo' unit. With Lucile's help he was able to connect online and get some work done.

Not long after. "Richard, your request has been approved. A single crystal has been released and will be delivered within the hour." Lucile informs him.

Not really tired but just wanting some quite time. Rick just kind of mumbles out a "Thanks Lucile." And re-closes his eyes.

About 45 minutes later.

It's time to play the music
It's time to light the lights
t's time to meet the Muppets on the Muppet Show tonight.
It's time to put on makeup
It's time to dress up right
It's time to raise the curtain on the Muppet Show tonight.

"What was that?" Jim asks. Looking up from his laptop.

"That is the front door. It was my daughter's idea. She didn't like the Adams Family front door sound I had selected." As Rick gets up off the sectional to answer the front door.

After going thru the mandatory security checks for each, Rick comes back upstairs with a small case. Opening it, Rick finds a single small crystal. Closing it back up he calls for Javi and Ryan.

After joining Castle. "This the explosive?" Javi asks.

"Yup. Same as last time. Drop it and get out."

"I'll do it. " Javi tells them.

"Why you?" Rick was going to do it.

"Because the plane is full of drugs Castle." Javi tells him. Not sparing his feelings.

"This trip will be quick. In and out." Rick tries to reason with him.

"You only just recovered from the last drug raid. NO! You are staying here." Javi is making certain. Besides if Kate learns he let Castle go, she would kill him.

"I'll play you for it." Ryan states holding out his closed fist.

"No. You ever have been in a C-130?" Javi asks his partner.

"And I suppose you have."

Nodding his head, "18 hours sitting in the cargo hold. Let me tell ya. First class seats they are not." Javi confirms.

Ryan and Castle relent. Javi takes the crystal.

"Since you've been IN one. Presumably filled with cargo, I hope. You know where to step out into?" Castle asks. And Javi just nods.

"Good. Make it quick. Step thru the Transmat wall. Drop the crystal. Turn around and come back. No site seeing. Clear?" Castle tries to get his point across.

"It'll be a piece of cake." Javi tells him.

"And no eating cake either." Castle tells him.

Javi was about to explain it was a joke. But for the smirk on Castle's face. "Oh funny Castle. You're a riot."

"And no starting riots either." This one had gotten Ryan howling with laughter.