Chuck vs The Bracelet
Chapter 8: For Nerd Eyes Only
Once Laz announced that he had finally hacked the bracelet, Team B, including Mary, all gather in to see what's on it.
"I am very good." says Laz as he looks over the Intel.
"Let me take a look." says Chuck.
"Be my guest, Carmichael." says Laz.
As Chuck looks at the Intel, he says. "Well... all of this is definitely not in the Intersect because I'm not flashing on any of it."
"What is it?" asks Sarah.
"It's... all old information..."
As Chuck continues to look, Laz comments. "Scroll down a little further and you'll see where Jimmy Hoffa is really buried. Kinda sucks for the people who live in those condos."
"But most of this Intel is on old projects and... Beckman? Langston Graham? Roan? What is this?" asks Chuck.
"From what I've gathered, most of what's on there is old Intel on past and current government officials and agents. Most of which are now very high-ranking. A lot of it is very personal information. And I mean personal." says Laz.
"I can see why Edgar wants this so bad now. With this kind of information, he can basically black-mail some of these people and get away with who knows what." says Chuck.
"Yeah, pretty much. There was a reason your Dad was told not to put this in the Intersect. But... really?" says Laz.
"What?" asks Sarah.
"Black mail? I thought it would have been something more original than that... ah well." says Laz.
As they all continue talking, Chuck's phone rings. "I don't recognize this number." He says.
"Hold on!" says Laz. He runs to go grab some device, and gives it to Chuck. "It might be Edgar. Connect your phone to this. If he's tracking it, this will block the signal."
Chuck connects the device, and answers his phone. "Mr. Bartwoski, you and your wife left in such a rush. I never got a chance to say goodbye." says Edgar.
"Yeah well, we tend to do that when we're about to be kidnapped." says Chuck.
"Now I know you're blocking me so I can't track you so I'll try to keep this short. I want to set up a meeting so you and I can talk about this whole, bracelet thing. I'll even let you pick the meeting place." says Edgar. "Unless, of course, you like being on the run with your family. If so, then you'll be doing that until this all gets sorted out. I wont take anymore of your time. So when you all have come to a decision, contact me. See you all very soon."
When Edgar hangs up Chuck tells the rest of Team B his proposal. "So?" He asks them.
"It's probably a trap. No, scratch that, it's definitely a trap." says Casey.
"Yeah, most likely. But we can't do this forever. We need to put an end to this." says Chuck. "But we have the advantage. We set up where the meeting takes place."
"Do you have any place in mind?" asks Sarah.
"I do!" Quickly says Morgan. "Why not the Buy More?"
"That's a stupid idea, Moran." says Casey.
"No, no we can make that work." says Chuck. "Hear me out. Sarah and I will meet Edgar in the parking area behind the store. Casey will watch over from a far just in case. And Morgan and Laz will monitor everything from the van."
"Excuse me? I never agreed to that." says Laz.
"Laz..." says Chuck.
"Fine you've convinced me."
"Everyone good with the plan?" asks Chuck.
After they've all agreed, Chuck sends Edgar the info and tells the team. "Come on. Lets end this..."
End of Chapter
A/N- This is a little side story taking place during the events of Chapters six and seven. It revolves around Laz, Mary, and Stephen J. Bartwoski.
Bonus Chapter
Orion and I
Mary walks into the room to check on Laz, again, to find him talking over his mic. "Back at my place... You're using my van... Sarah's ass... Whatever." Is what she hears as he talks.
"Come to check on me again?" asks Laz when he hangs up the mic.
"Maybe. Who was that?" asks Mary.
"Chuck and Sarah. Those two sure get themselves into the craziest situations." Jokes Laz.
"How's the bracelet?" asks Mary.
"It's getting there. Just a few more walls to break down and I should have it... I hope. I'll tell ya though, your husband was one hell of a genius." says Laz.
"He was. He also wasn't one to keep that many friends. So you hanging around him was interesting to find out." says Mary.
"Hanging around him was... 'interesting'. He was a strange guy, to say the least. But I liked that about him. He reminded me of... lets just say better times." says Laz.
"Chuck said you met him in Tokyo. That you helped him out. Why?" She asks.
"Why would a degenerate like me help a crazy old man? Well, I think it's time for story time with, Laz!"
Laz's story begins with him at a bar, in Tokyo, after just completing a job. While enjoying his drink, a man takes the seat next to him and orders some water. "Kind of a waste just ordering water. Especially in this bar. Might as well go to the bathroom and take a drink from the faucet. Because that's what they're gonna give you."
The Man takes a sip of his water, and replies. "Not much of a drinker."
"Which brings up the question, why even come into a bar in the first place?" asks Laz.
"Look, I just want to relax for a bit. So, if you don't mind." The Man says.
"Fine, fine. But you're missing out on some good sake." says Laz. He continues to look at The Man, taking notice of his demeanor, and the way he spoke. He notices that The Man turns his head every few minutes to look around. He gives off a little laugh before telling The Man. "You're running." He says as he finishes off another shot of saké.
"Excuse me?" asks The Man.
"You're running." Repeats Laz.
"Why would you say that?"
"Lets just say... it's something I recognize from personal experience. Oh, and by the way. Those tough looking gentleman walking this way seem to have their eye on you. Just a heads up." says Laz.
Once The Man sees the men coming toward him, he rushes off to get away.
Laz has a little laugh at the situation. That was until one of the men recognizes him and tries to grab him. "Son of a bitch!" He yells out right before he smashes a bottle over the guys head and runs off. Laz rushes out the back door, climbs a ladder, and runs across a couple of buildings before stopping on a rooftop. As he waits the guys out, he hears breathing around him. The breathing leads him to, The Man from the bar catching his breath. "Wow. Can't believe you managed to out run them, old man."
As The Man continues to catch his breath, he asks. "What are you doing here?"
"They're after me now too. Wasn't lying when I told you I had experience running. What the hell do they want?" asks Laz.
The Man lies, saying. "I don't know." Then says. "They... They've been tracking me for a while now."
"Who's they?" asks Laz.
"Seems like it's a different group every other week. I can't keep track anymore."
Laz looks around to see if it's clear, when it is, he says. "Okay, look. I don't normally do this, but in our short time together you've kinda grown on me, so. My car is down there, we make a break for it, and get the hell out of town."
"How do I know I can trust you?" asks The Man.
"You don't." says Laz. He raises his hand, and points off in a random direction to acknowledge the rest of the world, telling The Man. "But right now... who else can you trust?"
The Man thinks for a moment, then replies. "Fine. Lets go."
"Alright. Now, let's try to get this door open." Laz begins to open the rooftop door, but soon realizes its electric. "No problem, I got this."
"Allow me." The Man says. He rolls up his sleeve to show a wrist computer. He uses to open the door, doing it with ease. "Come on."
With that hack, Laz quickly realizes who The Man really is. "Holy crap. You're, Orion."
With the mans identity known, Stephen just says. "Well aren't you a smart kid. Now run!"
They run down the stairs, run about a block down and rush across the street to Laz's car. "Get in!" Laz shouts. They pull out and speed away.
"They're behind us." say Stephen.
"Oh crap. There's three cars. Damn it." says Laz. "Okay. Just leaving the city isn't good enough anymore. We need to get out of the country. There's a helipad near by."
"You want to steal a helicopter?" asks Stephen.
"I thought that kind of went without saying, but yeah. We're gonna steal a chopper. Don't worry, though. I've had minutes and minutes of a lesson." says Laz.
Surprised, Stephen says. "One lesson?"
"Yeah. It's okay. I was only slightly inebriated at the time. So I can recall most of it."
Stephen looks at him, not amused.
"Take it easy I was only kidding." says Laz.
Stephen gives off a sigh of relief and says. "Good."
"I'm actually not kidding that was a very true story. So you probably should be worried." says Laz.
They both finally reach the helipad and jump out of the car, taking cover behind it. The men reach them soon after and begin to open fire.
"Why are they shooting? Last time I checked... they wanted me alive." says Stephen.
"The gunfire is for me. I'm wanted... preferably dead. Sorry." says Laz. "You wouldn't happen to have a gun on you by any chance, do you?" He asks.
"I don't do guns." says Stephen.
"Of course not." says Laz. "Hold on!" He shouts. He goes on to pull out a couple of cylinder shaped objects from his jacket.
"What are those?" asks Stephen.
"Flash-bang's." says Laz. "The fact that I had these slipped my mind. These should knock 'em out for a few minutes. Enough time to get out of here anyway. Cover your everything!" Laz throws the grenades and with the men blinded, he and Stephen board the chopper, fly off and manged to make their way to Seoul, South Korea. They ditched the chopper and found another bar to relax in. Stephen stuck with water, while Laz ordered anything that had alcohol in it. "Come on, Orion. Drink up."
"I'm good, thanks."
"So are you gonna tell me your real name or what?" asks Laz.
"I'm not going to make it that easy." says Stephen. "What about you? Or do you liked being called, The Lazarus?"
Laz laughs and asks. "How'd you know?"
"I'm not an idiot, kid." says Stephen.
"I expected nothing less from the famous, Orion." He extends his hand and says. "Just call me, Laz."
Stephen shakes his hand, and says. "Good to meet you."
"So what now?" asks Laz as he continues to drink.
"Nothing right now. At least... not for a while. Why?" asks Stephen.
"I dunno. I'm going to, Shanghai after this. You wanna go?" asks Laz.
Stephen thinks for a moment, before saying. "Why not. I've been traveling alone for... some time now. But some company could be a welcomed change. There's a reason for me traveling alone. But... you seem to be able to take care of yourself."
Laz raises his glass. "Alright." He says. Stephen does the same, but Laz stops him. "No. This calls for a toast with real alcohol."
Stephen finally gives in and asks for a shot. He coughs a little after drinking it, and says. "Good enough? Last drink you're ever going make me drink."
"Yeah... we'll see about that. Spend enough time with me, and I'll rub off on you." says Laz.
Stephen looks at him, and says. "If you're lucky... maybe the same will happen to you. And I hope it's for the better."
As the story ends, Laz tells Mary. "And he did. He did rub off on me. And... you know what happened after that. Never got to properly thank him though."
"Why was that?" asks Mary.
"I think the giant stone with his name on it pretty much tells you why." says Laz.
"Is that it." asks Mary.
"For now. It's funny though." says Laz.
"What is?" She asks.
"No matter what I tell you. No matter how honest I may or may not be. You will never trust me." says Laz.
Mary looks at him. She doesn't say anything at first. But after a few moments. "Stephen was right. You are a smart kid."
Laz doesn't really react to the comment. Instead, looks at the monitor. "Chuck's here. You better go and met up with him. Hopefully it went well..."
End of Chapter
Next Chapter to be called, "Midnight Madness"
Author's note- Please feel free to leave a comment and let me know what your thoughts are. Thank you for reading.