Don't own Chuck

Banai and his force met up with the Commander's troops in the tunnel boxing the Colonel's men in between two fronts but they wouldn't give up and fought on until the last man droppedl. Now that the rebellion, if that was what it could be called, was put down Banai could get down to finding answers. Looking up over the senseless carnage Banai saw the new Base Commander walking through the dead shaking his head. Banai understood what he was doing and who he was searching for.

"You won't find him here," said Banai as he walked up to him. "I caught your Colonel trying to sneak out the back. He was trying to make a run for it after he sent his men to be slaughter."

"I don't know I just can't get over it such a senseless act of stupidity. I knew most of the men here... or at least I thought I did. They were good men... brothers and now this. I just don't understand."

"Neither do I but I'm going to once I get your Colonel talking. He doesn't impress me as one I'm going to have too much trouble getting to cooperate. I'm don't particular like extreme rendition nor do I think it's very effective. In the end they tell you whatever you want just to make the pain stop but when I see something like this... well I see it does have a purpose and believe me I'm going to take my time with the Colonel. If there's one thing I can't stand is a coward who would sell out his mother to get ahead."

"And his men I feel the same way. I'm glad you caught him alive so he can pay for what he's done. All these brave young men and now I've got to write their next of kin. What do I say? They followed an idiot who sent them to get killed? Or do I try to keep it vague... well that's my problem to resolve. Did the Colonel say anything about what happened to the missile or where it is?"

"I haven't had a chance to ask him anything but I'm about to. Do you want to come with me and see if he feels like shedding some light on what went on here before I have him cart off," said Banai but the Commander didn't get a chance to answer. One of Banai's men can running up to them.

"Excuse me for interrupting Sir but you need to come with me right away there's been a problem with the prisoner."

"Crap don't tell me Abram let the Colonel get the drop on him and got away. Lead the way we're right behind you," said Banai then they started back down the tunnel.

"No sir he didn't get away but you need to see this and you'll understand." They ran back and found what looked like a body stretched out in the middle of the floor. The dust hung in the air fanned by the fighting but they pressed on through the haze. Then Banai saw a couple of his men standing over the body looking down at it.

"Crap, what are doing just standing around? Why aren't you looking for him? I thought you said the Colonel didn't get away? You guys need to fan out and find which way he went. How's Abram?"

"That's not Abram Sir," said the man who was leading them. Then the haze cleared a bit and Banai saw it was the Colonel lying there in a pool of his own blood.

"How'd this happen?" asked Banai as he inspected the body. "One in the chest and one in the head... the Colonel was executed but by whom? What did Abram say? Where is he at?" asked Banai as he looked around but didn't see his man. "Did he go after the Colonel's killer?" There was silence. "Well will one of you speak up? What's going on?"

"That's just it sir. Abram's missing and no one can find him. He just up and disappeared into thin air. If you look around there's no sign of a struggle and we found just two shell casings," said the one man as he passed them to Banai. "Sir, I hate to tell you but this ammo its ours which means the Colonel was shot by one of us."

"You can say it. He was shot by Abram," said Banai. The ramifications of this started to set in. "Who are these people and how deep does their infiltration go?"

"It looks like we're not the only ones with moles in our organization," said the Commander. Banai's phone began to ring the caller ID read 'Chuck'.

"You always pick the worse times to call. I hope you've got some more magic for me because I could use some right about now," said Banai as he looked over at the Commander's face. "Chuck, please tell me you didn't have anything to do with this?"

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Onboard the Red Star, a nondescript freighter ferry, lumbered across the Caspian Sea departing from Astara for the port of Baku in Azerbaijan. Normally an overnight transit on any other ferry but the Red Star was a rust bucket. She was left over from when the Caspian Sea was under Soviet influence. However, time finally caught up with her and this was her last voyage. Her operating company finally got tired of her constantly breaking down and arriving late. She just couldn't compete in a free market economy.

"How's it going this morning Ali," said the Skipper as he walked in on the bridge. "How far behind schedule are we? I'm guessing about four hours."

"We're not doing that bad just a couple of hours. The Chief Engineer rang up a little while ago complaining that we were pushing her too hard. He said he already had to take on boiler off line and the other one was about to go."

"Did you tell him it didn't matter this was the Red Star's last run? It's the scrap heap for the old girl as soon as we get back and off load our passengers and cargo. She's had a good run but it's over now for her and for me."

"Yes, I reminded him but he said we still had to make it to port. He suggested that we stand by to rig sails or put oars in the water," said the first mate as he got up out of the Skipper's seat.

"He worries more than my old grandmother but he is a good engineer. I'm going to miss his sense of humor. I want you to know it was good working with you guys."

"It's not fair they're putting you out to pasture like this after all your years of service. What are you going to do tomorrow when you wake up?"

"I don't know I have to get through this day first. I noticed our passengers hanging around the cargo deck. It looks like they've set up some sort of watch. Do you know what that's about?"

"They're just a bit protective of their cargo I guess. They don't want anyone to steal anything… I guess they don't trust us. They're paying good money for their privacy but they are acting a bit suspicious."

"Privacy on a ship this size is a joke? They certainly are exaggerating for some agricultural equipment or at least that's what they manifest their cargo as. If they weren't retiring me I'd go down and have a look. If found a shipment of caviar once this guy was trying to muggle out of the country and I'm talking about the good stuff that was worth a pretty penny on the market."

"So did you turn them in to the customs people? Something like that being confiscated and destroyed... well it's a shame" said the first mate as shook his head then went over and got himself a cup of coffee. "Did customs thank you?"

"No, because I didn't turn him in. We made a deal instead. I ate caviar for a week which makes me want to go down and take a peek. A little extra bonus on the way out can't hurt and it would make getting the boot easier to swallow."

"I don't know I really don't like the looks of those people. They look like a gang of thugs and if what you're hinting at is true they're involved in something serious… the kind of serious that gets people hurt not black marketing some beluga caviar."

"I never said there wouldn't be any risks. But remember the bigger the risk the bigger the gain," said the Skipper as he made the sign of money with his hand. "Are you telling me you can't us the extra money? What can they do? We're in the middle of the sea how are they going to get rid of their contraband?"

"Oh and now you want me to get involved in your half-baked scheme," said Ali as he took a sip from his coffee looking at the old man. "Wait a minute you're serious aren't you?"

"As a heart attack which at my age is nothing to joke about especially after my last checkup. You asked me what I'm going to be doing tomorrow? Well that depends on my cash flow. Wouldn't you like a little nest egg to fall back on?"

"I guess so a little extra money wouldn't hurt. Especially money that my wife doesn't know about. Fun money I could call it and fun I could have indeed. But why do I have to be the one sneaking down to take a peek why can't you?"

"See now you're thinking. Let me explain why and it's simple. I'm the one who's going to give you a window. Go down below and tell them I need to talk to their leader about what we need to do for them when we pull into Baku. I should be able to keep them busy long enough up here for you to go down and take a peek."

"You know this just might work. Okay I'm in."

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Chuck was monitoring the fighting in the tunnel via IR scans from the bird above. The tunnels weren't deep enough to mask the heat signal coming from underneath so Chuck had a clear picture of what was going on. He was happy to see Banai had taken his advice and now the rebel force was locked in a vice with no way out yet they showed no signs of surrender. Chuck started to pull out his phone when Sarah caught him.

"Don't you dare make that call yet," said Sarah. "You gave him what he needed now let him deal with his own mess. If you go telling him where all the insurgents are hiding they'll know just how sensitive our scanning ability is and take proper countermeasure which will put you back in the doghouse with everyone up the food chain. I'd prefer not to have to come to Supermax to see you."

"You're ring and for the record I was only getting ready to call him as soon as the fighting is over. I want to hit him with my questions while he's still got the adrenaline pumping and feeling thankful."

"I'm sure that was what you wanted to do," said Sarah then she looked down at her watch. It was getting late to go on the picnic.

"You know if you want to go on that picnic with everyone go for it. This looks like it could still be a while the opposition shows no signs of wanting to surrender."

"If that's your way of getting rid of me so you can call Banai early you can forget it. I'll go but I'm going to send Margo down to watch you," said Sarah then she kissed him. "Don't give me that face. You know why. I'll have her bring you down a sandwich. Do you have any requests?"

"I wouldn't mind having a Reuben like the ones Lou used to make. But I'll take whatever I can get. Just go and have fun... you can tell them I wanted to be there but this thing just dragged on forever. But really you're going to send Margo to stand the Chuck watch."

"Believe me it's for everyone's best interest. You don't intentional do the things that get you in trouble but I think I'm the only one who realizes that."

"So I guess I don't have much say in the matter," said Chuck. She smiled and shook her head as she looked into his eye. He smiled, he kissed her back, then walked her over to the elevator. They kissed once again as she got on and he waved at her as the doors closed before the elevator went up.

A few minutes later the doors opened and Margo got off with a Reuben sandwich in her hand. She walked over to Chuck and found him still there sitting observing the situation on the monitor.

"I'm guessing things haven't changed much. I thought for sure they'd be done by now," said Margo as she offered him her peace offering.

"Thanks, wow an actual Reuben," said Chuck as he took the sandwich from her. "Banai and these other troops have just about root out the insurgents. But they are putting up a stiff resistance. It makes you wonder what they're thinking. They have to see that the handwriting is on the wall for them. I don't understand why they don't surrender."

"They're following orders and for their leaders they are nothing more than cannon fodder," said Margo as she looked down at the floor. "I guess I need to apologize for what I said before. I was angry with the General and I took it out on you."

"Well truthfully if the General hadn't been mad at me she wouldn't have yelled at you so it was my fault. You've got nothing to apologize for I'm the one who should be telling you sorry. However, I did order you a nice book on puffins from National Geographic. You might find it educational," said Chuck. They both laughed. "It's good that you can laugh about this. But joking aside now that we're talking do you have any idea what's going on with Razib?"

"You can't tell him I did this," said Margo as she looked around to make sure no one could hear them. "I'm not proud of this. So you have to swear to keep this to yourself and I mean it because he'd be really upset with me if he finds out. So this is it I kind of used my resources here to hack into his e-mail account..."

"You did what? You're right if he finds out he'll be more than upset livid with rage more likely. But something must've happened to make you feel you had to."

"Yes you're right," said Margo. She took a deep breath before continuing. "I found out he's been communicating with his father's family in Morocco by email and chat. Chuck, I thought he was happy with me then he goes and does this without telling me. I feel... well I feel... I don't know… betrayed I guess."

"Just hold up a moment let's not jump to conclusions. Remember his father's family sold him to the toy maker and he was basically a household slave. These emails and chats you intercepted how did you read them if they were in Berber?"

"Well I didn't actually read them. I just saw the 'to line' but I didn't have the courage to run them through the automatic translator."

"I wouldn't put too much stock in what comes out of that and it seems to me to me you're jumping to conclusions. Let me talk to him this evening and I'll see what I can find out. I'm sure there's a good reason for this."

"But why can't he talk to me about whatever's bothering him? He should know by now I won't judge him," said Margo. "I'm sorry you're trying to watch the monitor and eat. I shouldn't be bothering you with my stuff."

"No, you should and it's no bother but as far as why he can't talk to you… well take your pick you're his mother or mother image, a female and a non-Muslim. Sorry but I have to make this phone call now. Don't go anywhere I want to talk some more when I'm done. Just give me a moment..."

"No I think we're done. Just please talk to Razib for me that's all I ask."

"Consider it done," said Chuck as he took out his phone and dialed putting the call on speaker so Margo could hear.

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The Skipper of the Red Star was on the bridge with two of his passengers discussing any special requirements they might have when they pulled into Baku. Already the Azerbaijan port was in sight even if they weren't making head way. They suddenly lost propulsion when the other steam plant broke down. Now the engineer was trying to bring the first one back on line but it was taking time. So in the meantime they had to drop anchor to keep from drifting.

"Sorry, Mr. Bin Abu but it seems our arrival into port will be delayed a little longer. But my engineer assures me we'll be back underway in a few minutes. Please be patient with us."

"Just make it a few we've got a schedule to maintain unlike you it seems," said the man as he looked down at his watch.

"Yes… Well I was wondering if you need anything special waiting for you when we pull in. I assume you'll want to get your agricultural machinery on the pier as quickly as you can. We can radio in and have whatever you need waiting for you."

"No we've already got everything taken care of. There's a crew and a crane standing by on the pier to off load our cargo."

"Well as soon as we enter port we'll take on our pilot who'll bring us pier side. It's a little tricky with this ship because we've got a permanent five-degree list to then starboard and only a single screw so sometimes it's a little touch and go."

"That doesn't sound like my problem," said the man as he looked at his partner who nodded his head. "If there's nothing else we need to get back down and get our people ready to start off loading.

"Well that's true none of that's your problem but you can't off load until we clear customs. A customs officer will board us as soon as the brow goes down then once he makes his inspection and signs off on all the documents you'll be free to off load."

"If you check your cargo manifest you'll see our merchandise has been pre-screen so there's no need for us to take it through customs or a customs officer inspect it."

"I see very well," said the Skipper. He was in a bind now the first mate wasn't back yet and his two guests were about to leave. He had to come up with something fast.

"If there isn't anything else," said Mr. Bin Abu. "We've wasted enough time up here with you. I'll go back to our people now."

"Wait," yelled the Skipper as they started to go out the hatch. They stopped and looked at each other then back at him. "I'm sorry where are my manners could I interest you in a shot of vodka? My uncle in Georgia made it."

"Sir we're Muslims we don't drink alcohol," said the man as he looked down his nose at the Skipper.

"Maybe you'd like a tea?" said the Skipper but as he was trying to stall them the other man received a phone call. He excused himself then took the call after stepping outside. Afterwards he came almost immediately back in then whispered something in Mr. Bin Abu's ear.

"You know Skipper if I didn't know any better I'd think you were trying to keep us up here on the bridge for some nefarious reason."

"What? Nefarious? No… Why would I? I just wanted dot my i's and cross my t's… You know to take care of details before we pulled in."

"I'm sure you did and so do I," said the man as he smiled at the Skipper. Suddenly the port lookout came running in from the bridge wing.

"Sir we've got a man overboard," said the lookout. They sounded man overboard. The Skipper flew down the ladder as they put the small boat in the water then went out to retrieve the man.

"I wonder who that can be," said Bin Abu loud enough for the Skipper to hear him. "Has anyone seen the First Mate?"

The Skipper looked in horror as they hauled Ali's water drenched body on board with a huge gash at the base of his skull.

"I guess he must've bumped his head before he fell overboard. I would have never thought working on a ferry could be so dangerous but I there you go you never know. I wonder was he following your orders when he had his accident?"

"He was the First Mate. He didn't need me to tell him what to do. He carried out his duties without having to be told."

"That's good for you. I don't know if I could live with myself if I ordered someone to their death. This isn't going to put us any further behind schedule than we already are?"

"We'll be in port in an hour… barring any more accidents," said the Skipper as he turned to look at Bin Abu in the face.

"I think that depends on your orders but you don't have a First Mate anymore so you ought to skip that drink you tried to offer us and get down to work."

"You might not care but he had a wife..." said the Skipper as he got a lump in his throat wondering if he hadn't caused this.

"Your right I don't care but I'm sure you can come up with something nice to say to her so it doesn't sound like he got himself killed over nothing. Now can we get up a head of steam? Time is money."

"So I've been told," said the Skipper as he wanted Bin Abu walk away with his men.