Don't own Chuck
The black Range Rover drove up to Chuck then stopped in front of him. The man, he had the run in with at the pub, stepped out with his one arm in sling along. He looked over at the Mercedes the side shot up then back over to their other Rover and their man sprawled out on the ground behind it.
"Are you here so we can finish our gunfight? Because if you are I don't have much to live for," said Chuck as the stood up red eyed staring down the man. Two other men stepped out taking aim at Chuck from behind the bullet-proof doors. "But I will take you with me that you can bank on."
"I think you'd try but I've received new orders on my way over. It seems my boss wants to see you in person but if you don't want to come with me you could take your chances right here."
"What does Ettore want with me? I really am not in the mood to talk to him other than a strong desire to put a bullet through his brain something I should've done a long time ago."
"Who said Ettore was my boss? Like I told you before Ettore is just... well assisting us for now. But soon and I mean very soon he will be made redundant then I can see a future where your wish could be granted. That is if you don't end your life right here."
"You've got my attention now," said Chuck as he walked up to the man. The two men standing guard started to get nervous.
"Hold your fire," said the man. "We're not here for that... well not unless our friend here wants that but I don't think so, am I right?"
"I have to admit the opportunity to end Ettore after what he had done here would make me happy. However, if he's not the leader of the hashish eaters then who is?"
"I told you we don't like to be called that. We are the fidā'iyyūn, the faithful and we follow him who is worthy to lead. You come with me and I'll introduce you. He wants to meet you."
"I don't have anything packed and ready. I don't even have my toothbrush and I really don't want to share yours no offense."
"My boss told me to tell you this if you continued to doubt if you should come. Lima-Foxtrot-Kilo-893-Bravo-Zulu-Echo-137-Tango. He said you'd know what it was." Chuck flashed and he did so did Sarah inside the Rover.
"I do and you're right I need to come with you," said Chuck as he walked over to the man. "I think this would be a good time for you to tell me what to call you. If nothing else so we can avoid me yelling 'hay you' all the time."
"You can call me Bin Abu. Now I'll the weapon you have tucked away under your jacket. We wouldn't want any accidental discharges would we along our journey?"
"I can say I've never shoot a man I never intended to shoot or woman for that matter which by the way includes my mother," said Chuck as he pulled it out dropped the clip then cocked the slide back to remove the round in the chamber.
"Very good, now come this way," said Abu as he herded Chuck in the Rover. While he was loading Chuck the team leader came to and started to get up.
"Hey, don't forget me," said the team leader as he got up with his blood running down his shoulder. "I need to get to a hospital. I need a doctor."
"No, you need a mortician," said Abu as he drew and put a round in the man's forehead. "Now let's go before our friends in the other Mercedes get here. Chuck, I'll take your ear piece and phone," said Abu as they got into the Rover.
"Be careful with that it's brand new," said Chuck as he handed Abu his IPhone. "I just bought it before we left and it's got all my contacts in it."
"Don't worry you can always retrieve them from the cloud," said Abu as he tossed both out the window as they drove off.
"I don't know if Apple care is going to cover this," said Chuck. "Well, isn't this the part where you handcuff me and put a black bag over my head?"
"Why? So you can slip out of them and used them as a weapon against me? And if I put a black bag over your head are you going to tell that with your training you can't figure our we're headed to the airport in Tivat? I think your curiosity is enough to make you behave until we get where we need to go."
"You know if you weren't such a humongous butt hole I might actually like you," said Chuck as he sat back in his seat.
"Would you like some jasmine tea? Just because I'm, how did you put, 'a humongous butt hole' that doesn't mean I can't be civil."
"Yes please one sugar and when I called you a 'humongous butt hole' I meant it in a kind and caring way. So we're flying out of Tivat... can you tell me where we're headed to or how long it will take to get there?"
"You'll know when we get there and if I were you I'd just relax and enjoy the ride," said Abu as he handed Chuck his tea. Abu laughed when he realized Chuck was waiting to see him try his first so he took a sip. "Go ahead it's not poisoned or drugged."
"Well, your people were famous for being the masters of political assassinations which included the mastery of poisons."
"You do know a lot about us, don't you," said Abu as he sipped his tea. "I do hope you like your tea. It is one of the few civilized things left in this world."
"Yes, I do but this isn't just jasmine tea. I taste a blend with a floral, fruity bouquet. This is quite good my compliments."
"Yes it's a blend I have made for me. This is the best the East has to offer and if I weren't in this line of work I think I'd be doing something in the tea business."
"Personally I think you missed your calling," said Chuck as he finished his cup.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Casey and Morgan were strapped in on a C-17 sitting on the tarmac in Travis about to take off to head east for Dover. Casey was going over in his head what the game plan was when they hit the deck but Morgan sitting next to him kept distracting him fidgeting around. They got the word from the pilot they'd permission to take off then they felt the plane begin to roll.
"You sure this plane can fly," said Morgan to the Airman handing out sound protection. The woman looked at him strange.
"Here you should've gotten these earlier but better late than never," said the Airman as she handed him the small box.
"Better late than never? What does that mean? John, I changed my mind I don't want to go with you. I'll pass this time and go on a mission I can drive to."
"Shut up and stay still. You're not going anywhere," said Casey. "Don't worry about him," said John as the Airman came back to check on Morgan.
"Is there a problem here?" she asked. "Listen there's nothing to worry about. This plane has flown on hundreds of missions and nothing has every happened. We'll be in Dover before you know it."
"John, you got us put on an old plane. You just heard her... this planes flown hundreds of missions. I saw a thing on YouTube where they said one of the leading causes of airplane crashes in metal fatigue."
"Really well I'm getting fatigued listening to you blabber on about nothing so just sit there and zip it or I'll zip it for you."
"Casey, how can a plane built like a bumble bee fly? Scientists don't even know how bumble bees can fly then they go and make a plane like them. What were they thinking? Oh we are so going to die. Alex is going to be a widow before we're married."
"Don't worry about Alex there are plenty of other fish in the sea. Give her a couple of days to get back out there but a catch like her won't have trouble finding someone. Just saying you don't have to worry about her," said Casey as they felt the plane stop roll then started to turn.
"Gee thanks John for the happy thought but you're right. I don't want Alex to morn over me. It wouldn't be fair to her. She's young and I wouldn't want her to go through what Kat went through when she thought you were dead."
"Grimes just shut up," said John. What Morgan said cut him to the quick and worse he knew Morgan was right. Morgan looked at him.
"Oh I'm sorry I shouldn't have said... I didn't mean... well I'm sorry," said Morgan realizing what he'd said and wishing he could take back the words.
"Just shut up and hold onto your bag," said Casey as the plane revved up and began to make its run for take-off. The C-17 requires very little in the way of a landing strip to take-off or land. The nose went up abruptly and everything not tied down started rolling towards the tail section including Morgan's bag. "Don't you dare unbuckle yourself to go after that. Wait until the plane levels off then you can go get it"
"You don't have to worry about that the last thing I'm going to do right now is unbuckle myself," said Morgan as he white knuckled the metal frame of the canvas seat.
It didn't take long before the plane leveled out and they were at cruising altitude. John unbuckled himself and went down retrieved Morgan's bag then tossed it at him.
"Next time you'll know to put it on the other side of you," said John as he walked by then went on up to talk to the flight crew.
"Next time? What next time? Oh crap I forgot we've got to do this again when we leave from Dover. You sure there's not some ship we can't catch a lift with?"
"Before we take-off Grimes we have to land. Short take-off means a short landing so get ready and remember you heave up you clean it up. I'll be right back I want to check on our flight time."
"Sure go ahead and go just leave me here to wallow in my human plight," said Morgan but as almost as soon as Casey disappearws up in the cockpit his phone range. Looking at the number it was Alex.
"Alex, I'm sorry I can't hear you very well. Wait a moment and let me put in an earbud," said Morgan. He pulled one out of his bag then sync'd. "Okay that should be better. I don't know if I'm supposed to talk to you while we're in flight."
"I'm sorry I normally wouldn't call you guys while you're up there but I just got a phone call and I need to pass on the intel..."
"I'm just glad I get to hear your voice one more time before I die. You know Casey got us seats on a rust bucket. An Airman told me this plane has flown hundreds of missions and you know what that means..."
"Morgan, I told you not to watch that show on the history channel about airplane disasters. Now you've got yourself all worked up. I'm sorry I can't be there to help you through this but I need Dad to know this. Banai, Chuck's friend in the VAJA called a little while ago. He said he wanted to confirm the number he had was Chuck's. I traced the call as he was speaking and he was calling from the port of Baku. The Iranians are after their own missile and they have a head start on you guys."
"Did he ask anything else like did he want to talk to Chuck? John's not here right now or I'd pass him over to you."
"Morgan that plane isn't that big. Why can't you just go and grab him? Never mind I expect it has something to do with rooting?"
"Exactly, if I get up and walk around I'm not rooting and if I'm not rooting... well let's not go into that. They build a plane like a bumble bee... that's it... that's how a bumble bee flies it roots for itself."
"Good bye Morgan. Pass on what I just told you to Dad and if he wants to talk to me I have got my cell phone with me so he can reach me on it. I have to go out for a little while..."
"Go out? Where are you going out to? I don't mind you getting back out in there after I fall from the sky but at least wait for news of my fiery death."
"Oh Morgan be serious. I'm going to Mom's for lunch. She's got all that food left over and someone needs to help her eat it. Before you ask yes we froze you a plate for when you get back."
"Thanks," said Morgan. "I miss you already and I'm sorry if I acted like such a jerk before I left. I know you were only looking out for my own good."
"Oh Morgan, I miss you too and I'd hope you'd do the same for me. I don't know what's going on but keep your eyes out. I was wondering if this had something to do with Ettore but the tracker has him still in Sofia that's in..."
"I remember what Casey said. It's in Bulgaria and I was thinking the same thing. I might have really jumped into it this time. Whatever it is I'm in it now. As soon as John comes back I'll tell him you called."
Thanks," said Alex. She knew she should get off the line but she didn't want to. "Well, I don't need to tell you how I feel right because you feel the same way?"
"Of course I feel the same way you feel and I know you feel the same way I do because we feel the same way... we feel I think... no I'm sure. Just don't ask me to repeat that fast three times. I've got to run I'm getting evil looks from the flight crew," said Morgan. Alex mustered up the courage.
"Oh this is ridiculous. We're getting married for goodness sake," said Alex but "I lo.." was all Alex got out before he hung up.
"See off the phone," he said as he put away his phone. "Crap you can't do anything around here. I should get up and mingle," he said to himself but as he started to get up they hit a patch of turbulence. "On second thought I'm staying put right here. Root Morgan root."
It wasn't a few minutes later Casey came walking back with a candy bar in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other. Morgan raise an eyebrow as he sat down next to him.
"What's the look for? The candy bar is for you and the cup of Joe is for me. We should be in Dover in a couple of hours so eat up that's lunch. We can grab something in the terminal in Dove before we board."
"I got some news for you Alex called," said Morgan as he tore open the wrapper and started chowing down. "I'm going to have to brush my teeth after this. I can't let all this sugar ruin my teeth."
"If you don't want to eat the rest of that candy bar through a straw you need to cut to the chase and tell me what Alex had to say."
"Sorry," said Morgan as he took a bite then the chocolate, nougat and caramel acted like glue in his mouth so he couldn't talk and the words that came out Casey couldn't understand. "One moment, right with you."
"You know most people know it's not polite to talk with your mouth full. Try speaking first and tell me what Alex call for then eat."
"Sorry, it's just I was so hungry and then when I started eating it was like I couldn't stop," said Morgan as he took another bite starting the process again.
"Dead men don't get hungry. You know I can make this whole eating thing go faster by shoving that candy bar, wrapper and all straight down your throat into your stomach by-passing chewing and everything else. Although you might swallow a few teeth in the process."
"Okay, okay, well, Alex called because Banai called Castle looking for Chuck. She thought it was strange so she traced his call..."
"He called from the port of Baku didn't he?" Morgan nodded his head. "He talked to Chuck in Montenegro so he knew Chuck wasn't there when he called. He was onboard the Red Star and found the number to Castle. He was trying it to see who was on the other end. You know what this means don't you?"
"Of course I do it's as plain as the nose on your face. But you know I'd like your spin on this so why don't you tell me what you think then I'll jump in and correct you."
"Idiot, it means the Iranians are ahead of us. Banai and his team have probably combed the ship and the port. We're playing catch up so when we land we're going to have to go at it hard which means we're both going to have to work."
"That's why I'm here," said Morgan. Casey waited for it. "But exactly why am I here? And what is it you expect me to do?"
"You don't have to do anything Morgan. All you have to do is show your face and walk with a limp that should be enough."
"Wait a minute you want me to pass for Ettore. You think he's behind stealing this missile and you knew but you didn't want to tell Alex..."
"For obvious reasons and the same reasons that now you know you'll keep this to yourself and not blab to Alex."
"Okay I can understand why but Alex is going to be so pissed at us when she finds out and you know she will."
"Not is you keep that hole in your face you call a mouth quiet. You should practice keeping your yap shut for the rest of the flight," said Casey. He pulled out of his pack the latest issue of 'Guns and Ammo' along with a set of noise cancelling headphones. He put them on and was gone to the world around him.
"So long Casey," said Morgan. "I wonder what Chuck's up to. I hope he's having fun on his vacation while the rest of us have to work."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The response team finally arrived on scene but by the time they arrived Chuck and the Rover were long gone. Sarah left the two perps in their hands them while she took Emma and the girls back to the Casino and the dungeon. The ride back was long and quiet. She knew the girls had a lot of questions that she would have to deal with but first she needed to make sure they were tracking Chuck and this new player Bin Abu. Margo and Mike met them as they pulled the Mercedes into the parking garage away from prying eyes.
"Emma take Bunny and the girls up to our room and wait for me there. Girls I know you've got lots of things you want to ask and I promise I'll try to answer them the best I can but right now I've got work to do."
"Come on girls," said Emma. "Come with me and let's see if we can't rustle up some ice cream from the bar first then we can go up to the room." Thanks mouthed Sarah as they disappeared in the elevator.
"Mike, I need you to get hot. I want you to use facial recognition and start looking for Chuck. Begin with the airport. My guess is they're taking a plane somewhere. I'm sorry Margo if I'm walking all over you but this is Chuck we're talking about."
"But I don't understand why he went with this guy... Bin Abu you called him. Especially as he identified him as an associate of La Barba's. If you guys had held them off for just a little while my men would've been there."
"Chuck had his reasons. I may not have liked what he did but given everything he didn't have much of a choice," said Sarah. Margo gave her a puzzled look. "You'll understand. Okay I need a secure space to talk with the General and I need it now. Margo you can stay with me to help guarantee that no one can over hear what I'm about to talk to the General about." Mike looked back at the two of them.
"Mike, you heard her. Contact the General then patch the call into the interrogation room. I'll be on the other side of the glass to guarantee your privacy."
"That sounds like a plan. Any luck locating Chuck yet," asked Sarah. "Mike, I know I'm throwing a lot at you but I need you to multi-task for me."
"Roger that I've got the General on the line now. She doesn't seem very happy," said Mike. "She's asking what's going on."
"She'll really be tickled pink when I get done with her," said Sarah as she started back to the detention cells and the interrogation room.
"I got him," yelled Mike. "There he is at the airport. They're walking through to the charters and is that your Bin Abu with him? Why isn't he handcuffed or drugged?"
"That's not your concern and yes that is Abu. The same man Chuck wounded earlier. I need to know what plane their boarding and I want its flight plan as soon as I get back. Then I'm going to need a charter to follow them. I'm going to get my husband back and kill whoever gets in my way."