Don't own Chuck

At the airport in Batumi was a black Discovery waiting out of sight for an incoming Lear with a group of men dressed in tactical gear inside. Abu arranged for the welcome party for Sarah after he'd left Chuck under lock and key on the Contessa. His instructions were to grab her as soon as she landed and take her to their safe house. She could come in handy they could use her as leverage with Chuck if they had to move forward with him.

"I'm tell you you're messing around with fire," said Ettore. "You should off them like I told you to do. You're going to mess around and he's going to ruin everything. We're too close to obtaining our goals now."

"Our goals? Since when did they become our goals? Besides I can't do anything my dear Ettore until you've come through for me. You said you needed the download and now you have it so what's left to do? You are trying my patience."

"Abu we're almost there just a little more time. The intersect room is almost ready on our island now we just have to upload the data from this device and we'll be in business," said Ettore as he held up the device. "Once we do that and you sail on the Contessa we can test our machine on our first human guinea pig," he said with a coy smile of satisfaction.

"And who will be this test subject? I bet you've already got a name in mind," asked Abu but he already knew who Ettore was going to propose. Ettore's smile was like the smile of the cat who ate the canary.

"Naturally, I do. I was thinking that I should test it out on myself. I can't risk putting someone else through this torture if I don't know it will work... I mean work properly."

"Oh how so thoughtful and out of character. I thought you might feel that way but I have a different person in mind... say someone like myself for instance. I'm afraid this is nonnegotiable I've already made my mind up."

"But what are you going to do if it doesn't work? You know it could just as easily scramble your brains. Then what are you going to do? You're the leader of this merry band of..."

"I'd be careful what you say next," said Abu. Ettore looked around and noticed everyone was looking at him. "Ettore it's nothing personal but I follow orders just like everyone else here so I'm as expendable as anyone else. Secondly and probably more importantly I don't trust you. You're about as slimy as they come and you're more liable to use the intersect against us than to use it to help..."

"Those are such harsh word coming from someone I thought was my friend," said Ettore as he feigned being offended. "But I do understand and maybe in the past that was true..."

"My dear Ettore let's cut to the chase. You wouldn't be proposing yourself if you weren't sure it will work so you can cut the crap. I told you how it's going to be now get busy preparing it. We can't hide out forever not with a nuke and a missile both stick out like a sore thumb."

"I'll get right on it," said Ettore as he started to leave then turned around. "Shouldn't your people be reporting in from the airport. I would've thought Sarah would've landed by now," he said as he checked his watch. "You don't think that she took out your welcoming party do you? I keep telling you you're underestimating the Carmichaels and this will turn around and bit you... and bite you hard one of this days. You can take my word on that."

"Keep it up Ettore and one of this days I'll turn you over to Chuck. He's already expressed interest in putting a bullet through your head. You keep up talking like your talking and I just might let him."

"Again that's rather hurtful but answer me this who's going to put your intersect room together and who's going to maintain it after it's up and running," said Ettore. "No you need me and you know that." Abu was about to answer him when his phone rang. He pulled it out and looked at the caller ID.

"I need to take this call. You just go and take care of your end of the deal," said Abu then he turned to his phone. Ettore got out of the vehicle, walked over to another and got in then left.

"For now Ettore... for now I need you but who knows. What?" said Abu as he heard his man's voice on his phone. "Yes of course I can talk now... What do you mean she wasn't on the plane? I assume you looked everywhere. Planes don't fly themselves ... Yes, I know about drones. Just get back to the ship and post lookouts. Sooner or later she'll turn up there. ... Of course I'm upset! What do you think? I send you to do one simple thing and you screw it up. What did you think was going to happen? I was going to be tickled pink. I don't want to talk about this anymore just get back to the ship on the double."

After he hung up he dialed another number as he tried to calm down. The phone rang and rang which didn't help the way he felt then there was a click.

"What took you so long to answer? ... Yes, it's me. Who else would call you on this number? Never mind me things are in a bit of a flux. ... Yes, there's been a change of plans. I want you to drive straight to the pier and load the missile on the Contessa. I want to get out of here as soon as possible. ... I'll explain on board."

[Earlier at the airport]

Inside the dark Range Rover the team was getting ready. Their target on the Learjet had been given permission to land and now they were gearing up for the tag and grab. They'd been warned that this may not be as easy as it appeared but everyone knew what they were supposed to do. Finally, they got a call from their man in the control tower who told them the fix was in.

"Okay this is it. The plane is coming in and will be brought over to hanger number one. We'll take her right after she lands. Remember we're to try to take her alive but if she puts up too much of a fight... well accidents are known to happen."

"I see the plane coming in now," said the driver. He started the engine then drove over to the hangar laying back on the side out of sight.

"Okay we'll jump out here then after the plane is in the hangar I want you drive back around blocking the entrance. That way if she sees us and decides to fly out she can't because we'll have her boxed in. Now let's move it they'll be bringing her in here any moment," said the team leader as they deployed. Soon the plane eased into the hangar then powered down which was also their signal to move in. Men with vests ran up the boarding ladder while others pushed it with them next to the plane as they were about to breech the SUV pulled in.

"What took you so long," radioed the team leader as he looked back at the driver but the man just shrugged his shoulders. "I'll deal with you later. Flash grenade ready?" The man next to the hatch nodded. "Go, go," yelled the team leader. The man tossed in the grenade there was a loud bang and flash of light inside then they ran inside through the smoky haze.

"Cockpit clear," yelled one of his men as they deployed into the cabin. She had to have gone aft thought the team leader where else could she be.

"Cabin clear," yelled one man then "Aft clear," yelled another man. "The plane is clear. She's not onboard." The men stood there scratching their heads.

"This just isn't possible," said the team leader as he pushed his way into the aft compartment of the plane. "What the heck? Where could she have gone to people just don't up and disappear. Look around for hidden compartments or passageways. This just doesn't make sense." They searched for a while then gave up and went back out to their vehicle. Already the team leader was playing over in his head his conversations with Abu and none of them were pleasant.

"Get thing started and let's get out of here. Afterwards though you and I are going to have a talk about why you were late," said the team leader. "But first I have to make this phone call. I want to know why it took you so long to drive around the corner of the build. You could've let her get away..."

"You mean like she did anyway," said one of the men from the back. "Let's face it she handed it to you... to us."

"I'm not admitting anything and shut up no one asked for your opinion," said the team leader. "You can start the engine and leave now. It's bad enough I've got to make this phone call but you don't need to listen in. For once can you follow orders?"

"Yeah let's get a move on it," said one of the men from the back. "I want to get an ice cream from the parlor before they stop serving in an hour. Did you hear me," said the man in the back as he reached forward and nudged the driver. He fell face first into the horn with a bloody knife wound in his back.

"I guess there's your proof that she got off the plane without being detected... or detected by Mosul and he paid for it."

"A couple of you come up front and remove Mosul's body. You can put it in the back then one of you come up front and drive. I need to call Abu and tell him we failed." The man reluctantly took out his phone thinking again how he was going to explain this. Then when Abu started barking he knew he was in the dog house.

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But what he didn't realize was Sarah was there listening to his conversation all along. She wasn't dumb and realized right away what was going on. When she was assigned a hangar in the middle of nowhere it was giveaway. However, what sealed it was when she questioned the need for a hangar and answer she got back from the control tower.

"I don't need to park my plane in a hangar. I won't be leaving anytime soon so it doesn't matter if the engines get cold. There will be plenty of time to warm them up if necessary." But they came back that it was a free service and nonnegotiable.

"Okay so you've decided to try to grab me in the hangar. Nice and quiet away from the crowds but that works both ways," said Sarah. After landing she taxied over the hangar following the grounds personnel's instructions to the letter. She didn't want them to know she was on to them. Then in the hangar she powered down then ran to the access port for the landing gear. She climbed down inside just as the plane was being breeched.

"Boy are you going to have a surprise," said Sarah as she climbed down then out. She ducked behind some oil drums and waited for the last of the wet team to board before she made her move. She darted over behind a seaplane then as she was leaving the hangar a man started to get out of the Rover. She ran pull a knife and threw all in one fluid motion. The knife caught the man in the back then she got an idea.

"Buddy, your friends don't know it but they're going to help me," she said as she put the man back in behind the steering wheel then rolled under the SUV.

"Piece of cake we can do this," she said to herself as she strapped herself to the undercarriage with bungee cords. She didn't have to wait long before the men came back and discovered their driver was dead. She listened from below to a conversation as one of the men reported in then another man got behind the wheel and they took off.

"Okay buddy, let's go but try to avoid potholes and light on the speed bumps," she thought as they pulled out of the airport. If she was right they'd take her to where Chuck was being held.

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Back in Bethesda Devon worked through most of the day then somewhere around the late evening he came out. He found Roan in the waiting room with the Major both had coffee in their hands and a need to shave. They looked up as he walked in and took deep breaths before then waited for Devon to begin.

"Well it's done," said Devon as he took off his surgical hat. Roan and the Major looked at each other. "No... wait a moment what did you understand? I said it's done as in I'm done with everything I can do..."

"I have to ask you but the day when your class in Med School had their lesson on bedside manners were you sick or miss it for some other reason?" said Roan. "Just give it to us. How's Diane? Will she pull through?"

"I extracted the slug then patched up damage it did but I have to say anyone else wouldn't have made it off the operating table. But the General just won't die. She went into cardiac arrest twice and we defibrillated her bringing her back. I'm going to keep her in the ICU for the next twenty-four hours then we can go from there. But she's not to go anywhere near Langley until I clear her. I told her that and I'm telling you both now. She needs to let herself heal before going back to work."

"When you told her that did you take away her weapon first," said Roan. "You might want to start wearing a vest when you go into see her. I don't suppose I could see her even for just a few minutes."

"That's what I'm getting to she's asked to see you and against my better judgement I agreed but she's not to get too excited. Major she wants you to come in too. So follow me and I'll help you get cleaned up so you can go in and see her."

Devon took them to a cleaning station where he helped them get washing up and disinfected before they went into the ICU. They walked into the dimly lit room and there in a bed lay the General with her eyes closed. The beeping noise from the heart monitor next to her bed told everyone she was still alive but as they got closer to her bed she opened her eyes.

"You'll do anything to get out of going to lunch with me," said Roan as he walked up beside her and took her hand.

"I just need a rain check and as soon as I get out of here we can have that lunch together. I promise and this time to hell with my badge. Listen up we need to get out in front of this. What's the status of the two men who did this to me?"

"They're being held at a black site mending from their wound. We will have their intel if it's the last thing they do," said the Major. "On that you have my word."

"I don't want this made personal. We need a name although we all have a good idea who was behind this. However, we need to be a hundred percent sure then we need to authorize a drone strike. We have to let them know that if they mess with fire they're going to get burnt."

"General, I didn't bring Roan and the Major in so you can get work done. I told you no work your blood pressure and heart beat just went up. Remember the deal you're not to get excited."

"'Too excited' was what you said and yes Warden I hear you. Okay," said the General. She took a deep breath then tried to speak in a calm voice. "Roan, you need to step up and take charge. You're at the helm and I'm sorry but I've left you a mess. You need to find Ettore, Abu and Chuck. The first two you can have eliminated on the spot. It's over I'm done messing around with Ettore the gloves are off. Chuck was right I should've authorized the drone strike when I could've before but I won't make the same mistake twice."

"I'll handle the office and everything else," said Roan as he caught the look from Devon. "You just lay there and think about getting better. I'm going to have a guard posted outside your door incase these people try again."

"I'm afraid that's it for now. I'm going to have to ask you both to leave now. My patient needs her rest and she won't get it with you two here. You can come back tomorrow and see me. I'll decided then if you can come in."

"Very well," said Roan. "I'll have some real food sent over so you don't have to survive on hospital food and maybe a small bottle of Scotch that should make you feel better."

"Absolutely not," said Devon. "If I find alcohol in here I'll bar you both from her room until she checks out and goes home. Now everyone out of the room," said Devon as he herded everyone out. As soon as the room was clear he went down the cafeteria for a late lunch or and early dinner. On the way down to the cafeteria he took out his phone and called home.

"Ellie, love it's me. ... Me who? Have I been gone that long? ... No, I'm not the post man. They always ring twice. ... I love you too. Let me tell you about what I found..."

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Banai drove the Mercedes across Georgia trying to catch up with Abram. He had a head start on him but Abram was riding in heavy truck which could go only so fast. Plus, Abram didn't know how close he actually was but neither did Banai so he had his foot on the gas all the way trying to reach him before they pulled into Batumi. Once they got there it would be problematic how to reach them not that he by himself was going to be able to take out the men traveling with the trucks.

"Okay so what's your game plan," he said to himself as he drove faster than any sane man would've on roads that were more goat paths than a highway. "You could pass them then turn the car sideways in the road."

"That won't work the trucks would just pile right into you knocking you out the way as they barrel on through. Then you'll be in the middle of nowhere with no means of transportation and you'll have let Abram give you the slip again," he said as he started talking to himself glancing up in the mirror. "If you don't let up a little on the gas you may not make in one piece to do anything."

But he continued to push the Mercedes and thought he was making real progress. His only regret was he didn't have satellite imagery like Chuck had to confirm for him that he was in fact gaining. To drive this hard then to fail to catch up would be a shame especially if he got his neck broke in the process. However, he had no choice he had to go for broke or risk losing all.

"It's a good thing they don't have any lookouts posted behind them," said Banai which became famous last words. When he rounded a bend and found a cattle truck in the middle of the road. "Crap," he said as he fought to stop in time gearing down but eh car wasn't stopping. With the ice on the road he didn't dare touch his brakes. He saw quickly he wasn't going to be able to stop so he did the only thing he could and ran it into the ditch

"Geez, where did you come from," said Banai as he looked in his rearview only to see men coming out from around the truck carrying AK47s. "This is getting better and better all the time." The rear window exploded as the men opened fire. Banai rolled out of the Mercedes and returned fire. Dropping two then he got on the other side of the vehicle using it as cover. He dropped two more who foolishly tried to charge him.

"Okay, now what," said Banai as everything became quiet. "I don't like this silence," he said as he raised up to take a peek. Two rounds whizzed past his head and he had to duck back down. They were better armed and had more ammo. They could afford to wait him out but somehow he didn't think that was their plan.

"Crap," he said. He realized they had been circling behind him and now someone was coming up behind him. He spun around to find two men coming up behind him carrying 47s. He tried to raise his Makarov but he heard two gunshots before he could get off a round.