Don't own Chuck

The assembly of the missile was coming along well. The first stage was back together and now they were finishing the second. After that it was just a matter of filling the tank with liquid propellant then mounting the warhead and they'd be in business. Both Ettore and Abu had been constantly flashing and they mistook what they felt as tiredness.

"Ettore, I think we can take a break for now. I need to go talk to my people in Montenegro so why don't you go check on how they're coming unloading the warhead from the submarine then take a nap if you like. You might want to get some rest in before we start the rush finale."

"Thanks, I think I might just do that. I've got this headache building in the back of my head. A little shut eye is what I need right now. But you've been at it too and you don't feel the same? How's that possible?"

"Who me? I don't know but no I don't feel tired... not at all I could work on if I had to but there's no need. Why are you so concerned? Are you still worried about what Chuck told us? You know the more I think about it the more I'm convinced he was just trying to scare us."

"Maybe but if that was what he hoped to do he accomplished it. I really don't want to become a vegetable... I don't even like vegetables and I certainly don't eat them... yuck."

"Like I said there's nothing to worry about. I've got to go and make this call. Don't forget to go and check on that warhead. The key to our plan rests with this thing becoming nuclear."

"You don't have to remind me I know. I'll go right now," said Ettore as he took off his white lab coat then headed out as Abu went off in a different direction. As soon as he was out of sight of Ettore he dug in his pocket and pulled out a bottle of aspirin. He played around with the child proof cap but he couldn't get the bottle open.

"Geez, this is supposed to be child proof not Abu proof too," he said but he just couldn't get the cap off. He looked at the tunnel wall and for a second or two he thought about smashing it against it to get it open.

"Sir, can I help you," said one of the guards walking up behind him. "Here let me see that. Sometimes these caps can be tricky. There you go," said the man as he handed back Abu the bottle and cap.

"Thanks, it's this headache I've got going it's so strong I can hardly see or think straight," he said as he continued on down the passageway. He poured out a handful them swallowed them without water. "Geez, I wonder if Ettore's headache is as bad as mine. But I can't let him know about this or he'll do something stupid like turn himself in." Finally, after what seemed like he'd been walking for miles, when the truth was he hadn't gone that far, he reached the comms room. Opening the door, he went inside.

"I need to place a secure call to our people in Montenegro. I have to find out if they're ready for the next phase. That is if we need them to persuade Chuck to help us."

"Yes sir, one minute," said the watch supervisor. "Sir, do you feel okay? You look a little pale. Can I get you something?"

"Just that call... no wait I could use some water. You wouldn't happen to have a bottle lying around somewhere would you?"

"I'll get you a bottle out of the fridge," said the man. He went and got the bottle then handed it to his boss as his men placed the call. "Here you go sir and they tell me the team leader is on the horn now to talk to you."

"Good patch him through," said Abu as he opened the bottle then turned it up. The aspirin without water had already started to eat at his stomach. "Oh better thanks."

"Your man is on the line," said the watch supervisor. "If you want more water I can get you another bottle?"

"Yes please," he said then he turned back to the monitor. "You guys in Montenegro can you see and hear me." The screen flickered then his man appeared.

"We can see and hear you all right," said the man as he paused then continued. "What's the matter with you? You look like hammered crap."

"It's a bug that's going around. I need to know you're ready to make your move if we need you? We're almost done here and we're going to need the rocket programmed."

"We had a little bit of a problem checking in here. It seems that our reservations were given away because of some computer glitch..."

"Are you sure it there was something wrong with the computer? They might be on to you," said Abu. "Tell me you've been able to secure the weapons we had stashed there for you?"

"Not all of them, we went down to our rooms the ones we were supposed to have and grabbed the weapons that were hidden for us. So yes, we secured our weapons. I checked with the front desk a little while ago and we're going to be able to move into our assigned rooms tomorrow."

"And you don't think that's not suspicious? I thought you said they gave away your rooms. Did you find any evidence any one else was in those rooms when you go the weapons?"

"No but I thought about that and I asked why we couldn't go ahead and move in. They told me the people that were in there had just checked out and that housekeeping was going to have to give the rooms a good cleaning and the mini bars need to be restocked."

"That's awfully considerate of them," said Abu as he gave them a look. "Just be sure you're ready to jump when I call. We won't have much time."

"Of course we'll be ready. Have you contacted the Old Man and reported in yet? You know he wants a status report twice a day."

"You worry about your business and I'll worry about mine. You just be ready when the time comes or there will be unpleasant consequences for you."

"Unpleasant... I know how to follow orders which is more than I can say about others."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Back onboard the Mason, the Russian Command back in Sevastopol wasn't very happy with the situation but there was little they could do other than trust their Captain or scuttle the boat. It was a coin toss but trusting their own won out. Also, if things didn't go the way they liked they could hang this on him in the inquiry that was sure to come and he knew it.

"I thank you for your hospitality," said the boat Captain as he had lunch in the Skipper's cabin. "I also thank you that you've followed my request and not sending your men below decks."

"I took you word that there was no need and with your nuclear reactor… well I didn't want to risk my men even though I've been monitoring radiation levels just to be on the safe side."

"I would've done the same. I brought over a present for you," said the Russian. He handed the Skipper a bottle of Vodka. "I know your regulations forbid you from drinking on board…"

"I won't tell if you won't," said the Skipper. They laughed as he poured two glasses. "One glass to toast with is mandatory in these situations to do otherwise would be unthinkable."

"Then I would like to make a toast to you and your crew. You came to the rescue and if it hadn't been for you… well I might not be making this toast somewhere a lot hotter than here. How do you say, 'cheers'?"

"Cheers," said the Skipper. "I hate to tell you but it looks like you're going to be in the yard for a long while repairing that damage."

"That will be someone else's problem. I have no doubt there will be a board of inquiry when I get back and if they let me stay in the Navy I'll spend the rest of my days behind a desk. You know I really like going to sea. Things are so much simpler here."

"I must go down to the sea,

To the lonely sea and the sky,

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,

And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,

And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking."

"I must down to the sea again,

For the call of the running tide Is a wild call

and a clear call that may not be denied; ….

I must down to the seas gain, to the vagrant gypsy life," said the Russian as he raised his glass. "…. And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover..." Then he drank his toast. They both laughed.

"I don't know if this will help or not but we did pick up a bleep of a second submarine entering the island right after we got your distress call. I can give you a recording... I know how these things go with us. Someone will try to brush this under the rug and say you ran into an underwater mountain or a sunken ship. It can't hurt."

"As long as I don't get you in trouble. I'm trying the best I can now to insulate my Executive Officer. The best I can figure out they must've been down there when we got here resting on the seabed. Hiding from you and when you left they launched a surprise torpedo attack disabling my aft tubes then they sailed past me for the island."

"But you still had your forward tubes? Why didn't you take them out when they passed you? Or is that covered in the area of classified information?"

"Something like that... my forward tubes were otherwise occupied so I did the only thing I could do. We tried to repair the damage and secure the reactor. We barely had enough power to surface and then you came along. I don't know how much of that I'll be able to tell in my inquiry before someone shuts the hearings down."

"And no verdict is like a guilty verdict... I don't envy you. One more round can't hurt," said the Skipper as he filled their glasses. "May the sea always bring us together and never divide."

"There are no borders at sea," said the Boat Captain as they drank the toast. "Well this was nice. Now I must get back to my boat a tugboat will be here soon to tow us into port."

"We'll remain on station to look over you until they get here. I wish we could've met under better circumstances."

"Me too," said the Russian as they shook hands.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Meanwhile on the shoreline not far from the cave the underwater sleigh surfaced then ran up on the beach. Stefan rolled off exhausted. He fought off passing out undoing his scuba gear that now seem to weigh tons. He got up to find Imma still lying on the back of the sleigh but there were no signs of Anatoly anywhere. Stefan's ears were ringing and he felt something warm running out of them as he tried to rouse Imma.

"Imma," he yelled as he rolled her off the sleigh. He took her mask and gear off then checked her for pulse and respiration. Her pulse was weak but she wasn't breathing so he initiated mouth to mouth. Soon she began coughing and looked up at him smiling.

"You've been dying to get your lips on mine for a while," she said as she pushed him off. "Where are we? What happened?"

"Next time try not to almost die on me if you can. We're on the island but I think our sub was attacked as we were launching..."

"The Americans actually attacked us? I thought the Captain said they were steaming away," said Imma as she sat up trying to shake off what she was feeling.

"Who said it was the Americans. I'm willing to bet it has something to do with what's going on here and yes Anatoly's missing. He launched before us. With the current and everything... well there's no telling where he ended up."

"I'm sorry," said Imma. "You two have been friends for a long time. I don't know what to say other than I'm sorry."

"Sorry will be these people when I get my hands on them. We need to get off this beach before we're seen. I'll hide the sleigh while you rest up and get your strength."

"No... no, I'm fine and you're right we're out in the open like this," said Imma as she got up slowly.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

On the other side of the bay Anatoly's sleigh ran out of juice for its electric motor and began to lose power before cutting off completely. Without the motor running it began it rise. Anatoly was brought to when he felt a metallic ping and realized he was still underwater. His oxygen was almost gone but what was curious was where he was at on the underside of a large vessel. He swam to the surface to find he'd ended up under the keel of the Contessa.

"Crap," he said to himself as he grabbed hold of his sleigh and took it under the pier tying it off out of sight. He wondered where everyone else was but he had no time to go looking for them he had to get someplace safe where he could regroup and think what to do next.

"One thing you're going to have to do is get out of this water. It's frigid and the last thing you need is to go into hypothermia. Maybe you can get some answers on board the ship," said Anatoly as he swam back out to the anchor chain and used it a ladder to climb onboard.

"Okay now out of my wetsuit," he said as he took off the wetsuit stowing it away in the anchor windlass room. From there he went into the boatswain's locker and found a pair of old coveralls and ball cap. Anatoly put his Makarov service pistol in his pocket then started working his way aft. He was surprised how few crew members were onboard. He started going topside when he was stopped.

"What are you doing up here dressed like that? You know Mr. Abu doesn't want dirty uniforms topside. I don't recognize you, you must be one of the new guys," said the man. Anatoly was having a hard time understanding him the man was speaking Bulgarian with a Persian accent. Anatoly started to nod but caught himself and shook his head inside.

"Yes, that's right. I arrived but my luggage didn't and these were the clothes they gave me in supply. I guess I got turned around."

"You can say that. Engineers belong below. You were hired to replace the other two that skipped out after they caused that power surge that blacked out half the island. Go back down the ladder you came up three decks then go aft and take another ladder down on the same side. You'll hear the sound of the engines. That will be your new home for the time being. Now go back down below before you get me in trouble for letting be up here."

"Blagodaria," said Anatoly then he started to leave as the First Mate stood there making sure he was heading back down.

"You can thank me by doing your job... at least better than those other two. Confounded Bulgarians only here is no yes and yes is no."

Anatoly went back down below but he had no intention of heading down to engineering. If he did and ran into the owner of the coveralls he had on he would be outed or the men in engineering might out him too. No, he need to get somewhere safe and change again. But more he needed to find out what was going on.

"What are you going to do now," said Anatoly to himself. He walked back aft until he came to the cargo hold that was empty now. "Maybe you could stay here for a bit and catch your breath. You can't keep wandering around forever. You need to come up with a plan." What he didn't know was a plan was being made for him as he sat in the hold.

[Back on the brow]

Two men came walking down the pier carrying sea bags. The First Mate spotted them as they came onboard and were greeted by the Chief engineer along with the Third Mate. He went down to investigate and to have a little fun with the Chief Engineer.

"I'll take you down to your workstation and turn you over to your Section Leader. He'll brief you on your watches and square away your berthing..."

"Are you getting more new personnel? You only lost two or should I say they turned tail and ran," said the First Mate goading the Chief Engineer.

"At least my people didn't come up with a lame story about being beaten up by a ninja dressed up like a woman. And what do you mean about more personnel? These guys are the only two new hires. You sure the lady ninja didn't do a number on you?"

"Wait a minute I just saw a new engineer dressed up in dirty coveralls with Waldo written above his pocket. You're telling me you don't have a Waldo?"

"Did have you mean. He was one of the guys who jumped ship so if you saw him I'd like to have a word with him."

"No... no, this guy was new. I'd never seen him before," said the First Mate as he realized what had just happened.

"Looks to me like the question is where is Waldo? And I'd go further can you find Waldo?"

"Sound the intruder alert and after the security team to meet me in the armory. We need to smoke this guy out."

"Good luck with that," said the Chief Engineer. "Tell me have you found the last guy yet... oh that's right the lady ninja... I almost forgot. She came out of nowhere and saved him. Too bad she didn't save your search party from Mr. Abu's wrath. The fish here in the bay are getting pretty fat being as well feed as they are. You know you'd be a tasty morsel for them."

"Out of my way," said the First Mate. "Oh and maybe next time you might learn how to screw in a light bulb."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Casey, Banai, the Lieutenant and the rest were follow Grigor down a path through tall grass and wind swept pine trees. The grass was the only thing that could grow under the pine trees. Its resin killed off all competing grown and its cones were a source of food for the wild boar population.

"Shush," said Casey as he grabbed a hold of Grigor motioning everyone to get down. "I heard something move in the grass." Then suddenly a mother boar along with baby boars crossed in front of them.

"It's best to wait a bit and let them get some distance from us," said Grigor. "The mothers are very protective of their young."

"You don't have to tell me twice," said Casey. "I've seen what they can do if they thing someone is after they young. Those tucks will go right through a boot and if they get skin... well they can take hunk out. Pigs... boars are omnivores if you drop you'll be their next meal."

"And you wonder why we consider them unclean," said Banai. But as they did they heard movement again in the grass. "Don't tell me they're back?"

"Shush, no these are moving on two legs," said Casey. "They're headed our way. Okay remember when we take them no noise. I'd like to grab at least one alive to interrogate but stay safe now get ready."

The noise got louder and louder. The Lieutenant got his men ready deploying them in a horse shoe shape to envelope whoever it was that was nearing them. Then when they were inside...

"Okay take them," yelled Casey as their men jumped the intruders. One man grabbed them from behind while another attacked from the front. But things didn't go quite as planned. When the one grabbed them from behind the intruder circle stepped behind with their legs then threw them so they landed on the other Seal attacking from the front.

"What the heck is going on," one of the intruders yelled in Russian. Casey saw weapons being pulled and he knew what he had to do so he jumped in the middle.

"Hold your fire everyone. Hold up a second. Put your weapons away everyone. They're friendlies of a type."

"Casey, is that you? Imagine finding you here on this rock in the middle of nowhere," said Stefan as he and Imma put away their weapons.

"I'm sure this is just an accident... yeah really. Listen you people didn't lose anything here so you can go back to wherever you came from and tell your people to stay away."

"Well as much as I'd like to do that but that's not possible. You see our submarine was attacked as we were being put ashore and now we don't have a way home. Oh, and by the way, you remember Imma... watch out she's a Major now thanks to us."

"You mean thanks to the work I did. Why is it when a woman gets a promotion it has to be the result of some man's help?"

"Don't get angry I was just yanking on your chain. So you must be Agent Banai? ZDRAST-vooy-tye My name is Stefan Metrohken and this is Major Imma Stanasolovski..."

"Pree-vet, hello we don't need to be so formal. I know who you are... SVR and GRU. I keep track of my competition."

"And you speak Russian. I'm impressed."

"If you guys are done with the meet and greet we need to move out. You can stay with us but if you get killed don't blame me. Where's Anatoly at anyway? You're never far from him."

"We got separated in the landing and I'm more that a little worried about him. I don't know if he even made it ashore."

"I'm sorry to hear that. He was about the only one of you I could put up with," said Casey as they headed out following Grigor.

"I hope we're included on that list," said Stefan. Casey just grunted and went on. "You know you guys are recruiting young and younger every year."

"Will you put a sock in it. Don't make me regret inviting you along. The idea of sneaking up on someone is they don't hear you a mile away before you get there like what you two just did."

"John you'll never change," said Stefan.

"I'm regretting," said John.

"Okay shutting up."

"That will be the day."