Don't own Chuck
Back in Langley they were working facial recognition on the photo of Abu's man in Montenegro. The computer had been churning away as it relentlessly ran through mugshots from all governmental and non-governmental agencies worldwide looking for a hit. As the computer was working Roan and the Major were up in the General's office standing next to her as she was getting a brief from all her station chiefs.
"Okay now that I've finished with Montenegro let's worry about averting World War three shall we. Connie patch me into Igor Trotski's office. He should have the Iranian on his screen.
"Yes ma'am right away," she said as she went back to her desk and punching in the call. "It'll just take a few minutes."
"Let's see if we can undo the diplomatic snafu you gentlemen created," said the General. Before Roan or the Major could comment the screen flickered in her office then suddenly Igor appeared with a monitor next to him and the Iranian Director of the VAJA waiting for her on it.
"I'm sorry for keeping you gentlemen waiting but as you might understand and know I've been out of my office for a few days. So, I'm trying to get brought up to speed in a hurry..."
"I fully understand," said Igor. "May I say you look as lovely as ever. You know some people find scars sexy."
"Thank you Igor… I think. Well, let's cut to the chase, shall we? Enough with 'I know a piece of information and you know another but we don't share it'. I'm going to lay my cards out. As you gentlemen may have deduced, my government has lost a warhead," said Beckman. She waited a few minutes for the fact to set in then she started explaining.
"... so during the unrest someone broke into the armory and then the vault. After circumventing our safeguards, they stole a warhead. The same warhead that according the latest intel I have from my agents is now on Snake Island off the coast of Bulgaria..."
"And now I must add that one of our missiles was stolen," said the Iranian. "The latest intel I have is that it too is on this island."
"Sirs this Mr. Abu who perpetrated these heists is as we speak mounting our warhead on that missile. Once this is done he will need to reprogram it after that he will be able to strike. If the Islamic Republic of Iran would give us the fuel capacity of the rocket, we can figure out the range and possible targets."
"I will need to clear that with my president. Our missile program is classified and he might be reluctant to divulge that kind of information. You should know that we have fielded agents in addition to Agent Banai who is with you to destroy the missile to keep it from being misused."
"We too have sent agents ashore even if we've lost contact with them after the cowardly attack on our submarine."
"Gentleman, I know this already. My agent reported in stating Igor that your people did land safely but they and the Iranians were captured and being held..."
"Then it's only time before they contact me and try to negotiate a trade. You see I was able to discover some names and unmasked sleeper cells throughout the country. We are in the process of rounding them up and arranging trials before they're executed..."
"Why don't you just execute them on the spot? It would save the effort of arranging a trial with all its costs," said Roan. Diane gave him a look to keep quiet.
"What? We have to have a trial or you people will think we're not civilized. There are no... what do you call them kangaroo courts here."
"What was I thinking," said Roan. Diane shook her head.
"I think we're getting off the topic here. Our man has asked that we bomb the island to prevent the launching of the missile and I'm in agreement with him. Gentlemen, we must stop this from happening at all cost."
"I can have a company of Spetsnaz om the air and there in a few hours. I don't see the need in rushing into something. What have the Bulgarians said? I can hardly believe they'd sign off on this."
"The Secretary of State will notify them in an hour once we have the Mason on station and ready to open fire. I'm reluctant to notify them earlier because there has been an obvious collusion between Abu's forces and people in high places. The last thing we want to happen is for him to be tipped off and he moves up his launch timetable."
"There's nothing else that can be done," said Igor.
"I don't make this decision lightly we have our very best agents there in harm's way."
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Sarah and Anatoly made their way through the dark tunnel. Snakes slithered past them trying to get away from the two rather large mongooses who had invaded their lair. They moved around them so an empty circle followed them as they made their way. Sarah held a flashlight and Anatoly followed which was fine by him because snakes weren't his favorite animals.
"Morgan... Morgan can you hear me," radioed Sarah but got no reply. "We must be too far under now for him to pick us up. I wish I knew what was happening."
"Me too. If your General starts bombing right away... well I don't relish being stuck down here with these things."
"Granted they're not my favorite animal but they serve a purpose. Have you seen any rats or mice? No, because the snakes have taken care of them."
"I guess you're right but that doesn't make me love them. We have snakes in Russia of course but luckily I've never had to deal with them."
They continued walking for what seemed hours until Sarah's flashlight started to give out. The light started to grow dim then it started cutting out.
"Crap your batteries are about dead," said Anatoly stating the obvious. Sarah banged it to get every drop of current it has in it until it died completely. "Now what?"
"Shush, listen I hear someone up ahead. Come on but instead of lifting your feet let them slide across the surface," she said as they continued on. "Now shush, do you smell that we're near the sea."
[From a Distance]
"Geez move back," said one man. "Come on let's move back to the pier. I don't know what's going on but there are snakes coming out of that tunnel."
"But guys we were told to stand watch here. We can't just go abandoning our post. They're not going to be happy with us if we do."
"Come on let's go before we get bit," said another. "I don't care if they told us to watch the quay. I'm not going to get snake bit for them. Hey watch out man."
"Augh it bit me," said the one guy as he kicked the snake away. "Crap, what do I do now? My leg aches and I don't feel so good."
"Grab him under the arm" said the one man as he rushed forward. "I've got him on this side. Now let's get him to the infirmary on the double. You don't know it but you're getting bitten might have been the best thing for us."
"Keep the noise down and come along," said Sarah as she and Anatoly entered the submarine bunker. In it was a non-descript North Korean Golf-II class tied up on a pier.
"That must've been the sub that attacked us when we were being launched. If I had some explosives, I'd give them a little payback."
"But we don't. However, we've got another problem there are two tunnels over there and we have no idea which one to take."
"We could always guess," said Anatoly. "The other option is we split up. I take one and you take the other but I don't care too much for that. We could come up on a patrol and that would be that."
"You're right and this smell won't help us with this kind of vermin," said Sarah. "Wait a minute I've got an idea. Come on I want to try something." They got close to the entrance of the tunnels then crouched down. "Wait here I'll be right back." She ducked into the tunnel running for a little distance then doubling back.
"What was that all about? It didn't suit your tastes. You want a tunnel in a little more... well I don't know I was thinking open space."
"Boy, can I tell there are no snakes around. We're we back to our old talkative self I can see. Come on let's try the other," she said and not far from the entrance she picked up the crackling sound in her earbud.
"Crap, this thing is defective," said Anatoly as he took his earbud out. "The thing is starting to give me a headache with all the noise it's making.
"Anatoly it's making all that crackling sound because it's picking up the radiation from the nuke. I didn't get any in the other tunnel which means this is going to lead us to Chuck so come along and hurry up."
"What are we going to do when we get there? Have you thought about that? They've got to have men posted outside and in so we're not going to be able to just waltz right inside and ask if they can let Chuck come out and play..."
"You know I liked you better when you were afraid that you were going to be snake bit. At least then you kept your mouth shut," said Sarah. Anatoly gave her a hurt look. "Okay, okay I'm sorry. I'm just a little tired so I've got a short fuse. You're right but I just don't know. Hold up I hear movement ahead of us. Duck back into this corridor and get ready," said Sarah as they hide out of sight. Whoever it was they were heading towards them but they seemed to be walking cautiously.
"You hear that they're onto us," said Anatoly as he pulled his Makarov 9 holding it down by his side. "I say we take him out."
"No, we don't know he or she is onto us or is just being overly cautious. Keep down and wait. Shush he's almost on us," said Sarah as she heard light footsteps walking down towards them. Then when he was almost on her she reached out grabbed to her amazement a boy pulling him into her.
"Crap, kid I was about to snap your neck," said Sarah as she let him go. Anatoly quickly grabbed him by the collar in case he decides to run and scream.
"Hold up there Chief. What are you doing here?" he said. "Are you working for the enemy? Where'd you get this radio? It's one of yours."
"Yes, it is. Okay let's start this again. My name is Sarah and this is Anatoly," she said in Bulgarian. "What are you doing with this? Did a very big angry man give it to you called John Casey?"
"Yes," said the boy as he shook his head. "We had a deal I was to wait outside the compound for him to come back with my father but he never came back."
"That's because he was captured. You could say we're here to rescue him and the rest," said Sarah. "Do you know where they're being held?"
"Yes, if they're being held with the workers. I can take you to him but on one condition that you release my father too. That was the same deal I had with Colonel Casey."
"If they're all together why not. So, can you show us the way," said Sarah. The boy shook his head then led then down and adjacent passageway. Sarah noticed as they walked along the crackling sound in her ear began to die down which meant she was heading away from Chuck. But if she could pull this off she could release an army Abu's men would have to deal with. They'd be pulled off watching Chuck and in the confusion she could get to him then get them out of there before the General started bombing.
"You realize you could be helping this boy but himself in harm's way," said Anatoly as they started descending into the bowels of the island.
"I know exactly what I'm doing. I'm not proud of it put this is our best shot at giving all of us a chance to get away in time before the bombs start dropping."
"Well as long as you know what you're doing," said Anatoly. "What do you think? He's about as old as that boy in Montenegro. What's his name?"
"His name is Razhib and you know good and well what his name is. I told you I'm not proud of what I'm doing but it's what needs to be done. Boy, you never told us what your name is?"
"It's Grigor and my father is a fisherman or was a fisherman before these men invaded our island. Mister, I know exactly what I'm doing and I'd be doing it with or without your help," said the boy in English. "If I get the chance I will kill every one of these men who stole our island with my bare hands if I have to."
"Well let's release the Casey that should be enough to scare them," said Sarah as she smiled at the boy. "So you speak English... of course you do. Casey doesn't speak Bulgarian. Sometimes I wonder if he even speaks English or just plain Casey."
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At the State Department, the Secretary call the Bulgarian ambassador over for an afternoon coffee. They drank and talked over world events. The ambassador was quite the soccer fan and went on and on about the European cup along with the upcoming finals.
"Well, Mister Secretary, I don't think you invited me over here so I could enlighten you on football or as you Americans call it soccer. I do have to point out to you though that our football has been around much longer so if anything, your sport should be renamed."
"Your right I didn't call you over here for that," said the Secretary as he handed the ambassador a folder. "You can read that then I'll answer any questions. But I'm afraid we have no other choice but follow through on the advice given."
"I don't like the sound of that. If I were a different person I'd say you've just given me an ultimatum."
"I don't want you to take this the wrong way nor your government that's why I'm briefing you before action takes place. But you can see we have to do something. Not doing anything isn't an option anymore."
"You want to do what! Ne, ne, ne! What will happen to the inhabitants of the island? No way it's a wild life refuge recognized by the United Nation."
"I'm sorry... really I am but if this person finishes that missile and launches it then a lot more people are going to be hurt and they'll be looking back at your country as being responsible."
"But we know that it isn't. You have that written here but I supposed this will never see the light of day if we don't agree. I'm going to have to call my president and inform him."
"We ask that you not tell too many because if this Abu person has been able to construct a missile silo and his compound there it has been with the help of people within."
"Still you know those people on that island are our citizens and we have an obligation to protect them from you."
"I think that ship's done sailed or landed when Abu and his men took over. From the reports we have he's enslaved the occupants. My dear ambassador time has run out for your people on that island. I'm sorry I wish there was another way but my government, as well as that of the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran, stand behind this decision."
"But no one is shooting at you three. I will take this back to my president but I cannot guarantee we will not meet force with force."
"I understand your position and I hope it doesn't come to that," said the Secretary as he walked the ambassador out of his office. He walked over poured himself a drink as one of his advisors came in.
"I've got General Beckman on line one. She wants to talk to you. I guess she wants to know how the ambassador took it?" said the man as he watched him pour two glasses.
"Here I don't want to drink alone and the General can wait. How'd he take it? How do you think he took it? We told him we're going to attack his country, violate its sovereign territory, and there was nothing he could do to change or stop it. He's just peachy. Put the General through so I can tell her I shoved her document down the poor man's throat."
"You know they say the more bread you put on a crap sandwich the less crap you have to eat," said the aid as he downed his drink.
"What part of not helping don't you understand. Now go and put her on the line so we can get this over with."
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Back in Langley the General was getting an ear full from the Secretary of State. She was rolling her eyes when the Major walked in. Then when she had enough she informed him that she had to run the president was on the other line for her.
"I hope he's been informed about this turn of events and he's calling pissed off because he should be. Years of hard work with the Bulgarians to bring them in our orbit shot to hell... literally..."
"Well I really need to get off the phone with you so I can take this. Thank you for taking care of this I know it wasn't easy but it had to be done."
"Yeah and keep repeating that line of malarkey but it's still not going to change what it is nor is it going to keep the flies away. The only good thing is that you got the Russians to sign off on this too or we might as well close up shop over there."
"Well I hate to run but I really need to go," said Beckman as she hung up. "Phew, I didn't think he was ever going to let me hang up. Doesn't he realize I understand what this means as well as he does."
"I'm sure he feels like we've pulled the carpet out from under his feet. He did help negotiate some of the treaties that are going to be torn up."
"Well we need to get the Mason in position ASAP. Now that the Ambassador has been informed it won't take long for the intel to reach Abu. I'm willing to bet he moves his timetable up so we need to be prepared. What else do you have for me?"
"Facial recognition came back on that man in Montenegro. He goes by 'Ali the Persian'. Here is his dossier I pulled from the deep database. It seems he was a student under someone we knew," said the Major as he pointed out a line in the document.
"Oh the Toy Maker. That was another SOB Lunatic we helped to check out. The world is a safer place without him. So, I see he trained with him in Morocco and these are the dates we know he was there?"
"Yes the dates have been confirmed and... well I'm kind of hesitant to mention this but there was another person in Montenegro who was there at the same time."
"Who is it? Could this person be the mole who helped them get the weapons we know were taken from our armory?"
"I don't know but he would've been in a position to get the access code and could've gotten in without being detected."
"Okay stop beating around the bush man. Give me the name so I can take action. We need to notify Chief Silverman right away and have her interrogate this person. Maybe we can unravel a bigger piece of the puzzle. We might have to take him to Poland where we can use extreme rendition to get what we want out of him."
"I don't know if Chief Silverman is the best person to use for that type of interrogation," said the Major as he pulled out anther folder.
"Well like I said we still have Poland as an alternative. Now, give me that folder. I don't know what's gotten into you," said Beckman as she yanked the folder from his hand. "I might still be convalescing but don't think I won't drop kick you into... oh are we sure about this?" said the General as she opened the folder and read the name.
"I'm afraid so. The dates match up but that only means they were in the same place at the same time. It could be nothing but I think we should at least talk to him."
"I'm afraid you're right but I don't want Chief Silverman involved. She could taint whatever intel we get from him."
"But she is his custodian. You can't interview a minor without his or her parents being present," said the Major as he caught the General's look. "Or can we?"