Don't own Chuck
Back at Langley things were going crazy as they tried to track the missile and send in troops to separate the wolves from the sheep. The Bulgarians wanted to protest but the missile launched from their island made them mute. General Thomas pulled the two hundred marines from Mihail Kogălniceanu base in Romania deploying them on Snake Island to be joined by a division of GRU Spetsnaz. As soon as crap hit the fan Morgan made contact direct to Langley through the bird overhead.
"Ma'am I have an Agent Grimes trying to report in," said one of her men on the comms watch. "He says it's urgent. He needs to speak with you right now."
"Oh that's the wooly one... did you tell him we're busy trying to clean up the mess his people caused," said Beckmen. "What intel could he have? Hold up... patch him through."
"Hi Becky," said Morgan as he came on the monitor. "I'm sorry to interrupt but I'm in the Hydra Command Center on the Contessa. I saw the launch and I'm feeding you a data stream like Sarah showed me how to do. There have been two explosions at Abu's dark site I'm assuming that was you. And from the camera feeds I'm getting most of the civilians got out in time. I'm kind of limited what I can see here. Hold up I'm getting called by Anatoly..."
"Good find out from him what happened to Abu and Ettore then report back to me. Maybe we can get a clearer picture about what's going on."
"Ma'am the missile has changed course and is heading towards Sevastopol. The Russians have ordered their fleet to sortie the port."
"My Lord that many ships... they'll never get them out in time and even if they could they'll never be able to put enough distance before it's too late."
"They should send their subs out first because the they have the best chance of weathering out the nuclear strike. But that's only as good as if it's an air burst. If it hits the water, then nothing will survive."
"Ma'am the Russians have raised their DEFCON level to one and are recalling all their active and reserve troops."
"What? Get me Igor on the horn. We don't need any knee jerk reaction form some sub lieutenant in some isolated outpost launching a retaliatory strike. Geez and I left the hospital early for this?"
"It could be worse you could still be there and miss all this fun," said Tank. "I'm having the Mason move in to make sure no one makes a break for it from that rock. We've got the rats boxed in let's keep 'em there." As the General was on the line with the Mason the main monitor flickered and Igor came up. His face was grey and there were obvious age marks that weren't there before.
"Igor DEFCON one? Really, come on you're going to make us got to DEFCON one too and with that many nervous fingers on the button... you're... we're asking for trouble."
"I can't do anything about it. The decision was taken from me by the Military High Command and they are about to issue a statement that an attack against us with will result in a retaliatory strike of equal proportion."
"But the Bulgarians have nothing to do with this and you know it. I received word that Anatoly survive our attack on Abu's compound. I can put him in touch with you and he can tell whoever that this is all a big mistake."
"I'm glad he survived and I'd like to know about my other people too but that won't change anything. The Spetsnaz I was sending were recalled and I'm waiting to see if I weather out this storm. If the wind changes here I could end up in the basement. Oh Diane, we had some good times didn't we?"
"Yes we did and this isn't over yet," said Diane. Then she got an idea. "Hold on Igor. I assume you record our conversation?"
"Of course I do. Don't you? It's so I can show my... well enemies is such a harsh word... Let's call them people who work against me. I can show the Kremlin that I am loyal even though I have American friends."
"Friends? Okay, now just listen. Agent connect me with Agent Grimes I want him to report in on what he found out from the Russian."
"Becky, am I glad you called. Ettore just boarded the ship and they are preparing to get underway. I don't want to go on a Med cruise with him."
"Just calm down," said General Thomas. "The Mason will be there shortly and they'll make sure you don't go anywhere. Now patch the Russian in to General Beckman."
"Okay but when you say make sure they don't go anywhere do you mean like they're going to shoot at us... like with a cannon that will put big holes in the ship that will fill with water and the ship will sink and I'm sealed in this compartment... I'll either drown or suffocate like a rat..."
"Grimes get a grip on yourself and patch that call through. I'm trying to avoid Word War three here," said Beckman. "If you don't hurry up I'll have the Mason shoot a missile at you. You won't have to worry about drowning or suffocating you'll go up in an explosion."
"Gee thanks," said Morgan as he patched the call over. "Anatoly, this is Morgan I have General Beckman on the line for you."
"Agent Mikhailovich, I have your boss on the line listening to you. Can you confirm that Abu launched the missile for us?"
"I wish I could but the truth is Chuck launched it after Abu escaped to his sub..." said Anatoly then suddenly the communications link dropped.
"What just happened? Why did we drop the connection?" said the General. "Get him back right now on the double."
"Diane, you've put me in an awkward position. If I don't take this to the Kremlin they'll accuse me of collusion and covering up your responsibility. If I do, they will target either Norfolk or San Diego."
"Let's no jump to conclusions Igor before we have all the facts. Get Grimes back on the line right now."
"Becky I'm back. I'm sorry that the line dropped but I told you they were getting underway. We just pulled out of port and out of range for the earbuds. We're starting to slow down I see the destroyer on the external cameras. Hey wait why is it leaving? Hey Buddy come back here. I'm still here!"
"I'm sorry Agent Grimes but the Mason has to go on the other side of the island to head off Abu. We can track your location via satellite but if he gets away he's gone."
"If they find me here I'm a goner. Okay I heard what Anatoly said and I know it sounded bad for my boy Chuck. But we all know he wouldn't have launched that missile unless it was necessary. Do you really think Chuck would launch a nuke... he wouldn't even use a tactical nuke in Call of Duty let alone in real life. Oh geez, we're picking up steam again. As an oh by the way before I die just to let you know I saw Casey along with Banai and the rest of team Red... Stefan and Imma on the monitors before we pulled out. Tell Alex I love her and she should remarry if I don't make it."
"But you're not married so how can she remarry," said the Major. Everyone turned to look at him. "I'm just pointing out a fact."
"It's like we're married in my heart. I need to go dark before they figure out someone is transmitting from aboard. If you need me just yell... I'm afraid of the dark. Morgan out."
"Really with everything going on this is what you do," said the General. "Igor listen to me I need a little time to straighten this mistake out."
"I can give you until the missile strikes then after that everything is out of my hands. I don't think Chuck launched that missile intentionally either but I can only go on what my agent said."
"Ma'am the Mason is reporting they spotted two swimmers in the water a man and a woman. They fit Agents Carmichael's descriptions."
"Good as soon as the Mason identifies them I want their Skipper to put them on the horn with me and maybe we can get to the bottom of this. There's no way Chuck would've launched that missile for Abu."
"Diane, don't speak to quickly," said Roan. "I just got off the phone with Montenegro... The Station Chief along with her son; Molly, Sarah's sister and Sam, the Carmichaels' daughter walked into a trap. They're stuck in an elevator with a bomb that Ali the Persian left for them."
"Are you saying Chuck was blackmailed into launching that missile? Surely he'd realize what launching that missile would mean."
"I'm saying if he had to make the choice... well I don't envy him. Decisions like this are one of the reasons I've decided not to procreate."
"Thank goodness," said Tank. "I can just see the little ... well I won't comment on his mother's poor choice. But the kid in first grade walks in wearing a white evening jack and black bow tie. All the other kids put an apple on the teacher's desk except for him. He hands her a rose then kisses her on the hand..."
"You know said like that it almost makes me want to have one of the little..."
"Gentlemen can we get back to averting World War three and Roan don't even look my way. That ship's done sailed."
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Meanwhile back in Montenegro Mike got a lead on the busboy. Down in the Dungeon they reviewed CCTV footage and identified one of the busboys who was on the fifth floor when Sam slipped out. Frank went to the kitchen and the sous-chef remembered the man acted strangely.
"I was working that day... yes I remember the man came in put his cart away then Sam came out from under and ran out like a scared rabbit. I remember he even came back and asked about her. I thought he was worried about getting into trouble."
"Very good and just one last thing is there anything else you can remember," said Frank. He was already writing the man's name down.
"Well yes he went up there to the fifth floor with the cart but there was no order from the room... nothing to deliver or take away. I didn't think anything about at the time but now it does seem odd.
"Okay... interesting," said Frank as he took note of the busboy's strange behavior. "I need all this for Mr. Burton... You realize we need to keep this on the down low."
"Yes... yes of course, it's just he didn't seem like the kind of guy who'd steal from the rooms. But I guess that's the point. If he did you guys would've caught him sooner. But the same thing happened the other day... I mean he went up to the fifth floor without any reason just this time he took a serving plate up with cover over it."
"How is that odd?" asked Frank. "It seems that's what he's supposed to do. Maybe one of the guests called him on his phone for a special order."
"Special it must've been because when I saw the serving plate there was nothing on it. But when he thought no one was looking he put a block of playdough on it then put the cover over it."
"Playdough you say?" said Frank as he made another note in his pad. "He probably was using that to make impressions of our client's keys... car keys and the likes. Well this has been very helpful. I'll pass this on to the police and like I said let's keep this between us."
"You're welcome and don't worry the last thing we want is for something like this to get out. It could hurt our business here in the casino and that's my livelihood we're talking about. I've got a few years before I can work my way up to head chef."
"Well, I've got to run and thanks again," said Frank. As soon as he was out of the kitchen he radioed Mike. "I've got the identity of our mole. I'm going to grab some men and go get him."
"Roger that, I can't move from here but keep me informed," radioed Mike back. "Margo, Frank's go the name of our mole and he's going to get him."
"Good," said Margo as she stepped away from Razhib. "I want him in this building so he can sweat with us. Razhib has removed a big chunk of the Semtex and now he's about to try to pull the blasting caps out. The nail polish remover has done its job and softened the explosive."
"Mike any word back on the guys you sent to find Miriam," said Razhib as he backed up and wiped the sweat off with his sleeve.
"None yet I'll have Frank swing by and check on them once we get this busboy. I haven't forgotten about you."
"Here," said Sam as she handed Razhib a packet of tissues to wipe his sweat on. He looked at her then looked at her bag. "What? It's like the Tardis bigger on the inside." He laughed.
"Okay everyone get ready. I'm going to shut the power down and when I do we go down. Before we hit I have to pull out the blasting caps, cut two wires then switch the power back on... a piece of cake. So grab hold of something and hold on tight here goes nothing."
[Meanwhile out in Old Town]
Frank and his men pull up outside of a house in old town. The house, a multi-floored complex, was like most of the others in a row. The structures were all basically the same depending on who their previous occupants were. There were basically two classes of people who lived there before either farmers or fishermen and so, the houses reflexed that. Those owned by famers the first floor or ground floor was where they kept their beasts of burden such as donkeys, oxen or work horses if they could afford them. The second floor was for provisions both for the human and animal occupants. Leaving the third floor for sleeping and domestic chores. The fishermen had basically the same except the first floor was reserved for boats that could be pulled in out of the water when they rowed back home. The second floor was reserved for nets, tackle and provisions with the top for the occupants.
"Are we sure this is the house?" said Frank as he and his men walked up out front. They had to walk there because the streets were too narrow to drive all the way.
"This is what's in his employee record," said one of his men. They looked around then one of the men picked the lock on the door while the others covered for him.
"Okay let's find this guy then get out of here," said Frank. Looking around the first level there was nothing but as they entered the house they heard a TV blaring from the top floor.
"Shush, be quiet and follow me," said Frank as they went up the narrow steps worn from use over time. Frank had a bad feeling about this. It was two easy and the TV was way too loud.
"Be careful," whispered Frank then he signaled two men to break off and search the second floor while he took two men with himself to the third floor.
"Here we go. Look alive," said Frank as they erupted on the top floor. They sprinted up the rest of the stairs to find their man strapped to a chair with a gag in his mouth in front of a TV set with the sound blasting. The man tried to mumble something nodding his head looking down at the remote control in his lap. Frank and one of his men went the clear the bathroom while another stayed in the room.
"It's clear," yelled Frank but his man couldn't hear him and shook his head so he grabbed the remote control to switch off the TV. The busboy went ape nodding his head.
"Just a moment buddy I'm switching it off now," said the man as he pointed it at the TV. Suddenly Frank remember yes was no in Bulgarian.
"No," yelled Frank as he dove on his guy knocking him to the ground. In that moment, the television exploded and shards flew across the room taking the busboy out immediately. "He was trying to tell you not to switch it off. I guess he was so sacred he reverted back to his native instincts."
"Is everyone okay up there," yelled the men from below as they came running up to see the mess. The television was still smoke and the man in the chair was long gone.
"Yeah we're fine but this guy is pissing me off. Grab what you can grab them meet me in the pub down the street. But hurry up someone might have heard the explosion and called the police."
Frank slipped out of the apartment then made his way as quickly as he could to the pub. On the way he called Mike and told him what had just happened.
"... I left he guys at the apartment now I'm almost at the pub to check on this Miriam and our guys. I called they twice and got no answer. ... I don't like this either. Well I'm here let me call you back." Frank hung up put away his phone then undid the holster catch on his pistol. The lighting inside was dim and the sound of music along with noise of the video games was deafening.
"No wonder the guys haven't checked in. Who could hear a phone ring over this mess," said Frank as he navigated his way through the crowd. He looked around but didn't see Miriam or their people. He pulled out his phone and called but nothing then as he was about to hang up he heard the phone ring from near the restrooms.
"What the heck," said Frank as he walked around a corner then down a long corridor. The barkeep walked past him he'd just come back inside after taking out the trash. Frank walked back then went out the back door into an alley way.
"Crap, I know I hear a phone ring back here," said Frank. He took out his phone dialing the number again then waited. Suddenly he heard a dull ringing sound. Looking around he searched for the source and he found it. It was coming from a dumpster.
"No... no," said Frank as he opened the bin and moved around the trash bags to discover with horror he'd found their missing men. There was no need to check to see if they were alive both had gunshot wounds in the middle of their forehead. Near the dumpster Frank found a backpack inside was a wallet. Frank opened it.
"Crap, he's beaten us to her," said Frank as he looked at Miriam's face on her I.D. inside.
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Chuck and Sarah were taken back to the Mason by motor whale boat after they were picked up out of the sea. The Lieutenant on board asked them their names and once they told him they were hustled back to the ship. As they were being brought on board there was an announcement over the 1MC to stand clear of the forecastle they were about to launch.
"No, no," yelled Chuck. "Tell the Skipper he can't fire an ASROC. Take us up to the bridge I need to explain. But he can't shoot at the sub. He's going to have to let it go for the safety of everyone in the Black Sea."
"I'm the XO," said a Lieutenant Commander. "I think you need to follow me and explain. Your people back in Langley are the ones calling the shoots and we just got orders to stop that sub at all costs."
"That's because they don't have all the information," said Chuck as he and Sarah ran up ladders to get to the bridge.
"But Chuck," said Sarah as they were climbing. "If Abu has the plutonium from the warhead with him we have to stop him. We can't just let him go."
"You don't understand," said Chuck as they erupted on the bridge. He was greeted with a not so happy Skipper.
"Are you the gentleman who launched that missile?" His tone of voice said more than the words he spoke.
"Yes, I am and no one is to interfere with it nor are you to try to stop that submarine. I know what your orders are but I need to report in. I'm sorry no one understands what I've done and I wish I didn't but I had no choice."
"That almost sounds like an admission of guilt," said the Skipper as he looked over at his Quartermaster to get that written into the ship's deck log.
"Chuck, be careful what you say," said Sarah as she put her arm around him and brushed back his matted hair back. "You could be charged with treason."
"I did what I had to do and I stand by that. Let's go where I can talk to the General. Suddenly I feel cold and tired. This has gone on way too long this time."
"Well let's talk with Beckman then we can get changed out of these wet clothes. When was the last time you slept?"
"I forget I was working around the clock assembling the missile and programing the warhead," said Chuck. Sarah didn't like the look everyone was giving him. But as he was talking they were interrupted by a running who came on the bridge from CIC.
"Sir, Langley's on the horn. They want to know if we picked up their people and want to know why we haven't fired that ASROC."
"Let me talk to them," said Chuck. "There's no need to fire that missile I've already killed everyone onboard that sub even if they don't know it yet and that missile... it's headed for Alamut."