Don't own Chuck
On board the Contessa Morgan was in panic mode. He felt a knot in his stomach as he watched the shoreline disappear from sight as Ettore pushed the steam plants to maximum output. Morgan's heart sank in his chest with each passing moment realizing help wasn't coming soon. He did the only thing he could do and that was study the enemy. He watched Ettore in the radio room flash then saw him repair the damaged equipment. He wished he had audio but he could almost hear Ettore… which was like listening to himself.
"Now that wasn't that hard," said Ettore as he downed a handful of Motrin 1000s. "I bet Abu couldn't do anything like that. No sir because if he could he would've."
"I hate to point out to you," said the radioman. "But to be fair the spare parts we didn't get until we pulled into port. So he couldn't have repaired it even if he wanted to."
"Keep that up and you'll end up like the last man who had your job and if you want to know what I'm talking about just ask around. You're lucky because I need you but be careful because that may not always be the case," said Ettore as he was interrupted by a man sent down from the bridge.
"Sir the Skipper ask me to come down and get you. Your presence is requested on the bridge. He said to tell you we've located the submarine but there's an American warship in the vicinity. They seem to be tracking it too."
"Let's go have some fun then. Here make yourself useful send this message to my friend," said Ettore as he handed the radioman a note. "Here's the frequency you need to use along with the call sign. Now lead on and let's go play war." Ettore left with the seaman to go back up on the bridge. He really didn't need the escort but being escorted made him feel important.
In the meantime, Morgan was observing everything from the Hydra control room. Wishing even more that he could listen in. He watched Ettore as he went up to the bridge then he saw the ship's weapons systems come on line and go hot.
"Crap, what does he have in mind," said Morgan. The VLS came on line along with the Shkval torpedo tubes reported they were hot. Remaining dark no longer seemed an option.
[On the bride]
The Skipper and Ettore were studying the Mason through binoculars. At the same time the Mason was hailing them through international radio channels to stand down and to prepare to be boarded. Ettore scoffed when the Mason warned the Contessa that they would use deadly force if necessary.
"Let's play along with them then when we're in close we hit them with a couple of Klub VLS missiles. They won't expect that. I just hope they were worth the money I spent for them. Have a Shkval torpedo ready I want to launch it at the same time. I'll give Abu a suppository unless any of you people have a problem with that." Everyone shook their heads.
"Good because the guy down in radio seems to miss the good old days when Abu and I had our partnership. I want to make this clear it wasn't that he was in charge I just let him take charge. There's a big difference and if you want to know what it is you can look it up on the internet."
As they were talking the Mason hailed them once again warning them to stand down again. Ettore got angry this time.
"Who do they think they are interrupting me like that. I'm almost done with them. When are we going to be within range to launch the torpedo?"
"We have to be within four miles of the target to have an effective strike but that will put us within the range of the American ship's gun. We should activate fire control radars, launch two Klubs, and while they're dealing with those we fire the torpedo then get out of here. We just have to make it to a friendly port then vanish.
"That sounds like a plan to me. Let's make that happen Skipper," said Ettore. He took up his binoculars to watch the fireworks.
"Fire control radars going hot," yelled the relay man on the bridge. "Preparing to launch... crap come again." Morgan set down his binoculars and looked over at the man. "Skipper, VLS just reported a sudden loss of power."
"Crap and they radiated them so they know we're armed," said the Skipper and as to underline that fact the Mason fired a volley over their bow. "Yell down there to bring them back up on line ASAP."
"Sir, all departments are reporting systematic equipment failure," but no sooner had the man spoken then there was a ship wide power outage. For all practical purposes the ship was DIW."
"Mr. Ettore, I hope you've got some ace up your sleeve because we're a floating target being dead in the water. First mate go get the word out to break out the cutlasses and prepare to repel boarders," said the Skipper. Everyone turned and looked at him on the bridge. "You know what I mean go get organized."
"There's something wrong with this convenient or inconvenient power outage," said Ettore as he looked around the ship. I bought this from...," he said then he got quite as he looked around at the bridge cam. The red-light underneath was illuminated which meant it was on.
Morgan watched Ettore as he went over grabbed a piece of paper and pen then started writing. Ettore kept his back to him so he couldn't see what he was writing but when he finished he walked back over to the camera.
"Hi Morgan," was written on it as Ettore flashed the paper up in front of the lens then the camera went dead. Morgan lost his eyes on the bridge but worse Ettore now knew he was on board.
"Guys... guys mayday... mayday... S.O.S. I'm in it deep kimchi over here. Ettore knows I'm here and it won't be long before he comes huffing and a puffing. Guys... can anyone hear me out there?"
"We can hear you. This is the Skipper of the Mason... the American warship off your starboard bow. Just hang tight we're going to come for you."
"I don't see anything else I can do other than hang in there. Crap they're bringing the power back on line," said Morgan. "What do I do?"
"Morgan, did you think you could hide from me," said Ettore as he came over the intercom system. I cut your outgoing communications and if you look at the camera outside your door you can see me. Why don't you open up and we can talk about old times?"
"I hear you knocking but you can't come in," said Morgan. "You can't think I'm stupid enough to fall for that. It didn't work on the three little pigs and it's not going to work on me... not by the hair on my chinney chin chin."
"Then I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blow your house down," said Ettore as he juggled a grenade. "I don't have to blow down your house just the hatch."
"Go for it then," said Morgan as he activated the lasers outside the door. Ettore had to turn and run but one of his men wasn't as quick. "Yuck, now how were you faster on one leg than he was on two."
"Cute activating the lasers like that," said Ettore. "But you just slowed down the inevitable. I'll have those lasers down in a flash. Then I'll blow the hatch and after that we'll have some fun."
"Sir, sir," said one of the sailors as he ran up to Ettore. "The First mate just sent me down. There's an incoming Black Hawk and our close in weapons system are still down."
"Morgan, we're going to have to revisit your situation is a bit. Right now I need to go take care of your friends. You can just sit back and watch then I'll be back for you in a flash... I like that in a flash," Ettore said as he laughed at his joke that he thought only he understood. "Don't go anywhere while I'm gone."
"Crap, if he gets those weapons back on line guys you're going to walk right into his trap. I can't let that happen. WWCD... What would Chuck do?" he said as he looked at the systems board. The weapons systems came back on one by one. Once they had the phalanx on line the chopper was a goner.
"Grimes, you asked yourself what would Chuck do. Maybe you should ask what would the Cobra do? Would he let his friends get shot down and worse or would he come up with a plan? Morgan, you know what he'd do... ConEdison here we come.
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Razhib ran up the stairs flew into their suite then into his room. He locked the door behind him then put a chair against the wall where he climbed up to open the air conditioning vent. Reaching inside he pulled out a handkerchief tied up in a knot then jumped down. Opening the cloth, a sea emotions flow over him.
"Razhib you're late again with my tea," said the Toy Maker as he looked at his pocket watch. "I'll teach you to be late. You'll go without supper. Now get out of here before I decide I was too lenient and whack you with my cane."
Rahzib remembered many a night without food and his back ached as it recalled the beatings. But he had the watch. He remembered... did he ever remember. He sat down at his desk turned the watch over and over looking at it. Words could not describe what he felt when he looked at it. The Toy Maker had built the watch himself with his own hands and the craftsmanship inside was admirable tarnished only by what other things those hands had made. Razhib held it up and remembered.
"Okay tomorrow there's going to be a little competition and whoever wins I'm going to give my pocket watch to them. But if you fail you're out of here. Now get out and study up," said the Toy Maker then he walked back into his study and closed the door. This was Razhib's cue to begin cleaning the classroom. He started cleaning after the students left and was mopping the floor when Ali walked back in.
"Hey you kid," said Ali. "I want to talk to you. I've got a deal for you I want to win that watch tomorrow and you're going to help me."
"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm in no position to help you do anything. I'm just a servant here I don't know anything…"
"But you have the keys to everywhere and if you were to go into the Master's study I'm sure you could find the plans for tomorrow's test."
"I can't do that if I get caught the minimum that will happen is I'll lose a hand if not a nose so I can still work. No, it's too dangerous and not fair to the students."
"Listen, you little flea you do as I tell you or I'll see to it that you do lose that hand… maybe both then you'll be turned out in the street and let's see you try to survive then. Do you have any family or friends to help you? I don't think so bring it to me after evening prayer."
"I need to get back to cleaning or I won't get done on time and that will get me thrown into my room, locked inside, and I won't be able to do what you want."
"If you're thinking about going to the Master I'll tell him it was you who came to me. You told me that if I paid you, you would get the diagram for tomorrow's bomb. Who's he going to believe me or a peasant boy."
Razhib remembered slipping into the master's study and looking through his classroom material. He knew where he kept his designs then he found what he needed. However, the Master didn't believe in copying machines or the like so he had to use trace paper and draw out the design. He was just putting back the papers he'd taken out when he heard someone at the door.
"Crap I'm going to get caught," said Razhib as he quickly hid behind the door. The door opened up and he saw another one of the Master's students enter with a couple of accomplishes.
"Quickly, look around for something that looks like what he's going to ask us to do tomorrow," said the one boy.
"Over here I've got it," said another as they went over and congregated around the Master's work table. But Razhib knew that it was for a project the Master was commissioned to build and not completed yet. It had nothing to do with the test the following day and confirmed when the first bomb blew up taking out one of the competitors.
"Well so much for fumble-fingers," said the Toy Maker as he motioned for Razhib to pour him tea. "You other two klutzes want to hurry up there. Look at Ali here now this is a surprise."
"I'm done Master," said Ali as he took the bomb over and placed it on the table in front of the Master. He looked it over and smiled.
"Very good… hum almost like something I'd make. You two can stop I think we have a winner here," said the Master as Razhib poured tea. To this day he didn't understand why he did what he did but he noticed a loose detonator spring that was about to come out. He remembered from tracing the design that if that came out the bomb would explode and being on the table in front of the Master it would take him out.
"Look out," said Razhib as he pushed through knocking over the tea but reaching the bomb in time to reset the spring. "I'm sorry… but it was…"
"Shut up," said the Master red in his face. "You've won the competition but I'm not going to give you my watch because your bomb was defective. Razhib, I want you to clean this mess up then go back to the kitchen and wait for me. I'm going to change and think about what I'm going to do to you for this outburst," said the Toy Maker as he got up and left.
"And I'm going to make your life hell here," hissed Ali. "I really wanted that watch."
"And you did… so you want this watch Ali," said Razhib under his breath. "Well then I'm going to give it to you."
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A Black Hawk appeared in the sky near the Contessa in stealth mode. It opened fire with fifty caliber cannons attacking the bridge then Casey and the Seal team rappelled down on the forecastle fighting their way back. While the crew aft quickly went forward to repel the boarders a second Black Hawk appeared with Banai and his VAJA team. The chopper hovered so they could leap on deck and fight their way forwards.
"How goes it back aft," radioed Casey. "What's taking you guys so long back there? Do you need to take a pause to pray?"
"We're making headway back here. You guys would be moving a lot faster if you'd give up all that saturated fat in your diet like pork. I didn't want to say it before John but I think you've picked up a few pounds since we last met."
"Why you… just keep an eye out for Morgan. He's on this rust bucket somewhere. I made a promise to bring him back home so I can kill him there for causing all this hassle."
"I love the way you show affection," said Banai as the teams met. Banai waved at Casey. "Okay topside is ours. I'll go up you go down. Once I've taken the bridge we can have your ship send people over."
"Sounds like a plan to me," said Casey. He took the Seal down through the main deck and into the engine room.
By now the crew of the Contessa could read the handwriting on the wall and were turning themselves over. As Casey was making his way into the cargo hold he found it open then he heard the sound of a jetboat coming from outside.
"Oh no you don't," yelled Casey. "Lieutenant take charge of your men. I'll be right back." Casey ran up the ladder to see a jetboat speed away. It had been hoisted out of the hold before they got there.
"No, no not this time," yelled Casey. He jumped on a fifty-caliber machine gun battery, housed the belt then opened up. "Eat lead sucker," he said as the gun shook from the recoil he opened up in short bursts watching where his tracers landed. It wasn't long before black smoke bellowed out of the aft end of the Jetboat followed by flames. Soon he saw men diving over the side before the boat exploded.
"Now that's how you scratch an itch," said Casey. But as he was congratulating himself he got word in his earbud that Banai had found Morgan wounded. "I'm on my way up there but get the chopper in on the flight deck and let's get him over to the Mason ASAP."
John heard the chopper coming in then saw it land as he made his way up to the flight deck. Two of Banai's men carried Morgan out on a stretcher wrapped in a blanket.
"Moron, why didn't you stay put where you were?" said Casey. "Sarah told me you were safe where you were. If you die on me I'm going to kill you."
"Ettore got away on that jetboat… I had to go topside to try to stop him but I was too late," said Morgan as he held his head.
"What's the matter with your head? Did you take a round? Probably the safest place to shoot you," said John. "They're taking you over to the Mason…"
"No a change of plan the Corpsman decided to send him on to the mainland so he can get seen in a regular medical facility," said Banai. "Just relax, close your eyes, and everything will be all right."
They loaded Morgan up on the Black Hawk then it took off heading for a Bulgarian hospital. The bird was just out of sight when Lieutenant Marsh brought Morgan up on the flight deck.
"Look who we found down below," said the Lieutenant. "He says he's one of your people Colonel." John pulled his Sig and pointed it at Morgan.
"That's Ettore La Barba and this is judgement day," said Casey. "Any last words before I pop a cap in you and end your miserable life."
"John… chill out it's me Morgan. What's wrong with you? Did you bump your head? I know you constantly threaten to kill me or do me bodily harm which I have to tell you is not cool. Especially since I'm going to marry Alex one of these days whenever I can get a bullet proof tux and apy up my hospital insurance."
"Don't tell me this is the real Morgan and we didn't just put Ettore on a chopper out of here," said Banai. "I'm not going to put that in my report."
"Wait a minute there's one way to be sure," said Casey. He kicked Morgan in the shin causing him to buckle over in pain.
"Geez, did you have to kick me that hard," said Morgan as he tried to straighten up. "Now I hope you're convinced?"
"Almost," said Casey as he kicked him in the other leg. Morgan buckled in pain as the Lieutenant and Banai stifled laughs.
"What are you two laughing at? Casey, what the heck is wrong with you. That hurt," said Morgan as he stood up right.
"Sorry I couldn't remember which leg Ettore lost so I had to make sure and besides what are you complaining about it's not like I shot you or anything. We need to get in touch with that chopper but by now I suspect Ettore has commandeered it."
"So what are we going to do let him get away? He'll shut down the transponder, the chopper will go dark and that will be that."
"No we don't do anything and have men standing by when it lands at the hospital. He doesn't know we've found Morgan and as long as the chopper keeps on course he might think his great escape worked.
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At the secret Hashishim compound code named Alamut Castle the council of twelve were gathering for a meeting. Decisions had to be taken after Abu's failures about Hashishim's future course and Abu's fate. The few friends he had on the council quickly saw that he was impossible to defend and if they were to survive they'd have to feed him to the wolves.
"You know he took his being recalled too well," said the Old Man. "I think he's up to something. You don't get to be the Old Man without being able to read the people around you. Tell the council I'll back whatever decision they come to but I've been called away on urgent business."
"Sir this is unprecedented the council has never met without the Old Man of the Mountain being there. The only time that ever happens is when they elect a new Old Man after to old one becomes a part of the mountain."
"I'm well away of that and I know the risks you're hinting at but I think I like my odds."
"Sir we don't gamble… it's against…"
"I know what it is and I beg to differ. When you get to be my age it's a bet if you're going to get up the next day. Get my helicopter ready I need to go to our base in Baku."