Missions of the Retrieval Team - Kilts in a Cage

[davedove]

Scene 35

Chapel, Great Hall of X Marks the Scot

I was walking down the hallway when Prestor John stopped me. “Mr. Dove,” he said, “there is someone in the chapel that I believe you should talk to. I have a feeling your experiences may help you relate to her problem.”

“Who is it?”

“A woman who is carrying a lot of guilt right now.”

I made my way to the chapel, curious as to how my experiences would make me better counsel than the chaplain. When I arrived, I saw a single woman sitting there, Julie. I walked in and sat down beside her.

“How you doing?” I asked her.

She didn’t respond right away. After a few moments, she spoke in a low voice, “Not Good.”

“What’s wrong?”

Again, she paused before speaking. “I could have killed that man. I’ve never done anything like that in my life.”

“You did what you had to do. If you hadn’t, Livingston and I would be dead.”

“And that makes it right?” Although quiet, there was a touch of desperation in her voice. I noticed tears running down her cheeks.

I quickly took her in my arms. “No, it doesn’t make it right. It’s not right that anyone should ever have to do what you did. But sometimes it is necessary.”

“How do you do it? Why is it so easy for you?”

I paused a moment before answering. “Don’t ever think it’s easy. Pray it never becomes easy. With training and experience a person can learn to do it when necessary, but it’s never easy. You’re in the right place though. I have spent more than a few nights in chapels. So have the rest of my team.”

“Even Ms. Hawk?” she asked in disbelief.

I chuckled a little at that. “Especially her. I believe it’s because we take the time to reflect on our actions that we are such an effective team.”

We sat in silence for several moments as we each reflected on recent events.

“You know what?” she said. “There is one thing I hope.”

“What’s that?”

She smiled when she looked at me. “I hope I gave him splinters.”

[davedove]

Scene 36

Chapel, Great Hall of X Marks the Scot

The Moderators had arranged a memorial service for the two fallen members, Michael Newface and Peter Recruit. As part of the service, their names were added to the list of names displayed on the wall of the chapel of those who had given their lives in service to our organization.

When the service concluded, I sought out Julie.

“Julie,” I said, “there’s someone you should talk to.”

I had previously spoken to Livingston about her, and I led her over to him.

“This is her,” I told him.

He looked up at her from the wheelchair he was using until his leg healed. “Julie,” he said, taking her hand. “I just wanted to thank you. I owe you my life.”

I walked away from them as they were talking. Jaime spotted me and waved me over.

“About Newface and Recruit,” he started when I neared.

“I’ve already contacted the Foundation,” I interrupted him. “Their families will be receiving assistance.”

He nodded. “I suspected as much. The other Moderators and I have talked it over and we want to contribute to that assistance.”

“Certainly, it’s relatively easy to make a contribution to the Foundation. When you do, just specify the recipients.”

“Good. There’s something else I need to discuss with you. Will you come see me in my office later this evening?”

“Of course, when would you like me to come?”

“Make it about an hour before the banquet.”

I spotted Mikey and made my way over to him.

“When are you all planning to leave?” I asked.

“Grant has decided that we will stay through the banquet and leave immediately afterwards. I suspect he just wants to get your Moderators to pay for his meal. Of course, he will complain about it the whole time.”

I considered Mikey’s comments for a few moments. “Why do you do it Mikey? Why do you stay with him?”

He thought about that for a while before answering. “He wasn’t always like he is now. He was a good man and I believe he could be again. I swore my loyalty to him a long time ago and it wouldn’t be right to leave him now, just when he needs me the most.”

“You’re a good man, Mikey, and it was good working with you for a change. It’s a shame we have to be on the opposite side of things so often.”

“Yeah, but can you imagine how bad Grant would be if I weren’t there to temper his outbursts?”

[davedove]

Scene 37

Captain Panache’s Office, Great Hall of X Marks the Scot

I arrived at Panache’s office an hour before the banquet was scheduled to start. Since the banquet was a formal affair, I had already changed into my formal clothing.

When Jaime invited me in, I found that he had already changed as well. As had all the other Moderators, who were waiting in Jaime’s office for me.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“Please,” said Jaime, “Close the door behind you and come have a seat.”

I closed the door and sat in the chair before his desk. “Again, what’s up?”

“We have had a meeting and we have come to a decision.”

“Okay, about what?”

“About the Globo-Fashion situation. Although it seems the kidnapping was a coincidence, it seems that their operations are growing. And each time you have thwarted their plans, with some help from the membership. We believe it’s only a matter of time before they move to attack us directly.”

“I would agree with that. However, they are very unlikely to do so openly. I mean, to the rest of the world, they are a fashion company.”

“You’re right, and an open attack we could deal with. But since it will probably be a covert attack, we need everyone to be alert.”

“And you want me to help out? I’m already doing that.”

“Yes, and we’re grateful for that help. But we have something else in mind.”

“What’s that? You’re not asking me to join the Moderators, are you? That kind of position would tie me down entirely too much. I need a certain amount of freedom of action to do what I do.”

He smiled at that. “Actually, that had been considered. But we anticipated your response. Instead we have a different sort of position for you. Officially, you would hold the rank of Herald. However, your duties would be a bit different from the other heralds. We want your team to handle any operations against Globo-Fashion. To do that, you will have at your disposal anything you need from the Great Golden Hall or its members, as well as the right to call on any of the general membership of the order.”

“Whoa,” was all I could think of to say.

“One other thing,” he continued. “Since Globo-Fashion is likely to strike covertly, it’s possible that they will try to infiltrate our organization.”

“Probable, is more like it.”

“Indeed, so we have one other assignment for you. You are to check out the members to ensure they haven’t been compromised, especially new members. Nothing too intrusive, as we don’t want to violate their rights, but enough so that a plant doesn’t slip through. Can you do that?”

“I don’t think that would be a problem. My team could do that and still have time for our other jobs. We have to pay the bills, you know. There is only one more thing I have to ask.”

“What’s that?”

I smiled at him. “Do I get a fancy office with my name on the door?”

[davedove]

Scene 38

Grand Dining Room, Great Hall of X Marks the Scot

The banquet was a lavish affair in honor of the return of all those who had been kidnapped. A silent toast was given to the two men who had not survived.

All the members who had been injured were each awarded the Golden Thistle for the wounds they had received and other medals were given for the actions.

Grant and his men were officially thanked for their role in the rescue of the children. Mikey and Standard seemed honored by the presentation, but Grant seemed to project an aura of entitlement.

We had managed to find the valuables that Spasm had hidden. It turned out that there had indeed been stables attached to the Great Hall, but they had long ago been converted into the garage. Spasm was the only person around old enough to remember them as stables. That also explained why he insisted that a pony be kept in one of the garage bays.

Dinner was followed by dancing. It seemed that all the ladies who had been kidnapped along with us wanted to dance with me. All the men likewise wanted to dance with Ms. Stork. I made it a point to reserve the last dance for her myself.

I noticed that several of the ladies also wanted to dance with Mikey. Although he seemed a bit awkward, he graciously danced with them all.

As I was taking a break from dancing, I heard a woman’s voice from behind me. “Mind if I sit down?”

I turned around and saw Julie. I rose to offer her a seat. “Please do.”

After we were both seated, she spoke again. “I want to thank you.”

“For anything in particular?”

“Well, all of it – the escape and especially the talk in the chapel. You helped me put it all in perspective.”

I took her hand. “I was glad to do it. Now, let me ask you something.”

“What?”

I heard the band start playing the distinctive music. “Do you tango?”

[davedove]

Scene 39

Security Suite, Great Hall of X Marks the Scot

Panache had made good on his promise to give me an office and then some. My team and I had received an entire wing of the Great Hall, although it was underground.

Each of my team had their own office and workspace. David had even revealed something to us that we were to keep secret. A secret panel in Ms. Starling’s office opened to a hallway that led directly to David’s labs. ‘You’ll probably bug me to use it all the time anyway,’ he had told us. I suspected that this was his way of thanking us for getting him away from General Ricos, but he was too proud to say so.

“How are you settling in?” Jaime asked from the door to my office.

“Quite well, some of my team has some suggestions though.”

“And those are?”

“Well, Ms. Swan says the computer you have provided is quite nice. But she says it’s only state of the art, so she plans to do some upgrades of her own.”

“I wouldn’t expect any less from her. Anything else?”

“Ms. Stork has some suggestions for the library.”

Jaime chuckled. “Just give them to Todd. I’m sure he won’t mind.”

“The others haven’t made any requests yet. Well, Ms. Hawk might have, but once she heard that you already have a firing range she seemed happy. I only have one thing I would like.”

“What’s that?”

“I know we’re underground, so a window is impossible, but I sure would like one of those electronic window displays like David had in his office.”

Jaime laughed. “Already taken care of,” he said. “One will be put in each office by the end of the week.”

“Great!” I said, genuinely pleased.

“Just one more thing.”

“What’s that?” I asked.

He stepped over to me and offered his hand. “Welcome to the team.”

[davedove]

Scene 40

Courtyard, Great Hall of X Marks the Scot

We had gathered at the main entrance to the Great Hall to see off Grant and his men. Our newest Herald, Arlen, waited by the limousine to drive them to the airport. Grant’s airship would be waiting for him there.

“Come,” said Grant to his men. “We have been cooped up here with these people far too long.” He took off walking towards the limo.

Jaime addressed Mikey and Standard. “You two don’t have to go. Our organization can use people like you.”

Mikey shook his head. “Thank you,” he said, “but I can’t. I’ve made my vows and I have to stick by them.”

“And what about you, Mr. Standard?” Jaime asked, turning to the other man.

Mr. Standard looked to Mikey. Mikey saw the unspoken question in Standard’s eyes and nodded.

“If you’re sure it’s okay,” Standard answered, “I think I would like to stay.”

“Of course it’s okay,” Jaime told him. “We will never forget what you did for our children, what you did for my children.”

Mikey embraced Standard. Standard winced a bit from the burns he had on his back from the explosion, but didn’t say anything.

“Good luck,” said Mikey, when he released Standard. “These are good people. They’ll take care of you.”

I took Mikey’s hand and shook it. “Take care of yourself.”

He reached down to his belt and pulled something out. “Don’t worry about me,” he said. He unfolded what he had taken from his belt and I saw that it was his sporran mask. He pulled it over his head. “Big Mikey can take care of himself.” He said with a smile.

The big man turned away from us and walked to the limo, where he climbed inside with Grant.

Arlen closed the door behind them and went around to the driver’s seat. He started the car and drove through the gate.

I knew I would be facing Grant and his forces again. But I also knew that at least one of his group was a man of honor.

[davedove]

Commercial Break

A Library

A kilted man is sitting in a chair with his feet up. He is reading a book with the title “Kilts in a Cage.” He finishes the book and closes it. Then he sees the audience for the first time.

“Oh, hello,” he says. “My name is Mr. Standard. You may remember me from the story you just read. Wasn’t it an exciting tale?”

“If you enjoyed this story, you can find it on the forums of X Marks the Scot, along with others by the same and different authors.”

“Please check it out and enjoy the stories.”

He winks at the camera. “You may even find yourself in one of them.”

[davedove]

Closing Scene

Private Villa on St. John, U.S.Virgin Islands

I had invited all those wounded in the escape for a little rest and relaxation at my private villa in the Caribbean. We all relaxed on the beach, soaking up a little sun.

Robert and his wife were sitting to my right. “So,” I asked. “Are you enjoying yourself?”

He took one of the drinks from the tray that Timothy offered. “My friend,” he said, “This is absolutely wonderful.”

“How’s your leg doing?”

He glanced down to the bandage around his thigh. “It is still sore, but I can use the leg with no problem.” He looked over to me and smiled. “I should learn to duck when you tell me, no?”

“Indeed you should.”

Livingston was sitting in the chair on my left. He too was now walking, but he still had a heavy limp. I noticed he was closely watching Ms. Thrush walking out of the surf. “I think I’m enjoying myself too,” he said with a big grin.

I looked around at the others. Dee was sitting at a table under a large umbrella, playing backgammon with Ms. Swan.

Unable to go into the water because of the healing burns on his back, Standard was arm wrestling with Ms. Hawk. I think he even managed to beat her a time or two.

My attention was drawn back to the lovely Ms. Starling who plopped down on my lounge chair between my legs with her back to me. “Yo, boss man,” she said, handing me a tube.

I took the tube from her and saw it was sunscreen. She reached back to untie her bikini top and held it to her chest. “Do my back,” she ordered.

“Yes, ma'am,” I answered, and immediately squirted some lotion into my hand.

I think I was enjoying myself too.

[davedove]

Acknowledgements and Thanks

So ends my third tale. I hope you liked it.

To the featured staff of X Marks the Scot:
Cajunscot
Panache
Starbkjrus
Arlen

Prestor John, our chaplain

To Grant’s forces
ccga3359
Big Mikey (I hoped you enjoyed being the noble villain)
Standard

The other kidnap victims:
The F-H.C.A.G. with Sinbad and Xena
Coemgen
macdoc451
Livingston (sorry you got shot again, but you did it as a hero)
Pleater
Pipesndrumsnun
Ancienne Alliance
SexyButler
Standard
James MacMillan
ladygriffin (thanks to you I was able to put a very human element into my story)

Many thanks to X Marks own security team (even though your appearance was brief):
Splash_4
BEEDEE
Weasel Mender

And the stars of my commercials:
Pleater for Stress Free
Wompet for X Chow
Big Mikey for X-Charge
Arlen for the Intelli-Quest
Standard for X Marks the Scot

Ms. Stork and the other members of my team in the story are completely fictional, except of course for Ms. Wren, Dirka Skene, but she wasn’t in the story anyway.

Finally, the two fallen members, Michael Newface and Peter Recruit, are completely fictional, but they will be missed anyway.

If I forgot anyone, I sincerely apologize.

[davedove]

Now, both Pleater and Panache have stories started. I won't do any more of my own until these are completed, but I'm sure another will come up after that.