Missions of the Retrieval Team - The Girl with the Silvery Smile

[davedove]

Scene 30


Grounds of the Grant Estate


I quickly scrambled behind the cover of the hill, pulling Mr. Loon behind me.

“I’m hit!” I yelled to Mr. Toucan. Working quickly, I managed to bandage where the bullet had hit me. The bullet had passed completely through the muscle of my calf. It would be painful, but I would be okay. I just wouldn’t be running any marathons anytime soon.

As I was pinned behind the hill, I bent to examine Mr. Loon more closely. His wound was small, as the bullet had just creased the side of his head. Unfortunately, he was unconscious. I quickly bandaged the wound and turned my attention back to the firefight.

Glancing over towards the stone building, I could tell that no more shots were being fired towards the building or from it. Ms. Hawk and Mr. Mender must have gotten away.

I reached up to activate my headset, but it wasn’t there. I must have lost it somewhere when I was retrieving Mr. Loon. Looking over at him, I saw he still had his on, but the same bullet that had wounded him had also disabled the radio. I couldn’t contact anyone and could only hope that Mr. Toucan was keeping everyone updated on the situation.

I risked another glance around the hill to survey the situation. At least three dozen guards were firing to keep Mr. Toucan and myself pinned down. Glancing towards Mr. Toucan’s position, I saw something that caused both joy and fear in me. Mr. Toucan was slowing crawling across the lawn, keeping as low as possible. He was coming to help us. But bullets were also striking the ground all around him. I feared it was only a matter of time before he was hit. I had to give him some cover.

I grabbed my handgun and slipped in a fresh magazine. Then slowly peeked over the hill to pick my targets. What I saw inspired me.

The guards were suddenly subjected to automatic weapon fire from behind and spun around to meet this new threat. Coming across the yard were Ms. Hawk and Mr. Mender. Although these two had met only a few days ago, it was obvious that they were kindred spirits. The two of them had retrieved an M249 SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon) and were systematically moving in on the guards. As Mr. Mender trained the weapon on one group of guards after another, Ms. Hawk kept close to his side using her M16 and passing him magazines to keep his weapon firing.

The guards had forgotten all about Mr. Toucan and me, so I quickly motioned for him to move quicker. He got up and ran to my position, diving behind the hill when he arrived.

“Did you contact the others?” I asked when he pulled up beside me.

“Yes, we should be getting help shortly.”

Just then we did receive more help. Aside from Ms. Hawk and Mr. Mender, gunfire began to be directed at the guards from near the house. Then, I again heard the roar of a truck approaching and saw the rest of my team come rolling across the lawn.

It seemed the guards knew when they were outflanked. Very quickly each group threw down the weapons and surrendered.

[Livingston]

oh am I going to have a headache from this one. when I find out who that was they better duck and

[davedove]

Scene 31


Grounds of the Grant Estate


Ms. Starling quickly took command of the situation and began disarming the prisoners. Ms. Splash and Mr. BEEDEE were sent to my position. The two of them gently picked up Mr. Loon to carry him to the truck, while Mr. Toucan assisted me. I could walk, but only with some difficulty.

Mr. Loon was placed inside the truck and Ms. Stork took over his care. My other associates from behind the house moved up to join us with Grant in tow. Grant was placed in the truck near me.

I called Mr. Mender over to join us. I quickly told him and the other security men about Big Mikey and told them where I had left him. They ran off to collect him.

Ms. Starling came over to my position. “We’ve rounded up all the guards. However, they all seem to be mere hirelings. I don’t see any of Grant’s associates from SOKS*.”

Just then the security men came running back to us. “He’s not there!” Mr. Splash called to us.

“Big Mikey’s gone!” Mr. BEEDEE yelled.

“And we can’t find any trace of him!” said Mr. Mender as the trio reached us. “Actually, that’s not completely true. We did find the hole in the wall where you threw him. But, other than that, no sign.”

*Sinister and Obscene Kilt Syndicate (SOKS)

[davedove]

Commercial Break


Grand Dining Room, Great Hall of X Marks the Scot


We see a man dressed in formal highland attire with a kilt in the XMarks tartan at the top of a flight of stairs. A couple approaches, also dressed in formal highland attire.

“Announce us, Dee,” the man of the couple says.

A look of confusion crosses the face of the man at the top of the stairs. Obviously he has forgotten the name of the couple.

The same man steps into the foreground of the scene. “Has this ever happened to you?” he asks the audience. “Hi, I’m Dee, a Herald for the League of Moderators at the Great Golden Hall of X marks the Scot. Part of my job is keeping track of our members, but sometimes a name will slip my mind.”

“That’s why I now use the Identifier, from Freelander Industries. It has a small camera that I can mount on my tie, or some other inconspicuous spot on my clothing. This camera will feed the images of people I meet into a small computer that I hang from my belt.”

“The computer will compare those images against those kept in its database and find a match. Once a match is found, it will display the results on a small screen, worn on a wristband.”

“Now, whenever I find myself at a loss for a name, all I have to do is glance down at the screen on my wrist and I will be reminded.”

We shift back to the same scene from earlier. The couple is again approaching Dee. “Announce us, Dee,” says the man.

The same worried face crosses Dee’s face, followed by a look of realization. He glances down at his wrist and looks at the screen there. A face and name are displayed there.

Dee looks out at the dining room and announces, “James MacMillan and wife.”

As the couple passes down the stairs, there is a look of relief on Dee’s face. “Thank you, Identifier,” he says.

[Wompet]

Standing over Grant was the shaggy bulk of Wompet. Wompet had his muzzle buried in Grant’s crotch.

Hey, waitaminute! What's all this then?

Looking closer, I could see that Wompet had sunk his teeth into Grant’s sporran.

Well, that's different isn't it. And given Grant's favorite sporran, leads to a couple of jokes not suitable for a family-friendly forum ...

[starbkjrus]

Commercial Break


Grand Dining Room, Great Hall of X Marks the Scot


We see a man dressed in formal highland attire with a kilt in the XMarks tartan at the top of a flight of stairs. A couple approaches, also dressed in formal highland attire.

“Announce us, Dee,” the man of the couple says.

A look of confusion crosses the face of the man at the top of the stairs. Obviously he has forgotten the name of the couple.

The same man steps into the foreground of the scene. “Has this ever happened to you?” he asks the audience. “Hi, I’m Dee, a Herald for the League of Moderators at the Great Golden Hall of X marks the Scot. Part of my job is keeping track of our members, but sometimes a name will slip my mind.”

“That’s why I now use the Identifier, from Freelander Industries. It has a small camera that I can mount on my tie, or some other inconspicuous spot on my clothing. This camera will feed the images of people I meet into a small computer that I hang from my belt.”

“The computer will compare those images against those kept in its database and find a match. Once a match is found, it will display the results on a small screen, worn on a wristband.”

“Now, whenever I find myself at a loss for a name, all I have to do is glance down at the screen on my wrist and I will be reminded.”

We shift back to the same scene from earlier. The couple is again approaching Dee. “Announce us, Dee,” says the man.

The same worried face crosses Dee’s face, followed by a look of realization. He glances down at his wrist and looks at the screen there. A face and name are displayed there.

Dee looks out at the dining room and announces, “James MacMillan and wife.”

As the couple passes down the stairs, there is a look of relief on Dee’s face. “Thank you, Identifier,” he says.

Though I don't think I could forget James's face I could really use one of those things.

I wonder if Freelander offers free shipping.

[Erisianmonkey]

Sorry y'all got shot. Greg, I've got your back when you get even. Seeing as how I used to write horror stories, I may even have a good revenge idea or two for you...
Then again, some of those are not only not suited to a family forum or polite company, they're probably not even suited to impolite company.

[davedove]

Scene 32


Pearson International Airport, Toronto, Canada


We had loaded everyone onto the truck and driven to the airport. Ms. Falcon made a point to stick to less traveled streets, since the appearance of the bullet-ridden truck may have caused a bit of concern.

Ms. Starling took charge in loading everything onto our jet. Since I was wounded, I remained with the truck to guard Grant. The security men moved Mr. Loon to the jet, while Ms. Stork kept watch over him.

Although it was night, the airport was still lively with the normal sounds of an airport. Engines were running and lights were flashing. I suppose that is why we all missed what was heading in our direction.

I mentioned before that Big Mikey is a large man and that he can build up a lot of momentum. Unfortunately, this time I was subjected to his entire force. He struck me from behind, throwing me off the truck. Even if I hadn’t been wounded, I would have had a hard time regaining my feet after that strike.

I turned to see what was happening. Big Mikey had helped Grant to his feet and they were both running away from the truck. It was then that I noticed the large object above us. A large blimp was moving over us. It had no lights and apparently had cut its engines before floating over our position.

Now the operators of the blimp started its engines again and turned on the lights. One set of lights revealed a large red maple leaf on the side of the airship.

More lights along the bottom of the blimp shone directly below, illuminating a rope ladder that had been lowered. Grant and Big Mikey were running to this ladder.

From behind I heard people running and turning I saw the security men and my associates giving chase, with Wompet in the lead.

The two men reached the ladder. From the top of the ladder, I saw a form cloaked in shadows. When the two men had grabbed the ladder, I heard him call out, “We’ve got them. Take us up MacHummel!”

The airship began to rise, lifting the two men on the ladder. Wompet, only a few feet behind them dove for the ladder, but passed just inches below it.

Those who had been chasing the two men stopped and drew weapons, prepared to fire on them.

“Hold your fire!” I called to them. “Let them go. We’ll deal with them another time. We’ve got a wounded man to take care of.”

As the airship continued to rise, I heard Grant call out. “YOU FOOLS! YOU CANNOT HOLD ME! BY MY GORGEOUS, FLOWING, GOLDEN LOCKS AND FIRM ROUND BUTTOCKS YOU WILL NEVER HOLD ME! HA HA HA HA HA HA!” he cackled madly.

I turned to Mr. Splash. “Golden locks and firm buttocks?” I asked.

“I’ll explain on the flight,” he said.

[davedove]

Scene 34


Great Hall of X Marks the Scot


We had sat through the ceremony where a few honors were awarded. Livingston and myself were both awarded the Golden Thistle for the wounds we had received on the mission.

All the members of my team, the security men, Livingston, Erisianmonkey, and even Wompet were awarded the League Commendation Medal for our participation in the mission.

One award was given out that had nothing to do with the mission. McClef was awarded the Order of the Grand Defender of the Kilt for his long and outstanding service to the members of the forum.

As the ceremony was winding down, everyone was enjoying the refreshments provided. People were gathered in small groups making idle conversation. I noticed that Ms. Hawk and Mr. Mender were spending a fair amount of time together. I really wondered what was going on, as the two of them were revealing parts of their body to one another. I quit worrying though, when I realized that they were sharing battle stories and showing off their scars. They really were kindred spirits.

The chaplain, Prestor John, came up to me and whispered in my ear. When I heard what he had to say, I realized that Ms. Wren needed to hear it too.

We walked over to her together. “Ms. Wren,” I said, “the chaplain needs you to come to the infirmary immediately.”

“Why,” she said, “What’s wrong?”

“Just please, come with us.”

We made our way down to the infirmary. Ms. Wren seemed to grip the chaplain’s arm tighter with every step. We approached the door to where her husband was being kept.

“I think you should go in alone,” Prestor John told her. His voice was deadly serious.

Ms. Wren slowly walked to the door. She hesitated when she grasped the knob. She glanced over at us with worry.

“Go ahead,” said the Chaplain. “You need to see this.”

When Ms. Wren turned back to the door and turned the knob, the chaplain looked at me. His face lit up in a smile and I couldn’t stop my own smile.

Ms. Wren hadn’t seen our smiles when she opened the door. As the door opened into the room though, she let out a squeal of joy.

There on the bed was Celtic Menace. He was sitting up in the bed, reading a magazine.

Ms. Wren ran to him and took him in her arms. We could tell that her crying was from pure joy.

[davedove]

Commercial Break


A table at a small bar


We see two kilted men sitting at the table, enjoying drinks and a small meal. They are talking with much animation.

“What about that part in the convention center?” asks the first man.

“Or how about what Wompet did to Grant?” the second man laughs.

The first man seems to notice the viewers. “Oh, hi,” he says. “I’m Livingston, also known as Mr. Loon. This is my friend, Erisianmonkey, who is also known as Mr. Toucan.”

“Hi,” says the second man. “I hope you enjoyed the story you just read. If you did, you can find other stories in the X Marks the Scot forum. Enjoy the stories.”

The two men turn back to their conversation.

The first man says, “Oh, how about that move that Mr. Dove used to take out Big Mikey.”

“Yeah, that big man really hit hard, didn’t he.”

Fade away