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

[Splash_4]

OOh OOh, Time to get the popcorn again

[davedove]

OOh OOh, Time to get the popcorn again

Yeah, but this one isn't coming to me as quickly. The first one just seemed to come rolling out of me.

[starbkjrus]

Yeah, but this one isn't coming to me as quickly. The first one just seemed to come rolling out of me.

Thats ok, I've got LOTS of popcorn just waiting to hit the microwave. Take your time. :food-smiley-002:

[davedove]

Scene 4


Grand Dining Room, Great Hall of X Marks the Scot


My team gathered in the hallway outside of our rooms. I had chosen to wear a kilt and fly plaid in the blue and green hues of the newly designed Dove tartan*. When my associates came out of their rooms, I saw that each of them had worked the same tartan into their outfits. I’ll admit I was a bit touched by this gesture. Most of them had opted for sashes or wraps, but I noticed that Ms. Hawk had a full hostess skirt made up in the tartan. I didn’t ask, but I would have wagered a large sum that she had a pistol under that skirt, even here in the safety of the Hall.

We had found instructions in the room that the event would call for the wear of decorations, so I had pinned my medals on the front of my jacket. My associates, although they were not wearing jackets, placed their decorations appropriately. Ms. Wren wore the Wreath of Distinguished Service on a ribbon around her neck.

We made our way to the entrance of the Grand Dining Room. The Heralds of the League, Dee and McMurdo were stationed at the top of the stairs leading down into the Dining Room.

Dee introduced us to McMurdo and he shook each of our hands. “Later, you’ll have to tell me your version of the events up north,” I told him.

“Certainly,” he responded. “Just grab me anytime after the main ceremonies are over and I will be glad to do so.”

In truly splendid style, Dee called out each of our names, introducing us to the gathering as we descended the stairs.

I noticed that many people had already gathered, mainly the Moderators and their significant others. Each of the men was wearing a kilt in the X Marks the Scot tartan and the women had the tartan worked into their outfits. This group was stationed at the bottom of the stairs, where they all greeted each arrival.

As I made my way down the line, I arrived where Panache was standing, along with his flame-haired wife. I vigorously shook his hand then placed a gentlemanly kiss on his wife’s hand. So that he didn’t feel too put out, each of my associates gave him a quick peck on the cheek at he greeted them.

Just past Panache were three gentlemen dressed in the maroon kilts of the Saltire’s security force. Each of them was wearing the League’s highest honor, the Order of the Dandelion, around their necks. I realized that these men must be the decorated heroes of the Acryli-beast expedition.

“You gentlemen must be Mr. Splash, Mr. BEEDEE, and Mr. Mender. It’s a pleasure to meet such outstanding members.”

I shook each of their hands.

“It’s a pleasure,” said Mr. Splash.

“To make the acquaintance,” said Mr. BEEDEE.

“Of you and your team, as well,” said Mr. Mender.

“You’ll have to tell us,” said Mr. Splash.

“Of your adventures,” said Mr. BEEDEE.

“Against the forces of Globo-Fashion,” said Mr. Mender.

“Of course,” I replied. It would take a little while to get used to their strange manner of speaking.

After we had met everyone in the receiving line, my team dispersed to mingle with the other guests. Ms. Falcon remained with me, as it was her turn to be my escort for the evening.

The Heralds continued to introduce other members as they entered the Dining Room.

“From Missouri, Cactus Jack.”

“From Washington, Kilted John Sporrano.”

“From Arizona, Arizona Scot.”

“From California, James MacMillan, Coemgen, Crusty, Ozman1944, and Rigged.”

When the members from California began to descend the stairs, all conversation in the room stopped as everyone noticed what they were wearing.

Although each of the California members was wearing a perfectly normal formal kilted outfit, they were all also wearing an Elizabethan style cap with a large pink ostrich feather.

* Shameless plug for my newly designed tartan
Introducing the New Dove Tartan

[davedove]

Commercial Break


Inside an office


We see a man sitting at a desk talking on a phone. He speaks harshly into the receiver, “I don’t care what it takes, just get it done.” He slams down the receiver. Sitting back in his chair, he clutches his stomach and grimaces in pain.

We hear the narrator.

“This is Mike, the Executive Officer of the League of Moderators. The stress of his position can cause him to suffer from heartburn and upset stomach.”

The man reaches into a cabinet under his desk and pulls out a bottle filled with a pick liquid.

“When this happens, Mike always uses Formula X, from the fine folks at X Marks the Scot.”

The man opens the bottle and takes a big drink.

“It’s patented formula works fast to coat his stomach and brings fast relief.”

The man puts the lid back on the bottle and again sits back in his chair, with a look of relief on his face.

“In no time at all, its fast acting formula will have him back to his old self.”

The phone rings and the man angrily answers it. “What is it? What? You’re kidding me! Well get it working! I don’t have time for this nonsense!”

The scene changes to a close-up of a bottle of Formula X.

“Formula X, fast relief when you need it.”

[davedove]

Scene 5


Grand Dining Room, Great Hall of X Marks the Scot


I was about to go over to speak with the California members when I heard Dee call for the attention of everyone in the room. I noticed that he had left his post at the top of the stairs and moved to another hallway that opened into the Dining Room.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he addressed the gathering. “I present our guests of honor this evening, Riverkilt, Graham, Hamish, and Andrew Breecher”

All those gathered turned to face the hallway and applauded the entrance of the members. Three orderlies came in pushing wheelchairs, in which the first three members were seated. Andrew walked in following them. Although all looked as if they were still recovering, especially those in the chairs, each was dressed in their formal attire.

The guests of honor accepted the applause, but they seemed embarrassed about it. I saw that Mike had moved over to greet the men. After greeting them, he looked over at me, and gestured for me to join him.

When I joined him, he introduced me to the men seated.

“Gentlemen,” he said, “This is Mr. Dove, the leader of the team that rescued you.”

“Mr. Dove,” said Hamish as we shook hands. “I am so glad to finally meet you and give you my thanks.”

“Hamish,” I answered. “I am so glad that I was able to assist in any way. But I was just a small part of the rescue. Several others participated in the effort.”

“And I plan to thank each one of them,” he replied.

The other two men expressed similar sentiments when I spoke to them. Mike then directed the men to their seats and moved to stand behind the podium at the front of the room.

“Would everyone please take your seats?” he called out.

When everyone was seated, he continued. “I would first like to thank everyone who could make it today. The number of people attending shows us just how respected these men are.”

The room again erupted in applause. When it died down, Mike continued. “Tonight, we are gathered together to celebrate the recovery of Riverkilt, Graham, and Hamish from the harsh treatment at the hands of the forces of Globo-Fashion. Andrew Breecher, although he recovered much earlier than these gentlemen, is also being honored, because he also suffered the same treatment.”

“Some time ago,” he went on, “We honored the individuals who participated in the operation to rescue these individuals. Tonight, we are presenting to these men the Golden Thistle, for the suffering they experienced.”

Mike left the podium and went to each of the men. He presented a medal to each of the men and shook their hands. When he was done he stepped back and joined the applause in honor of the men.”

He returned to the podium. “But this occasion is not all happiness and celebration. There are some who have not yet recovered from what they suffered. Let us all take a moment to think of them and pray for their fast recovery.” The room was completely silent as we all thought of those who had still not recovered.

“And now,” he continued, “Let’s enjoy our evening.”

After that, Mike returned to his seat. Servants came from the kitchen and began serving the assembled guests.

[davedove]

Scene 6


Grand Dining Room, Great Hall of X Marks the Scot


After the meal, we all left the tables and gathered to mingle. I was talking with Riverkilt, introducing him to the members of my team when Todd came up to me.

“Have you noticed what the California members were wearing?” he asked me.

“Yes, I did,” I answered. “What do you make of it?”

“Oh, I think it’s a marvelous idea,” he answered. “I had my reservations at first, but after talking to one of them, the idea began to grow on me. I think everyone ought to be wearing them tonight.”

“But it’s not at all traditional.”

“No, but don’t you think it looks great.”

“I guess,” I answered. Todd then moved away to talk with some others.

Todd’s behavior seemed strange to me. He normally was fairly traditional in his dress. Sure, he would never criticize anyone else, but such things weren’t for him. To want to adopt such non-traditional dress as his own was completely out of character.

I motioned for Ms. Starling to join me. “Have you noticed anything about the California members?” I asked her.

“I assume you mean besides their headgear. The couple I have talked to seem very enthusiastic about the hats. I’ve also noticed a few of the other guests seem to feel the same way.”

“Yeah, I was just talking with Todd and he seems ready to get one for himself.”

“Todd, but he’s a pretty strict traditionalist, at least for his own attire.”

“That was my thought as well. I think something is going on here. Pass the word among the team and have them keep alert. I’m going to talk with Mike and see what he thinks.”

I made my way over to Mike, who was standing with Panache. Both were talking to Hamish.

“But Hamish,” said Panache, “You simply must get one of those caps for your formal attire. And the pink feather is an absolute must have.”

“Panache,” Hamish replied, “Those hats are simply not something I would wear. They look like something a re-enactor would wear, not something that would be worn with formal highland attire.”

“I agree with Panache,” said Mike. “You have got to get one. In fact, I think all of the members should be wearing them.”

Something was definitely wrong here. I quickly moved in.

“Gentlemen,” I said. “I hope you don’t mind if I steal Hamish for a bit. I would like to introduce him to the rest of my team.

“Of course,” Mike answered. “I need to mingle a bit more anyway.”

“And I do too,” said Panache. “Hamish, we will speak some more later.”

I quickly began to wheel Hamish’s chair away. “Hamish,” I said, “I’m sorry for being so abrupt, but I think something strange is going on around here.”

“I assume you’re speaking about the caps that the Californians are wearing?”

“That’s it exactly. People who would never consider wearing such a thing with their kilts are suddenly extremely enthusiastic about getting one of their own.”

“What do you think is causing it?”

“I don’t know, but I wanted to get you away before whatever it is affected you.”

I put a quiet call out to my team over the ear receivers we always wear and asked them to meet me in the library. We had to figure out what was going on.