Missions of the Retrieval Team - Kilts in a Cage

[Ancienne Alliance]

Has anybody any idea what this General Ricos fellow is getting up to these days?

I fear he will ask us to put down our kilts, burn them in front of us and force us to put on bright orange overalls.

[Jock Scot]

I fear he will ask us to put down our kilts, burn them in front of us and force us to put on bright orange overalls.

The cad!

[Livingston]

I fear he will ask us to put down our kilts, burn them in front of us and force us to put on bright orange overalls.

The cad!

Dave, I still have that special locater transmitter in my shoe that alerts my friends at USASOC. Should I activate it?

[Coemgen]

Dave, I still have that special locater transmitter in my shoe that alerts my friends at USASOC. Should I activate it?

I have… um… a pith helmet? Aloha shirts? Ok, I got nothing - but I do haver courage!

[Jock Scot]

Dave, I still have that special locater transmitter in my shoe that alerts my friends at USASOC. Should I activate it?

May I enquire, does one get into serious bother if one uses their initiative in your outfit?

[Livingston]

May I enquire, does one get into serious bother if one uses their initiative in your outfit?

Oops did I say that out loud? I was supposed to have turned that in.

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

So...they think that by separating my husband from me, they can make him more biddable!? What planet are they from?! Idiots!

Be well,

[Jock Scot]

Oops did I say that out loud? I was supposed to have turned that in.

I have a feeling that lots of things don't get handed in. No matter who's army you are in.

[davedove]

Scene 16

Factory Compound of General Ricos

The large man drove his fist into my stomach, causing me to slump over against my restraints. He stepped back and let General Ricos step close to me. The General placed the end of his riding crop under my chin and used it to raise my head to face him.

“Come now, Mr. Dove,” he said. “Let us have an end to these lies. We both know that you are not a mere tourist, so why do insist on claiming you are?”

The General had ordered his men to take me inside for questioning. Apparently, the General’s idea of questioning was to have one of his men beat the answers out of me.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I gasped. “I told you; I was on a cruise, trying to have a nice vacation when your thugs kidnapped us.”

“Mr. Dove, you disappoint me.” He stepped back and barked an order to the large man. The man again stepped forward and hit me.

“You know, Mr. Dove, the Corporal can do this all day and he has no qualms about doing you permanent damage.”

The General was right. If this lasted much longer, I would not be able to hold out and the Corporal had a sadistic gleam in his eye that showed he might even enjoy hurting or even killing me. Plus, I was only human and I would, sooner or later, reach my breaking point.

Fortunately, I had another option. Years ago I had spent some time in a Himalayan temple and had learned some things from the priests there. Along with their martial arts, they had taught me several techniques to control my body. One of these techniques is to place myself into a trance of sorts.

I couldn’t just slip into this trance, though. That would look too suspicious. Fortunately, I had other skills to use. So, while the Corporal had been beating me, I had been acting as though each blow affected me more that it really did.

When the Corporal stepped back, I slumped against my restraints, as though the strength was leaving my body. I wanted them to think I had reached my limit.

“Well, Mr. Dove,” said the General, “Why are you here?”

It was time to put my plan into motion. I spoke as though I was a broken man. “Okay,” I gasped, barely audible. “I was hired, by the authorities, to find out what you were doing.”

“That’s better. Who hired you?”

My gasping was all a ruse. In actuality, my breathing was very controlled as I began the procedures to enter the trance.

“The Mexican government,” I lied.

“What do they know about my operations?” he asked. I could tell he was a bit worried.

“I don’t know.”

The General responded with anger. “Tell me!” he commanded as he slapped me across the face, snapping my head to the side.

My preparations were complete and I let myself slip into the trance. My body completely relaxed, as though I had lost consciousness. However, although my body was limp, I was still completely aware of my environment.

I heard the General speaking to the Corporal in Spanish. “Too bad, he was just starting to talk. Take him back to the barracks. He is no good to us like this.”

The corporal moved behind me and untied my bonds, causing me to fall to the floor. I heard the door open and two men came over to my and picked me up. Supporting me on their shoulders, they carried me from the room.