Missions of the Retrieval Team - Kilts in a Cage

[Jock Scot]

Oh No!

[davedove]

Scene 28

Factory Compound of General Ricos

The sound of the explosion roared through the area. We spun around to look at where the children’s barracks had once stood.

Smoke and flaming fragments of boards filled the area. Dust that had been torn up by the blast created a massive cloud, making everything hazy.

None of us could believe the General had actually done it. How could anyone be so cold?

Jaime and his wife were hit the hardest. They sat on the ground, holding each other, grief and shock evident on their faces.

Ms. Pleater silently stared. She held onto Julie who was sobbing.

Even the old Marine, James, looked on in shock, tears running down his cheeks.

I felt completely helpless as I sagged to the ground, unable to take my eyes from the scene. The rifle I held slipped from my fingers.

Ms. Stork sagged to the ground beside me and we embraced each other in our grief. All of our training, all our work and we had been unable to stop this one horrendous act.

“Look!” Di cried out in surprise. She pointed to the cloud of settling dust.

As I looked, I could see movement within the cloud. The movement slowly formed into people walking towards us.

I wiped away the tears that had formed in my eyes. As I watched, hope began to grow within me.

As the people moved through the dust cloud, their features became clearer.

Walking at the front was a large man who could only be Mikey. In his right arm, he was carrying a small girl, holding her to him. With his left hand he had the hand of a small boy, leading him along. As he drew closer, I could see that the children he had were Jaime’s, Xena and Sinbad.

Following closely behind Mikey came Grant, who was supporting a limping Mr. Standard.

And then, from behind them came dozens of small children.

Mikey walked right up to Jaime and his wife, who still stared at him in disbelief.

“I believe these belong to you,” he said with a smile on his face.

Jaime and his wife snapped out of their trance and jumped up to embrace their children. Mikey moved away to let the family have their moment.

Di and Ms. Stork quickly moved to help Grant with Mr. Standard.

I stepped up to Mikey and shook the big man’s hand. “Well done,” I said. “What happened? We thought you had run off.”

“No, when we encountered the guards we had to run into the trees to avoid capture. After all, we only had the one rifle at the time. We watched as the guards led the others away, and then moved around to the back side of the barracks. We couldn’t use the door, as there were more guards there. I managed to tear enough of the boards from the side to let Standard slip into the building. He helped the children through the hole as Grant and I guided them to cover.”

Mikey paused a moment then continued. “After Grant and I had guided the children to safety, Standard was slipping through the hole when the explosion occurred. The force of it threw him several yards, but that probably saved his life. If he had still been inside, he would be dead now.”

“As the smoke and dust started to clear,” he finished his tale, “We saw you here by the gate and made our way to you.”

As the others tended to the children and our wounded comrades, Mikey and I turned to check on the guards.

As we examined the scene, all the guards were lying helpless on the ground.

General Ricos, however, had slipped away during the commotion.

[Coemgen]

Coemgen was fast, having worked with me before. He dropped quickly to a prone position and started firing only a fraction of a second after I did.

Ah yes, that trouble in Alexandria. The pith helmet came in handy, as I recall.

[Nick the DSM]

whoa, how long have i missed this?!

now back to your original program...

[Pleater]

WWoooa.

That Mikey, he shine!!

Oo-oo. Been reading Terry Pratchett again.

Well done you fellows. Good show.

[LadyGriffin]

Hurray for Mike, Grant and Mr. Standard!

Good job everyone.



Dave, you are fantastic!

I hope I gave that Lieutenant splinters!

[Ancienne Alliance]

Ouch !

[davedove]

Scene 29

Factory Compound of General Ricos

Since he was wounded and in a hurry, the General had not bothered to cover his escape. Although I’m not an expert tracker, it would be easy to follow him.

“Jaime,” I asked, “Can you get them out of here?”

He looked at me and asked, “You’re going after Ricos?”

“We may be able to get some information from him.”

“Go, and take someone with you. Don’t try it on your own.”

I turned and addressed the others. “Ms. Stork, Coemgen, you’re with me.”

The three of us each grabbed a rifle and made sure we had an extra magazine.

It appeared that the General had simply plowed through the vegetation. Occasionally there was a spot of blood from his wound.

The trail led deep into the wilderness, away from the General’s compound.

Suddenly, we burst into a small clearing. Sitting on a small mound at the opposite side of the clearing was General Ricos. He appeared exhausted, but did hold a pistol in his lap.

We raised our rifles and slowly approached him. The General made no attempt to raise the pistol to defend himself.

“Mr. Dove,” he said as we moved closer. “You are indeed a resourceful individual. I really should have listened to Ivana. I’m afraid I underestimated you.”

“Don’t feel bad,” I told him. “You’re certainly not the first.”

He glanced over towards Ms. Stork. “And you must be the one who led that small group of women who caused my guards so much trouble.”

“You may call me Ms. Stork,” she said.

“Stork, of course, I was told there were several women with bird names. I take it you are one of Mr. Dove’s associates?”

“The best at what she does,” I answered for her. “Now, General, if you would please drop the pistol, we can help you with that wound.”

“I don’t think so Mr. Dove. I’m not going anywhere with you.”

“General, there are three of us with rifles. You surely don’t think you can beat us.”

“No, I don’t believe I can.”

Suddenly, twelve guards stepped into the clearing with rifles raised, surrounding us.

“But, as you can see,” the General continued, “I am not alone.”

We lowered our rifles and tossed them to the ground.

“Well played, General,” I said.

“Thank you, it’s good to see that you know when you’re defeated.”

“What now?” I asked.

“Now? I am going to leave. I can continue my operations elsewhere. You, however, will not be going with me.” He motioned to one of his men. “Corporal,” he ordered in Spanish. “Help me.”

The guard moved to the General and helped him stand. The two of them moved to the edge of the clearing. Ricos looked back over his shoulder.

“Kill them.”

[Livingston]

Jamie, I sure hope you decided to send some others out to follow Mr. Dove.

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

Jamie, Snip...

Thank you for getting it right! Dave, who is this Jaime you keep talking about? Jamie would have called in an air strike long ago and gotten rid of all those, not already killed by myself. Dave, haven't you ever seen The Avengers?

Be well,