Missions of the Retrieval Team - Kilts in a Cage

[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.

[Pleater]

I was only tempted to try my hand at writing due to the long intervals in other people's stories.

My present story will reveal why Pleater was not dancing at the start of the cruise.


Baroness Anne the mirthful of Fritterton on the Heath