Missions of the Retrieval Team - A Kilt By Any Other Name

**Livingston** · 12th August 08, 08:12 PM

Well, I do tend to wonder about someone I've seen dead and buried when I see them walking around again.

**davedove** · 13th August 08, 04:40 AM

Scene 19

Secret Headquarters of the KLF

As the van approached X Marks Mountain, the driver turned onto the field road instead of taking the road to the top. When we reached a small steam, the driver pulled the van into the stream and drove along it towards the mountain.

I glanced at my associates. We had crossed this very stream when we arrived here.

As we neared the mountain, we drove straight towards a small waterfall. Just before we reached it, the driver pressed a small control that looked like a remote garage door opener. The side of the mountain behind the waterfall opened inward and the driver drove through the falling water and into the mountain.

“Okay,” said Mike when the driver stopped the van. “The Moderators are waiting to see who we brought back. They’re both going to freak when they see it’s you.”

“Both?” I asked. “What happened to the others?”

“Oh, that’s right,” he said, the smile leaving his face. “You wouldn’t know what happened. We lost Jamie in a firefight about two months after you were captured. All we have left are David and Grant. Well, and I guess you now, since you’re back.”

Things really were different here if Grant was a Moderator. What had happened on this world?

We approached a door where a woman was waiting for us. I recognized her as we neared. On our world she was Julie, or ladygriffin.

As we neared though, she certainly didn’t act like the Julie I knew. She drew her handgun and pointed it straight at me.

“Who are they?” she demanded of Mike.

Mike was a bit surprised by her reaction. “Julie, these are the people we released from the jail.”

Diane spoke up, obviously confused as well. “Julie, can’t you see? It’s David, my David.”

“I know who he looks like,” said Julie. “But if you’ll remember, David was executed a year ago. And I have never seen those two women in my life.”

“Julie,” said Diane, the hurt clear in her voice. “It’s him, he’s alive.”

“Obviously he faked his death,” explained Mike. “The women are his friends.”

“Friends?” said Julie, looking at my associates. “I know what kind of woman friends he keeps.” The sarcasm was sharp in her voice.

“Julie!” said Mike, “That was uncalled for.”

“Maybe so, but I still wonder why he waited so long to return.” She reholstered her weapon. “But I guess that’s for the Moderators to decide.” She stepped aside. “Go on in.”

As we passed through the door, Julie’s gaze stayed on me, her eyes full of mistrust.

When we reached the hallway within, Diane hugged me again. “I’ll go get our room ready.” She left us to head down the hallway.

Mike nudged me with his elbow. “You’re in for quite a reunion after being gone for a year,” he said.

I followed him down the hallway in the other direction, but looked back in the direction Diane had gone. I was going to have to do something about her.