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

[Livingston]

Or a muckle dram of Talisker!

int:

[davedove]

Scene 46

Franklin, North Carolina

Matt woke us early the next morning. He went around giving us each a set of clothes.

“What are these?” I asked.

“New clothes,” said Mike. “We need to change our appearance.”

“You’re in luck,” said Matt. “This season’s fashions just came into the stores.”

I examined the clothes that he had brought for me. The set included a loose tunic with billowy sleeves, loose-fitting trousers, and a colorful vest.

“It looks more like a costume,” I said.

“This year’s fashion for the working class is gypsy-chic,” said Matt.

I looked around. The men all had outfits similar to mine, with some variation in color. The women all had colorful peasant blouses with embroidered vests and skirts.

After we had all changed clothes, Matt led us outside. There in the parking lot was a large truck holding a load of hay bales.

“There’s your ride,” Matt said, pointing to the truck.

“But how are we all going to fit in that?” Mike asked. “The only place to sit is the cab, and we can’t fit any more than three people in there, four max. There are eight of us.”

A woman walked from the other side of the truck. “That’s what everbody’s s’posed to think. I guarantee ya’ll everbody’s gonna fit in just fine.”

“This is your driver,” said Matt. “Let me introduce Susie.”

Susie walked up and extended her hand. “I’m right pleased to meet ya’ll,” she said as she shook our hands.

Of course, my associates and I had already met Susie, just not on this world. On our world she works with us as Ms. Falcon. Her accent was a bit thicker in this world though.

“C’mon, let me show ya’ll where you’re ridin’,” she said and led us to the truck.

She went to the passenger side and opened the door.

“One a ya’ll can ride up front with me.” She then tilted the seat back forward, revealing a panel. She reached over and slid the panel to the side. The opening created was more than large enough for a person to slip through, even a large man. “The rest a ya’ll will be ridin’ back there.”

I leaned in and looked through the opening. Inside was a chamber where a good number of people could fit. The hay on the outside was camouflage for the chamber.

“How did you ever come up with this?” I asked.

“Let’s just say I know a bit about hidin’ things when I’m drivin’” she answered.

Matt laughed. “Susie’s family has hauled more than a little moonshine in their time. Now she uses that expertise to help us move people.”

“I don’t reckon it’s right for folks to be goin’ to jail just ‘cause of the clothes they wear,” said Susie.

“Julie,” said Mike, “Why don’t you ride up front? They’re less likely to be looking for a couple of farm girls moving hay.”

Mike climbed into the back and then helped me get David inside. The rest of us climbed in afterwards.

“Good luck and safe journey,” said Matt, as he closed the door behind Julie.

[davedove]

Well, I have finished the story, so I will speed up the revealing of the scenes. I'm still not going to give them all to you at once though.

[davedove]

Scene 47

A road in South Carolina

The ride in the back of the truck was neither smooth nor comfortable, but it seemed fairly secure. Susie had built vents into the walls so that the chamber didn’t get too hot.

We all tried to catch a bit of rest, although it wasn’t easy with the rough ride. We had been riding for a few hours when the panel slid open from the front.

“You need to hear this,” said Julie, turning up the radio.

We all listened to what the radio said.

“Early this morning, the FBI raided a small town in western North Carolina. A representative for the Bureau stated that the town of Franklin had been identified as having terrorist connections.”

“A number of arrests have been made. The curator of the local Scottish museum, as well as a local priest, has been taken into custody for aiding terrorists. The entire town has been placed on lock-down and no one is allowed to leave as the Bureau questions everyone.”

“The Bureau is calling this a major step in eliminating those who would resist government authority and their representative says that information gained here could lead to the destruction of the Kilted Liberation Front, the major terrorist organization dedicated to the downfall of the federal government.”

“We just got away,” said Mike.

“But how did they find out about Franklin?” Michael asked. “We’ve always been so careful never to leave any trail there.”

“Did they follow us?” Diane asked.

“I don’t see how,” Michael answered. “I was extra careful to make sure no one followed us.”

I heard all of the conversation that was going on around me, but I already knew the answer. I knew why David’s rescue had been relatively easy and why I was able to get away with Ms. Raven.

“They didn’t have to follow us,” I said to everyone. “They’ve been tracking us.”