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

[davedove]

Commercial Break

A Scottish Apparel Store

A tall bearded man walks up to a counter and pulls out a white dress sporran. The fur of the sporran shimmers with an iridescent glow.

“Isn’t this a beautiful sporran?” the man asks. “It’s made from the fur of the Greater Acrylibeast. It’s very rare and very expensive. To get the fur, one must journey far into the Arctic and face great dangers.”

He pulls out another sporran that appears identical to the first. “This one is beautiful too, isn’t it? What if I told you that this one cost less than one one-hundreth the cost of the first one? How, you might ask.”

“Simple, this sporran is an Acrylifaux Sporran, made of synthetic fur developed by Freelander Industries. It shines just like the real fur, but you don’t have to risk your life to get it. Only a trained fur expert can tell the difference.”

“So, go ahead and get an Acrylifaux Sporran and impress your friends.”

He winks at the audience.

“Only you need to know it’s not the real thing.”

[Standard]

Hadn't the time to read the storyline the past week. WOW what a week it's been. I'm sitting on the edge of my seat.

[davedove]

Scene 61

David’s Laboratory, Great Hall of X Marks the Scot

My passage through the portal was different this time. A burning sensation traveled over my skin as I passed through. Then I felt the impact of the floor as I hit.

“He’s through!” a woman yelled.

“He’s on fire!” yelled another.

I then found myself covered with a heavy blanket as someone covered me to smother the flames.

The man had me wrapped tightly in the blanket so I couldn’t move.

“That’s good, thanks,” I told him.

“Are you sure?” Arlen asked, letting me up.

“Yeah, I’m good, just a little scorched; thanks again.”

Arlen helped me up and I looked around. Jerry and Ms. Starling were at the control console, working with fire extinguishers to put out the fire there.

Jamie and Ms. Stork were tending to David, who they had seated nearby. Ms. Hawk and Todd were helping Ms. Raven. Mike was yelling into the intercom for a medical team.

“Here,” said Dee, walking up to me. “You might need this.” He handed me a large t-shirt.

“Thanks, Dee.”

“And welcome back.”

I quickly stripped off my scorched shirt and pulled on the t-shirt. I saw that they finally had the fire on the control console extinguished.

I quickly went to Ms. Raven and Ms. Hawk. “Is everyone okay?”

“She’ll be fine,” said Ms. Hawk. “Your bandage stopped the bleeding.”

“Thanks for staying with me,” said Ms. Raven.

I took her hand. “Don’t mention it; we’re a team,” I said, smiling at her.

“The medical team is on the way,” said Todd. He looked at me. “You did well.”

I went over to where they were tending to David. He looked up when I approached.

“Thank you,” he said.

“Anytime,” I answered.

Jamie turned to me and extended his hand. “Welcome home,” he said.

“Thanks,” I said, shaking his hand.

I nodded to David. “He’s been drugged. I suspect with some of the same drugs that Ivana used.”

“I’ll tell the medical team,” Jamie said.

I looked around. We had gone through the portal, retrieved David, and returned with the team intact.

Mission accomplished.