Missions of the Retrieval Team - Land of the Kilts

[Livingston]

Thanks Dave, Wompet, Jock, Ms Crane. That might have hurt a little too much since the kevlar kilt doesn't protect against falls. Now, how are we going to get Ms Swan out of this? We can't let Secuaz get away with this!

[davedove]

Scene 39

Jungle Outpost in the Guyana Highlands

I quickly considered my options. “Okay, gentlemen, let’s do what he wants,” I said.

I glanced over to Ms. Crane. She understood that I had excluded her from my command and nodded. She pulled Wompet close to her to keep him still.

I stood along with the two men. “Okay, Secuaz, we’re coming down!” I called out. We tossed our firearms over the side of the cliff and started down the slope.

When we reached the bottom, several of the guards met us with their weapons covering us. We kept our hands high as they directed us towards the Lieutenant.

As we approached, Secuaz saw it was I. “You again!” he said. “I am getting sick of your interference. Unfortunately for you, I anticipated your little rescue attempt. I moved the females out of their prison and set a trap. Although it would have been better if you had all died, your capture is almost as good. Besides, you will all be dead soon enough.”

“Don’t count us down until we’re down, Secuaz,” I said to him. I turned to Ms. Swan. “Are you okay?” I asked.

“Nothing severe,” she answered, “just a few bruises.”

“Oh, she is undamaged,” Secuaz interrupted. “We wouldn’t do much to her.” He raised his hand to stroke her cheek and she pulled away. “Some of our clients have a real liking for oriental women.”

He turned back to me. “And do not think that your companions in the jungle will help you. My men are rounding them up even as we speak.”

“So I guess you hold all the cards,” I said to him.

“Indeed I do, Mr. Dove. And just to show you that I am in control, I am not going to kill you immediately.” When he noticed my confusion he continued. “Oh, you will die, but first you will be broken. Just a short time in the mines, without food or water, and you will beg me for mercy. Then, and only then, will I have you executed as an example for the other slaves.”

As Secuaz made his speech, I was discretely watching behind him. I saw Ms. Crane motion to me that she was in position. While the attention of the guards was on us, she had slipped down from the mountain, and moved around the camp. She made a gesture that was very familiar to me.

I looked back to Secuaz. “It looks like you have us Lieutenant. My men and I will cooperate. We always knew this was a possibility and we were ready for it.”

I then looked at Ms. Swan. “Ms. Swan,” I said, “it looks like we’re in a hopeless situation. There’s only one way out of this, and it’s not going to happen.”

“That’s right,” Secuaz laughed. “Your situation is hopeless. You may as well accept it.”

“Exactly,” I continued. “My companions and I can only do one thing. Ms. Swan, we are caught in his trap. All that we can hope for is that we are tied with a slip-knot.”

Ms. Swan caught my code word, but showed no reaction. Her only move was to nod in resignation.

“Rest assured, Mr. Dove, you will not be tied with slip-knots,” Secuaz continued. “You will be held most securely.”

“And you, Lieutenant Secuaz,” I answered him, “don’t know very much about knots.”

He looked confused as I looked at him confidently.

“Now!” I yelled.

[Livingston]

Each installment gets more intresting than the last. Keep them coming Dave.