Missions of the Retrieval Team - Land of the Kilts

[Livingston]

Too bad Alan H isn't here to assist with running the ship after we capture it. With his experiance it should be a breeze for him. Oops I'm not sure he could do that, he's too used to not having to keep it between the banks.

[davedove]

Scene 47

The Guyana Highlands

We had positioned ourselves around the dock on the river and were waiting for the transport boat to arrive. We didn’t know the procedures normally followed, but reasoned that the boat was normally met by someone from the camp. We had examined the guards’ uniforms and found one that would fit Coemgen, so he put on the uniform, took one of the guard’s rifles and waited for the boat. The rest of us stayed in hiding.

After waiting for several hours, Pivat came running through the trees. We had placed him on watch up the river and told him what to look for.

“Mayja!” he said urgently. “Big kanoo kum!”

I nodded and directed him to hide behind me. He slipped into the undergrowth and disappeared.

“Showtime,” I called out to Coemgen.

I could see Coemgen work to relax himself and appear natural. I hated that I had to put him out there after his captivity, but he was the only one who would fit a uniform, and at least he spoke Spanish.

As we waited, I could see the boat approaching up the river. It was a large craft, just small enough to turn around in the channel. I estimated it would hold about thirty people total. On the deck were six armed men. I guessed that there would be at least two more aboard, the pilot and whoever was in charge. As it approached the dock, an armed man on the deck waved to Coemgen.

Coemgen waved back and walked towards the dock to meet the ship.

Another man on the boat threw a rope to Coemgen, who caught it and secured the boat to the dock. The armed men stood aside as another man, obviously the leader, stepped to the side of the boat.

“Where is Secuaz?” he demanded in Spanish.

“The Lieutenant is sick,” Coemgen answered. “I am to take you to the compound.”

“Very well,” the man answered with disgust. Lead on.”

Coemgen turned to lead the men down the trail to the compound. We waited until they were out of sight and then made our move.

I looked above and saw Ms. Crane slowly working her way out on a tree limb which hung over the bridge of the boat. When she reached her position, she signaled she was ready.

I looked to the other side of the dock. Greg and Frank were there and ready.

I looked back to Ms. Crane and signaled. She dropped down from the branch onto the boat. When the pilot heard her hit the deck he turned to confront her, but it was too late. Ms. Crane’s pistol was placed under his chin and he stopped moving.

Other than the pilot, only two guards had been left, but they were watching the area around the dock closely.

I stepped out of the undergrowth in front of the guards, my arms spread to show I was unarmed. The two guards spun to face me, pointing their rifles at me.

“You two are lousy guards,” I said to them. “You let me walk right up to your boat.”

The guards rushed towards me to take me captive, but stopped short as they approached. That may have had something to do with the large shaggy dog that stepped out from behind me and growled. Then there was also the young hunter with an arrow pointed straight at them.

The guards stepped back and raised their rifles to shoot, but stopped when Frank and Greg pressed the barrels of their own guns into the guards’ backs.

The guards stopped, let my men take the rifles, and put their hands up.

“Wise choice,” I said.

[davedove]

Scene 48

The Guyana Highlands

We quickly secured our prisoners and hid them in the boat. We then waited for the other team to do their part.

We didn’t have long to wait. Gunfire could be heard up the trail and not long afterward, four men came running towards the boat. They were firing into the jungle behind them as they rushed for the dock.

As the leader ordered his men to keep firing, he spun to jump onto the boat. He stopped short as he stared into the barrels of the three rifles we had pointed at him.

“Drop your weapons!” I ordered.

The leader quickly dropped his own weapon and ordered his men to do the same. The rest of my team approached with their weapons pointed at the men.

“What are you going to do, kill us?” the leader asked.

“No, we’re not,” I answered. I smiled as Marta came forward. “You are being arrested,” I told him.

Marta and a few men took charge of the prisoners and secured them.

I looked around the group in front of me. “Where are Jock and Coemgen?” I asked, a little worried.

“Right here,” came the reply from the trail. Jock was coming down the trail supporting Coemgen, who was walking with an obvious limp. Oddly enough, Jock seemed to be suppressing a laugh.

“What happened?” I asked.

“I was hit, that’s what,” Coemgen complained. He shot Jock a dirty look as the big man chuckled a bit.

“What’s the matter?” I asked. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’ll be okay, I wasn’t hit anywhere critical.”

Jock could control himself no longer. He broke out laughing. “He was shot in the bum!”

The look that Coemgen shot at Jock was intense enough to kill, but the big man continued to laugh heartily. Coemgen’s glare softened a bit and he began to chuckle and then laugh along with Jock. Soon the whole team was laughing.

[Jock Scot]

I understand that Lee Marvin was shot in the backside too. It didn't do him much harm in the long run!

[Tartan Shortbread Jock]

Spiffing good show, I have not read anything this good since
" The greatest men of our time" by McMurdo Panache.

[davedove]

Scene 49

The Land of Hekata, atop a tepui

It turned out to be an easy decision on who would stay behind while the others went for help. Although the natives healing medicines worked wonders, many of the former slaves were still too weak to travel. Also staying behind were Ms. Hawk and Ms. Falcon, also healing from their wounds.

Kevin and Vmac stayed behind with their dogs, since we felt it best that as many people as possible make the boat trip. Wompet stayed behind for the same reason, plus the fact that the native children seemed to enjoy playing with him.

I don’t think we could have pulled Todd away if we tried. He was enthralled with the tales of the villagers and hardly got any sleep while listening to the Captain and his men. Only the Doctor was able to insist he get some rest.

Jamie had recovered after a few good meals and was ready to go, so we let him command the rescue expedition. Once he returned to civilization, he would contact the Great Hall and get help sent to us. I also suggested he contact Ms. Pleater, who would certainly have an interest in the local plants the Doctor was using.

My associates and I volunteered to stay behind and make room for the released captives. We would help Marta, who would guard our prisoners until transportation arrived to take them to jail.

Everyone else would go back with Jamie and the former captives with one exception. Frank decided to stay behind with us. It seemed he had taken a liking to a native concoction they called ‘rum.’ I don’t know what was in it, but it certainly wasn’t anything like any rum I had ever tasted.

After we went to see Jamie and the others off, we returned to Hekata to help Todd and Ms. Stork record the tales of the tribe. We were also shown a small graveyard with several blank stones.

When we asked who had been laid to rest there, the Captain had answered “Konnal.” It seems we had found the final resting place of Colonel MacGregor and his men, although their legacy lived on in the people of the tribe.

[Wompet]

Another entertaining story, Dave.

Wompet stayed behind for the same reason, plus the fact that the native children seemed to enjoy playing with him.

Actually, I was just there to play with the giant rabbits.