Missions of the Retrieval Team - Kilts in a Cage

[Pleater]

Wooooo!!

I'm being strict with Mister Dove.

I knew I should have packed the long shiny boots as well as the sensible ones I can run in.

[Erisianmonkey]

Glad to see Greg healed well. I'm wondering if I'll make a showing in this story or if I'm back in my cave...

Either way, great story going so far Dave!

[Livingston]

Charles, I packed the appropriate items, JUST in case.

[davedove]

Charles, I packed the appropriate items, JUST in case.

Well, since this is a cruise, does that mean a Hawaiian shirt and sunglasses?

[Livingston]

Well, since this is a cruise, does that mean a Hawaiian shirt and sunglasses?

Close, kevlar kilt, kevlar Hawaiian shirt and kevlar hat

[davedove]

Scene 3

Aboard the Cruise Ship Ceilidh


After lunch, Ms. Stork and I left our other companions to further explore the ship. Since the dress code for dinner that evening was casual, we would not have to change our attire and we still had a few hours until the meal.

Although it was officially the Kilted Kruise, we still saw several men who were not in kilts. These were either passengers who were not part of the group, or perhaps members who did not wear the kilt full time.

We did see several kilts being worn, some by those we recognized and several on people we did not.

One man was working his way through the crowd, loudly greeting everyone he passed. It seemed this man knew no strangers and laughed and joked with them all. Something about him was familiar, so I figured he must be a member of X Marks, but I couldn’t quite place him.

His eyes were alive when he greeted me. “Bonjour, my kilted friend. It is so good to meet you.” His accent was decidedly French. I took the hand he offered, and he grasped mine with both of his hands.

“And I am pleased to meet you,” I answered. “My name is Dave. I’m sorry, but you look familiar.”

“Ah, mon ami, you must be a member of X Marks the Scot. I too am a member there. You would recognize me as Ancienne Alliance. I have not been a member for long, but I have posted my pictures there. You may call me Robert.”

“Of course, Robert, I know who you are now. You may know me as Mr. Dove.”

“Oh, but of course, I do know of you. You are well known there.”

“This is my associate, Rebecca Stork.”

“Charmed,” said Ms. Stork, extending her hand.

“Oh, the pleasure, it is all mine,” Robert answered, grasping her hand as he had mine.

“I am so sorry, but I must be going,” he said. “It was so good meeting you both.” With that he embraced each of us in a hug, then moved off to meet the next person.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a large man moving through the crowd towards the bar. Normally, this wouldn’t have been out of the ordinary, but this man was dressed strangely.

The kilt he was wearing was not unusual, although the fact that it was solid black was a bit odd for the climate. It was also a bit strange that the man following directly behind him was dressed in an identical kilt.

What caught my eye was the fact that this man wore something on his head. And it was not just a hat he was wearing, like any number of other men. It was a large sporran stretched over his head in the manner of a mask. I recognized him immediately.

I also recognized the man directly behind him, walking down the path that the large man had cleared for him. This man’s long curly blond hair made him stand out from the crowd, as did the unusual sporran he wore, which had the form of a rubber chicken.

Grant and Big Mikey had joined the cruise.

[Erisianmonkey]

Close, kevlar kilt, kevlar Hawaiian shirt and kevlar hat

Hey! *I* didn't shoot you. That was one of Grant's goons. Remember, I was the one who went crawling across the ground to try and reach my two wounded comrades. That being said, with both Grant and Globo-Fashion still on the loose, those are probably sensible things for any kiltie to have.

[Jock Scot]

May one ask if the ship(James please note: SHIP not boat) has left the quay yet?

[davedove]

May one ask if the ship(James please note: SHIP not boat) has left the quay yet?

They're still boarding passengers for now, but will be leaving shortly.

More to come soon.

[davedove]

Scene 4

Aboard the Cruise Ship Ceilidh


Big Mikey cleared a path for Grant to reach the bar. As I watched, it seemed that Grant was becoming more and more agitated. Eventually, his voice raised enough that I could here him from across the deck.

“But where are the Canadian brands? How can you claim to have a complete selection without Canadian whiskies? And I don’t mean those blended ones you have. Don’t you know that these royal lips never touch anything but single malt?”

I decided I should go to help the poor bartender. As I approached the bar, the bartender was offering different bottles to Grant, who kept slapping them away.

Big Mikey recognized me as I approached and moved to intercept me.

“Easy Mikey, I only want to help out,” I told the large man. He looked me over closely, then nodded and stepped aside.

When Grant saw me, he was not so accepting. “What are you doing here?” he demanded. “How dare you interrupt our royal vacation?”

“Grant,” I started.

“You will address us as Your Majesty!” he demanded.

Wanting to calm the situation, I decided it might be best to follow his demands. “Of course, Your Majesty, perhaps I can help.”

I turned to the bartender, who seemed happy to be speaking to anyone other than Grant. I glanced down to his nametag. “Guillermo, I realize you don’t have the single malts here. Isn’t there supposed to be a special whisky tasting room on board?”

Guillermo seemed to realize that I was trying to help him out of a tight spot. “Yes sir,” he said. “The Highland Bar has been set up with a complete selection of single malts, from different countries. It won’t be open until we set sail though.”

“Thank you Guillermo.” I turned back to Grant. “Your Majesty, it seems that the single malts will not be available until after the ship sails. Please forgive the bartender. He is only trying to do his job and he can’t offer you what he does not have.”

“Yes, yes,” said Grant, with a dismissive wave of his hand. “Of course we cannot blame the servants for only doing their job. We will wait for the single malts.” He turned back to Big Mikey. “Let us return to our seats and await the sailing of the ship.”

Big Mikey looked at me briefly and I thought I saw a bit of relief in his eyes. He turned away and started making a path for Grant.

Ms. Stork stepped up to me. She had been hovering nearby in case her assistance was needed. “You know,” she said, “Mikey almost seemed happy to see you help out.”

“Yes, I imagine it must be quite a strain working with Grant at times, especially in social situations.” I glanced over at her and noticed the drink in her hand. “What’s that you have?”

“It’s called a nutty colada. It’s the same thing as a pina colada, except you put in amaretto instead of rum. It’s really quite luscious.”

“I would imagine it is. I’ll have to try one later. In the meantime, we need to find Panache, or one of the other Moderators. They need to know that Grant is aboard.”