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

[Coemgen]

Coemgen suddenly disappears in a flash of blue light.

Briefly poking his head back into reality in a flash of blue light:

Dave, there's an infinite number of monkeys here who want to talk to you about a script for Hamlet they've worked out.

[McClef]

Simple elementary stuff as all Dr Who fans know.

[davedove]

Scene 7

Media Room, Great Hall of X Marks the Scot

Hank had gathered us all together again to discuss our options.

“Tell me again how this will go,” he said.

I answered him. “A small team will hop through the activated portal, find David, then bring him back through the portal when it’s opened the next day.”

“That sounds too easy; what can go wrong?”

“Unfortunately,” said Ms. Starling, “lot’s of things. The portal only remains open for a few seconds. There’s really only enough time to get a few people through safely. I would say three at the maximum. That allows just enough slack time to bring four back through when David is found.”

“Okay, small team, I’ve got it. What else?”

“Second,” Ms. Starling continued, “we don’t know where David might be on the other side. Hopefully, he’s camped out near where the portal dropped him. The portal seems to be opening in the same place each time. If he had to move for some reason, for instance a storm or something like that, we don’t know which way he will have gone. Plus, two days will have passed since he went through. A person can travel quite a distance in two days.”

“David’s location unknown, okay.”

“If this is truly an alternate Earth, as I believe, then there is no telling what that will mean. It could mean that everything is the same as our Earth, except the President always wears green ties. It could also mean that the Germans won World War II. We simply don’t know.”

“Unknown conditions on other Earth, got it,”

“And the final thing is that we don’t even know if the team can return.”

“Why not, can’t they just step back through the portal?”

“That’s what we’re all hoping, but it may not be the case. What if travel is only possible one way? If that is true, anyone who goes through will be trapped along with David. We don’t even know if the portal can be seen from the other side, let alone entered.”

Hank finished writing his notes. “Possible one way trip,” he said as he underlined this last note twice. “Okay everyone, you have all heard what may happen to any team that goes through. First question, do we even attempt this? If the team can’t return then I will have four people gone instead of just one.”

The Moderators all talked amongst themselves. Finally, Jamie turned back to Hank. “I think we should do it,” he said. “David is one of us and we can’t abandon him.”

“That’s what I figured you would all say. Now, who should go?”

“I will,” said Jamie.

Hank shook his head. “I don’t think so Jamie. We are already missing one Moderator. I can’t risk losing another. He looked at Jerry. “Likewise, Jerry, you can’t go. We need you to operate the machine.”

Jerry nodded and settled back into his seat. He had been about to raise his hand when Hank stopped him.

“I’ll do it,” I said.

Hank looked at me. “Are you sure Dave? You may not be able to come back.”

“I’m the most logical choice. I’m not a Moderator. And if I don’t make it back, Ms. Starling can run the team as well as I could, maybe better.” I looked over at her. “I’m sorry, but I need you to stay behind, especially if I don’t make it back. I will take two of my team with me. As we said, any more and we risk not getting everyone through.”

“Which two?” Hank asked.

I shook my head. “I have some ideas but I think I’ll let them volunteer. I will not order anyone on a one way mission.”

“Fair enough,” he said, looking at the others in my team. “Who wants to volunteer?”

As a unit, every member of my team stood and said “I will.” The only exception was Ms. Starling, who I had already disqualified.

“Well,” said Hank, “We obviously can’t use all of you. Mr. Dove?”

I stood and looked at my team with pride. “I expected no less from you all. That’s why I have already made my choices. Hopefully, this will be an easy in and out operation. Granted, we will need to spend a day. We won’t be taking a vehicle, so I will eliminate Ms. Falcon. Ms. Swan’s and Ms. Stork’s specialties are less likely to be needed, as I don’t expect to be doing much research. Plus, we don’t know how or even if any of their knowledge will apply on the other world. That leaves Ms. Hawk, Ms. Raven, and Ms. Thrush. They are all great at what they do and but I think the greatest assets for this operation will be strength and stealth, therefore, Ms. Hawk and Ms. Raven.”

“Very well,” said Hank. “You three get together whatever gear you will need. When do you want to do this?”

“We can be ready whenever the portal is ready. However, assuming the time is the same on the other side, I think we should wait until daybreak so we can look for David easier.”

“Right, dawn it is. Everyone will meet in the lab just before dawn.”

[Coemgen]

“If this is truly an alternate Earth, as I believe, then there is no telling what that will mean. It could mean that everything is the same as our Earth, except the President always wears green ties. It could also mean that the Germans won World War II. We simply don’t know.”

Or perhaps everyone wears pith helmets, and I'm the only one who doesn't!

[davedove]

Or perhaps everyone wears pith helmets, and I'm the only one who doesn't!

Who knows what strange things may be found in the infinite realms of the multiverse.

[davedove]

Scene 8

Workshop, Great Hall of X Marks the Scot

Our gear was easy to pack, as we had grabbed our travel packs before coming to the Great Hall. I went to check on Ms. Raven and found her going through the contents of her various equipment pouches. She gave me a thumbs up when I asked if she was good to go.

I found a similar situation in Ms. Hawk’s room, except she was busy ensuring all of her mission collection of small arms were working and fully loaded. From what she carried, you would think we were about to overthrow a small country. She too assured me she was ready.

I quickly made my way down to the workshop. Ms. Swan had told me she was going to work up something for the mission.

I found her making the last adjustments on a small hand held device with a collapsing antenna.

“What have you got?” I asked when I entered the room.

“This is a simple direction finding unit. It’s the same thing that emergency organizations like the Civil Air Patrol and the Coast Guard use to track down emergency signals. I have recalibrated it to David’s locator signal. Once you’re on the other side, you should be able to use it to zero in on his location. Unfortunately, it uses line of sight, so you will have to be within a few miles of him to find his signal. High ground is the best place to get a reading.”

I took the unit from her. It was lightweight and I could easily hold it in one hand.

“Thanks,” I said. “This was a good idea.”

I suddenly found myself with the petite woman’s arms wrapped around me, her face buried in my chest.

“Hey,” I said, “What’s wrong?”

“Have I ever told you that you are a great boss?”

“I don’t know if you ever actually said it, but I always felt it from you.”

“Well, I need to say it. You always trusted me, always listened to my ideas.”

“Those ideas of yours have paid off many times.”

“Yeah, but you even listened to the silly ones. And don’t tell me there weren’t any silly ones; I know. Plus, I’ve always felt like I was a vital part of this team, not just some cog in the wheel.” She squeezed me tighter. “And perhaps most important, you never tried to come on to me like some of the other jerks I worked for.”

I returned her hug. “Hey, you are a vital part of this team. You’re as important as anyone else. You’ve solved problems the rest of us might not have solved, or at least not as quickly.” I held up the unit she had given me. “Take this, for example. Although I’m sure I would have thought of it eventually, it probably wouldn’t have come to me until I was through the portal trying to think of a way to find David. This may be the key to this mission.”

“That’s just what I’m talking about. You’re always praising my work. And you’re always a perfect gentleman. Even now, here I am pressed up against you and you’re not even thinking of taking me to bed.”

“Well,” I said with a wicked smile. “I wouldn’t say it’s not somewhere on my mind.”

She slapped my shoulder playfully. “You know what I mean.” She got serious again. “If you can’t come back, it was a real honor to work with someone like you.”

I gently kissed her on the forehead, and then lifted her chin to look into her eyes. “It was my honor as well.”

[12stones]

*cue Axe body spray commercial*

Bom chicka WOW WOW!!

[davedove]

*cue Axe body spray commercial*

Bom chicka WOW WOW!!

Just wait until the next scene.

[davedove]

Scene 9

Mr. Dove’s Office, Great Hall of X Marks the Scot

I was sitting at my desk writing instructions for the possibility that I didn’t return. Just as I was sealing the envelope, Jamie knocked on my open door.

“Am I interrupting?” he asked.

“No, come on in. I just finished.”

“Is that what I think it is?”

I handed him the envelope. “Yes, instructions for if I don’t return.”

“I can’t take that. Shouldn’t you give it to Ms. Starling?”

“No, it’s not about the team. It’s about X Marks.”

He took the envelope and stared at it. Looking up at me he said, “I’ll take it. But you’re coming back.”

“That’s the plan.”

Jamie sat silently for a moment. “I wish I was the one going.”

“I know, but Hank is right; we can’t risk another Moderator.”

“But you have important duties too.”

“Ms. Starling can handle them. Besides, you have a wife and kids, remember?”

“Yeah, you’re right.” He looked up at me with a smile. “I guess I just can’t take it that you’re doing the noble thing and not me.”

We both laughed at that.

A gentle knock drew our attention to the door. Ms. Thrush stood there. Oddly, she was wearing a long coat.

“Can I have a moment alone with him?” she asked Jamie.

“Sure, I’m done here anyway.” He turned back to me. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Right, oh-dark-thirty, I know.”

“Thanks Jamie,” Ms. Thrush said as Panache walked through the door. She stepped into my office and closed the door behind her.

“What can I do for you?” I asked her.

“Nothing,” she said. “I’m going to do something for you.” With that she untied the belt of her coat and let it fall open. Under it she was wearing the outfit she had worn at the Pink Cheetah.

She pulled the coat off and let it fall to the floor behind her as she walked over to me.

“Look, I appreciate it, but you don’t have to do this.” I said to her.

She leaned over and placed her finger on my lips, silencing me.

“I know,” she said. “I want to do it, just in case, well, you know.”

I nodded, letting her know that yes, I did know.

She had me slide my chair away from the desk, and then she began to dance for me.

I have to say that I never experienced a dance like that before in my life. All of her clothes stayed on and nothing was ever revealed, yet this dance was the sexiest one I had ever seen.

When she was done, she sat on my lap and put her arms around me in a hug. “Come back to us,” she whispered.

[davedove]

Scene 10

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

Daybreak was at six o’ clock the next morning, so my team was up and ready to go by five. We all met in the kitchen where a small breakfast had been prepared.

Dee and Arlen met us there and they both walked up to me.

“We just wanted to wish you good luck,” said Dee, “before it got too busy.”

I shook both their hands and they also wished Ms. Raven and Ms. Hawk good luck and then they also grabbed a little breakfast.

Just before six we were all assembled in David’s laboratory. The three of us going through the portal had our packs on and we were listening to final instructions from Hank.

“When you first go through,” he told us, “try to signal us if you can see the portal from the other side. That will at least answer one of our questions.”

“We will have Jerry activate the portal tomorrow morning at six. If you’re not there tomorrow, we will do the same every day until we get you back.” He paused.

“If we can come back,” I finished for him. “Hank, if no one comes back through, don’t send anyone else.”

He nodded. “We will begin in just a few minutes. If there are any last minute preparations, make them now.”

The three of us had already made our plans for going through the portal. I would lead the way, with Ms. Raven right behind me holding the straps of my pack and Ms. Hawk bringing up the rear holding Ms. Raven’s pack. That way we could move as a single unit through the gateway. We were to move on Ms. Starling’s signal.

While Jerry and Ms. Starling worked to get the equipment ready, everyone else gathered around us to wish us well. There were hugs or handshakes from everyone. They all knew we might not be coming back.

I heard the hum of the machine and I knew that it was ready.

“Take your positions,” Ms. Starling called out.

We lined up in front of the portal, ready to step through.

“Hold on Jerry,” Ms. Starling said.

She walked over to us and hugged both Ms. Hawk and Ms. Raven. She then turned to me and embraced me. “Good luck,” she said.

I held her tightly. “Take care of them Anna,” was all I could think to say.

She leaned back a little and looked into my eyes. “I expect to see you all tomorrow morning.” Her voice broke a little and I saw tears forming in her eyes. She quickly turned away. “Everyone in position,” she ordered.

She looked over to Jerry. “Ready?”

“Anytime,” he answered.

She turned back to us. “Ready?”

Ms. Hawk grabbed Ms. Raven’s straps. “Ready,” she said.

Ms. Raven grabbed my straps. “Ready,” she repeated.

I braced myself, ready to jump through the portal. “Let’s do this,” I said.

Ms. Starling readied herself and looked towards the portal. She waved a hand behind her. “Activate it,” she ordered.

Jerry pushed the activation button and the image of the valley appeared in the portal.

“Go!” Ms. Starling ordered.

As a single unit, the three of us jumped towards the portal. The instant I touched the image, a pulling sensation grabbed me and we were sucked through the gateway.