Missions of the Retrieval Team - Kiltmen Down

[Livingston]

Love the commercial breaks.

[davedove]

Scene 13


Underground laboratory beneath the Great Hall of X Marks the Scot



The elevator doors opened to a vast underground chamber, filled with a variety of stainless steel cabinets and tables. Next to the elevator was a glass-enclosed office. We stepped into the office and found a desk with two computers on it, a steel table with documents scattered across it, and a large chalkboard.

Written at the top of the board were the words “Underwater Sentries.” Drawn under that was a picture of a shark with a device mounted to its head. The device was labeled ‘Laser.’

Looking through the papers, we found they had simple write-ups for several ideas that David must have been working on. Among the papers were ‘death ray,’ ‘underwater complex,’ ‘earthquake machine,’ and ‘moon base.’

Moving into the main area of the complex, we found what looked much like a large telescope pointed at a target made of twelve-inch thick steel.

In one corner of the cavern was a large device with several displays. One of these read ‘field strength’ and we decided this was what generated the interference field.

In another corner of the cavern was an enclosed workshop, containing many pieces of leather and tools for working it. On one table was a partially finished sporran. Against one wall was a set of shelves; on which sat many different items of highland wear accessories.

Next to that was another set of shelves holding a variety of devices that were of small size, perfect for carrying in a sporran.

“Here we are ladies,” I told them. “Look through what’s here and select whatever you think would be helpful. After all, Mike said we could.”

As my associates went through the shelves, I selected a few items for myself. First I chose what looked like a normal sgian dubh. Twisting the base of the handle revealed that it came off and contained a small charge of plastic explosive within.

What looked like a normal sporran strap actually turned out to be long strands of strong nylon cord secured together, which could be unwound to form one long cord.

A standard cap badge unfolded to reveal a razor sharp blade within. A buckle for a kilt belt contained a compartment for hiding documents.

An item on another shelf could only be described as a Swiss Army knife gone crazy. It easily fit into my sporran.

After we had taken what we wanted, we continued to explore the chamber. Everywhere there were partially started projects. Occasionally we came across something charred that was an obvious failure.

On the far side of the chamber we came across a door which, when opened, revealed an entire underground rail system. Just to our left was an ornate elevator leading into the shadows above.

We entered the train and settled into the maroon crushed velvet seats. Ms. Falcon found the button to activate the train and, once she pushed it, the train sped into the tunnel.

Once the train stopped, we stepped out into an extremely large cavern, with a large set of double doors against the far wall.

“This looks like a hangar,” I said. “I wonder what they keep here.”

Ms. Falcon was looking over the whole chamber. “See the big metal hoops set in a circle around the middle of the hangar. It looks to me like they’re for tyin’ down something big; something that might move around a bit if not tied down. I reckon it’s probably something like a dirigible.”

“A dirigible, huh? I’ll bet Panache had something to do with that.”

We returned to the train and took it back to the elevator, which we then entered to return to the Hall.

Ms. Starling did a bit of calculation and stated, “I’ll bet it comes out at the Library.”

Sure enough, when the elevator stopped, we found that the passageway at the top came out from behind the large walnut grandfather clock in the Library.

[Une]

I can't wait to see the look on David's face when he gets back and finds his lab has been burgled.

You know what he is like Dee, he will only get more evil

[ccga3359]

That's great, just the type of scenario I had imagined.

Perhaps we should introduce Grant to Miss Velvethand.

[ccga3359]

Oh I am sure Grant would love to meet Ms Velvethand, she's 'very' smooth and persuasive when it comes to uncovering information. Oh wait, Grant hasn't been captured yet...Sorry

I'm right here, hello, I'm over here holding my hand up!

[Arlen]

Finally got time to read this all.
Love it. And the commercial breaks. :P

[davedove]

Scene 14


Map Room, Great Hall of X Marks the Scot


Upon reaching the Library, my associates and I split up to pursue our investigation. Ms. Starling and Ms. Thrush went off in search of the Moderators to further question them. Ms. Stork and Ms. Swan immediately set up their station in the Library to begin their research. My other associates remained in the Library to help them with whatever was needed.

I decided that I would go to the Map Room to seek the assistance of the Cartographer. Upon entering the room, I encountered a tall, bald gentleman sporting many tattoos and tribal looking ear plugs. I assumed this must be Bradley, who had assumed the position of Cartographer upon the resignation of Paul.

I approached the man and introduced myself. “Good morning, I’m Mr. Dove. You must be Bradley.”

“Yes I am. You’re the head of the team that Mike summoned for the investigation, right.”

“Correct, we’re searching for the kidnap victims.”

“Awful situation, how may I help?”

“Well, for one thing, I understand that you have a map showing the locations of all the members of the forum.”

“Of course, wait just a minute while I bring it up on the big screen here.” He turned to a computer on his desk and in moments a large display screen on the wall lit up with a map of the world.

“On this map,” he continued. “We can see the location of the residence of every member of the forum. You’ll notice several icons scattered across the United States and Canada, many in the United Kingdom, a number in other European Countries, several down under in Australia, and a few scattered among other countries.”

“For example,” he went on, “Let’s zoom in on the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S.” He moved the mouse on his computer and clicked it a few times. “Do you see that icon sitting on Frederick, Maryland? That’s your main residence.”

“Right,” I answered. However, I had noticed something else. “Could you zoom down to the Caribbean? I thought I saw something there and I didn’t realize we had any members there.”

“Uhm, okay” he said, with a note of worry in his voice. A few clicks of his mouse brought up that region on the map.

“There,” I said, pointing to the United States Virgin Islands. “Zoom in on that icon.”

Another few clicks of his mouse zoomed the map to show the island of St. John.

I turned to Bradley. “Who lives there?” I asked.

I could tell that he was nervous as he answered. “Well, that’s your beachfront villa.”

This surprised me. “How is that on the map? I never revealed that location to anyone here.”

“Errrr, Mike had me put it on there. He had me include your chalet in Colorado as well.” It was obvious he was very uncomfortable with this line of questions.

It was also obvious to me that Mike knew a lot more about my team than I ever imagined.

“Well, alright,” I said. “How about if you show me the locations of the missing members?”

He seemed obviously relieved as he turned back to the computer. He manipulated the mouse through several clicks and soon the screen showed only three icons: one in Arizona, one in Tasmania, and one in England.

I stood looking at the screen for a few minutes, trying to formulate how we might proceed.

I turned back to Bradley. “Thanks, we’ll be needing this map again once we have some more clues.”

“No problem. I will be here for the duration of this situation. I’m glad to help out.”

I took my leave of Bradley and went back to join my associates.

[davedove]

Scene 15


Library, Great Hall of X Marks the Scot


I returned to the Library to assist my associates with their research. I found that Dee had arranged for a large platter of bagels, pastries, and the like for us as well as coffee and several types of juice. When I saw the spread I realized that I had missed breakfast as we searched David’s chambers.

Ms. Stork was just finishing a phone conversation as I walked in. “Thanks Matt. We’ll be looking for your email.”

She turned to Ms. Swan. “Mr. Newsome is sending us a file about the proscription act.”

Ms. Swan saw me standing near the food platter, as I spread some cream cheese on a whole-wheat bagel, and walked over to me.

“I just got off the phone with Matt Newsome,” she told me, “and he’s sending us all the information he has about the restrictions imposed against the wearing of highland garb. I don’t know if that will help in our current investigation, but I wanted to include it in our general search on clothing restrictions.”

“What’s your thought process on this?”

“I thought I would focus on the different restrictions on clothing leading up through history to the present day. I’m hoping to be able to determine who exactly did the kidnapping.”

“Great, keep it up and let me know how I can help.”

I was just about to take a bite of my bagel, when Ms. Starling and Ms. Thrush walked in, interrupting me.

“We managed to catch all the Moderators together at breakfast,” Ms. Starling told me. “We got all the details from them about the disappearances.”

“Great, coordinate with Ms. Stork and let’s develop a working theory.”

They turned away to join the others, and I sank my teeth into the bagel.

[davedove]

Scene 16


Media Room, Great Hall of X Marks the Scot


My associates and I gathered in the Media Room, along with the Moderators, Dee, and Bradley. Ms. Swan and Bradley had set up their computers at a table in the front of the room and Ms. Stork was preparing to give her presentation.

When everything was ready she asked Dee to dim the lights and the view screen lit up.

She began. “Good afternoon. The main focus of my investigation was to try to determine who might be responsible for the kidnappings and where they might strike next. From that I hoped to narrow down where the victims are being held.”

“I began by researching all the times in history when clothing was restricted in some way. Some of the earliest clothing restrictions came about as a result of religious practices. Also, the military has long had a practice of restricting clothing choices for its troops in order to establish uniformity in the ranks, hence the term ‘uniform.’”

“Sumptuary laws are common throughout history. These laws normally had a certain social ideal attached to them. Many were to force a distinction in the dress of differing social classes. Some were intended to protect domestic fabrics. Often they were used to help control a native population by prohibiting the native dress, like the Act of Proscription which outlawed the wearing of highland garb by anyone not in the British Army.”

“However, this avenue of research wasn’t bearing any fruit, as none of it applied to the gentlemen who were abducted. Ms. Starling, however, came up with the one force that has affected clothing for some time, and is still affecting it today – the fashion industry.”

“Ms. Swan focused her research on the fashion industry. By reviewing all the material she could find on fashion events, we believe we have determined who might be responsible for these abductions, and where they might strike next.”

“We cross-referenced the residences of the gentleman and their time of disappearance against fashion events that were happening within a reasonable distance. We found one company that sponsored an event somewhere in the area that occurred within one day of each of the abductions.”

“Bradley, pull up your map.” Bradley clicked his mouse a few times and a world map appeared on the screen showing the locations of the three missing men’s residences.

“Now, Ms. Swan, show us the locations of the fashion events we discovered.” Ms. Swan used the controls on her computer to display three small X’s on the map, each of which was near the location of one of the missing men.

Ms. Stork continued. “Each of those X’s represents a fashion event sponsored by one company, who we believe is responsible for the kidnappings. The name of this company is Globo-Fashion.”

[davedove]

Commercial Break


A bright sunny day on a Caribbean Beach


A beautiful young woman is sitting on a beach chair, enjoying the sun. She has golden blond hair and is wearing a very revealing blue bikini. As we draw closer, see opens her eyes, revealing their deep blue color, and smiles.

She sits up in the chair and speaks. “Hello, I’m Ms. Thrush, from the Retrieval Team. I just love the sun, don’t you? But too much time in the sun or wind can dry out and damage my skin, and in my line of work I have to keep my skin looking its best.”

She reaches down into the bag beside her chair and pulls out a blue bottle. She holds the bottle up to show the audience. In white letters is the name ‘X-Screen.’

“That’s why I use X-Screen lotion, the new skin product from X Marks.” She opens the bottle and squeezes a bit of its contents into her left hand. She begins to spread the lotion on her right arm.

“Its patented formula combines the finest natural moisturizers with a high quality sunscreen to both protect and restore your skin. And, its long-lasting, waterproof formula allows you to spend even more time at the beach, in or out of the water.”

She squeezes more lotion into her hand, extends her right leg into the air, and begins to rub the lotion onto it.

“The special sunscreen formula allows you to gently tan while preventing sunburn, which I’m sure you’ll agree just isn’t attractive and can be dangerous to your health.”

She stops spreading the lotion and looks at the audience. “The only problem is getting someone to help you with those hard to reach spots.”

The view zooms in to her face. She looks at the audience with seductive eyes and a coy smile. “Maybe you’d like to help me.”