Mr. Dove and the Pipes of Creation - The Final Chapters

[davedove]

Hi Everyone,

It's been a long time since I wrote the threads below, but I always felt bad that I never finished the story.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...reation-56178/

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...ntinued-70647/


Would you all like to see the end?

[Jock Scot]

Nice to have you back and yes please.

[Liam]

Absolutely!!!

[davedove]

OK, let's see if I can get this finished!

Scene 84

“Battle stations!” the Captain ordered and the crew scrambled to their positions.

“What can we do to help?” I asked him.

The Captain looked at all the approaching ships and then surveyed his crew before turning to me, a look of grim determination on his face. “Mr. Dove, my ship is shortly going to be attacked by six ships from the Latin Confederation. Under normal conditions we could stand against three such vessels, four if we get some lucky breaks. Short of a miracle, there is no way we can survive an encounter with six.”

“What are you going to do?”

He again looked at his crew, sadness on his face. “The only thing we can do.” He looked back at me. “Mr. Dove, I know the stakes of your mission, your quest. If you don’t get through, nothing we do matters. We cannot defeat those ships and we cannot outrun them.”

He called out over his shoulder. “Dove, Ashton, report!”

The two men rushed to comply with the order and stood next to the Captain.

“Gentlemen, get Mr. Dove and his team to the glider!” he ordered.

“What do you mean, Captain?” I asked.

“Mr. Dove, David, you have to get away from here to complete your mission. I want you to take our glider and get away from here. My ship will draw the enemy’s fire until you do so.”

“Captain, you don’t need to do that. We can help.”

“And you would die with us. No, Mr. Dove, I’m ordering you to take the glider and get away. Gentlemen, get these people to the glider, now!”

Although I didn’t like it, Captain Panache was right and I let the two officers lead my team and I to the lower hold.

As we climbed down the ladder to the lower hold, I had to cling tightly as the ship was rocked.

“We’re taking fire!” Commander Dove called out. “Steven, get to the release levers! I’ll get them aboard.”

The Commander and I got the entry hatch opened and my companions hurried into the glider. As I started to board the craft, the Commander started to close the hatch behind me.

“Wait!” I said. “Aren’t you coming too?”

He glanced over to Steven, then back to me. “No, David, we’re not. We can’t abandon our ship. We can’t flee when our comrades are in danger.”

I understood what he was saying and that their death was certain. “Good luck!” was all I could think to say.

The Commander nodded. “As soon as this hatch is secured, we’ll release the glider. Steer her away from us. We’ll buy you as much time as we can.”

I nodded. “Thank you.”

“Just go! Get out of here!”

I dropped down and he closed the hatch behind me. I had just reached my chair when I felt the glider drop away from the Valiant.

“Why aren’t they on the glider?” Deena asked, the worry obvious in her voice.

“They’re helping cover out retreat.” I said sadly.

“Oh, Steven!” she choked out.

“Mike,” I said, trying to control my own emotions. “Let’s get this thing out of here so that their sacrifice isn’t wasted.

[Jock Scot]

Looks like Mr. Livingston should prepare himself for loosing a pint or two of blood.

[Standard]

Can't wait to see how it all ends!