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

[LadyGriffin]

[FONT=Times “Then I guess the mission was a big success. Our missing Moderator was returned and we didn’t lose anyone. Well done, Mr. Dove.”[/SIZE][/FONT][/QUOTE]

[Jock Scot]

I was just wondering if any one has informed THE Mr. Livingston that it is alright to leave his bunker now and that his kevlar suit can be returned to the stores?

[davedove]

Closing Scene

Chapel, Great Hall of X Marks the Scot

The chaplain walked up and sat down beside me in the chapel.

“You’ve been here for a while. Do you want to talk about anything?” he asked.

I sat silent for a few moments, looking down at what I held in my hand.

“They decorated me,” I said. “They gave all three of us a medal.”

Prestor John looked at what I was holding. “The Order of the Dandelion, the highest honor the League can bestow; considering what you risked by going through the portal, I think you earned it.”

I turned the medal over in my hand, looking at it but not really seeing it. “Did I? My team came back, but so many people on the other world died helping me. All those people dead and I get a medal.”

“I’m not going to act like I have any idea why they had to die, but I can tell you that they all made the choice to help you.”

“But why, why did they put their lives on the line for me?”

“Why not ask yourself the same question? Why do you put your life on the line for other people, some of whom you don’t even know?”

“I guess because I think it’s the right thing to do; that they deserve my help.” I paused and shook my head. “I see where you’re leading with this. You’re going to tell me that the people on the other world felt I deserved their help.”

“I don’t always approve of all your actions, but then none of us are perfect. I’ve known you for some time now, and I’ve seen what you do for others. You’re a good man. The eastern religions would call it karma, but I prefer scripture – ‘whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he reap.’”

“Galatians, right?”

“Very good, you’ve been paying attention in my sermons. And about the medal, you don’t wear it because you think you earned it, you wear it because others think you did.”

“Thanks, you do a good job here chaplain.”

He smiled. “I do what I can here, and we all do our part for the greater good. Now, I don’t want to keep you any longer. The rest of your team is having a little celebration for the three of you who went on the mission.”

“I guess I shouldn’t keep the ladies waiting then. But before I leave, can I ask you a favor?”

“Sure, if it’s in my power.”

“It certainly is. Keep the people on the other world in your prayers. They need all the help they can get.”

[davedove]

Thanks

Thanks everyone for letting me write you another tale. I hope no one was upset by the actions of their alternate selves or the things that happened to them. I wanted to put forth possibilities of how people might have developed differently if their situations were different, including me. I also wanted to depict a darker world where the forces of the fashion tyrants had nearly prevailed and all hope was nearly gone. That’s also why I didn’t end the story in a light-hearted way. I hope I succeeded. I’m sorry for killing off some of your counterparts, but I think that added to the atmosphere of despair.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
But wait, the story is not quite done just yet …

[Jock Scot]

There is more? There is more! Watch out Mr. Livingston!

[davedove]

Epilogue Scene

Alternate Earth, Secret Headquarters of the KLF

The Moderator David steps into his bedroom, exhausted from the latest battle. Another KLF member had been lost and their numbers were dwindling. It was only a matter of time before they would all be gone and there was no one to resist the evil plans of Ivana Rulital.

If only they could find some tool to use against her.

He removes his sporran and sets it on the table. Sitting down in the chair, he kicks off his shoes.

There is a soft knock on the door.

“Come in,” he says.

The old man Spasm opens the door and steps into the room. He is carrying a small tray with a cup on it.

“Master David, I brought your hot cocoa.”

“Thank you Spasm, just set it on the table, please.”

“Of course, sir.” He walks over to the table and sets the cup down. He sees the sporran that had been left there and picks it up to put away. As he empties the contents, he picks up a small item.

“Master David, is this important?” he asks as he hands the item to the Moderator.

David takes the object from Spasm and examines it. It is a small flash drive, but he can’t recall what he has put on it.

Could this be the flash drive that Mr. Dove from the other Earth had given him? David had forgotten all about that.

He pulls the notebook computer from under the bed and turns it on. Once the system comes to life, he inserts the flash drive and clicks on the file icon to open it. A file appears on the screen.

His eyes widen as he reads the words displayed in the title of the document: “Hypnotin: Its Composition, Delivery, Antidotes, and Use in Conjunction with Specific Frequencies to Control the Actions of Others, and Countermeasures Against Its Effects.”

[davedove]

Final Scene

Alternate Earth, Secret Headquarters of the KLF

Spasm enters his bedroom and closes the door behind him. Once he locks the door, the old man straightens and his frail body seems to take on a new vigor. He strides across the room to his dresser. He presses a switch on the back of the dresser and suddenly the mirror before him shines with a blue light.

The light in the mirror coalesces into the image of a handsome lady with unruly hair of deep brown, worn collar length with a light fringe. Her few gray hairs indicate a more mature age. She looks at the old man from behind large translucent framed glasses.

“Was the package delivered?” she asks.

“Yes Madam, I placed it in his hand myself. He was reading the information as I left him,” the old man answers. “Did they all make it back home safely?”

“There were some minor problems because we had to hold the gate open longer for them, but they are all home safe and sound. Your counterpart reported shortly after they arrived.”

“I’m glad of that. They are good people.”

“Yes, they are, as are those you are watching over. Keep an eye on them, my friend. They are the last hope our world has, but the new information should prove to be a powerful tool. It was the whole reason we had for delivering the other world’s Mr. Dove to you. Let’s hope they use it wisely.”

“Madam, I will make sure of it,” the old man answered with a crafty smile.

[davedove]

Credits

The Staff of X Marks the Scot (who were all there, even if I didn’t mention you):
highlandtide
Panache
Cajunscot
Colin
Kiltedmusiclover
McMurdo
Freelander Sporrano
Tattoo Bradley
Mike1
Starbkjrus
Arlen
McClef

Sciuropterus for his speedy delivery service that has inspired the plot device for the story.

The doubles of characters from the other Earth, remember – other choices, other paths:

Splash_4
SexyButler
Livingston
ladygriffin
ccga3359

Freelander Sporrano
michaelbeeman
Clockwork John
M. A. C. Newsome
Prestor John
Pleater (in her short conversation with Spasm)

The stars of my commercials:
Splash_4, BEEDEE, Weasel Mender, and an unknown kilted man for X Brew Ale
michaelbeeman for X Marks Natural Honey
Panache and The F-H.C.A.G. for the FK Portable Solar Ice Maker
davedove for the Freelander 2000 Universal Remote
SexyButler and ladygriffin for X Pop Insta-Cook Popcorn
The entire X Marks membership for the Cruise Ship Ceilidh
M. A. C. Newsome for AcrylifauxSporrans

[Splash_4]

Woot! Well done Dave! I am at least glad that ONE of me survived!

[Pleater]

Well really this is too much!!!

My reality keeps leaking.

I shall really have to send a strongly worded memo.

All this new responsibility, plus having to sabotage the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, and getting a fizzer for the time signal apparently being late.

Only the result of a little dislocation. Next time I will know that the time signal is based on something absolute and do something about it when I move a reality to stop it being blinked out of existance.

It was only a few seconds, after all.

Now a scenario I was going to write appears in a davedove story.

I can't believe that my ability to delegate has improved to such an extent that people are starting to write my stories for me.

Madam Pleater