by TheTimeTrust and Chewy Walrus
Kit Piper was whistling as he walked through the doors of the office of MBL Consulting, Incorporated.
"Morning, Shirl!" he said, beaming. "How's it goin'?"
"I'm getting married!" Shirley Francis said, holding up the ring on her finger.
"Well, congratulations, girl! I hope that doesn't mean you'll be leaving to settle down anywhere. I don't know where I could find another Girl Friday secretary like you!"
"Oh, Kit..." she said, blushing. "Anyways, Mick and I haven't decided what we'll be doing after we get married yet. But we may decide to stay on here; we don't know yet."
"Just so long as the both of you are happy together, that's all that matters. I haven't had too much luck with my wives myself, but that hasn't stopped me from trying again and again! And if I hadn't gotten married, I'd never have become a dad!"
"Ooh, how did the week with your daughters go?" Shirley asked him excitedly. Everything got her excited lately.
"Shirley, I tell you -- it was just great. Seein' those girls grow up so fast, though, it makes me kinda scared, what with the dangerous world we live in and all. We need more people like your Mick and the other heroes around to straighten this crooked world out a bit." While he was talking to her, he was also sorting out his mail. "Hey, did I get any calls while I was away?"
"Yep. I wrote 'em all down and left an annotated message on your desk."
"That's my girl," Kit said grinning. "How are the guys?"
"They're good. Dirk and Grimm are still waiting to meet you, and there's another new guy. I think his name's Chase or Chance or something." Shirley stopped and frowned in thought for a moment. "Come to think of it, though, I haven't seen nor heard from Pete at all since the guys got back. And he's usually here almost every morning to mess up my office and generally make a nuisance of himself. I wonder where he could be?"
"Oh, you know Pete," said Kit, chuckling and still flipping through his mail. "Falls asleep outside by the trash bins once in a while, or down the street with a couple of other bums. But despite his eccentricities, he's a good kid. I'm sure he'll turn up sooner or later."
"One other thing, Kit," Shirley said, reaching over for some paperwork. "Lance and Tobias have both decided to take some vacation time. No word on when they'll be back, though. From what Mick said about what they went through in the last couple of days, I don't blame them for wanting to get away for a while."
"Hmm. Well, that should be fine. We'll always have a spot for them when they come back," said Kit, walking into his office. "Oh, and if Dirk Bell or Grimm show up, send them right in. The same goes for Chance." He continued whistling as he closed his office door and got back to work.
Kit Piper slid behind his desk and took a glance at the calls he'd received already this morning. He recognized all of the numbers, save one -- some outfit called Sandcrawler Security. Kit shook his head and pressed the intercom button that patched him through to Shirley's desk.
"Hey, Shirl," he asked, "what was the deal with this guy from... Sandcrawler Security?" Kit had to look at the memo again just to make sure that he had the name right.
"He said he might like to make a business proposition with you, Kit," Shirley answered over the intercom. "Wouldn't say much more to me about it, though. Said he wanted to talk directly to you."
"All right, thanks, Shirley," Kit said, taking his finger from the intercom button. Once again, he looked down at the memo, studying his contact's name next to the business: Grissom Montag.
"Montag, eh?" Piper mused as he turned to the video phone sitting on his desk. Punching in the number, Kit sighed heavily as an image similar to a TV test image popped up on his screen. "Guy doesn't even have a vid-phone," Piper muttered.
"Montag," a voice on the other line answered in a thick British cockney accent.
"Yes... um, hello, Mr. Montag. This is Kit Piper with MBL Consulting..." Kit began, turning his attention to his computer as he tried to find some information on Sandcrawler.
"Ah, yes, Mr. Piper!" the voice on the other end resounded. "How are you this fine day?"
"I'm well, Mr. Montag," Piper said. "I was told that you called me earlier. With what can I help you?"
"So glad you asked, Kit," Montag said. "So glad you asked...
"Y'see," Montag began, "I'll be in the La Perdita area on vacation a bit later today. Actually, I'm in transit from my base offices in L.A. as we speak."
"Are you... flying?" Piper asked, ceasing his web search momentarily, a bit of concern in his voice.
"Sure am," Montag answered from the other line. "I own my own jet, one of those new FA-22 Raptors. Actually, they're not even on the market yet. Hired one of the test pilots to teach me to fly, and... well, let's just say I got a good deal on 'er. She's a beaut, though, I tell you what..."
"Is there a point coming soon, Mr. Montag?" Piper asked, finally finding a link to the Sandcrawler Security homepage.
"Right down to business, eh, Kit?" Montag said. "I like that. Well, as I'm sure your secretary told you, I have a business proposition for you."
"That being...?" Piper asked, reviewing the contents of Montag's website.
"Well, I'd like to supply my services to you," Grissom replied. "Give you the full security set-up from top to bottom. Cameras, lasers, punch-codes, gas-emitters... the whole shebang. Whattaya say?"
"Well..." Piper said, cocking his head. "I must say that it is a very generous offer. However, a man with any bit of business savvy knows that you can't get something for nothing. What's in it for you, I wonder?"
"So glad you asked," Montag answered. "I'd like to give you guys a job. Y'know, one of those 'missions' you all go on... as mentioned on your website. I'd like to hire you. Y'see, I used to be in the adventurin' business a bit myself, but, well... I'll need a hand on this one..."
"Well, you understand, Mr. Montag, that there are several missions that will already be requiring our full attention at the time of your arrival," Piper mentioned.
"Of course, Kit, of course!" Grissom answered. "That being the case, I'm willing to stay with the team for however long it takes. Put me on as... security adviser, or equipment manager, or something like that. May need to fly out to attend to other clients from time to time, but you can go ahead and sign me up."
"Very well, Mr. Montag," Kit said, smiling, satisfied with the offer and with the contents of the Sandcrawler Security website. "Feel free to come in and see me as soon as you get onto the island, and I'll have my secretary send you straight on in."
"Thanks, Kit!" Montag said, obviously pleased with the development. "See you in a few..."