A Captain Scarlet short for Christmas by Gabi Howard It was Christmas Day, and the senior Spectrum
staff was gathering in the Amber Room for the yearly present distribution.
Amidst the laughter at Ochre’s new book (’50 ways of getting away with it’,
which Scarlet had apparently decided would be an appropriate title for the
prankster), Destiny stepped into the room and was about to sit down when
Rhapsody called over. “Juliette? I think this one’s yours,” she said,
picking a small box off the Christmas tree in the corner and holding it out to
her friend. “Merci,
Dianne.” She smiled, taking the box and picking a relatively uncluttered seat to
sit on. Aside from the thin white ribbon, the box was
entirely black. A small, neat tag bearing her name in a vaguely familiar
handwriting was attached to the bow on top, which her slender fingers made short
work of undoing. The lid lifted slowly, as if prolonging the moment. Inside was
a slender silver ring set with onyx, lying in black tissue paper which
contrasted with the white lining of the box. A note was buried amidst the tissue
paper, just visible: If you have forgotten
or given me up for gone, I do not blame you. Tell no one of this.
Merry Christmas. He knew they were angry. Incensed, even, that
their number one agent had slipped from their grasp, even if only for a few
hours. And they were punishing him for it, even though the whole thing had
happened days before. As if he cared. Because, on Boxing Day, Captain Black had
received the best present he’d ever had. One e-mail. That was all. And that was enough. And the four words it had contained comforted
him, gave him strength to fight, even if only for a while longer. He knew that a
deadly assault was coming. He knew Spectrum would be virtually defenceless
against it. But only virtually. And if he knew Paul and the
others, they’d find a way through. He doubted he’d be able to help them, but had
managed to accept that. And all on account of those four words: Merci beaucoup, mon cher. Thank you, my dear. His own thoughts exactly. BACK TO “FAN FICTION ARCHIVES” PAGE Any comments? Send an
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