Knighties: A Call To Arms, 2004 (1/2) Date/Time: November 8, 2004; after initial war post drops Place: Hither and Yon; the Knighties'homes By: the Knighties "Nick?" Nancy's startled voice answered the phone. "War 12, in Toronto?" She sighed, rolling her eyes. "Nick, I'm not the Leader of the Knighties anymore... No, not Terri or Kat, either. We all stepped down due to time constraints. You'll have to call Brooksie. She's our new leader. She'll make the calls to bring the Knighties to the Loft." She listened for a few minutes, nodding. "Yeah. All right. Love you, too, Nick. Good-bye." Nancy set the phone back in its cradle and sighed. War 12 -- had it really been three years since the last one? Fortunately, this time her kids were more grown. Her outgoing 17-year-old daughter was in Japan as an exchange student and her son was a busy sophomore in college with a girlfriend! The kids were no longer at home. That just left breaking the news to her long-suffering husband; and that would have to wait until he got home. Going upstairs, Nancy retrieved her laptop from her daughter's room. It wouldn't do to lose time writing her fanfic just because she was headed out to a war. Besides, it could come in handy for other things, too. She picked up her trusty 2-meter handheld ham radio and an extra battery pack, then headed to the basement to fetch her suitcase. The phone rang again, just as she was heading back to her room to pack. Dodging the cat, she grabbed the receiver by the third ring. "Hello?" "Nancy? It's Terri. Nick just called..." Nancy sighed. "I told him to call Brooksie!" "Well, I wanted to invite you to fly down to Texas. I'm in Midland, visiting a friend of mine. I thought we could take a flight out of here to Chicago, and drive from there." "That sounds good," Nancy admitted. "I hate going on these long trips by myself. Road trips with close friends are so much more fun!" "How quickly can you get here?" Terri asked. "I'll book a flight on-line and let you know," said Nancy. "I haven't had a chance to break the news to my hubby yet." "Good luck with that!" There was a pause as Terri covered the phone to say something to her friend. When she returned, she sounded excited. "Just get here as soon as you can! Love ya lots and lots!" "You, too, Terri, see you soon!" Nancy said, hanging up the phone. ~*~*~*~ The flight to Midland had been uneventful in contrast to the greeting she got when she arrived. The short, blond bombshell known as Eowyn during wartime, collided with her in a full-body hug. "It's so great to see y'all again! It's been too long!" Terri greeted her friend. "It's so good to see you again!" Nancy enthused, returning the hug. "It *has* been too long!" She disentangled herself from the embrace and grabbed Terri's arm, heading out of the terminal. "Sorry, but we've got to step on it. The connecting flight to Chicago leaves in fifteen minutes!" The two women headed off down the concourse at a jog to reach the terminal with their connecting flight. The flight to Chicago was filled with much chatter as the two women told each other everything that had been happening at home since the last war. Strategies abounded as they speculated on what had happened to bring the Knighties back to Toronto this year. They picked up their car at the Enterprise rent-a-car lot at O'Hare International. (Terri was a huge Star Trek fan, so the pair couldn't resist.) They had wanted a sea-foam green Caddy, but the closest they could get was a blue, Mustang convertible. Oh well, it would do, the women agreed with mischievous grins. "You drive, I'll navigate," Nancy insisted, climbing in the passenger side door. Reluctantly, Terri slipped behind the wheel. "Which way?" Nancy looked around, spying an "exit" sign. "That way," she said, pointing. The drove 'round and 'round, following the exit signs with no success. "What's going on?" said Terri, frustrated that despite following the signs they were thwarted in their efforts to leave by ongoing construction detours. "Darned if I know," Nancy said, sighing. "Nick'll never let us live it down if we miss the War because we couldn't get out of the parking garage!" "A taxi!" Terri said, practically bouncing in the driver's seat. With a sharp turn of the wheel, she peeled out to follow the cab. Five minutes later, they were on the freeway, headed toward Canada. It was with an air of relief that the Toronto skyline finally came into view. Terri was driving, while Nancy was doing her best to navigate using the map Nick had faxed her before she had left. "Remind me never to drive in Chicago again!" Terri sighed as they turned the corner and the loft came into sight. Nancy nodded in agreement. "Next time we'll fly into Toronto," she agreed. "With all the construction in Chicago, there's no such thing as an accurate map!" They pulled in front of the warehouse at 101 Gateway with satisfied grins. It was good to be back... ~*~*~*~~*~*~*~~*~*~*~~*~*~*~ Brooksie stood there holding the small square FedEx box in her hand and tried to think of what she had ordered *this* time, when she realized that the return address was Toronto. "Toronto!" she mused out loud. "Who?" Then the light suddenly went on. "Nick!" The box, that was made strong enough to resist an elephant, or at least being manhandled by a package sorter, was no match to her ripping and tearing. Brooksie's eyebrows shot up when she saw a Nextel(R) walkie-talkie phone nestled in the bubble wrap. On a lark she flipped open the phone and pressed a button. It chirped. "Testing, testing! Hellooooo out there!" She giggled at her impulse. "Brooksie." it squawked and then chirped back at her. "Ack!" She almost dropped the phone in surprise. The phone chirped again. "Brooksie?" A man's voice. "Nick? Nick, is that you?" "I see you got the phone. Good! The War is on, and Nancy told me that Eowyn, Kat and she are too busy to lead the Knighties. She said you volunteered?" "Yeah, well, I was a leader-in-training last war and figured since they were going to be around, that I could do the leadership thing for you. Mindy and Knightie Gemsong are my seconds-in-command. It's a good team." "Great! The war starts today! You've got a flight out of LaGuardia in, um, three hours. You'd better hurry." "I'm all packed. And thanks for the phone. It's kewl! But, uh, Nick? "Yes, I have one each for Mindy and Gem. I'll hold them here for them to pick up tonight" "Well, no, that's not what I was going to ask. Did you realize that this phone's number is 416/555-1228?" Nick's chuckle came over the line. "I think I should warn you, Brooksie, that it's a listed number. It's under the business name of Knightmares, Inc. So you might get some interesting calls!" Brooksie rolled her eyes. "Gee, thanks, Nick! But as long as you're paying the bill I guess I can't complain too much! See you soon - and you better have some of that famous Belgian chocolate for us!" "Just get here, OK?" A pause. "Over and Out!" Two can play this game. "Roger that 81-Kilo!" "*Good-Bye*, Brooksie!" Brooksie practically skipped into the house. A War! In Toronto! Knighties staying at Nick's Loft! What could be better! Oh the fun they are going to have! And the chocolate! She sat down at her computer and sent the War message already saved in Drafts to the Knighties. Then crafted a separate one to her 2IC's, Mindy and Gemsong, making certain to include the phone number of the new walkie-talkie phone. She also made a mental note to call everyone from the airport just to make certain they all got the message about War12. Then Brooksie packed up her laptop, turned down the heat, turned off the water to the washing machine (can't be too careful you know), set the lights on timers, and put her luggage and her pets into the car. She would drop the pets off at the kennel on the way to the airport. As she pulled out of the driveway of her house, she called her sister... "Hey sis - guess where I'm going? Toronto!!!!" ~*~*~*~~*~*~*~~*~*~*~ It was a cold November day. Knightie Katrinka should be at school teaching. The only problem was that the school she taught in had heater problems. Mainly, the heater didn't work. Also, part of the roof had collapsed, so school had been closed until both had been repaired. Katrinka was glad for the break from school, but it meant that she would be teaching until July. So what was she going to do with herself for the next few weeks? She looked around her house. Living with two boys meant that it was messier then she liked. She really didn't feel like cleaning. They were both old enough to clean up after themselves. Then her doorbell rang. She went and answered it. It was an express package from Toronto. The only problem was that she hadn't ordered anything from Canada. She signed for the package and went into her house. Using a knife, she opened the package. Inside were a note, a cell phone and an airline ticket. She opened the note. "Hi Katrinka, Every time I see your house number I have to laugh. A Knightie living at house numbered 1228. What is the coincidence of that? I talked to Brooksie, and I know you've given up leadership of the Knighties. I still would like you to play with us. A war wouldn't be the same without your hot chocolate cookies. I have also arranged for you to be able to take your dog Clifford. I have a feeling we might need his hunting abilities. Nick" Katrinka looked at ticket. The flight was set to leave in three hours! The airport was an hour drive from her house! She ran to the phone and called her nephew. He promised to keep an eye on her boys. Katrinka did have a husband, but he was Klewless, and she knew he would need the help. Then she packed up her things. Making sure she included her Japanese DVD's and music. Her best wok and rice cooker, her special hot chocolate chips, Laptop and dog items. "Please Mommy, I want to go to war!" Her oldest begged. "I'm a loyal Knightie." "You would miss too much school." Katrinka told him as she packed the last item. "But you're out of school." "You're not!" She reminded him. "I'll bring you back something from Toronto." "Will you email me?" The youngest asked. "Twice a day." She hugged both her boys. The doorbell rang; she went and answered it. It was her nephew with the dog carrier. He helped her load his van with her things. After she made sure her boys were seats belted into the back seat. She left for the airport. ~*~*~*~~*~*~*~~*~*~*~ Mindy opened the email marked URGENT. It was from Knightie leader extraordinaire Brooksie. Another War begins. The ticket was already waiting at the airport. Time to pack it up and head out to Toronto. Better yet, time to see what kind of chaos can be dealt out this time. Driving to the airport, Mindy idly wondered if LaCroix still had Knightmares involving red-haired women, Twister mats, and Spice girls! The thought caused a mischievous grin. What could be better? Nick, old friends, good chocolate, and mischief. Good times. ~*~*~*~~*~*~*~~*~*~*~ Knightie Gemsong sat staring out the window. It had been raining for five days straight, and turning colder. Not much fun without snow, she thought to herself. Living in the mountains of northwest Georgia, there were the occasional flurries, but nothing like a true snowstorm. As Gemsong daydreamed of snow and wished for a grande cappuccino, she was suddenly aware that her computer was talking to her. "You've got mail," it loudly declared. She opened the e-mail marked URGENT and couldn't believe her eyes. It was from Brooksie, the new Knightie leader. Since she and Mindy were 2IC's, the e-mail was short and sweet. War is brewing; pack your bags and head to Toronto! Gemsong knew that Nick would already have her plane ticket waiting at the airport for her; he always takes care of the Knighties. The e-mail from Brooksie also said something about cool new phones. It would be waiting for her at the loft. All that was left to do was pack and say good-bye to her husband and daughter. Packing didn't take long, and she kissed her daughter good-bye promising to bring back a surprise for her. That done, she turned to her husband. "You know I have to do this, I'm 2IC now, besides, I'll be back before you know it." Gem kissed him good-bye, a kiss that would not soon be forgotten, and assured her husband that she would call as soon as she reached the loft. One final thought passed through her mind as she headed out the door... I wonder if we'll have snow? ~*~*~*~~*~*~*~~*~*~*~ I received a message in my e-mail Inbox from Brooksie informing me of the upcoming War. I quickly packed up my trusty rolling backpack with clothes and chocolate. Belgian of course! I've heard that the Knighties like chocolate. I then gathered up my trusty toolbox, just in case! My hubby came home from work and noticed the bags by the door. "Where you off to?" "Toronto for two weeks. I, Knightcrusader, am going to the War! My mom is coming to help with Wanda. My flight leaves Sky Harbor tomorrow afternoon." The next morning, I kissed hubby, and told him not to worry. My mother picked me up and took me to the airport. Kissing her and my daughter goodbye, I hurried to the security checkpoint and breezed right through. My 3:00 PM flight on Air Canada left on time. I arrived at 9:10 PM tired and hungry and hailed a cab for the ride to 101 Gateway Lane. ~*~*~*~~*~*~*~~*~*~*~ Knightie Lisa K. settled into bed to try to finally get some sleep while on call in the hospital. It was times like these that the reduction of medical resident work hours to only 80 hours/week was barely noticeable as an improvement. Yet all Lisa was looking for was just a few winks...just a moment's respite from the endless phone calls and relentless pages... ***BEEP*** Lisa bolted upright at the sound of her pager going off. While attempting to find the bedside lamp switch, she went through all the possibilities in her head. She had just been in the ER 20 minutes earlier... They couldn't possibly have another patient so soon. Much to Lisa's relief, the number on her pager wasn't the ER. She immediately dialed the long-distance number and heard Brooksie pick up on the other end. A few minutes later, now wide awake with thoughts of War, Lisa was at the computer searching plane flights from Virginia to Toronto. Finding an early morning flight the next day, she settled in to tackle an even bigger hurdle - how to get time off from residency... ~*~*~*~~*~*~*~~*~*~*~ 3.10am Ring ring, ring ring. Tracey reached over and slapped at where her alarm clock was supposed to be. After slapping at empty air for 20 seconds she realised there was no alarm clock beside her and the annoying noise that had awakened her was a telephone. Stumbling out of bed into the lounge she grabbed for the phone. "Yesh" she mumbled into the phone, only to be greeted by silence punctuated with bursts of static. Glancing at the clock she realised that it was just past 3am and that by all rights she should still be fast asleep. Becoming more alert as a surge of annoyance started to pound in her temples she spoke louder with an irritated tone. "Yes, hello, is anyone there?" On the other end of the line she heard a vaguely familiar voice calling. "Tracey, Tracey are you there, can you speak up? I can hardly hear you." A light suddenly came on in Traceys brain, it was 3am, an obviously long distance call and she had heard rumours of war for months. "Brooksie is that you?" she said in a far more pleasant tone than before. "Yes it's me! Sorry for the lousy connection I'm calling from a cell phone in an airport. It's time for war! Can you make it back to Toronto ASAP?" With no hesitation at all she replied "See you in 48 hours". Just as she finished speaking the call disconnected. No longer half asleep but excited and decidedly perky Tracey rushed about grabbing her luggage. She had left Toronto only 2 months earlier and had been considering going back already. Having loved the city she couldn't wait to be back there. The fact that there was a war on gave her a perfect excuse to go. After packing she went to the phone to book a flight, as she picked up the receiver a small silver disc caught her eye. Tracey grinned at the Toronto subway token that had been sitting by her phone for the last week taunting her with memories of the city every time she answered the phone. She grabbed it up and tucked it in her jeans. Toronto... HERE I COME!!! ~*~*~*~~*~*~*~~*~*~*~ Standing in her apartment's living room, Cindy stared at the small FedEx box in her hands. She thought maybe it was for her sister since they had shared the apartment in the past and the mail was still getting mixed up. It was only then that she saw the postmark. Toronto. Oh no. A War. There'd been rumblings on the list but Cindy hadn't been paying close enough attention to them since real life had been hectic. Cindy quickly sat the box down on the table. Since she had plaid-ed the Cousin's HQ during the last war she had no klew what somebody could've sent her for revenge. "This is insane." Cindy said out loud several minutes later as she picked up the box and ripped it open. "Worst thing that can happen is that it'll explode in multicolored chocolate or something." Unwrapping the layers of plastic Cindy finally saw the object of the package. A Nextel cellular phone. "What on Earth?" Cindy mumbled as she looked at the phone to the remains of the package. There was no note. Not even an instruction booklet. Sitting down in a chair Cindy flipped open the phone and turned it on. "Looks like it has some nice toys." Cindy stated, and then shook her head with a smile. "I've got to stop talking to myself." Suddenly the phone beeped signaling an incoming call. Startled, Cindy had to do some fancy moves to keep the phone from falling. Hoping she hit the right key, Cindy spoke into the phone. "Hello?" "Cindy?" A female voice answered. "This is Brooksie from the Knighties. As you gathered from getting this phone the War's afoot again. I'm leading the Knighties this time and I noticed that you had expressed interest in leaving the FoDs and joining us." "Yes. If we can clear it with the right people. I'd love to play with you guys this time around." "I already cleared it with the WM." Brooksie replied. "Glad to have you with us! Nick will pay for your ticket to Toronto. Just let me know what flight you're coming in on." "I will," Cindy promised. "You have no idea how much I need a vacation even if it's for a War. Work's been absolute hell. What about the phone?" "Yours to keep for the duration of the War. Gift from Nick." "Cool. When does the War start?" "Monday. You need to get here by Sunday night at the latest to get settled in. Is that a problem?" "No. I'll book a flight as soon as I hang up with you. Thanks for letting me know." "No problem. See you in Toronto. Bye." ****** The next day, Cindy happily flipped through the latest edition of People magazine as she waited for her Toronto flight to take off from O'Hare. She had left extra food and water out for her cat, Speckles, and boarded the bus for the hour and a half trip to O'Hare. She couldn't believe this was her fifth War already! Where had the time gone? Cindy was grateful the Knighties had let her join them this War. She'd miss the Deli and the other FoDs, but leading them this War just wasn't in the cards. Cindy settled back in her seat just as the plane began to taxi down the runway. ~*~*~*~~*~*~*~~*~*~*~ Sandra got up from the couch wearily. It had been a busy night and her back still wasn't quite recovered from its injury at her job at Wally's World. But her daughter was finally through with the computer and she felt the need to check her email. There was a note from Brooksie. Sandra sighed as she scanned it. Nick needed them again? Her mind raced. What would her family think of her going off to Toronto? Should she even be considering such insanity? She finally emailed Brooksie about her situation and told her that she would get back to her. But things went better than expected. Nick arranged for the plane ticket (even though she hated flying; her husband needed the car) and she packed light. "I'll just have to do some shopping when I get there," she told her husband. She ignored his frown of disapproval. She'd lost weight and could use some new clothes. When she was ready to leave, she dashed off an email to both Nick and Brooksie with her flight information and estimated arrival time and a final caveat: "Just don't expect me to do any heavy lifting." Sandra was only a little "relaxed" by the drinks she'd had on the flight to calm her fear of heights when she touched solid ground again in Toronto. She picked up her bag and searched for her ride to Nick's. It didn't take her long to find it. A bevy of laughing excited women, some with FORKNI-L tee shirts showing out from under their coats, and others wearing the blue/black FK baseball jackets, came careening around the corner of the baggage claim area. Sandra recognized a few - Marla, Kat, Gem, Mindy and Tracey. Then she was introduced to the others, Maria, Lisa and Cindy. "Where's Roz?" Sandra asked Marla. Marla looked at Sandra in that you-should-know-this-answer kind of way. "She's driving the Bentley. Again. Cross-country!" Sandra nodded. "Ah," was all she said. Maria picked up the handle of her luggage and said, "There's a woman with a long ponytail waving at us from a funny looking beige car." Sandra and Marla looked at one another, "That's Roz," they said in unison. Gem added, "And she calls the car Brutus." Cindy was busy petting Clifford, Kat's half Golden Retriever, half German Shepard dog, as best she could through the door of the airline approved dog crate. Mindy looked at the crate and said quietly, "Are we all going to fit? Clifford's one big dog, Kat!" Kat sighed. "No, probably not." "Hey Ladies," a voice called out from the opening doors. "Brooksie!" Tracey yelled, waking Lisa up from her cat nap. "Now you know why I needed to know your flight times. I've got a minivan parked outside that can take Clifford, all the luggage, and the people overflow from Roz's car." "Well then," said Katrinka, in her best former-Knightie-War-Leader's voice, "Let's go! To the Loft!!!"