The Name's Oliver - Ben Oliver. Ch. 159: Duty vs Ethics, Pt. II

[Wiry]

Evil is supposed to be intimidating and abnormal?

One word: William 

Schip has a talent for being able to make Evil people into seemingly normal people as well, it seems. Quite brilliant 

[chetanhaobijam]

Great to see the update after SHU. I was even terrified to click New, but I was happy to see that you have started a new chapter. ESCARGOT, what are you all planning now? You dare try to eliminate our beloved agent B073.

[KillCupido]

Well, at least this time, the enemy has much better taste in decor. That pink....abomination was just terrible D:

[ladybug53]

I'm quite curious about their plot . Getting rid of Ben Oliver isn't going to be that easy . This should be a very interesting chapter . Watch your back Ben !

[Magpie2012]

Good grief... You disappear for a month and miss EVERYTHING!!! not only the psychedelic pink monstrosity of the SHU but also the chance to be on the THBL team  If it wasn't for the fact that reading a whole bunch of updates one after the other is awesome this would have been a truly sad day... Schip, as always, your mind is a beautiful (and twisted {in a delightful way}) place. If you ever stop simming (and writing about it) I think you will definitely have a mutiny on your hands!

[Swirl-Girl]

Don't worry Magpie! We're working hard!

[RaiaDraconis]

Don't worry Magpie! We're working hard!

Indeed we are.

[Magpie2012]

I have the utmost faith in all of you! I don't think there's a single one of us reading this story who would let Schip down! Schip you mentioned you only have you four-legged babies as family but there are so many of us here who would claim you as one of our own! *HUGS*

[Schipperke]

I have the utmost faith in all of you! I don't think there's a single one of us reading this story who would let Schip down! Schip you mentioned you only have you four-legged babies as family but there are so many of us here who would claim you as one of our own! *HUGS*

Mags, that has to be one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me!  What an honour, to have fantastic readers like all of you.   

And I'm sorry you missed the sign-up for Ben's next adventure, Mags.  But I'm sure you'll enjoy reading it, because the THBL team is doing AMAZING work behind the scenes, getting ready. 

But we aren't quite there yet.  We have a few updates before then, starting with the one coming right up.

[Schipperke]

Regular Army Meets Balloon Corps

Early morning, a hot-air balloon descends gently and lands in the grounds of the Monte Vista Nectary.





The waiting soldier strides over to the balloon.



“Where is he?  Where's Ben Oliver?” the soldier demands.

The balloon captain shrugs.  “He said after all he'd been through, he needed a holiday.  I dropped him off in Sunlit Tides.”



“Sunlit Tides!” the soldier exclaims.  “I might have known!  He's off enjoying himself with some woman -”

“With respect, sir,” the balloon captain interrupts, “I don't think he was planning to stay in Sunlit Tides.  He said he'd catch a commercial flight from there.”



“Commercial flight to where?” the soldier asks angrily.  “After all that time in prison, he should be here, getting checked out by the doctor and attending the debriefings.”



“I don't know where he was planning to go,” the balloon captain says.  “But he said to tell you he sent all the information you'll need to deal with the situation.  And I took a picture of him so you can see he looks fine, despite his ragged clothes.  Just fine ...” she says, dreamily, holding out the picture for the soldier to look at.



“This is all most irregular!” the soldier frets.  “And speaking of irregular, do you Balloon Corps people always go around dressed like that?  Not exactly military, is it?”



The balloon captain shrugs again.  “If you recall, sir, I was called in on my day off.  The message was that the pickup was urgent and I should get there as fast as possible.  In the Balloon Corps we take our orders seriously.  I didn't stop to change clothes.”



“Yes, yes, I know,” the soldier sighs.  “It's not your fault.  Really, that Oliver should have known better.  He's a good agent, but a bit too independent, if you know what I mean.”

The balloon captain leans in and whispers, “Is it true that Oliver -”



“Probably,” the soldier responds.  “I wouldn't put it past him.  Sometimes I think the only reason he took this job was just so he could travel around meeting women.”  She looks at the balloon.  “I've never been in one of those.”

“Would you like a ride?” the balloon captain asks.  “It's an amazing experience – you'll love it!”



The soldier says, “Well ... maybe a short ride.”



They get in and the balloon slowly rises.  The balloon captain hands the soldier a pair of binoculars.  “Here – take a look!”



The soldier gazes with interest at the terrain below.  Then the balloon captain says, “How would you like some champagne?  I'm sure I had another bottle here – oh, look, two bottles!”  She pours and the two of them drink.



And drink ...



“Where was that second bottle?”



Much later ...

The balloon captain says, “I'm sorry I didn't learn where Oliver was going.  Are you still mad at me?”

“Oliver?  Oliver who?” the soldier replies.  “You know, you balloon corps girls are all right!  You really know how to live!”

[Louise56]

I can't wait to read more! The t shirts look great.

[RaiaDraconis]

<snicker> That was great. DeLuca finally learns how to relax!

[ladybug53]

Great chapter ! I wonder what kind of adventure Ben is going to share with us .

[Magz from Oz]

Lovely update.  It is nice to see a softer side of DeLuca.  But my question is, is Ben returning to Sunlit Tides as Ben Oliver or Olivia? 

[RaiaDraconis]

But my question is, is Ben returning to Sunlit Tides as Ben Oliver or Olivia? 

I had to be drinking water when I read that...my poor rat is now washing himself after I just gave him an impromptu shower. 

If I were Ben I'd stay as FAR away from that goofy guy as possible--as Oliver OR Olivia.