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

[Wiry]

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.

I am so glad I was drinking.. however I might have just almost choked on JELLO 

[KillCupido]

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

Here is another victim, I don't think my laptop appreciates breakfast!

I think Ben is in need of good company, so just good ol' Ben?

[Blayzen]

It's so nice to come back to the Forum after way too much time away and find multiple updates about the adventures of my favorite spy! I have to say that the SHU was truly horrifying; it reminded me of those commercials where they show Pepto-Bismol oozing over an image of the digestive system. *shudder* Ugh.

I love how the Captain of the Balloon was able to get DeLuca to relax...She looked quite intimidating at the beginning of their interaction. I'm not sure I would have wanted to explain to her why Ben wasn't in the Balloon with me! Thank goodness for multiple bottles of Champagne!!

Major Props to Swirl for creating such *fun* shirts for our Escargot "villains" to wear! I LOVE them! I can't wait to find out what kinds of nefarious schemes they've been coming up with while they were celebrating their stylish new wardrobes!! I also couldn't help but notice that "Yellow Shirt" looks a great deal like Legolas Greenleaf from Lord of the Rings....Coincidence? Or are the Mirkwood Elves the true force of Evil behind ESCARGOT?

Welcome Back, Schip! Hopefully this latest crash won't have you out of commission for too long...Keeping all my fingers and toes crossed for a speedy recovery!

[Seabody]

The Balloon Corps should've been named the Balloon Outfit... then the chapter could've been nicknamed RAMBO.

Good luck with solving your crashes Schip!

[Schipperke]

Ben's Holiday, Part I

Diary Entry

I knew De Luca was expecting me back home to attend debriefings and get checked out, but I had other plans.  After weeks of being unjustly locked up in Blood Island Prison, I needed a break.  And I was going to take it.  She'd never think to look for me in Isla Paradiso, I thought, as I checked in to the swankiest resort I could find.



For once, I was glad the infernal Schipperke had made me stop off in CAS to change clothes before my arrival.*  The snooty reception clerk might not have been too keen on having a guest sign in wearing tattered prison stripes.

The resort entertainment committee recommended I try walking on hot coals.  For some odd reason, this apparently was quite a popular form of entertainment in Isla Paradiso.



The poolside bartender recommended a colourful drink, saying it was his specialty.



The bartender was quite a chatty fellow.  He asked me where I was from.  But when I told him I had just escaped from Blood Island Prison, he suddenly became very busy elsewhere.



Next morning the management informed me that there had been a mistake with my booking and the room was no longer available.  No matter.  It had occurred to me that if De Luca was trying to track me down, she just might think to call the resorts.  I packed my duds and moved out.  Checking the real estate listings at the library, I found a listing for a houseboat.  Perfect.  She'd never find me there.



The houseboat was everything Blood Island Prison wasn't.  Comfortable if not luxurious, surrounded by beautiful scenery.  My first morning there, a little boy delivered the morning paper.  I read with interest the page 1 story:  "Prison Scandal!  The warden and senior guard at Blood Island Prison have been convicted on multiple counts of prisoner abuse and misappropriation of funds.  Warden Blue and his cousin Anselm Blue will serve life sentences, but not at the infamous Blood Island Institution, which has been permanently closed.  The junior guard, Luther Blue, has been given a lesser sentence of probation and community service."

Good for Luther, I thought.  His probation would be over soon and then he could set out on his quest to photograph a yeti.  I wished him success with his goal. 

The story had brought memories of prison flooding back, making me relive the nightmare of my weeks of incarceration. 



Then came a knock on the door, shaking me out of my flashback.

A neighbour, come to welcome me to the island. 



Oh yes, this place definitely had beautiful scenery!  I soon forgot about Blood Island Prison.



Diary Entry Ends.

Oliver's new outfit is courtesy of Danielle Haydis for the t-shirt pattern and Gheez for the Oliver tartan used in his new kilt.

[RaiaDraconis]

It's going to take a while for Ben to get over what happened at Blood Island, but I'm sure the island ladies will assist in that. Men in kilts are irresistible, of course.

[Magz from Oz]

Ah Ben, you never cease to amaze me how quickly you gravitate toward women.     But what better way to erase bad memories than to make new ones.  I salute you!

[Swirl-Girl]

Let's hope he has a good holiday, but somehow, I doubt it will come true, he attracts trouble as well as he attracts women.

[ladybug53]

I too agree , that it will take Ben some time to erase those bad memories . It sure looks like he's making progress though . I just wonder what this holiday might turn into though . Great update ! 

[Louise56]

I hope Ben enjoy his vacation. Isla Paradiso have lovely ladies.

[Schipperke]

Ben's Holiday, Part II

Diary Entry

Living on a houseboat gave me a tremendous sense of freedom.  Whenever I was ready for a change of scenery, the houseboat and I just moved on to a new mooring.



I spent long, leisurely days exploring in my little sailboat.



And when I wanted to get to my destination faster, the speedboat would get me to my date on time.



I discovered a whole new world to explore underwater.



I made new friends in that strange underwater world.



But not everyone I met underwater was friendly.  When the shark attacked me, all I could think of was that I had survived the Blood Island Penitentiary where vampires wanted to put me on the menu, and I wasn't going to become dinner for a big fish!  Oliver one, shark zero.



I never had time to read the newspaper at home, but I enjoyed relaxing with the paper on the houseboat.  One day I noticed a small advertisement on an inner page:  "Anyone interested in being part of the OSS is invited to contact Ben Oliver, care of his assistant Schipperke."
I wondered what the response would be.



My new friend and I had fun exploring Isla Paradiso.



But she seemed unhappy when I talked to other women, and I felt uncomfortably that she was becoming a bit possessive.



I was glad when the phone rang, giving me an excuse to avoid a discussion about my attentions to other women.



I listened as Schipperke exclaimed, "Oliver!  Finally I've reached you!  Look, are you just about finished your holiday?  The students are all here and waiting for you!"



Already? 

"Yes, yes, already!" she said.  "They're ready and eager to get started.  I've been giving them little things to do, but they want you!"

I thought for a minute.  The students were waiting for me.  My Isla Paradiso friend was becoming possessive.  I had fought a shark, found buried treasure, and sampled pretty much everything Paradise had to offer.  "All right," I said.  "Tell them I'm coming home."



I expressed regret at having to leave my friend, trying not to let her see that I was secretly relieved.



And I turned the houseboat toward home.

[Swirl-Girl]

Yay! I wonder what Oliver will think of the students.

[Danielle Haydis]

I do hope that Ben will like the students.

[Swirl-Girl]

I hope he doesn't like the female students too much.

[chetanhaobijam]

Great update. I hope he likes all the students. Can't wait for next update and the OSS.