Disclaimer: I do not own, nor did I create, any of the A-team characters (main or support) nor do I own, nor did I create, any of the episodes. That credit is due to Stephen J. Cannell and his associates. Any familiar catch phrases also belong to the Cannell team.

Spoiler Alert: Will eventually reveal key moments from the episode "Curtain Call"

Author's Notes: Russ Clayton is a character created by Stephen J. Cannell and associates. He appeared in the opening scenes of "Curtain Call" from Season 2 Episode 22.

This work of fan fiction explores the event leading up to the exciting opening scenes of that episode.

Summary: Hannibal formulates his plan and the Team prepares for battle.

Before the Curtain Called: by LAGC

Chapter Four- Clayton's Would-be Kingdom.

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"Nice! Face, nice." Hannibal praised after his Lieutenant had given his report.

"So Clayton has unleashed all this hell on us because of copper?" said Wyatt incredulously.

"Greed is one of the ultimate motivators, Mr. Milner.'" Hannibal stated matter-of-factly.

"Hmmm, copper. The good old Cu on the old Periodic Table. In fact it's number 29 on that there table. A highly desirable element due to its high ductility, electrical conductivity, and resistance to corrosion. Thus it has become an essential element in our daily lives. A key component or ingredient in our electronics, plumbing, and transportation. It is the third most consumed metal in America ." rattled off Murdock.

"Eh, thanks for the science lesson Murdock." said Face, then after glancing at Hannibal added,"Clayton stands to make a hefty profit if he can gain control of as well as sole access to the copper deposits."

Hannibal relit his cigar and said, "I repeat, greed is the ultimate motivator."

"I don't care what is motivating the crud. I just wanna stop him before he hurts anymore people or animals." growled BA.

"Relax, BA, that's exactly what I plan to do." assured Hannibal, as he rested his hand upon the Big Guy's shoulder.

Just then Tawnia entered the Milner's living room and rejoined the group. She was scanning notes she'd written down during her phone call with a colleague at her newspaper. Tawnia had enlisted his help to uncover who Clayton's business contacts in the copper world were. She was grinning so the Team assumed she had learned something useful. Before Hannibal could request her report she bubbled forth with it.

"Ok, Guys, this is some good stuff. Clayton has a business partner with connections to Silicon Valley. Apparently this connection, a William Porter, is a major investor in a budding home computer company."

"Ooh, computer makers love copper! In fact, they use tons of it." interrupted Murdock.

"Can it, Fool! Let Tawnia speak!" demanded BA.

"No, it's Ok. Murdock is completely right." assured Tawnia. "Porter is also the CEO of Gregor Ore Corp. His father-in-law built and owns the company. Until about six months ago, Clayton was a foreman at a G.O.C mine in Arizona.

Kassie Milner interjected, "Six months ago? That's when Troy Reed's barn burned to the ground. We suspect Clayton set the fire. Yes, six months ago is when he started his attacks on the local ranchers. Mrs. Webber passed on and Clayton inherited the ranch a while back but we barely ever saw him in town until this year."

"That geological survey was published eight months ago, Hannibal." said Face knowingly as he scanned the report again. "Yes here is the smoking gun. The company that collected the ore samples for the survey team was none other than Gregor Ore."

"All the dominoes, all lined up like good little soldiers. Eh, Colonel?" said Murdock as he patted the head of his new stuffed pony, which was sticking out from his jacket.

As Murdock spoke, Face spread out a map on the coffee table. It was the property map that he had liberated from the Deeds Office.

"Ok here is Clayton's spread." Face pointed out as he placed a red lifesaver candy on the plot. Murdock had provided it when he saw the Lieutenant glance about for a marker.

"These three properties have been transferred into Clayton's name in the last few months." Face continued his briefing. Murdock provided three more candies to hold those places. When BA sneered curiously at the candy supply, Murdock explained that Lifesavers were the preferred food of Baby Aquamaniac and Stomper the Pony. BA simply shook his head.

Scanning the map, Hannibal declared "And the Triple M Ranch is the gaping hole in the middle."

Faceman concurred, then referring back to the survey report added, "That gaping hole as you called it, Colonel, is the hot spot according to the survey."

"So without control of the Triple M, Clayton can't begin to mine or hit the sweet spot. Nor can he make himself and the Gregor Company a massive amount of money." Hannibal concluded.

"What's the plan, Man?" asked BA

"We stop Clayton. We stop him so hard, he will need psychotherapy before he can even look at a penny ever again." replied Hannibal flashing a devious grin. "Face, we're gonna need a few things."

About a half hour later, Hannibal had revealed his plan. BA, with Wyatt's help, was building the homemade weapon that Hannibal had envisioned and requested. Hannibal busied himself with prepping their traditional arsenal. Face and Murdock set off to collect the items on Hannibal's wish list.

The dynamic duo donned coveralls with the logo "Gary's Gumballs" sewn on along with the name patches Biff and Dusty. They headed into town driving the van. Two hours later Biff and Duffy had emptied every gumball machine of its loot. They had at least twenty, ten pound sacks full of pennies on the floor of the van.

"I wonder how many pennies we have here." pondered Face.

"29,400." stated Murdock as wiggled into the drivers seat.

When Face looked at him in awe he replied,

"What? 147 pennies per pound. We've got twenty ten pound bags. It's simple math, Facial One."

"You never cease to surprise me, Murdock" Face responded as he settled into the shotgun seat. They drove back to the ranch.

At the ranch, Hannibal surveyed the collection of gathered and fabricated supplies and devices. Chomping down on a fresh cigar, he declared, "Nice, guys, nice."

It was decided that the plan would be implemented at 0800 the next day. After a late dinner the men went off to their bunk rooms to get a good nights rest. At the door to their room, Murdock snuck up behind Face and offered,

"Face, do ya want to snuggle up with Stomper or Baby Aquamaniac tonight? Ya know so you can sleep cozily and soundly."

Face declined the offer, " Eh, I better not Murdock. Your fuzzy creatures would most likely keep me up all night missing and crying for you."

BA rumbled, "It's a good thing I'm bunking with Hannibal, far away you two fools who think toys can have feelings."

The next morning everyone assembled in the kitchen. After a brief discussion, Hannibal established that the Milners would remain safely at the Triple M. Tawnia would drop off their research findings at the courthouse then proceed to the rendezvous spot. She would wait there with the van. The Team had of course been monitoring the police scanners and had learned that Decker and his MPs were in the area. The targeted corral offered better escape routes than the Milner's main homestead. Knowing a ruckus at Clayton's ranch would draw in Decker, Hannibal wanted to protect their getaway.

The A-team would ride into the battle zone alone.