LAUNCHPAD'S SWAN SONG
CHAPTER ONE- A Restful Day
Drake Mallard(AKA Darkwing Duck) was relaxing at home after a long night of fighting crime on the streets of St. Canard. "Ya know, LP," he said to his trusted sidekick and friend Launchpad McQuack as they lounged together on their living room couch. "Sometimes it's good to just take things easy, to just sit back and enjoy the simpler things in life." He then places his feet up on the coffee table.
Just then, Drake's peace and quiet were interrupted by a loud crashing sound. It had come from his daughter Gosalyn's room.
"I thought I told you two to keep that freakin' noise down!" screams Drake. "I'm trying to enjoy a little peace and quiet here!!!"
Just then, the young Gosalyn and her friend Honker Muddlefoot emerge from the room. "Oh sorry, Dad," says Gosalyn. "We'll try and keep it down."
"Why don't you two go outside and play?" Drake asks. "There's plenty of nice things to destroy out there."
"OK," the young duck replies. She and Honker run outside.
"Kids these days," Drake said as he settled back down on the couch and turned his attention to the television.
Meanwhile, in nearby Duckburg, Scrooge McDuck was visibly upset as he sat behind his desk in his office overlooking the massive money bin which contained his vast fortune. "What do you mean you don't want to fly for me anymore?" he asked the tall, muscular bulldog who stood before him. "I'm payin' ya ten times the average pilot makes, aren't I?"
"It's not about the money," says the dog. "It seems every place you have me fly you is a war zone!"
"Ye knew of the dangers when ya took this job, laddy," Scrooge said.
"I knew you went on all kinds of nutty adventures, but I didn't know it would be this bad," the bulldog said.
"Fine," responds McDuck. "If ya don't like workin' for me, then you're free to go. I'm sure I could find someone who'll work cheaper and doesn'a complain about his duties."
"Good luck," says the dog.
"Now get out of me office!" McDuck shouts. "I'm a busy man."
The bulldog then makes his way out of the office, the door slamming behind him. Scrooge slouches back in his chair and sighs. "Ach," he says. "That's the tenth pilot this month. What am I going ta do?"
Just then, Duckworth the butler entered the room. "Your lunch is ready, sir," he announced.
"Thank you," said Scrooge. "Another pilot quit on me today, Duckworth."
"The tenth one this month, sir," said the butler.
"Aye," Scrooge said. "I do'na know what I'm goin' to do about this." He gets up out of his chair and starts for the door.
"I say, sir," said Duckworth as they exited the office. "Have you ever considered hiring back that Launchpad fellow?"
"That fool?" Scrooge asked as he and Duckworth made their way out of his money bin and to his limo. "Why would I want him back?"
"Mr. McQuack may not have been particularly bright," said Duckworth. "But he always seemed to get you where you needed to go, and he hardly ever complained."
"Ya know," said McDuck. "Ye may be right, Duckworth. That Launchpad may have been a brainless dolt who crashed millions of dollars worth of aircraft, but he was the most loyal employee I've yet had. Plus, he worked for dirt cheap."
Duckworth and Scrooge soon arrive at Scrooge's mansion. Duckworth climbs out of the limo and opens the door for McDuck, who steps out and heads inside his palatial estate and toward the dining room.
"Do me a favor, Duckworth," said McDuck. "Look up that McQuack for me. I think it may be time for Launchpad to rejoin the McDuck Enterprises family."
"Yes, sir," said Duckworth. The canine butler then disappears as Scrooge takes his usual seat at the head of the massive dining room table.
McDuck sighs as he sat alone in the dining room awaiting his lunch. Things just hadn't been the same around McDuck Mansion since his nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie had left to go back to living with their uncle Donald after Donald had gotten out of the navy. With no more children to look after, Beakley and Webby soon departed as well, leaving the old duck alone once more.
Moments later, Duckworth returns with a large tray of food as well as a cell phone. "It appears Mr. McQuack is now living in St. Canard and working with a fellow named Mallard. I've taken the liberty of dialing the number for you."
"Thank you," McDuck said as he took the phone.