CHAPTER 5

'Do you think they're coming back Colonel?' Asked Murdock.

'No, it's getting too late, they'll probably wait until tomorrow' Hannibal answered.

'Good, that'll give you a chance to come up with a plan of attack Hannibal, without us actually needing to attack them' Face grimaced.

'Yeah, what we gonna do if we can't even let ourselves hit em' BA demanded, then frowned, 'they're elves man, I just couldn't'

'Never realised how noble we all were' Face sighed.

'Well I guess in this instance, defence is gonna be the best form of attack' Hannibal expressed, 'so, we just need to come up with a defence plan'

'How are we gonna defend the workshop from them though?' Face questioned, 'I mean, we already tried to capture them, so they'll be expecting that'

'I know' Hannibal replied.

'Ok, so I assume you've thought of another plan then?' Face looked at Hannibal then groaned as his CO shook his head.

'Aww come on Face, look on the bright side, if my predictions right, then I've got all night to come up with a plan' Hannibal smirked.

'The bright side' Face huffed.

'I think I might have something' Murdock spoke up, getting his team mates attentions, 'they were Santa's elves originally right, so why don't we try talking to em, I mean, there's a chance some of em could just be confused, and if we can get em to see how ridiculous Porchly's idea of practically banning Christmas is, then maybe Porchly's red and black elves will decide they all wanna wear green again after all'

'Murdock, that's really great and all, but how exactly do you propose for us to do that? I mean, they'll be coming here with the sole intent on destroying the workshop again, so I'm kind of having a hard time believing that requesting to chat about it with them will work' Face questioned.

'Actually, Murdock might have something there' Hannibal backed up Murdocks idea, he ignored the looks that both BA and Face gave him at the comment and continued, 'If we can somehow stop them from entering the workshop long enough for us to talk to em, then it could just well work'

Mrs Claus came rushing towards them, with measuring tape and a notepad and pen in her hands, 'Murdock, why aren't you wearing your elf suit?' She asked.

'Well I took it off last night when I went to bed, and this morning, cus I was helping to make toys and paint and stuff, I figured it might get dirty, and I didn't wanna ruin it, so I put the clothes a came in on, and well, I guess I just forgot to get changed again' Murdock answered apologetically.

'Oh, don't worry about getting it dirty dear, its very easily to clean, and besides, look around, all the elves wear their suites when they make the toys' Mrs Claus pointed out, and then turned to the rest of the A-Team, 'speaking of suites, it's time for me to measure the three of you, so I can start making yours'

'Ours?' Asked Hannibal.

'Yeah Colonel, you don't think I'd leave you guys out do you' Murdock looked at his friends happily, 'I asked Mrs Claus to make you all suites too, but she didn't have time yesterday to make em'

'I presume these suites are going to be somewhat elf like' Face added.

'Yeah Faceman, they gonna be just like mine, we'll all have matching suites' Murdock said proudly.

'Right' Face replied, unenthusiastically

'I ain't wearing no elf suit' BA growled.

'Sure you are BA, come on, it'll be fun, and plus, if we're all wearing the same clothes as the elves, then we'll fit right in, and we won't stand out like we do now' Murdock explained.

Face looked down at one of the elves who was walking past, carrying a box full of dolls, then he looked back up at his friends, 'fit right in huh?'

'Yeah'

'Shut up fool'

'Aww, come on BA' Murdock pleaded, 'don't be such a spoil sport'

BA started to answer but stopped when two elves started to walk over, then tapped Mrs Claus and whispered something into her ear, 'Oh dear' She sighed.

'What is it?' Asked Hannibal.

'I'm afraid the textile delivery as been delayed' She told them, 'that means I have nothing to make your suites out of'

A sense of relief spread across Face and BA's face's, ''Oh well, Nevermind, these things happen' Hannibal shrugged, managing to hide the relief from his own face.

'Maybe if we give this place a real good search, we'll find some green material for their suites?' Murdock Suggested, BA snarled at him and grabbed hold of his throat, 'Choking me' Murdock gasped.

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'Quedgie?' Asked Turtsnip. They were both back alone in the cabin, with the blank monitor in front of them again.

'Yeah?' Asked Quedgie.

'Do you ever' he paused, a hint of shame on his face, 'do you ever miss making toys?'

Quedgie's face now matched Turtsnip, he lowered his head slightly, 'Yeah' he admitted quietly, 'but I'm with Porchly every step of the way here, I mean, like he says, we worked our hats off, and for what, for humans to make out we don't exist, that's what, well lets see what sorta myths they come up with when we're all through shall we'

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Hannibal looked at his watch, 'Ok guys, lets call it a night, its late' he grabbed hold of the binoculars, 'we'll do the same as last night ok, I'll keep first look out'

His team nodded and headed up the stairs to their rooms. Face and Murdock shared one guestroom and Hannibal and BA shared the other.

'Murdock, I know you're excited and all at being here, but can you try and sleep tonight, I hardly got a wink last night' Face asked as he got into bed.

'Ok Faceman, I'll try, but I can't go to sleep if I'm not tired though' Murdock replied, getting into his own bed.

'Well, if you're gonna stay awake, could you at least do it quietly, cus I am tired, and I'd like some sleep'

'I can try, but I can't promise anything'

'Right' Face sighed; he switched the light off, 'Night Murdock'

'Night Face'

For a few minutes the room was perfectly quiet, and Face was just falling to sleep, but Murdocks sudden humming to the tune of 'jingle bells' woke him up again, he looked towards Murdock and glared at him, but Murdock seemed oblivious to it, and Face just groaned, squeezing the pillow to his ears.

TBC…