Legality: Kim possible and all characters associated with it are the Copyrighted property of the Disney Corporation and the creation of Bob Schooley and Mark Mckorkle. Any characters of Disney's Kim Possible are used without their permission but for non-profit purposes.
Preface: Welcome to the third story in the Raider/James Possible series. I wish to thank everyone who has followed, favorite, reviewed, and enjoyed this series so far and I hope you enjoy this next story in the lives of these wonderful characters. Speaking of characters it's time to acknowledge their creators:
Gracie Possible, George the naked mole rat, Abigail Normal, Seamus O'Sullivan and any other characters from the 'Tangled Up in Green' or any of its following stories are the intellectual property of PoetHeather1.
Emily Possible, Zoe Possible, Nicholas Possible and any other characters from 'Siblings' or any of its following stories are the intellectual property of The Optimistic Scholar.
I want to thank both writers for the kind use of their characters and I hope to continue to do them the justice they so richly deserve. It is only through their benevolent indulgence that I have this opportunity to provide you the reader with this small piece of my imagination and creativity. Now on with the show.
Introduction: The events of this story follow very soon after those of my last story 'The Children of the Comet'.
So in following the mantra of a true space opera story I now ask you to imagine yourself in a crowded theatre and the lights begin to dim and as you eat your popcorn and drink your soda, dramatic music plays in the background, and words begin to scroll across the screen:
A very short time ago in this very galaxy….
Kim Possible: The Raider Series
Episode III
When You Wish Upon a Falling Star
It is a period of great joy.
Team Possible, striking with
their allies and Global Justice
have won a tremendous victory
against the evil witch Opal Laveau
Meanwhile after the battle,
a secret cabal of generals
plan to create the ultimate
weapon, Force Omega, super
powered soldiers with enough
strength to conquer the planet.
Recruited by sinister agents
of the cabal, Kim Possible and her family
find themselves thrown into the mix
to go on a faraway journey,
to be our greatest hope
of saving the world.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
(Two weeks after the wedding of James and Lyra Possible in Hawaii)
Timothy Possible, Tim to his friends, sat quietly at his controller's command console as he watched a large three dimensional tactical representation of the planet Mars on a large central holographic projector. An enormous digital clock like display next to the projection showed a quickly descending countdown.
Unlike most days, today the mission control room was filled with scientists, technicians, engineers, military types, and several people he didn't recognize that were probably members of the U.S. intelligence community. What was happening here was literally beyond top-secret and not for the first time he felt a swell of great pride and no small amount of fear to be involved in this endeavor.
He glanced across the room to his twin brother James Possible, or Jim, who sat at his own controller's console. The brothers locked eyes and each saw the strain and stress of the day weighing heavily on each other's shoulders. Each knew that even the tiniest miscalculation on their part would doom this mission to failure.
Tim looked back to the display and his eyes fixed on the shape of the Aethon, their interplanetary transport vessel, as it neared the planet Mars. The Aethon was hundreds of meters long and its main central portion looked like a long sleek missile with multiple ship modules attached at various points along its length. These modular sections were dedicated to command, research labs, living quarters, life support, propulsion, navigation, communication, and landing craft operations. Along the center of the ship was attached a large outer ring, containing most of the labs and living quarters, which rotated on a perpendicular axis to the center line of the ship. This allowed these sections to maintain nominal gravity. The forward, aft, and central axis parts of the ships operated in zero gravity.
The Aethon carried a crew of twelve, all hand-picked military and scientific experts. It also supported two atmospheric insertion vessels, the Phlogeus and the Conabus, which rested just aft of the central rotating section. These vessels were designed to be able to enter Mar's partial atmosphere, land, and return to the Aethon. However, they were very limited by available fuel reserves, so their number of uses was strictly curtailed.
"One minute to Mars orbit insertion burn", the calm, sure, and sultry voice of Victoria Essex, or Vicky, echoed across the room. Victoria, a British national, stood in the center of the room, just before the holographic display. She was the picture of perfect government professionalism. Her sleek no-nonsense business attire was immaculate and pristine, as if just purchased, with not a single strand of her long glossy black hair being out of place. Victoria was the mission control officer and the official liaison between the military and civilian scientists like Tim and Jim. It was just an added bonus to them all that she was an absolutely gorgeous piece of eye candy.
Tim caught Victoria glancing over at him and one of her eyes playfully winked and the barest upturn of her bright red lips hinted at a smile.
Because Mars was twelve light minutes from Earth the entire room knew this orbital insertion was already committed beyond their ability to abort. So everyone held their breaths, crossed their fingers, trusted their calculations, or simply prayed that all went well.
U.S. military generals Horace Stone (Air Force) and Mark Hall (Army) stood behind Victoria at the back of the mission control room where they could watch everything and everyone in the room. The co-commanders of this project stood in silent calm contemplation as the various scientist and technicians sweated and stressed as the seconds counted down. If this orbital insertion failed, the mission would most likely have to be scrubbed as they Aethon lacked sufficient fuel to attempt a second orbital entry.
In the event of failure, the ship would be forced to slingshot around Mars and head back to Earth at the cost of billions of dollars and most likely the end of the professional careers of everyone in the entire program.
No pressure at all thought Tim.
"Thirty seconds to Mars orbit insertion burn", Victoria's voice startled Tim into action.
"Engines show good start up and the fueling transfer process is one hundred percent complete. Propulsion is a go for orbit insertion burn", Tim winked back at Victoria.
"Course changes are plotted and ship orientation and crew readiness are confirmed. Navigation and life support are also a go", said Jim from his console across the room.
Victoria turned around to look at General Stone who gave her a small inclination of his head and she turned back to the projection.
"We are a go, orbit insertion burn in ten…nine…eight…seven…six…five…four…three…two…one ". The projection showed the primary engine ignition as the Aethon altered course slightly and dipped slowly towards the surface of Mars. Several agonizing seconds ticked by as the ship's new orientation was studied by various computers and their human counterparts.
"Main engine shut down in five…four…three…two…one", said Tim as the projection displayed the main engine of the Aethon going silent. Tim looked anxiously to his brother for good news as Jim sat typing away at his console.
"We have perfect orbital insertion", said Jim and the room erupted into joyful shouts, clapping, and expressions of success.
General Stone let the celebration go on for a few more seconds before he loudly cleared his throat and everyone immediately quieted down and resumed their duties.
"This is only one hurdle completed people. We still have many more to go before we start to celebrate", warned the general as his eyes swept the room like an eagle looking for prey. Everyone quickly either left the mission control room or found work to do and wisely avoided meeting his eyes.
"Mr. Possibles once successful orbit is confirmed and you have received the all clear from Major Steele would both of you join me in my office". Both generals turned to leave the control room but General Stone stopped at the doorway. "Mrs. Essex would you also join us in my office when you are free from you other duties".
Victoria nodded her head demurely to the general but as soon as the door closed behind him both Possible brothers whistled loudly until she fixed them in her iron gaze, silencing them both. However that didn't stop them from teasingly smiling back at Vicky. She crossed her arms and glared at them trying to look cold and confident but the slight blush that came to her checks told the boys they had scored a hit.
Jim gave his brother a hidden 'thumbs up' while Tim silently mouthed a 'Boo-Yah'.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Jim and Tim entered General Stone's office with Victoria walking in just behind them. Stone was sitting behind a large desk apparently reading from large computer screen situated to his left. Horace Stone was a career military officer who had seen combat in Asia, Africa, and South America. He was large man, at fifty years of age, six feet in height with dark brown eyes that bordered on black and hair that was just beginning to turn from black to grey. Stone's reputation was that of a no nonsense professional that specialized in covert military operations that were never officially sanctioned by any government.
General Mark Hall stood at a small bar that sat next to the wall fixing a drink of dark liquor. Hall was slightly taller than Stone with piercing cold blue eyes and blonde hair. Being just a just a few years younger than Stone he was still recognized as a brilliant combat veteran and tactician. He had fought for his country on multiple continents, against drug lords in South America, dictators in central Africa, pirates off the coast of Africa, and terrorists in Asia.
These men were accustomed to working just outside of government control and oversight. This entire operation was the crowning achievement of their covert careers.
"Please be seated gentlemen", Stone indicated to a pair of chairs just before his desk.
The brothers sat down in the offered chairs while Vicky stepped over to the bar and Hall handed her the drink he had prepared and began fixing another. Stone leaned back in his chair with his elbows resting on the chair's arms and his hands clasp together before him.
"Now that the mission have achieved Mars orbit, update me on our surface landing timetable".
Jim and Tim glanced at each other and Jim motioned for his brother to go ahead and give the update. Tim pulled out a portable tablet computer and tapped some commands into the screen to bring up the scheduled updates.
"If everything continues to go as planned we should be ready to attempt landing operations to the surface of Mars in three days".
"Why not sooner?" questioned Hall.
"While it is true that most of the crew's surface equipment has already soft-landed on Mars, that doesn't include the more delicate and sensitive scientific gear that we couldn't trust to an unmanned landing. That gear has to be assembled, prepared, and calibrated now that they are in Mars orbit", said Jim.
"What is already on the surface?" asked Stone.
"The main surface habitat for the crew is already down there but will need final assembly before use. The two rovers have also soft-landed but will also require assembly and testing before use. Most of the food supplies, water replicators, oxygen generators, heaters, and other life support equipment are already at the landing site", said Tim.
"When ready the crew will take the Phlogeus down with Major Steele's command team piloting the craft. Once on the surface Captain Brand's operation team will complete the habitat assembly and Captain Staples's science team will initialize all the equipment based on the testing schedule algorithm", said Jim.
"What about their power supply?" asked Hall.
"The crew will be taking several fragile solar panels down with them to the surface for electricity and battery storage for the rovers and surface equipment. There will also be two mini-nuclear generators also taken down in the landing and buried near the site to provide main power for the habitat, communications, and life support".
"Where exactly is the landing site?" asked Hall as he walked over to look at a large map representation of the surface of Mars that was on the wall of Stone's office.
"Arabia Terra, a northern Martian highland made up of a very old patchwork of dense impact craters dating back billions of years. It was chosen because it is the safest landing site that is near evidence of water and has a shallow crust that will allow for the best scientific research".
"This site will give us a look into the history and formation of Mars and possibly the entire solar system", said Jim excitedly.
"Is this site acceptable and the time schedule within our mission parameters Mrs. Essex?" asked Stone.
"Yes sir", Victoria walked over to stand behind Jim and Tim. She laid a hand on each of their shoulders giving the boys a reassuring squeeze.
"Excellent work both of you. Continue to monitor ship status and crew readiness. I want updated reports on our progress every twelve hours until we are ready to initiate landing protocols. Dismissed gentlemen".
Tim began to rise up from his chair but before he could Jim reached over and laid a hand on his arm stopping him.
"General if I may ask? When are we going public to tell the world about this mission?"
"Now wait just a damn minute…" began Hall but Stone held up a hand silencing the other general.
General Stone leaned forward in his chair and rested his elbows on his desk and his chin on his clasped hands.
"This mission is far from complete and far from a success…yet…Mr. Possible. I have no intention of announcing our mission to the world until we have a much clearer chance of complete success…preferably with the odds stacked in our favor. Would you agree that we are not quite at that point yet?"
"Yes sir…but don't you think an achievement like this should be shared with the world?"
"I do…and it will be…but in the end I answer to a higher authority on this and you answer to me. Is that understood?"
Both brothers nodded their heads in acceptance and quickly left the generals office.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Those two are going to be trouble. I warned you it was dangerous to include them in this operation", said Hall as he sat in the chair Jim recently vacated.
"Of course they are dangerous but also very essential to this operation's success. Besides I'm certain Mrs. Essex is quite capable of handling the Possible boys?" Stone inclined his head towards the bar where Victoria was pouring herself another drink.
"Of course I am. I have the boys under constant surveillance and the entire program staff is under strict information lockdown. Don't worry Mark when the time comes I will deal with the Possible twins". Victoria smoothed her skirt as she demurely sat in the chair next to General Hall and smiled at him over the rim of her glass.
A wall panel next to the bar silently receded into the floor as Professor Dementor stepped into the general's office. The diminutive middle aged German scientist grinned from ear to ear with his hands clasp together behind his back. He was dressed in a white lab coat, which reached all the way down to his knees, and an oversized belt that appeared to contain several various storage pouches.
"Did you hear the Possible's report?" asked Stone.
"Most certainly mien general. Their calculations are quite accurate and I see no reason to doubt their mission specific predictions".
"Are we certain that the landing site is close enough to the Comet's projected impact site?" asked Hall.
"Of course, the Arabia Terra plain has been confirmed as the impact site. Mars planetary gravity has already begun to affect the comet's course, as I predicted, and I have now pinpointed the exact coordinates of the comet's collision with Mars".
"What about when the comet passes through Mar's atmosphere?" asked Stone.
"The atmosphere on Mars is so thin that any air resistance the comet encounters will negligibly affect the comet's course", added Victoria.
"Very well then what are our best options for the deployment of our assets at the time of impact?" Stone stood up and began pacing back and forth behind his desk.
"Since we do not possess viable data for subject placement, I would suggest a staggered deployment of personnel. With one team close to the impact point, the second slightly further away, and the final team further still. This will allow us the greatest opportunity to access the strength of the comet's effects while allowing the highest chance for subject survivors".
"Because if no one survives the impact then this whole operation was for nothing", said Victoria as she finished her drink.
"Correct Mrs. Essex. Please send the asset deployment plans to Major Steele during the next coded communication interval", said Stone as he finally sat back down behind his desk.
"We've covertly spent hundreds of billions of dollars and eighteen months of time to construct a secret interplanetary spacecraft in Earth's orbit. Then ten months travel time sending that craft to another planet in order to rendezvous with a non-terrestrial object that hopefully will allow us to produce the most powerful soldiers the world has ever seen. To say that our collective asses are hanging out on this mission is a cosmic understatement".
"We've come too far to quit or fail now", said Hall.
"Indeed we have mien general. Indeed we have", said a confidently smiling Dementor.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Are you insane? Questioning Stone right to his face", whispered Tim in the hallway outside the general's office.
"I'm telling you that something is not right about this. There is too much secrecy in this for my taste", Jim whispered and motioned for his brother to calm down. The last thing they needed was for someone to hear them talking about this.
"Too much secrecy?" Tim also lowered his voice to a whisper. "This is quite likely the biggest covert operation in human history and you're surprised by a little secrecy?"
"It's not just a little and yes it bothers me".
"So what do you want to do about it? Even if we could get a message outside, who would be high enough on the political/military food chain to be able to do anything about it?"
"Oh we know someone who fits that description and he owes us one for not having a bachelor party".
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
James Ronald Possible, the wayward time traveling son of Kim and Shego Possible, hated waiting. The former futuristic soldier of fortune was a new Deputy Director of Global Justice (GJ). He had just returned from his honeymoon, with his lovely bride Lyra, and was on his first official assignment. Now he stood just outside the Australian embassy in Mexico City, Mexico fuming in frustration. He glared over the hood of his personal armored GJ car, while being surrounded by several elite squads of GJ heavy tactical operations troops. In fact a small army of GJ agents, operatives, and Mexican security forces sat surrounding the embassy.
The chief Mexican cabinet minister in charge of national security had been meeting, early this morning, with the Australian ambassador about restricting the drug trade from Mexico to Southeast Asia. While that meeting was in progress twenty members of a fanatic Mexican drug cartel had stormed the building, with advanced military weapons, and took the cabinet minister, the ambassador, and their staffs' hostage. The group tried to flee the building, with their prisoners, but by chance an elite Mexican security unit had been nearby and had responded thereby trapping them in the embassy.
The fighting had resulted in several deaths, on both sides, but the Mexican authorities couldn't breach the building without incurring more casualties or risking the lives of all the hostages. So they had asked GJ for tactical support. So by hyper-jet transport James and a small cadre of elite GJ troops had arrived.
Now James was waiting while the chief negotiator, co-Deputy Director of GJ, William Du, sat on the other side of the building talking to the cartel commander inside.
"What's the body count?" James asked his aide, special agent Tabitha Soto. Tabitha was a short, five foot two, thin Spanish brunette that James had chosen as his assistant because of her impeccable organizational skills, very dry humor, and because the petite Latin wonder had bested him three out of five falls in Judo.
"Sir, so far the confirmed casualty count is six Mexican security officers, eight cartel members, three civilians external to the embassy, and four internal to the embassy. That count includes the Australian chief embassy security officer".
"Wounded?"
"Undetermined as of yet because so many wounded have either fled the scene or already been taken to various hospitals and medical centers. But the official count is probably somewhere in the dozens".
"Damn! The Aussies are going to be screaming for bloody murder when this gets out".
"They already are. GJ has confirmed that an Australian strike team out from maneuvers off the New Zealand coast is already in route", added Tabitha. "The Mexican government so far has politely refused their assistance. But since the embassy is officially Australian territory, it's only a matter of time before they get here".
"Time…something we are in short supply of. How is our negotiator doing?"
"No significant movement on the talking front yet, sir".
"Damn! Give me your head set", James reached back towards Tabitha without taking his eyes from the building.
"I'm not sure that's such a good idea sir?"
James tuned his head just enough to give her an icy blood chilling glare. Tabitha nervously swallowed and with a hand that just barely shook she handed him the requested headset.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Newly appointed GJ Co-Deputy Director William Du lowered his head in frustration. Negotiations with the Cartel's enforcers were not going well. They had refused any kind of surrender offer and repeatedly announced that they would begin killing the thirty or so hostages they still had, including the Mexican cabinet minister and the Australian ambassador, if all the surrounding security forces did not immediately leave.
This was not going to end well but he was committed to following proper negotiating procedures. As long as he could keep them talking, and not killing the hostages, then the possibility of a non-violent outcome was possible. He just had to wear them down and keep anyone, on either side, from acting irrationally.
"Will, please tell me you're finally tired of talking to these bastards?" the voice of James Possible came through his headset.
'Speaking of an irrational element', thought Will.
"The negotiations continue Director Possible. Please stay off this channel".
"We already have over twenty confirmed dead. The longer we wait the better the odds that these idiots will see they have no good options and will decide to go out guns blazing".
"The cartel fighters have not injured anyone since the initial combat ceased. There is still time to seek a non-violent solution and I intend to pursue that path until I deem it is no longer a viable option".
"We have our snipers and assault squads in place at all entrances. The building could be secured in less than sixty seconds. You're placing the remaining hostages at increased risk by waiting".
"Less of a risk than what a premature breach would expose them too".
Will severed the communication circuit with a loud audible click. 'Impatient fool', thought Will in irritation.
Just then on the second story of the embassy an armed cartel member brought a young woman, probably an embassy secretary, to an open window. The woman screamed as she was pressed forward with her head and upper torso leaning out of the building.
"We told you to leave but you didn't!" yelled the man holding the woman.
Will switched to the sniper communication channel. "Does anyone have a shot on the subject?"
"Negative sir, no shot".
Will switched back to the channel he had previously talked to the cartel. "Please…we can still reach a…"
"Now pay the price for your delay!"
The loud sound of a gunshot rang out and the body of the woman fell from the window to the ground below.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
'Arrogant Prick', thought James as Will cut their communication.
"Sir…look!" said Tabitha as she pointed back towards the embassy.
James turned following Tabitha's direction just in time to hear the gunshot and see the woman fall out of the building. Several screams from the surrounding civilian crowds followed the woman's violent murder.
"That does it!" James vaulted over the hood of his car and raced towards the embassy.
The supporting GJ tactical squads glanced at each other and then in unison turned questioning looks towards Tabitha.
"What are you waiting? Get after him!" yelled Tabitha as she pointed after the sprinting GJ Director. "Full breach initiated. I repeat full breach initiated. Snipers you are free and clear to engage. All squads be aware civilian hostages are still inside, utilize minimal offensive force until said targets are clear".
Tabitha watched as James didn't even bother to slow down and simply used his super meta-human strength to smash straight through one of the embassy's walls. She involuntarily winced as James disappeared inside the building and a string of GJ agents swiftly followed him inside.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Agent Soto I did not order a breach. What is happening over there?" Will was trying to see around to the other side of the embassy when the entire building shook as if struck by some incredible force.
"That damned fool! All units initiate full breach!" Will led his squads forward into the embassy while cursing James Possible every step of the way.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The cartel fighters inside were caught off guard by the multi-pronged penetration of the embassy. James's unusual method of entry allowed the GJ forces to penetrate unopposed until they had space and numbers on their side. The cartel tried to compensate by shifting fighters from different locations but that proved a mistake when Will and his squads overran their newly abandoned positions.
James and Will led their agents from the frontlines and moved through the enemy with painful precision. They dropped one cartel fighter after another and trusted the agents following them to cover their backs. Both men waded through all resistance, leaving only stragglers for the squads behind them to clean up.
Almost all of the hostages were found and quickly evacuated by the supporting GJ squads. Ten of the cartel's men had fallen by the time both Deputy Directors finally met up in the main hall at the center of the embassy's second floor.
After quickly assessing that the hall was clear of combatants the two Deputy Directors smartly closed on one another until they stood face to face. All the agents following them immediately turned away finding other areas of the embassy to secure.
"If your premature breach of this facility results in further harm to any innocents, I will see you brought up on charges of criminal endangerment, disregard for proper procedure, and reckless homicide!" Will shouted at James as he craned his neck to look up into the taller man's face.
"Perhaps you can explain proper procedure to the family of the young woman lying dead outside on the street?" James's voice had the same cold tone that Shego used, usually just before doing something extremely violent.
"That is not the point you Cro-Magnon troll. As representatives of GJ we have a responsibility to think beyond the loss of a single life in the fulfillment of our duties".
"Protecting the value of a single is the entire point of our job. The moment we assume acceptable loses are standard procedure is the moment we are just as scary as the bad guys. I've been a mindless killer who only followed orders and I know if the people we are protecting don't think we value each one of them then we lose their trust. Even an emotionless blowhard like you should know that".
"I think you confuse emotional control for professional etiquette…you witless blunder".
"Unimaginative ass".
Will stepped back and crossed his arms as he assessed James. He knew he was crossing an ethical and professional boundary but right now but he was just angry enough not to care.
"I don't know what describes you best James, being a temporal mistake or a genetic freak".
James did not immediately respond and Will detected only the slightest twitch of his eyes followed by a slow tightening of his fists. Will had forgotten how sensitive James was about his birth origin and how much he looked up to his parents and cherished their acceptance of him. It had literally saved his life. James towered over him and being a meta-human he could quite easily level this entire building, much less crush Will, by himself if he wished. For a moment he wondered if he had pushed his GJ counterpart too far.
Whatever response James might have intended was cut short by the doors opening at the south and north ends of the main hall. Coming out of both doors emerged the final two members of the cartel's forces. Both were wearing state of the art military full body combat armor suits.
James and Will turned back to back each facing a different opponent. A scan of the hall revealed that, for the moment, all of their support agents had suddenly disappeared.
"What are we facing?" James whispered as his body began emitting a low-level yellowish glow. His meta-human powers increased his physical density augmenting both his strength and hardening his skin.
"They are Russian Mark VII Heavy Infantry combat suits. Good forward firepower and defense but slow in maneuverability and lacking in good gyroscopic control".
Both suits brandished shoulder mounted missile launchers as well as arm mounted machine guns and high intensity flamers. The suits pilot's features were obscured behind helmets with opaque face plates but their offensive stances left no doubt of their hostile intentions.
"Most effective means of us taking them out?" asked James.
"Dodge their attacks and hit them till they break".
"I can do that", said James as he cracked his knuckles.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Agent Tabitha Soto watched the embassy in hope and apprehension as more and more hostages were evacuated to safety but with no sign of the Deputy Directors. She didn't want to leave her post but James and Will had been in the embassy too long and none of the GJ agents who exited the building had any updated information on them. She was just about to go inside herself when her headset rang with the one voice she had hoped would not call.
"Agent Soto I am trying to reach Directors Du or Possible. Where are they?" The voice of Doctor Elizabeth (Betty) Director, head of all GJ, came over the headset. She sounded both impatient and annoyed.
"They are currently supervising the GJ Tactical Agents as they secure the embassy Director".
"We have field commanders for that. Those two better have not gone off halfcocked and charged in there leading the troops".
"Of course not Director", Tabitha crossed her fingers at the lie. "I'm sure they will soon be..." Tabitha didn't finish her thought as the second floor of the embassy exploded. Several successive blasts shook the entire building and ranged up and down the length of the floor. The sound of rapid fire heavy weaponry and great gouts of flame erupted from the building's windows.
"Agent Soto what is that? I'm watching this on the remote satellite view and it looks like combat action is still taking place. Please confirm?"
Tabitha placed her hand over her headset's mouthpiece as she watched an apparent war taking place inside the building. GJ agents were retreating from the chaos but she could still see no sign of James or Will.
"Oh crap!" Tabitha took off the headset but could still hear the voice of Doctor Director yelling at her. She began to question the wisdom of accepting this assistant position.
The battle ruckus continued for about thirty seconds until it suddenly ceased. The silence was almost deafeningly oppressive in comparison and no one outside the embassy dared breathe or move. Not the television crews. Not the security forces. Not the gathered civilian crowds surrounding the cordon. Even the GJ combat squads had frozen in apparent fear and dread.
Then door on a side entrance on the embassy's first floor fell outward and smoke billowed from the opening. Multitudes of GJ agents and Mexican security forces raised their weapons until Will Du came walking out the smoke carrying an apparently unconscious man over his shoulder.
James Possible followed after Will carrying a badly damaged armored combat suit over his shoulder.
Both Deputy Directors were covered in dust, debris, and blood. Their GJ uniforms were ripped and burnt in several places but miraculously neither seemed badly injured.
Will handed off the man he was carrying to a waiting medical squad. James, on live television, using only his bare hands ripped the top off the armored suit and pulled out the unconscious pilot. He handed him over to the medics as a wave of Mexican security officials and agents descended on them. For several minutes both Will and James debriefed the local authorities and handed off the rest of the captured cartel enforcers.
No additional hostages or GJ personnel had been injured in the assault and miraculously only one additional cartel operative had been killed in taking the building.
Tabitha stood with her arms crossed, tapping her foot, as she waited patiently until James finally extracted himself. When he finally worked his way over to her she handed him the headset and even from several feet away he recognized the screaming voice that emanated from it.
"It's for you", Tabitha smiled and her expression was one of complete 'I told you so'.
James's wiped the blood and dust from his face as he reached for the headset. Time to pay the piper, he thought.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
After leaving Mexican air space the various GJ combat transports split up and returned to their respective operational bases. James, Will, and Tabitha were aboard the same transport and as soon as they reached cruising altitude the two Deputy Directors were summoned into the ship's small conference room.
Tabitha waited outside as James and Will stood at attention facing a large view screen that showed GJ headquarters and the office of the Director. The room fairly vibrated from the sound of her voice.
"What were you two thinking? Or maybe that's the point! You weren't thinking", yelled Doctor Director from where she stood leaning on her desk.
"It was a very fluid situation Director. Regardless of our efforts it seemed the enemy was never truly interested in negotiations", said Will.
"Indeed Director. Deputy Du exercised good judgment in attempting to continuing negotiations as long as he did and only sanctioned lethal action against the enemy as a last resort", said James.
"Perhaps but that is no excuse for him to waste so much time that an innocent hostage was killed or for you to smash into the building on some wild rampage". Doctor Director paced back and forth before her desk, finally throwing up her hands in frustration.
"Deputy Director Possible's breach did indeed catch the enemy off guard and it facilitated their capture with no further loss of life among the hostages", said Will.
"I don't care what bromance you two have going on right now but what you both did do was way out of line. I promoted you two to take some of the workload off of me, not charge into action every time a situation comes up. We have tactical field personnel for that and we pay them damn well to do that very thing, not you!"
"Director, Deputy Possible's meta-human status allowed him to facilitate entry into the embassy with reduced risk exposure to our tactical units".
"Yes and he did it on worldwide television. That means the next set of idiots we face will be ready for him. Won't they Director Possible". Doctor Director turned her full ire on James.
"James you will not put me in the position to explain to your parents and wife how your GJ positon got you killed. Do you have any idea what they would do to me? Your mama would plasma burn my face off or your mother would snap my neck like a twig. I don't know what your wife would do … maybe … turn me into a chicken". Doctor Director seemed to shake all over as if the thought of that was somehow unclean.
"I have no desire to be a chicken", she waved a finger at James and it took all of his self-control not to smile at the Director's apparent distress.
Doctor Director sat down behind her desk and seemed to deflate from exhaustion. She hung her head and drummed her fingers angrily on her desk.
"Alright! You both are still in one piece, which is good. I want full reports on this incident submitted to my computer by tomorrow morning and I want you both to realize you're not field agents anymore." The Director shook her head as if trying to clear it as she absently ran her hand over a strange trophy like statue that sat on the edge of her desk. The trophy was of a vertical leaping race car with a single scantily clad woman behind the wheel.
James's eyes flashed to the trophy and the movement was not lost on the Director.
"Oh I see you've noticed my new office decoration. I think it a fitting place to remind me of the racing victory my team had in the desert this summer".
"Yes it was a most stunning victory Director", said Will as he smiled ever so slightly as James growled his annoyance at the remembered defeat.
"Enough. You both have things to do and I am looking very forward to reading your after action reports on today's debacle. So get to it". The Director vanished from the screen as she cut the signal.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
James and Will left the conference room and Will motioned for Tabitha to give them a moment alone.
"If it's any conciliation I believe your team would have won the race if Motor Ed hadn't crashed into you less than a hundred meters short of the finish line", said Will.
"I should have expected Ed to try some stupid all or nothing move at the end of the race. We locked wheels and crashed right on the finish line. It took us both out and Drakken just walked in after that."
"Not a bad strategy on his part considering Ed's and your personalities".
James turned to Will and growled in annoyance at his co-director's analysis of his personality.
"Didn't mean it as a rebuke, only as an observation", said Will raising his hands in a gesture of surrender.
For a few moments a period of uncomfortable silence stretched out between the two men. Once it had gone on long enough both sighed and turned and faced each other.
"I'm sorry. My behavior towards you today was unprofessional and out of line", Will extended his hand.
"As was my behavior towards you", said James grasping the offered hand and only at the last second deciding not to squeeze it into pulp.
Tabitha approached and cleared her throat to indicate she wished to speak.
"What?" said James a little briskly?
"We have just received this encrypted message on our unlisted emergency channel that appears to be from an unrecognizable and untraceable source". Tabitha held out a several page data readout to James.
Will's eyebrows rose in surprise and he whistled in admiration of the skill the sender must have used to accomplish such a feat. The unlisted emergency channel was supposed to be only known to the highest members of GJ and to do so while leaving no traces should have been technically impossible.
"The entire message is totally encrypted?" asked James.
"The body of the message is some kind of short hand code that I and the ship's encryption program can't make out. However, the initial phrase reads as follows, 'From Frodo and Sam to lord Aragorn'".
James laughed as he shook his head. "Why am I not surprised?"
"Do you understand the references?" asked Will.
"It's for me and it's an inside joke from my uncles' failed bachelor party".
"Which uncles?"
"Kim's brothers, Jim and Tim".
"How did they get the emergency channel?" asked Will.
"Have you met my mother's family?"
"Oh yeah…right…the Possibles", Will waved a hand through the air as he walked away. "When you respond, please ask them to refrain from using it in the future because use of it by unauthorized personnel is a felony. Speaking of your family aren't you supposed to be meeting your wife and mother at Upperton General Hospital this afternoon?"
"Yes I am and it looks like I'm going to be late". James didn't bother trying to read his uncles' message just yet as he folded it and placed it inside his jacket.
"I'll ask the pilots to increase speed. Fighting several heavily armed drug fanatics with my bare hands doesn't frighten me as much as confronting one angry Kim Possible".
"Yeah me too", said James as he released a heavy breath and hoped they made it to the hospital in time.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Lyra Lafonte Possible, wife of James Possible and daughter in-law of Kim Possible, sat back on the prenatal examination table and tried to relax. At twenty six years of age the tall statuesque blond of French-American descent from New Orleans tried to wait patiently for the doctor to arrive to perform her ultrasound.
Lyra also just happened to be a powerful meta-human trained in voodoo magic. Her meta-human status and magical training came from the same source; her former mentor and four thousand year old dark voodoo witch Opal Laveau. The ancient witch had been present ages ago at the impact of a supremely powerful alien comet that had infused her with terrible meta-human powers. She had used her powers to prolong her life by taking the lives and powers of her descendants, 'the children of the comet'.
Lyra was one of those of children.
Opal had rescued Lyra from an abusive father when she was a pre-teen and had raised her like a daughter. She had tutored Lyra in Voodoo magic which turned out to be an extension of her comet-infused power of controlling and manipulating matter. She could literally manipulate the inherent energy field of all matter in a constructive or destructive manner. She initially believed that all her power came from pure magic until she learned of her meta-human status and how those abilities augmented and reinforced her magic.
Lyra had finally turned against her mentor when she had discovered Opal's plans to use her life and that of her children as a conduit to immortality. With the aid of Team Possible, Team Go, GJ, and several other allies they defeated Opal in a terrible battle at her estate outside New Orleans. The outcome of the battle had in one moment both freed her from Opal's control and condemned her to the authorities as her disciple.
That was until the next day when James Possible had done the impossible and proposed marriage to her. Accepting that proposal had earned her a reprieve, a new family, and the start of a new life.
Now she was ten weeks pregnant and expecting triplet girls. Lyra was so happy, proud, and frustrated at the same time. Like most expectant mothers to be she was happy to be pregnant, proud of her family and frustrated with her mother in-law.
Kimberly (Kim) Anne Possible, former teen hero and now world renowned novelist, professor, and occasionally action leader of Team Possible was not happy. Her petite athletic form paced back and forth in the examination room like a caged tiger. The thirty six year old red headed wonder looked more like an angry runway supermodel than an expectant grandmother to be. She was upset that the doctor was late and even more so that James was late. Didn't he know this was about his wife, his children, and her grandchildren? This was going to be the one chance he had in his life to see his children for the first time and he was missing it.
Kim's foul mood wasn't helping Lyra to relax but the girl couldn't bring herself to tell her mother in-law. She both liked and respected Kim and she knew James lived in both awe and fear of her.
Just then Kim's Kimmunicator rang out and she snatched it off her hip like it was a loaded gun.
"Where are you?" Kim almost snarled into the device.
"Wow! Princess, bitchy much", answered Kim's wife Shelia (Shego) Possible. Kim's head and shoulders drooped in chagrin at her hasty words. She could see Shego's sarcastic look on the screen of the Kimmunicator and she felt embarrassed at her overreaction. "I was just calling to see how things were going Kim".
"I'm sorry. I thought you were James calling about being late".
"Isn't my no good brother there yet?" came the voice of Gracie Possible, Kim's eldest daughter, as she squeezed her face next to Shego's on the small screen. At seventeen years of age Gracie had just started her junior year at Middleton high school. Shego had resumed teaching at the high school this semester after their rather action filed summer of fighting against Opal.
"No he isn't and if he doesn't hurry the doctor will be here and he will miss this chance to be with his family".
"I'll have other ultrasounds mom". Lyra had gotten into the habit of calling Kim 'mom' and Shego 'momma' just as James and his siblings did.
"Not the point", said Kim frowning. "His family is just as important as his job at GJ".
"He was sent to an emergency situation out of the country, not to a beach party. He's on his way back now and he'll be here shortly", pleaded Lyra as she stretched out her hand to Kim. Kim stepped over and took the offered hand and raised it to her lips as she smiled down at her daughter in-law. Lyra and James were so lucky to have found each other amidst the horrors of last summer, thought Kim as she leaned in close to Lyra and held the Kimmunicator so they both could see and be seen by Shego and Gracie.
"I know he's doing something important but I can't help feeling that he's goofing off somewhere maybe ripping apart powered armor suits with his bare hands".
"Oh that sounds like my brother all right", said Gracie. "Can we see Lyra's baby belly?"
Kim moved the Kimmunicator so that it showed Lyra's growing baby bulge and both Gracie and Shego whistled in admiration at the sight.
"I can't wait till they arrive. I'm so looking forward to being an Aunt. What do you think …Grandma?" said Gracie as she looked sidelong at her momma.
"I'm looking forward to seeing my grandkids and crushing the life out of the first person to call me grandma", Shego smiled evilly as she looked pointedly at her daughter.
"Whoa…grandma looking good", came a young teenaged male voice from off screen. The voice was followed by the laughter of many other nearby teens.
"I'll show you grandma you little brats, come here", said Shego as she disappeared from the screen on the Kimmunicator. Suddenly the sounds of teens running, yelling, and Shego ordering everyone back to class came through the device.
"Gracie could you corral your momma before something happens and we have to call the lawyers again", said Kim as she slowly pulled a hand down across her face.
"I'll do my best but no promises. Take lots of pictures for me", said Gracie as she blew them a kiss and cut off the signal.
Kim heaved a sigh of both trepidation and relief. She loved her family dearly but sometimes they were an almighty trial.
"Mom may I ask a favor?" asked Lyra.
"Absolutely", said Kim as she hurriedly put away her Kimmunicator.
"When James shows up would you consider going easy on him".
"But he's late", Kim pleaded.
"Yes, but he has important responsibilities now and he's very sensitive about being a new parent". Lyra seemed to hesitate a moment before pressing on. "Also he's very intimidated by you".
Kim's jaw dropped of its own accord and she stared dumbfounded back at Lyra.
"Intimidated…by me…have you seen my son?" said Kim as she held one of her hands well over her head.
"Yes I have and I know how important his family and you in particular are to him". She cradled Kim's hand between her own and pulled Kim closer. "I am the proud owner of his heart but you are the bright spark that has fueled his life and given him purpose. He came back in time and I was just lucky enough to find him. But Gracie, Shego, and you are the ones he came back in time for".
"I know… I know what that journey cost him", whispered Kim.
"And he knows what that journey cost you. Your acceptance and forgiveness of him is so important to him that I find myself occasionally jealous of your hold on him".
Kim wiped her eyes with her free hand as trails of moisture came away on her fingers. She leaned in and hugged Lyra gently as both cried silent tears of joy. After a while Kim slowly pulled away and both women wiped their faces clean lest someone come in and catch them crying.
"I really intimidate him?"
"Profusely".
Kim smiled and a little of the evil grin that sometimes crept into her wife's smile crept into Kim's.
"Good!" Kim crossed her arms and nodded as if that realization was something she could put to use. "Excuse me my dear I'm going to go see what's holding things up".
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The GJ hover transport set down on top of the Upperton General Hospital's parking garage and James Possible had barely stepped off before it rose back up into the sky. It seemed Will Du really didn't want to run the risk of running into an angry Kim. Lucky coward thought James.
He made his way to the lift and descended to the main hospital and then to the appropriate ward he knew Lyra would be in. Maybe he wasn't that late? Maybe his mother wouldn't be upset with him if he was? Maybe the laws of physics would be repealed? Fat friggen chance.
He entered the ward's main hallway and the first thing he saw was her. She stood in the middle of the passageway as doctors, nurses, hell basically everyone just parted around her as if she were a bulwark they couldn't move. Kim stood there with her arms crossed with her head tilted at just slight enough of an angle and her mouth just barley frowning to display her unhappiness. James knew his mother was like a force of elemental nature and right now he found himself both fiercely proud and a little frightened to be her son.
James knew his mother well enough to see that she was upset but not in full blown fiery dragon queen mode. It wasn't the best case scenario but he would take it. She said nothing but her head tilted up slightly to look him directly in the eye when he stopped just before her.
"Which room is she in? Have they performed the procedure yet?" James leaned down and tentatively kissed Kim on the cheek while pasting as believable a smile as he could on his face.
Kim studied his face for a second before hiking her right fist in the air and pointing back to the left with her thumb. "You're late and you're lucky. The doctor has been delayed. So the procedure has not been done yet".
"Excellent", James tried to hide the relief from his face but he didn't quite succeed.
"You're still late", Kim took her right index finger and poked it right into the center of his chest. "That is your wife and your future family in there. Is this what it's going to be like with you? Always being a little too busy to show up on time or not at all?"
"There was an emergency".
"There's always an emergency. There always will be an emergency. Here… there… everywhere. But your family which just happens to be part of mine will always be here as well and they, and I, will need you here".
"I understand. I cannot promise to never be late again but I do promise to always be here".
Kim reached out and took both of James's hands in her own.
"Listen to me. I'm not saying to not do your job. Face it James you're a Possible and it's our destiny to do the impossible things no one else can do. It's our blessing and our curse. I know becoming a parent is a big scary step for you but you can't hide from this by running behind other responsibilities. Believe me I know".
James opened his mouth to speak but hesitated a moment as Kim raised her eyebrows in a silent entreaty for him to continue. "Did you ever question whether you were worthy of being a parent?"
"Yes".
James waited for Kim to continue but she simply stared back at him. "And…"
"I believe a good parent doesn't ever stop proving their worthiness. I find the proof I need every time I look into the eyes of my children and see love".
"I hope to one day to see such in the eyes of my children".
"You will. Now let's go see if we can find that doctor and get this show on the road".
Kim began to turn around but James didn't move and wouldn't let go of her hands. She faced him again but James had lowered his vision and now stared at the floor.
"What is it James?" Kim's tone had changed to one of concern.
"Someone said something to me today that was…disconcerting. Do you think that I could be…that my being here could be…a mistake?"
Kim eyes grew large and her face first showed shock but it soon changed to one of fury. She pulled one of her hands free and grabbed James by the chin and forced him to look her in the eye.
"Now you listen to me mister. I don't want to ever hear something like that come out of your mouth again. You are here because of your parents love and your own force of will. Granted your arrival in this time was not a normal thing. But it allowed you to save countless lives, including mine, and all the people who love you, also including me. It is a tragic story but it is not a mistake".
James pulled Kim close into an embrace and they wrapped their arms around each other. Kim nuzzled her head into his chest and listened to the rhythmic beating of his heart. "Where did this line of stupid thinking come from anyway?"
"I had a moment of doubt during the mission today?"
"You weren't tearing apart powered suits with your bare hands were you?"
"Of course not mother. I'm more of an administrator now", James didn't like to lie but he felt he had pushed his mother far enough already.
Kim leaned back her head back and the look she gave James made him doubt whether she believed him. Then her arm jerked as if it had touched something and she reached into his jacket and pulled out the coded message he had received.
"What is this, it looks like gibberish?"
"It's a message to me from your brothers but I haven't been able to make it out".
Kim scanned over the message and a broad smile began to spread over her face. "This is a shorthand code that the 'tweebs' came up with to communicate around our mom and dad when they were much younger. I figured it out a long time ago but I haven't seen them use it in years. Why would they use it to send you a message?"
"I don't know but why don't you read it for me while I go find the doctor and see if they are ready to begin". James stepped past Kim kissing her on top of the head as he headed further down the hospital ward.
Kim couldn't help but smile at James as he left. Yeah, he's so intimidated by me.
She began trying to read her brother's message. It had been years since she had broken their code and it took her a few minutes to begin to decipher anything. Once she did and began to read her expression turned from amused, to curious, to concerned, to frightened.
"James!" she yelled after her son.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The mission control room was once again filled with all manner of staff and personnel. Tim Possible carefully observed the large three dimensional tactical displays in the center of the room. He had monitored the Aethon's first drop ship 'Phlogeus' as it had disembarked from its mothership and begun its long descent through the Martian atmosphere towards its planned landing site 'Hades Prime' on the Arabia Terra highlands of Mars.
Tim monitored ship status and navigation while his brother Jim monitored crew status and life support systems on the Phlogeus. Dozens of other technicians and scientist were monitoring the status of the Aethon, the planetary surface weather conditions at 'Hades Prime', and the amount of outside solar radiation on the spacecraft. Any one of these factors could endanger the mission and the lives of the crew.
Still many more of the base's nonworking staff were present at mission control merely to witness the first successful landing of a manned spacecraft on another planet.
Strangely enough Victoria Essex was not present in mission control but Generals Stone and Hall were standing at their usual spots at the back of the room.
"Crew status is nominal and Major Steele reports all onboard systems are a go for final approach to Hades Prime", said Jim.
"Weather status at Hades Prime is calm and within acceptable mission parameters for landing operations", said the chief Mars meteorological technician.
"Fuel status looks good and all engines are on-line and ready for a controlled descent", said Tim. He turned to look at the generals and Stone gave him the go ahead nod. Tim turned back to his brother and gave a thumbs up.
"Major Steele you have final clearance to initiate landing at site Hades Prime", said Jim. A few minutes later the Phlogeus acknowledged the signal and began its final descent. Everyone stood watching the holographic display, which was possible because of one of the many satellites they had ceded into Mars orbit long before the Aethon arrived. The hologram showed a close up of the Phlogeus descending towards the surface as it cleared the surrounding mountains, circled the highland plains, and finally hovered over the landing site.
"Drop ship is descending", said Tim as he studied the readouts on the instrument panel in front of him. "50 meters...30 meters…10 meters…we have touchdown".
The mission control room erupted into cheers as everyone began celebrating the successful landing.
General Stone didn't stop the celebration this time as he silently and swiftly moved through the crowd until he reached Tim's side. The general laid a hand on Tim's shoulder and leaned down close to talk.
"How long before the crew can EVA?"
"The crew must rest and check their equipment and environmental suits prior to EVA sir. I would say at least eighteen hours".
"Good work. Convey my congratulations to Major Steele and his crew and be sure that I am informed before any EVA activities are undertaken".
"Yes sir".
General Stone then turned and moved swiftly out of mission control and Tim heaved a sigh of relief and concern. Amidst the continued celebration he caught the eye of his brother across the room and saw the same concern in his face as well. They didn't need to be twins to know what the other was thinking. Did their message get through?
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Professor Dementor sat in his small individualized size mission control room watching the Phlogeus descend to the Martian surface. In his control chair he smiled happily as the ship grew ever closer to Mars. Ever closer to him realizing his ultimate victory.
"My dear I am waiting", he said as he held up two empty champagne glasses.
Victoria Essex popped open the champagne bottle the instant the Phlogeus landed on the Martian surface. The bubbling frothing liquid flowed forth from the bottle and she quickly poured it into the two waiting glasses.
"What happens now my liebchen?" asked Victoria as she sat demurely on Dementor's lap and wrapped one of her arms around his shoulders.
"Now that the subjects are on the surface all we have to do is wait for the comet's impact and then assess the surviving subjects' viability".
"What about Stone?"
"Bah…General Stone. With the updated and combination use of the Attitudinator and Moodulator technology that I built into all the crew's space suits. They may have left this planet as General Stone's soldiers but they will return as mine".
"Ours my liebchen…ours", said Victoria as she clinked their glasses together.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Author's Notes:
First of all let me apologize to all the readers, reviewers, and writers that I promised I would have the start of this story out much sooner. Yeah only six months overdue. What a lame f*** I've been.
However, I am back on the bandwagon of writing and it is my intention to get my new chapters out much faster than I have been doing. Both in this story and my other story 'Mirror of the Soul'.
I would like to offer a loud thank you to my fellow fanfic writers and forum participants that offered me encouragement when I really needed it. I don't have to name any names. You know who you are.
Now to entice you to read further into this story there will be a plethora of new villains with exotic comet induced powers. There will be Possible family fun, zero gravity combat (and cooking), and betrayal on a whole new cosmic level.
Next Chapter: Were not on Earth anymore.