Beginnings chapter 3

Pairing Kigo (contains lesbian content. Don't like, don't read)

Shego jerks awake, a thin layer of sweat covering her skin, which has soaked into her trousers and shirt equally, the thick material to sticking uncomfortably to her legs and back. Fighting down the wave of panic racing through her body, Shego sits up, letting the blankets fall away from her body. Her heart is beating what feels like a hundred miles an hour, she tastes a dry, bitter taste in her mouth as the last lingering traces of sleep fall away from her mind. As do the last details of the dream that had been filling her brain. Even as she tries to hold onto them, those details slip away. Shego isn't really sure she wanted to hold onto them, given the waves of andrealine flooding her body. At least the nightmare hadn't made her wake up more violently than it did, she muses as she looks down at the redhead still sleeping next to her, trying to focus on something other than the panic still filling her body. Checking again that Kim is still asleep, seeing her face relaxed into a soft smile that brings one to Shego's lips as much as her soft snores, Shego kisses Kim tenderly on the cheek, just a delicate caress. Any more and she fears she might wake her. Very slowly Shego slips out of the bed and stands, pulling her shirt up over her head, her trousers quickly joining it in a pile by the bed. Glad to be out of her damp clothes, she pads over towards the bathroom, making a beeline for the shower.
The sweat still clinging to her naked body tingling as it dries, Shego turns the shower on, holding her hand under the hot water. Satisfied with the temperature, Shego steps under it, letting the water flow down over her head and over her eyes. The water rushing past her ears is probably why she didn't hear the door opening behind her, remaining oblivious to the figure stepping in behind her. She does notice when a pair of slender arms loop around her waist, though.
'Ahh.' Shego says with a start at the soft touch on her stomach, jumping a little in surprise.
'Sorry.' Kim whispers, resting her head on her shoulder, hugging her closely. 'I didn't mean to startle you.'
Shego smiles shakily, Kim's breasts pressing into her back, her soft hair tickling her neck as she hugs her. 'You didn't.' Shego says softly. 'I woke up feeling a bit jittery already.'
'Did you have a nightmare?' Kim asks, taking Shego's hands in hers and resting them against the green woman's stomach.
'I think so.' Shego answers, the feeling of the dream returning, if not the memory. Taking a deep breath, she tries to push it away, trying to focus purely on the feeling of Kim's body against hers.
'What about?' Kim asks softly, not wanting to pressure Shego into answering, not given the anxiety she sees in her eyes and feels in her body.
'I don't remember.' Shego whispers, snuggling more firmly against Kim. 'It was just a dream. I really don't want talk about it. Can..can you just hold me for bit?' she finishes, her voice trembling slightly.
'Sure.' Kim whispers back, turning Shego around gently so that she is facing her, her arms linking around her back as she pulls her close. Shego smiles shakily, breathing deeply, relaxing into the comforting presence of Kim's body. Her head rests on Kim's shoulder this time, her arms hugging her a bit more tightly. She doesn't care about the water streaming over her head, matting her hair over her eyes. Right now, she just wants to hold Kim, relying on her touch to keep her calm. True to her word, Kim just holds her, her touch a physical way of protecting Shego, of making her feel safe. That being really the only thing she feels she can do. She doesn't know what scared Shego, and she doesn't want to push her into talking about it if she doesnt. And maybe she can't stop it happening again. But she can drive it away.

The door to the briefing room slides open as Kim and Shego approach, admitting them to the same room they had been debriefed in yesterday after returning from their encounter with Electronique. Just like yesterday, Dr Director is sitting on one side of the table, a collection of papers spread out in front of her. Although this time, she is the only one in the room.
Isabel's absence has clearly been noticed by Shego as she sits down, even if she doesn't say anything about it. She doesn't have to, really. It is clear from the look in her eyes that she is very pleased that her mother isn't here. There is no trace of that in her voice when she speaks though, pulling her chair closer to the table. 'So, did you get leads on Electronique?'
Dr Director waits for the two women dressed in the uniform that matches hers to take thier seats before speaking. 'Nothing concrete, no. But then I wasn't expecting to, yet. We did some checking on recent thefts of electronic equipment as Kim suggested. Although as of yet, we have found nothing to link them to Electronique. But as you said, she could have arranged others to steal them for her, or heard that something was for sale on the black market. What we feel could be more useful is other companies that are developing similar technologies, since that could give us an idea where she will strike next. We are searching those now, hoping to turn up something useful.'
'Do you even know what she could be after?' Kim asks. 'I mean, what she wants to do with the device she already stole?'
'We have a number of theories on that.' Dr Director replies. 'We know the device she stole is designed to store electrical power. And knowing Electronique's skill with upgrading electronics, we believe she will want it to store as much electricity as possible. And that means finding a suitably large source of power. That does seem to work with her M.O. But what she wants that power for, we have no idea.'
'So...' Kim starts slowly. 'She might try to break into a power station, something like that. That would be the easiest way to get lots of electricity.'
Dr Director nods in agreement. 'That is one theory, yes. But I don't think she will try that yet. The power cell she stole is a very sensitive piece of equipment. It isn't designed to handle that kind of raw power. Making it very likely she will need to find something to protect her device from that charge. And we think that is where she will strike next. We have found several companies producing devices that might meet her needs; a couple than manufacture high voltage transformers and a research company developing experimental power regulators.'
'I'm guessing you're protecting those sites.' Shego asks, following the logic of the older woman.
'We are. I have dispatched 20 field agents to each site, along with four LAV's and two AIV's.' Dr Director replies, glancing at Kim as she raises her hand a little.
'I'm sorry. LAV's? AIV's?' Kim asks, trying to work out the acronyms in her head.
'Land Assult Vehicles and Airborne Interception Vechicles.' Dr Director explain patiently. 'Our next generation of fighter craft and armoured fighting vehicles that we developed from the Lowardian technology we seized during the invasion.' Dr Director explains. 'They should be enough to make her think twice about trying to steal anything from them.'
'But what if she strikes somewhere else?' Kim asks, 'Somewhere you aren't expecting her to attack.'
'Of course, we cannot predict everything Electronique might try.' Dr Director replies. 'All other bases around the globe are on standby, ready to deploy units to anywhere she might hit. It is the best we can do.'
'Alright. So what about us?' Shego asks. 'Are we going to join the investigation?'
'Not yet.' Dr Director replies. 'I'm placing you both on activate standby, meaning I will dispatch you to the field if needed. But for the moment, I have some asset familiarisation scheduled for you this morning with Isabel. She is waiting for you in hanger 283. Dismissed.'

Isabel is standing in the centre of the hanger as Kim and Shego arrive, talking with a woman in her mid thirties, Shego guesses. She looks her over as the pair approach, her keen eyes noticing her toned muscles even through the plain grey flight suit she is wearing, particularly in her arms as she guestures behind her, the motion pulling the loose material around her arm. She seems to carry herself with a lot of confidance, her head held high, her gaze meeting Isabel's, the two of them talking in the way of friends, rather than superior to subordinate. She does seem relaxed as well, he shoulder length blonde hair swaying a little as she laughs at something Isabel said, something that Shego couldn't quite catch. That attitude changes as soon as she sees Kim and Shego approaching. She turns to face them slowly, her whole body seeming to tense up a little. Shego can see that, as clearly as she can see her almost unconsciously take a step backwards, letting Isabel move to the front. She wouldn't say she is scared, but she certainly seems less relaxed than she did a minute ago. Kim notices that too, sending a quick glance Shego's way as the pair close the distance between them.
'Kim, Shego.' Isabel says, her gaze lingering on her daughter for just a second longer, the green skinned woman scowling slightly in response. 'This is Molly Shields, aviation specialist 2nd class.' she continues, indicating the woman next to her. 'She is one of our newest pilots, having joined us only six months ago after serving with the RAF in Britain for 10 years. She will be giving you both a crash course in flying the HC02 CT, our primary troop transport vehicle. Specialist Shields will also be assigned to work with you as your designated pilot. Any questions?'
'Yeah.' Shego asks coldly. 'Why do we need flying lessons, if we have a designated pilot?'
'All field agents are required to have a basic level of flight proficiency.' Molly says, her voice clipped and military, a far cry from the relaxed tone she had been using mere moments ago. 'In case they may need to take the controls in an emergency. It's just ticking the boxes really. So, let's get started. I thought I would give you two a quick walk around the CeeTee, then start you in the simulators.'

Shego settles into the pilots chair in the simulator, looking around her at the close white walls in the shape of a cockpit complete with viewports in front of her, before glancing around at Molly who is standing behind her, one hand resting on the back of the chair.
'Ok. So the controls are fairly simple.' Molly says steadily. 'The control yoke is right in front of you. Along the console we have..
'Fuel gauge. Altimeter. Compass. Airspeed indicator. Gyroscope.' Shego says, cutting her off as she points to the different readouts in turn. 'I have had some previous experience with aircraft. It might save time if you don't treat me as a rookie here.'
'Fair enough.' Molly says, not really put out by Shego's tone. 'But understand this. This craft doesn't handle like anything you've flown before. So no cowboy stuff. We're just going to do some basic maneuvers. You do what I say and nothing more. Clear?' Molly's tone is not harsh or loud, but it is firm. Strangely enough, that is an attitude Shego respects. She gets the feeling this is the way she handles everyone she trains, not just Shego. Something Shego really cannot hold against her.
'Understood.' Shego says, taking hold of the twin handles of the yoke, her eyes fixed on the screens in front of her that have flickered into life, displaying the image of a runway ahead of her.
'Right.' Molly begins. 'The CT is designed as a dropship, capable of transporting both crew and machinery with no need for modification. It can carry either around 30 troops with full gear or 15 and four light vehicles, or 10 and two heavy vehicles. She can reach up to 200mph fully loaded. Or 300mph without heavy cargo. Maximum altitude is 25,000 feet. She has heavier armour than most militarily aircraft, since she is designed to take damage rather than avoid it. Offensively she packs a punch; an under slung machine gun and two wing mounted missle pods make her one deadly bird. When going into a zone where enemy aircraft are expected, she will have fighter escort. Okay. That's all you should need to know for now. Let's start her up.'
'Right.' Shego says, looking over the yoke as she places both feet on the two peddles in front of her chair. 'I'm guessing the peddles control altitude, yes?'
'Correct.' Molly agrees. 'Left is ascend, right is descend. The slide switch under your left thumb is the throttle. You want to keep it at under half power for take over and no more than 20% for landing. The same switch on your right controls the different flight modes. T is takeoff and landing. H is hover and F is flight. The difference between hover and takeoff is that hover holds your altitude at where you are, but still allows you to move around and takeoff holds you vertically but lets you climb or drop. If you're okay with that, then check you are in takeoff mode and bring the engines up to 50% and then climb.'
'She seems to be doing well.' Isabel says, leaning on the railing that marks the edge of the gantry overlooking the simulator, her eyes watching the way the box shifts and twists with Shego's commands.
'Shego's a great pilot.' Kim says. 'Better than me, anyway.'
'She always was.' Isabel replies, her voice sounding faraway and wistful, as if she isn't really in the same room with Kim. 'Back when she was with Team Go, she was the primary pilot for the group.'
'Can I ask..?' Kim says slowly, unsure if she should voice the question in her head. 'What happened between you and Shego? She says she is angry at you for trying to control her. But I don't see that. You seem to genuinely care for her.'
Isabel hesitates for a second, one hand reaching up to touch her shoulder almost unconsciously. 'I do. And she isn't angry at me. Not deep down. She is more angry at herself. You see, Shego blames herself for something that happened between us a long time ago. She has burried her guilt over that beneath her anger towards me. I think it is less painful to blame me than to remember what she did.'
'But you could just tell her the truth.' Kim says. 'You could tell her she doesn't have to be angry or guilty.'
'I wish it were that simple.' Isabel says with a sigh. 'But Shego doesn't want to remember. Not yet. When she does and she can forgive herself, I'll still be there for her. But I won't force her to remember. Maybe it's better for her to blame me than to live with the pain of what she did.'

Dr Director surveys the command centre around her, her gaze moving over the collection of agents gathered around their terminals as she makes her way to the back of the room, heading for the lone agent sitting in front of the tactical deployment suite.
The agent she is heading towards doesn't look up as she gets closer, his eyes still fixed on the curved flat monitor screen in front of him but he has definitely heard her approaching. 'The last of our field units have arrived at the final location, ma'am. Tango Five is now on station, ma'am. They are moving to their assigned locations now. All civilians are secured inside the facility.'
Dr Director walks up beside him, stopping with her hands clasped behind her back. 'Good. Order all Tango Teams to maintain the perimeter and to check in every 30 minutes. Has there been any word from Southern Command regarding the reinforcements they could deploy?'
'Yes, ma'am. It just..' he starts to say, his words cut off by the shrill alarm that blares from his console. 'Alert from Tango Three, ma'am.'
'Patch it through here.' Dr Director orders, leaning in closer to the screen.
The voice that emerges from the speakers is very crackly, the transmission filled with much more static that normal. The words that emerge from it are just about audable.'Tango Three to Central Actual. Repeat, Tango Three to Central Actual. We have come under attack from the target, Central. And I'm afraid to say she blindsided us. Caught us with some kind of massive EMP that knocked out all our LAV's in one blast. Our air support didn't fair much better. One bird down, the other crippled and returning to base. We are trying to engage her with ground personnel but we are having limited success.'
'How did she neutralise your armoured support?' Dr Director asks, feeling she knows the answer to the question anyway. She doesn't get the answer she expects though.
'She appears to have acquired some kind of combat armour and has attached the stolen power core to it.' Tango leader replies. 'She seems to be feeding it with her own electrical powers, storing and releasing massive amounts of power.'
'I understand. Do what you can. I am sending reinforcements to assist you. Central Actual out.' Dr Director says as she cuts the link.
'Shall I contact Ms Langton, have her get..' the tac officer asks.
'No, there is no time. Send a message to Southern Command. Request that they deploy their reinforcements to the combat zone. They can get there more quickly than anything we can send. Then contact Isabel and have her, Kim and Shego report to my office.'

Dr Director is standing in front of her desk instead of sitting behind it, a habit of hers when she is stressed. She doesn't like sitting when she is facing a problem, it makes her feel hemmed in somehow.
'This is the situation.' she begins gravely. '10 minutes ago, Electronique attacked one of the facilities we were guarding. Despite our best efforts, she managed to steal the power converters. But that has proved to be good news within bad news, since it has given us something else to go on.'
Shego looks over at her from where she is sitting with her arms crossed over her chest. 'How do you mean?'
'I mean this.' Dr Director says, activating the screen on the wall to her left. 'These are the scans our troops on the ground managed to catch of Electronique. It seems she has a acquired another new piece of technology in the form of a high tech Battlesuit. Based on the technology behind it, we are certain it was made by Obsidian Industries, a company founded by Gregory Hall, a technological genius who specialises in creating advanced weaponry.'
'So, he sold her this suit.' Shego asks. 'Is he legit? Or is he dealing under the table?'
'We have no proof he has been supplying criminals or those outside the law, no.' Dr Director says. 'He is still our best lead on Electronique though. I have already set up a meeting with him at his office in Chicago. So while we continue our investigation here, you and Shego will head there and meet with him.'
'By ourselves?' Kim asks, surprised.
'Of course.' Dr Director replies. 'It's not the first time you have gathered leads from someone in the field, is it? This is no different.'

Kim and Shego walks across the foyer of Obsydian Industries, the duo fully aware of the attention they are attracting both from the clients moving around them and the woman seated behind the reception desk. Even though they have changed from their Global Justice uniforms into less conscious black business suits and ties over white shirts, they still cut an imposing sight. Shego doesn't let the stares bother her, striding confidantly towards the desk, resting one hand on the smooth oak surface.

'We're from Global Justice.' Shego says, the words sounding odd in her head never mind out loud. 'We're here to see Mr Hall.'
Despite the having been watching them approach with the same mix of curiously as the rest of the people in the foyer, the receptionists attitude is nothing but professional. 'Mr Hall is expecting you. Please go through.' she says in a voice that shows no sign that she considers this to be anything out of the ordinary, indicating the door behind them which she buzzes open as Kim and Shego move towards it.
Shego just gets the barest glimpse of the office around her, taking in the polished dark oak walls that perfectly match the deep red carpet under foot, before a man in an expensive and finely tailored grey suit emerges from the door on the far side. He extends his hand towards Shego as she appraoches, grasping it firmly.
'Welcome.' he says, shaking Kim's hand as well. 'Please, come in. I'm sorry. You've caught me a bit unprepared. I have to say, this is the first time I've had a visit from Global Justice.'
'I understand that.' Kim says diplomatically, as he takes a seat in the leather chair behind the crafted wooden desk that covers almost the full length of one side of the office. 'And we are sorry to drop in on you like this at such short notice. But we need your help rather urgently.'
'I see.' Gregory replies, watching as Kim and Shego take the seats opposite him. 'I'm not sure what I can do for you, but I always try to help whenever I can, Agent..?'
'Possible.' Kim replies, pulling a small tablet device out of her pocket and passing to Hall, the image of the Battlesuit already displayed on the screen. 'Earlier today, Global Justice encountered an advanced suit of armour. One that we were able to match as belonging to your company. Did you sell a suit like this one recently?'
'More than I can remember to tell you the truth.' Hall replies. 'This is one of our more popular products, especially with law enforcement agencies and private security companies. Like it or not, we live in a very different world today, one where technology like this plays a very important part. Especially given the events of the past year. Aliens landing on earth. If I hadn't seen it for myself, I would have said it was a hoax. Sometimes I wish it was. I mean, how can humanity protect itself if..' he pauses, catching himself mid sentence. 'I'm sorry. You didn't come here to listen to me rambling on. You said you encountered one of my Battlesuits? Meaning someone attacked you with it?"
'Yes.' Shego says bluntly. 'It was being used by a criminal called Electronique, who used it break into a research facility and steal some advanced technology.'
'I see. And you believe that I sold this suit to him.' Hall begins. 'Well, I am not in the business of selling to criminals, I will have you know that I..'
'No, no.' Kim says, waving a hand quickly. 'We don't believe you knowingly sold it to her. It is possible she may have used a false name to acquire it from you.'
'Oh, I see. Well, I still cannot...' Hall begins, then he pauses as if he has just thought of something. 'Did you say she?'
'Yes. Does that help?' Kim asks.
'Perhaps.' Hall says thoughtfully, turning to face his computer and tapping away at the keyboard. 'As I said, I had no dealings with anyone called Electronique, but we did get an order a week ago from a woman who said she worked for a small private security firm and was looking to order a couple of suits. Normally most of our orders are for much larger numbers, which is why this one stuck in my head. Let's see. Here we go. Mrs Elaine Greene. Placed an order for two suits, paid in full by credit card. No contact details, though, I'm afraid.'
'What about a delivery address?' Kim asks. 'She would have needed to tell you where to dispatch them to, correct?'
'Oh, yes.' Hall replies, scanning the screen. 'She gave us an address alright. Riverside Industrial Park, Riverside Wharf, Go City.'

'Thank you.' Kim says, noticing out of the corner of her eye the way Shego tenses up at the mention of the city where she once lived. But she doesn't want to draw attention to it now. 'We'll show ourselves out.'

'Are you okay?' Kim asks, as they make their way back to where Molly waits with the hovercraft. 'I know it can't be easy to hear about Go City..'
'No, it's not that.' Shego relies. 'I'm just thinking. It can't be a coincidence that Electronique had that package delivered to Go City. And if it isn't, what if she went back to the last place in Go City she know she used.'
'You mean..' Kim says, suddenly following where Shego is going with this. 'Go Tower.'
'Yeah, I think we should check it out.' Shego says, striding towards the waiting hovercraft.'Molly.' Shego says, making her way towards the cockpit as soon as she climbs on board. 'Can you patch me through to Dr Director.'
'Sure.' the blonde pilot replies, flipping the microphone on her headset down to her mouth. Shego hears a few seconds of clipped conversation before Dr Director's voice fills the cockpit.
'Did you find something, Shego?' Dr Director asks, her voice broken up by the tiniest bit of static.
'Could be.' Shego says. 'I think we have an idea where Electronique could be hiding. From what Mr Hall told us, he shipped two Battlesuits to a Elaine Green in Go City.'
'I see.' Dr Director says. 'Well, that could be her. But I doubt she was stupid enough to have them delivered to her hideout. Drakken, yes. Electronique, no. Still, it gives us a place to start. I can have our agents checking for any sign of her in Go City. It might help us narrow down where she is.'
'I may be able to do better than that.' Shego continues. 'Now, this is just a guess. But the last place Kim and I encountered her was Go Tower right?'
'You really think Electronique went back to Go Tower?' Dr Director asks, slowly, as if considering the idea.
'Why not?' Shego says. 'Think about it. She gets out of prision, she wants revenge against Team Go, right? So she goes to Go Tower to attack it, only to find its deserted. Which she would, since Team Go are working with Global Justice more closely now. So, she decides to take it over, thinking it would be a good place to lie low until she sets up somewhere more permanent.'
'Okay.' Dr Director replies. 'Even if you're right. Entrance to Go Tower needs Team Go's powers, correct. Wouldn't that keep her out?'
'Not for long.' Shego counters. 'I don't think it would have been much of a problem for her to crack the mechanism. Or maybe she made some modifications when she was there to give her access. And I doubt Hego or Mego even considered the possibility. Look, I know I could be wrong, but shouldn't we check it out anyway? If I'm right, she might not be there much longer. She has to know we will be looking for her, so she will have another headquarters to fall back to. And if we wait to long, she might just do that.
'Alright. You three are to head for Go Tower. I will send an assault team to join you there. Wait for them until you go in. Understood?'
'Understood.' Shego says, cutting the link.

Shego and Kim take up positions on one side of the entrance to Go Tower, while members of the assault team stack up behind them and along the other side. Shego looks over the 10 soldiers in front of her, her eyes settling on the commander at the rear of the group.
'Here goes.' Shego mutters, reaching out to the panel next to the door, her plasma glowing around her hand. She waits a few seconds, hoping to hear the sound of the door unlocking. She doesn't, the door staying firmly shut.
'She must be here.' Shego says firmly. 'Who else would have changed the lock to keep Team Go out?'
'I agree.' the leader of the assault team says, his voice muffled slightly by the voice box on his helmet. 'If you'll stand back, ma'am. I think this call for plan B.'
'Plan B?' Shego asks, hearing the slight tinge of humour in his voice.
'Yes, ma'am.' he continues, grinning slowly under his helmet. 'As in bomb. Or boom. Which ever you like.'
'Bomb sounds good.' Shego says, following his joke as she and Kim fall back to the rear of the line of soldiers. 'Of course. I thought I would be the first to blow up part of Go Tower.'
'You can do the honours if you like, ma'am.' the commader says, pulling a small detonator out of his belt as another soldier attached a square of plastic explosive on the door.
'Tempting.' Shego says. 'But never let an amateur do something when you have a professional on hand, I say . 'The honour is yours.'
'Much appreciated ma'am.' he says, slowly pressing the detonator. There is a moment of silence, then the air is ripped apart by a gout of flame that still rings in Kim and Shego's ears despite having thier hands clapped over them. Protected by their helmets, the soldiers are not so affected, quickly racing forward through the damaged door. A few seconds later, Kim and Shego follow them inside, seeing that 10 of the assault team have secured the main room with the long table surrounded by five chairs at the centre, while the rest are presumably doing a sweep of the rest of the tower. Not that that seems to be necessary, the tower just feels deserted.

'She's not here.' Shego says, cocking her ear to one side as if listening for something. ''The whole place just sounds dead. Like everything has been shut down. This place was always filled with a hum of electricity, even if the whole place was empty.'
'Not everything.' the captain calls out, moving towards the far side of the room. 'Looks like someone left a computer running over here.'
'Well, I don't think it will tell us anything.' Shego says, walking towards the captain slowly. 'If she planned to pull out of here eventually, she was probably careful not to leave anything behind.
'I wouldn't be too sure about that.' the captain says, his eyes still fixed on the screen. 'We could have just got a lead on where she is going to strike next.'

END

So, here we the next chapter of Beginnings. I'm sorry it took so long to get it published. But things have been crazy around here. And I've been struggling with no small amount of writers block. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy it.

As usual, comments and constructive criticisms are more than welcome.

Mereel.