Starship Tipton
By
James Doyle
Chapter Three
The War Council met again the presentation room. A very tired and caffeinated James Possible appeared on the screen.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Or, good morning, I should say. I'm sorry to report that in light of recent developments, we've had to scrub the rescue mission for the time being. Your situation has become not only a technical challenge, but a bureaucratic one. We just don't have anything ready for launch capable of matching course and speed with the Tipton and carrying four hundred people. Even if we could start building such a vessel right away, we just don't have the authority to make those kinds of expenditures without congressional approval.
"Thankfully, there's been some movement on that front. President Martinez feels that four hundred civilians stranded in space warrants action. He's calling an emergency joint session of congress, which he hopes will meet by the end of the week. He's hopeful that congress will authorize the necessary funding.
"Your suggestion of tapping into the ship's guidance system may actually be our best bet. Unfortunately, young Mr. Martin's considerable computer expertise won't be of much help. Since there weren't any computers in 1927, the ship's guidance system is entirely mechanical. It navigates by sensing subtle variations in the surrounding gravitational fields. A truly ingenious system, if you ask me. Our lead mechanical engineer Dr. Torchio is analyzing the schematics as we speak.
"Since the ship's main engine is a solid fuel motor, it can't be shut off until it runs out of fuel. That said, it appears to be a dual-stage motor. If we can alter the ship's course in just the right manner at just the right time, we might be able to return you to earth orbit using the remainder of the acceleration stage and prevent the deceleration stage from firing.
"There's a catch: This maneuver would take several weeks, at the very least. This means you'll have to continue rationing food and make other adjustments for long-term survival. I'm uploading some instructions, but what this situation requires most of all is creative leadership. Given the people you have at your disposal, I'm confident you can pull it off. Middleton, out."
"Mr. Barkin," said Moseby as soon as Possible's face disappeared from the screen.
"Yes, sir?" replied Barkin.
"Your military experience is much needed in this situation. I'm appointing you my first officer."
"Aye aye, sir."
The next morning, London sought out Dr. Drakken, and found him in aft section, working on the plumbing.
"Good morning, Dr. Drakken," said London to the pair of feet protruding from under the labyrinth of pipes.
"Oh, hello, London," replied Drakken. London crawled under the pipes with him.
"What are you up to?"
"I'm installing a water reclamation system that Arwin and I designed."
"Can I help?"
"For some reason, you don't strike me as the plumber type."
"Hey, I haven't showered in three days. I'll do anything I can to help move this along."
"Very well," said Drakken. Drakken performed most of the work, mostly calling upon London to hand him tools and assist him with tasks that required more than two hands.
"So what have you been up to these days?" asked London.
"I cultivate defensive botanicals..." Drakken started to say before realizing he had to explain things to London in layman's terms. "Um, guard plants, for the Pentagon. You can't sneak into the White House without being assaulted by the rose bushes."
"Wow, that's really cool!"
"Yes, well, as you know the whole villain thing wasn't working out."
"Yeah, how'd you get into that in the first place?"
"I suppose the short version of the story starts with being ridiculed by my college friends. I stewed over that for a few years, then started plotting revenge. As I was coming up with ideas, I pondered how cruel the world was, not just my college friends. At some point, I decided if I could conquer the world, I could make it into anything I wanted."
"And the Lowardian invasion changed your mind?"
"Indubitably. After being confronted with the threat of living under someone else's yoke, I just couldn't bring myself to inflict it on others."
Several minutes of silence followed, with the exception of Drakken asking London for tools and such.
"So are you and Shego a couple?" asked London.
Drakken pondered the question for a moment. "To be frank, I don't know what we are at the moment. We still live together, just because that's what we've always done, we still have the same playful bickering, and we're certainly still friends. But she has her work, and I have mine, so I don't think you could call her my 'sidekick' any longer."
"Do you love her?" asked London.
"Excuse me?"
"Do you love her?"
Drakken changed the subject. "London, there's something I just don't get."
"Really, what's that?"
"Why are you even talking to me?"
London gasped. "Look, if I'm being annoying, I can go help someone else!"
"No, no, please! That's not what I meant at all! I'm very much enjoying your company. What I mean is..."
London and Drakken slipped out from under the pipes so as to have a real conversation.
"Think about all the times I threatened your life. I kidnapped you twice, once for ransom, and once to brainwash you into taking over your father's company. I hired a terrorist to plant a bomb in your hotel in Athens." London hadn't known Drakken had been behind that, but she didn't let it bother her. "How is it that you've found it in your heart to forgive me? More than forgive me, actually try to be my friend. It boggles the mind!"
London took Drakken's tiny hand in his. "I believe everyone deserves a second chance. You got that chance, and you proved yourself. I don't think any of us will ever know what really happened the day the Lowardians invaded. But whatever you did, you earned Kim Possible's trust. That means the world to me."
London leaned forward and hugged Drakken. Unaccustomed to the whole hugging thing, Drakken put one arm around her and patted her gently on the back, with which London seemed quite content.
Meanwhile, Ron and Maddie roamed the halls with a room service cart, delivering lunch.
"Good morning, Mr. Morgenstern," said Ron to one of the guests as he answered the door. "Breakfast is served," he said, handing him a small plate.
"Half a sandwich? Is that all I get?" protested Morgenstern.
"I'm sorry, sir. I don't know how long we'll be out here. We need to make our food supply last as long as possible."
Morgenstern grabbed Ron by the front of his shirt.
"Listen up, you little delinquent. You can tell Moseby he'd best make an exit by way of the nearest window, because if he makes it back to earth alive, I'm going to see it that contract hit is taken out on him."
Ron pulled the plate out of his hand.
"I'm sorry, sir, I can't tolerate insubordination. I suggest you reconsider your attitude before lunch."
"Wow, Ron," commented Maddie. "I didn't know you had it in you."
"It's just like Barkin says," replied Ron. "You have to make them respect your authority."
"Ron, can I be honest with you about something?" asked Maddie.
"Um, sure. What is it?"
"I know you and Kim are getting married, and I don't want to do anything to interfere, but...well...for the longest time, I've sort of had a crush on you."
"You? Crushing on me?"
"Yeah, ever since I saw you on American Starmaker with your 'Naked Mole Rap.'"
"Hehe, yeah," replied Ron, feeling more than a little awkward. "That was pretty tight."
"Anyway, I've been told I'm attractive, and yet, I don't seem to have much luck with men. Honestly, do you think there's a guy out there for me?"
"That has got to be the dumbest thing I've ever heard..." Ron began to say. Maddie's eyes began to tear up, then she started to raise a hand to slap him.
"Of course there's a guy out there for you!" said Ron, just in time to avoid getting backhanded. "Take Kim and I, for example. We were friends for years. She dated other guys, I dated other girls. More of the former occurred than the latter. Finally, end of junior year, we came to our senses, and the rest is history."
"So what does that mean for me?"
"It's simple: When you meet a guy, just be the best friend you can. Sooner or later, one of these guys is bound to come to his senses, and there you'll be."
"That's awesome!" exclaimed Maddie. She kissed Ron on the cheek. "Thanks a bunch!"
Ron smiled. "I do what I can."
"Ready on commode one," said Drakken into his walkie-talkie.
"Standing by," replied Arwin.
"Ready on commode two."
"Whenever you are, Scotty," replied Carey Martin.
"Ready on commode three."
"Ready to go. I dropped a major deuce for ya!"
Drakken frowned. "Yes, I really needed to know that, Zack," he replied. "All right, every one...three...two...one...flush!"
The plumbing made lots of interesting noises. When it finished, ten gallons of crystal-clear water appeared in the tank.
"Drakken to Moseby," he said into his walkie-talkie. "Water reclamation system is operational."
"Excellent," replied Moseby. "Moseby out."
"Yay us!" screamed London, clapping her hands rapidly.
Just then, Drakken saw an LED light up on the board.
"Oh, snap!" he said. "Shego's taking a shower. She'll probably use up our entire ration."
"That's alright," said London. "You can use the shower in my suite. I mainly just need to wash my hair, anyway."
"Has anyone ever told you what a princess you are?"
London smiled. "Frequently, but it never gets old!"
"London," said Drakken as she called the elevator.
"Yes, Dr. Drakken?"
"To answer your question...yes, I love her."
End of Chapter Three. More to come!