Chapter 9
A week passed while Wade looked for Gemini. College life went on as usual, and Kim continued working with Shelly of the track team.
The faster thought processes meant Kim could finish her course work in a fraction of the time it would normally take, but subjectively it took just as long. She took advantage of it to spend the extra time with Ron.
Her mom gave her periodic checkups, and put her on a stronger vitamin/mineral supplement as a precaution.
The GJ search for additional pieces of the comet was unsuccessful. It was almost as if that one piece had been waiting for Kim to find it.
Wade continued to work on modifying the super speed shoes for Ron and Rufus, but there were problems he hadn't yet been able to get a handle on. So he reported it would still be some time before they were ready.
Kim, Ron, Rufus, Monique, and Felix were eating lunch in the college caf when Wade called.
"Well, I know were Gemini is," he said.
"Great! Good work!" said Kim.
"Actually, you'll have to thank Dr. Director. I wasn't having any luck, so I finally asked her," he said, turning a bit red.
"Why'd you wait so long?" asked Kim, puzzled.
"Well, you promised Shego you'd call, and it gave her time to recover," he answered.
"So you were stalling on purpose," said Kim, narrowing her eyes at Wade.
"Uh, to a point, yeah. But this IS Gemini we're dealing with. He has lots of henchmen and weapons, and is a bit crazy, so you're going to need all the help you can get," he said.
"So... you think we can trust Shego?" asked Ron.
"Don't see why not," shrugged the young super genious, "She has a personal stake in stopping him, so will probably be willing to work with you. But after beating her the way you did, I'd keep an eye on my back when it's over with."
"That's my job," said Ron, "And Rufus'."
"And a fine job you do, too," smiled Kim. She looked back at the screen. "Thanks, Wade, we'll go after classes."
He nodded. "I'll notify Shego. Oh, and Dr. Director said you'll handle it, but GJ forces will be ready to assist at a moment's notice."
"Good to know. Thanks, bye!" said Kim, and signed off.
kpkpkp
Gemini was headquartered in a large lair in the Rocky Mountains, and the trip in the Sloth took a couple of hours. They were to meet Shego in a small town at the base of the particular mountain they were interested in.
Eating dinner in a local restaurant they happened to come across the sheriff having coffee. They filled him in on the mission, so his forces would be ready if necessary.
While they were talking, a motorcycle roared up and parked beside the Sloth. Shego dismounted, took off her helmet and shook out her long mane of thick black hair. Putting down the helmet she came inside, spotting the duo immediately. When she saw they were with the sheriff, she hesitated a moment, then came over, sitting beside Ron. He flinched away, but settled back after a few moments.
"I'm here. When does the party start?" she asked.
"Pretty soon. We wanted to eat first," answered Kim,
The sheriff took a hard look at Shego. "Say, aren't you wanted?" He stood up and put a hand on his gun. His other hand went to his cuffs.
Shego snorted. "You and this hick town need to get out of the Twentieth Century. I haven't been wanted since last June." At the waitress' enquiring look she said, "Coffee, cream and sweetener."
"It's true, Sheriff, she and her boss got a pardon," said Kim tensing a bit. She was hoping to avoid trouble with the locals.
The sheriff took another step toward Shego, who turned toward him in the seat, watching him calmly. Kim stopped him with a hand, and gave him the Puppy Dog Pout.
The sheriff wavered, then sat down. "Okay, because Miss Possible said it, I'll let it go for now. But I will check," he said.
Shego grunted and paid attention to her coffee.
"So, Princess, when are you gonna fill me in on how you beat me so easily?" asked Shego, not looking at Kim.
"How about after we're finished with Gemini?" asked Kim, finishing off her chicken salad.
"How about now? I don't like going into a situation without knowing all my assets," said Shego, an annoyed tone in her voice.
"All right. Everyone finished? Let's go outside, where it's dark," said Kim. She paid the bill for her and Ron, and headed outside. Shego got her coffee put in a to go cup, paid, and followed.
"Okay, now what? I don't like games and mysteries," said Shego. She held up her empty hand, ready to ignite her plasma.
"Don't get impatient. My family and I were taking a camping trip a couple of months ago, and I found something," said Kim.
"I'll bite. What was it?" said Shego, the annoyed tone more noticeable in her voice.
"You and your brothers got your powers from that comet; Red, green, blue, and purple, right?" Kim asked rhetorically. "Well, I found a piece of the fifth color." She 'flipped the switch', and the white glow surrounded her.
Shego's eyes grew wide, and her mouth dropped open. She was stunned beyond words.
"So... I'm guessing you got super speed?" said Shego, finally.
"Got it in one!" put in Ron.
"Wasn't talking to you, Stoppable," said Shego, "Well, that explains everything. What other effects did you get?"
"Increased muscle and bone density, better stamina and endurance, accelerated healing, increased strength, and I can think faster," said Kim, ticking off points on her fingers.
Shego grinned. "Just make it more challenging when we fight. Have you told Hego?"
"Not yet, I'm holding off until I have to," said Kim.
"Smart girl. We ready to go?" Shego asked, picking up her helmet.
In answer, Kim and Ron headed for the Sloth.
kpkpkp
As Kim, Ron, and Rufus rode up the mountain road in the Sloth, and Shego followed on her cycle (now in quiet mode), the sheriff had called his few officers together, along with a fairly large volunteer force. They would wait at the bottom until contacted. The local hospital was also alerted, just in case.
On the ride up, Wade appeared on the screen of the Sloth's built-in Kimmunicator. "GJ has sent a squad to stay nearby just in case. They can be there in two minutes."
Kim nodded, not taking her eyes off the road. "Having backup like that is a comfort. Thank Dr. Director for me."
"You can thank her yourself," said Wade, "She'll meet you there."
Ron and Kim exchanged a look.
Just before they crossed the last ridge, Kim turned off the headlights, and Shego followed suit. Car and cycle pulled over and parked, the occupants getting together for the confrontation. Several dark figures were waiting for them.
"Kimberly, Ronald, Rufus... Shego," greeted the head of GJ.
"Going to arrest me?" asked Shego, crossing her arms.
"Not this time, we've seen the video, and know you're innocent. Come on, I'll put you in the picture," said Dr. Director, and turned to the hill.
Cautiously they all moved to the top of the hill to survey the situation.
There was just a hole in the side of the mountain, completely nondescript. Dr. Director pointed out there were guards posted just inside.
Kim tapped the Kimmunicator button. "Wade, are there any air ducts we can take?"
"Not this time. Using infrared imaging, I've got a crude map, but as far as I can tell, the ducts are only about a foot square. Looks like SOME of your villains are learning..." he said.
Shego glanced sharply at Wade's image, but decided it wasn't the best time to start an argument. "I guess we'll do it the direct way," she offered.
"I don't see any other choice either, unless... Ron?" asked Kim, looking at her boyfriend.
"I got nuthin', KP," he answered.
"I'm already tired of waiting," said Shego, "Let's do it." She stepped over the rise, and headed for the cave, using shadows to hide her movements.
"Good luck," called Dr. Director behind them, "We'll be there if you need us."
Followed by Kim and Ron, the ninja woman slipped up beside the entrance. Picking up a small stone, she tossed it so it came down from above the opening. It made a tapping sound as it hit rock, then the ground.
"What was that?" asked a female voice.
"Just another rock falling," answered another female voice, "Happens all the time. You get used to it."
"I'm going to take a look anyway," said the first voice.
"Go ahead, but you won't find anything. Nobody knows where we are," said the second voice, in an indifferent tone.
A female form clad in a WWEE uniform stepped cautiously out, and looked around. When she looked in Shego's direction, the pale woman lit a finger, and tapped it on the guard's forehead. She collapsed without a word.
"Hey, Gamma-12, you okay?" asked the second voice. The other woman stooped over her companion to check for a pulse, and when Shego moved it attracted her attention. The same finger lit with the same green fire had the identical effect on the guard.
The trio stepped around the unconscious guards, and toward the back of the cave, where a faint light was visible.
