Chapter 21 The Town at the Bottom

They sat down in the shaded cool of a patio right outside the lobby. The sun was just starting the heat of the day.

"So, tell us something about, like, the town's history, please," asked Bonnie.

"Well, this town was founded before Colorado became a state. The Dae city has always been occupied, and our families wanted to be near them. Relations evolved over time so we kept their existence secret, but they have integrated into our society.

For instance, human and Dae children attend the local schools together, and the teachers teach subjects appropriate to their students culture. "He looked a bit embarrassed. "Yeah, it's a kind of 'separate but equal' policy, but it's the only way to preserve the cultures."

"There seem to be many people who are from elsewhere around. Why is that?" asked Yori. She had noticed from the patio several Asian people walking with a few Dae.

"When the Dae started gathering here, many had human friends who didn't want to be separated from them, and came along. Many plan to go home after they leave, but a few are wanting to go with them," answered the Mayor.

"That's something I hadn't heard," said Kim.

"They know perfectly well there's no chance of a human colony starting; they just want to be with their friends. And in a few instances, lovers and spouses," he answered.

Suddenly Kim noticed there were more Dae walking around downtown. Some were with humans, and most were wearing modified human clothes. A few were in the traditional Dae clothes. They hadn't seen any when they arrived. "Why weren't there any Dae around yesterday?"

"Nobody was sure who you were at first," Mayor Johnson replied. "Now that they do, there's no point to staying hidden."

"Word travels fast," commented Ron, dryly.

"Has to, around here," said the Mayor. "We do have a big secret to keep."

He stood up. "Well, I need to get to the office. If you need anything, let me know. Here's my number." He handed Ron a business card.

Team Possible stood as well. "We will, sir, thank you." replied Kim.

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The day was spent with Team Possible roaming around the clean, well-kept town. Everyone seemed aware of them, and quite a few were Kim's fans. To her embarrassment Yori found she had a fan club as well, in the local dojo. Several Japanese nationals had come to the town with their Dae friends. Giving out autographs was new to her. but she was happy to demonstrate some Tai Sheng Pek Quar moves for them.

Everyone they talked to was supportive of the Dae, and encouraged Kim to help them get home. Passive sensor readings showed no stress from being intimidated into support, which Kim was very relieved to find.

They talked to some of the people who had come from around the world with the Dae on their pilgrimage to the city. It appeared the bond between human and Dae could be very strong.

Kim and Ron ate lunch on the patio of a diner. Ron and Rufus grumbled about a lack of Bueno Nacho, which made Kim roll her eyes. They were joined by Tara and Bonnie, and finally by Yori. They had all been surrounded by people as they explored, but nobody bothered them while they ate.

As they ate they offered impressions of the town and its people, confirming each other's views. At one point three Dae flew overhead, landing somewhere in the next block.

After lunch Yori disappeared, but the other five went to the park and watched a game of pick-up baseball while they talked.

"Town seems okay to me, KP," said Ron.

"Me too," added Rufus.

"I trust your instincts, you know that," said Kim, taking his hand and giving him a quick kiss. "And I agree. Nothing wrong here that I can find."

"Us either," chimed in Bonnie, "Except there are no chain or franchise stores. Everything is local. No Club Banana, darn it."

"It's not perfect, though," added Tara, "I saw signs of minor crimes, like vandalism and theft in a couple of stores."

Bonnie looked at her. "You did? I didn't see anything."

"You didn't see the notice on the bulletin board in the clothing store that someone had stolen several dresses a couple of weeks ago? Or that the broken window with plywood over it in the pharmacy had been broken from the outside? There was still glass under the edge of a table." said Tara.

Bonnie smirked at her best friend. "I see hanging with Yori is teaching you something. That's unusually observant."

Tara blushed. "Yeah, she's been helping me be more alert to my surroundings."

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L'ao had returned from the city to the motel, and been told that most of Team Possible was at the park. As she walked toward it, she happened to look up in time to catch a glimpse of something on the roof that moved. Smiling she stopped at a narrow alley between businesses.

"Come out, Yori, I know you are there," she said, looking into the shadows.

A moment later the ninja girl appeared beside her. "Your sense of smell must be very acute to have noticed me."

"No, the garbage cans covered your scent. I caught you moving on the roof," replied L'ao.

"Then I need to practice my stealth," was the reply.

A few minutes later at the park, Yori and L'ao found Tara and Bonnie in the bleachers, while Kim and Ron had accepted an invitation to join the game. Rufus sat on Tara's shoulder.

"Why are you not playing?" asked L'ao.

Bonnie snorted. "We're like, cheerleaders, not players."

The ninja and the Dae joined them, and cheered for the team Kim and Ron had joined. There were three Dae children playing, and they had changed the rules to include "no flying".

As soon as the game was over, L'ao told them her father the king was waiting to greet them.

"You should have said something earlier," said Kim, wiping her face.

L'ao shook her head. "This gave you a better sense of how humans and Dae are together."

"Well, that's for sure. That Dae kid playing third base was accurate throwing a ground ball to first," said Ron.

"But it worked," Commented Tara, "You moved the runner to second."

"Let's get back to the motel and get ready. Ron, when was the last time we met a king?" asked Kim.

Ron scrunched up his face. "Uh... the King of Rhodigan?"

"Oh, yeah, I remember his son Wally," said Bonnie, smirking at Kim.

"I bet. Let's hurry, don't want to be late," said Kim, and picked up the pace.

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"L'ao, how should we dress?" asked Kim as they stood in front of their rooms.

"Your mission clothes will be fine," answered the Princess, "Remember, we are not as formal about such things. And everyone recognizes your distinctive outfits."

"See, Bonnie, like I told you," murmured Kim.

Bonnie rolled her eyes. She and Kim had gone in circles about herself and Tara wearing the turtleneck and cargo pants when they joined Team Possible.

Back out at the van, Team Possible put on their jetpacks, and got ready to follow L'ao to the city. Their guide took off, and few seconds later, so did Team Possible.

The flight took them over a thousand feet up the mountain, and they landed on a ledge just outside a cleverly-hidden entrance to the cave.

Just inside she told them they could leave them by the entrance, and they'd be safe. Shortly they followed her through the outer cave, and into the Dae city.

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Elsewhere, a man at a laptop looked up at his leader. "Mr. Kinnett, we've got a lock. The heat signature of those jet packs led us right to the entrance. Now we know precisely where those animals hole up."

Kinnett smiled. "Perfect. Possible has just betrayed them and she doesn't even know it."

Another man spoke up. "I don't get it. Why not just follow a Dae's heat signature?"

"Not hot enough," replied the technician, "The heat of the mountain masks it. Those jet packs are much hotter."

"Oh, I see," said the second man.

Kinnett turned to him. "It's your turn. Go get set up. Take your time, and don't get caught."

The man grinned. "Right away, Mr. Kinnett. Expect to hear from me tomorrow." He turned and left the tent; anxious for his part in the proceedings to get under way.