Chapter 28: Rescue Mission

Wade proved as efficient as ever. Within the hour, the three teens found themselves on a package-delivery company's aircraft on the way to Los Angeles. Yori had given the boy genius the location of the facility and he had tracked down the construction plans. The three teens were reviewing these plans on a laptop computer, trying to find the most likely place that Monty was holding Master Sensei. The three teens were wearing mission gear, Yori being close enough to Kim's size to wear a spare set of her clothing.

"So we're agreed," Kim was saying. "This room," she touched the screen, "is the most likely holding place." Ron and Yori nodded. "But we can't be sure. The plan is to get onto the roof here," she pointed to another spot, "and get Rufus into the ductwork. We'll open the roof access hatch and make our way to the room. At this point, "she pointed at a third spot, "we wait for Rufus. He'll report to us and we'll alter our plans as needed." The teens all agreed.

"One more thing," the redhead continued. "Yori, I want you to stay behind us. Ron and I have been doing things like this for a long time. I know that you want to help but when the fighting starts you'll only get in the way if you try. Once we locate your teacher, Ron and I will hold off the bad guys while you release him. Then we get clear. Do you understand?"

Yori seemed ready to argue but stopped. She nodded. "I agree Possible-san."

"Good," Kim checked her watch. "We should be over the site within twenty minutes. The pilot has agreed to alter his course slightly to accommodate us. Since this is a regular flight and we're a full day ahead of Monty's deadline, we just might catch him by surprise."

"Let us hope so, Possible-san but even more, let us hope for success."

Kim nodded and gave her equipment another check. The three teens put on their parachutes and tried to calm themselves. Soon, the airliner dropped altitude and cut speed. The three teens went to the rear hatch while a crewman showed up and attached a safety strap to his body. When the intercom system squawked he opened the hatch.

Kim jumped first and Ron, screaming like a banshee, jumped next. Yori was right behind Ron. The three teens managed to land on the facility's roof and quickly collapsed and stowed their 'chutes. Ron opened up one of the rooftop air handling units and released Rufus inside. While he was doing this, Kim approached Yori.

"That was very graceful parachute work," she said. "Have you parachuted before?"

"No, Possible-san. This was my first time."

"Landing on a roof takes skill and agility. Where did you pick it up?" Kim's voice had become challenging again.

"I have received extensive, what do you say…gymnastics training as part of my education. That and I was able to observe you and Ron-san, as I was the last out of the aircraft." The Japanese girl looked closely at Kim. "Tell me, Possible-san, if you did not think that I would land on this roof, why did you wish me to jump?"

"To tell you the truth I expected you to miss the roof and land, safely, on the ground. That would have allowed Ron and I to complete the rescue and pick you up later. Since you've managed to keep with us, stick to the plans we discussed earlier."

"I will do so, Possible-san."

The three teens easily picked the lock on the roof hatch and slipped inside the building. The facility was, ostensibly, abandoned so there were no workers to be found. They crept silently down to the second floor. The ground floor with the cages, where they believed Sensei to be, was just below them.

"Yori," Kim whispered. "Stay here, at the top of the stairs and make sure nobody is approaching us from behind. My partner and I will go to the bottom of the stairs and look around. We'll wave to you when we're ready to move."

"Yes, Possible-san."

"Okay, what's going on with her?" Kim demanded of Ron, as soon as they were out of earshot of the Japanese girl.

"What do you mean?"

"Don't play dumb with me, Ron Stoppable. That Japanese schoolgirl managed to land a parachute on a rooftop and she's been absolutely silent all the way down here. Not to mention she's on a dangerous mission and she isn't even stuttering. Just what's the deal with her."

Ron sighed. "Kim, you're right. There's a lot more to Yori than it appears. Sensei has sworn me to secrecy about a lot of this and I was hoping that he would reveal what he considered appropriate. I will say that Yori has had extensive martial arts training."

Kim gave Ron a hard look. "Are you sure she's on our side?"

"What do you mean."

"I mean that we know Monty's wanted to get his paws on you for months now. Don't you think it's convenient that less than six hours after she arrives in our school, here we are putting you close to him?"

"Kim, it's not like that."

"Then what is it like?" She demanded, with as much force as a whisper could provide.

"Kim, I've got to ask you to trust me. Once we rescue Sensei I'll tell you everything he allows me to."

"Fine, but answer me one thing. There was more to that trip you took to Japan than just a student exchange, wasn't there?"

"Yes, there was."

"Good enough…for now."

Kim waved Yori down the stairs and the three teens continued their mission. They reached what had once been the Control Center for the complex. They had entered from the administrative section, which consisted of offices, meeting rooms, electrical closets, and other such rooms. On the other side of the Control Center were three separate rooms, each of which were bisected by a metal fence. These rooms allowed the staff to interact with the simians without running the risk of attack. A gate, all of which were open, pierced each metal fence. The far side of each Interaction Room had a door, which led, the teens assumed, to the simians' living and care facilities.

The teens heard a scratching sound from above them and looked up to see Rufus looking out of an air duct. Once the smallest member of Team Possible saw his buddy below him, he jumped into Ron's waiting hands.

"Rufus," Ron asked his little friend, "did you find Master Sensei?"

"Uh-huh!" He squeaked then he burst into a series of chitters and chatters that only Ron could understand.

"He says that Sensei, Monkey Fist, and about a dozen monkey ninjas were all in the Middle Holding Room. Master Sensei was inside some sort of metal pen and about half of the monkeys were clinging to the sides. Another monkey ninja showed up a few minutes ago and said something to Monkey Fist. After that they wheeled Sensei out to some sort of big, outside enclosure. That's where they were a few minutes ago."

"Okay, lets go in." Kim said. "I'll bet that the monkey ninja that reported to Fisk had spotted us. They probably moved Sensei because they weren't expecting us to show up a day early. Let's get in there before they have a chance to get ready for us!"

Neither Yori nor Ron could come up with a better plan so the three teens and one naked mole rat charged through the Interaction Room, through the Holding Room, and outside the building. They spotted a large, outdoor enclosure containing several…

"Monkeys!" Ron screamed. "Why does it always have to be monkeys?"

"Ron, calm down." Kim knew all about Ron's monkey phobia.

"Ron-san, perhaps Possible-san and I can enter the cage and free Master Sensei while you guard the entrance." Yori placed a comforting hand on Ron's shoulder while making the suggestion.

Kim glared at Yori's hand. "I agree, watch my back Ron, Yori and I will deal with the monkeys." She continued to glare at Yori's hand until it came away from Ron. "Okay, lets go!"

As soon as the two girls charged into the enclosure, the gate slammed shut behind them.

"Ah, Mr. Stoppable," that hated, cultured voice announced. Ron spun around to see Monkey Fist emerge from the building, holding a remote control. "I had hoped that you would be so kind as to visit me."

"I knew it!" Kim raged at Yori. "You were working for him all along!"

"I most certainly was not!" The Japanese girl protested.

"You jump to conclusions, Miss Possible." Monkey Fist interrupted, tucking the remote control into his Gi. "While I would enjoy watching the two of you tear each other to bits, it would be most dishonorable. Your companion is both beyond corruption and very fond of Mr. Stoppable here. It was only her concern for her Sensei that drove her to seek Mr. Stoppable's assistance."

Monkey Fist then turned to Ron. "Mr. Stoppable, I must inform you that I have performed further research on the Mystical Monkey Power which you posses. I have come to the conclusion that if I dissect you; this power will be free to adhere to a worthier candidate. Honor dictates that I offer you the chance of peaceful surrender, with the knowledge that I will use anesthetic when performing the task."

"No thanks Monty, I prefer to resist my dismemberment." Ron dropped into a ready stance.

"I had expected as much, Mr. Stoppable and I would have thought less of you had you accepted. Just so your two companions don't get any unpleasant ideas about freeing themselves and interfering…Monkey ninjas, attaaaack!" The monkey ninjas attacked the girls, revealing Master Sensei inside a cage. Monkey Fist attacked Ron.

Kim and Yori quickly dispatched the monkey ninjas inside the enclosure with them. The two girls shared a look of mutual respect once the last monkey was down. Yori ran to Master Sensei's pen while Kim ran to the enclosure's gate, pulled out her small, disguised laser cutter, and went to work. "These bars are high strength steel," she reported. "It's going to take several minutes to cut each one."

"The pen is also of steel." Yori responded.

"Then we shall simply trust in Stoppable-san," Said Sensei. "While you seek to escape the enclosure."

Ron, just run away! Kim urged in her mind, even though she knew that he would never leave with her trapped like she was. As it was, she had difficulty working her laser while watching him. For several minutes he seemed to be strictly working defense, blocking, dodging, and evading. While Monty got in a few hits, they were glancing blows. Finally, as Kim completed her first cut, Monkey Fist started to slow down.

Ron didn't go fully on the offensive. He ducked in and landed a couple of slaps to his opponent's face. Monkey Fist rallied and attacked in a rage, burning off more of his endurance. He slowed again and Ron moved in. Monty threw a desperate attack that finally landed; his roundhouse kick hit Ron's right hip even as Ron's ridge-hand strike took him on the right temple. Monkey Fist stumbled backwards to lean, dazed, against the facility's wall. Ron limped forward and drove his knee three times, hard, into Monty's gut. Monkey Fist slumped to the ground. The remote control flew out of his Gi.

Ron looked between the control and the villain for several long moments. Then he scooped up the remote and delivered it to Yori. The Japanese girl experimented with the controls while Kim continued to cut a bar and Ron limped back towards Monty. Even as Monkey Fist recovered and lurchded back to his feet, Kim finished cutting the bar and Yori managed to both free Sensei and open the enclosure. Monty considered the four-to-one odds against him and fled.

The mission was successful.

Kim ran to Ron and helped him lower himself to the ground. In addition to his injured hip, his forearms were covered in what would soon become ugly bruises. Yori and Sensei joined the two Americans. Rufus appeared from out of the facility. As soon as everyone was together Kim stood up and looked at her four companions.

"Okay everybody," she declared. "I think I'm due some explanations."