Disney owns KP stuff, someone else owns the other stuff.
XXX
29. Smokem' the Bear
Smoke hang in the air everywhere in permeating perpetual haze. Eyes where blinking rapidly to clear the stinging feeling of what felt like sandpaper in the inside of the eyelids. There was a sound of a wailing off to the side and already rising up the cliff strapped to the harness of another person, a much smaller figure making all the noise. A handful of people stood at the base of the cliff, holding wet clothes over their faces, other wearing masks. A person in the harness came down, and started strapping another into his harness.
The process kept repeating. People kept dropping down, harnessing someone, and getting pulled back up. Only a handful remained at the bottom, and the smoke was thickening. More harnesses were dropped, last of the people ascended up the cliff.
The roar of the blades from the rescue chopper taking off cut off all other sounds. Several figures where huddled together, seemingly shouting at each other. Out of necessity, too much noise otherwise. Another one was on approach already, the top of the cliff provided the only clearing where the birds could land safely to lift people out.
There was a landing pad just several hundred yards away from the cliff, but several trees collapsed right next to it and were burning fiercely too close to the landing area. The large building of the secluded exclusive mountain resort was already aflame on one side, where the forest came closest. The entire area around it was an inferno.
The builders did not clear very large area around the building, or the pad, to keep the place as secluded as possible. It worked well, until dry summer months and a good wind put the resort directly in the path of a forest fire. Now, it looks like, this will be an insurance issue.
The last of of the people where now on board the last bird and it was heading away from the burning resort.
Five counties poured everything they had to fight the blaze, but there is never enough resources to deal with large scale fires, even with a lot of external help from the surrounding areas. It all usually results in all the crews trying to hold the blaze at bay. And the rescue personal scrambling to extract everyone, that got trapped inside, and behind the dug clearings and counter fires.
This was also the only large haul of folks in need of rescue. Rest where already covered by all reports and all that was left to let the fire burn out and pray for rain.
When Team Possible offered their assistance, it was immediately accepted by the local authorities. People with rescue experience were stretched beyond endurance.
So they all showed up with Middleton group of firefighters, and dove straight in. It took a day and a half to locate and pull out everyone, who was stranded. There where no other reports of anyone missing and nothing, that looked like it went unreported from the satellite scans from several passing overhead during that time.
There was a spectacle, when the rescue birds started landing. The news choppers learned to steer clear of any rescue air craft. Safety aside, it is an emergency vehicle people, get the fuck out of the way. There where crews present on the ground, the resort has some notables and celebrities vacationing in it at the time. The hounds were out there, hunting for a copy. And the "show folk" where bending over backwards, putting on as show of their "horrific" ordeal.
The rescue workers paid them no heed and just headed toward the area with parked vehicles. All looking dirty, smelling like a weeks' old sooty gym socks and dead on their feet. Most wore the standard firefighter/rescue gear. Others has lighter climbing type outfits, with bright vests the rest wore.
"Helping people rocks. But this kinda shit sucks hairy donkey balls." Came a comment from the group.
There was a commiserating echo of grunts as a reply.
"Miss Possible!" came from the sidelines as the group continues their trek. There was a slight groan from the redhead in the group, as she glanced over at the approaching news crew and knew she would not be able to dodge them.
"Kim!" Came a shout from behind the group. Kim did not have the strength to groan again. A starlet Heather, was practically bouncing up to the group of rescue people, that were now looking both confused and irritated. She was just a minute ago busy playing the "horrified and long suffering". Now she was practically beaming at them all with a megawatt smile and bouncing towards them.
"Go on you guys" Kim said towards everyone somewhat resignedly. And stopped to wait for the two approaching people and trying to composed herself enough as to not to strangle either at the moment.
The rescue folks did not move, they just all stood there, waiting. On of the lieutenants sidled over to Kim. And nudged her on the elbow a little. She looked up, he nodded to her, she smiled a little.
Heather grabbed on the the nearest firefighter and dragged him with her toward Kim, grabbing Mac on the way. She made it to Kim about the same time the news crew did. She released the guys and gave Kim a hug as the crew got in range. Somehow Heather managed to get her auburn hair in place, While Kim stood there, with soot smeared on her cheek and some pine needles stuck in hers.
"Miss Possible, could you comment on the rescue efforts?" the newsie asked.
"As far as we know, all the trapped people are now accounted for. Lieutenant Masterson, has the details. If anymore are available." Kim gestured to the firefighter and , nodded, then walked off with everyone else leaving.
Lt. Masterson dazzled the news crew with an exciting tale of a rescue efforts, resembling slowly drying paint. Heather looked a little confused, but still was beaming next to the lieutenant, and stole a couple glances toward the rest of the departing folks. Then started gushing about the ordeal to the newsie as the lieutenant left.
The folks dragged themselves into their temporary quarters. And just passed out on the cots in there in moments.
Kim woke up sore, and in need of a good washing. She looked to the side of her and saw Yori curled up right into Ron on a cot next to hers. She bit her lip and closed her eyes for a moment, then proceeded to drag herself out of bed.
Getting out of the shower and heading into the kitchen, she saw Mac there already, cleaned up also and seemingly chipper. He was slinging something on the stove, that looked edible. She sat down at the counter.
"Morning" she grunted.
"Morning, sunshine!"
Yup , too damn chipper, she decided.
"There is coffee over there."Mac nodded in its direction.
Kim grunted again, and headed over for some caffeine.
"Omelet?" Mac asked
Kim nodded at him, trying to manage walking and holding a cup at the same time. A plate slid next to her as she sat down.
"Thanks." she rasped, trying to sniff all the aroma out of the coffee, before it gets to be drinkable.
She stared bleary-eyed into her omelet. It smelled good, then again boot leather would too right now, she started searching for a utensil to occupy herself and not to collapse face first into her breakfast.
Mac, still too damn chipper, was piling up omelets onto a large plate.
Rex and Lt Masterson showed up, looking disheveled but reasonably functional. Mac tapped the plate, got nods and thanks in return. Kim came back with a fistful of random number of silverware, and sat it down in the middle of the table.
As more people where filing in and sitting down.
"Ms. Possible, we have no further rescue requests." Masterson said "So you guys can head on home, it was requested so we send you back as soon as possible. We'd love to have you, but we know you guys have other commitments."
"Yeah.." Kim said starting on her omelet. "So you guys got it covered here then?"
"Pretty much. Good thing you showed up when you guys did, the fire was spreading much faster. We did not have the people to send everywhere we needed to."
Kim sat next to Rex and he was discussing something with Mac and Wade on the way back. She tried to keep up, but it was all Greek to her, so she quietly drifted off to sleep.
A hand on her shoulder woke her up.
They where in the driveway in front of her house. Rex gotten out of the vehicle already and, despite the fact that they just spent more then a day hauling people through the smoke and sometimes ash, still went around and opened her door. She smiled a little at him, and took the offered hand, still being a little drowsy.
"Come inside, i'll introduce you to the rents, they still haven't met any of you guys." she waved him inside.
"Alright" He said.
"Maybe even the tweebs" she chuckled.
The Possibles where home.
Anne looked out the window as the TT pulled in. And a young man let her daughter out. And apparently followed her to the house. She suspected it must one of the new team members her daughter told them about.
rationale was immediately absent. "A Boy" drove her daughter home, mission clothes or not, his "daddy" instinct was instantly up and hackles raised.
Anne sighed inwardly, watching her husband. From what she heard Kim's descriptions of the new additions to the crew. James is gonna end up with a heart attack, if she does not reign his "daddy syndrome" in, and quickly. Depending on which one this is. Kim neglected to mention how to tell them apart, when describing her new teammates.
Rex followed Kim into the kitchen.
"Mom!" Kim enthused "Daddy!" she gave her father a hug and a peck on the cheek. "Guys." She indicated Rex standing in the doorway.
"This is Rex, one of the guys I told you about."
Anne eyed the new arrival for a moment.
"Pleased to finally meet you, Rex. Kimmie told us a lot about all of you, but we never gotten to meet any. I'm Anne Possible" she indicated to James "Kimberly's father, James" Anne smiled at him.
"A pleasure, madame" Rex replied with a small smile. Turning his head towards James. "Dr. Possible"
he added with a small nod.
Anne saw that James was still disoriented. Kim introduced Rex, like he might as well be Ron sometimes back. Not the awkwardness of a potential date, she brought home for rents to sit in judgment of. He did not know what to make of it.
"So, how did the rescue efforts went, kids?" Anne launched first, before James could recover "We saw some of it on TV, all is well now, that you all are back?"
"No big, mom. We had no further calls, so they sent us all home. Got everyone out, it seems." Kim replied
Anne looked at Rex. He picked up the clue.
"Yes, ma'am. It looks like everything was covered. None worse for wear, other then then smell." he indicated vaguely.
"That's good to hear." Anne replied. "Would you like to stay for dinner, Rex?"
"I would love to. But i'm afraid, some other time. We all just got back, you understand.."
Anne nodded, "Of course."
"So," Rex indicated the door he just walked in through. "Pleased to meet you both. Dr's Possible, Kim" He nodded and withdrew.
"Well played." Anne thought, glanced at her daughter, who looked a little at Rex leaving. "Hm, maybe Kimmie was not actually playing at all. But it worked well. James is still out of commission."
Twin storm barreled in.
"Aww man," they stereo'd, as they saw Rex pull out.
"Was that..."
"Rex?"
"We have.."
"And we gotta.."
They glared at their sister.
"Why didn't you tell us?" They accused, and blew out of the kitchen again.
Kim spread her hands at her mother is a helpless gesture. Anne chuckled.
…
"This is the footage we obtained and some of the others. That are available via pretty much everyone present. No real interviews from anyone. Just the circus, you could see everywhere, after the fact."
"Yes, that pretty much where we are at now ..."
"I don't understand, why you just left it at everything as it is now. And did not have people pursue beyond just the footage, we could have gotten that anywhere, ."
"No, we did not. But did you notice, that very few if any gotten anything besides the usual from them? Same thing that everyone could get as well. Same approach will not work, I suspect. As everything suggests."
"How so? You think we could do better?"
"I do. You can not be aggressive with those people. They bristle, instantly. And you get nothing in the end, nothing more then anyone else, like you said."
"Then how do you intend to get anywhere, if you do not actively pursue the insights you seek?"
"Not at all, as not actively pursue. You can't be aggressive, not even passively. I think more of passively-persistent approach will get us more insights. That and being local will help us a lot more I would think. So while the rest will be getting, what they have been always getting. We might be getting a far more interesting copy then them."
"Unusual approach. But their reactions do appear to be as you say. So you think, that being "in their corner" as it were, will get us further ahead of the game."
"Essentially, correct. And we are, but if we continue as before, we will be in the same position as before, is all."
"I see. So how do you intend to proceed?"
"In the beginning, same as always. Look around, find out who is who, as much background as we can. We need to know something about to whom we are speaking with. This way, we will have a better feel. Then approach them about the dynamic, not forcefully, just curious. And see how they react. Honestly, I expect a more positive reaction. Which in turn will give us more, then we would have gotten otherwise."
"Intriguing. I see where you are coming from, . Very well, keep me posted, as you continue with your efforts."
"Will do." she nodded.
…
"Young lady, we have talked about this. Your mother and myself are to meet the boys you "hang out with," Mr Monroe, made an "air quotes" gesture, looking ridiculous. "So, invite the boy in."
"Dad, we're not even "hanging out" much," Tara "air quoted" back at her father, " we are just teamed up for the schools project, and I literally can't invite "a boy"(more quotes) in in this case."
Mr. Monroe did not notice the significance of a second gesture, and bulled forward.
"Young lady, we are to meet this person." he replied firmly. Pointing at the rider outside, then at the kitchen floor.
His wife looked at him a little, but did not mention, that the outline of the rider did not match her husbands assumption at all. After what happened the last time, he insisted upon such a meeting. She thought he would be more cautions as to jump in with both feet into another one, alas.
Mr. Monroe blinked as the rider stopped at the kitchen's doorway. Did a double take, blinked again.
Not a boy, definitely, not by a long shot.
Yori stood in the doorway with a passive expression.
"Mom, Dad. Meet Yori, my project partner." Tara said with almost a sigh.
Mr. Monroe has a dawning comprehension of "foot-in-mouth" expression.
"It is nice to meet you, Yori." Mrs. Monroe said with a smile.
"Monroe, san-san." Yori replied with a bow.
"We're just insistent on meeting the kids, out daughter rides with." Mrs. Monroe went on. "Safety reasons, you understand."
"Certainly. I'll assure you, I am quite proficient at the task. Monroe-san." Yori replied.
"Thank you, Yori. Would you like anything before you guys head off to school?"
"No, thank you. If fact, we would need to expedite our departure, as to not be late for out classes today." Yori shot Tara a look. Tara nodded.
"Sure. Go ahead you kids, be careful."
Yori bowed, turned around, and went to the exit. Tara smirked at her mother, flicking her eyes in her father's direction.
Mrs. Monroe let out a silent chuckle, as Tara followed Yori out.
She looked at her husband with a sardonic expression and a raised eyebrow.
"Reeeaal, smooth." She drawled at him with a smirk.
Mr. Monroe sighed, rubbed his face with his hands, and smirked back.
She chuckled at his predicament and left.
…
Mac held a sheaf of papers in his hand as was passing some of them around to others.
"This is ridunculous." He uttered.
"You are still doing your homework. This is a school." Barking growled at him.
"Hmm?" Mac paused passing assignments momentarily. Then continued passing. "No, no that. Not the fact of, the delivery method."
"What do you mean?" Barkin asked somewhat suspicious. Like a student was trying to skip on homework, using some trick.
"We need something, that we could get the assignments as they become assigned, and not when we actually get back here. We could be handing some of these in right now, ya know." He fanned his stack toward Barkin.
"Let me get this straight. You want a method to get homework. Faster?" Barkin was quite incredulous.
There was a request he did not get often. Did not recall getting it at all.
"Right, not looking for more, heh. But if we get it faster, we can turn it in faster, and not bother with it later. Easier for everyone that way, not that we don't appreciate you holding onto them for us, but still."
"Very well. How do you propose doing that?" Barkin was curious now, so far this bunch was coming up with useful stuff.
"Dunno, but we could use something." Mac glanced around the hardware in the office. "Hmm.." He turned over to Rex. "Eh?" he made a circling motion with his finger.
"We'll ask Wade later, there are several ways it could be done, we'll need something not too fancy. It could be used for just about everyone, not just us." Rex replied, sorting through his papers. "But , yes, this is annoying. Would not hurt beefing it up."
"If you want to set up the experiment. We could start here and see how it goes." Ron tossed in.
"On trial basis only." Barkin said firmly, "And make sure it is reversible, if the trials do not pan out."
Random distracted nods where his reply. He wasn't sure if they heard his contingency plan.
"Anything else we got? Mr.B?" Ron piped in.
"No, nothing else. Go ahead to your today's classes. They will begin shortly."
More nods, and they all filed out.
"Well, well. If it isn't our wandering rescue crew." Came a voice in the hallway.
"Yes. Smokem' the Bear would be proud" Replied Rex. Slipped his arm around Monique's waist, and led her to their next class.
"Do not do anything, I would not." Yori called after them.
Rex stopped, turned a little.
"Coming from you... That is a very debatable "would" and very questionable "would not", Yori"
He replied cryptically. Then continued leading Monique to their class.
A guffaw came from Mac. Yori had a confident smirk, looking a little malicious.
Rest has a slightly uncertain smiles on their faces. Hallways crowd was looking simply confused and curious.
XXX
Author's note: I come up with some scenery, then wright around it. Same with an event or some such.
Mark – Thanks, I like those too. p. likes a spelling nazi, remember that :), this is the internets! It could be typed in with a foot.
CB73 – Here is something. And you want to know where i'm taking this now ? I'll tell ya! .. once I get there, I got no clue.
ST103 – Take your happy pills, brah. "Hakuna-Mata". Alcohol helps also, to find your center(sometimes even your bed, so I was told, but your mileage may vary).
