August 29: I have once again (!) revised this chapter and have now replaced the original chapter 33 (Operation Cue Ball) with this chapter (Shoot for the Moon) after soliciting advice from several of you regarding a certain major action Kim had taken which could have been viewed as OOC, if not a first step down a very dark path. Although I've never made a major change like this before after posting, it ultimately made a great deal of sense to me and others, and I'm pleased with the result, as I hope you all will be. And the final chapter will now be polished up and posted on the weekend. Enjoy!
Welcome back after a particularly long hiatus to this, the penultimate chapter to my sprawling space opera. This chapter now holds my personal record for the most revisions and rewrites ever, as I prevaricated over two possible endings: one which would have easily led into the next sequel but would have turned out to be somewhat anticlimactic, or the one I ended up writing. So my thanks to levi2000a1 for his sage advice: go with the one where they win.
And my deep thanks as always to my ever faithful and ever patient reviewers: Katsumara, levi2000a1, Tito-Mosquito, zzzoo99, Eddy13, Sentinel 103, rick455, Jimmy1201, pbow, Bookworm Gal, CajunBear73, Linzerj, Beckman, Oreochema, whitem, and a few guests, as well as all who voted for this story in the Fannies. I am truly humbled by the many awards it won, and I've worked extra hard to make this next chapter a real zinger.
So pull up a comfy chair, your favorite beverage and snack, and jump right in. I trust that it's been worth the wait.
Now rested from his own ordeal, Ron had joined Kim on the command deck. Together they stared through the forward viewport at the asteroid Nemesis, its baleful glow casting an eerie light into the compartment. But she refused to be intimidated by the deadly object, and smiled instead as she reached over to gently squeeze Ron's hand.
"What you just did was totally amazing, Ron. I knew that your Mystical Monkey Powers were pretty special, but that was just incredible."
Ron began to blush slightly as he returned her compliment. "Thanks, Kim. And what you three just did was pretty coolio, too. Yokimgo made for one pretty badical space pilot."
Shego chimed in, "Yeah, and that made for one weird mental combo, too. But there's one thing I'm curious about, Kim. We both can vividly recall each other's focused memory, but what about Yori? I don't recall anything similar from her."
Kim's curiosity was also piqued. "Yeah, you're right. And I thought that we would have experienced a total recall of each other's memories. So, Yori, care to spill?"
Yori benignly smiled back at the pair. "This is true, but only to a certain point. As gifted as you both are in many ways, neither of you are adepts, skillfully trained in the mental arts. Nor have you been exposed to the Mystical Monkey Power as Ron-san and Rufus-san have been."
"You mean what you said about us sharing our memories wasn't true after all?"
Yori continued to gently smile back at them. "Not at all, Kim-chan. The memories are there, but they are locked away safely until which time you consciously choose to recall them, not unlike opening a book."
"Or maybe like opening a computer file?"
She nodded back. "An even more accurate analogy. For I believe you would need the help of a mental adept such as myself to unlock those memories."
"I get it, like needing a password first in order to read them."
"Colloquially stated, but essentially correct, Kim-chan."
Shego gave her a curious grin of her own. "So then, what about your memories, Ninja-girl?"
Yori's smile widened as she offered a roundabout reply. "There are naturally many mystical secrets of the Masters which must remain hidden, of course."
Shego replied testily, "So what it comes right down to is that you just grabbed the abilities you needed from each of us to pilot the Kepler at light speed through the inner Solar System, leaving us with just a bunch of vague memories about each other?"
Yori calmly nodded.
Realizing that her own memories were now more or less secure, Shego began to relax. "Okay, I can live with that."
After a few moments, Shego began to grin again. "But you didn't mention any of your own personal secrets, only those of your mystical cohorts. So whatever you're keeping to yourself, it must have been pretty juicy then, huh?"
Yori's only reaction was a slight blush and an even slighter nod. "Let us just say that Yamanouchi contains a great many mysteries."
Kim purred, "And that obviously goes for its Headmistress as well."
Shego leaned over and whispered in Kim's ear, "Something to do with the Ronster, I'll bet."
"Undoubtedly," Kim whispered back with a grin.
James then strode onto the deck and declared, "Well, good news, everyone, it looks like we're ready for our first test. Wade and Drew are making the final systems adjustments in order to harmonize the PDVI with our own dimension, since there's no telling how it would react otherwise."
But a commotion suddenly was heard from the engine room as a very vocal disagreement erupted between Wade and Dr. Drakken.
"For the last time, Drakken, that won't work! You're not taking the quantum flux into account, and you're totally ignoring the subatomic relationship of gravitons between the two dimensions!"
The ex-mad scientist wildly gesticulated at the teen genius as he whined back, "But that's what I've been trying to tell you, that I am taking those factors into account! And would you mind calling me Dr. Lipsky, or at least Drew? 'Drakken' seems so old hat by now."
Wade sighed, "Sorry, but some old habits kinda die hard. Just don't expect me to start calling you the Great Blue."
Drew chuckled. "Indeed. I get enough of that from Warmonga, thank you very much."
James wagged his head as he observed, "Better make that just about ready, Kimmie-cub. It seems our experts are still quibbling over a few issues."
Drew continued, "And I know I'm right, because I wrote everything down on these 3 by 5 cards."
Shego wasted no time in marching into the engine compartment. "Drew, you've got to be kidding. Not those index cards again?"
He gave her a chagrined look. "Well, Shego, it does help me to focus and consider the problem in a linear fashion, from point to point as it were."
"Just so long as you don't drop them like you did before and accidentally push the wrong buttons in the wrong order and send us all back to that other stinkin' universe, okay?"
"Not if I can help it," Wade added with a growl. He made one final adjustment and announced, "Well, that should do it then. We're now ready for our first test. Anything you'd like to add, Drew?"
Drakken gave a grunt before replying. "Just make sure that the TV Line Out wire isn't connected to the targeting reticule. That's what sent us all on that little trip into the Wild World of TV Broadcasting the last time, if you all remember."
James chuckled. "How could I forget? Shego as the Berg Queen and you as one of her drones from that Space Passage episode was certainly one of my more interesting experiences of the past few years."
Wade chuckled, "Yeah, I'm just glad that I was able to rescue you all before you became permanently trapped there."
Drakken absent-mindedly rubbed the arm that had been injured during that event. "Yes, that experience with Mr. Sit-Down is certainly not one I'd like to repeat."
"All right, then. Indicator lights on the interface panel all show green. Sadie, how do your systems read?
The computer answered, "The Kimpossibility Drive is operating within normal parameters. Full power is available at your command."
James replied, "That's wonderful, but for this first test, let's just keep the power levels down to 10%, just to play it safe. We'll start by deploying the Kinematic Continuum Disruptor."
As he hit the switch, the cargo bay doors opened and the huge dish emerged. A few seconds later it locked into place with a satisfying clunk.
"Cross your fingers everyone, here we go…"
He pushed the red firing button, and a bright green ray shot out of the disruptor. A large portal appeared, focused one hundred feet in front of the Kepler.
As everyone held their breath, James added hopefully, "Well, so far so good…"
But no sooner had he said that than things started to go wrong.
Wade warned, "Power systems fluctuating!"
Drakken growled, "And the dimensional nodes are depolarizing as well. Portal collapsing!"
With a sad-sounding whine, the portal seemed to fold in on itself, and the disruptor went into automatic shutdown mode.
Kim queried, "Whoa, what just happened?"
Wade grumbled, "Probably a problem with the graviton concentration, just like I was afraid might happen."
Drakken quickly corrected him, "No, it looks like a problem with the vortex inducer's emitter nodes. Just a moment and I'll check."
He opened a diagnostic program. After a few moments, a sour look revealed that his suspicions had just been confirmed.
"Yes, that's the problem all right. When we readjusted the subatomic matrix of the emitter nodes to correspond with our own universe's frequency, we failed to take into account that significant power leakage might occur."
Kim snickered, "Sorry, but even after years of dealing with Wade, I still don't speak geek very well. In English now, please and thank you?"
He continued, "Well, imagine a water hose with its nozzle correctly configured for a tight, focused spray. Now imagine that the nozzle itself isn't seated properly on the end of the hose, resulting in water leakage and ultimately lower pressure."
James took a look at the readout himself just to make sure. "I have to agree with Drew, that's exactly what it looks like to me as well. The frequencies aren't quite focused enough, resulting in some serious harmonic distortion."
Ron turned and gave Wade a smug look. "Harmonic distortion? Well, Mr. Super Genius, maybe I wasn't that far off then when I asked you what key the universe is in."
James saw Ron's look and responded with a condescending one of his own. "But you're forgetting that sound waves can't travel through the vacuum of space, Ronald."
Ron winced. "Ooh, yeah. Another one of Mr. Barkin's science quiz questions I missed."
Wade then recalled a recent lecture Dr. Chen had given at the Middleton Planetarium. "That may technically be true, but a few years ago the Chandra X-ray Observatory discovered ripples within the hot gas that fills the Perseus galaxy cluster, over 250 million light years away from Earth. Those ripples appear to be sound waves emanating from a supermassive black hole at the center of the cluster, and would register as a B-flat if we could only hear them. But it's really, really low. In point of fact, it's a B-flat note about 57 octaves below a piano's middle C, and the deepest note ever detected. It's almost like a cosmic fog horn warning us about the dangers of getting too close to it."
Ron marveled, "Wow. Who knew black holes could sing?"
Kim's jaw dropped as everything suddenly fell together in her mind. "Ron, I think you actually might be on to something."
Her husband, still a bit slow on the uptake despite his amazing powers, responded with a perplexed, "Huh? Really?"
Kim activated the ship's computer. "Sadie, please check the frequency of the Kimpossibility Drive, and compare to the black holes that the Kepler created both in our universe as well as the alternate dimension we just came from. Are they all the same, especially regarding their subatomic frequencies?"
Relays began clicking as Sadie made the requested calculations. "Negative, Kim. The Kimpossibility Drive and each black hole created in this universe have a frequency corresponding to B-flat. However, the black holes created in the alternate universe all are exactly one whole step higher."
Ron's eyes widened at the revelation. "You mean the alternate universe is in the key of C?"
"That's correct, Ron."
"Oh, man! That means any band competitions that we might hold there are going to be in big trouble. It's hard enough to get them to play in tune in the first place, and now we find out they'll need to be tuned up into a totally different key? Just how sick and wrong is that?"
Kim had to giggle at Ron's wild leap of imagination. "Uh, good point, Ron."
But her smile immediately faded as she recalled the fate of the alternate Earth. "But since that Earth was destroyed, I don't think we're going to have to worry too much about interdimensional competitions of any kind."
She turned to her father. "So getting back to our current problem, the biggest difference between the two universes seem to be their atomic frequencies. Otherwise, they're extremely similar, right?"
"Yes, that seems to be the size of it."
"Okay then, if our own universe's frequency doesn't work, how about changing the PDVI back to all its original frequencies?"
James, Wade and Drakken instantly looked like they'd like to throttle Kim within an inch of her life.
"Kimmie-cub, do you have any idea of what you're asking? It's taken us all an incredible amount of time and effort just to reconfigure the device as it is!"
Kim thought for a moment, then suggested, "Well, how about changing just the dimensional nodes back to their original frequencies? If Drakken's analogy holds true, then the really critical parts of the vortex inducer might work just the way we need them to."
The trio of scientists huddled together, conferring over Kim's idea. After a mutual nod of agreement, James turned back to his daughter.
"Kim, we're all in agreement that your theory is sound, and we could actually have that completed within just a few hours. But this will be our absolutely last chance. If it doesn't work, there won't be any time left to try anything else."
While Kim grimly considered her father's pronouncement, Drakken announced, "I don't mean to be a wet blanket, but there's another potential problem."
As everyone gave a huge groan, Drakken cautiously added, "Well, maybe not a problem actually, but perhaps maybe a consideration?"
Kim quickly answered, "Well then, spill, Dr. Drakken. We're all ears."
Drakken began to lecture, "First off, we're in unexplored territory here. We suspect that the Kinematic Continuum Disruptor actually sends anything caught in its energy field to another location in our universe, but not necessarily one in our own time frame. I've studied the report on Kimberly Ann's experience with the original device, which managed to transport that vicious dinosaur that DNAmy and I created into some weird fold of the space-time continuum. So in essence, it may be a kind of time portal. But we've also seen how the combination of all these devices has sent the Kepler on several wild rides through space, time and dimension."
Like Kim, Shego's patience for Drew's geek speak was rapidly dwindling. "Okay, now you're sounding just like the intro to a Twilight Zone episode. Can you please get to the point?"
"My point is, after our adjustments are finally complete, the portal we open up might send that asteroid headlong into the alternate dimension we just escaped from. Since these devices have clearly demonstrated the ability to transport objects between space, time and universes, we have to carefully consider exactly when and where Nemesis will end up. And with the enormous power of the Kimpossibility Drive, that could potentially be anywhere or anytime."
Kim surmised, "But you're pretty sure we'd be sending it somewhere into the other universe, right?"
"Based on all the evidence we've seen, that's extremely likely."
Kim pondered this for several moments before continuing, as a vision of Zorpox's evil grin popped unbidden into her mind.
"Well then, I've got a spankin' idea about exactly where I'd like to send it. While you and my father reconfigure the dimensional nodes, Wade and I are going to work on some ferocious calculations with Sadie's help."
Wade queried, "What do you have in mind, Kim?"
A dark look came over her face. "If Warmonga will pardon my idiom, we may be able to kill two birds with one stone."
Drakken cautioned, "That's wonderful, Kimberly Ann, but we'll all have to hurry. We only have a few hours left before Nemesis makes any of our plans a moot point. And a deadly one at that."
As James and Drakken began the final reconfiguration, Kim, Wade and Sadie started work on their own calculations.
Kim began, "All right, Sadie. Based on your readings taken in the alternate dimension, what are the chances that the physical location of any given star or planet is going to be the same in both universes?"
"Approximately 92.4796 percent."
"How about locating a particular planet, Lorwardia to be exact?"
"With careful analysis of my star records, combined with your comet-granted ability to instantly determine the distance between stars and planets, that possibility increases to 98.9254 percent."
"So if I can determine Lorwardia's location in our universe at a given moment, its spatial coordinates should match that of the alternate universe's Lorwardia fairly closely."
"Correct."
"Now for the million-dollar question, Sadie. Taking into consideration our recent dimensional travels, can we open a portal to a particular location there, specifically, right over the Lorwardian homeworld?"
After a few more seconds of computation, she had the answer. "Affirmative."
A chill went up Shego's spine. "Whoa, Kim, you're not going to..."
"Yes, Shego. If Ron can play Asteroids, I can play a round of interdimensional billiards, with Nemesis as the cue ball and Zorpox as the target. And if we can open a time portal as well as a dimensional one, I may be able to take him out before he has a chance to fire those asteroids at the alternate Earth."
Shego cautiously replied, "Uh, Cupcake? Aren't you forgetting something? Like the entire population of Lorwardia? I know that they're all definitely evil, but you sound like you're about to do exactly what you tried to prevent me from doing last year. I had wanted to permanently make sure they'd never bother us or anyone else ever again, but you convinced me that utterly destroying Lorwardia wasn't the answer."
Shego gritted her teeth together. "And as much as I hate to say it, you were absolutely right. And now Lorwardia and Earth are allies, at least in our dimension. Can't we find some way to do that again in this alternate universe, or aren't you the girl who can do anything?"
She added with a smirk, "Genocide is just not your style, Princess."
Kim was cut to the quick by Shego's remarks. She instantly flashed back to her final exam, and its last question concerning the Nuremberg trials and its four charges. Clearly Zorpox had broken every one of them: conspiracy to commit a crime against peace, planning and waging a war of aggression, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. But would she now become judge, jury and executioner of both this alternate Lorwardia and its insanely evil leader? And if she did, how would history judge her decision?
"Shego, this really is so the drama. I have to admit I'd be setting quite a precedent by taking out an entire planet just to get one guy, even if we are talking about Lorwardia."
As Kim wavered, Shego flashed her a grim look as she pressed her point home. "That's right. And up to now I thought you were much too goody-two-shoes to destroy an entire planet along with virtually all its inhabitants. Getting a little bloodthirsty in your old age, aren't you?"
Now angered by Shego's insult, Kim returned her cousin's stern look with a grim one of her own. "On the other hand, Zorpox chose to wipe out the alternate Earth and everyone on it, and all of Lorwardia went right along with him. Now a ferocious power vacuum exists, and he's no doubt planning the conquest of the entire galaxy with the full might of Lorwardia's star fleet to back him up. And with no Earth left, there's virtually no one left to stop them. Somehow, we've got to prevent that. Besides, Ron and I promised we'd help his counterpart if we could. It's not a decision I take lightly, but if it works, the other Earth will be saved, and hundreds of star systems will be freed from Lorwardian tyranny."
Her face softened as she considered the personal ramifications. "But I don't want to go down in history as a planet killer either, no matter how justified I think we are in taking that action. Unless someone has a better idea? If you do, let's hear it, because Nemesis will be hitting Earth in three hours. Which means our time's quickly running out."
Kim scanned everyone's faces, looking at each one in turn. But when she saw Yori, she stopped, the ninja's normally calm features now furrowed in deep thought. Kim didn't need any mind-reading skills to discern what must now be going through the young Japanese woman's mind.
Kim continued softly, "Yori, I know that my people were once at war with yours, and that we used a terrifying weapon to try and end it. But many innocent civilians died because of that, and there are those who argue the wisdom of those two nuclear attacks to this day. And I'm sure that the parallels between then and now haven't escaped your notice."
Yori took a deep breath to center herself before responding. "There is indeed truth and wisdom in what you say, Kim-chan. But there is another truth to consider. Sixty years ago, our civilian population would have been forced, willingly or not, into defending our homeland in a futile effort to repel an invasion against a people whom our military leaders had foolishly attacked in the first place."
Her face hardened. "And they did so without honor. The argument is sound that countless more lives would have perished on both sides before it was all over, but no matter how valiantly we fought, the sad truth is that the fate of our nation had already been decided long before. We would have undoubtedly fought with honor, but only to defend our dishonorable military leaders, if not our very lives. Ultimately that would have caused even more suffering, putting our culture in jeopardy if not our very existence, and all for naught."
She gave Kim a haunting look. "Kim-chan, there is no honor in futility."
The cabin was silent as they each pondered her words. But Yamanouchi's headmistress was not yet finished with her diatribe.
"But there are different circumstances at play here. Until a year ago, Lorwardia's society was geared completely toward total war and galactic domination. All are warriors from youth to adult, and no difference is made between male and female in this regard. And correct me if I am wrong, Shego-chan, but the word 'civilian' does not exist in the Lorwardian language."
Shego reluctantly agreed. "She's right, Kim. On Lorwardia, there's no such thing as an innocent bystander. Everything in their society was geared for total war. Up until last year, that is."
She turned to Yori with a grin. "I'm impressed. You know your languages pretty well for just a ninja-girl."
Yori ignored Shego's veiled dig as she pressed on. "Kim-chan, what you have been able to accomplish in our own universe regarding Lorwardia has been no less than miraculous. But can you perform a similar miracle in this alternate universe? Through the treachery of Zorpox, the entire Earth has perished because of them. And they are not a nearly defeated enemy tottering on the brink of capitulation, but an immensely strong, arrogant and implacable foe. If we have any way at all to stop them, we must use it."
A fire fiercely smoldered behind her now hooded eyes. "And there is a further consideration. Because of Zorpox, the spirits of two reluctant warriors remain trapped there in limbo between reality and eternity. The spirits of my dimensional counterpart, and that of..."
Her face softened as she gently spoke his name. "Ron-san..."
She took in a ragged breath. "They must be freed from the benign prison of their existence. And the evil one responsible must be stopped before he can launch his intergalactic war of conquest. Innocent lives in numbers beyond our comprehension now depend on your next action."
Ron softly added, "Or your lack of one, KP. I did promise my doppelgangeroonie that we'd do whatever we could, but..."
He took a deep breath, knowing what he would say next might not be taken very well. "Kim, think for a minute. Between that energy bolt that hit you in the head when the Kimpossibility Drive malfunctioned, followed by that mental manifestation of Zorpox messing with your mind big time, you built up a galaxy-full of wrongsick rage and anger. And now, this alternate Zorpox has actually killed your counterpart and destroyed the alternate Earth."
He paused, lowering his voice to barely a whisper. "Kim, don't you think you might be allowing your anger to get the best of you? I can sure understand why, but I have to agree with Shego. Genocide really isn't your style, KP."
Kim could feel the rage building up in her again, as her recent memories of paranoia and angst roiled briefly to the surface. She shot back, "But you're no different, Ron! You killed Warhok and nearly killed Warmonga right before our graduation, so you're certainly not one to talk."
Ron angrily replied, "That was different, and you know it, Kim! That was personal combat, in order to save your life. If I hadn't acted right then, you would now be adorning Warmonga's wall as a stuffed trophy. And besides, you know I didn't purposely try to kill them."
Ron calmed down as he gently continued, "But right now you're talking about destroying millions of lives, even if they are Lorwardian. And heroes usually don't go around casually leveling planets. Can't we find another way?"
Kim's mouth dropped open as the sudden realization of what she was actually contemplating hit her full force, and a small tear began to trickle down her face. "Ron, I'm... I'm sorry. You're right. I think I might be letting my feelings of anger toward Zorpox cloud my judgment, and more than just a little. But on the other hand, technically this isn't really a payback sitch, especially if we can save the other Earth, right?"
Yori agreed, "Yes, Kim-chan. Ultimately this act would not be one of retribution nor revenge, but of justice, and the prevention of galactic enslavement by a madman. Or mad monkey, if you prefer."
A slight grin appeared on her face. "No offense intended, Ron-san."
He smiled back, "None taken, Yori-girl. And I for one would be more than happy to throw a mystical monkey wrench into his plans. But I sense some strong feelings in you too. Especially your, uh..."
He paused, not wanting to say your feelings for me. Instead, he continued with, "Could your concern over the fate of your own counterpart, along with her feelings for the other Ron, be getting in the way too? Revenge is only justice on steroids, Yori, and I understand very well the deep sense of honor that really motivates you."
Yori's face was a mask of control as she considered Ron's words. After a moment, she relaxed and gently declared, "You are truly the Mystical Monkey Master, Stoppable-sama. Your insight is profound and your wisdom advanced well beyond your years."
Ron gave her an uncertain look. "That wasn't really an answer, was it?"
Yori merely graced him with a look of complete innocence.
Ron's face widened in a slight grin. "I get the feeling you're not going to give me a straight answer, are you?"
With a slight bow of her head, she answered, "That is correct, Stoppable-sama."
Kim stifled a giggle, then announced, "All right then, we've all made some really good points, both pro and con. I think we can all agree that Zorpox must be stopped, no matter what the cost. But the really big question remains, is there any way we can take him and the Lorwardian war machine out without wiping out the entire Lorwardian population right along with them?"
Ron surmised, "Well, how about if we took the Kepler back to the alternate Lorwardia and tried to defeat Zorpox just like we did last year? He certainly wouldn't be expecting Yoronfus, not to mention all of Team Possible magically returning from the dead."
Wade immediately gave a negative shake of his head. "That would be incredibly risky, at least at the moment. There's still a lot we don't understand about how the sabotaged Kimpossibility Drive transported you into that alternate universe in the first place, let alone got you back home in one piece. If something went wrong, you could be trapped there forever."
Shego now had her own flashback to their recent dimensional travels. "Ugh. I gotta say that doesn't sound very appealing to me either. And come to think of it, even if we did manage to take out Zorpox, you've still got a fully armed Lorwardia just itching for galactic conquest, and with no Earth or anyone else to stop them."
Kim continued Shego's thought. "And who's to say whoever replaces Zorpox won't just embark on a galactic campaign of his own? War is their way of life, it's in their blood. And as powerful as our team is, we can't singlehandedly go on a full-fledged war against virtually the whole planet. And even if we did win somehow, we can't stay there permanently like some kind of interdimensional police force. We've got our own universe to worry about."
Ron suggested, "Well, how about just taking out that Martian base with Nemesis right before Zorpox would have fired those wrongsick asteroids?"
Wade frowned. "You're forgetting that Mars is a lot smaller than Earth, Ron. We might knock the planet right out of orbit and still endanger the Earth. And besides, that only kicks the can down the road. It still doesn't permanently solve the Lorwardian military problem."
His face brightened as an idea formed in his mind. "But since we have the ability now to travel through time, how about if we simply waited until we could build a fleet of starships equipped with trans-dimensional transport capability, then totally overwhelm the other dimension's Lorwardia?"
Ron quickly disagreed. "Unfortunately I know Zorpox well enough to realize that not only would he come up with that idea first, but he'd also stop at nothing in building a wrongsick space armada of his own and start invading any dimensions within reach, once he knew about them. And with the total resources of Lorwardia at his beck and call, he'd easily beat us to the punch."
A chill went up the Monkey Master's spine as a terrible thought entered his mind. "And if he were somehow able to recapture my counterpart's spirit, he would gain personal knowledge of our universe, and no doubt his first target would be..."
He swallowed hard. "Us."
Kim shivered at the thought. "So not only is justice the sitch, but ultimately we need to launch a preemptive strike for the protection of our own universe. But that all depends on sending Nemesis back in time to before the Earth was destroyed."
Sadie sadly announced, "Sorry, Kim. While you've been discussing the moral ramifications of your various options, I've been computing the technical difficulties. At this moment it's only possible to send Nemesis through the portal within the present time frame that now exists between our universes. We cannot as yet send it simultaneously to a period several months ago in order to prevent the alternate Earth's destruction."
Kim frowned. "Well, that nixes a critical aspect my plan. In other words, we're too late to save the other Earth by smashing Nemesis into a past Lorwardia?"
Sadie replied, "Correct."
"But if we travelled back to the other dimension first, we could potentially travel back in time once we were there and take out Zorpox ourselves, right?"
Sadie again replied, "Also correct."
Wade cautioned, "But wouldn't Zorpox be expecting an attack like you're planning? He's awfully intelligent, and we've already learned the hard way about the dangers of underestimating him."
"Yes, but we're also assuming that he's neither aware our own existence nor our abilities, at least not yet."
Shego added, "And I somehow get the feeling that our mysterious alien benefactor would like us to keep it that way."
Kim recalled Shego's cryptic note. "You mean our enigmatic angel of mercy, Phred?"
"Exactly. And I also have a sneaking suspicion that he and his kind wouldn't appreciate any interdimensional armadas, no matter what the source."
Rufus flashed an enigmatic smile of his own before vigorously giving a positive shake of his tiny head. "Uh-huh! Uh-huh!"
Walking back in from the engine room, James quickly agreed. "Yes, just like what happened in the Season Four cliffhanger of Space Passage."
Drakken grimaced. "Uh, James? Try Season Five."
James cocked an eyebrow. "Are you sure? I'm almost positive that it was Season Four."
The weary scientist slowly shook his head back and forth. "Sadly, I'm absolutely sure. That was one of the last TV episodes I got trapped in by the very device we're now trying to fix."
Kim tried to get the discussion back on track. "Let's stay focused everybody, please and thank you? So here's the new plan. We send Nemesis through the portal and place it in orbit around Lorwardia as our ace in the hole, in case we need it as a last resort. Then we repair the Kepler and make sure that it's 100% operational for another dimensional jump, followed by a time jump to a point before Zorpox launches his attack on Earth. Finally, Team Possible will attempt to beat Zorpox just like we did last year in our own dimension, after which Ron's spirit double can return to his own body."
Yori pleasantly added, "And if the time jump is early enough, this will save the life of my own double as well. It is good plan, Kim-chan."
Kim nodded. "And with Zorpox gone, the Earth is saved, Lorwardia continues to exist, and hopefully history there may develop just as it did in our universe. Our promise to the other Ron and Yori is kept, and hopefully no one gets flattened in the process. Especially one of us."
She took a deep breath. "But this totally depends on completely repairing the Kepler, and on every member of our expanded Team Possible travelling back to the other dimension in order to take on Zorpox. Is everyone agreed on that?"
Kim looked right at Shego, who responded with a dry laugh. "Not that I'm anxious to go back to that god-forsaken dimension, but since I was the one who claimed to be bored, it serves me right I guess. So count me in."
Kim carefully looked around the cabin as each one agreed, including her father who added, "And if WarRaptor can sabotage the Kepler, we can fix it. Right, gentlemen?"
Wade and Drakken both replied in the affirmative.
Kim smiled. "Then it's settled. As soon as we're ready, we proceed with Operation Shoot for the Moon, with Operation Cue Ball held in reserve as backup Plan B."
Everyone looked relieved, especially Shego. "Nice plan, Cupcake. I wouldn't want you going over to the dark side when all you need to do is take out one bad guy at just the right time."
"Thanks Shego. I'm more than a little relieved myself. I wasn't really looking forward to becoming the Lorwardian Goddess of Death, as much as they deserve it for destroying the alternate Earth. But it doesn't make our job any easier. And it still doesn't solve the problem of the interstellar power vacuum that now exists there. But one problem at a time, please and thank you."
Ron heaved a small sigh. "It's a real good call, KP. But I have to admit, I sure would have loved to have seen the look on Zorpox's face when Nemesis suddenly appeared in the skies over Lorwardia."
Shego snarked, "Well, since he's your alter-ego, just make a face like you have in the past when faced with something really scary, like a room full of monkeys or a wall crawling with hundreds of bugs."
He experimented in the mirror with a few looks of unbridled terror, then nodded in approval. "Yeah, something like that..."
Two hours later, Kim and Wade were finishing up their complex spatial calculations just as James and Drakken completed their recalibration of the Pan Dimensional Vortex Inducer. Shego had occupied herself by filing her claws, while Ron had decided to while away the time by playing the latest permutation of Zombie Mayhem on his eyePad.
Rufus humorously thought to himself, "Well, I guess each of us has their own way of relaxing when the stress is on…"
But for her own part, Yori appeared to be in a calm, meditative state, her focus on something much more personal. At the same moment, a young man on Earth was gazing up at the sky, the bright point of light that was Nemesis shining brightly in the pre-dawn sky. But his thoughts were likewise on something more personal. Or more accurately, on someone.
He breathed out a single name.
"Yori..."
He was surprised when he immediately received a response.
"I am here, Hiro-san."
His breath caught in his throat as he smiled. "Then you are well, Yori-chan? And all of your companions?"
"Yes, my Hiro. All are well, and we have but one devil asteroid left to dispatch before we may declare the Earth safe from harm."
"But what of your terrible vision? Will it yet come to pass?"
Yori's mind responded with curious uncertainty. "I... I do not believe so. However, it may have already."
Hirotaka raised one questioning eyebrow. "But how can that be? I am still here, and the Earth still exists, does it not?"
Yori smiled gently at his confusion. "I will try to explain, my Hiro-san. My vision may have been of another universe in which my terrifying vision was sadly fulfilled. But that very universe may have given us the key to our own salvation. Either way, it shall all be over shortly. But I have faith that the outcome will be pleasing to us all. I shall see you soon, my Hiro..."
As her betrothed faded from her mind, she smiled inwardly, thankful that she had been able to shield her own very intimate and personal memories of Hirotaka from Kim and Shego.
She purred to herself, "Let them believe what they wish about my feelings for Ron-san. I am deeply blessed for the bond of honor I continue share with him, but I am supremely content with what I now share with Hirotaka..."
Kim smiled as Wade finished programming the coordinates of the alternate Lorwardia and Nemesis' new orbit around it into the vortex inducer's targeting reticule. As he did so, Kim mumbled something to herself.
"Nemesis. I'm sure that WarRaptor didn't choose that name by accident."
Ron picked up on her comment. "Oh, I'm sure of that, KP. Speaking of the devil, do you think he or any of his cronies survived the crash after their battlecruiser plowed right into Mars?"
"Well, if they did, it could have only been a last minute escape via an escape pod. Which means once we're done here, we've got a little villain retrieval to do, unless we want to let Warmonga have that honor, which is only fair since she's the ultimate authority as their Empress. And even though we probably should have some say in their punishment since they were the renegades who attacked us, their punishment for treason will be far greater than anything we could come up with, if I know Warmonga at all."
Ron shuddered at the thought. "Yeah, I think that empty space on her trophy wall will be filled with some new additions real soon."
"I wouldn't doubt it. Well, let's see how our mad scientists are doing with their reconfig."
Ron gave her a curious look. "Mad? Maybe a little angry and more than just a little stressed, but I wouldn't say mad, KP."
With a gentle roll of her eyes, she replied, "You know what I mean, Ron."
As they strode into the engine room, Kim queried, "So how goes it, Dad?"
"Coming right along Kim. We're nearly done with the adjustments, and just about ready for our next test."
Drakken however was still fumbling with his index cards, which now seemed incomplete. "Hmm. Attach the green wire or the red wire? And what do I do with this black one?"
Rufus angrily chattered something unintelligible and jumped through the access panel. A bright light from his tiny arc welder flashed from within. A few seconds later, his head popped back out. "Okay! Hit it!"
James hit the firing button, and a brilliant green ray once again shot out of the Kinematic Continuum Disruptor. One hundred feet in front of the Kepler, a perfectly round portal appeared, blazingly bright against the darkness of space around it. Everyone held their breath as they expectantly awaited James' announcement of success or failure.
After nearly a minute, he cheerfully reported, "The portal seems perfectly stable. All systems continue to read normal. Looks like we've done it, Drew!"
Everyone immediately cheered, but James quickly reminded them, "Now comes the acid test. Sadie, please reset controls for full power, and configure the aperture for 110 miles. That should be more than enough to swallow Earth's Nemesis."
Wade added, "And Kim's coordinates for Lorwardia have also been fed into the targeting system. The asteroid will be placed in a tight geocentric orbit around their planet. We're all set to go."
Shego announced, "And not a moment too soon. Look."
Earth had appeared in the distance, and they were now rushing toward it at incredible speed.
"Sadie, time to Earth impact?"
The computer calmly responded, "Fifty-eight minutes and counting, Kim."
Her eyes narrowed in determination. "Then this is it, people. The last asteroid, and our last opportunity to take it out. No second chances."
Kim breathed a silent prayer as Yori intoned, "Then gokouun o inorimasu to Earth, and to us all."
Ron mumbled, "I definitely second that bon-diggity motion, Yori-Girl."
Kim ordered, "All right, Shego. Bring us about, 100 miles directly in front of Nemesis."
Shego complied, deftly swinging the Kepler around until the ship was facing the huge asteroid.
Kim gave her father a hopeful look. "All right, Dad. We're ready. Hit the switch."
James once again hit the firing button. But with the full power of the Kimpossibility Drive now at his command, the beam that shot out of the disruptor was blindingly white. A green-tinged portal instantly formed, and everyone looked on in awe as it quickly expanded to its full circumference.
"All right, Kimmie-cub. Transdimensional portal now at 110 miles. All systems seem..."
But James halted as a strange whine suddenly began to emanate from the Kimpossibility Drive.
Ron whimpered, "Uh, what's that sound, KP?"
Kim quickly asked, "Sadie, status, please and thank you?"
The computer calmly responded, "All systems are now approaching overload. A cascade event is now in progress."
Shego slammed her fist down. "Damn it, not again! Just like what happened right before we got sucked into that alternate universe the first time! But how?"
Wade guessed, "I don't know, maybe some kind of fail-safe program left over from WarRaptor's original sabotage?"
Kim yelled, "Well, shut it off!"
Sadie warned, "No longer possible. The Kimpossibility Drive has gone critical. I estimate two minutes before implosion."
Kim griped, "Remind me to have Dad install an Emergency Off Switch in the next Kepler. Okay, Sadie, set the disruptor on automatic. And everyone into the escape pod, quick!"
Sadie instantly warned, "Kim, all automatic controls went off line at the same time as the cascade event began. The disruptor must now be targeted manually. Additionally, the implosion will undoubtedly take the Kepler and anything else within a hundred miles of it directly through the portal."
Kim fearfully asked, "But is it still possible to place Nemesis in orbit around Lorwardia?"
The computer did some quick calculations before replying, "Not possible unless done manually, and only once the Kepler has passed through the portal. Assuming of course that the Kepler even survives the transit."
"But if it does..." Kim paled with fright. "Then Zorpox might gain control of the Kepler. And with his ability to repair and enhance any device that falls into his greedy little hands..."
She swallowed hard. "I'm sorry everyone. Even after all of our careful planning, I still may have to completely take out that planet. There's no way we can risk letting the Kepler fall into Zorpox's hands. That would so mean the end."
Ron shakily added, "Yeah, KP. And of everything, everywhere. And in any dimension he could get his megalomaniac hands on."
Thinking quickly, she ordered, "Okay, everybody, I'll stay behind to guide Nemesis to its target while the rest of you get to safety."
Ron warned, "But Kim! You'll be trapped in the other universe!"
"No, I'll eject right before the asteroid gets sucked through the portal. No big."
He smirked back, "Without a spacesuit? That's a big big, Kim. You wouldn't last fifteen seconds in the hard vacuum of space! So I'm staying. My Mystical Monkey Power can protect us both."
"But Ron..."
But her husband was adamant. "No time to argue, Kim. I'm not leaving you. If we both get sucked into that gorchy alternate universe again, then so be it. But I'm staying, and that's final. Come what may, I've got your back, just like I've always promised."
Smiling, Kim reached out to caress the face of her husband and protector. "Thanks, Ron. I can't tell you how much it means to me to hear you say that."
By now everyone else had scrambled into the escape pod, James offering his farewell.
"Then good luck, you two. And please bring my Kimmie-cub back in one piece, Ronald?" He added in mock warning, "And remember, there are still a lot of other black holes out there waiting for you if you don't."
The young blond shot him a quick salute. "Yes sir, I promise."
As James slammed the hatch shut, Shego launched the pod, quickly setting a course taking them as far away from the Kepler as fast as possible.
Drakken queried, "Uh, Shego? Won't we get sucked into the vortex as well? Its aperture is set at over one hundred miles, you know. And once the Kepler goes..."
She tersely shot back, "Trying to fly here, Drew. Let's all hope I can get us out of range quickly enough. And I hope the Ronster's mystical force field will be strong enough to protect them both too."
Yori answered with assurance, "Yes, Ron-san's considerable powers should be more than enough to protect him and Kim-chan."
"Yeah, but will they avoid getting sucked into the next dimension? That's what really worries me."
Wade replied cautiously, "Well, I guess we'll be finding that out in just a few more seconds."
A light on the panel indicated an incoming message. The image of Kim appeared on the screen, now at the controls of the Kepler, Ron steadfastly at her side.
"Shego? It's Kim. Sadie calculates that the Kepler itself will implode rather than blow apart, just like it did before. Which is real good news, for you at least."
Shego replied, "Thanks, Kim. Let's just hope it takes Nemesis right along with it, no matter where that asteroid ends up."
Kim struggled to keep the targeting reticule zeroed in on the massive asteroid. "You said it, Shego. I'm just sorry Lorwardia couldn't be spared. If there had been any other way..."
Shego let out a resigned sigh. "That's all right, Cupcake. Even the girl who can do anything can't win 'em all, I guess."
Her pride instantly pricked by Shego's snarky remark, a desperate thought popped into Kim's mind.
"Wait, Shego. I've think may have an idea. It's a long shot, but if it works, Lorwardia as a planet may yet be spared. But it'll stretch my own powers to the max, right along with Ron's. And my aim has to be perfect, or else either their Lorwardia or our Earth will end up suffering the same fate as the alternate Earth did."
Shego felt another chill go up her spine. "Kim, I take it back. It's too big a risk. Don't..."
But Kim cut her short as she glanced down at the chronometer. "Sorry Shego, I've got to concentrate. Contact with Nemesis in thirty seconds. Kepler out."
Shego stared back at the now blank screen and groused, "Just flippin' great. Now what have I done..."
The shimmering surface of the portal slowly began to clear, revealing the image of a huge, dusty red planet within.
Kim turned to her ever faithful husband. "Ron, can you tell if Zorpox is down there somewhere?"
"I don't know, KP, but I'll try. It's just that the interference caused by the Kinematic Continuum Disruptor is… Wait! I sense him… and he's in Lorwardia Prime!"
Sadie added, "And I'm picking up hundreds of powerful energy signatures in and around Lorwardia Prime as well. It could be a space fleet preparing for takeoff."
Kim's eyes went wide with pleasant surprise. "Well then, it looks like our timing may be perfect, Ron. But first I'm going to need to tap into your spankin' manual dexterity."
"You mean like with my computer gaming skills? Sure! Coming right up."
As he fused his mind with hers, Kim closed her eyes, reaching out through the dazzling portal with her own unique distance calculation power, her hands now delicately balanced on the controls of the Kepler.
"This is going to be close, Ron. As soon as Nemesis begins to enter the portal, you know what to do."
"Roger that, KP..."
As everyone on the escape pod looked on in breathless anticipation, Wade continued to monitor his instruments. "Whoa! This is incredible! All readings are totally off the scale!"
The portal had now cleared to perfect transparency, and the Lorwardian homeworld was now visible even to those on the escape pod, now just beyond the danger zone of one hundred miles.
Wade gushed, "That looks like Lorwardia to me. Kim's coordinates were right on the mark!"
James cautiously asked, "Yes, but is that our Lorwardia, or Zorpox's?"
Drakken assured them, "It's definitely the alternate Lorwardia. Our own Lorwardia now has a green belt extending down from the poles, thanks to my terraforming efforts. This planet is pure red."
As the final seconds ticked down, the Kepler and the portal began to glow ever brighter, their luminosity increasing until they were too painful to look at. Now swirling in a dazzling display of prismatic colors, chromatic discharges of lightning began to shoot out from the portal, enveloping both the asteroid and the spacecraft and swiftly drawing them into its gaping maw. Then in the blink of an eye, both Nemesis and the Kepler disappeared, the portal rapidly closing in on itself until it too vanished, leaving nothing behind but the silent emptiness of space.
For a moment, everyone held their breath, hardly daring to believe what they had just witnessed.
James quietly asked, "Did they make it? Or are they gone... again?"
Rufus let out a tiny plaintive moan, as everyone continued to look on in stunned silence, caught between desperate hope and the despair of possibly having lost Kim and Ron once again.
Suddenly, a tiny blue speck appeared. Shego quickly pointed at it and gasped, "No, look!"
The blue speck slowly increased in size as it approached, visible now as a glowing sphere of mystical energy. Within the sphere, the smiling forms of Kim and Ron could now be clearly seen.
"It's them! They made it!"
A huge cheer erupted from the escape pod's occupants. And within her mind, Yori felt Ron's warm, familiar presence, followed by his soothing voice.
"We're both okay, Yori. We made it out in the nick of time, pardon my pun. I blew the Kepler's escape hatch, and explosive decompression took care of the rest."
Yori breathed a deep sigh of blessed relief. "That is excellent news, Ron-san. But what of Lorwardia?"
"Well, since we had to eject before seeing the result, that's the bon-diggity million dollar question..."
At that very moment in the alternate universe, Emperor Zorpox was delivering a speech being broadcast to the entire planet of Lorwardia, accompanied by the dramatic chords of Bach's Tocatta and Fugue in D Minor.
"Greetings, my industrious minions! The time we have waited for so long has finally arrived. Your exalted Emperor is, hmm, pleased at the progress you have all made in quickly expanding our powerful battle fleet over the past two months. Preparations are now complete, and we are now ready to launch our... our latest war of glorious conquest! And with the recent destruction of the Earth, the last obstacle to our subjugation of the entire galaxy has finally been removed. Our powerful space armada is now ready for launch on its final magnificent campaign of ultimate triumph! All hail Lorwardia! Ah booyah-ha-ha-hah!"
With a smart salute, the entire population rose to their feet as one and declared in mighty unison, "All hail Zorpox!"
Zorpox turned and arrogantly strode up the ramp of his command ship, the Terminator, followed closely by his ostentatious honor guard and now accompanied by the blaring of a mighty military band. Rubbing his hands together in evil glee, he spoke to his second in command.
"Prepare our fleet for immediate launch, WarFalcon! Nothing can possibly stop us now!"
Hundreds of mighty warships began to rise from the Lorwardian Warport, their powerful engines kicking up huge clouds of red dust. They slowly began to pick up speed as they climbed through the thin atmosphere. Within minutes they would be in orbit, and then into interstellar space.
But a hush abruptly fell over the crowd as everyone suddenly looked up. Without warning, the skies suddenly darkened as a huge shadow began to eclipse the planet's capital city. Directly above them, a massive asteroid had materialized seemingly out of nowhere, quickly blotting out the entire sun as it made its terrifying plunge through Lorwardia's upper atmosphere.
Zorpox looked up and gasped, realizing in his last moments of life that somewhere, someone had actually outsmarted him.
"Oh, snap. Now who could have possibly sent..."
But before he could finish his arrogant question, Nemesis impacted the Terminator at incredible speed, instantly obliterating his ship, along with the entire Lorwardian battlefleet just moments later. The deadly shockwave resulting from the arrival of Nemesis along with the terrific explosion of so many warcraft leveled Lorwardia Prime in an instant. Zorpox, along with his fearsome weapons of war, were no more.
Just as quickly as Nemesis had appeared, the huge planetoid swung back out of Lorwardia's atmosphere, but not before tremendous friction and gravitational forces tore Nemesis apart into literally tens of thousands of fragments, forming a new ring system around the planet. Although the remaining inhabitants had now just barely escaped the same dire fate as they had inflicted on Earth two months before, their suffering had only begun. Dust and rocky material would continue to choke Lorwardia's already dirty atmosphere for years to come, and mere existence would become problematic.
For the same supersonic airblast that had leveled their capital city had also permanently damaged their planetary power system. All remaining energy resources would be needed by the Lorwardian planetary defense system in shooting down the countless asteroids that would now frequently bombard the planet, leaving precious little to spare in rebuilding Lorwardia's infrastructure, let alone any kind of battle fleet. The beautiful but deadly ring around the planet would forever after exist as a stark reminder of how they had made war against the galaxy, and how that same galaxy had somehow delivered its own fearsome retribution. Over time the survivors would reconsider their warlike ways, knowing that somehow, the universe was still watching them from above with an invisible, baleful eye.
The once proud planet of Lorwardia had finally been brought to its knees, perhaps forever.
As soon as Zorpox's demise was discovered, the conquered worlds immediately rose up in rebellion against their cruel masters. Without the mighty Lorwardian space fleet to intimidate them or deliver desperately needed supplies to the occupying forces, the oppressed worlds relentlessly fought back, eventually regaining their freedom. With the yoke of Lorwardian tyranny finally shattered, the alternate universe would slowly begin to rebuild, grateful for their miraculous deliverance. But much to the chagrin of the remaining Lorwardians, Zorpox the Conqueror would forever after be known as Zorpox the Conquered.
And above it all, a small being hovered, cheerfully glowing red in the darkness of space. He looked down in satisfaction and smiled as he thought to himself, "Balance has once again been restored to the multiverse, and the ones called Kim and Ron have once again saved their world."
He chuckled to himself. "And probably their entire universe, and that of this alternate dimension as well." He ended with a small sigh. "I only hope that the Hierarchy will find Kim's solution acceptable..."
Now back on board the escape pod along with Ron, Kim gratefully announced, "Congratulations, everyone. We've finally done it! The last of the asteroids have been finally been dealt with, and we've saved the world, once again."
Cheers and hollers again broke out on the cramped life pod, while Ron erupted in a huge 'Booyah,' only to be smothered with a grateful kiss from Kim while everyone else looked happily on.
But Shego immediately voiced the big question on everyone's mind. "So, Princess. What was your last minute plan, and did it work?"
Kim slowly began, "Well, I hope so. I tried to aim Nemesis at a point twenty miles above Lorwardia Prime, but without actually hitting the planet. The resulting shock wave will easily level the city and take out Zorpox, but the asteroid itself will hopefully skip back out into space, leaving the rest of the planet intact."
Yori joyfully declared, "Then I bid you both my deepest felicitations on having completed your difficult task. Now that the Earth is finally safe, let us now hope that Kim-chan's aim was true, and that our counterparts in the other dimension may now enter their eternal rest."
Ron warned, "Well, we don't know that absolutely for sure, Yori. Both of us had to eject before we could confirm just how close Nemesis got to the planet. But if Kim was anywhere close with her aim, Zorpox is now just so much toast. And for the ultimate icing on top of our Seven Layers of Heaven cake, the Lorwardian star fleet appeared to be preparing for takeoff at exactly the same time."
Kim grinned, "So that's three birds with one stone, literally. Both Zorpox and the Lorwardian battle fleet have probably been neutralized, and Nemesis can no longer threaten the Earth."
Ron gushed, "Booyah! So that's Earth: Five, Asteroids: Zero! And let's hope that's the last time we ever have to do that again, KP. I'd hate to think of something even more catastrophic happening to our little corner of the galaxy."
Shego snarked back, "Hey, Ronster! Let's not jinx the flippin' planet after we just saved it, okay?"
James merely laughed and said, "Great job, Kimmie-cub. Your reputation as the girl who can do anything remains undeniably safe and secure."
Drakken even joined in the congratulations. "Yes, Kimberly Ann. You are truly indeed, all that."
Rufus chimed in with his own cheerful "Uh huh!" for good measure.
Kim sadly replied, "Yes, but at what cost? If my aim was only a little off, I may have still destroyed their entire planet along with all its inhabitants. On the other hand, if Nemesis missed and the Kepler survived, Zorpox may even now be planning his own time jump of doom."
James retorted with a wide grin, "But there is one undeniable fact that refutes your hypothesis, Kimmie-cub."
A hopeful look appeared on Kim's face. "And what's that?"
Her father's smile widened. "We're all still here! Think for a moment. If Zorpox had survived and then found the Kepler, he would have eventually figured out how to repair it and would have jumped back to our universe and then back in time, in order to mete out his revenge on all of us. And if that were the case, we wouldn't even be having this conversation."
He continued with a smug look. "Just like the Season Seven series finale of Space Passage."
This time Wade shook his head back and forth. "Uh, sorry Dr. Possible, but that was the series finale of Captain Constellation."
James gave Wade a pained look. "Oh, uh, yes, I do believe you're right. But rockets are still go! So congratulations, Kimmie-cub!""
Kim replied with a small shrug, "Well, it wasn't just me, this whole sitch was one spankin' group effort. Let's not forget who fixed the Pan Dimensional Vortex Inducer and Kinematic Continuum Disruptor with only minutes to spare..."
Yori graced Ron with a warm smile. "Or who used his mystical command of the Lotus Blade to create a powerful singularity..."
Ron quickly added, "Or who combined themselves into Yokimgo, dragging a huge asteroid behind them through the inner Solar System at faster than the speed of light."
Kim concluded, "Yup, we made one ferocious team, didn't we?"
Not to be outdone, Shego snarked back, "Yeah, yeah, wonderful. But I'm warning you, Kimmie: if you ever suck me into another alternate dimension again, I'll place a well-aimed plasma blast where the sun doesn't shine, you read me?"
Kim replied with touch of playful sarcasm. "Of course, Ambassador WarShego. But wouldn't that instigate yet another interstellar incident between our worlds?"
The green-skinned beauty responded with a slight huff. "Yeah, you're right. One interplanetary war per year is my personal limit."
Wade interjected, "Well, if you two are done with your snarking, aren't we all forgetting something? With the Kepler gone, how are we all going to get home?"
Ron grimaced, "Ooh, that's one big problemo all right. Uh, what time did you say the next interplanetary bus arrives?"
But as they all began mumbling together in concern, the videoscreen once again crackled into life.
"Tsk, tsk. You pitiful humans are certainly caught between a Thorgoggle and the deep red desert, aren't you? Luckily the Imperial Shuttle has plenty of room for the whole lot of you."
Ron beamed, "Warmonga! Boy, are we happy to see you! We sure could use a lift back to Earth, if you wouldn't mind?"
"Warmonga would be quite pleased to assist. Then together with WarShego and the Great Blue, we will travel back to Lorwardia, but not before taking a small detour to Mars in order to capture WarRaptor and whichever of his treasonous minions survived that crash. And I have just the spot on my palace wall to display some brand new trophies..."
Meanwhile, on the surface of Mars, another discovery was being made by the survivors of the battlecruiser crash of just a week before.
Battlefox growled, "Well, WarRaptor, I've been monitoring Earth communication frequencies, and our plans have utterly failed. Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable have just succeeded in saving the Earth. Again! And when Warmonga arrives here, she will undoubtedly have our heads on a platter, then stuffed and mounted on her wall as a warning to any future traitors!"
Wolfenstrike bitterly complained, "That is, if we even survive long enough to be rescued. This escape pod only has limited air and provisions, and they're nearly exhausted. That hidden base probably had enough supplies to last us for years, but after our ship crashed into it, I'm sure there's nothing salvageable left."
WarRaptor hung his head in defeat. In spite of his intricate plans to deal with any conceivable contingency, plus many a Plan B, C or D, all of his machinations had finally come to naught.
"Just like what happened to my father, WarOwl. I should have just left well enough alone, especially when it came to locking horns with Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable, not to mention WarShego…"
He lifted his head and announced, "Well, in the meantime, I may as well search those ruins for anything left that might be even remotely useful to us. I'll signal you if I discover anything, and shall return as soon as possible."
As he opened the hatch to the airlock, Battlefox grumbled, "Don't hurry back."
WarRaptor nearly changed his mind, wondering if the other two would even let him back into the escape pod once he returned. He let out a disconsolate sigh, figuring it probably wouldn't matter very much either way. They were all probably doomed in any case.
The frozen carbon dioxide ice crunched beneath WarRaptor's boots. It had been a dark, cold night, and the temperature had fallen to more than a hundred degrees below zero. The pale, distant sun had just risen, and soon clouds of carbon dioxide vapor began to appear, heated by the relatively warm sun. Rolling gently across the icy plains of Mars, they hid an ancient, deadly secret.
Sensing WarRaptor's warmth even through his protective spacesuit, emaciated Martian hands began bursting out from just beneath the ground, attempting to ensnare the surprised Lorwardian.
In a panic, he began to lope across the barren landscape. But the eerie claws continued to erupt from beneath the frozen surface, hungrily grabbing onto WarRaptor's boots and slowing his progress. He furiously tried to kick them away, but their implacable grip soon had him firmly stuck in place.
Suddenly, eerily glowing eyes appeared in the distance. The early morning mist had managed to successfully conceal the advance of an army of long dead Martian zombies, slowly marching over the icy Martian plain, seeking out any warm, living flesh to consume.
Terrified, WarRaptor watched helplessly as the fog continued to rise, rising to waist level just as the first zombies reached him. Eagerly seeking their first meal in a millennium, they tore at his spacesuit and dragged him beneath the roiling clouds of carbon dioxide vapor.
Through the comm unit, Battlefox only heard a few seconds worth of his horrific screams before all contact was lost.
Ironically, one of the Mars Rovers had spotted the bizarre event, capturing the entire ghastly scene from its perfect vantage point on a nearby hill. Once the recordings had been transmitted back to NASA and declassified a year later, Ron Stoppable would turn to a horrified Bonnie Rockwaller and declare with a smug look, "Told ya so…"
To Be Concluded...