Chapter 27
Alone in the room, she shared with Shego, Curled up on their bed, Kim broke down and cried for some unknown amount of time. Reaching out with her mind to make a connection to no avail. Sometime in the early hours exhausted, she slept dreamlessly. Awaking with an unusually clear mind. Kim immediately showered and dressed. Sitting at the computer desk in their adjoining office, Kim pulled up the scanned copies of everything Drakken had left them. There was a letter, where was it? After several moments of searching, she found what she was looking for.
Dear Shego
I hope this finds you well. I was surprised to get your call, and I am glad you have finally found your way back. I've been worried about you since you disappeared. I have done what you ask and tuned my machine so that you will help Ms. Possible return to health. There may be a few side effects, but they shouldn't last more than a few months.
Shego here are the deeds to all my layers and properties I won't be needing them anymore, what they're worth should bring us about even for back pay and loan payment
The Ex Dr. Drakken
Ps, sorry about any side effects they should be only temporary.
Kim knew something was missing, there was more to this. She grabbed her Watch/Kimunicator, "wade you awake."
Moments later, "hay Kim what's the sitch." It was apparent that he was still in bed, and just as evident that he was not alone there.
Hiding the smile, "I'm calling a meeting for later this morning. I'm sending a file I need enhanced before then" Kim could see him working his way out of bed. Kim nodded towards the bed, "finish what you started first. The meeting is at ten," the young genius blushed deeply.
Once the file was sent, she strode confidently out of her room, surprised to see two agents she knew standing guard at her door, both snapped to attention. "Angie, Beth, what are you doing here."
"Our orders are simple, 'One, Kim possible is not to be concerned unless there is need for evacuation. Two, Assist said person in any way possible.' Is there anything you need?"
Kim smiled, "I need runners, you up to it?" The two agents smiled, "then follow me" reentering the office Kim sat at the computer and composed a message, personalized it for each recipient then hit print. Taking each copy and signing it in light blue ink, then folding it in thirds. She pried the KP of her old Kimunicator and, with a candle for wax, used it to seal each missive. Handing each girl a stack, "get these delivered and offer to wait for a response. I need this all done as much before ten AM as possible." Both agents nodded, "Dismissed." Both girls bolted from the room, glad to have something to do.
Betty watched as both of the agents she had assigned to Kim Sprinted down the hall. The older woman paused for a moment before knocking on the office door. "Enter," the response was calm and collected, which surprised her. Still, she opened the door slowly, seeing Kim working at her computer. Kim looked up, "ah Dr. Director, just the person I wanted to talk to" Kim smiled, but the emotion did not reach her eyes, which were cold and hard as emeralds. "Please have a seat" Kim waited while the former director of GJ sat, "I have several things I would like to discuss with you and a short time to do it."
The older woman quirked a half-smile. "Ok Kimberly what can I do for you" the relief at finding Kim in a functional state making her almost giddy
"We need to plug a few security holes, get organized, and set a chain of command." The door closed, cutting off the rest of the conversation.
xXxXx
08:32 hours command suit corridor
After two hours behind closed doors, the two women emerged from the office, "Betty, the quicker we can get this started, the better, but I still want you at the meeting in ninety minutes."
The older woman looked back. "Don't worry, I wouldn't miss this for the world, see ya in ninety." Seeing her two assistants again among the small crowd that had gathered. Kim crooked her finger at them, summoning them to her "ok, Beth more deliveries, these just drop and go, Got it?" the girl nodded and took off on her assignment. Kim then turned to Angie, "For the time bring at least you get to play personal assistant see these people prioritize them. Oh, and Angie," The girl turned. "Thanks," Angie's smile was dazzling, and Kim was glad she could make someone's day better even if her's was crumbling around her. "Wade, you're first."
Back inside the suit, Kim sat behind her desk while the now nearly six-foot super genius came in and relaxed on the couch "uh KP, what's up."
Kim just smiled. It made her look like a jungle cat on the hunt, and he was glad he wasn't the prey "what did you find out?" this focused Kim made mission mode look like a play date.
Pulling out an enhanced printout and laying it in front of Kim, "there is another postscript line almost completely scrubbed out." Kim took the paper looked at it closely
P.P.s. Shego I am truly sorry about what I have done. You are the closest thing I have ever had or probably ever will to a daughter, and I never wanted to hurt you, but they have my mother. I know you and Kim will be able to fix this, somehow
Setting the paper down and contemplating this new information for a moment. "Thanks Wade this helped a lot" the redhead smiled at him, this person who went out of her way to befriend an introverted loser, it was her faith in him that gave him the courage to actually join the world and live. But in that smile there was a slight crack and he could see the loss and pain hiding their and it broke his heart. Not knowing what else to do, he got up to leave. Kim stopped him, "There is a Meeting at ten. I would like to see you there." The young man just nodded and left the room.
There was a commotion outside Kim's office "you can't go in there. It's not your turn!" the voice was Angie's, and she sounded distressed and a little scared. Kim got up to see what was going on. The door opened just as she rounded the desk and filling the door frame was Hego behind him a distressed Angie. "I'm sorry, Ms. Possible. I tried to stop him" Kim just nodded to her assistant.
"Its ok, Angie the sooner I deal with this, the better we will all be" Kim turned to return to her desk sitting in the corner "come in and close the door behind you" the big man approached the desk obviously upset."
Taking a menacing pose meant to intimidate the smaller girl, "I demand to know what's going on."
Kim just looked at him incredulously "you arrogant bastard what gives you the right to demand anything. This is my home; you are a guest here and not a very welcome one."
The big man bristled, "I'm a hero.."
Kim laughed derisively "At best you're a big fish in a little pond. You protect one city, and only because you're rich, powerful daddy pays the bills and covers up your mistakes." The big man sputtered, but Kim cut him off and continued. "Case in point the brutal beating of a young woman just because she did not meet your standards of virtue." Kim paused for a moment before continuing, "aggravated assault and attempted murder. You should be serving twenty years, but your daddy covered the whole thing up. Your no hero, you're a self-centered bigot, and now your mistake has come back to haunt us." Kim was so angry now that her eyes glowed light blue from the power "the experimental treatments your dad paid for to keep her alive gave her the power to change who she looks like. She infiltrated the base, and last night took your sister, likely in revenge for your actions."
Hego sniffed in disbelief, "You make it sound like this is all my fault."
Kim growled, "how is this not your fault" then hauled off and hit him with a plasma charged fist so hard he flew back through the doors, tearing them off their hinges. He flipped head over tea kettle until he smashed into the wall at the end of the corridor.
Taking a deep breath, Kim calmly turned to her assistant, pointing at the doors "could you find someone to fix that?" after a few moments, both women started laughing. Hego slunk away while no one was looking.
xXxXxX
10:00 hours Central conference Room
Attendees
Team Possible, Ron and Yori Stoppable, Wade, Monique
Global Justice, Dr. Betty Director and Will Du
Team Go, Mego and the Wegos (Hego is conspicuously absent)
Science Community, Dr. Ann Possible, Dr. James Possible, Dr. Renton, and Dr. Vivian Porter
Angie Dikkins, Stenographer
Angie sat back from her notes, looking at the assembled group in awe, wondering how she a very junior agent had managed to swing attendance at this meeting.
Moments later, Kim walked through the door, and the low murmur of conversation stopped instantly. Those assembled looked up expectantly. Kim surveyed the room, noting that most of the invited were in attendance. "As many of you know, just associating with me these days, puts you in danger. If any of you wish to leave now, I won't hold it against you." she waited for several moments and was satisfied when no one even moved a muscle to leave. "Ok, let's get started." Kim took a quick breath then plunged in. "As most of you know, we now find ourselves in an ever-escalating situation. We now have reason to believe that this plan has been in place and in motion for over a year now."
Dr. Porter raised her hand. "How have we come up with this timeline?"
Kim looked at the doctor "we have two pieces of evidence that point that way. First, the booby trap that nearly caught Shego and I up north. We sent a team out to investigate the area. The analysis on the tripwire shows it had been there for some months. Second, the motion to dissolve Global Justice was first filed in august of last year, citing too much information consolidated in one place as dangerous." Looking at the assembled group, "we can assume that this plan started some time before that." Every one nodded. "There is much to do and little time. First, we need a chain of command."
Dr. Director stands, "I nominate Kimberly Ann Possible as commander and chief." The young read head looks at her in disbelief
"I Second the motion" She whirled in shock, finding the massive form of Hego in the door. "Motion made and seconded all in favor, say aye" the cry was unanimous. The massive man leaned down and whispered into her ear "sorry about earlier you were right I am no hero, but I am willing to try to do better" he then took his seat with his brothers.
After taking a moment to reorder her thoughts, Kim continued. "Ok, then my first act as leader is to form a council to help. This body will do to start. We will adjust as necessary as we go. The council must have an odd number of members." Kim paused for a moment to count. "That means the current council includes all members of this meeting, including you Angie." The young agent looked stunned to be included with this group of influential people "Decisions will be made by majority vote, and a supermajority of two-thirds is required to override Whoever holds the office of commander's decisions. Those ordered are effective immediately," She looks around at the assembled notables. "It's your job to keep me centered. No one needs the kind of power you offered me, and I don't want it. We are a team, not a dictatorship." She received a standing ovation.
Still Blushing from the attention Kim continued, "Ok assignments, Dr. Director, you have experience running an organization this size you're in charge of administration, let's get this set up right." The one-eyed woman nodded. "Wade, you're in charge of RnD, and IT get the people together you need I have some requests" wade nodded and waited for the rest "we need a secure and fast way to communicate with our people. We also need a way for the council to gather at a moment's notice."
The young man was drawing on some paper "were going to need our own satellite net," looking over at Dr. James Possible, who looked up from his own papers and just nodded. "We'll get on this as soon as we break."
Nodding in satisfaction at the noticeable lift in moral Kim turned to team go "ok I need you two" pointing at the two older boys "to report to medical for a scan. The Wegos have already done this, and it may give is better information in tracking your sister." Kim took a deep breath, "one last thing. I believe that we have been going about this in the wrong order. We have been looking for the head to cut it off. Unfortunately, the head is so far in the clouds that we can't find it. Let's try taking its feet out from under this monster. We have reason to believe that at least some of their people there are working under duress, and others may be bribed to contribute. Let's find out why these people are working for the other side and remove the incentive. And let's find something to call this group" stopping to look around "anyone have anything to add" they all shook their heads "ok, dismissed."
XxXxXx
Kim sat alone in her apartment lights out trying to sleep without a great deal of success, the empty bed still smelled of Shego. It had been three days since she was taken. Three days of lying to everyone that she was fine. She wasn't fine. She was falling apart inside. Her wife (well fiancé but she planned on fixing that as soon as possible) and her daughter were missing and in the hands of her unknown enemy. Eme was right; they had made a mistake. They made it personal. It was their first mistake it would not be there last
The door chime rang, Kim got up and threw on a robe. She wasn't sleeping anyway. Wade was at the door, obviously excited and a little nervous. "Come in," she turned and walked back in.
"Kim," His Deepening voice was Cautious. "How are you, really."
Kim just looked up at the ceiling. "I've been better, but if I don't hold it together, then we will never find them" Kim's voice was starting to crack as she turned away to hide her tears. The big man walked up behind her and engulfed the redhead in a huge hug. Her slim body tightened then relaxed and turned in his arms to face the big man, snuggled her face into his broad chest and cried, she cried for hours, she cried until her tears ran dry. She excused herself and went to the bathroom to clean up.
Kin returns to see Wade sitting on the couch. She just shook her head at the once introvert. "When did you get so good at dealing with people?"
He looked up and just grinned "it seems I was found by a friend that was able to bring meaning to the life of a boy too scared to leave his room and give him a reason to live instead of just exist" he pats the couch beside him "you helped expand my mind to see what I could possibly do not just what could possibly happen to me."
She leans over and snuggles into the big shoulder "I know you didn't come to my room after midnight just for this, but I do thank you."
Laying his arm over her shoulder, "we are all worried about you and Shego and will do whatever we can for both of you," the big man chuckled "Even Ron has excepted her as one of the good guys." Kim laughed while still brittle sounding, there was some humor in the sound "now to business" he pulled to objects that look like watches. "The Kimunicator two point two production Model, and the Kimunicator three point zero command model," handing her the items.
"Ok, I'm intrigued what's the difference?"
Holding what looks like a basic Smarty Mart shock-resistant watch, "the production model for the rank and file agent is an upgrade of what you are currently using. Better range and clarity, better data streaming, and more sensitive and versatile scanners built-in. Waterproof to a thousand meters and a built-in panic transmitter. We have already started to manufacture and will be ready for full distribution in two days." He then turns to what looks like a Club banana dress watch.
Kim smiles, "Oh, I like this one," putting it on and admiring, "what does this do?"
The young genus laughed "It has all of the features of the production model plus the virtual conference room. he reached over and pressed a button, and suddenly Kim found herself in a room with a table in the middle moments later Wade joined her.
"Wade what is this place" Kim looked around with awe
"This is the virtual conference room, a secure meeting place where the council can meet at a moment's notice, and it keeps copies of all meetings for future review."
"This is perfect as usual, Thank you." Just shaking her head at her friend, "I almost hate to ask, is there anything else?"
"Your dad informed me that the first six geosynchronous comsats will launch at six am and be in place by the end of the day. There will still be some holes in coverage, but that will make us mostly independent." He stops and gathers his thoughts "I have two pieces of info that are not tech-related. One Drakken's mom is in a retirement community recently acquired by Hench Co securities," Kim nodded. "Two, we have found an ad for Kiligan's Island and golf resort complete with oddity zoo." The big man showed the flyer to Kim
After Thumbing through it She looks up "DnAmy would never let her Pets willingly be caged like that" after several moments of thought "I am going to need layout info on both of these placed on my desk first thing in the morning" Wade stared at her blankly "Wade you're as tired as I am we both need sleep so we can do what we need to. Go, Sleep, Curl up with your girl, Morning will come early and then its mission time.
