Annnnd we're back. Welcome to Book 2 of 'The Hunter'. Now just to give you all fair warning there WILL be a body count in this one on both sides of the ball. I have 17 chapters written and I expect this one to go 45 to 55 chapters. They will be shorter in length though. So no more 20,000 word chapters.
I want to thank CB73 for all his work over the years and…..
Oh, to heck with it, tighten your seat belts, remember to take your meds. I don't want anyone croaking because you didn't.
Some of my readers have been bugging me and all I have to say is let's get the show on the road.
ST-103
The Hunter: Book Two
Chapter One
JAL flight 2162 over the Pacific Ocean:
"Sir, are you well?", a concerned female voice inquired as she touched the shivering teen's shoulder.
"Huh,", a groggy reply came from the blond teen, "uh, yeah. Just had a bad dream I guess. I wasn't doing anything stupid, was I?"
"No, but your fellow passengers were concerned since you started to thrash in your sleep.", the flight attendant told the young man.
"Yeah,", he chuckled nervously, "must have been real tired. Uh, how far are we out of Denver, Miss?"
"Six hours yet. Would you like something to drink?"
"Ah, no thank you. I've been running low on sleep. I'll try not to bother anyone. If I do, I'll go sit somewhere else where I won't trouble anybody."
X
Six Days before:
(Get back.), the ninja master ordered as he dashed to his protégée, then knelt down as he placed his hands over the gaping wound, trying to aid what looked to be a fatal injury to the American teen, (Get the medical staff here…right away.)
With wide eyes, Sensei's assistant sheathed his razor-sharp weapon and with a slight bow, raced from the dojo as Ron Stoppable's blood pooled around him on the polished bamboo floor.
X
(Sensei, we have him stabilized, but we almost lost him four times. He lost over half of his blood before we were able to completely stop the bleeding and begin the transfusions.), the head surgeon of the covert martial arts school informed the ageless one.
The tired old man bowed, (You have done well, but my friends and I must enhance his healing if he is to return to his home soon.)
(Master we have to keep his room sterile…)
(We will convene in Stoppable-san's room. Please have appropriate garments for twelve.)
(Yes Master…)
X
Ten hours later:
A dozen exhausted high-ranking members were almost nodding off as Sensei slipped into deeper meditation until he found the plane where the chi of a friend of his dwelt, along with one other.
When he gazed, he noticed with shock, that the two chis were not 'joined' as they were the last time he saw them months previously, and could see one was drifting further away. The one still in front of Sensei's vision could tell that something not the same. There was a part of it missing and was leaking 'something' blue and gold that was running down the outside of it and dribbled on what sensei assumed was the ground.
Mentally the old man shuddered as he thought about what could have caused this, 'Their bond has been broken, but how? Sigh. We must put Stoppable-san back together spiritually for him to be able to accomplish his task.'
Sensei, also known for years as Lord Toshimiru, ended his meditation and tiredly announced to the other masters, (The Chosen One and his Chosen are now separate and their chis will go on their own paths.)
(Sensei I know you have meant for them to be together, but this may be dangerous. Stoppable-san has learned to much, without someone to stabilize him he would be a danger to the world.)
(I agree there are dangerous possibilities my friend. For now, we must heal Stoppable-san and get our student to the point where he can function without assistance. This is what several of you wanted, now we must deal with the aftermath. I hope, in this, those of you who did, are happy, however I feel that future events will make our task much more difficult.)
Umestsu nodded, (Would it not be better just to terminate our friend. He could end up being a threat to the world. It would be easy to do and Stoppable-san would not even know that he was dead…)
(Not at this point my friend, there are tasks for Stoppable-san to accomplish before he goes on to the next plane, but I feel little good will come from this.)
X
Back to present:
The blond teen was curled up in a ball as he slept. There were several other Yamanouchi 'assets' on the plane that kept an eye on the blond American during his trip home, but they would not be able to stay now that Yamanouchi was stretched very thin. They knew after they deplaned in Denver that they may never see the blond American again, since he was essentially on his own for the foreseeable future.
Yori leaned her head on her fiancée's shoulder and drifted off, wishing see could see her niece again, but also knew this would not happen soon. She hoped to be able to see her again after the threat to Japan was neutralized.
XXX
Middleton, Colorado:
"Kimberly, would you allow Barbara and myself to impose on you this afternoon for a favor?", Dean Stoppable asked over the phone.
"Sure, Mister S, what can I do for you?", the red-haired heroine inquired, having recovered from the mission to Jones' island and the winter prom, and now wanted some more action. She had felt a little 'off' for nearly a week, but couldn't put her finger on why she felt that way, so she felt that keeping busy would help her get over this uneasiness.
"Later today we are going to pick Ronald up at the airport, could you babysit Hanna while we do that? With the weather turning like it is supposed to I am not very happy about taking her out in the car.", Dean asked, but didn't tell her that he, Rufus and Barb were going car shopping for their son slash master (in the rodent's case), so they would be leaving earlier that they would need to gather their son from the airport.
"I can do that unless you want me to pick him up, but I want you to know that I do have a date tonight with my boyfriend. What time do you plan on being home from getting Ron?", Kim asked knowing that weather was coming in, but her boyfriend was an excellent driver in bad weather.
"No later than seven. Even if the plane is late it should be in by six-thirty and that's about the time the storm is supposed to hit. We can't let Ronald walk from the airport in an ice storm and I think even taxis will try to stay in later today until the storm passes.", the actuary informed her, entirely unaware that his conversation with the teen was being monitored by a tap which had been installed in Kim's purse by someone watching the sidekick's home. Or that someone had ordered the cancellation of all of his insurances.
"I understand that Mister S, and I need to give Ron his comm device back. I guess Wade called a friend of his to that island mission that me and Monique got captured on. Somehow, he as was able to get us to a safe place and on a transport out of there. But my battle suit was taken from me in the process, though I have it back now.", Kim informed her boxing coach.
"I'm glad you are safe Kimberly. You know being sent on those kinds of missions…well it isn't very safe for teens to do that. They have specialized people who do that for a living. And usually there are a bunch of them who go in together.", Dean informed the red-haired teen giving his 'actuary's assessment' of the situation.
"Yes sir. Doctor Director and I have had that conversation and she informed me that the organization that tasked me that mission will be spoken with in the very near future, and to not take any more missions from them unless GJ approves them ahead of time."
Dean agreed, "That is safest Kimberly. We will see you around two, is that alright?"
"Two it is Mister S.", the heroine, now in babysitter mode, responded.
The heroine then punched in a number from memory. She was rewarded with, "Eric Thornbotttom's residence, may I help you? I am Otto."
"Yes Otto, may I speak with Eric? It's Kim."
XXX
"Well a fun day, don't you think nephew?", Otto inquired about an hour after the red headed cheerleader phoned.
"Yes Uncle, we are embarking on a brave new world it is time to see if our preparations are beginning to work out successfully.", as he held the chain of the pendant Kim Possible used to wear around her neck. Then he tossed it into the air and caught it, not understanding the significance of the object (nor caring) and what damage he had caused to the former Middleton Mad Dog when he exchanged the Ron's 'charm' for one with the villain's image on it just before the winter formal.
"You know with the weather coming we have decided that today would be a good one to 'turn up' the heat on the boy. We expected to do this when we get the opportunity and with the weather as it is, it will look more like an accident than anything else."
"Are you certain that they will have to go out?"
"Yes, someone will be back."
"And you have taken care of the insurance policies of our friends as well?", 'Eric' inquired.
"Yes, all the paperwork has been turned in and the policies are canceled. If nothing else they will be going through hell to set things back the way they were. And this alone, will take up their time and energy that will distract them and complicate their lives, and maybe even make them desperate by driving them into debt.", Otto informed his nephew.
"Then we need to do this soon to have the desired effect, Uncle. Like you said, it will make their lives hell to straighten it out."
"Yes Nephew, we must. Now…isn't Possible's former boyfriend returning today?", Otto responded to make sure.
"According to Kim Possible, he is. His parents are picking him up at the airport early this evening.", 'Eric' agreed, "That was what she called about earlier, Stoppable is due to return today. Kimberly called to give me notice that we might be a little late going out for our date…Lord, I despise that split tail."
"Well get the guys out there, have them follow their auto and wait for a chance to rig it.", Otto told his kin, "There is supposed to be an ice storm this afternoon. With any kind of luck no one will notice the alteration to their car."
Eric smiled at the suggestion from his uncle and called for three of his men to come see him.
XXX
The Stoppable home:
Dean let Kim in as she removed her coat, "Thank you Kimberly, for coming over and doing this for us. After the events of last fall, I think it would be inappropriate to have our Son walk from the airport considering the weather that is supposed to hit us."
Kim nodded, "Yeah, my feelings exactly. Ron didn't deserve that, you know Mister S, and maybe having a cell phone yourself might be a decent idea…You know, for emergencies." Kim waited knowing what Ron had told her about his Dad's reaction to certain devices like cable TV, answering machines, and of course, cell phones, but was a little surprised by the answer.
"I suppose one of these days I'll look into it, but they are so expensive. I understand why businesses use them and they can deduct those expenses off their taxes in doing so…but just so you can have immediate communications? I'd have to think about it more."
Kim half-smiled, "That's all I can ask. Now where is that cute baby?"
"Barbara is changing Hanna up in her room…It's ah…Ronald's old room if you want to go up there.", Dean stated if Kim didn't know.
"I know where it is Mister Stoppable…"
"Please call me Dean, Kimberly.", the patriarch of the local Stoppables asked.
Kim blushed, "Thanks, I'll go up and see Hanna, it's been a while."
Dean half-smiled, "Yes it has, Kimberly."
X
"Now Kimberly, enjoy anything in the refrigerator, or there are forty dollars on the kitchen table if you want delivery. Make sure that you get something…"
The red-haired heroine now doubling as a babysitter sighed, "I will Mrs. S. And I would like to talk to Ron for a few minutes before I head out on my date though."
"Is there anything I can help you with Kimberly?", Barb inquired.
"I uh, wanna ask Ron about something…"
"Maybe we can help you Kimberly.", Barbara offered.
"Well, it's sorta mission related.", Kim tried to be vague.
"In your words; spill.", Barb's eyes hardened.
"In that mission we went on, Moni and I were captured and I was injured. It appears that the school Ron went to in Japan was able to send in a couple of guys to rescue us. That's how I got this.", Kim pulled Ron's Kimmunicator out of her pocket and showed her, "According to Monique, one of the guys who got us free gave her Ron's unit so she could monitor me while I was out."
"Guys?"
"Yeah, according to Monique they were dressed like ninjas and they killed a few of the bad guys because they had guns and were ready to use them.", Kim informed her. Of course, Kim never revealed that information to GJ since they never asked her. (Remember, Kim was knocked out at the time and GJ had already released Jenkins…AN)
"Ninjas? Kimberly, I don't think there are any more ninjas. You friend might have been mistaken. Anyway, why would Ronald be hanging around with them?"
"I…I don't know.", Kim lied about guessing a few things about the school in Japan so she was not not giving Missus Stoppable any more information on the matter since the red-haired heroine was called back into GJ almost five days after she returned to question her about the 'body count'. She did remember what Ron had said when Yori kissed him on the cheek, however, and it raised more questions in her mind because it raised questions in her mind since Monique had been adamant on how the men were dressed.
XXX
Global Justice:
"Okay Agent Du, give me the follow up on Possible's mission to Jones' island.", Betty Director implored her 'Top' Agent to begin.
"Thirty-seven and one.", Du told her.
"Thirty-seven and one what?", the one-eyed director asked, having only heard the accusations from the Interpol contact concerned about the violence unleashed on the now, very dead cat burglar and his companions.
"That was the body count, thirty-seven men and one canine.", Du explained, "That's the number that Interpol counted. Since Possible was out of it I'd have to say Stoppable was involved, although we can't really prove it at this point."
"Miss Possible never told us…"
"Ma'am, Kimberly was knocked out at the time, she wouldn't have known about this intervention. We don't use hearsay as evidence for mission reports.", Du pointed out not having heard about Interpol's accusations.
"But we know that Stoppable was on the mission. Correct?"
"No word Ma'am, except that school he was attending did say that some of their assets did make the rescue of Miss Possible and Miss Jenkins.", Du informed his boss. "However, they have not said yes or no, that he was onsite."
"Do we have any way of independently confirming he was there, Will?"
"No Ma'am. Why do you inquire?"
"Interpol has been hounding me for the last week on the matter. They want who was ever there except for Possible and Jenkins to be brought in on murder charges.", Betty revealed.
"But Ma'am, they're the ones who went around us to get Possible to take on that mission. What kind of games are they playing here?"
"Will, it seems they are playing both sides at the moment. I told them unless they had definitive proof of one of our people committing a crime they should just shut their yaps and investigate the matter and as far I am concerned it is case closed. Someone wanted to get even with Jones for some reason, crooks turn on crooks you know. Infighting among their ranks."
"Yes Ma'am, I agree criminals will turn on each other for various reasons, but this was like a military operation.", Du replied.
"We will just pay attention, Will.", Betty told him, "Now on another note, Interpol admitted that not all the gems they suspected Jones had stolen were on the island. There are some significant ones missing, although some of the ones on the list were found in a safe."
"Ma'am, that's …was his MO. But did he have another place to hide them?" Du thought for a moment then continued, "If he didn't there might be another player out there."
"I think there is someone else who might have them. Now we have to wonder what those who have them will do with them.", Betty finished Will's thoughts for him.
XXX
"And what are the safety features on this model?", Dean asked as Rufus scurried through the interior of the all-wheel drive small hatchback.
"Good eye, sir. Well this one, as you have stated sir, is rated one of the top small crossovers…"
Barb was confused by the term, "Crossovers?"
"Yes Ma'am, they are designed for limited rough road driving and are very good on ice and snow while maintaining handling and economy that you would expect from a small car like this.", the salesman explained, "And they are durable enough to be used as road rally race cars once they have had cages and all the other safety equipment installed in them. It's a durable vehicle Ma'am, and they are very safe in inclement weather like we are having today."
Dean said, "Good, we like safety. How much?"
"Do you have a trade-in?", the salesman queried.
"Uh no, but we want to check other models…We want to find the correct one. We are narrowing down the options for our son so that he can make the final decision."
Barb nodded and glanced out the showroom windows, "It's starting to come down, Dean."
The actuary glanced at his watch, "We need to be going to the airport soon…Our son's plane is coming in."
"Let me make a run at the numbers and then you will have something to compare. Then when you have time, we can take a model you are interested in out for a test drive so that you can compare competing brands.", the salesman suggested.
Dean glanced outside and could see the ice coming down harder, "That would be nice, but if it takes too long we could return instead…"
"It will only take a few minutes. I just need the package that you want. Please come over to my desk for a few minutes…"
XX
"Come on hurry up Manfred.", Micky Robertson urged as he kept lookout, "Someone will see us if we take too long. We don't want to screw up this part of the operation."
"Almost done, I just have to put one more charge on to make sure steering and brakes go out.", Manfred Ernst responded as he reached inside the passenger side front wheel well of Dean Stoppable's car.
"There, done. I just need to activate the devices, then all we have to do is wait until we have the opportunity.", Ernst told Micky as the German former special forces soldier climbed out from under the vehicle.
'Eric's' two henchmen then stayed low and made their way to their car. (AN…most of the salesmen from the car dealership had already gone home with the impending storm on the way, so that is why no one came out to assist the two.)
XX
Barb Stoppable glanced at her watch and tapped her husband on the arm, "Ronald's flight gets in in forty minutes, we should get there a little early."
The salesman nodded and handed his work over to Dean, then offered his hand, "Quite right, but this gives you something to compare, sir."
Dean shook the offered hand, "Thanks for doing all this extra work…we will get back with you when we decide."
"Not at all, we are a bit slow today because of the weather. As a matter of fact, we are closing early so all of us can get home and warm up our snow blowers for this little weather event tonight.", the large flat-topped salesman laughed, "It's going to give me a chance to go out and play with my four-wheel drive."
Dean groaned then half-smiled, "I hope you have fun, we just have to pick up our son and then we will go home and stay in until the weather calms back down. I'm not a fan of driving in this stuff."
Barb and Dean then exited the car dealership and walked to their sedan and got in. Dean made sure he stomped his boots to get rid of the ice he had picked up coming out to his car. Rufus hopped out of Dean's pocket and into a blanket that had been turned into a warm nest for him in the back seat. "Well, what did you think of that car, Rufus?", Barb inquired, "Do you think Ron will like one?"
"Hnk, good. Safe.", the pick mole rat squeaked then added, "Heat."
Barb Stoppable laughed, "I told you to wear your coat Rufus."
"Hnk, still cold."
Dean chuckled as he started the car, "You'll be a lot happier when Ron gets in and fixes you some of your favorite meals, Rufus." The older Stoppable then glanced up to make sure nothing was behind and added, "You should buckle in too, Rufus."
"Pffffth!"
"Leave him be dear, he'll mind Ronald when we get him at the airport.", Barb suggested to her husband.
"I suppose honey, but you know how I am about risks and things.", Dean replied as he turned right and almost lost traction then muttered under his breath, "Damn, I hate driving in this."
Barb patted her husband on the knee, "I know Dear, but we promised to get Ronald from the airport and we have to travel across town to do that, just drive a little slower and you'll do just fine."
XX
"There, make sure you don't follow them too close.", Ernst advised as he turned the windshield defroster up to 'High'.
"I know what the range of the transmitter is.", Micky replied.
"That is under optimal conditions. We need to be closer to make sure.", Ernst cautioned, "Hans wants this to go off without a hitch."
"Do they have the baby with them?", Micky inquired.
Ernst frowned, not enjoying this distasteful part of the operation, "I didn't see her with them. Anyway, orders are orders. We have to do this, it's part of Hans' plan and if we don't then our next job may not be as profitable."
"I understand that,", Micky stated, "I just don't like doing terrorism against children."
The German nodded, "I wouldn't care for it if my brother's children were targeted, but they aren't. So, it shouldn't matter…"
"Ernst, what would you do if someone found out about our operation and did target them?", Micky asked as he stayed within two hundred yards and then began to speed up to get closer.
Both of Hans' men had driven all around the tri-city over the previous four months and had a pretty good layout of the roads. Ernst checked the Garmin© and informed Micky, "Up ahead there is a left-hand bend in the road. Get within fifty yards."
XXX
Onboard the flight:
Ron drank the hot tea a cabin attendant brought to him as he tried to ignore the itching on his chest. He thought, 'Sensei didn't give me many options and I have to see this through. But his only advice was to stay close to Hanna because she could be a surrogate Kim. Well anyway, I can still be friends with KP so it's not all a loss…I just hope Eric lets us talk once in a while without interfering. But there's not much he can say when we're on missions.'
The former Middleton Mad Dog looked down at his watch and began to reset it so that he could be on the right time when he landed. One of the cabin attendants was walking down the aisle collecting trash from travelers in preparation for landing. "Miss,", Ron asked, "do you know what time it is in Colorado and what the weather is like?"
"Mister…uh Stoppable, the current time there is Five Forty-five and the weather is snow and ice. We will be the last flight in tonight. They are closing the runway down after we land.", she informed the blond teen as Ron put his cup and snack wrappers in the blue plastic bag she was holding.
XXX
Middleton:
"Now!", Micky called out as his partner in crime pushed one button on his controller, then waited and pushed the second one.
"Slow down Dean.", Barb cautioned her husband as they came to the bend in the road where accidents had occurred before.
The patriarch of the Middleton branch of the Stoppable clan stepped on his brakes as he made to navigate the turn. Their car slowed a little. But, not happy with being slow enough, Dean stepped on the brake pedal a second time…This time the pedal went to the floor. "Oh NO!", Dean exclaimed as he was now in the apex of the curve when he turned the wheel to the left and felt…Nothing.
The sedan crashed through the roadside barricade and kept going over the steep cliff. "Hold on.", Dean Stoppable yelled in fear as the front wheel hit the guard rail causing the car to bounce in the air and begin to twist.
"Hnk!"
XXXXX
Well whata way to start.
Kim Possible, Ron Stoppable, Rufus, Hanna and all the rest of the canon characters belong to the Disney Corporation and not myself nor CajunBear73. Heck, we don't even make enough claude to buy a cup of joe let alone anything to numb us to what we are going to do here.
We'll see ya down the road,
ST-103