Chapter I
Ron's Big Day
"Booyah, Rufus, our own private jet, how can you beat that!"
Rufus squeaked his approval from Ron's pocket before going back to sleep. Ron leaned back in the comfortable leather chair, looking at the ceiling of the plane as they soared 41,000 feet over the countryside. Ron closed his eyes, and was asleep in seconds.
It seemed like only minutes later he was awakened by a thud as the landing gear hit the pavement at Andrew's Air Force Base outside Washington D.C.. The pilot taxied the jet off the runway and parked away from most of the buildings, shutting off the engines and then opening the door. A tall, slender man in a black suit boarded.
"Mr. Stoppable? Could you come with me please?" the man asked.
"Uh, who are you," Ron stammered as he got to his feet.
"Jack Brigsby, special assistant to Deputy Director Melbourne. But that's not important right now. We need to get to HQ right away," he replied, motioning Ron out the door. "That car, there," he said, pointing to a black sedan parked near the plane.
Ron obeyed, and walked over to the car, getting inside when he was told to do so.
"So, Mr. Bugsby-"
"Brigsby."
"Yeah, sorry," Ron apologized, "What is it I'm here for again?"
"Mr. Melbourne will talk to you about that," Brigsby replied, turning the ignition and shifting into drive.
"Is he from Australia or something?"
"Mr. Melbourne has heard enough jokes about his name; I suggest you keep your wit to yourself."
"What wit?"
******
The impressive marble floor was well polished and bore several seals representing the various offices in the building. After a quick trip through a security checkpoint, Mr. Brigsby led Ron through a network of corridors, finally opening a solid black door and motioning Ron inside. An inquisitive Rufus peaked out from Ron's pocket, moaning nervously as Ron stepped inside the dark, ominous office.
"Mr. Stoppable, it's good to finally meet you in person," a warm voice said. An old man leaned forward in his chair, extending a wrinkled hand which Ron shook. "I'm Rich Melbourne."
"The pleasures mine, sir," Ron replied in the most proper and formal voice he could muster. Rufus peaked out of his hiding place again, startling Melbourne, who jumped backward and inhaled sharply.
"What is that?" Melbourne demanded.
"This is Rufus," Ron replied, pulling the pink rodent from his pocket. "He's a naked mole rat."
"What is it doing here?"
"He, not it," Ron corrected, "Is a member of my family."
"Can you put him in his cage so we can get on with this?"
"He's my partner, too. He needs to hear whatever you have to say."
"Uh-huh," Rufus chirped, enthusiastically nodding his head up and down.
Melbourne rolled his eyes. "Alright, but I can't guarantee he'll be going with you on this mission."
Rufus stuck out his tongue.
"So, Mr., uh, Melbourne.... What do ya need?" Ron asked, plopping himself down in one of the two chairs that faced Melbourne's desk.
"Well, have you ever heard of Parmea?"
"Is that a type of cheese?" Ron inquired, sparking Rufus's interest.
"No, it's a country."
"Well, that's interesting too."
"Yes, it is. Parmea was a British Colony that got it's independence in 1925, and has been ruled ever since by the Kilmen dynasty, a power hungry family that has ruthlessly oppressed the people and crushed any opposition to their rule."
"I'm not much for history, man, so if we could move on, I'd be happy."
"Well, we're almost done. Over the years, members of the Kilmen family have fought with each other, and with the death of the last king left a few months ago, only two heirs remain. One, Princess Jenna, is the direct heir of the King, and has since taken the throne. However, a man who is the grandson of the previous king's brother-"
"So a relative of the Princess?"
"Yes, that's right," Melbourne confirmed. "This man would be able to take the throne if something were to happen to Princess Jenna."
"And Princess Jenna is good?"
"Yes, as I said, previous rulers of Parmea have been ruthless, but Jenna Kilmen is different. She is working to get her citizens out of poverty, provide education and work with other countries like the United States. Thus, we want to make sure she is well protected."
"OK, so she's nice and a bad guy wants to take over the country. Gotcha."
"There is a major meeting planned in Los Angeles where she is going to be meeting with leaders from a number of other countries. We have reason to believe that the other potential heir to the throne may be intending to make a move during the week that she is in the United States."
"OK... I don't follow."
"We need to protect the Princess."
"Why?"
"I just said why."
"Really? I need to start paying attention."
"Well, pay attention to this," Melbourne grumbled, "You are going to be going undercover and playing the part of the Princess's male escort while she is here. You will be with her almost all the time."
"You're setting me up on a blind date with a Princess?"
"Ahh, no, it's not a real date, but you will be playing the part of her male companion."
"Boo-yah... Rufus! I got myself a date!"
****** Jack Brigsby rolled his eyes. "It's not that complicated. In all my years, I've never seen someone's pants fall of when bowing." Jack had been given the task of teaching Royal protocol to Ron so that he would be able to both play his part effectively and also pay appropriate respect to the queen. Unfortunately, things were not going well.
Rufus rolled onto his back cackling,
"Why don't we take five and then try some meal time etiquette."
"That sounds fun," Ron replied, "what do we have... burgers, nachos?"
"Caviar and sushi."
Ron gagged on hearing the words and Rufus stuck out his tongue in disgust, squeaking "Uck!"
"Your kiddin, right buddy, I mean, about the caviar and all... that's fish eggs, right?"
"No, I'm not kidding, yes, caviar is fish eggs. Is that a problem?"
"Well, I don't normally eat shapeless goo... while, actually I do, but that's not the point. And I have some bad memories of sushi."
"What could be bad about sushi?"
"Besides being raw fish and all, when you haven't had a bite in three days and someone keeps pulling it away from you as you try to grab it with chop sticks."
"Did I miss something?"
"Uh, actually, no... forget I said that," Ron replied quietly, remembering how he had promised not to discuss his experiences in Japan with anyone- Kim didn't even know. "Seriously though, I can swing by Bueno Nacho and pick up some grub... they got a store here in DC." Rufus jumped to the floor and clamped his hands together as if begging.
"Caviar and sushi is what is on the menu for the first night of the meetings, so I suggest you get used to them now."
******
"No, Wade, I don't know what he's doing," Kim repeated for the third time. "He said he got a call from a CIA guy and was getting picked up by the Air Force. That's about it."
"So what if something comes up? Can you get a hold of him? I know you're the brains of the operations Kim, but it's still better to have him along," Wade said, his voice coming over the Communicator as he sat in his normal spot before his computer.
"I'll be fine," Kim said, her voice lacking its usual confidence. "I can do anything, remember?"
Ron's Big Day
"Booyah, Rufus, our own private jet, how can you beat that!"
Rufus squeaked his approval from Ron's pocket before going back to sleep. Ron leaned back in the comfortable leather chair, looking at the ceiling of the plane as they soared 41,000 feet over the countryside. Ron closed his eyes, and was asleep in seconds.
It seemed like only minutes later he was awakened by a thud as the landing gear hit the pavement at Andrew's Air Force Base outside Washington D.C.. The pilot taxied the jet off the runway and parked away from most of the buildings, shutting off the engines and then opening the door. A tall, slender man in a black suit boarded.
"Mr. Stoppable? Could you come with me please?" the man asked.
"Uh, who are you," Ron stammered as he got to his feet.
"Jack Brigsby, special assistant to Deputy Director Melbourne. But that's not important right now. We need to get to HQ right away," he replied, motioning Ron out the door. "That car, there," he said, pointing to a black sedan parked near the plane.
Ron obeyed, and walked over to the car, getting inside when he was told to do so.
"So, Mr. Bugsby-"
"Brigsby."
"Yeah, sorry," Ron apologized, "What is it I'm here for again?"
"Mr. Melbourne will talk to you about that," Brigsby replied, turning the ignition and shifting into drive.
"Is he from Australia or something?"
"Mr. Melbourne has heard enough jokes about his name; I suggest you keep your wit to yourself."
"What wit?"
******
The impressive marble floor was well polished and bore several seals representing the various offices in the building. After a quick trip through a security checkpoint, Mr. Brigsby led Ron through a network of corridors, finally opening a solid black door and motioning Ron inside. An inquisitive Rufus peaked out from Ron's pocket, moaning nervously as Ron stepped inside the dark, ominous office.
"Mr. Stoppable, it's good to finally meet you in person," a warm voice said. An old man leaned forward in his chair, extending a wrinkled hand which Ron shook. "I'm Rich Melbourne."
"The pleasures mine, sir," Ron replied in the most proper and formal voice he could muster. Rufus peaked out of his hiding place again, startling Melbourne, who jumped backward and inhaled sharply.
"What is that?" Melbourne demanded.
"This is Rufus," Ron replied, pulling the pink rodent from his pocket. "He's a naked mole rat."
"What is it doing here?"
"He, not it," Ron corrected, "Is a member of my family."
"Can you put him in his cage so we can get on with this?"
"He's my partner, too. He needs to hear whatever you have to say."
"Uh-huh," Rufus chirped, enthusiastically nodding his head up and down.
Melbourne rolled his eyes. "Alright, but I can't guarantee he'll be going with you on this mission."
Rufus stuck out his tongue.
"So, Mr., uh, Melbourne.... What do ya need?" Ron asked, plopping himself down in one of the two chairs that faced Melbourne's desk.
"Well, have you ever heard of Parmea?"
"Is that a type of cheese?" Ron inquired, sparking Rufus's interest.
"No, it's a country."
"Well, that's interesting too."
"Yes, it is. Parmea was a British Colony that got it's independence in 1925, and has been ruled ever since by the Kilmen dynasty, a power hungry family that has ruthlessly oppressed the people and crushed any opposition to their rule."
"I'm not much for history, man, so if we could move on, I'd be happy."
"Well, we're almost done. Over the years, members of the Kilmen family have fought with each other, and with the death of the last king left a few months ago, only two heirs remain. One, Princess Jenna, is the direct heir of the King, and has since taken the throne. However, a man who is the grandson of the previous king's brother-"
"So a relative of the Princess?"
"Yes, that's right," Melbourne confirmed. "This man would be able to take the throne if something were to happen to Princess Jenna."
"And Princess Jenna is good?"
"Yes, as I said, previous rulers of Parmea have been ruthless, but Jenna Kilmen is different. She is working to get her citizens out of poverty, provide education and work with other countries like the United States. Thus, we want to make sure she is well protected."
"OK, so she's nice and a bad guy wants to take over the country. Gotcha."
"There is a major meeting planned in Los Angeles where she is going to be meeting with leaders from a number of other countries. We have reason to believe that the other potential heir to the throne may be intending to make a move during the week that she is in the United States."
"OK... I don't follow."
"We need to protect the Princess."
"Why?"
"I just said why."
"Really? I need to start paying attention."
"Well, pay attention to this," Melbourne grumbled, "You are going to be going undercover and playing the part of the Princess's male escort while she is here. You will be with her almost all the time."
"You're setting me up on a blind date with a Princess?"
"Ahh, no, it's not a real date, but you will be playing the part of her male companion."
"Boo-yah... Rufus! I got myself a date!"
****** Jack Brigsby rolled his eyes. "It's not that complicated. In all my years, I've never seen someone's pants fall of when bowing." Jack had been given the task of teaching Royal protocol to Ron so that he would be able to both play his part effectively and also pay appropriate respect to the queen. Unfortunately, things were not going well.
Rufus rolled onto his back cackling,
"Why don't we take five and then try some meal time etiquette."
"That sounds fun," Ron replied, "what do we have... burgers, nachos?"
"Caviar and sushi."
Ron gagged on hearing the words and Rufus stuck out his tongue in disgust, squeaking "Uck!"
"Your kiddin, right buddy, I mean, about the caviar and all... that's fish eggs, right?"
"No, I'm not kidding, yes, caviar is fish eggs. Is that a problem?"
"Well, I don't normally eat shapeless goo... while, actually I do, but that's not the point. And I have some bad memories of sushi."
"What could be bad about sushi?"
"Besides being raw fish and all, when you haven't had a bite in three days and someone keeps pulling it away from you as you try to grab it with chop sticks."
"Did I miss something?"
"Uh, actually, no... forget I said that," Ron replied quietly, remembering how he had promised not to discuss his experiences in Japan with anyone- Kim didn't even know. "Seriously though, I can swing by Bueno Nacho and pick up some grub... they got a store here in DC." Rufus jumped to the floor and clamped his hands together as if begging.
"Caviar and sushi is what is on the menu for the first night of the meetings, so I suggest you get used to them now."
******
"No, Wade, I don't know what he's doing," Kim repeated for the third time. "He said he got a call from a CIA guy and was getting picked up by the Air Force. That's about it."
"So what if something comes up? Can you get a hold of him? I know you're the brains of the operations Kim, but it's still better to have him along," Wade said, his voice coming over the Communicator as he sat in his normal spot before his computer.
"I'll be fine," Kim said, her voice lacking its usual confidence. "I can do anything, remember?"