Author's notes: I guess the last couple chapters have seemed pretty slow.
Thanks to those of you who commented on them. Rest assured, things are
starting to heat up! The action is not far away...
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That night was the first banquet of the conference, opening a summit where leaders of the world would develop a vision to take their countries into the future. By special invitation, Kim Possible joined Ron and the Princess at table one, which consisted of them, six other world leaders, and those leaders' associates and spouses. Ron took a position immediately to the princesses left, and Kim to his left in turn, putting her directly next to the President of Australia.
Four minutes before the scheduled start of the event, two seats at the table were still empty. It wasn't long before it became clear why.
"Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests and leaders," an announcer began, standing at the podium on the stage, which was adorned with flags representing the fourteen countries in attendance.
"Get on with it," Ron mumbled to no one in particular.
"It is my distinguished honor," the announcer continued, "to present to you the President and First Lady of the United States of America!'
Everyone was on their feet as a military band played four ruffles and flourishes before breaking into a stunning rendition of "Hail to the Chief". The President walked directly towards table one, smiling and waving politely with one hand while holding his wife with the other.
The President worked his way around the table, introducing himself to a few new faces and embracing his old friends. He shook hands with the President of Australia and then turned to Kim.
"You," the President said with a surprised look, "you are Kim Possible, aren't you?"
Kim smiled shyly. "Yes, Mr. President," She said softly, extending her hand to shake the President's outstretched palm.
"It is an honor to meet you Miss Possible. I have heard of your service to our country, and I must say it is remarkable."
"Oh, it's no big."
"I beg your pardon?"
"What I do," Kim replied, mentally kicking herself for not being more formal, "It isn't as impressive as it sounds."
"I'm not sure I'd agree with that. You have helped your country in so many ways. Everyone in this great country owes you a debt of gratitude in some way, shape, or form. But, I suppose, we are all entitled to our own opinions," he said with a smile. He then turned to Ron, the smile fading slightly. "And you are?"
"I'm Ron, Ron Stoppable, sir," Ron replied with a surprisingly formal grin.
"And you are?" the President coaxed.
"I'm Kim's sidekick."
"Interesting. I didn't know she had a sidekick."
Ron lowered his stare towards the floor. "Not many people do."
"He's also my escort and bodyguard," the Princess said with a smile.
"Princess, a very special good evening to you," the President said. "So he is the one all the fuss was about?"
"Yes, but it is not his fault. He's been doing a fine job Mr. President."
"Good to hear Princess. When the news broke I called up the CIA director personally, and he assured me we have many good reasons to trust this young man." The President looked up at the stage where the announcer was poised to introduce the first of several speakers that would come before the meal. "It looks as if they want to get started. Perhaps we can talk after the meal?"
"That would be lovely, Mr. President."
******
The Los Angeles convention center was not built with provisions for the kind of security that was being used this evening, so despite their best efforts, small holes were still open in the security net if someone knew where to look.
Monkey Fist gazed across the street, carefully examining the roof of the convention center. He pointed at a spot on the roof, then nodded to the monkey next to him. It leapt out the window, trailing a rope behind it. The monkey landed gracefully on the roof of the building and tied the rope securely around a large antenna.
Monkey Fist carefully attached a small box to the rope, allowing it to slide down towards the convention center, where his monkey ninja carefully grabbed it. Monkey Fist himself was next, moving gracefully down the line.
"You wait here," he told his monkey ninja. "I don't want to arouse suspicion. At least not yet." The monkey nodded in agreement, and Monkey Fist carefully picked up the box, removing a glass vial from inside. It contained four small, red spiders, all prancing around fiercely.
"Amazing, isn't it? Only four," he told his monkey companion. "You really do need to wonder how venomous spiders can be out of stock." He grabbed a grate on the roof, tearing it loose. He then slid his thin body into the narrow ventilation shaft, carefully avoiding excess noise.
"It is time for me to fulfill my destiny," he whispered to himself, "and for the Princess of Parmea to fall."
That night was the first banquet of the conference, opening a summit where leaders of the world would develop a vision to take their countries into the future. By special invitation, Kim Possible joined Ron and the Princess at table one, which consisted of them, six other world leaders, and those leaders' associates and spouses. Ron took a position immediately to the princesses left, and Kim to his left in turn, putting her directly next to the President of Australia.
Four minutes before the scheduled start of the event, two seats at the table were still empty. It wasn't long before it became clear why.
"Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests and leaders," an announcer began, standing at the podium on the stage, which was adorned with flags representing the fourteen countries in attendance.
"Get on with it," Ron mumbled to no one in particular.
"It is my distinguished honor," the announcer continued, "to present to you the President and First Lady of the United States of America!'
Everyone was on their feet as a military band played four ruffles and flourishes before breaking into a stunning rendition of "Hail to the Chief". The President walked directly towards table one, smiling and waving politely with one hand while holding his wife with the other.
The President worked his way around the table, introducing himself to a few new faces and embracing his old friends. He shook hands with the President of Australia and then turned to Kim.
"You," the President said with a surprised look, "you are Kim Possible, aren't you?"
Kim smiled shyly. "Yes, Mr. President," She said softly, extending her hand to shake the President's outstretched palm.
"It is an honor to meet you Miss Possible. I have heard of your service to our country, and I must say it is remarkable."
"Oh, it's no big."
"I beg your pardon?"
"What I do," Kim replied, mentally kicking herself for not being more formal, "It isn't as impressive as it sounds."
"I'm not sure I'd agree with that. You have helped your country in so many ways. Everyone in this great country owes you a debt of gratitude in some way, shape, or form. But, I suppose, we are all entitled to our own opinions," he said with a smile. He then turned to Ron, the smile fading slightly. "And you are?"
"I'm Ron, Ron Stoppable, sir," Ron replied with a surprisingly formal grin.
"And you are?" the President coaxed.
"I'm Kim's sidekick."
"Interesting. I didn't know she had a sidekick."
Ron lowered his stare towards the floor. "Not many people do."
"He's also my escort and bodyguard," the Princess said with a smile.
"Princess, a very special good evening to you," the President said. "So he is the one all the fuss was about?"
"Yes, but it is not his fault. He's been doing a fine job Mr. President."
"Good to hear Princess. When the news broke I called up the CIA director personally, and he assured me we have many good reasons to trust this young man." The President looked up at the stage where the announcer was poised to introduce the first of several speakers that would come before the meal. "It looks as if they want to get started. Perhaps we can talk after the meal?"
"That would be lovely, Mr. President."
******
The Los Angeles convention center was not built with provisions for the kind of security that was being used this evening, so despite their best efforts, small holes were still open in the security net if someone knew where to look.
Monkey Fist gazed across the street, carefully examining the roof of the convention center. He pointed at a spot on the roof, then nodded to the monkey next to him. It leapt out the window, trailing a rope behind it. The monkey landed gracefully on the roof of the building and tied the rope securely around a large antenna.
Monkey Fist carefully attached a small box to the rope, allowing it to slide down towards the convention center, where his monkey ninja carefully grabbed it. Monkey Fist himself was next, moving gracefully down the line.
"You wait here," he told his monkey ninja. "I don't want to arouse suspicion. At least not yet." The monkey nodded in agreement, and Monkey Fist carefully picked up the box, removing a glass vial from inside. It contained four small, red spiders, all prancing around fiercely.
"Amazing, isn't it? Only four," he told his monkey companion. "You really do need to wonder how venomous spiders can be out of stock." He grabbed a grate on the roof, tearing it loose. He then slid his thin body into the narrow ventilation shaft, carefully avoiding excess noise.
"It is time for me to fulfill my destiny," he whispered to himself, "and for the Princess of Parmea to fall."