Steel Swan

by Rocinante

Sequel to Anything Is Possible and Life With Kim. Part III of the Celler Series. Kim's daughter is faced with her worst nightmare. Fourth part in the Series is Gleam Surge.

17. Finals

17. Finals (The Cygnet Becomes A Swan)

The second week of Kimi's training ended on a good note, with Mark praising the teen on the progress she had made in such a relatively short time, especially in the area of training with firearms - firearms she had exactly no exposure to just two weeks previous, let alone experience.

On the trip to the COTQ that Friday afternoon, Kimi told of her amazement at meeting Melfina the night before, and their conversation. Mark said that, during the Wednesday he was absent from his training role, he had gone into detail with his refound spouse about Kimi and her mission. Melfina had in turn told him how her name was more or less commonplace among Cellers after Misty informed them of her preparations for the quest against her mother's captors.

As they walked to their quarters, Mark asked of Kimi's plans for the weekend and invited her to dinner on Saturday night at a restaurant off-base. Kimi said that she would be delighted to be a guest, but did not have any of her "dressy" clothes with her. Mark laughed softly and told her that could be easily remedied, as Melfina had planned a clothing excursion on Saturday; she expressed a desire for a new outfit for the evening.

Kimi then asked Mark if, before Saturday's plans, he could employ his skills in communication technology to fulfill a small but important request in the morning.

Saturday, July 6th, 9:12 AM, Eastgate time
Saturday, July 6th, 5:12 PM, Cairo time
-7 Days
4876 Hansen Avenue
Eastgate, PA
"Hello?"

"Hi Uncle Lupe," Kimi chimed. "Is Aunt Marcy home?"

"Aie! Dios Mio!" Lupe said excitedly. "Señora Kimi! It is good to hear you! Si, Marcy is here!" He began to speak rapidly in Spanish as he called Marcy to the phone. "Marcy! Venga aqui! Venga rápidamente! Señora Kimi está en el teléfono!"

Marcy was watching television in the living room with their daughter Valencia when she heard Lupes calling. She perked her head to the kitchen, and nearly leaped out of her chair as she rushed to take the phone. "Kimi!? KI???" she squealed, her eyes alight.

"HI Aunt Marcy!" Kimi's voice jumped at the sound of her friend's voice.

"Hi! Ki, how are you?? I went to the house a couple weeks ago when you didn't call about the dinner we had planned...then I found the note you wrote."

"I'm all about doing okay," Kimi replied. "There's not a lot of things to do here, but it's quiet."

"Have you heard anything from the investgator in Cairo? Has there been any news?"

I talk to Cap'n Mark every couple of days. He tells me if there are any developments. Nothing has changed, Aunt Marcy...but Cap'n Mark says he's all about working day and night on it...and I believe in him."

"Yeah," Marcy said. "From the phone conversation, he sounded like someone with a lot of commitment. I was a little surprised by your note, but I understand why you did what you did. How is your Grand-Aunt Julie? I've never met her, but your father has talked about her before."

"She's fine," Kimi figeted a bit. "She's...out getting groceries with the maid right now, though....otherwise she could say hi."

Marcy motioned for Lupe to bring a pad and paper. "Well, why don't you give me Julie's number? I'll call you if I should hear anything."

Kimi figeted again, glancing at Mark. "I...can't, Aunt Marcy. Gran Julie's number is all about unpublished. She said not to give it out to anyone." She gritted her teeth in a wince at the last.

"I...understand," said Marcy. "Kimi...I don't mean to be nosy, but...do you have an idea how much longer you might be staying with Julie?"

"I, think it might be at least another week," said Kimi. "Why?"

"Ki..." Marcy started, "You're going through a rough time right now. I just wanted you to know something...of course, you know how I want this whole thing to turn out, just like you do...but, just like you, I don't know how it will turn out...but I wanted you to know, Ki...if...the less than best should happen...you are more than welcome to make our home...your home."

A small knot crept into the back of Kimi's throat. "Thanks Aunt Marcy," she said quietly. "I'd like that, but...let's see how things go first."

"Of course Ki, of course...I just wanted you to know that, if you want it, or if you need it, you have a home here with us."

"Thanks again," said Kimi. "If I hear anything in the next week, I'll call you right away."

"Okay," Marcy said. "Yes, please keep me informed. In the meantime, please take care of yourself...and tell Julie I said hello. I miss you...and I'm always thinking of you."

"I have to go," Kimi said. "I'll call you again soon. Love you, Aunt Marcy."

"I love you too, Ki...I'm still saving those burritos for you."

"Diamond burritos," Kimi giggled slightly. "Bye for now, Aunt Marcy."

"Bye, Ki."

Kimi looked to Mark with a bit of a mist to her eyes as she hung up the phone. "Thanks, Cap'n Mark," she said, turning to give the large blonde man a hug. "I think Aunt Marcy needed that."

Mark returned the hug. "Looks like she wasn't the only one," he smiled. "Good job, Ki."

During the day's shopping spree, Kimi purchased a pair of dress slacks in a deep charcoal to wear to dinner, with a white button-down blouse. Melfina had chosen burgundy slacks and a silver blouse. Mark had also invited Carole and Craig to join Kimi, Melfina and him for a 7 PM reservation at an expensive Italian restaurant on Saturday night in nearby Willow Grove. Shortly before it was time to go, Mark pulled up to the COTQ in a royal blue Pontiac Hydroja requisitioned from the base motor pool, with room to transport the dinner party in comfort.

Saturday, July 6th, 7:48 PM, Eastgate time
Sunday, July 7th, 3:48 AM, Cairo time
-6 Days
Ristorante Mediterraneo
303 Horsham Rd
Craig sank his fork into the last piece of meat on his plate. "Ohhh man," he sighed as he lazed it through a bit of sauce, "even when it's imported from the States, you just can't get steak fixed like this in Cairo."

"It's the spices," Mark said. "There is garlic and parsley in Cairo, but you just can't get the other seasonings that are used Stateside...and if you ask me, the shallots really set off the meat."

Kimi gave Mark a rather puzzled look. "...Shallots?"

Kimi turned to Melfina as she answered the teen. "The onions that were served with the steak," she said. "They are more used in Asian dishes, however."

"I'm all about the lobster," Kimi said, smiling. "There's a restaurant near our house...D'Angelo's...they have the most shiznekkin' lobster."

Melfina smiled for a second - then her expression changed to one of slight bewilderment. "It means 'awesome'," Mark smirked.

Melfina instantly responded to the explanation of the term by returning to her smile. "Yes, the lobster was quite heavenly, especially when dipped into the warmed butter. All the food I have had tonight was most wonderful."

Carole reached to place her hand on Mark's arm. "It's not just the food," she said, "the entire evening has been wonderful, Mark. Thank you so much for inviting me." Craig nodded in agreement.

Mark's hand searched to meet with his wife's as he spoke. "It's not just this evening, Carole," he said. "This entire week has been wonderful...the return of my beautiful and loving wife...and I have Ki to thank for that...for telling me about the process. There was lots of progress in Kimi's training this week, too...especially yesterday." He turned to the teen. "It's almost as if you were someone else out there, both at the karate exercises and on the Sim floor. Your confidence has taken a major leap."

Kimi smiled, blushing a bit as she averted her eyes slightly. "I mostly have Melfina to thank," she said. "When she showed up at my door on Thursday night...just that was 'nekka enough...but she came in and was like...diamond sage...she told me things that...well, after practice, my mind was all about spaghetti knots...the things that Melfina told me, about Cross agents...other Cellers...how they're all about behind me for what I'm training for." Mark began to grin as Kimi looked up to him, continuing for Carole and Craig. "You know what she told me, Cap'n Mark...she said she and you talked a lot about me. She reminded me about what you said the night I first met you, in Cairo...about focusing my emotions into my energy. She reminded me about my ki...my energy, and how I should be all about keep it focused. The stuff she said about all the Cellers being behind me too...it all just...it's all about diamond focus now."

The waiter brought five small dishes of a light lime sherbet to the table. "This is our last Saturday night together here," Mark said, "and as such...I'd like to propose a toast," He picked a spoon from the table, raising his dish. "To Kimi...to a girl who, when faced with an impossible nightmare for her entire family - didn't run...didn't hide...didn't give up...but instead started training for a seemingly impossible mission, under seemingly impossible odds...and now, is nearly fully ready to perform that mission...a mission to rescue her mother, her father, and their way of life...a mission to end the nightmare." He brought a spoonful of the dessert from the dish, raising it. "To the Steel Swan...To Ki!"

Carole followed suit, joined by Craig and Melfina. "To Ki!" they said in unison, each taking a bite of the frozen confection - then were frozen themselves, looking at Melfina, who was now uttering a prolonged moan, her expression dissolving into a dreamy smile.

"Ssssimmply ambrosial," she purred.

Mark broke into a chuckle. "Just another of the things I don't have to miss anymore," he said with a broad grin.

----------

Monday, July 8th, 8:59 AM, Eastgate time
Monday, July 8th, 4:59 PM, Cairo time
-5 Days
Toward the end of the aerobics session, Kimi began to wonder why she didn't see the now usual trickle of fight trainers coming in a little before 9 to go to the lockers and change into their impact suits. She made a mental note to dismiss it, thinking that they might be a little late for whatever reason. Her wonder returned when Mark walked to the exercise floor to greet Craig. He was not carrying the case which contained his laptop. He was not carrying the gym bag in which he kept her pistol and holster. Craig, for that matter, had not brought the folding table and chairs from the equipment room.

Kimi turned to the double doors leading to the locker rooms on the other end of the exercise floor as they opened, seeing the gray of an impact suit - just one suit. As she came across the floor, Carole gathered her blonde hair into a ponytail, holding it as she slipped on her headpiece. "Hey, Ki," she smiled as she approached.

"Hi...Carole," Kimi waved, stammering a bit as she looked around, then turned to the edge of the exercise floor. "...Where is everybody else, Cap'n Mark?"

"They have the day off," Mark said. "We won't be needing the full crew today...I wanted to spend some time going over the moves that you've learned here in the past two weeks...letting you work on them and polish them up. Most of it won't be full contact...so Carole is about all the help we're going to need today. This will be your last karate session in the gym, Ki...from tomorrow afternoon on, you'll be working strictly on the Sim Floor in the firing range, with live opponents instead of cardboard ones."

"In the afternoons? There won't be any more training in the morning?"

"It's to get you used to the time difference," Mark said. "When you go to Cairo, your mission will be late at night there...but still the afternoon here. When it's 4 in the afternoon here, it's midnight in Cairo. You'll be doing your weight routine and aerobics just after dinner instead of breakfast."

"What about the Speed thingy?" Kimi asked.

"You can have time in the mornings, if you want," said Mark, "but the last session has to be on Friday."

Kimi thought again of the high hurdle of the light-points Mark had set before her as a "pass/fail" test, and how far she still was from clearing that hurdle. "Thanks, Cap'n Mark," she gave a small sigh as Mark guided her to the center of the floor and motioned Carole to follow. "I...think I'll need it."

----------

After breakfast on Tuesday, Kimi and Mark returned to his quarters, where he showed her a map of where the warehouse Kim was being held was located in Cairo, Kimi studied the map as Mark placed it in front of her, along with scans Wade had sent the evening before indicating her mother's "energy signature," and those of Drakken and Shego, all concentrated on the second floor of the building.

They went to lunch shortly before 11:30, joined by Carole in the BX. After the midday meal, they drove to the gym, where Kimi went through her weight and toning exercises, followed by an afternoon aerobics class. As she was doing her "cooldown," Kimi noted several of the fight trainers coming into the gym and going into the locker room. As her opponents emerged from the locker rooms in their impact suits, they assembled at the edge of the exercise floor as they had each previous morning during the training schedule. The sight gave Kimi a slight relief, appearing more like the routine she had become accustomed to.

As the aerobics session ended, Mark led Kimi and the the fight trainers outside to a small bus driven by Craig, which would transport them to the firing range, and to the Sim Floor on the lower level. Mark felt this test would be Kimi's most accurate representation to date of her actual mission - with the presence of Carole, Kimi's opponents in the first full-range simulation would number ten - the number of the Al-Dok Ali-bin Drak guards Wade had detected in most of his scans of the warehouse in Cairo.

Tuesday, July 9th, 1:48 PM, Eastgate time
Tuesday, July 9th, 9:48 PM, Cairo time
-4 Days
Building 41
Mark, Kimi and the fight trainers filed into the front room of the firing range as Craig took the bus to a parking lot on the side of the building. After completing a form, Mark led Kimi and the trainers through the door behind the counter into the vestibule. Mark motioned Kimi to stand near the door marked "Control Room" while motioning the suited opponents through the door which led downstairs to the Sim Floor, telling them to wait for instruction there.

As the last of the trainers took to the stairs, Mark turned to Kimi, reaching into his gym bag for her pistol and holster. "Stay here for a minute," he said, passing her the weapon. "I'm going to give them their instructions for today's sim."

Kimi gave Mark a slightly quizzical look. "Out here?" she asked. "I can't come in with you?"

"Not right now," Mark smiled slightly. "I'll leave the door open, but you can't come in. The windows would allow you to see where your opponents are hiding."

Kimi slowly smirked. "...No cheatsies, Cap'n Mark?"

Mark broke into a quick snicker. "Heh...like you need to cheat to get through this? If you want to see the control room, I can show it to you after the sim."

Kimi set her Escrima sleeve on the floor and slipped her holster over her shoulder as Mark opened the door to the control room and stepped inside, sitting at the console and bringing up the lights to the floor. He then turned on the microphone to address the floor, his voice booming through the speakers. :::This is to be a sim exercise, employing both karate and firearm training. Your job is first to find a place within the sim floor to hide. On my signal, Kimi will enter the floor, at which time you will stand ready until engaged. Kimi's firearm will be loaded with yellow paint carts. When struck by one of the carts, your status will immediately change to 'down.' Once you are 'down,' you will sit or lie in place until I announce that the sim is concluded. You have ten minutes to take a place on the floor:::

Mark then rose from his chair to rejoin Kimi outside the room as she was snugging her Escrima sleeve into place. "Check your clips," he said. Kimi slipped one of the clips from her holster. Mark motioned to the cartridge at the open end of the clip. "Your clips are loaded with these for the sim. Like I told the trainers, they have an amount of bright yellow paint in them. When you hit somebody, they'll make a spot about three inches across. That will tell both of us that person has been tranquilized."

Kimi peered at the cartridge, which looked much like the target rounds she had been working with. "No needles?"

"No needles. Remember, they wouldn't penetrate the KISS suits." Mark smiled slightly. "These are the same carts used during other sims and firearm sports matches...they're harmless, yet they indicate when someone is hit." He then patted the teen on the shoulder. "There will be one of these sessions per day...the last one is Thursday. That'll be the full simulation."

"Hm?"

"The trainers will be armed, just like you."

"Geeze, Cap'n Mark," Kimi winced.

Mark patted Kimi's shoulder again. "This is exactly what you've been training for, Ki...the 'people with guns' thing. The key is to drop your opponents before they can get off a shot...with your abilities, I don't see much of a problem. Besides," he smirked, "I don't think you'd look good in neon yellow." Mark then affixed the transmitter to the shoulder strap of Kimi's holster and motioned to the door leading to the stairs. "Wait at the door down there until you hear the signal to begin," he said. " Have your sidearm at the ready before you go onto the floor."

Kimi went through the door from the vestibule and down the stairs to the small staging area. She slid the pistol from her holster while going through methods from past sessions - how to "check her six," and covering windows. Kimi then took a breath. "Putting it all together," she sighed quietly as she brought the slide back to load a cartridge into the chamber.

Kimi then heard Mark's voice through the speakers - :::Opponents, at the ready?::: a short pause, then through her transmitter - :::Ready, Ki?:::

"Yeah."

:::Okay...the floor is ready...remember what you've learned...you're clear to enter the floor, Ki:::

Kimi turned the knob, then adjusted her grip on her pistol as she edged the door open slightly with her shoulder, looking down the corridor to the right. She then opened the door farther and peeked past it to check to her left down the other corridor, glancing at each of the doorways for movement, then slipped slowly through the doorway into the corridor.

Just before she reached the inside corner, a figure darted into the corridor to the right from the far corner. Kimi raised her weapon almost by instinct, firing a round. There was a slight "splat" sound as a brilliant splash of yellow appeared on the figure's midsection. The suited figure reacted by throwing out its arms in a dramatic "you got me" fashion for a few seconds, then raising one hand waving in a "bye-bye" motion and leaning against the wall, dropping into a sitting position.

:::Good shot, Ki!::: came from the transmitter. :::Your opponent thanks you for the short nap::: The seated figure affirmed with a thumbs-up.

"Just like Cairo, Cap'n Mark?" Kimi quizzed.

:::Nope,::: Mark replied. :::They'll drop much faster...and with no drama:::

"Heh," Kimi snickered. "So not the drama." She glanced to her left and advanced to the inside corner of the corridor.

3:13 PM.
The simulation progressed, with Kimi completing the exercise in just a bit under an hour. The addition of the pistol precluded much interaction using karate against opponents. Mark emerged through the door as Kimi was approaching it while loading a fresh clip into her pistol. "How was that, Cap'n Mark?"

"Not bad..." Mark said, "not bad at all...except for one thing." He motioned to the far corridor as the trainers approached. "Your techniques were good, and you took down all your opponents...but one."

Kimi looked at Mark with disbelief, then turned to the trainers, each wearing a bright splotch of yellow somewhere on their impact suit. Her jaw dropped as one of the fighters made their way through the group, removing his face patch. His suit held not a single speck of the bright paint. "Wh--" Kimi started, "wh-where?"

"Remember the small room in the corridor at the far end of the floor?" said Mark. The one with two windows?"

Kimi's brow furrowed. "I--I cleared that room, Cap'n Mark."

"You cleared the room...except for a small crawl space on the other side of the table."

Kimi's hand holding her pistol dropped to her side. "Now, I have to tell you," Mark said, "the trainer in that crawl space would not have come out, and he wouldn't have engaged you unless you found him. It was more of a way to show you that detail is important...and missing details can be costly." Mark then smiled at the teen. "But on the whole...you did excellent, Ki." Mark turned to the trainers. "The session is concluded for today...thanks again to everyone for their participation. There are bottles of solution on the bus that will remove the paint from your suits."

Kimi stood for a moment as Mark held the door open, and the trainers began to turn toward the door to go upstairs - then stopped. "It's all about detail, Cap'n Mark," Kimi shot out. Mark and several of the trainers turned as she spoke, including the figure that she had overlooked. "He got hit," she said with a wry grin, raising her pistol "--right-there!" With this, she pulled the trigger. The round splattered against the unmarked trainer's hip. A couple of the trainers next to him looked at the splash of paint and could not help surrendering to laughter, joined by a few more around them. "In fact, even though I'm not supposed to, I hit him twice for hiding from me!" Another splash burst onto his outer thigh. This brought laughter now from the entire group.

Even Mark chuckled as he stepped away from the door. "Ooo-kay, Ki...no second chance redemption," he said, holding out his hand. "Disarm."

Kimi's grin pursed into a smug smirk as she set the safety on her weapon and placed it into Mark's open hand. "...got 'em all, though."

----------

Wednesday's session in the Sim Room took a slightly different direction. Mark had Kimi go through the simulation as on the day before, taking down opponents using her pistol. As the trainers assembled to clean the paint from their impact suits, Mark instructed Kimi to run the simulation again - but this time, she was only to use her weapon against every other opponent; against the alternates, she was to quickly holster her pistol and engage them using only karate. Immediately following this, Kimi went through a third test - keeping her firearm holstered, using it only after she had bested each opponent with martial arts.

The day finished late, closing in on 6 PM by the time they left the sim floor. Mark came away feeling pleased with Kimi's performance, and confident that the tests he had set up had showed Kimi familiarity with quickly producing or holstering her weapon as was necessary, depending on the condition of the moment and of her current opponent. He also noted her improvements in hitting moving targets; at the end of a session, nearly every shot Kimi took struck her opponents in the upper torso or the neck - nearly instant unconsciousness when hit with an Azepromazine tranquilizing dart.

Kimi's time before her mission was now down to a matter of hours, and only two hurdles remained; the first being the "armed" simulation on Thursday, which was of little more concern than a matter of procedure for Mark, who had full confidence in the level of ability that Kimi had gained in these three weeks in prepararing for her mission; and the final session in the Speed Room, which Kimi still regarded as the most arduous challenge set between her and Cairo, and her mother.

----------

Thursday, July 11th, 4:48 PM, Eastgate time
Friday, July 12th, 12:48 PM, Cairo time
-47 Hours, 12 Minutes
Sim Floor
Kimi was nearing the end of the second simulation of the day, and the second in which many of her opponents were, like her, armed. A couple of times during the first run, Kimi had to think quickly to avoid being struck by a paint cartridge fired by one of the armed trainers - one so close as to leave spots of the bright yellow fluid splashed against her calf.

She eased herself against the wall and took a quick peek around the corner. Three doors to go, she thought. Three doors and two slugs, and I'm diamond.

Kimi moved past the corner into the last short corridor. The first opening was without a door. She slid slowly against the wall until she was about a foot from the doorway - then set herself, gripping her pistol tighter - and quickly raised it, flashing her head into the doorway, then ducking farther into the small room.

Empty.

Kimi slowly poked her head back into the corridor, looking to the left and the right, then moved from the small room, training on the second door in the hallway, watching for any movement as she neared it. As she got within about two feet of the door, the knob began to turn. Kimi immediately darted to her left as it was opened by one of the suited figures. He turned to see Kimi with a large grin of content on her face - and her pistol leveled at his chest. "Hi," she smirked.

"Hi there. I...don't imagine I could talk you into a little fight...?"

"Nooo," Kimi drew out, shaking her head slowly. "It's all about I have the gun...it's getting near dinnertime...and you're probably going to be pretending to be sleepy in a second."

"Ummm, Miss Hodge?" the figure started, "I don't mean to seem like I have to correct you, but...on a military base, 'dinner' is considered to be the mid-day meal. The evening meal is called 'supper'."

A slight scowl of exasperation crossed Kimi's face. "You know...Cap'n Mark does that to me all the time," she said, "...and while I can't hit him with a paint dart...you're all about a target." her expression became a smirk as she pulled the trigger, the paint cartridge exploding against the trainer's chest. "Goodnight," she finished with a bit of a snicker.

The figure chuckled slightly as he looked down at the brilliant splotch - then extended his hand. "Goodnight, Miss Hodge," he said as he shook her hand, then slowly retreated into the room, closing the door behind him.

Kimi turned now to face the last door in the corridor. She moved against the opposite wall, steadying herself and leveling her pistol "Okay...you're the last one," she said. "Come on out."

The door swung open as a figure leaped out. A figure clad in black and brilliant neon green, wearing a long cascade of black hair.

Kimi gasped slightly at the appearance of the figure - then thrust her pistol into its holster, snapping into a fight stance as the figure advanced quickly, swinging at the teen. Kimi blocked two of the swings, then shifted as the suited figure brought up a leg, clutching its calf and twisting to throw the figure off-balance. The figure slammed to the floor on its stomach and Kimi pounced on it, preparing to send a fist hard against the back of its skull.

Kimi stopped as the lights in the room came up and Mark's voice came over the speakers. :::Good takedown, Ki. Would all the training opponents please assemble at the front of the sim floor:::

Kimi got to her feet and extended a hand to "Shego" to help her up. The figure stood and raised a hand to its forehead, pressing points to cause its face patch to slip away. Kimi's eyes widened at the sight of her last opponent. "...Carole!?"

"Hey Ki," Carole said through a chuckle as she pulled off her headpiece and draped it over her shoulder, the black wig still attached to it. "This was Mark's idea."

"It looked all about good," Kimi grinned, "except for you not having a face."

"I can think of worse things not to have," said Carole. "At least you didn't go for my neck this time."

The trainer who had gone back into the room after being "tranquilized" emerged into the corridor as several of the rest of Kimi's opponents joined them, all with their face patches removed, some also removing their headpieces.

Mark came through the entrance to the sim floor, walking to the front of the group. "Ladies and gentlemen," he started, "Today was the final session in the training schedule...and I don't know how to thank you for everything you've done in the last three weeks. The level of your cooperation and contribution as Kimi's training opponents has been above and beyond what even I expected." Mark turned for a moment to reach into his shirt pocket as his cell beeped. He listened for a few seconds, then flipped the phone closed. "Lieutenant Ettinger is ready out front to transport everyone back to the gym to change. After that, those of you wishing to attend are invited to supper at a barbeque restaurant off-base at 1900." There was applause mixed with voices of approval in response to Mark's offer.

Kimi stepped forward. "I want to say thanks personally to everyone who helped me...with everything," she said. "I couldn't have learned half of what I did without you guys being here."

The man from the room piped up. "Miss Hodge...we were honored to spend the last three weeks helping you...and honored to have the tar beaten out of us!" The group erupted into laughter at this.

Knowing that this was the last morning they would be together as a group, Kimi met each of the suited trainers as they filed to the door, giving each of them a warm hug and thanking them again for their work in sharpening her reactions and furthering her skills.

Kimi sat directly behind Craig as everyone boarded the small bus, with Mark taking the seat next to her. "Cap'n Mark," she said, "I'd like to ask you for a small favor..."

"Sure, Ki," Mark replied. "Name it."

"Well...I know you said not to buy pizza for the youth club," Kimi grinned, "but...tonight is the last night I'll be there before I go...and I met a bunch of diamond people there. I haven't used much of my expenses since I've been here, and...I have a small request."

"I...think I know what that request is," Mark smiled, "and the answer is yes."

Kimi moved to hug the huge blond man. "Thanks, Cap'n Mark," she said. "I need to call Amy from your quarters when we get there...and...I have a special favor to ask, too...we can talk about it there."

Thursday, July 11th, 6:52 PM, Eastgate time
Friday, July 12th, 2:52 AM, Cairo time
-45 Hours, 8 Minutes
Amy was in front of the youth club as Kimi came around the corner of the building, her arms full of large bags, each bearing the Knick Knack Chick Shack logo. "Hey Ki!" she sqealed as she spotted the teen approaching. She immediately ran to meet Kimi, taking a couple of the bags.

As Kimi's arms were still fairly full, Amy opened the doors for her. As they neared the table, the other members of the group turned to meet them. "Ki!" exclaimed Dani, rising from her chair to take some of Kimi's load and set it on the table. She and Kimi set about unpacking the bags as Amy went to the serving area for paper plates and napkins.

"Wow," said Kat, taking in the sight of the growing amount of food spread on the table. "This is way feast, Ki!"

"So way feast," Dani echoed as she brought a large container of potato salad from one bag.

"My home force, we eat at the 'Shack every Saturday," said Kimi. "It's all about tasty taste."

Amy arrived with paper plates, holders and napkins, walking around the table distributing them. "Looks like there's enough food for two meals, Ki!" she said as she finished her lap around the table. "I'll bet there will be lots of leftovers bags going home with--ohh, that chicken sandwich is SO mine!" she lunged at one of the wrapped grilled chicken sandwiches piled on the table.

"I'm glad I brought enough," Kimi said as Kat took a plastic fork and began to transfer some "Chick'n Bitz" from a container onto her plate. "No good food is too good for my diamond friends here...and...it's about the best thing I could think of as a...going-away present..."

Kat stopped, dropping two Bitz onto the table. "...Going-away...?"

"This is the last Thursday I'll be on the base," Kimi said quietly. "The...guy who's been helping me with my karate had invited me to some dinner off the base tonight...but I was all about rather be here with you guys."

Dani set her plate onto the table, a sad expression slipping over her face. "You...you can't go, Ki," she said, her voice quivering a bit. "You're so part of the group...you're the only one who ever beat Kat regularly at backgammon--" her face fell a bit farther and a tear formed at the corner of her eye "--I...think I'm already starting to miss you..."

Amy put her arm around Dani's shoulders. "C'mon, D," she said, "it's not like Ki's leaving for-ever...she only lives a couple of hours from the base. She'll probably be able to come out on a weekend now and then."

Dani looked up to Kimi, who was nodding in agreement. "You should have told us before tonight," she said. "We didn't even get a chance to get you anything."

Kimi smiled, first at Dani, then the group. "The one thing I want from you the most tonight is a list of your email addresses."

Dani rushed to the serving area, retrieving a pen and a small notepad. She opened the pad and wrote on it as she walked back to the table, then passed it to Jason before returning to her seat. One by one, each of the group wrote down their name and email address and passed the pad to the next. Amy was the last to add her information, finishing by tearing the page from the pad, folding it once and handing it to Kimi.

Kimi slid the paper into her pocket. "Thanks, everyone," she said. Kimi then picked a container from the table, plucking Chick'n Bitz from it. "I hope the rest of you are thinking the same thing I am...It's all about eat!" The rest of the group agreed, digging into the generous amount of food.

As they finished their meal, Kimi introduced Dani to the game of "Bitz Hockey." Interestingly enough, this would prove to become Kimi's first misstep of her meetings at the youth club. Dani took an immediate liking to the game and showed an almost uncanny ability at judging the amount of force needed to send a Chick'n Bit to the other edge of the table to stop without any part of it sliding beyond the edge.

8:42 PM.
"Yes!" burst Dani as she flicked the Bit to Kimi's side of the table, then rose to look over the piece's position. "That's 5-4. I win again!"

"Congrats Ki," Kat snickered. "You've found a game that Dani can finally brag about being good at." Amy joined in, confirming Kat's statement with a giggle.

"This game is way neat," Dani perked, turning to Jason, who nodded in a slight sarcastic agreement.

"Yeah, just like hockey," Jason sighed. "And as many times as that piece of chicken has hit the floor, it's even starting to look like a hockey puck." He then leaned toward Dani, an evil grin spreading across his face. "...I'll give you ten bucks if you eat that piece."

Kimi's brow furrowed as she looked away slightly. Amy winced, a pained "Ew" escaping her lips.

Dani's gaze shifted quickly from Jason to the Bit, back and forth a couple of times - then her expression slipped into a wry grin as she leaned slightly the tall boy, her eyes narrowing. "Jason..." she purred, "please...puck off."

Kat immediately burst into laughter as Jason backed away slowly. "She shoots, she scores!" she chuckled, patting Jason on the shoulder. "You had that coming, Jase."

"Oo-kayy, one for Dani," Jason exhaled.

Kimi giggled for a moment, then rose from her chair, reaching into her pocket for a small cell. "Now," she said as she opened the phone, "I have one more present for everyone." A couple of the group gave a rather puzzled look as Kimi dialed a number. "Hi," she said into the phone. "...yep...bye." She then closed the phone, looking to the group. "Okay, it's all about close your eyes until I say you can open them." Each of the teens closed their eyes, Amy being the last to do so. A few seconds later, she felt a light tap on her shoulder. She turned to see Kimi with a finger over her lips in a "hush" motion. Kimi then moved to Gregory, Patrick, Kat and Jason, performing the same silent action.

A few more seconds passed - then there was a slight intake of breath from Amy, and Kat uttered a barely-perceptible "Ohh, Ki..."

"Dani?" Kimi said quietly. "Open your eyes." Dani did so - then she froze, and her breath caught as she turned her head to the right--

--Dani's breath caught as she stared straight into the wide eyes of Melfina, who had taken a seat next to her. "Hello," she smiled. "You are the one called...'Danime,' yes?" she asked as she extended her hand. "My name is Melfina. How do you do?"

Dani's breath began to stagger as she brought her hand up. "I'm...Danim--Da--Dani. H--" She froze again in sensory confirmation as her hand made contact with Melfina's, the warmth immediately flowing to her touch like a light summer breeze. "O-ohh--omigodomigodyou--are," she stammered breathlessly. "You're-a....you're-a--"

Melfina's smile widened. "Yes, Dani. I am a Celler. A recent friend of Kimi's."

"I--" Dani stuttered again in an excited tone. "I've nevermetaCellerbefore, but I've wanted to for so long--forgive me for being a total dork and and--" she stopped - then reached for Melfina, clinging almost deperately in an embrace "--H-hh-hiiii, Melfinaaaa," she drew out as a tear of appreciation slid along her cheek. "Mm-mmm-mmm," moaning her thanks through an exhale. Her eyes flew open suddenly and she broke her hold, sitting up straight. "Mm-m--ooOO-Ihaveto-I'llberightbackMelfina," she said as she rose quickly from the chair, backing toward the restroom. "P-please don't leave, I'll be right back!"

Melfina turned to Kimi with a puzzled look. Amy, who was seated to the left of Melfina, had her hand over her mouth, trying to choke back laughter.

"You so-ho called it," Kat giggled as she reached beside her chair for a bag sitting next to her purse. "Poor thing...well she did wet 'em! Now I know why you called me before I left and said to bring an extra skirt."

Amy stood and moved to Kat as she handed her the bag. "I'm sorry, Melfina," she said. "Dani's my best friend, and I knew she would freak the day she met a Celler...any Celler..."

"It is alright," smiled Melfina. "People can have many different reactions the first time they meet a Celler, and I am happy that I could fulfill this wish for her." Her expression slipped into a slight smirk. "At least she did not faint."

Amy laughed softly. "She'll be fine, Melfina. I'll give her this so she can change. We'll be out in a minute...and I am also very happy to meet you." She then turned with a smile for the restroom, softly knocking on the door.

"Me too," Kat said, reaching to shake Melfina's hand. "I'm Kathy...but call me Kat. I've met Cellers before though, so I'm not going to freak. I hope that doesn't disappoint you," she smirked. "Were you waiting outside all this time until Ki called you?"

"Oh, no," said Melfina. "I arrived with Kimi and my husband, but I went to the Officers' Club across the street, where I played a game of cards until Kimi called."

Amy and Dani emerged from the restroom, with Dani now wearing a mid-length dark blue skirt in place of her jeans. Amy sat to the left of Melfina as Dani approached. "I'm...I'm very sorry, Melfina," she said. "I...kind of lost it...I wasn't really prepared to meet a Celler tonight...but...meeting one has been a dream of mine for a long time. Can you...forgive me...?"

Melfina broke into a wide smile. "It is fine, Dani," she said. "As I said before to your friends, at least you did not faint. I am glad of that."

Dani moved to give Melfina another hug, keeping her composure this time. "Mee tooo, Melfina...me too." Dani motioned to Kimi as they parted. "When I first met Kimi, I thought she was a Celler...well...I mean, purely Celler..."

"Yes," replied Melfina. "Kimi very much resembles her mother, who is a Celler. But as her father is a Flesher, and as you probably know by now, she shares traits from both environments."

The rest of the evening consisted of rather informal questions and answers toward Melfina, mostly by Dani, followed by a series of games of backgammon after Dani inquired about Melfina's interests and hobbies.

9:47 PM.
The group filed through the front doors of the youth club, noticing a slight breeze in the night air. Amy turned to Kimi, giving her a hug. "I think I speak for everybody when I say that it's great to know you, Ki, and we're gong to miss having you here on Thursday nights." Several of the others nodded their agreement.

Dani moved to give Kimi a warm embrace. "Tonight was about the greatest night in my whole life," she said, a slight waver to her voice. "I realized a dream tonight, thanks to you." She then slid back a bit. "You have all our emails. When will you be home?"

"It--" Kimi stopped for a second "--it'll be a day or two before I leave here."

"You mail us the second you get home," said Kat, giving Kimi a hug.

"I promise," Kimi smiled, "I'll e you all when I get home. The whole time I've been here was all about diamond, since I met you guys."

Dani moved to Melfina, sliding her arms around her new Celler friend. "I don't know how to tell you how happy I am to have met you," she said. "If you can, will you email me?"

"I am pleased to have met you too, Dani," Melfina said, then turning to the rest of the group. "In fact, I am pleased to have met all of you. And yes, Dani, I will get your email address from Kimi before she leaves."

"Give her mine too, Ki," said Kat, patting Jason on the shoulder. "I have a lot of mail to catch up on, now that I have a working computer again."

A sleek Hydroja rolled to a stop at the curb. Kimi turned to each of her new friends, giving them a warm hug, with Melfina doing the same before the group began their walk home. Kimi held the front door open for Melfina, then opened the rear door and slid into the seat. "That was great, Cap'n Mark," she said. "Dani was all about so happy when she opened her eyes and Melfina was stitting there."

"About what you expected?" asked Mark as he pulled from the curb. Kimi nodded in response. "It's been the same with everyone I've ever met or worked with, Ki."

Kimi leaned forward to slip her arms around Melfina. "Thank you, Melfina," she said. "You've been all about making dreams come true since you came back."

Melfina brought her right hand up to Kimi's, giving it a gentle squeeze. "And you as well, Kimi. It is because of you that one of my and Mark's greatest dreams came true with my return." Her left hand then slid over as Mark's met hers at the center of the seat.

"An entire week of dreams," Mark smiled into the mirror. "And in about a day-and-a-half, your chance at your dream comes true, Ki...your mother's rescue. All you have left to pass is the Speed test." Mark brought the car to a stop in front of the COTQ, walking around the car and opening the doors for both of the women. Mark noticed a slight concern on Kimi's face as he held the door to the entry hall open. "You okay, Ki?" he asked.

"All until you mentioned the Speed thingy," Kimi sighed slightly.

Mark placed a hand at Kimi's shoulder. "Try to get a little extra sleep tonight. We'll do the weight and aerobics in the morning, so you'll basically have most of the day to work on the speed test. You're so close to the goal I set...let's see how much closer you can get."

"I have some email addresses to send to you for Melfina," Kimi said, "then it's all about bed."

----------

Friday morning. The final day of Kimi's training and preparation for her mission.

The sun rose warm against July's cerulean curtain, holding the promise of another sweltering summer day. Kimi was awakened by a call from Mark just after 6:30 and after a shower, they went to the gym for the weight and toning routines. Kimi paid special attention to which specific muscles responded to each exercise, noting the improvement over the last three weeks and how it came through in her later karate practices, improving not only her reaction time but her thinking as well; Mark's regimen had honed Kimi's reasoning and execution in martial arts to the next level. Her firearms training schedule had proven to have perfect timing to bring Kimi's abilities in line with the demands of the mission she was about to undertake.

The only challenge now standing between Kimi and Cairo was Mark's Speed Test.

About 9:15, shortly after finishing the aerobics cooldown, Kimi and Mark went to the second floor of the gym and to Reaction Test and Assessment, and the Speed Room, where Kimi set about clearing this last hurdle. Kimi started off at a brisk pace, doing run after run trying to lower her time. By 11 O'clock, Kimi had logged nearly 100 speed tests, registering a best time of 3.12 seconds - a reduction of only four-tenths of a second from her best time the previous Friday.

Shortly before noon, Carole, Melfina and Craig arrived, and Mark suggested a short break from the activities for lunch. Kimi ate little, choosing some crackers with a bit of honey, and a "sports drink" to replenish the electrolytes she had expended during the morning.

It was a quarter to one in the afternoon when they returned to the Speed Room. As they entered the gym, they were met by a few of the fight trainers, who were interested in Kimi's progress in her tests. Mark, with some trepidation, invited them to watch from inside the control room as Kimi resumed her attempts to break the three-second barrier. While she was still just as determined to leap the hurdle, Kimi was beginning to feel the physical and emotional strain from hours of setting her nerves at the nth edge. Her pace lessened in the afternoon to around ten runs per hour, taking at least five minutes after each run.

As the afternoon lengthened, Kimi knew that, even though she had slowed her pace...time - time against her; time against her mother - still marched in its same unwavering, unyielding rhythm.

Friday, July 12th, 3:54 PM, Eastgate time
Friday, July 12th, 11:54 PM, Cairo time
-24 Hours, 6 Minutes
-bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzt-

Mid-mid-low.

Kimi thrust herself at the first light-point, punching the wall with her left fist; almost simultaneously swinging at the second with her right. As she struck the second light-point, she was already moving to her right to twist and throw a low kick with her left foot--

Kimi's left shoe caught against her ankle as she turned. The sudden lack of balance caused Kimi to grasp at the wall as she fell, thudding hard with a huffed "Uhh!" against the floor.

The female voice from the system came through the speakers :::test incomplete:::

Craig stood as Carole moved to the window. Mark stabbed the intercom button as he rose quickly from his chair. :::Ki?? Are you alright, Ki?:::

A low moan came from the Speed Room as Kimi slowly rolled to her back. "Urrrrrrr--" Kimi then began to pound against the floor with her fists "--rrAAAAHHHH!! I TRIPPED, Cap'n Mark! I tripped over my own LEAD FOOT!" She slowly sat up. "...and it's all about I'm not hurt, Cap'n Mark..." Kimi stood, her face fallen with a mix of embarassment and a creeping resignation souring her mouth into a bitter frown. "I...I need a minute, C-Cap'n Mark," she said in a broken voice, crossing to sit against the side wall, reaching for her towel and pulling it to her face.

Carole looked back to Mark. "...I...think she's crying," she said. "She's got skills upon skills, Mark. You don't think this Speed thing might be a bit much...? She's about a tenth of a second off of what you set for her. I don't know how she could possibly do this any faster."

Kimi could feel the warm sting of tears forming in her eyes. She patted the towel against her face as she drew her knees toward her chest, her other arm moving around her legs. Why can't I get this? she thought. I can punch someone ten times in three seconds...I can take out two people at once with a triple kick...but I can't put out three stupid little lights! Maybe...maybe Cap'n Mark has some other way to get Mom...maybe he's just got it hidden away, ready to go...I mean, what if I was all about no guns? What if I didn't measure up to Cap'n Mark's standards instead of doing so well? She lowered the towel from her eyes for a second to look at the still-lit remaining light-point. Doing well? she thought. This is 'measuring up'??

Kimi brought the towel up again to cover her eyes. It's not just Mom, she thought. Dad is depending on me, too...even if he doesn't even know I'm doing this...and Aunt Marcy. Even the people who know what I've been working on for three weeks are all about behind me...even people I've never met! Kimi felt another surge of tears building in her eyes. She slowly turned her head a bit, wincing as if turning away from this last obstacle which seemed determined to be known as the roadblock which shattered her resolve.

Kimi suddenly recoiled, jerking her head straight as a flood of voices spilled over her mind - voices from the last tumultuous month:

-You mean you're a red belt, and you still let your emotions out before your actions?-

-Nobody - and nothing - can defeat you faster than your own emotions-

-Doctor Drakken and Shego have crossed into the Flesher environment...they're the ones behind Kim's abduction. --they mean to do away with Kim...whether you get them the money or not-

-When every iteration of a particular Celler either dies...or is...killed...that's it...no coming back-

-What we need is a force that is small enough to get close without being detected...but strong enough to get in...and smart enough to know how to get it done-

-You are her last hope-

-It's a pass/fail-level test...you have to be able to do this before you can go to Cairo-

-Look...I wouldn't have brought this to you if I didn't have the confidence in you, Ki-

-let your heart be the anchor...and...anything is possible-

-Your name is on the lips of nearly every citizen of the Celler environment. Kimi...you are our hero-

-Anger is the wind that blows out the light of reason. Keep the light of your knowledge and power focused, and it can guide you through any dark shadow your enemy casts before you-

-The Kempo Diamond. Shred the wind, Ki-

Shred. The wind.

It was this statement made by her friend Frannie which brought her to her feet.

Mark had moved from the console and was rubbing the back of his neck when Carole spoke. "She's up, Mark."

Mark walked back to his chair, sitting at the console. :::Ki...I might have set this bar a little too high. You're only about a tenth off the three--:::

Mark was cut short as Kimi moved to the starting mark and suddenly stomped her foot hard against the floor three times, looking through the glass panels at the group who had gathered to watch. Her hands were balled into tight fists as she pulled the towel from her neck, flinging it. Carole jumped back a bit as it slapped against one of the glass panels.

Kimi swept her hair from her face - then thrust her arms down hard, her entire body shuddering once. She then turned to the wall - and nodded once.

Mark slowly turned to Carole, who had no comment other than a look of slight disbelief at the level of Kimi's resolve. Mark turned back to the console - heaved a slow exhale - and reset the test system.

-bzzzzzzzzzzzt-

Mid-low-high.

Kimi thrust herself at the wall as the light-points appeared, and was already beginnng to twist counter-clockwise. Her feet left the floor as her left fist slapped against the first light-point, pushing away. She landed on her right foot, using that as a fulcrum as she bent at the waist, flashing her right arm against the second light-point, using the impact to quicken her rotation, her left leg already raised high and swinging in a wide arc.

Kimi's left foot was silhouetted for a flash of a second against the third light-point as she struck the wall. She fell to one knee, her other leg extended behind her.

A high-pitched gasp burst from Carole. "She's got it--" she said in an excited breath.

The room fell silent, and even time seemed to cease its march for a couple of seconds, awaiting the results.

:::elapsed time of test: two-point-eight--:::

The system voice was drowned by Craig as he jumped from his chair. "BOO-YA!" he whooped, joined by cheers from several of the fight trainers. The entire room burst into applause as Kimi leaped to her feet, her face awash with a wide grin.

Mark stabbed the button to bring up the lights in the Speed Room as he stood, clapping his hands. He then hit the intercom. :::2.87. You DID IT, Ki! Get out here for your fan club:::

Kimi came through the door into the console room and grabbed Carole in a tight hug as the others applauded again. She quickly moved to Mark, her face alight with joy. "I did it, Cap'n Mark!" she squealed. "I moved faster than the lights! I moved faster than light!"

"Yeah," Mark laughed, "yeah, you did!"

The two suddenly locked in a warm hug, Kimi's head turning against the large man's chest. "Thanks for not giving up on me, Cap'n Mark," she said.

"For a moment before that last run, I thought it was you who was giving up," said Mark, "...and I'm not sure I could have blamed you if you did. It wasn't until today that I started to think that this test could have been a little over the top...but you ended up proving me wrong by topping the test." Mark moved to the console for a moment, shutting the lights and system down as Kimi was congratulated by the fight trainers. He then returned to join Kimi. "That's it, Ki," he said. "Your training is complete. All that remains now is the final preparations before we leave for Cairo. Let's get some dinner, and then the rest of the evening is yours...although I suggest you spend some time this evening packing your belongings. I'll arrange to have them transported back to Eastgate. And go to bed a little early tonight...you're still getting up at 0630 tomorrow. I'll have some maps and other intel on the warehouse from the lab at Cairo West, and Wade will have the latest readings. We'll be boarding a Scramjet to Cairo about 1100 tomorrow."

Mark then grabbed Kimi's upper arms, shaking them for emphasis. "You're GOING, Ki. You're going to rescue your mother."

Kimi looked into Mark's eyes as the group erupted into applause again, trying to think of a way to express her thanks for everything he had done for her every step of the way the last three weeks. She already held that answer in the back of her mind; the best, and only way of thanking Mark was to bring the mission she had undergone three weeks of intensive training for to a successful outcome - to bring her mother home.

The group left the Speed Room for the last time. Kimi took a shower, and then she, Carole, Craig, Melfina and Mark went to the restaurant they had visited the previous weekend for a spaghetti dinner. While the main focus was Kimi and her accomplishments during her weeks of training, the most curious highlight of the meal was Melfina's reaction to each course, particularly the parmisan garlic bread.

After the meal, the group returned to the base and Mark's quarters, where Kimi entertained Melfina's request for a few games of backgammon. Shortly after 8 PM, Kimi bid everyone a good night with a lingering hug for each, and went to her quarters.

Upon arriving upstairs, Kimi went onto the online backgammon forum for a final time, talking with her friends about the previous evening, and Dani's wish come true. "Ki you are my hero!" Dani typed into the chat box just below the board on the screen, where Kat and Amy were engaged in a match.

Kimi's face spread into a smile at Dani's joy. "Thanks, D," she typed in reply. "But it's all about I only introduced one new friend to another...I'm glad I could help you get your wish."

What Kimi said and what she felt had a significant difference. While her happiness toward Dani's event was quite real, her mind was more focused on what the small blonde girl had said to her - it was the second time in a week that someone had used the term "hero" in describing her actions to help others.

After about an hour, Kimi said goodnight to the group, promising Dani that she would make sure Melfina had her email address correct. Kimi then began the task of packing her belongings.

Friday, July 12th, 9:21 PM, Eastgate time
Saturday, July 13th, 5:21 AM, Cairo time
-18 Hours, 39 Minutes
Kimi brought the pants she had brought with her from the closet and laid them out on the bed, looking each of them over, trying to decide which would be the best choice to wear during her mission. Kimi had also elected to put one of the mini-disks her mother had made for her into the stereo with a compilation of Rush's music, at a moderate volume. She spent a moment in a slight frustration, finding that none of the pants had a pocket large enough to accomodate the Kimmunicator Melfina had given her. Unusable fashion, she thought as she let the last pair fall to the bed. Maybe I should ask Cap'n Mark if we can stop by the BX before we leave and get a small backpack or something. Kimi stopped that thought...it's all about I have enough equipment on my shoulders with the holster and Escrima...maybe a belt pack or something. The thingy with the crystal could go in there, too. She picked up her pair of black jeans, looking them over. Room to move without being all about baggy, she thought. She folded them once and set them aside on the bed, moving to fold the rest of her pants in thirds and stack them into one side of her suitcase which was laying open in the chair.

Kimi then brought her t-shirts out of a dresser drawer and set them on the bed, beginning to fold each and place it in the suitcase while again going through the process of selecting one to wear to Cairo. Her decision rested on a dark blue shirt with two red stripes running along the sides. She placed this on top of the black jeans. She then closed the top drawer of the dresser and opened the second containing her underwear. She picked out a pair of grey calf-length socks, tossing them onto the pants and shirt, then collected the rest of her undergarments and slipped them into a compartment in her suitcase.

Shoes.

Kimi first gave thought to wearing a pair of her sneakers on the mission - but also thought of how they squeak on bare floors, which would give away her position. She decided that her "Tiger Claw" practice shoes would fulfill her requirements for flexibility and the "stealth" factor. She brought them from the third drawer, setting them beside the rest of her chosen outfit, and packed her two other pair of shoes into the suitcase.

Kimi sat for a moment, thinking - then snapped her fingers and moved quickly into the bathroom, packing her toothbrush and toothpaste, hairbrush and other items into a small toiletries bag that was provided for her use, then returned to the bed, placing the bag into the suitcase.

Kimi thought for another moment, going through a quick mental checklist of everything she had brought from home. The MDs with the complete list of episodes from her mother's show were already packed along with her music disks, save the one that was currently in the stereo. Kimi listened as a song ended, Geddy Lee's vocals winding through the chords of the guitar. Kimi's face grew into a slight contented smile as the next song started, one of her favorites from their early works, "Something for Nothing":

-Waiting for the winds of change to sweep the clouds away-
-Waiting for the rainbow's end to cast its gold your way-
-Countless ways, you pass the days-

Kimi rose from the bed, walking to the desk and opening each of the drawers, checking for any forgotten items. She then moved to the closet, looking over the floor and the overhead shelf.

Kimi returned to sit on the edge of the bed, making one more mental sweep of her quarters, listing items and where she had stored them. She reached again for the dresser to make one last check, pulling open the top drawer, noting it had been emptied.

-You don't get something for nothing-

Kimi slid the drawer closed and moved to pull open the next, making sure it too was cleaned of her belongings.

-You can't have freedom for free-

She closed the second drawer and opened the third. Empty.

Kimi slid that drawer closed, and pulled the bottom drawer - then took in a gasp--

-You won't get wise with the sleep still in your eyes, no matter what your dream might be-

The large flat box Melfina had presented her with last week had slid to the front of the drawer, and the instructions which accompanied its presentation that Thursday night slid to the front of Kimi's memory:

"This gift is from the Celler community, but do not open it until the night before you are to leave on your mission. Of all the gifts I have brought you, this one is meant to be the most helpful in giving you confidence in your mission."

Kimi slid the box from the drawer as the song on the stereo went into a series of guitar riffs. Judging by Melfina's words when giving her the box, Kimi surmised that it could be something more of a "morale booster" than a tool or weapon - something more meaningful than useful. She brought the box to her lap, sliding her finger along the bottom edge, breaking small lengths of tape which held it closed.

Kimi slowly lifted the lid from the box - then she caught a long gasp, her eyes widening as she looked into the box. "Ho-ly-shiz-nekk..." she drew out under her breath. This gift from Cellers was beyond anything she could have imagined, she thought as she began to draw items from the box, setting them on the bed beside her.

Friday, July 12th, 10:02 PM, Eastgate time
Saturday, July 13th, 6:02 AM, Cairo time
-17 Hours, 58 Minutes
Kimi had slid into a pair of shoes from the box. surprised at how closely their fit matched her own shoes, as if she had picked them out herself. She then reached to the bed for the remaining items - a pair of dark gloves, made from what felt like a light suede as she slid them onto her hands, noting that they were thin enough not to restrict her movement or dull her sense of touch.

Kimi then stood and turned to the full-length mirror adjacent to the bathroom door - and her jaw slowly dropped in disbelief as her breath caught--

The image in the mirror was Kimi - now completely outfitted in her mother's "mission clothes" from her show, from the roomy cargo pants to the form-fitting black midriff shirt.

The song at that moment , combined with the sight before her in the mirror, sent a wave of shivery tingles and a new sense of even more focused purpose through Kimi as the intense, high-pitched voice of the singer burst lyrics through the room:

-What you own is your own kingdom-
-What you do is your own glory-
-What you love is your own power-
-What you live is your own story-
-In your head is the answer, let it guide you along-
-Let your heart be the anchor and the beat of your song-

Kimi continued to stare into the mirror as she thought about her mother; the new ground she had broken by not only falling in love with the Flesher she crossed to, but married him - and together, they brought forth the gift to the world - to both worlds - that was the image now in the mirror; Kimi Angelina Hodge - the offspring of the very first inter-environmental union in recorded history.

A union which must not be erased or destroyed. A union which must be rejoined and restored at any cost.

Dad realized a dream when Mom came into his life, Kimi thought. Just as Cap'n Mark realized a dream when Melfina came into his...and then another dream when she returned. Dani realized a dream when she met her first Celler.

Kimi brought her hands up slightly from her sides, curling them into fists of focused, unwavering resolution. "For Dad," she said, her eyes steeling at the mirror, "For Cap'n Mark, for Dani...for everyone like them who shares the dream...and for the Cellers who bring those dreams...I will save my mother...my mother, Kim Possible."

to be continued....