Disclaimer
Kim Possible is a registered trademark of Disney Inc. I have no rights to any of the characters. And they have no rights to me.
Providence
A Kim Possible Story
Author: falfurrian
Editor: Spice of Life
Chapter 16
Kim's ride was a yellow taxi. She had hoped for something faster, but since they were only going 20 miles or so it wouldn't make a difference. Wade told her how he found an extra video cable leading to his house while 'fixing' the cable box so his dad could see the big fight. Once discovered, he monitored the signal and found a lot of unusual images. They all contained Ron doing something dastardly to a computer or a little kid. After examining the images and determining they were fake, Wade started looking for other homes with this extra cable. He discovered all the images were transmitted to every house. The cable box was used as the filter allowing only certain images to get to the TV screen. Thus, Wade was able to examine all the images being transmitted.
He found pictures of Ron holding or kissing several different girls. Some of the girls were even nude. Wade also discovered very flattering pictures of Ron looking very dapper, and being very gentlemanly. These pictures all contained a girl from Middleton High. Kim surmised they were the girls that had been falling all over Ron these past few days. It was all fit together. After seeing the images of Ron involved in racist acts, she understood Monique's feelings toward Ron.
The taxi pulled off the main road about half a mile from the house.
"This is it Miss Possible," the cab driver announced. "Are you sure you'll be alright? It looks a little spooky out here."
"It does look a little ...odd. But I'll be fine." Kim said as she stepped out the door. "Thanks for the ride Mr. Hartman."
"My pleasure!" The driver smiled brightly, "If it hadn't been for you, my family would have been trapped inside that log cabin all winter!"
"It was no big! Anyone could have heard you daughter screaming at the top of her lungs 30 feet under the snow." 'I just wish she would have stopped screaming after I dug them out.'
Kim stepped out of the cab and saw an old farm house and a dilapidated barn a little further on down the road. She was far enough away to move about quickly, but still remain undetected. She circled wide just to be sure. As she drew near, a light was visible inside the barn. The teen slowed her pace and ducked even lower in the dew covered grass.
Remaining low, Kim crept around to the darker side of the badly weathered barn. Large gaps in the wooden siding allowed for a good view inside the structure. Kim peered inside. Nothing villainous to speak of really, just a tractor, some sawhorses and boards. Kim continued to circle around the barn, keeping a watch for movement.
A screen door slammed at the old farm house just as Kim was about to step away from the barn. She pressed herself up against the wall and listened. Someone entered the barn through the main door. Kim turned around slowly and watched through a gap in the wall.
Shego stepped through the barn door, and began looking around. After several seconds of scanning with her eyes, she seemed to find what she sought. Bending over, she picked up a tool from the wooden floor and headed back toward the house, grumbling under her breath.
'Well, Wade got the address correct. I just need to find Ron.'
The screen door slammed again, announcing Shego's return to the house. Kim went around the side of the barn and ran toward the house. She needed to see inside the house before her next move.
Crouching down below a window, Kim discovered what she needed.
"Shego, I told you to bring me the small Philips head screwdriver! You brought me one of those Allen keys!" Dr. Drakken ranted.
"You're trying to take the back off of your printer, right?"
"Yes!" Dr. Drakken tapped his foot impatiently, wondering where this conversation was going.
"Well, you need the 7 mm hex key for that. NOT THE SMALL PHILLIPS HEAD!" Shego growled. She appeared to be suppressing an urge to hit him in the head with the screwdriver.
"Okay Ms. Smarty Pants, let's see who is right."
Kim heard a heavy plastic device being handled forcefully.
"Let's see. Yes, Yes. Well Shego. I was right. You need the hex key for this printer." Grinning victoriously, Drakken shoved the screwdriver in her face in a taunting manner, obviously forgetting he had bet on the opposing choice.
"What! You were right? Look here you childish...."
Kim didn't hear the rest of their 'conversation' as she headed around to the back door. She eased the door open and stepped inside, closing the door behind her. They were still going at it. 'Perfect.' Kim took a few steps, and could see into what could have been the dinning room. A computer and printer were resting on an old table.
Watching from the kitchen, Kim noticed a familiar face on the computer screen. It was an untouched picture of Ron lying down in his gym clothes. 'They must have Ron in the cellar or something.' Wanting to make sure her friend was alright before taking care of the villains, Kim backed out of the house the way she entered. Once outside, she continued her circle around the outside of the house, looking for an entrance to the cellar.
She found the entrance to the cellar in short order. It was a single heavy door at a 30 degree angle. There was no lock. She gripped the handle firmly and pulled. With a small crack, the handle broke free of the door, causing Kim to fall backwards into a seated position. Still holding the handle in her hand she examined the door. The hinges were rusted solid. 'This door has not been opened in a very long time.' She looked into the cellar through the hole left by the handle. It was too dark to see anything.
"Ron, are you in there?" She whispered, sighing deeply after she got no reply.
"How is the arm Kimmie? I heard you got in a wreck after getting stoned at a party." Shego asked from behind.
Kim wheeled around, and said the first thing that came to mind, "Where's Ron? And how did you know about the party?"
"Oh. We've taken good care of your little friend. We wouldn't want anything to happen to him while he was doing your job."
"What is that suppose to mean?" Kim asked, standing up from the spot she was in.
"Think about it! If you hadn't been mad at your boyfriend, you would have discovered our plan together. But now..."
Shego ignited her hands and lunged at the agile red head. Kim deflected the first sidekick with an outside block, and flipped sideways away from the house. Kim didn't want her back to a wall. Shego continued to press the attack, punching and kicking relentlessly. Kim skillfully blocking every assault.
Dr. Drakken watched the women fighting for several minutes from the steps leading down from the kitchen. He looked over at the large object concealed under a tan tarp, and smiled.
The young women continued to exchange blows, neither one getting the upper hand. Shego circled around one of the many trees close to the farm house. She stopped under a large limb hanging a little above her head. Her hands were glowing with intense energy. Kim came around the tree and ran at the woman. Shego leapt into the air and cut through the limb at the trunk of the tree, causing it to break forcefully.
Kim didn't see the trap in time. The heavy branch knocked her to the ground, pinning her underneath. She turned over quickly to shield against Shego's next attack. However, she was stunned to see Shego jumping into the driver's side of a waiting car.
Dr. Drakken stuck his head out the passenger side window, "Have fun with the tree!" Then Kim hears another voice. It was muffled, but it was coming from the direction of the car. "Kim! Help! Help me Kim! I need you." It was Ron's voice! He might have been in the back seat, or even the trunk.
Just as Kim was pushing the severed limb off her, Shego gunned the engine, and the car sped off down the drive towards the street. She had not noticed the red Buick under the tarp, now lying in a pile next to the house.
"Ron!" Was all she had time to say before the car was too far down the drive.
Kim yanked her Kimmunicator from her pocket, and connected with Wade. "Wade! I need a ride. Shego and Drakken have left with Ron in their car."
"Sounds like you will need something a little faster than a taxi this time."
"You got it!"
Wade typed on his computer for a few more seconds. Smiling, he returned his attention back to Kim.
"Got it! The early traffic report is about to start. The station owes me for improving their fuel efficiency on there helicopter by 37%. The chopper should be there in about 7 minutes."
"You continue to rock Wade! Is there any way you can track Shego and Drakken? They are in a late model red Buick."
"Yea, I think I can keep an eye on them through the various security cameras throughout the city. That is, unless they head further out of town."
"Keep me posted Wade." She replied, turning the Kimmunicator off.
After Kim stowed her Kimmunicator, she headed back into the house. Something didn't sit right with her about this mission. How did Ron know it was Drakken sending the video? His deductive reasoning was suspect at best. But his emotional intuition was usually right on target. And the car... 'Why did Drakken use land based transportation instead of his usual hover jet?'
Inside the house Kim found the equipment pretty much as she had seen it before. Computer, printer, monitors. Kim booted-up the computer and started looking around again. The place was very dusty. Fresh foot prints could be seen all over the wooden floor. Kim walked back into the kitchen. It had no appliances and no furniture. This did not look like Drakken's normal lair. It was too sparse.
Kim pulled her trusty communication devise from her pocket once again, and dialed Wade one more time.
"Wade."
"Yes Kim?"
"I need you to hack into this computer."
"No problem! Just plug the USB plug into the computer port."
Kim followed Wade's instructions. Soon the computer screen was being operated remotely by the skilled hands of the boy genius.
"What am I looking for?" Wade asked.
"I'm not sure. I just get a funny feeling about all this. Too many things are different."
From off in the distance Kim could hear the thumping sound of an approaching helicopter.
"Wade, my ride is here."
"I'm downloading the files to my computer so I can examine them more closely. I should be finished in about 2 minutes."
Kim looked out a dirty window. Sure enough, she could see the running lights of the approaching helicopter.
The nagging feeling Kim had in the back of her mind was growing. Too many things did not make sense.
"I've got what I need Kim. Go catch your ride."
"Thanks!"
Kim unplugged the Kimmunicator, and ran out the door to the waiting helicopter.
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Trying to breath slow and steady was not helping. Ron was starting to loose control. The pressure in his chest would not go away. Thousands of tiny pricks marched over his skin like imaginary ants, while cold sweet ran down his chest, moving the hairs under his arms.He laid still so that he could listen for any sign of rescue, and prevent the rough wood from scratching his elbows and arms. But the silence and rigidity only increased the sound of blood rushing through his ears, causing them to ring so loud it was maddening. All he heard was his own body.
He had hit his forehead on three or four occasions, jerking in sudden spasms after forgetting were he was or trying desperately to get out. Time was lost to him. For a while Ron had talked with Rufus. The little rodent had done his best to keep him calm. But his tiny claws clicking of the wood or running over Ron's body had eventually induced wrath. The last time Ron had flailed about so much while screaming. Rufus now huddled in a corned, not moving.
'I don't want to die like this! Suffocation or dehydration... What a choice!' A tear rolled down his face into his ear. "Kim will never know I love her." Ron said out loud. "I thought the dream I had in Temple was about Kim, being in trouble. But now I see it was about me. The figures I saw in the window. The red and blue lights of the ambulance that took me to the hospital...and now being trapped in a small, dark place. It all fits." Ron thought about the emotions he felt during his church dream. He remembered feeling very calm, very much at peace. 'That must be what it's like to be dead. God was showing me my death.'
But that didn't seem right. God was eternal hope. If He was doing anything, it would be giving him a chance to show faith. 'If I can survive this, I think I need to change my name to Possible.' Ron smiled at his thought. 'Kim was so beautiful standing next to me in her white dress. I wonder if I'll ever get to see her like that.'
An idea struck him. Ron took another deep breath and let it our slowly. If this plan for controlling his hysteria did not work.... Ron couldn't think about it. The fear was distracting.
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The pilot reached over, opening the door to the passenger side. Kim climbed in and put on the second set of headphones.
"You must be Kim Possible. I'm Kathy Runner. It's a pleasure to meet you." The female pilot said extending a hand.
Kim shook the gloved hand with her own. The pilot was a slender women in her mid 30's with blonde hair.
"Thank you for meeting me! Did Wade tell you what we are doing?"
"Yes he did! We are to locate this Drakken character that is holding your friend. Wade said they were headed south on Highway 37 toward town."
"You got it! Lets go."
The helicopter lifted into the air. The sky was just beginning to lighten and Kim was able to distinguish more subtle shades of gray. Looking down, she saw the farm house and the field. The entire field had been plowed in what Kim assumed was preparation for spring planting. But who was plowing the field? No one lived in the house. She remembered the tractor in the barn. It had a plow on the back.
As they rose, something else struck her about the field. One section of the field looked like it had been turned more recently than the rest. No, it was not a section. It was just one row. A horrible feeling of tread came over Kim.
"Ms. Runner! I need to go back to the farm house! Can you take me back down?"
"Sure, but I thought we were chasing this Drakken fellow?"
"I think that's what he wants me to do."
The pilot turned the aircraft around and headed back to the farm.
On the way back, Kim saw Ron's scooter on its side in the tall grass next to the driveway. 'So, Ron has been here.'
"Would you mind flying over that field up ahead? I want a better look at the newly plowed area."
They flew slowly over the field about 50 feet above the ground. This section was definitely plowed later than the rest. 'I wonder why?'
They landed back at the same place as before.
"You sure you don't need my help? You want me to call the police for you?"
"No. I have a phone. I'll take care of it."
With that, Kim ducked out of the helicopter and ran away from the rotor wash. As the chopper left the area Kim contacted Wade one more time.
"Wade, have you found anything yet?"
"You're not in the helicopter. Did you find Drakken?"
"No. I'm back at the farm. I'm tired of being led about like a puppy."
On the flight back, Kim realized she had been using her emotions as her guide. That is what had gotten her in this mess in the first place. All of Drakken's images were meant to churn basic human emotions causing the victim to abandon reason and logic. She had been running from place to place without giving herself enough time to digest the evidence. Not any more.
"What have you found so far from Drakken's computer."
"Mostly pictures and images. There was not a lot on that computer. Not as much as I would expect if he has been using it to run an audio / video set-up. Was it plugged into any other equipment?"
"No. Just a printer. And I have not seen any other equipment here. Can you show me the latest image from the computer," Kim asked on a hunch.
"There are about 10 images from the last three days. I'll start with the latest."
The first image was a picture of Shego walking in from the field. She looked hot and sweaty. Unusual for Shego. Kim imaged that was why Drakken took the picture. The field, barn, and tractor could be seen in the background.
The next image was of the Shego out in the field. This one looked like it was taken from the barn. The house was visible to one side and Kim recognized the large tree where the limb had fallen on her earlier.
Next was the picture Kim has seen earlier of Ron with the girl. The next few were similar to this one.
"I think you'll find this next image interesting." Wade said before transmitting the picture. Drakken was standing over Kim with one foot on her chest. One hand on his hip, the other pointing a mocking finger toward the camera. He had a victorious look about him. Kim was dressed in her school cloths, laying flat on the ground. Her eyes were closed and her face was without emotion. She appeared to be unconscious, or dead.
"This is why Ron knew Drakken was behind this plot." Kim said with satisfaction. Finally able to put something together that made sense. "Drakken must have made sure Ron saw this at some time."
"But why would they want Ron?" Kim said.
"As bait for you." Wade said.
"Maybe, but why didn't they have a better trap for me when I got here. It's like they wanted me to come here and then follow them. Wade, keep looking at those images for clues. I'm going to check out the barn. Kim out."
Walking to the barn Kim saw fresh tracks made by the tractor leading back from the field. There was a backhoe attachment for the tractor sitting on the grass just to the left of the barn. It had fresh dirt on the shovel and the vegetation around it had not recovered from the weight of the tractor. The sunlight was just starting to make the inside of the barn visible. A front loader was attached to the tractor and a plow was connected to the back. Kim put her hand on the engine. It was still WARM! Why would they be using a tractor? Kim looked around the barn. There was the wood she saw earlier. Kim walk to the sawhorses and stopped. On one of the cut pieces of wood was a crude sketch of a box and a set of numbers: 6' x 2' x 18"
Kim's heart started racing. 'This looks like a coffin!'
Suddenly Kim had this image of Ron being buried, alive or dead, someplace in the field behind the house. The thought was horrifying.
She pulled the Kimmunicator from her pocket with shaking hands. "WADE! I think I know where Ron is. I believe they buried him in the field behind the farm house! You've got to help me find him!"
"Okay Kim. Calm down. We can find him." Wade said reassuringly. "Why do you think they buried him in the field?"
"Because they built a box about the size of coffin and the tractor was used recently to dig a hole and maybe hid the evidence."
"Tractor ah! I remember ...." Wade concentrated on the screen in front of him. "Got it! Look at this image. I see a tractor in the background."
"Yes, Yes! I bet that's it!" Kim exclaimed.
"We will need another image for me to triangulate on the exact spot." Wade stated.
"There were two images with Shego. Check the other one!" Kim suggested.
"We are in business! It will take me a few minutes to get the theodalight program running so I can get an accurate location."
"I'll get the tractor ready."
Kim jumped on the tractor and started the engine. She realized she needed the backhoe for digging and began the process of exchanging the equipment. It seemed like it was taking forever! Kim was not familiar with all the attachments and had to get Wade's assistance.
When she finally had the backhoe attached and the hydraulic hoses hooked-up properly, she started out into the field. Wade was guiding her using the GPS system in the Kimmunicator. He had determined the location of the tractor using the two images and translated the distance measurements into coordinates. Kim bounced through the plowed rows of the field, clutching on to the steering wheel for balance.
"Okay Kim. SLOW DOWN! You're about to overshoot the location."
Kim put the tractor in a lower gear and slowed the engine so she could hear Wade a little better. "Turn to the right 5 degrees... now straighten out the wheel. Good. Stay on this course for about another 25 feet. Slow it down a little more. Okay ... now STOP!"
Kim pushed in the clutch and the tractor stopped.
"So Wade. Is Ron in front of me or behind?"
"Behind. If my calculations are correct, you should be able to dig with the backhoe right were you're located."
"Thanks Wade! I'm going to start digging. Call me if you have ANYTHING!"
Kim ended the call and jumped down out of the seat. She had to turn the tractor seat around 180 degrees to operate the backhoe and this had to be done from the ground. She looked around at her surroundings. She was suddenly very scared. The spot she was about to dig in looked just like a hundred other locations. If the pictures Wade used to find this location were not correct. She would never find Ron.
Just as she was turning to get back in the seat something in the dirt caught her eye. She reached down and pulled an off-white plastic tie out of the dirt. It was the kind the police used some times in place of handcuffs. There were smears of blood on the tie. Kim's spirits lifted a little. This told her two things. Ron was probably alive when they put him in the box. And he was probably buried close to this location.
Kim jumped back onto the tractor seat and started digging with the backhoe. At first she was taking large scoops of earth with each stroke. She was in a hurry and she was unfamiliar with the equipment. She soon mastered the controls and began digging a little less haphazardly. After about 10 minutes she became concerned she was digging in the wrong location.
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Two figures sat in a late model red sedan outside a parking garage in Middleton.
"Dr. D., I don't think Kim Possible has followed us." Shego stated with no emotion.
"What do you mean? There is no way we could have lost her. That computer geek friend of hers is tied into all the cameras in town. And it's not like we are trying to hide."
"That is my point. I don't think she is looking for us. I think she stayed at the farm house. You must not have cleaned up like you said you would."
"Now let's not start pointing fingers!"
"Did you erase the files on the computer...?"
"Well, no."
"Did you clean up the wood scraps in the barn ...?
"Well, no."
"How about ..."
"Okay! So I missed a few minor things. Big deal! I remembered the tape of the boy yelling for help." Drakken said. "Besides, she won't be able to locate her doofus friend in time. There's over 200 acres in that field. It would take weeks."
"I don't know. She has done some pretty amazing things in the past. How about we just fly back to the farm and check it out? If she's not there then great! If she is, we could finished the job the old fashion way." Shego smiled sadistically.
"Fine! Where did we park the hover jet?"
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A/N: Next chapter is written. Should be posted very soon.