I'm never gonna stop,
I'm never gonna drop,
Ain't no different than it was before.
So take some good advice,
You better stop and think twice,
Before you take your first step,
Out that door.
So if you wanna step up (step up),
You're gonna get knocked down (knocked down).
If you wanna step up (step up),
You're gonna get knocked down.
"Step Up" by Drowning Pool
Divided We Stand
The sleek looking plane sped across the horizon at amazing speeds. It was a black colour with the Global Justice logo painted in red. Did I mention it was fast? Very fast? Not that the occupants noticed. All they felt was a smooth ride and the anticipation and anxiety that came before a mission.
Most of the agents had diverged off into little subgroups. Conversations of sports and families and the latest movies filled the craft. Little distractions that do nothing to hide the professionalism of any of them.
One agent, however, sat alone unsure of her place. Sure Kim had saved the world on numerous occasions, but even she could tell that this was on a totally different level. She had by some miracle managed to go through her years of independent missions without people getting hurt. Now, for the first time she was faced with the reality that it may be a necessity. That sometimes saving lives costs lives.
Still didn't sit well with her.
Agent McCarthy called everyone over to go over the mission details and individual assignments one last time. Apparently their destination was close by. That was something else she would have to get used to. Not being in charge.
**********
Ron was shaking his head. Not in frustration, but just at the situation. His first mission permanently without Kim and he managed to score a ride that didn't involve falling from thirty thousand feet. This mission was having a good start at least.
He turned to the helicopter pilot as he saw their destination nearing. "Thanks for the lift Kyle."
"No problem… um… who are you again?" The pilot asked in a friendly but still confused manner.
Ron just sighed. So much for a good start. "Ron. Ron Stoppable."
Nothing.
"I helped save your granddaughter during the kidnappings last year."
Vague recollection.
"Kim Possible's sidekick." Ron said with a sigh.
Recognition immediately dawned in the pilot's eyes and he gave Ron a huge grin and a clap on the back. "Well anything for the people who saved my little girl. Where is Miss Possible if you don't mind my asking."
"Nevada if my guess is right. She's a government agent now."
"Oh. So why are you out here all by yourself then?" Kyle asked as he landed the helicopter in the chemical plants parking lot.
"I'm not really sure." He admitted as he got out of the copter. "But I do know that somebody has to handle this and I'm here now."
Ron started towards the building. He didn't get more than a few steps before the Kyle called him back.
"Here" He said handing Ron a silver lighter. "This was something of a good luck charm of mine back in Nam. You could use it more than me right now."
Ron didn't know what to say. So he just gave Kyle a genuine smile and said thanks. As the helicopter left he noticed an inscription on the lighter.
Though I walk through the shadow of the valley of death I will fear no evil,
Fore I am the badest motherfucker in the valley.
**********
The team of Global Justice agents parachuted down to the desert floor expertly and stealthily. They quickly gathered at the rally point. One look at the army structure before them and they could tell something was wrong. It was quiet. Far too quiet for a military research installation. Of course the gaping hole in the side of the building may have been a clue too.
McCarthy took everything in and made some last minute alterations to the current plan. Nothing major, just things that needed first hand knowledge of to be certain. Like said gaping hole. Before he could give the go ahead Kim pulled him aside.
"I'd like to point out again that I still feel I would be best suited for the infiltration team Agent McCarthy."
"Look," Agent McCarthy said. "I know you have a lot of experience Agent Possible, but you don't have a lot of experience with us and how we work. You're on backup and that's final.
"You and Sanchez will stay out here and cover the exits. You will not enter unless radioed or absolutely necessary. I don't expect we'll run into too much trouble, but we still need people there just in case. Every team member gets backup assignments at some point. You'll have to get used to it.
"On this mission you're more of an observer anyways. Just watch, learn. Learn how Global Justice works first hand. And how your teammates work. Your life will probably be in their hands one day."
**********
A stocky, balding man wearing a white lab coat met Ron at the door. His name was Arnold Maybarry and was apparently the head of the facility.
Arnold told him that the plant workers had long since left for the night, but the research staff often stayed later. Even most of them had left already though. All except him actually. He caught sight of a black clad figure trashing one of the labs looking for something and immediately went for help.
When asked why he didn't call the police Arnold just said that he had heard so many great things about Kim Possible that he thought she could handle it. Of course that was followed by a 'where is she anyway?'
So now, after explaining it yet again, Ron was in the plant navigating the corridors. And seriously happy Wade was feeding him a map to his communicator. This place was built like a maze.
He didn't think it very likely that the thief was still there. Not after the time it took to actually get to the plant. There may be some clues though, so he trudged his way through until he came to an elevator to the lower levels. That's where the labs were.
There were a total of six labs on the lower level and apparently the thief had been busy since Arnold first saw them. Five were completely written off. Equipment, glass and god knows what else littered the floors.
Whoever the thief was they were good. The first four labs held absolutely nothing in the way of a clue. All the fifth yielded was a footprint in some sort of green goo. With nothing else to go on Ron knelt down to take a closer look.
Out of the corner of his eye Ron just barely caught sight of movement in the shadows. It probably saved his life.
**********
Kim watched the exit from her cover position. She knew that what McCarthy said was right. That didn't mean she wasn't annoyed though. Backup, waiting, it just wasn't her style. It wasn't what she was used to.
It was killing her listening to the sounds of battle through the radio. Even the occasional gunshot could be heard carried by the air.
It took every ounce of her self-control not to rush in there and kick butt. Orders be damned! She would get used to this she told herself yet again. It seemed to be becoming her mantra.
**********
Ron rolled out of the way just as a figure melted from the shadows and a glistening sword cut through the space he had just been in. He had a fraction of a second to recover as the attacker went off balance from the miss, but that was all he needed. He came to a fighting stance on his feet just as his opponent did.
They eyed each other for a moment sizing each other up. This was obviously the guy Arnold saw. Dressed completely in black ninja garb. His head was encased in a black metal helmet that left nothing showing. Just clean and smooth all the way around. No holes for the eyes or mouth. In the hand without the katana was a long silver canister.
It was clear to Ron this guy was dangerous. He was holding himself like a pro and wielded that sword like he was born with it. That didn't concern Ron much though. Maybe four years ago, but not now. He'd been spending every summer, every school break even, in Japan training. Not to mention his time in Tibet this past summer…
"You shouldn't have interfered boy." Came the distorted voice of the thief.
Ron just looked on calmly, not showing any of the anxiety he felt. "Ya well, I have a habit of getting in the way. Names Ron Stoppable by the way. I'll be kicking your ass now."
"You may call me Caesar." With that the temporary reprieve was broken and the thief attacked with a slash at him. Ron dove to the side and grabbed a piece of metal railing that looked like it used to be attached to the wall. As he comes up he used it to block Caesar's vertical slash.
Both combatants now armed they locked in a more even contest of skill. They exchange attack after attack and parry after parry with neither gaining the upper hand. The two danced the dance like people who had done so hundreds of times before with each other. They knew the other's next move on an almost instinctual level.
Unfortunately such stalemates can't last and Ron was the one without a sword. His pipe took all it could and finally gave under the assault and was cleaved in two. Just as it happened Caesar threw a vicious kick to the midsection that knocked Ron down. The sword tip was quickly pointed at his throat.
"Any last words."
Ron's eyes were desperately darting around for anything that could help him. Then he saw it. The green goo. And he grinned.
"Yah." He said as he carefully slid the lighter out of his pocket. "Need a light?"
With that he lit the lighter and tossed it in the goo praying it was flammable. His prayer was answered as the green goo immediately burst into flames and spread straight to the pool Caesar was standing in.
The sword moved just enough as his attacker caught on fire. Ron kicked the canister out of his hand and rolled backwards, his own hands outstretched. The canister landed smoothly in them.
"This isn't over!" Caesar's distorted voice sneered as he threw a smoke pellet down. When the smoke cleared he was gone.
Sighing in relief as the sprinkler system finally kicked in Ron walked over and picked up the slightly burnt lighter. "I guess it really is lucky."
**********
Well, it was finally over. In reality the mission probably didn't last that long. Fifteen, twenty minutes tops. But to Kim it felt like an eternity of waiting. The only action she got was when one of the WWEE operatives had tried to make a run for it. The guy went down with one kick and that really didn't satisfy the adrenaline build up.
Now the team had been spending the last half an hour rounding up and securing all the WWEE operatives. They needed to get them ready for the transport coming to take the to a detention centre.
Agent McCarthy was overseeing everything. He went around to each team member and congratulated them on a job well done.
Only thing is it didn't feel like a job well done to Kim.
**********
Arnold was thrilled when Ron came out of the plant with canister in hand. Well, maybe thrilled was too strong. Five trashed labs was bad, but at least nothing was stolen.
"I can't thank you enough Mr. Stoppable. I should have figured this was what they were after."
'What is it." Ron asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"On its own, nothing dangerous just rare." Arnold told him. His face turned grim before going on. "Combined with the right materials, a deadly nerve gas."
"Oh, that would suck."
Arnold chuckled. "Suck indeed. But you saved the day young man. Thanks again."
He continued to thank Ron for another twenty minutes until he was finally stopped. And that was only because Ron's ride came and he had to leave. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate the praise, it just felt weird. It didn't feel like a victory. Yet it did. On the one had Caesar got away, on the other the canister is safe.
Or maybe it had more to do with Kim not being there to share it with.