Before I answer questions and get down to the story, I wanted to take a minute to explain my final decision for keeping this story in the 'R' category. After doing some searching in the Create Story menu, I found an accurate description of what a 'PG-13' rating can include. One of the limitations is, as they put it, "one use of the harsher sexually derived words may be heard". Because I prefer to keep an accurate dialogue throughout this story, the language is, I feel, too harsh to be PG-13 (not like it matters though...nobody's asking for ID anyway).
Godhand's Number: I've actually only done non-police related work on one occasion (and that was at 03:30 after the bars were closed, nobody was around, and I had finished all of my reports for the day). What I do most of the time is park in a 'high crime' area (usually in the shopping center or neighborhoods that have had recent break-ins: vehicles or houses) and type up reports. That way I get my work done without having to take up my 'off-duty' time or sit at the station. Plus if I roll all the windows down and turn off the engine, I can hear for quite a distance and have caught auto burglars on more than one occasion after hearing the glass-break from one or two blocks over.
Thanks for the glossary recommendation. I hope it has helped.
An AR-15 eh? Nice choice. While I am in favor of some weapons being banned (Ingram's, Tec-9's, and other 'Saturday Night Special' assault weapons for example), I really don't see a problem with an 800 dollar+ .223 sporting rifle (though I personally have found more accuracy in my 600 dollar Ruger Mini-14 than in my 1,200 dollar Bushmaster).
Chapter Nine
Super 8 Hotel
Oelwein, Iowa – June 6 08:19
"Looks like you owe me twenty bucks Sue."
Kim opened her eyes slowly and turned her head toward the source of the voice, finding the two federal agents standing just inside the doorway holding twin cups of coffee: a look of pride and accomplishment on Sean's face, and a look of resigned (but pleased) defeat on Shego's. She rolled her head over to catch a glimpse of Ron who was asleep next to her with his right arm wrapped gently, yet protectively, around her stomach. It was then she realized that, although she was covered from the waist down by the bed sheets, her nude upper body was exposed to the leering eyes of the two, rather unwelcome, agents.
"Jeez Sean," Kim said bitterly, using her free arm to cover her exposed chest. "You seem so pleased with your work, why don't you just take a picture?"
"Good idea, this'll make a great welcome back card for you dad." The FBI agent casually shot back, pulling out his cell phone and pointing it at her. Before he could pretend to snap a photo of the now wide-eyed redhead, Shego snatched the device out of his hand and delivered a swift elbow to the side of his ribs. "Ow…hey!" Sean grunted; having been caught off-guard by his girlfriend's attack. "I'm just messing around…it's not even a real camera phone." Both women rolled their eyes.
"Sorry to bother you two love-birds," Shego announced as her frown changed into an evil smirk. "Though it does look like we're here after the fact. Just wanted to let you know that Sean and I are gonna head into Waterloo to meet and brief the rest of the strike-force."
"We're going to be gone until mid-afternoon," Sean added. "So if you need to reach us for any reason, here's my cell number." He pulled a business card out of his pocket and placed it on top of the TV. "I'm also gonna leave you the keys to the Jeep, in case you two want to cruise the town or something. Just remember not to draw too much attention to yourselves, and if anyone asks; you're both just passing through on your way to Elkader to stay with some friends, ok?"
Kim raised her arm and gave the two agents a thumbs-up. Then, realizing she had just unintentionally flashed them; quickly re-covered herself and blushed.
As the agents turned to leave, Sean decided to give the teen one last piece of advice. "Hey Kim, things are gonna get pretty stressful tonight. If I were you, I'd try to have some fun today, take a drive, see a movie, or something along those lines; you'll both be more relaxed later if you do."
Ron let out a soft moan as the mid-morning sunlight came through the window, focusing itself on his face. After a moment, his tired eyes adjusted to the brightness that had enveloped the hotel room and allowed them to focus on a truly beautiful sight: The redheaded teen sleeping next to him.
He still couldn't believe what had transpired the night before. After literally months of trying to build up the courage to talk to her, to tell her how he felt, and after going over every possible scenario and repercussion he could think of, in the span of a few seconds she had simply flung the door open in front of him and allowed him the opportunity to walk through. What was even more surprising to the blond was the fact that he had walked through and exposed his innermost feelings to her without even batting an eye, without even worrying about the possible fallout that may have occurred had she not felt the same way toward him. That, however, had not been the case; not only had Kim willingly given her heart to him, but she had given her body as well. The teen couldn't help but blush as he remembered the events of the previous night.
"I guess now I really am a man." He said to himself with a smile.
"What was that?" A soft angelic voice next to him asked. Ron noticed that the redhead's eyes were open slightly and she was gazing lovingly at him.
"Oh nothing," The blond replied softly, returning her loving glance. "Just thinking out loud. What time is it?" Kim turned her head toward the bedside table to check the alarm clock.
"It's a little before noon." She answered as she turned back to face him again. "Sean and Shego came by at about eight this morning…" Ron's eyes widened slightly, which caused Kim to giggle. "Don't worry, it wasn't that awkward. In fact, I'm pretty sure they were expecting to find us like this." She reassured him.
"That's true," Ron replied; eying the opened 'gift' that the FBI agent had given him the night before. "Sean wasn't exactly discreet about his matchmaking efforts was he." Kim snorted. "Did they say anything? Or did they just want to observe their handiwork?"
"They said that they were heading into Waterloo to meet with the strike-force and will be back in a few hours. They also left us the Jeep in case we want to cruise the town. I haven't seen a Bueno Nacho since we arrived, but I did notice a Cineplex over near the Denny's. You wanna catch a movie in a little bit?"
"Sounds good to me, what type of movie do you have in mind?"
"Hmm…" She pretended to think it over. "How about something romantic?"
Kim knew from experience that Ron had always avoided seeing romantic movies with her like they were the plague, but given the recent turn of events, she was curious what his answer would be. "Sounds like fun," The blond responded with his trademark goofy grin. "But I've got one request."
"Oh yeah? What is it?" Kim asked. Ron leaned in and placed his forehead gently against hers.
"We have to sit in the back of the theater." Kim returned his wicked smile before answering.
"I think that's a doable request, as long as you don't think it'll upset Rufus too much; I think he's still a little traumatized from last night." Ron looked down at the pile of their discarded clothes that Rufus had taken refuge in the night before.
"He should be alright with it as long as I keep him supplied with a sufficient amount of snacks." The teen replied. "So…do you want to shower first, or should I?"
"Y'know," The redhead replied seductively. "One of the perks of being a couple is you don't have to worry about shower-order anymore." It took Ron a few seconds to get what his girlfriend was implying, but when Kim grabbed his arm and begun pulling him toward the bathroom door, he quickly understood.
Century 5 Cineplex
Oelwein, Iowa – 18:25
"Well that was, without a doubt, the biggest waste of twenty dollars ever." Kim thought out loud as the teens exited the movie.
"I had a good time." Ron said innocently, placing his arm around her waist.
"Are you kidding? That was the worst romantic-comedy I've ever seen! It had no storyline and the actors were terrible!"
"I wasn't talking about the movie KP." Ron replied with a sly grin.
"…" Rufus, who was once again nestled in Ron's pocket, grumbled something unintelligible which caused both teens to laugh.
"So…what do you want to do now?" The blond asked.
"Sean and Shego should definitely be back from Waterloo by now, so we should probably head back to the hotel and check in with them." Kim answered: seeing that it was almost six-thirty.
"Awww," Ron wined. "But I was having fun." Kim giggled and pulled him in for a kiss.
"Don't worry, there'll be plenty of time for more fun after this is all over. Ok?"
"You got it KP."
"Heads up!"
"Baah!" Ron hadn't even stepped inside the hotel room when Sean tossed something large and black at him. He barely managed to catch the heavy duffle bag before it flew past him into the parking lot.
"What is this? More guns?" Kim asked the two agents.
"Nope," Sean answered as he tossed an identical bag at Kim. She let out a grunt as she caught it; her best guess as to its weight being somewhere around seventy pounds "That's your mission clothes and equipment."
Kim and Ron both placed the bags on the edge of the bed and began emptying their contents. Inside each bag was one pair of custom-tailored woodland cammo BDU's, a lightweight Kevlar bulletproof vest (the same type police officers wear under their uniforms), a second heavy-duty Kevlar SWAT-type tactical vest with several Velcro pockets and the words 'FBI' printed in big white letters on the front and back, a nylon gun belt (the same ones they had worn yesterday, only with two handcuff cases and a radio holster added), a pair of black combat boots (also custom fitted), a bulletproof PASGT helmet, and a pair of expensive-looking night vision goggles; the same type Kim had seen the military use, with the ability to mount directly onto one's helmet.
"We have to wear all this?" Kim asked, remembering Shego had mentioned they would be walking in through a State Park to get to the target.
"Don't worry," Sean replied: fastening his own, identical, gun belt around his waist. "It looks like a lot, but once you get it all on you won't even notice it."
"Won't even notice it my ass! I feel like I'm wearing a bomb-disposal suit!" Ron wined. After taking close to ten minutes to figure out how to put everything on (eventually seeking the help of both amused agents), the two teens were fully suited up and trying to figure out how to move and sit down comfortably.
"That's not even the worst of it," Kim added. "I mean look at this ensemble; total fashion nightmare!"
"For Christ's sake you two," Sean snapped. "We're not wearing this shit to look pretty! We're wearing it because it'll keep us safe and help with concealment in a combat environment!"
"Besides," Shego added; a heavier tone of humor in her voice. "Club Banana didn't carry Safariland."
"If it helps," Sean said with a sigh. "You're not actually gonna be wearing the tactical vest or helmet until we get there."
"Shouldn't we not be wearing any of it until we get there?" Ron asked. "I thought we don't want to attract attention." Shego answered before Sean could.
"We're not stopping anywhere until we reach Bixby State Park, and by then it will be dark. We'll also be in the Jeep, which blends in with the area; so when people see it drive by they won't give us a second glance because we'll look like we belong, that wouldn't be the case if we were in the Crown Victoria."
Kim nodded in understanding as she sat down on the nearest chair. Forgetting about the extra weight she was carrying, she came down a lot harder than she wanted: letting out a small painful whimper that did not go unnoticed by either agent. Sean turned away and pretended he had heard nothing, while Shego (fighting off her twisted urge to laugh) decided to play 'big sister' yet again.
"I take it that last night was your first time Kim?" She asked as Ron, who had been trying to test the maneuverability of his tactical gear by leaning back in his chair, toppled back against the wall with a harsh 'thud'.
"…That is none of your business!" Kim growled at the NSA agent. Shego held her hands up and gave the redhead an apologetic and understanding look.
"I didn't mean to embarrass you two," She said as Ron tried, like a flipped turtle, to pick himself up off the floor. "I just wanted to reassure you that it's perfectly normal to be…y'know, sore afterwards. Especially if you don't take things slowly." Kim's face suddenly matched the color of her hair. Fortunately for both teens, Sean managed to come to the rescue: literally in Ron's case.
"All right Sue," He said, walking over and helping the blond up off of the floor. "That's enough awkward moments for one day." He turned toward Kim before continuing. "I do want to remind you two that Susan and I make sure to keep our relationship separate from the mission; I expect both of you to do the same, got it?"
"Got it." Kim replied as she removed her vest and helmet and placed them back into her duffle bag.
"No prob." Ron answered, following his girlfriend's lead.
"Alright then…" Sean announced with a deep breath. "Let's move out."
Route 3 East
Near Strawberry Point, Iowa – 21:05
Kim watched absently as the last remaining rays of sunlight merged into night outside the window. Glancing at her watch, she saw that they had been driving for just over an hour; an hour occupied by a tense silence. That is, until Sean spoke.
"Hey Sue." He said, pointing to something ahead of them on the side of the road. Kim and Ron both leaned in toward the center to get a clear view of Sean's target.
"Is that them?" The brunette agent asked. As they got closer Sean flipped on the interior lights and slowed the Jeep to a crawl. The teens quickly realized that the object of the agents' conversation was a chartered Greyhound bus stopped on the shoulder with its emergency blinkers on: the inside was blacked-out, but there were two men outside doing some kind of work on the left-front tire.
"Yeah, that's them." Sean responded. As they slowly passed the bus, the FBI agent gave the men a casual half-wave/half-salute, which was returned by one of the men as the other gestured to his watch and gave a thumbs-up.
"Looks like everyone is set." Shego commented before turning her attention back to the paperback novel she was engrossed in. Kim waited a moment for an explanation from Sean, but soon realized she wouldn't get one unless she asked.
"So…who was that?" It was Ron who asked the question first.
"That was HRT, the watch and thumbs-up meant the strike-force is in position and good-to-go when we call for them." Sean answered coldly. His and Shego's sarcastic and cynical humor had vanished, Kim noticed, shortly after they had left Oelwein: most likely due to the reality and stress of what they were going into. Or at least that's how she felt.
"Oh ok…wait, those two guys are the strike-force?" Ron asked honestly, which caused the redhead next to him to giggle softly.
'Thank God for The Ron Factor.' Kim thought as the two agents let out stifled groans at the blonde's natural…well, blond-ness.
"No Ron," The FBI agent replied in a dismissive tone. "The rest of the team was on the bus, there are twenty-five of them."
"We've also got three State Police TAC Teams and two Iowa National Guard helicopters on standby at Dubuque Municipal Airport." Shego added, somehow managing not to take her eyes out of her book. "That's about twenty minutes away by air, so we're planning on calling them in as soon as we reach the compound: that way they should arrive shortly after we grab Kim's dad."
"Cedar Rapids PD's loaned us the use of their helicopter as well." Sean added. "Its equipped with a Forward Looking Infrared Radar (FLIR) so it can track personnel movement in the dark." The two teens sat in silence for a few moments. They had both hoped the strike-force would be equipped enough to handle The New Order, but neither had any idea just how much of a force it was. They finally understood why the four of them needed to go in first; if left to the strike-force, there would be no compound left.
"Well," Kim finally spoke, trying to force some optimism into her voice. "At least we got plenty of back-up."
"The strike-force is not our back-up Kim." Sean scolded. "If we have to call them in to help us, it'll mean things have really gone to hell."
"Oh, so they're…" Ron trailed off, waiting for an answer.
"They're the mop and broom." Shego answered coldly, driving the car into silence once again.
Fire Road S-19
Bixby State Park – 22:29
Kim heard the gravel crunch under her combat boots as she exited the Jeep and took in her surroundings; there were dense woods on both sides of the dirt road.
"Before we move out," Sean announced as he opened the back cargo hatch and removed yet another duffle bag. "Everyone needs to take a radio and tactical headset." He demonstrated for the teens how to put the device on: clipping the circular toggle-pad to the front of his vest, plugging the 'Secret Service' type earpiece into his left ear, and wrapping the cloth throat-mic around his throat. "To talk, all you have to do is press this pad on your vest lightly." He announced as he pressed the pad. His voice was suddenly coming in crystal clear through Kim, Ron, and Shego's earpiece.
"Like this?" Kim asked as she pressed the toggle-pad. She heard a faint 'cool' come from Ron's direction.
"Exactly," The agent replied. "It's noise canceling as well; so you can whisper if you have to and we'll still hear you clearly. They're encoded too, so no one can listen in without access to the constantly changing code sequence. Not even your computer guy could crack these things."
"The FCC can't even listen in," Shego added, showing the first sign of humor in over two hours. "So you can say 'fuck' without getting in trouble."
"I'll keep that in mind." Kim smiled.
"Here," Sean reached into his bag and pulled out four small heat packs. "Activate these and put them in your upper left pocket." The two teens gave him a questioning look.
"They're to identify us as good guys," Shego reassured them. "This way if we're still there when the strike-force arrives, the FLIR will see the bright red heat-spot just below our left shoulders and the helicopter crew will know it's us." Kim and Ron both nodded and did as they were instructed.
"One more piece of advice before we go," Sean said, waiting for the teens to make eye contact with him before continuing. "You've both got more than enough skills to handle this mission; both from what I've taught you, and what you already know. So don't think for a second that you can't handle it. Just focus on what needs to be done, don't fuck around, and we'll all be home in time for breakfast."
"Let's do this then." Kim said; slinging the Bushmaster across her chest and attaching the night vision goggles to her helmet. Shego glanced over at Ron and, seeing he was ready to go, nodded to Sean.
"Let's go." He said as he turned and headed into the woods: the three others following closely behind.
- Well there you go; Ron's now a man, and Kim's...well, sore...but happy. We're getting pretty close to the end here: I'm guessing another one or two chapters to cover the raid and 'day after', plus an epilogue of sorts (to wrap up any loose ends I see fit to throw in). As always; questions, comments, and suggestions are welcome.