By Sheryl Nantus
"Frederick?" The two teenagers said simultaneously.
"But I thought…" Ron sputtered.
"He's not…" Kim interrupted.
"Whoa!" Wade overrode them both with a burst of static from the computer speakers. "Let me give you what I have."
A file image of the monkeynaut came up on the monitor. "Frederick completed his stint on the space station a few months ago."
"Right." The redhead nodded. "Ron, you said you were still chatting with him every few weeks via email, right?"
"Sure was." He rubbed the back of his neck. "He was looking forward to a bit of vacation down in Florida before begining training for another mission." Still clutching the Pandaroo to his chest he frowned. "But how did he get kidnapped and no one know about it?"
"The Center did know about it but figured that it was probably one of those animal-rights groups." Wade's voice floated across the room. "They figured someone as smart as Frederick would make his way back home eventually if 'set free' in the wild, or at least be able to contact them. No one guessed that the Collector would be involved."
"And this guy is?" Kim crossed her arms.
Another image appeared on the screen. "Eccentric billionaire who made his fortune developing cosmetics over the years. Had a major nervous breakdown five years ago when he discovered that most of his products were being tested on animals when he had made up strict guidelines that no animal testing was to be conducted or allowed under any circumstances. Fired most of his workers and sold off the remains to his competitors."
Kim frowned. "Interesting story, but I'm not following how Rufus and Frederick connect."
"He set up a Foundation to 'save and rehabilitate' those animals who he thought had been exploited by mankind. It started off as more of a celebrity lark with people donating circus animals and the like, but he got more extreme with his speeches."
"Let me guess. Including space exploration?" Kim's eyebrow rose.
"And any animal that works with humans. Police K-9 units, seeing-eye dogs, all of them."
"And Rufus…" Ron paused.
"He must have seen Rufus in all those photographs and decided he was going to 'liberate' him from us." Kim shook her head. "Any idea where he is, Wade?"
"That's what I'm getting to." A series of dots and dashes spun across the monitor. "The Space Center started getting malfunctions in Frederick's bio chip. At first they thought it was just bad wiring, but someone got curious and referred them to us." The images began to slow down. "It's Morse Code. Frederick's turning his chip on and off and trying to communicate."
"Wait a minute. How's he doing that?" The young woman sat down on the edge of the bed. "I thought those things were implanted well under the skin."
"They usually are. I'm guessing he managed to rip the skin open and deep enough to get to the chip and start flipping the switch. It's a technique they're told about in case of an emergency where they have to remove the chip, so he's not working blind." Wade sighed. "But it's gotta be painful."
"So where is he?" Ron growled. "I'm going to take this guy apart and then some!" He waved Pandaroo in the air.
"I'm still working on the actual location. Frederick's saying he was unconscious during the trip, but he's putting together clues from the smells in the air and the sounds around them."
"Is Rufus with him?" Kim asked.
"He mentioned him once." Wade gave a thumbs-up signal. "Just get ready for your ride. I figure I'll have this deciphered within the hour and have a location for you. The little guy's sending so much data that I'll be able to have you there soon enough." The screen went blank.
"And then I'm going to kick some Collector butt!" Ron yelled.
Kim walked over, gently dislodging Pandaroo from his grasp. "Then get into the shower first and fast – I'll pull out our mission clothes so you can dress and wait for Wade's call while I'm getting cleaned up."
"Okay." He sat down in front of the computer. "I hope everything's okay with Rufus." Ron sighed. "He doesn't do well on his own."
"You'd be surprised." She put her hand on his shoulder. "Remember, he's a Master as well. I wouldn't be surprised if the Collector has a few surprises coming his way."
"Sure." Getting up he began to walk towards the door then stopped. "Thanks for… you know…" He rubbed the back of his neck again, a sheepish look on his face.
"No big." She smiled. "Just leave me some hot water."
Frederick looked over at the naked mole rat, who had returned to his chore of trying to overturn the food dish and access the small tunnel underneath. Removing his finger from the gash in his arm he let out a sigh before putting the blanket over the wound. He reached out to tap on the glass, breaking Rufus's concentration.
Tired. Must rest before sending again.
The rodent nodded, continuing to scratch at the food dish. It may have been stainless steel and possibly unmovable by any other animal, but he had been lucky enough to have a mystical encounter with a Monkey Idol not so many years ago. He glanced up at the fluorescent lights, then back at the dish.
"You'll learn in time." The elderly man turned way from the set of monitors, getting up from his chair and walking across the room. "Wallace!"
"Yes, sir?" The butler/assistant appeared out of the shadows, standing at attention.
"I feel like a nice salad for lunch. Make sure they use the freshest carrots and then toss the remainder into the pens for the children." He glanced back at the rows of computer monitors showing different images. "I'm going to be in the library reading for a bit. Begin plotting my next rescue, as it were."
"Very good sir." Wallace stood aside as the grey-haired man walked past him. "I'll see you in a bit, then."
A burst of steam signalled Kim's exit from the bathroom, the wispy tentacles drifting through the hall and up into her bedroom. Giving her hair one last fast rub with the towel she tossed it back onto the bathroom, noting with some pride the perfect aim as it slid onto the towel rack. Tugging at her mission shirt she made her way back to the stairs and back up to her bedroom.
Ron was spread out on her bed, snoring lightly as the Kimmunicator lay on his chest beside a rather crushed Pandaroo. He had changed into the extra set of missionwear they had agreed to leave at each other's house in case of emergencies.
The Kimmunicator beeped. Jumping up he grabbed the small handset in midair before it could hit the floor.
"Go, Wade!"
"Okay, here's the sitch." A map appeared on the minute screen. I've managed to track the signal to this island. It's about five miles off the Costa Rican coast."
"Oh, great." The blond teenager whined. "Another secret island. Why can't these guys have condos in New York City?"
"Because that would be too easy." Taking the controller from him Kim stared at the map. "Uh, Wade – you're not giving a location on the island."
"That's because I couldn't track the signal to an exact location. The signal died about an hour ago. Best I can do is give you the island and you'll have to track him down."
"'Died' as in not working, or…" Ron's worried face appeared on Wade's monitor.
"It stopped going off, not on. It's still on, but I guess Frederick had to stop." He sucked on the straw before continuing. "I've got you a lift with a GJ hoverjet in about ten minutes."
"Oh, GJ." A bit of a sneer crept into Ron's voice. "We getting company?"
"Not exactly." Wade tapped on the keyboard. "Seems that GJ is rather concerned about the Collector now that he's messed with the Rufus Factor. And snatching Frederick opens up a whole can of confidential information they don't want to be in anyone's hands other than the Space Center."
"We're on it, Wade." Picking up her backpack Kim put the Pandaroo at the top of her bed on the pillows, fluffing out the misshapen creature. "We'll bring them both home."
The Global Justice jet hovered above the Possible home in silent mode, waiting patiently for the two teenagers.
"Just a sec." Kim scribbled a note on a scrap piece of paper, sticking it to the fridge with one of the many magnets that covered the door. "Got to let them know we're off to save Rufus."
"And not sneaking off for a little quiet time?" Ron grinned from ear to ear.
"Definitely not that." Tapping him lightly on the cheek she led him outside, making sure to lock the door behind her.
The rope ladder swung back and forth in a light summer breeze, giving them easy access to the hoverjet. Kim scampered up first, letting Ron's heavier weight balance out the ladder.
"Ms Possible. Mr. Stoppable." The pilot's chair swung around, revealing a dark-haired young man not too far from their own age. "Pilot Ken Du, at your service."
"Any relation?" Kim couldn't help but notice the resemblance to her previous encounter with a GJ Agent.
"Half-brother." Ken smiled. "But I'm better looking. And a better pilot." Swivelling the seat back around he began to push buttons on the control panel in front of him. "It'll be a few hours before we get there, so make yourself comfortable. There's refreshments in the back, along with a paper copy of the Collector's file. Our best estimation is a night landing, but don't quote me on that."
"You coming with?" Kim reached down, helping Ron up the last few inches into the jet as the ladder automatically retracted and the hatch swung shut.
"No, ma'm. The Director wants me to stand by and offer assistance if needed, but that's all." The tips of his ears went red as he focused on the controls. "I'm not qualified yet for ground missions."
"That's okay." Ron slapped the young man on the shoulder. "You really don't want to get in the way of a mad naked mole rat."
Rufus looked up as the fluorescent lights began to slowly dim, simulating dusk and then finally night. The camera mounted above them switched into nightvision mode, indicated by a green light flashing on next to the ever-present red bulb.
Taking a deep breath the small rodent lunged at the food dish, crashing into it hard with his tiny foot. For any other animal it would have been nothing more than a light tap but Rufus wasn't any ordinary mole rat. The dish moved a fraction of an inch to one side, shifting away from the small tunnel under the plate.
Another kick and the stainless steel dish flew against the plexiglass wall, splashing soy sauce and pellets everywhere. He looked up at the camera, waiting for a response.
Nothing.
Frederick tapped on the walls of his cage, smiling widely. Rufus gave him a thumb's up before walking over to the narrow pipe and looking down.
Small, yes. Narrow, yes. Probably designed with a naked mole rat in mind, or at least a hamster. Definitely too shallow for him to shimmy down and through.
That is, if he remained just a mole rat.
Taking a deep breath the pink rodent sat down, crossing his legs. Sinking into a deep meditative state he closed his eyes and began to loosen each fiber of his being; starting with the tip of his claws and extending over his paws, over the chest and belly that could expand substantially for a Grande Naco and now would be as limber and slippery as a burrito covered with melted cheese and slathered in Diablo sauce.
Getting to his feet Rufus walked over to the pipe and effortlessly wedged himself down the tiny hole, disappearing from sight.
Frederick could only stare at the empty cage near him, his mouth hanging open. Shaking his head he lifted his hand and began to tear open the scab on his arm, tapping on the biochip frantically.
The Kimmunicator beeped frantically for attention as the jet raced over the water. Kim dug into her pocket, pulling out the handset.
"Wade, go." She looked over at Ron who was just finishing his third naco.
"Global Justice knows how to keep me happy." The blond teenager patted his stomach as the image appeared on the minute screen.
"Got more information from Frederick. He's transmitting again." Wade's fingers raced across the keyboard. "I'll be able to give you a closer drop-off point in a minute."
"Good." Ken Du glanced back at the two teenagers. "Nothing personal, but I'm not keen on dropping you two off in the middle of the jungle."
"No big. Been there, done that." Kim waved him off. "Besides, we don't want to announce our arrival too soon."
Ron scowled as he looked out towards the island that had just appeared on the horizon. "We'll be sure to knock first."
Sliding down the narrow pipe had taken much more time than Rufus had thought and his muscles were now paying the price. As he forced open the small hatch in the other room his stomach let out a threatening growl, alerting him to the very real possibility that he could have injured something important.
Popping out into the plastic tray he let out a low squeak of relief as his lungs expanded, along with the rest of him. Gathering his senses he looked around him.
The feeding room consisted of over a dozen trays, each holding a small transparent tube that reminded the rodent of a large, fat needle. Scratching his head he peered at the one sitting beside him, still reeking of melted soy cheese. A small plunger at one end revealed how the concoction was forced up into his bowl and those of the other captives. Shaking the last of his own soy stickiness off his leg the naked mole rat scurried across the counter, heading for the door and the old-style doorknob that just needed a bit of weight to open.
"I'll remain here until further notice." Ken threw the pair a salute through the windshield. The jet rose up again silently and disappeared into the trees.
"That was interesting. Didn't know Will had family." Kim began to make her way along the trail, pushing aside leaves and branches.
"Didn't know he was human." Ron muttered under his breath, ducking down as a branch threatened to smack him in the face.
"What?"
"Nothing."
The hallway was empty, allowing Rufus to run quickly from room to room; checking the labels. He let out an excited squeak upon seeing Main Control Room then slapped his paws over his mouth, looking from side to side.
As if on cue the door opened, a tall sharply dressed man walking out with a tray in his hands. A run and a slide later the door slammed shut with a naked mole rat on the other side.
Rufus stood up on his back legs, staring at the plethora of electronic equipment that surrounded him. He had been in plenty of lairs but none that had this much all in a single room. Not to mention impeccably decorated in 18th century décor. The chair, the desk was real wood… heck, even the pictures were probably out of some art gallery. And of course the flashy computer monitors that filled up one wall were the latest style and the control panel that extended the length of the wall was impressive.
Frederick appeared on one screen, the greenish hues signalling the nightvision reception. On another sat a golden retriever, lying down with his head between his front paws. A third displayed a German Shepherd, digging frantically at the base of one wall of his cage.
Hopping onto the control panel he surveyed the length of buttons, gauges and dials, tapping his chin thoughtfully. His eyes landed on a red button at the far end of the panel labelled "Emergency Use Only!" which might as well have been renamed "For Rufus!" Letting out a chuckle he scampered down towards the button, launching himself at the last minute to land squarely on the fat red circle.
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A low rumble toppled Rufus from the panel, sending him crashing into the thick shag carpet below. Picking himself up he dusted himself off with a snort. The shaking ground beneath him had to mean something more than just a few doors opening.
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"Shouldn't have had that last naco." Kim huffed as she pulled Ron up onto the branch.
"Shouldn't have had to climb this tree." He shot back, grabbing ahold of the wooden limb with both hands.
"Well, if you have any other ideas about how to check out the compound before…" She stopped in mid-sentence, dropping down to hug the tree branch beside her partner.
The ground began to shake violently around them, leaves dropping over and around them so thickly that they could hardly see the ground.
"What the…" Ron pointed at a small path not too far ahead of them. "Oh…" His grip on the branch intensified as a grey head burst through the foliage, followed by an even larger body.
"Elephants." Kim yelled over the growing din as they both held on for dear life. The two behemoths charged down the small path towards their tree, side by side as they trampled everything under their heavy feet.
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end of part 3…