Chapter 16
The Space Plane sat at a relative distance of two kilometers from Asteroid 2005KP. It was not in orbit around it, but on a parallel course towards Earth.
Kim and Ron were in space suits in the cargo hold, which had been opened to vacuum. They had opened a crate and retrieved three small satellites that would be placed into orbit around the asteroid. Besides scientific sensors, they would also act as radio and video relays, so that no one would ever be out of touch.
When the last one had been tossed out the hatch, they watched as the small rocket motors fired up to move them into position.
"They're on the way to position. It will take a couple of hours to give the asteroid a once-over so I can find the best place to dig," said Wade.
"In the meantime, we'll set up the experiments," said Kim to Ron.
"Sounds good, KP," he answered.
They grabbed an appropriate crate, and stepped into space. Each had a thruster backpack similar to the ones Kim and Ron wore on missions, but without wings. These were activated, and they headed for the surface.
They landed gently on a plain, and surveyed the area. Small boulders and pebbles were strewn around on the dark gray surface. Low, irregular hills were in the distance. The edge of the Moon peered over the horizon, and the Earth was nearly overhead. The Sun shown brightly as always, throwing stark shadows on the airless surface. The shape of the Space Plane gleamed nearby, surrounded by the unnaturally bright and sharp stars. There were so many, Kim found it tough to pick out any of the constellations.
"Not exactly the vacation spot of the year," said Kim.
"I dunno," said Ron, "If you compare it with Camp Wannaweep..."
"Can you hear me, guys?" asked Wade over their headphones.
"Loud and clear," answered Kim.
"Good. Go ahead and set up the experiments, and be careful! The gravity is almost non-existant. Step too hard, and you could find yourself in orbit."
"Ron, that goes double for you," said Kim, turning to him. "I don't want this asteroid to have a moon by the name of Stoppable."
"Okay, KP, okay, I'll be careful," he answered.
They spent the next couple of hours setting up the experiments, including a large mirror that was aimed at Earth. A laser from the ground could tell the distance to the asteroid within a few millimeters. It took them several trips to complete the work.
"That's the last of it, Wade," reported Kim.
"Good timing," Wade replied, "I've found the best spot to dig, and Shego's coming to join you."
"WHEEE!" said Shego through the radio.
They looked at the Plane, and saw a small object separate itself and slowly grow larger. A few minutes later, she landed beside them, grinning broadly.
"Man, I'd forgotten how much fun space travel can be!" she said.
"I'm glad somebody likes it," muttered Ron, "I'd just like to be able to scratch my nose."
"If everyone's ready, turn left about 45 degrees, and walk forward about two hundred feet," said Wade.
They all turned and walked, counting as they did.
"Two hundred. Wade, we're here," said Kim.
"Great! You're dead on the spot. Shego, you can start when ready," he answered. Kim and Ron stepped back a few feet.
Shego lifted her hands, and green flames burst into being around the space suit gloves. She aimed at the ground at her feet, and willed the flames down. They licked at the gray stone, and shortly began to melt it, going down.
"How are you doing?" asked Kim, after about ten minutes.
"It's fine, so far," answered Shego, "This is a lot easier to go through than some stuff I've tackled."
"KP, should we go back and get the bomb-thingy now?" asked Ron.
"Not yet," answered Mr. Possible, "We'll save that as the last thing. What you might want to do is look around, and gather some samples for the geologists back home."
"Good idea, Dad," said Kim. "Shego, call us if you need us."
"Will do, Kim," said Shego, seemingly distracted.
Kim and Ron wandered off, looking at the ground.
Back aboard the Space Plane, Mrs. Possible sat at the telemetry console, monitoring the suits and health of those on the surface. Everything looked good, so she got and heated one of the packs of astronaut food. Rufus, seeing a chance for food, joined her.
She opened the pack, and eyed the contents. It didn't look particularly appetizing, and Rufus voiced her thought with a "yuk".
She tried to take a spoonful of what was supposed to be mashed potatos, but the grayish substance fought back, refusing to give up a piece of itself easily.
She glanced up at the readouts, and froze. All thought of food was gone, the package discarded as she tapped at keys. The results did not reassure her.
"Shego, how are you feeling?" she asked.
"I'm fine, Doc," she answered, "Getting a bit bored just standing here. Makes me wish I knew something about astronomy."
"I want you to stop drilling, now, and sit down. Kim, Ron, get back to Shego as quickly as you can," she ordered.
"On it, Mom," answered Kim, dropping the rock specimens she had collected.
"But I feel fine," protested Shego.
"What's going on?" asked Ron, dropping his collection.
"Shego, don't argue. Sit down, now," snapped Mrs. Possible.
"Okay, okay, I'm sitting," said Shego.
"I estimate they'll be back to her in two minutes," said Wade.
"Kids, when you get there, bring her back to the ship. Stay with her and watch her. She might go unconscious at any second," said Mrs. Possible.
"But I feel just fine!" protested Shego, in a louder voice.
"Maybe so, but this is no time to take chances. Follow my orders," said Mrs. Possible.
Shego subsided, muttering something.
Kim and Ron arrived back at the dig, and Shego looked up at them, an annoyed expression plain on her face. The hole she had been digging was a dark pit, the bottom invisible, but the sides were glowing faintly as the rock cooled.
Over her protests, they took her by the arms, and used their rocket packs to return to the Plane.
"I could have done that myself," she said in a growl as the cargo door closed and air filled the cabin.
"Hey, you argue with Mom about it, I was just following orders," said Kim with a grin.
The corners of Shego's mouth quirked. "Pass the buck, just like a Possible," she said, but the anger was gone.