Chapter 7: Call for Help

Automatic doors opened up and Matt led Kim and Ron into a circular control room with various monitors and a chair in front of the biggest one. A table covered with a white sheet sat in the center of the room. Matt sat in the chair and started to type something on the controls. A map of the world appeared along with two numbers.

"It's getting worse. The human population of Earth is declining whereas the naked mole rat population is skyrocketing thanks to that beam created by the villains," said Matt. "Congratulations. We humans have just made the endangered species list," said Ron.

"How come you were unaffected by the transformation?" asked Kim. "This underground lab is shielded by an invisible energy barrier against any kind of beams. That's why I remained human. Not that I think there's anything wrong with being a naked mole rat," said Matt. Rufus jumped out of Ron's arms onto Matt's shoulder and kissed him on the cheek. "Now there's someone who deserves to be kissed by a naked mole rat," said Ron as he picked up his hairless pal. Kim rolled her eyes but retained an amused smile on her face.

"Matt, can we see what Drakken and the rest of those villains are up to?" asked Kim. "No sooner said than done. I have hidden cameras posted all over Middleton. We can see exactly what those double-dealing do- badders are doing," said Matt as he pressed some buttons.

An image of downtown Middleton appeared on screen. There was no sign of any of the villains. Just a lot of frantic naked mole rats wearing clothing. "I'll have to scroll through the various cameras until we find those bad guys," said Matt. Matt then started to scan through the various camera images. "Naked mole rats. Naked mole rats. Naked mole rats," said Matthew naming what he saw on the screen. Then he exclaimed, "Legion of Villainy!"

On the screen, Dr. Drakken and Senor Senior Sr. were looking at a blueprint while Shego and the other villains were constructing some sort of giant tower. "They appear to be building something. Possibly some sort of evil headquarters," said Matt. "Thank you, Captain Obvious," said Kim. "Hey! That's reserved for me!" exclaimed Ron in an annoyed tone. "Sorry, Ron," said Kim.

Ron looked at the image on screen and gasped in horror. "Oh no! They didn't! They did!" exclaimed Ron. "What's wrong, Ron?" asked Kim. "Don't you see, KP? The spot that the villains are building on is where Bueno Nacho is supposed to be," said Ron pointing to the screen. "What?" exclaimed Matt as he looked at the screen. "You're right!" he cried. "No!" yelled Matt, Ron, and Rufus at the same time. "Now I'm mad. Those bad guys are not going to get away with this," said Matt. "You like Bueno Nacho?" asked Kim. "You don't think I don't leave this lab like Wade never leaves his room, do you? I love their taco-y goodness," said Matt.

"You know Wade?" asked Ron. "Sure. I gave him a little help with his inventions such as that hairdryer grappler Kim uses. We've also done work together for several organizations. In fact, he intended that if anything ever happened to him, I was to give you help. But we've got some work to do. First thing we have to do is get some help," said Matt as he rose from the chair and walked over to the table covered with a sheet.

"How are we going to get help? Nearly everybody in the world is a naked mole rat," said Kim. "That won't be a problem because I have a solution to that problem," said Matt as he lifted the sheet of the table. Kim, Ron and Rufus gasped in surprise.

On the table were five mechanical naked mole rats. Black wires led out of their backs into a gray laptop. "Rufus, check it out!" said Ron as he set Rufus on the table. Rufus sniffed the robotic rodents. "Rufus cuter," he said.

"Meet my naked mole bots. Each is equipped with technology necessary to undo the transformations," stated Matt as he flipped up the laptop screen and started typing something. "You mean we can change our families back to normal?" asked Kim with a glimmer of hope in her eye. "Well yes. But you see, these little guys can only change one person back and one person alone. I used all the parts necessary to make these and I don't have anymore. We must get to the initial beam weapon to change everyone in the world back. But for these five, we must choose who might be able to help us defeat those villains. It's going to take a lot more than just the four of us, Rufus included, to beat them. So do you know anybody who could help us?" asked Matt.

Kim and Ron thought for a moment. "Well, the first obvious choice would be Wade. We need his expertise," said Kim. "Hey. Will Du could help us!" exclaimed Ron. "Will Du? I met him once when we were on a covert mission in Kenya. I've done some field work for the Global Justice network," said Matt. "But he's in Mexico," said Kim. "Distance doesn't matter at all. These naked mole bots can run very fast that they'd be in Mexico within an hour," said Matt. "How will these robot rodents find them?" asked Kim. "Simple. Even though they've been changed into naked mole rats, their genetic code hasn't been changed. Once I program them to lock on the right code, they'll track them down and commence the process of de-naked mole rat-izing. That's two. Anyone else you know could help us?" asked Matt.

"Well, this might come as unusual. But I think we should enlist the aid of Kim's cousin Larry. His advice helped me to defeat Lord Monkey Fist on my own. Do you think that's a good idea, KP?" asked Ron. "Well, okay. His advice may have been geeky but it did help. In the meantime, I think we should also find Monique. I'm sure she can help in some way," said Kim. "Okay. Your cousin Larry and friend Monique makes four. Who will be the fifth one to join our fellowship?" asked Matt.

Kim and Ron started to think again. "Prince Wally? No, he's just a snob. And we can rule out Bonnie. She won't help us at all," said Kim. "Big Mike!" exclaimed Ron. "Detention boy, Big Mike? Are you serious, Ron?" asked Kim. "To name a few reasons: he's big, strong, on the school wrestling team and he did squish Shego during your first fight with her. If it weren't for his help, that explosive tick would have really ruined your beautiful face," said Ron blushing slightly as he said 'beautiful'. "Well, alright. I guess he could help," said Kim.

"Okay, guys. I've got the naked mole bots programmed to find them. Activating now," said Matt as he pressed the Enter key on the laptop. The wires ejected out of the naked mole bots' back. They started to move. "Naked mole bots! Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find the people I have programmed you to find, change them back into humans and lead them here. Do you understand?" asked Matt. The naked mole bots did a salute with their tiny hands. "Then go my pretties. Go! Go! Ha! Ha!" exclaimed Matt. In a flash, the naked mole bots sped out of the control room. "They'll let themselves out," said Matt. Then he turned to Kim and Ron.

"Kim, I know you're anxious to stop those villains. But we have to be patient. You, Ron, Rufus and the others will have to spend the night here. Tomorrow, we'll begin construction on the necessary tools and go through a little basic training. We must be prepared or the villains will overwhelm us," said Matt. "I understand. Ron and I know how to do this. But the others might not. We'll bide our time for now," said Kim.

"The villains haven't turned everyone back. They must not intend to do that until they find you. There's not much point in ruling a world where everyone is a naked mole rat," said Matt. "Kim, why do you think the villains have all of a sudden united and are out to get us?" asked Ron. "I don't know, Ron. When they attacked today, they seemed to want to get us first and then take over the world," said Kim.

"Something's up and I don't like it. But I'm sure we'll find out. All we can do is take it as it comes. Now Kim, I need you to sit in the chair and wait for a response from the naked mole bots. Press the red button when the screen says 'Incoming message'. They are equipped with miniature cameras that can communicate back to this lab. They will activate when the naked mole bots reach and transform the people we are looking for. You have to give them instructions to follow the naked mole bots back here. They will lead them in a way that will avoid the villains," said Matt. "You got it, Matt," said Kim as she sat down in the chair.

"What can I do, Matt?" asked Ron. "You can come with me, Ron. I need your help," said Matt. "Excellent! Do you need a sparring partner or help with some sort of gadget?" asked Ron. "No. Dinner. I must prepare it. We're going to have some company and I imagine they will be hungry," said Matt. "Okay. What are you making?" asked Ron. "Soft-shelled tacos and nachos. My favorite," said Matt. "Alright! I can show you how to make the taco meets nacho alias the naco," said Ron. "You invented the Bueno Nacho Naco? I love those things!" exclaimed Matt as he and Ron started to leave the control room.

Rufus jumped down off the table and started to crawl after them. "No Rufus. You keep Kim company," said Ron. "Mm-hmm," said Rufus as he scampered up to the chair and climbed up into Kim's lap. "See you later, Kim," said Ron as he and Matt left the room.