Author's note: Just to reiterate, I do not own Kim Possible or like Disney created…creations. I did however create Ben Dun. That one's mine. You can't have him. Well, maybe if you asked real nicely…

Chapter 5: Shadowy Figures

Kim Possible sits at her kitchen table, straight backed and attentive. Ron leans in, his head rested lackadaisically on his right hand. Former GJ agent Ben Dun is leaning back, his arms crossed over his chest. Their gazes are focusing on the holographic image of Doctor Director just slightly above them.

"As Wade had undoubtedly informed you, the international criminal known as Shego has stolen a device capable of generating a kind of perfect dark."

"And capable of breaking the laws of physics don't forget the physics." Ron chimes in.

The Director pauses. "Moving on… Shego is not known for stealing high-grade tech' on her own volition. Intel suggests that she's is under orders from someone other than Dr. Drakken. Her methods have become more efficient, less theatric, restrained, indicating a new player."

Dun snorted. "Intelligence still pointing out the obvious."

"Doctor Director, what exactly is the sitch'?" Kim asks.

"Shego has stolen the D.A.R.C. box, the control unit of the perfect dark system. However, a key component is needed to convert it into any kind of mass extortion weapon."

"Huh?" Ron questions.

"Parts are missing to make the do-hicky be very bad for a lot of people." Dun explains.

"Oh, well why didn't you just say so?" Ron says.

"What is the missing component?" Kim asks.

"I'm afraid that's classified Kim."

Dun rubs his forehead tiredly. "What do we need to steal?"

"Huh?" Ron and Kim say together.

"The D.A.R.C. box can only generate the perfect dark in a relatively small area alone; maybe cover an office building at maximum output." Ben explains. "In order for it to be of any large scale tactical use, you'd need someway to amplify the perfect dark. Don't you find it odd that there wasn't anything like that when they were testing the box?"

"Yeah that does sound weird." Kim replies. "Why wouldn't they have worked on it at the same time?"

"Huh?" Ron exclaims.

"…Ron it's like creating a Naco, but only focusing on the taco part. You need to work on the nacho part and taco part together to make a Naco. The do-hickey needs two parts in order for it to really work, but GJ only worked on one."

"Oh….again why didn't you just say so?" Ron states.

"Which brings us back to my main point," Dun says.

"Whoa time out, didn't you say 'steal'?" Ron answers.

"Right. The device needs two components to work, GJ built one of them, but not the other. However…"

"Doctor Director just said that there is a missing component. Someone else built an amplifier on their own, without any connection to the D.A.R.C. box project." Kim finishes.

"Head of the class Kim," The Director replies with a small smile. "Yes a private company has indeed built an amplification unit compatible with the D.A.R.C system unawares."

"Hold it, back up. You did say 'steal' right?" Ron asks.

"Were not stealing the device Ron," Kim says. "GJ doesn't do that kind of thing."

"It's called outsourcing." The Director and Ben Dun answer, giving small annoyed glances at the other.

"We've already contacted the private company; however they…are being less than cooperative." Doctor Director explains. "It doesn't appear that they will be giving up the amplifier willingly."

"So we're going to steal it?" Ron asks.

"No were not." Kim says.

Ben Dun rubs his forehead again. "…Sometimes you have to make small acts of war to ensure a greater peace."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Kim spats.

"I'm saying that the world isn't always threatened by renegade golfers and blue-skinned buffoons."

? Kim and Ron share a surprised glance.

"Ben." Says the Director curtly. "I haven't told them what the company was yet."

"What is the company?" Kim asks.

"Hench Co."

Ben smiles bitterly, "a company whose only goal is the betterment of super villains." He guffaws and shakes his head. "Why exactly do you let this go on?" he asks Doctor Director."

"Later Ben." She snipes.

Ron pulls Kim close. "KP, I know this sounds bad but would stealing from Hench Co really be all that wrong?"

"It's stealing Ron."

"I know! But if we don't steal it, then Shego and whoever she works for will."

Kim bites her lip. Ron knows he's close to convincing her. "Besides, it's not like we're going to keep the amply-thingy, we'd return it as soon as the D.A.R.C.-thingy was back."

Kim lets out a sigh. "…you're right. Let's do it." Kim turns back to the GJ operatives, "All right. What do we need to do?"

Ben now leans in with a casual focus. "First we'll need to find where Hench Co. develops their merchandise. Wade, GJ's been aware of your transmission hack for five minutes now so I know you've been paying attention."

Another holographic image appears, displaying a young super genius in his dark and computerized room. "Yeah, I got it. Worldwide Hench Co. locations and full schematics coming right up," he states as his fingers fly on multiple keyboards.

The Director makes a small smirk at Ben's leadership, "This would also be a good time to check your field kit Ben."

The metal case clicks open by a remote signal. Ben flips the top to reveal a padded interior.

"First is your standard GJ communicator for all top agents," The Director explains, "now equipped with a powerful laser stylus." Ben pulls out the stylus, his finger on the small activation button. "Not in the house!" The Director exclaims. "It can cut through carbon steel!"

"Humph." Ben places it back in the communicator.

"Next is a new field item. A magnetic grapple gun and cable lines."

"Sounds familiar." Kim deadpans.

"You can't have all the fun toys Kim," Doctor Director replies.

Ben pulls out a compact and rather much more intimidating looking grapple gun than Kim's hair dryer. "DD, do you have any idea how useful this would have been in Budapest?" Ben asks.

"Moving on," the Director replies, "we've also modified your old grey uniform with light sensors and smart fabrics, allowing it to camouflage you in dark environments."

"Shadow blend…you actually made it…" Ben absently replies.

"No good idea ever goes to waste Ben." Answers Doctor Director.

"Neat. Hey Wade don't we get some new gear?" Ron asks.

"Like you had to ask. Check the backpack." Wade says.

Kim and Ron both reach for the bag. Kim pulls out a small tin. "Facial glitter? I'm not really in to the pixie look," Kim states.

"Actually the tin contains a concentration of tiny nanite homing devices. Just dust the target and you'll be able to track it just about anywhere. I can do it electronically or you can even trace it with your sunglasses."

Rufus takes a curious sniff of the tin, getting a small whisker-face-full of powder. Kim slips on her shades and notices how Rufus lights up in a purplish haze. "Spanking!" she exclaims.

"And that glitter really accentuates your eyes," Ron teases his little naked buddy, to which Rufus growls in dissatisfaction, frantically rubbing his face with two paws.

Ron digs deeper and pulls out what looks like a small compact.

"What's this do?"

"I use it to apply make-up Ron," quips Kim as she grabs it from him and springs the hinge.

"No wait!" cries Wade.

A bright flash of light temporarily blinds the room. Ron screams…like usual…Everyone rubs their eyes as the spots melt away.

"Cute," Ben responds, "what was that?"

Wade smiles sheepishly, "well since you guys were dealing with something in the dark, I came up with a bright idea." Kim groans.

"Sorry," Wade replies, "couldn't resist. It's a solar-powered amplifier, converting solar heat and light into a bright flash 50 times brighter than a camera bulb."

"Should come in handy," Kim replies.

Ben eyes his field package once more. "DD? There appears to be a number of items missing in this ordinance."

"No Ben, what you see is what you get. GJ does not issue those items to any field agents now."

"Doesn't issue…? You do realize—you remember the kind of people we dealing with here right?"

"Global Justice does not—"

"Kim, Ron…leave the room." Ben rises, placing his hands spread wide on the tabletop. Both teens give each other another puzzled look as to Ben's sudden order.

"Right now." Ben's voice becomes hard and forceful in an instant. Kim also notes how his forearms tense as his fingers press into the table. Kim and Ron scoot around and head for the Possible family room.

"And take Wade with you." Ben shoves the Kim-municator into Kim's hands.

Kim and Ron retreat into the Possible family room. A loud clatter precedes the twin engines of destruction known quite well by the fire department, school principal and parents as Jim and Tim. They leap onto the overstuffed sofa and quickly tune the big screen TV to life.

"—as Mt. Prometheus erupts, it spews some 2 cubic miles of ash and sulfur unlike the lesser eruptions of the Hawaiian chains—"

Both boys sit and watch very intently. Ron finds this behavior a little disturbing. After all, they're usually poking each other, speaking in twin-ese nonsense and flipping between extremely stupid stunts and wrestling. Since when do they watch the Learning Channel?

"What are you guys up to?" Ron asks.

"Shh!" responds Tim.

"We're studying." Replies Jim.

Ron shakes his head in confusion. "Huh?"

"Geology Ron," Jim explains, as if he were talking to one slow on the uptake…which Ron was from time to time.

"Yeah some volcanic eruptions have more power than a nuclear bomb!" cries Tim.

"Bica Boo?" Jim asks.

"Bosha!" Tim exclaims.

"Oh…so this is for homework…" Ron states.

"No, we're just doing this—ow!" Jim starts.

"For fun!" Time finishes, with an elbow in his brother's stomach.

"Why don't you watch this upstairs?" Kim suggests.

"Right!" the twins shout, dashing out of the room.

"Huh. They usually blow something up for fun…" Ron ponders.

Two heads peer around the family room threshold. "Kim?" Jim calls.

"Yes?"

"Dad still has some of that experimental X-51 rocket fuel in the garage right?" Tim asks.

"Yes…why?"

"No reason!" the twins cry as they disappear again. Something fragile seems to shatter down the hall.

Ron looks out towards the now empty hallway, "good to know some things never change…"

Kim smirks.

Ron raises an eyebrow, now Kim was acting weird again. Both are surprised when Dun appears in the doorway.

"DD would like to have a word with you," he states, jerking a thumb over his shoulder.

"Okay," she replies, squeezing past him.

"Humph," Dun sounds as he watches her go into the kitchen. He turns back to Ron. He smiles. It makes Ron a bit uncomfortable.

"Uh…what's up?" he offers, as he gulps.

"Ron, do you like Bueno Nacho?"

Ron gulps again. "Um yes…"

"That's cool. You eat there a lot?"

"Yeah, all the time."

"Must be your hang out huh? You go there to eat and chill right?"

"Yep, it's pretty cool."

"Really…."

Kim stands in front of the flickering image of Doctor Director, who's once bemused face has once again gone neutral. Her one good eye looks down upon Kim like a hawk's upon a sparrow. Her voice is calm and pleasant.

"So how are you getting along with Agent Dun?"

"Ex-agent Dun and I are getting along fine."

"Really? I'd expected a bit more…ruffling."

"Well who is he anyway? I've never heard of him before."

"He can be rather intense at times can't he? One of the reasons he was such a good agent." Kim frowns obviously annoyed. Another bemused smile crosses the Director's face.

"As you know he is—was—an agent of GJ. At one point he was under my direct order, and one of the finest specimens of spy craft I have ever seen." She pauses as she denotes Kim rolling her eyes. "Don't be glib."

"I thought Will Du was your number one."

Doctor Director's face goes stern. "Will Du is a fine operative, when he's not doing something important." Kim is taken aback at the Director's words. "Do not cross Dun Ms. Possible. He's quicker, he's smarter and he's better than you."

"You make it sound like he's dangerous…"

Doctor Director smiles. "I'm just telling you what you need to know. He nailed you pretty hard back at the apartment didn't he?" Kim forces herself not to rub her still slightly sore abdomen. "He could have done much worse. He was trained to do much worse."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Intel shows that the device is going to be moving soon. It will be at that time that it will be most likely stolen."

"By us," Kim dryly adds.

"By Shego or whomever," Doctor Director finishes. "What we don't have is just how the device is going to be transported."

The Kim-municator chimes in, "Hench Co. currently has four ways to transport the amplifier from their Austrian testing facility," Wade interrupts, "either by ground via secured trucks or private train, sea by freighter or by air via airlift twin-rotor helicopter."

"A European testing facility? Isn't there any evil lab in the U.S. anymore? Going to have to narrow that down Wade," Kim answers.

"Secrecy on this shipment is airtight, even Hench Co. security won't know which route the merchandise is going to take."

"I've already briefed Ben on this and I've suggested you talk to the fat man in Morocco before moving on to Austria," Doctor Director states.

"Big Daddy?"

"The same, Kim there are a few more things you need to know about Dun before your mission."

"Really?" Kim deadpans.

"As Wade will no doubt know in the next hour or so, Ben Dun's GJ training was rather…unique. He volunteered for an experimental training that involved virtual reality stimuli and accelerated learning techniques. As you experienced first hand he is an expert in hand-to-hand combat as well as improvisational weapons, but his primary training involved stealth infiltration into high security areas against superior forces."

"He does sneak about a little…"

"While his training and skill are very impressive they do not come without a cost. Kim, the experiment which gave him these extraordinary abilities has also left psychological scarring. He has been known to become paranoid, anti-social, manipulative and even violent. Do not let him play with your head."

Kim shakes her head, "wait wait wait. If you don't trust him, why did you ask me to find him?"

A wiry smile creeps across the Director's face, "when you go fishing Kim, you need to bring the right kind of lure." Kim looks at her with a doubting and slightly worried look. Doctor Director's smile quickly dissipates as she asks quite seriously, "where's Ron?"

"Ron? He's in the living room with Dun…"

"Dun? You left him alone with Dun?"

"Um yes…why is that a problem?"

The Director buries her face in her right palm. "Oh for—go get him before—"

Kim was already out of the kitchen. She scrambles to turn the corner to see…Ron and Ben laughing hysterically.

"And…then Chimpy…he…he…" Ron musters in-between fits of giggles.

"He stood in for Kim for the picture?" Dun finishes, he too on the verge of a breakdown.

"Yeah! In the dress!"

Both are now rolling on the floor laughing maniacally. Ben's eyes are watered as Ron tries desperately to catch his breath. He looks up to see Kim leaning over him; her arms crossed matching quite nicely with her cross face.

"Having fun?"

"Oh…hi KP," Ron offers.

"You all ready to go then?" Ben asks with a boyish grin spread wide across his handsome face. Kim knows that he knows more than one embarrassing tidbit of Kim Possible history. And she hates it.

"Yeah I guess we are. Come on Ron." She practically yanks Ron off the carpet.

"KP, the shirt! The shirt!" Ron exclaims as she drags him toward the door.

------Meanwhile in what some may call an overly theatrically shadowed room a man studies a series of flickering monitors while sitting on a small office chair. A door slides open behind him and a figure enters the room without asking.

"Would it kill you to put in a lamp?"

"I like the dark," the sitting figure replies not turning from the monitors. He stands and pushes the chair away from the workspace, his back still turned to the intruder. "Did you get the information?"

"Yeah Hench Co. has got some pretty serious security on the cargo. Standard decoy maneuver though, four possible routes including sea, air, armored truck and rail," she explains as she crosses the room, stopping just one foot from the shadowy figure's left shoulder. "Knowing which it's going to be on won't be easy to—"

"It will be by rail," he answers curtly, almost annoyed.

"How do you know?"

"That's my business, you just prepare for a train job."

"But if we already know where it is, why don't I just steal it from the lab?"

The shadowy figure's shoulders were now quite tense, while the interloper was now six inches from his side. His voice is quiet yet stern, "What did I tell you about 'personal space'?"

The other looks at him puzzled, then gasps as a hard elbow knocks the wind from her abdomen and pushes her back to the floor. Two green globs of energy from her hands illuminate the room as she rights herself to a crouching position and lunges forward. With his back still turned, the shadowy figure deftly lands a right footed mule kick to the attacker's right shoulder still mid-lunge. She grabs her shoulder reactively and absorbs the kick into a roll. As she rights herself again she is surprised by the sound of "click-click" coming from both all sides of her. She turns to see two barrels trained directly on her, while a third is held by her employer.

"It would be a shame to scrape that lovely face of yours anymore than I had to. Don't be stupid," he says, his gun barrel unwavering. She dissipates her energy.

"Good girl. Now let's review shall we? I hired you because you have some useful talents. You agreed to work for me to improve them and put a check in the 'win' slot of your super-villain resume. When under my employ you listen and do what I tell you. No comments on my information, no second guessing my plans and absolutely no questions. If you don't like this arrangement you can go back to that blue-skinned buffoon. Do I make myself clear Shego?"

Shego's eyes burn with anger and a faint wisp of a snarl escapes her lips. The shadowy figure before her does not put his gun down. "Yes," she seethes.

"Good." The figure nonchalantly tosses the weapon on the workspace. "The train will be leaving in 24 hours. I suggest you gather anything you need for the job and then get some sleep. Tomorrow's going to be a very big day." He pulls the chair back and sits once again in front of the monitors. "Good night."

The two other guards drop their barrels and Shego continues to glare at the back of the shadowy figure. She picks herself back up, and takes a step towards the chair.

"Good night," she says and storms out.