Four Friends Chapter 7
The Park Service helicopter came in low over the trees before it flared and landed in the clearing where the search Headquarters was located. The rotors of the helicopter started to slow as the door to the craft slid to the rear as it opened. A number of news crews approached the craft knowing the Team Possible was on the helicopter. They stopped and stared as they realized that there were four teens exiting the helicopter instead of the normal two.
"Miss Possible, Mr. Stoppable. Do you have a statement concerning the search for the missing child and the apparent expansion of Team Possible? Would you identify the new members of the team?"
Kim and Ron stepped up to the reporters and motioned for Josh and Tara to join them. Josh stepped up beside of Kim, Tara stood at Ron's side. Kim turned to the microphones and tape recorders.
"We were called in by the Park Staff to assist in the search. We have not been given any specifics at this time. This is Josh Mankey and Tara King. They have been Ron and mine friends for sometime now. They have been right with us during some bad times recently. So now, they will be joining us on some missions from time to time. Now if you don't mind we need to get to work."
The four teens made their way through the reporters and into a large tent. The tent was the HQ of the search crews. Inside the other search crews were gathering their equipment and getting ready for the briefing. Ray Matthews, the Park Director, turned from a large map to greet Kim and Ron.
"Kimberly, Ronald, I am glad you were able to come. I know that this will not be as exciting as fighting all those villains, but we need you to help in the search. The two of you are familiar with most of the park and the area I would like you to search."
Matthews then noticed Tara and Josh standing there dressed in mission clothes similar to Kim and Ron.
"And just who are these two fine persons? I will say I have seen their faces on TV a lot recently, like each time you were in trouble recently. I believe each of them were right with you through those hard times."
Kim turned to smile at Tara and Josh. She presented her arm to the two new members of the team.
"Mr. Matthews, this is Tara King and Josh Mankey. Yes, they are special to both of us and they are going to start joining us on some missions."
Mr. Matthews smiled at the two new members of Team Possible.
"Well, I would imagine that the two of you already know what it might be like to be close to these two. I hope that you are ready for what might come. Now let's get down to business. Why don't the four of you take a seat up front? We are going to start the briefing."
The four teens nodded and sat down on the front row.
Matthews started the briefing.
"The little girl's name is Stacie Brown. The fact sheet being passed out has a number of pictures of her and her physical description. She was last seen in this campground in the northern area of the park. She was wearing blue jeans, boots, a denim shirt and had an olive green hooded sweatshirt on. We lucked out in that. Her parents made sure she dressed well this morning. Also, they had been planning a hike today so Stacie had put several snack bars in her pockets of her sweatshirt."
There were some surprised eyes and sighs of relief from a number of the audience. Kim and Ron looked at each other and nodded.
Matthews continued.
"Yeah I agree, so she is well dressed and has some food with her. However, the weather may turn bad on us. A winter weather warning may be issued by late tomorrow or the next day so let's get out there and find this little girl. Now for assignments, team one, I want you to cover the area south of the campground. Team two, you will start at the campground and search the area to the east. Team Possible, you will start at the campground and search this area to the north. Now this is the smallest area, but I think the four of you can handle it."
The four teens nodded at the Park Director continued the briefing. Later as the four teens left the tent, another ranger approached them with a package.
"Your Wade sent these for you."
Kim took the package and opened it.
Inside the box were four winter outfits each with the last name on the breast pocket right above the new Team Possible logo.
Kim pulled her Kimmunicator out and called Wade.
"Wade, you Rock! The outfits are spankin!"
Wade smiled on the screen.
"I thought you might need some warmer clothing. I had a friend design them and the logo for you. Be careful, that winter storm still may head your way. Right now it looks like everything will be ok but I'll keep you posted."
"Thanks Wade." Kim turned off the Kimmunicator and passed out the suits. The suits were the color of the Kimmunicator with the Team Possible logo on the left on the chest. The four teens climbed on the transport truck and rode to the campsite. They sat together on one side of the truck with Kim and Ron on the outside. Tara and Josh were quiet as the truck rolled up the road. Their hands found each other and squeezed tightly. Kim and Ron were talking to the other crews, talking of past missions and searches.
The truck arrived at the campsite and all the crews jumped off the truck. Ron helped Tara down off the truck and the four teens gathered at the fireplace of a campsite. The rangers had given them the maps of the area they were to search. The four teens got their equipment ready and started heading north through the brush looking for signs of the little girl.
The four teens spread out but stayed in sight of each other. Tara made sure she checked around the trees and on the other side of fallen logs. She noted that the search was easier as all the trees had dropped their leaves. She turned and waved to Ron who she could see just to her right. Kim was to her left and Josh was beyond that.
"Beep beep"
Tara jumped a little then recognized the beeping as her minikimmunicator, or miniK as she and Josh had already named the devices. She activated her screen to see the smiling face of Ron.
"How ya' doing over there, my golden haired partner?"
Tara giggled as she turned to see Ron still walking but using him Kimmunicator.
"I am doing fine, how are you…" There was a sharp thud and slight scream as Ron disappeared from her screen and from sight.
"RON?" Tara called.
He popped backed up after a second and waved.
"No damage done, just a little slip."
Kim's face appeared on the screen soon followed by Josh's.
Kim smiled. "Ron let's be a little more careful. We don't need to have to rescue you too."
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After a few hours of searching, they had covered a good portion of their area with no sign of the little girl. Kim called into the HQ.
"Director Matthews we have searched most of the area with no sign of Stacie. We should be finished in a couple of hours."
Matthew's voice came over the speaker.
"That is fine Miss Possible. The weather reports are not good. The storm is heading in. It looks like by tomorrow night we will be getting some snow. Let's hope we can find Stacie before then."
"Ok, Mr. Matthews. We should be finished here soon. We will update you when we finish."
Ron had been looking at the map while Kim talked with the Park Director. Josh adjusted the straps to his backpack while Tara had her hatchet out getting the feel of it. Kim turned to see Ron with a puzzled look on his face. This did not concern her normally, a puzzled look was normal for Ron, but now it did concern her.
"Ron, what's wrong?"
He laid his map on the ground and waved Kim over. Josh and Tara joined Kim as they stared at the map.
"KP, remember that summer that our dads and us came up here for a little camping."
Kim giggled.
"Yeah, your dad was the woodsman. My dad was totally lost out here, but he had a great time. What's your point?"
Ron pointed to a point on the map.
"Remember, the Ole' Diablo?"
Kim eyes grew wide as she studied the map.
"It's not here; it's not on the map."
Josh looked at the map.
"What's not on the map?"
Kim pointed to a place on the map. The spot was not far from where they were standing.
"There is an old mine about here. Ron and I found me when we were camping up here years ago. We called it the Ole'Diablo; we ended up playing there making as if it was a long lost gold mine. It goes deep into this part of the mountain and there are a couple of open shafts in it. Why it's not on the map I don't know."
"What happened when you two found it?" Tara asked.
Kim and Ron glanced at their two friends with chagrined faces.
"Well, when our dads found out where we had been playing that was the end of the camping trip." Ron answered.
"And our ability to sit comfortably for a couple of days." Kim added with a growl.
"You mean…?" Josh asked.
Ron nodded. "Yeah, you can say our bottoms blushed for a day or so. Playing in an abandoned mine is not a good idea we were told."
"Think we should check it out Ron?" Kim asked.
"Can't hurt KP."
"Let's go. I'll call Director Matthews while we head over there." Kim pulled out the Kimmunicator and called HQ. She explained what she and Ron had thought.
"Miss Possible, I think that mine was sealed years ago. I do not even know where it is. Are you sure that it's still there?"
Kim answered into the Kimmunicator.
"We are heading that way right now. We will check it out and give you a call."
The four teens stood in the front of a pile of brush.
"Is this the place Ron?" Kim asked.
Ron pushed back some of the brush to reveal a rock wall.
"I think so KP. There is the rock face. Tara do you think your hatchet could help clear this brush away?"
Tara pulled her hatchet out and cut away at the dead brush. Wood chips and dust flew as Ron and Josh pulled the cut branches out of the way. Soon a pile of rocks appeared and a dark hole. It appeared that the rocks had slid out of the way exposing the entrance of the mine.
Kim and Ron looked at each other and nodded. Ron got on his hands and knees and crawled in the hole. Kim followed him. Tara knelt to follow, but Ron held up his hand.
"Tara, you and Josh stay there. Someone needs to stay outside of the entrance in case something should happen. Do both of you have your miniK's ready?"
Tara and Josh nodded.
"OK, Kim and I will take a look around."
Ron turned and disappeared into the mine. Inside, Ron scuttled along for a few feet until he was able to stand. Kim already had her flashlight out and Ron's light soon joined hers.
"Stacie? Are you in here?" Kim yelled.
They listened for a few moments then Ron called. "Stacie, are you there?"
The two teens listened for a moment. Then toward the back of the mine, they heard a faint sound. "Help me, I'm here!"
Ron turned and yelled back to the entrance.
"Josh, Tara. She is in here. Call HQ. Get a rescue team up here. We are going further in to find her."
Tara already had her miniK out.
"Director Matthews, this is Tara King of Team Possible. Kim and Ron have found Stacie. She is in that old mine. Kim and Ron want you to bring the rescue team."
"Where are you Miss King?"
Wade's face appeared on Tara's screen.
"I'll take it from here Tara. I have your position triangulated. Director Matthews, I am transmitting their position as we speak."
There was a pause for a moment then Matthews came back on.
"We have the position. We are getting the team together now. We should be there within the hour."
Josh stuck his head in the hole.
"Kim, Ron. They are on their way."
"Thanks Josh. Stay there."
Ron turned and walked with Kim further into the mine. Light came from above though a shaft going up.
"Stacie, where are you?" Kim yelled.
"I am here, down a hole."
Kim and Ron got on their hands and knees and looked down the hole. The shaft was about twenty feet deep. Stacie was sitting at the bottom of the hole. Dirt was sifting down through the sides of the shaft. Groaning noises came from the sides of the shaft.
Ron pushed back from the shaft and looked up shining his light up. The beams overhead were not in good condition.
"KP, there is no way we can get her out by reaching down and those beams don't look strong enough to hold us. We need to get her out of here now."
Kim looked around.
"Ron, go get Tara and Josh. Tara needs to cut some staffs so we get build a rack over the shaft. Then we can use the hairdryer to lower ourselves down and hoist ourselves back up."
"Gotcha KP." Ron pulled out his Kimmunicator.
"Josh, Tara, we need you to cut about 4 long poles and bring them in here."
"OK Ron" Josh answered.
Tara pulled her hatchet out of the case on her equipment belt and soon picked a number of saplings nearby. The special cutting edge made short work of the trees and soon they were dragging the poles into the mine. They joined Kim and Ron at the shaft. Josh pulled one of his climbing balls out of his pack and let some line out of one of them. They used the line to tie the tops of the poles together and put the poles over the shaft. The poles held the apex over the middle of the shaft. Kim made sure the grapple was well seated at the top of the rack of poles and lowered herself down. Stacie put her arm around Kim's neck, Kim activated the grapple gun, and it pulled them up. Ron leaned over with Josh holding onto his belt. Ron took Stacie of Kim and passed her to Tara. Tara headed out of the mine with the child.
Ron turned back to Kim with Josh still holding his belt. He pulled Kim back to solid ground. Josh went ahead as Kim and Ron retrieved the grapple gun. Josh crawled out of the mine to see the rescue crew had arrived and was tending to Stacie. The child was dirty but appeared to be uninjured.
Tara asked Stacie.
"Stacie, why did you go in the mine?"
Stacie turned to Tara and smiled. "I was following the little family of kitties."
"Kitties?" Tara and Josh said together.
"Yeah, cute little black and white kitties with real funny tails."
Tara and Josh looked at each other.
"Oh NO!"
Kim and Ron where heading out of the mine and were preparing to kneel down to crawl out of the mine. Kim noticed something moving in the shadows of a corner of the tunnel.
"Ron what is that over there?" Kim asked pointing.
Ron turned on his flashlight and shone in the direction Kim was pointing.
Kim and Ron's eyes grew huge when they realized what they were seeing.
Josh ran to the opening of the mine to shout a warning when he heard Kim and Ron start yelling. Then an incredible odor came out of the mine.
"Oh man, that's stinks." He moaned as he crawled away from the mine entrance. Tara gasped and covered her face. The rescue team started to yell when the odor came to them. Kim and Ron came sprawling out of the hole and stood up. The two teens looked dejectedly at the group. Kim face was scowling as she held her arms away from her sides. Ron's face was turning almost blue as he tried to hold his breath. He finally let out his breath and gasped as he started to breathe.
"Oh, man, Kim we have been skunked."
Josh gasped and struggled for air as he backed away. Kim and Ron just stood there as everyone backed away from them. They stripped off the new suits and threw them back in the mine.
Ron explained.
"We got it in the chest up. Luckily, most hit the clothes but it is all in our hair and on our faces. Can we please go get cleaned up?"
The two teens had a long cool ride back to the HQ tent as they had to ride in the back of one of the trucks by themselves.
When they arrived at the base camp, the news crew rushed forward to speak to Kim and Ron. They had not gone too close when a rather pungent odor hit them. Kim and Ron stayed in the back of the truck while Tara and Josh stood on the ground at the rear.
"Miss Possible, can you tell us what happened?" Asked one reporter.
"Well, it's very simple. We located Stacie in an abandoned mine. All four of us were able to get her out, but as Ron and I were making our way out of the mine we disturbed a family of skunks." Kim waved the air in front of her.
"With the inevitable results. Now if you would not mind. Ron and I would like to go get a shower at the Ranger Headquarters and see it we can get the smell off of us."
Tara and Josh climbed into the main cab as Kim and Ron settled back down in the back of the truck.
Middleton High School
The four teens walked arm in arm into school that Friday morning. Kim and Ron were almost completely free of the skunk smell courtesy of a couple of home remedies and a commercial shampoo designed to get rid of a skunk smell. They both had to stay in the showers for sometime to get all the smell out. Kim's hair was a little dry and brittle due to all the repeated washings. Ron's face was rubbed a little raw, as he had gotten it in the face where Kim mostly got it in her hair.
The news casts that morning had given Team Possible the lion's share of the credit for finding and rescuing the little girl. Photos were released showing all four of them in their new winter suits. Commentators lost little time discussing the two additions to the team. Most thought it would have been inevitable for the team to grow as Kim and Ron had other people in their lives. The fact that the newest members came away from the mission without a scratch yet the two most experienced members had been skunked supplied plenty of comedy in several newscasts.
There were a few giggles and laughs when Kim and Ron entered school. A number of students made holding their noses motions as they walked by. The two teens laughed at their predicament. As Ron had said earlier. "There is nothing we can do about it so we might as well laugh about it." When Kim and Ron approached their lockers, they laughed at the decorations hanging there. Someone had hung a number of stuffed skunks on their lockers as well a two gas masks.
Kim growled a little but grinned when she noticed one of the skunks was a Skunkbear, the cousin to her pandaroo being half skunk and half bear. She looked around to see Monique waving at her from down the hall. Kim opened her locker to see Wade tapping on his computer.
"What's the sitch Wade?" she asked.
"Are Tara and Josh nearby?" Wade glanced up from his screen.
Tara and Josh arrived after hearing their names.
Wade continued to type on his keyboard. Kim's printer started up and paper soon came out.
"Stacie's parents contacted your website. They own a ski lodge over on Mount Upperton. They are offering a free weekend for the four of you at their lodge with lift tickets and all. They have already contacted your parents and gotten permission for you to come. A limo will pick you up after school. Your parents are packing your bags. I am printing out your reservations. They are letting you have a two bedroom chalet for the weekend with dining room privileges, unlimited room service, lift tickets for two days and equipment rental."
Kim turned to Josh.
"I'm surprised your parents gave permission."
Josh shrugged his shoulders as he stepped up to Kim and put his hands on her waist pulling her to him.
"Well after I got home last night, they called me into the den. They told me how proud they were of me. Apparently, several of mom's social friends are all excited over me being asked to join team. My dad has my picture along with several pictures of you and Ron and all four of us in his office. "It will be the best thing for the business I have ever done" was his reaction. I just said, "Thank you" and went on up to my room."
Kim pulled back with a growl.
"You mean they are using you, me and us for their business dealing and social climbing?"
Josh smiled down at Kim. He reached down and brushed a lock of hair out of Kim's face. He touched her cheek and stroked it softly. Kim closed her eyes and pressed her face into his touch.
"Kim, does it matter? As long as they leave us alone I don't care. I made it clear that we would not make any public appearances for the bank or any social club. I hope you don't mind if they ask you to dinner once in awhile. I know they aren't perfect but it would mean a lot to me if you would accept when they do."
Kim smiled and glanced around to see if there were any teachers around or Mr. Barkin. Her quick search came up clean so she stood on her toes and gave Josh a quick kiss on the lips. She turned to see Ron and Tara locked in an embrace.
"Gross me out." Came the snarky voice of Bonnie.
"Can't you four keep your hands off each other."
Bonnie bent over to pick a piece of paper that had fallen out of Kim's locker printer. She glanced down on it and her eyes bugged out.
"YOU HAVE RESERVATIONS at the UPPERTON Chalet and Resort?" She squeaked.
Kim reached out a plucked the paper from Bonnie's hands.
"No big. The little girl Stacie's parents own the place. They gave us a free weekend."
Bonnie growled and whirled away as she stalked up the hall.
The two couple giggled and returned to their kiss.
It was then they heard a gruff "AHEM".
All four of the teens turned to see Mr. Barkin standing there looking at them. They quickly broke out of their embraces.
"Since it is Friday and this is your first infraction for sometime I will not ask you to show up at detention today. But I will be watching very closely indeed." Mr. Barkin turned away from the relieved teens then turned back with a smile. "Have a nice time skiing. At least you will not have to deal with any skunks."
Sorry it took so long for this one to come out. Many excuses, work, family, other stories, but I have been working on this one for a bit. So all four have formed the new Team Possible. They had a nice little adventure for their first mission and now they get to relax for the weekend. A nice chalet all to themselves. I am sure they will have a good time.
I have quite a number of oneshots in the works, so be looking for them. Now, "gasp", I will start on my next fic. If you have been following the "After the Mission" Fanart thread over at you may know that I have challenged myself again to write a "M" rated or close to "M" rated story. It's gonna be interesting.