Hi there and thanks for hanging in there while this chapter was put together. Real life, including work scheduling, family and health issues just came at me as badly as a herd of plot bunnies running after a newbie writer…or any writer on this site. Oy. But like a well-known character from an old 'Night Court' episode in the later seasons, I can honestly say: "I got better.." But we shall see how that goes.
Now before moving along with this long-delayed chapter we'd like to thank those who chimed in with a Review, Fave, Alert, Follow, or whatever else the site makes available to keep an eye on us and this tale: Mahler Avatar (a two-fer for ya!), readerjunkie, RomanianPrincess, levi200a1, Jimmy1201, Valerie3, EnterpriseCV-6, Taechunsa, Sentinel103, Welshboy1994 and Robot Wolf 26Z; thanks to you all for your support and hope you continue to enjoy our offerings.
Last chapter, that one way back in July.., Kim returned to England and found folks still have no clue who Ron is, while Drakken almost made Shego a widow by undertaking some DIY projects with Motor Ed as his assistant before they left for the honeymoon, and Ron's life at college just got complicated as a co-ed has taken a shine to him. Kim and Ron still live with feelings missed and 'dismissed' as they continue their lives as they are. And as Kim gets settled in England again, Wade keeps the old website clear of the more personal information of the only 'active' member of Team Possible and Rufus' forays to the site while playing Everlot give no clues that things are anything other than what was known before Kim left. Meanwhile Ron's attempts to maintain his low level status at the dojo give his local Sensei insight that the duty-uki may not be that at all.
And once again in order to keep the legal sharks at bay: The characters and scenery of the Kim Possible show are the property of the Disney Corporation. We're just letting them loose in a tale that entertains and doesn't make money…
Storm Chaser
Chapter 10
Oxford, England: Early in the new school term.
After stopping a moment to collect herself, Kim knocked on the closed heavy wooden door to a meeting she had been putting off for a while.
From within she heard, "Please come in."
With a small smile, Kim Possible entered the Dean of Student's office. A bit more informal than was the tradition of Deans past, Katherine Blokes didn't wear the robes of her Title when meeting with her students. She preferred a more personable tone over centuries of stuffy custom in her interactions with her young charges.
"Ah Kim,", when Dean Katherine Blokes saw her, "it is so good to see you back on campus. How was your trip home for the summer?"
With a bright smile, "It was very nice Ma'am, I had a great time,", then with a slight frown, "but it ended way too soon for me.", Kim said before getting down to business. "But shifting gears, as everyone here in the Administration at Oxford is aware, I started an internship with an agency I had worked with somewhat while in high school. Then before the term began I returned early and do some traveling and sightseeing.", Kim said to her College Dean, then sighed, "Something Ron and I had never been able to do when we fought some old villains when we were in the area back then."
Being careful to avoid certain topics with Kim for now, "Oh, and how did that internship work out, if I may ask?", Mrs. Blokes inquired, quietly pleased that Kim was able to function out of the University environment and was healed enough so she could act as a tourist. Also carefully leaving out for now, the part about her long lost boyfriend, well aware she would have to address it later.
"It turned out quite well in fact, so much so that they offered me a position in the organization when I graduate from here. And to that end, I will continue some of my training with the UK branch while I'm at school when I have time….they understand the curriculum here is challenging."
"Very good Kim, now it appears you have something to look forward to after graduation, and I'm sure you will give it your best as I know you always do.", the Dean said favorably. Then in a softer tone, "And I know you were concerned about reconnecting with family and friends. How did that go?", she asked suspecting that the boy at the crux of her charge's issues would be brought up again; and she wasn't disappointed.
"For the most part it went very well Ma'am. But there was just one person who was not around, and I did so want to talk to him…."
"Was he the boy that disappeared? I remember how you were at the time." At Kim's nod she continued, "So I take it he hasn't returned?"
Kim shook her head slightly and sighed, "No Ma'am, Ron,", at Dean Blokes' questioning glance, "Ron Stoppable, my former partner and boyfriend…..not many people got his name right, if they remembered him at all...But no Ma'am, he wasn't there.", the red head frowned; saddened and amazed that after all this time, Ron still was overlooked, even if he was officially listed in the Bio files that accompanied her throughout her ordeal over the last three years.
"I am sorry to hear that, I know you wanted to bring him here and show him around.", she replied, disappointed at Kim's inability of reconnecting with her missing boyfriend, his name still escaping her even after the time she spent perusing Kim's file.
"Yes Ma'am I did, there is a decent culinary school close by and I thought…you know that he could get an apartment and maybe go to school there and I could stay with him on the weekends.", she said in one breath, before taking another and sadly sighing, "But he wasn't home.", Kim said without mentioning her motives for having Ron close by, Katherine also avoided delving too deeply there as well.
Then changing the topic to keep her from possibly backsliding, the Dean asked, "I know we are early in the term, but how are your classes going now Kim?"
"I seem to be more relaxed in my courses now, even the more difficult ones, and I am able to concentrate now, so I am happy with my course load….but I do have a question."
"Go ahead Kim."
"Well I was wondering why, up to now, I hadn't gotten a bill from the school, and my Mother mentioned that she hasn't received a bill regarding my time here either. So what I'd like to know is do you know if the school is covering my expenses, school and/or otherwise? I mean if they are I really do appreciate it, but I am confused that I haven't heard anything about this in the three years I've been here, Ma'am."
Mrs. Blokes really didn't know what to say and had to think for a moment as she wondered if this was from some Administrative SNAFU, "Kim, I'm not sure why you haven't received a bill for the previous three years you've been here, this is something, I assure you, I cannot give you an answer right off the top of my head.", she said quite incredulously, "But could you wait while I ring a colleague of mine? I am sure we can get to the bottom of this and thank you for bringing it to my attention."
"Yes Ma'am my classes are done for the day and right now I have all the time in the world.", Kim replied as she wondered, 'What is going on here. They should have an idea about this. Maybe Mrs. Blokes doesn't know…..'
"I will make an inquiry with the financial people, so we should have an answer soon enough.", Mrs. Blokes assured Kim, then noting the young red head's concern over this issue, "Would you care for a cup of tea while I ring them?"
"Thank you Ma'am.", Kim replied, "No sugar please."
Katherine poured each a cup of tea and since this wasn't white tea she didn't have milk, but it still sent a calming gesture to the students who entered her office.
While sipping her cup of tea, the young red head listened as the Dean made the call.
After ending the call, the Dean of Students picked up her cup to take a sip and then turned to a now anxious red head, "The Director of Admissions informed me there is a Trust in your name. At the beginning and end of each term we just submit the paperwork for billing and expenses and shortly thereafter everything is paid…"
Kim incredulously cut in, "Everything?..Oh please excuse me, where are my manners? Please continue.", she said contritely.
Nodding her approval, "Yes, everything, from your books, boarding arrangements, tuition, health care, as well as dining requirements, and miscellaneous expenses, even entertainment was included. Anything out of pocket was the only thing not dealt with, I'm told.", Dean Blokes related to the shocked young woman.
Raising a hand to forestall the coming question, "However, at this moment, they do not have the name of the firm running the Trust, but they assured me they would get back to me as soon as they have learned the firm's identity.", she said to the further stunned red head.
Placing her cup on its saucer, she turned to Kim with an approving eye, "I must say Miss Possible, it appears everything regarding your stay here is covered. Even the extraneous.", she said with a raised eyebrow.
Then patting her comfortingly on the hand, "Kim, someone thought very highly of you to set this up in your name. All the admissions staff does is send an itemized bill and it is paid, no questions asked."
"So you don't know who is administering the Trust Fund Ma'am?", she asked. At the answering head-shake. Kim said, "Well I'd like to find out who thought so much of me to do this and I would so like to thank them."
With a sigh, "That is for you to undertake Kimberly; however I will try to gather that information for you. Now, is there anything else troubling you that I may be able to assist you with?"
Brightly, "No Ma'am, after all the drama of the last three years, I'm finally back on track with school. After reconnecting with friends and classmates this summer, I'm able to get back into a rhythm again.", Kim said.
"It was a long time coming, but nowhere near the drama I feared it would be.", she said in hushed tones. Then a bit more cheerfully, "In fact, I have to return to Middleton at Christmas Break for a wedding between two old classmates of mine; they even asked me to be a Bridesmaid too."
Dean Blokes nodded with a smile as she took in Kim's recounting of some of her life in Middleton, both women fully aware this conversation would be included in a, now massive, file kept on the red head while at Oxford. A condition of her treatment and care while in the UK, as a precaution for all parties in light of her meltdown those few years ago.
"A couple of your friends are marrying, and you are going to take part in the ceremony? Quite the good show for you, I'd say.", Katherine grinned to her young charge. "So I take it you'll make good use of your time at the event to keep in touch with your friends as well?"
"Yes Ma'am I surely will, but what surprised me was that Tara, my classmate, even asked me to stand in her wedding after I had cut off all contact with home like I did. I'm glad she didn't hold a grudge after everything was explained to her.", Kim said in relief.
"Well if you remember, we advised you not take that that course of action. It was our belief that it would take some time for your friends to completely trust you again, but I can see you've made better progress than was supposed.", Katherine observed when the phone rang.
"Now if you will excuse me for a moment."
Kim nodded.
The call really did take only a moment as the Dean wrote something on a notepad, then reset the handset onto its cradle.
"That was a follow-up from the Admissions Office; it appears that your trust is overseen by the law firm of Enders, Enders and Klopstein out of Chicago, Illinois, USA. My contact at Admissions contacted them to inquire about your trust, but the firm only admitted that they are the managers of the Trust. They hesitated to give out more than that over the phone and likewise refused to do the same via email, citing confidentiality issues.", she said to Kim's rising anticipation at learning of this information, and then deflating acceptance of their point of view.
Blowing out a small exasperated breath, "Well it's better than what I knew before today.", Kim said as she thought further on this information. "I guess I'll contact them to see what they can tell me about this Trust, who is behind it and why…Oh and to thank them for their help over the last three years.", her frown softened to a wistful smile.
"From what I've gathered from my associate in Admissions, they do a very good job of protecting the privacy of their clients. Your quest to determine your benefactor may be daunting, at the very least.", Dean Blokes admonished.
Smiling slyly, "Well, I still do have a friend who can find out nearly anything about just about anyone, so I believe I'll be able to learn of the identity of my benefactor before too long.", Kim replied.
Surprised at this tidbit, "Well, I'm sure it's nice to have someone that can do that for you. Is it one of the students here?"
Shaking her head, "No, he was my old tech guy with Team Possible. If it's on the computer he'll find it.", Kim said with confidence."
"If he can't find out anything, let us know and maybe we can assist you further in your quest.", Dean Blokes promised. "Now Kimberly, if there isn't anything else…."
Shaking her head with a bright smile, "No Ma'am, thank you so very much for all you've done for me. You've gone above and beyond your responsibilities to me with everything you and the College has done during my stay here. If I haven't said it before or enough, thank you so much for taking care of me when I.."
Interrupting, but gracious in doing so, "Think nothing of it Kimberly, we were glad to help you in your hours of darkness and need and like your former career, we do it asking nothing in return. But thank you just the same.", Katherine smiled warmly.
Blushing lightly at the turnabout on her old theme from high school, Kim giggled in her reply, "Wow, talk about being on the other side of helping someone out.", she said as they shared a light laugh between them on the irony.
"Now if you need anything further in contacting the law firm about your fee payments and so forth, just let us know and we will see what we can do for you.", the Dean offered to Kim.
"Thank you Dean, I know you would, but with this newfound information I would rather investigate this lead at my first opportunity, which it turns out, will be over the Christmas break.", Kim answered. "I think I can meet with them face to face, since this is their policy, after that wedding I'll be in earlier on."
"Kimberly, I would suggest that you wait until next June when you are out for the summer, that way you will have more time to deal with what you learn over the summer than with what time you have left before you return to school.", Katherine cautioned Kim.
Anxiously sighing, "I so want to find this out Ma'am…. I'm sure I can deal with it over Christmas break.", Kim hurriedly assured Dean Blokes.
With a look not unlike one Kim saw many times from her Mother, "If you don't mind my saying Kimberly, that attitude is precisely what helped get you into your problems.", she said with a tired sigh as Kim sheepishly smiled to her as she did with her Mother on those occasions when a life-lesson was about to be explained to her.
Then delicately, "Kimberly you are used to being in charge of your 'sitch', as you have put it, but there are times when your Type A personality should step back and assess where you are and your options before striding forth blindly into something before you can fully grasp it all."
After a few seconds she nodded in realization, Kim replied softly, "Yes Ma'am, I can see your point, thank you."
Looking away for a moment, then back again, with tears in her eyes, "I can see now that I would have jumped into something quite big when I would have had very little time to react and deal with what I would have found.", she said as she sniffled. "Ron would have said something like this too…He was good at distracting me or saying something that would get me to thinking, and I'd come to see my first reaction would not work have worked…sometimes disastrously, as I learned later."
"But…", now a hiccup and a pained gasp, "But now..when I should have had him by my side…", a tear falling down her cheek, "my pride, or Kimness, and my nightmares got in the way of calling him to me when I needed him most.", Kim sniffled, tearing further.
Handing her a tissue, "I know, Kimberly. You went to a bad place, alone..and now you are recovering, but this time not quite so alone, right?", she said to Kim's sad smile and nod. "And here, you were about to travel down the same road that you were on before, without completely considering the repercussions of combining so much to accomplish into so little time to do it."
Kim knowingly nodded.
"Rest assured Kimberly, we here at Oxford do not want that to happen again, for your sake more than anything else.", Katherine told Kim as she paused to let this sink in.
"Kim you have great potential, but I think you need to temper the brashness that you were able to get away with in your youth. We want you to succeed, not fail, so we want you to take your time."
"Yes Ma'am I know, and I still find myself having to reign myself in on things like this. It's very difficult for me to do this...I was so used to being in charge and I'm learning to do what I can and get help for what I need.", Kim assured her.
"My Mom has been working with me and I've been talking to some of the shrinks at GJ…Between the two groups, I have made some progress, but I've learned that I have a long way to go."
"And like you said you have made progress, but you need to make more. Try not to do so much and have some fun. Meet people, join some fun clubs, some that are not so competitive and don't try to be the leader in all of them.", she grinned knowingly to Kim's timid smile. Then more direct, "Now I know you are athletic, so might I suggest you try out for the rowing club?"
Shaking her head slightly, "Thanks for the idea Ma'am, but no thank you. I enjoy gymnastics much more and I know Oxford has a club so I might just go and see if I join them. Not the team, I'm nowhere ready for completion…just a club where I can work out."
"That sounds splendid Kim and we also have a Karate club too. I believe, somewhere in your file it describes that you know sixteen forms of Kung Fu. Maybe you could assist the instructors after you get up to speed."
"I…..I was going to try for the varsity before the breakdown Ma'am…But I have lost so much conditioning and muscle tone that I couldn't do it competitively now. So maybe joining that club would be a way to get back into the swing."
Nodding in assurance, "Very good Kimberly, after we're done here I will send the contact information to your class email account. Now if there isn't anything else I have some work to get done before I go home for the day."
"Thank you so much Ma'am, for the time and the advice…I really appreciate it.", Kim replied gratefully.
XXX
Go University Campus, Go City:
As Tara got off the phone her fiancée glanced over from the oven as he checked on the dish she had put in to bake an hour before, "How's your Mom babe?"
"Oh she's just fine Josh…Dad is too, I know it sounded like gibberish to you, but we are almost done with the planning. I emailed the whole wedding party and, except for Kim, they will be here at Thanksgiving…..I guess the English don't celebrate it.", Tara replied.
Looking thoughtfully up to the ceiling, "I don't think they do…", then looking back to Tara, "But the Canadians do and it's on a different day. Anyway you said she already has her dress and is keeping it at her parents' house, so she's taken care of. All she has to do is make the rehearsal, get her makeup and hair done and get to the wedding.", Josh reminded the platinum blonde.
"Yeah, but I worry about her. If we'd known what was going on in her life I would have flown over there to get her home, it would have been better than what happened….
"Tara, honey, don't beat yourself up about this. There is no way you could have known.", he said. Then shrugging, "I guess it was destiny that Kim and Ron broke up….."
Sharply interrupting, "I don't believe that Josh. Kim didn't break up with Ron, she just...never told him…Anything!", she exclaimed, throwing her hands up in frustration. "It must have been terrible for Ron to think that he wasn't wanted by the person he loved, someone he spent most of his life being as close to as he was to her."
Nodding in agreement, "Yeah, even when I dated Kim she talked about Ron a lot." Then shaking his head in wonder, "I'm just surprised they didn't see it then."
Snorting, "With Kim's Dad, I think he would have blown a head gasket.", as Tara remembered just how protective James was of his daughter.
After a few moments more, lost in memories of two friends and their high school years, Tara finished setting the table and lit a candle before she dimmed the lights.
"Josh I want a nice quiet dinner for us tonight." Then pointing to a wine rack near the kitchen, "We still have that bottle of red wine, why don't you open it?"
"Sure honey, just give me a minute. I have to get the corkscrew out of the drawer."
X
Josh raised his glass of wine in a toast, "To our families and friends; may they all be happy and healthy."
Tara added her sentiments to the toast, then leaned over the table motioning for Josh to put down his glass, "I love you artist boy.". Then she punctuated the statement with a kiss which Josh warmly accepted.
"And I love you so much too.", Josh smiled. After settling back in his chair, "Now did you send JPEGs of some of my new art to Kim? I know that she was interested in it."
"Yes honey, I did and she sent back some real funny comments about one of the paintings. She said it looked like one of Ron's Nacos.", Tara's embarrassed snort led to her grab a napkin to wipe off some residue.
"It wasn't that bad…."
She couldn't fight it any longer and broke down into a hysterical giggle-fit.
XXX
Wade looked up from his computer at his station as it chimed, signaling him that he had an incoming email in his private home account, which he monitored at GJ. Recognizing who it was from he smiled as he opened it.
'Well it looks like Kim is having fun with some of those courses, it'll keep her mind off being away from home, that's for sure.', Wade mused before he prepared to fire off a response.
In order to keep the lines of communication open with their classmate so far from home, Dr. Load had prompted other members of Kim's high school class to write to her often so she wouldn't have a repeat of the incident which caused her depression.
As he read more of the email he scanned the line that asked about a law firm in Chicago and why.
Making some notes he used a program he had developed to mine the internet for data, he included some coding to look for some specific things. 'Maybe this will give us a clue as to who is paying for Kim's college experience.'
XXX
Global Justice Headquarters:
The occasionally aristocratic Asian featured male knocked on the heavy solid door of the head of the UN's international law enforcement arm.
"Come.", a voice on the other side barked in response.
Composing him after coming to attention at her desk, "Ma'am, we have a situation.", 'Top' Agent Wilmont Du began.
"How bad is it Will, we're pretty thin right now."
"Ma'am as you know the United States military planned to unveil a hypersonic delivery system they intended to add to their fleet for future use.", Will informed her as he stayed at attention.
"Yes I remember, it was in last Friday's intel news we heard about during the second half of the briefing.", Betty replied wary of where this was going, "Please sit down."
"Yes Ma'am", Will took a seat before he continued, "Ma'am getting to the point…the test vehicle is missing and believed to be stolen."
"Are there any of our assets in the area?"
"Ma'am none within two thousand miles, maybe three; and of those, none who are capable of performing a retrieval operation.", he said as he gave her the bleak news. "Even if we knew where the vehicle was located, we couldn't mount anything to bring it to the US."
"Can we insert any of our Intel people?"
"Only if we knew where to send them, Ma'am.", he said a bit sourly, "And as you can expect, it seems the US Government isn't very forthcoming with the details.", he told her.
Sighing while rubbing her temples, "I understand Will. But we have to get boots on the ground on this. If you would, please find Dr. Load and bring him here, I think we'll need his 'nerd' skills on this one when we are finished. So are we done?", Dr. Director asked Du.
Nodding, "I have nothing more at this time, Ma'am.", he replied.
"Then when we are done there, so go locate Dr. Load. And after that I want a list of all government intelligence agencies in the region and a teleconference to be setup.", she directed him.
"Yes Ma'am."
"And I want to talk to the Director of the CIA before that…I'll see what information I can drag out of them, but like I said I want Wade in here for a moment unless the others can't get me any data."
"Yes Ma'am, is there anything else?"
Sighing heavily this time, "As a matter of fact, yes there is…Agent Du, how is Miss Possible progressing in the training she is receiving?", Betty Director inquired as she poured him a cup of tea instead of his preferred coffee.
"Ma'am Miss Possible is doing very well according to her instructor's reports. Again she isn't what she was, but she is making progress. She is getting stronger physically as we already were aware she would, and she is beginning to learn the capabilities of the organization."
At the confused look in his boss's eye, "The intelligence capabilities Ma'am, we agreed no operations until she is at the level she was before the 'incident'.", Agent Du clarified.
Looking thoughtfully at Du, "While Kim now has some understanding of GJ's operations; I eventually would like to have her return to the field. To that end, we must be patient in rehabbing and educating her, no matter how long it takes. We don't lose that young woman, it would be such a waste of so much potential and dare I say it, a future leader in GJ."
At Du's contemplative nod, "As I see it, GJ could very well have Co-Directors in its future when I retire; what I have to do is locate those two before my time here is up."
"Ma'am? You are much too young to retire….."
Smirking, "Will, don't BS me, I've seen all the fertilizer in this business that can be shoveled out.", a laughing Elizabeth Director lightly warned him, "I expect in time that you and Miss Possible will both replace me, but I'm unsure as to who will be the DO or the DI."
Somewhat humbly, "Ma'am, thank you."
"Nonsense Will, you earned it, but I think splitting the job will make it easier the way this job has grown over the years. But what concerns me is that there still seems to be some conflict between yourself and Kimberly."
"Ma'am I think we have resolved our problems, mine was mostly with her sidekick…."
Admonishing him, "Please don't use that term Will; we just didn't understand what his capabilities were at the time. If you were around him more you would have lightened up much sooner than you have."
"Yes Ma'am, I am making an effort. Now if you will excuse me, I will go and retrieve Dr. Load…."
"Just lighten up Will, oh and before you go, have there been any sightings of my brother?"
"Ah yes Ma'am, Sheldon Director is currently in Hong Kong supposedly looking into a manufacturing arrangement for something or other. He seems to be doing everything above board so to speak."
Sighing heavily, "Maybe he really has changed Will. Because of Mom I stay on good terms with him, but I really don't trust him. I don't know if I ever will…..completely."
"That is understandable Ma'am though your Mother may not catch on, I'm sure your brother is aware of your hesitancy for getting too close to him. I'm sure he at least expects some level of surveillance from GJ."
"If he didn't I'd be surprised as well. My brother is very intelligent. If he hadn't dedicated his life to evil he could have made a lot of money or helped a lot of people."
"So,", Will asked, "Sheldon expects you to call him now and then?"
"I'm sure he does and when he's in town we go out to dinner to chat like brothers and sisters should be able to do, but I still don't trust him.", Betty confided, "Because of that I try to keep the calls random to keep him on his toes. In fact, I'll give him a call in a bit." Now in contemplation, "I think that about two in the morning there will just about be right to catch him off guard."
"Well Ma'am if you don't mind me saying so, I don't think he's given up his ways either. Just try not to let him in on any good secrets."
"Don't worry Will we've been playing this game for years, a long time before you came aboard. He won't trip me up, while I can't get him to tell the truth either.", Betty's eye twinkled as Will chuckled.
Then Will's demeanor changed, as if something coalesced for him, now a bit more formally, "Ma'am I think you should know, there are rumors coming from Asia about some things."
"Such as?"
"Someone is stirring up trouble over there, well that's pretty much normal…but the kicker is there are fewer of our regulars that are interested in such activity these days.", Will began.
"Yes, I remember that drop off.", Betty nodded.
"Well, if you remember, before that there was an upswing in criminal activity in the Asian Theatre right after the Lowardian Invasion, which was rampant for about a year and a few months…..then for some inexplicable reason, as far as GJ could tell, it just ended. All the old players just got out of the game, with no one, or no entities filling the void."
"Then what is the problem Will?"
"Well Ma'am, as best as we can tell, someone is spending quite a bit of effort and money keeping this quiet over there. At this time we are unable to pierce this veil of secrecy, but my observations have led me to believe it's bigger than just a lone group or entity responsible for this.", Du explained, yet left unsaid the possibility of government based involvement there.
Something both knew all too well was a possibility in light of their limited access to the region since the Invasion.
Nodding knowingly, "I see. Is there anything else you can extrapolate from your observations, Will?", Dr. Director asked, taking this all in, as she was quite aware of what he knew, and was as much in the dark as he on this subject.
"Well Ma'am, from all that I can gather from the region, Intel and hunches I've gleaned from sources, I'm becoming quite sure tension is building amongst the criminal element there, and I've got a feeling that something big is going to happen there, and soon."
Nodding again, "Just keep an eye on the situation over there, and let me know if there are any concrete developments. Maybe some of those governments will start working with us again if there's enough pressure from the outside."
"Of course Ma'am and as best I can I will have our resources increase those pressures as well.", Will assured her in a voice that was all 'Top Agent'.
Then softening his tone, "Now Ma'am, are you going to get some rest?"
A short nod, "I will after the change of shifts See you then.", Dr. Director smiled.
X
Three hours later:
The two Senior Agents stood facing each other in front of the Main Command Console for GJ before commencing the change of shift activity required by Agency Regulations.
The smiling Asian man asked, "Are you ready Ma'am?"
"Yes Will.", Betty said as she went to Attention a little more slowly than either remembered her ever doing, "I'm not as young as I used to be. I can't pull doubles all week like we used to.", the dark red headed woman said as she relaxed her posture for a second.
"Ma'am if you don't mind me saying there are some good personnel rising in the organization, maybe we ought to change our structure a little and give them an opportunity to show us what they can do.", the Senior Agent advised.
Pondering for a moment, "Alright Will, why don't you get a list and show me their strengths and weaknesses and I'll have something done? It sounds like a good idea, but remember we may be infiltrated, so we'll have to put them all through the screening process again, but this time we pay closer attention to that criteria in the process."
Smiling broadly, "Yes Ma'am, that ought to weed out a few of them.", Du said, then his smile faltered slightly, "Though in dealing with some who got through the previous process, I seriously thought about quitting a few times in the past…."
A wan grin and a nod from Dr. Director and once again, inside information were agreed to by GJ Upper Command.
Straightening up again, "Now where were we?", Du asked as his Commander likewise came to Attention.
Since GJ was a relatively 'new' law enforcement organization they really didn't have 'formal' wording for the Changing of the Guard process, so to speak, but they found a means and the words that was assimilated from other Agencies or branches of the Military, and they found the simplest methods were the best.
Then coming to attention, he saluted, "I hereby relieve Doctor Director."
Returning the salute, "I am relieved by Agent Du."
After both dropped their salutes, "That's what that process was supposed to do Will, but to the Interviewee, not the Interviewer.", she chuckled.
Then stretching and yawning a bit, "And you are right I do need some rest, I'll see you in eight hours." And with that, Dr. Director turned and walked off toward her quarters to get some badly needed rest,
XXX
A Hong Kong restaurant:
"Have you obtained the item?", the one-eyed Occidental lowly asked his Asian dinner companion.
Taking a sip of his adult beverage before responding, "You can speak normally here, I assure you there are no law enforcement bugs for us to worry about.", he said with confidence before placing his drink on the table.
Then looking to his dinner partner in annoyance, "Yes we have, but it is much larger than you originally led me to believe.", the older Asian man answered the question with a condescending edge to his voice.
Attempting to distract his dinner companion from his ire, "You know alcohol will kill you as fast as anything…"
Snorting derisively "I am aware of that, but being in my business and the stresses I am under…it gives me a way to relieve them. I do not, however, overindulge…I want to just take the edge off."
Offhandedly, "I understand the urge. I have been known to have one once in a while myself.", he said before reverting back to business, "Now when can you deliver the item to my facility?", the larger man asked.
As he didn't trust his 'Associate', the intention was to accept delivery of the 'item' at a throwaway location from which he would immediately move to a more secure site he shared with no one but those of his organization.
"It will take me a few days to obtain appropriate covert transportation. I will give you a call when we are ready."
"Good, and upon the item being handed over I will complete our bargain.", he said with a smile that was all business.
Then smiling more sincerely, "Now in light of that good news, I think I will have a drink to celebrate this venture.", the larger man chuckled, happy at acquiring this 'item' and that the cost of acquisition was quite negligible to his bottom-line.
Looking sidelong to him, "See I told you that you would feel better, but make sure you have a place big enough for this thing. It is fairly large and extremely heavy."
Waving casually, "I have an idea of about how large it is, do not worry, I have such a place to put it in mind.", Sheldon quietly informed his companion, then raised his hand to get the attention of a waiter.
As the waiter approached to take his order, Sheldon continued to be careful and give nothing away to any means of observation he knew his sister and her organization might pickup on from Assets she had in the region.
XXX
Yamanouchi, Japan:
Striding quietly to the seated, meditating figure, (Sensei there has been an incident, which in time could endanger all of Japan.), Master Omogaru said in a quiet voice.
The eyes in an aged face slowly opened to his visitor, (Please sit and tell me of this incident my friend so that we may make plans in proportion to the threat facing us.)
Taking a seat before him, (Sensei a weapon has been stolen…..)
Sighing heavily, (There is always a weapon being stolen, or someone ready to make war, or maybe another holding the world hostage my friend, it is the way of the world.), Sensei said wearily as he shook his head.
Looking to Master Omogaru, (Now what is the great weapon and where was it stolen from? As we always do, we will recover it and return it to its rightful owner…That is unless it is aimed at Japan. In that case we will turn it over to our government.)
(It was a full sized delivery vehicle capable of hypersonic flight; up to six to eight thousand kilometers an hour. According to our intelligence all it has to be is fueled and loaded with a few warheads and its reach is practically anywhere in the world.)
Sensei frowned, (Do we know where this 'vehicle' is located?)
(Master we are speaking with several resources we have aided in the past for this information. We took the initiative to begin these contacts immediately after we learned of the theft.), Omogaru informed the Head Master of Yamanouchi.
Sensei sighed, (Notify and activate Team Orange. They are to be given twenty-four hour access to the armory for whatever they need.)
Tentatively, (Master, Stoppable-sama is a member of that team; do you want him involved in this mission too?)
(Of course, he is our greatest asset and has his weapons and gear with him, we will pick him up when the team deploys.)
(Do you want me to contact him on the call up?)
Sensei sighed, (No I will do that. He shouldn't be given orders by those who are under him at the school.)
(Master he does not perceive himself that way…)
(I know, but it is better I do this than you…but I will inform him that you are his contact for this upcoming mission when we get enough information.)
XXX
Sapporo, Japan:
Walking with a spring in his step to a shop to get some rice and fish to go with the fresh vegetables he planned to surprise his best friend Rufus with, Ron Stoppable, nee' Dean Kaminsky, was feeling pretty good right now. Not only were classes over for the day, but he had successfully avoided Ukuma Sekari, the forward little Japanese girl who continuously tried to track him to his apartment since their 'date' a short time ago.
Suddenly the hair on the back of his neck stood up and all thoughts of his pursuer fled his mind. Sensing that his services as the Chosen One were being called upon, Ron instead hurried back to his apartment.
Ten minutes later Rufus and Ron found themselves sitting on their apartment floor in a Lotus Position, centered and slowly glowing blue as they mystically reached out to their Sensei at Yamanouchi.
"Sensei are you there?", Ron called out across the mystical plane.
"Yes Stoppable-sama I am glad you heeded our call and were able to correspond with me.), Sensei replied.
"Hnk Hi.", Rufus joined in.
"Good day to you my pink friend.", Sensei's chuckle came back to them.
"Now to get right to the point for this call to you, Yamamouchi has a problem.", the ninja master simply said to head off Rufus' known habit of conversing about cheese with him when matters were not as pressing as these.
"Master what is the problem? You know I am always ready to help. Honor dictates it.", Ron replied while sensing the seriousness of this call by his Sensei.
"Yes and so does the problem. Yamanouchi, acting on behalf of the Japanese government is activating Team Orange. We need you to be ready to deploy at a moment's notice. When we know where you are going we will call you Ron-sama, but at the moment our intelligence assets are studying the event and ascertaining where our objective is hidden.", Sensei said. "The sooner they locate what we must retrieve, the sooner you can help to put this behind us and we all can go on with our lives.", Sensei sent to his protegee.
"I see.", Ron sent back. "And what is Team Orange to retrieve that is that big of a threat.", Ron replied.
"An experimental aircraft has been stolen from the United States, it is very dangerous, and is located within our reach. But only after learning of its location will we react and retrieve it."
Confused at Yamanouchi's involvement in this matter Ron responded, "Master, America has assets to recover its own hardware. In fact they are extremely good at it, and it is my belief that if we interfere in a United States matter it could result in a problem for Yamanouchi."
"Our resources have reported the US is quite unprepared for any such action should the site of concealment be discovered by them, and it's imperative that the craft is located as soon as possible…", Sensei said before Ron interrupted.
"It figures.", he sighed in frustration.
A smirk could almost be felt across the connection, "Quite.", was the reply, then more seriously, "However the aircraft in question is a full scale hypersonic craft fully capable of carrying nearly every version of weapons of mass destruction to any place on the globe. It could be used to attack a nation with say, biological weapons, and be gone before anyone was aware of the attack.", Sensei explained. "The devastation would be enormous and countless innocent lives would be lost."
"I understand now Master and I will await your call. However, I do not want to leave my friend alone. If something happens to me, Rufus will starve and that would be dishonorable for me. He is getting too old to go on missions and needs semi-constant care from me.", Ron said in distress for his old friend.
"I will see to his care, Stoppable-sama. One of our advanced students will travel on your pickup craft, all you need to do is place Rufus-san with him and the student will bring your honored friend to Yamanouchi while you are on this mission."
Relief poured back, "Thank you Sensei that is all I humbly ask. Well that and a chance to get all my homework in before I leave."
"I am sure that your instructors will be a little accommodating in light of this situation.", Sensei said somewhat businesslike. Then changing to a more informal tone, "On another note, how have you been feeling my friend?"
"I have been doing well Master, thank you for asking. Rufus also, though he might say he's not getting enough cheddar cheese.", Ron said with humor. "Seriously however, I seem to be plagued by a girl at school who seems to have a crush on me and is quite persistent about it.", he said while exhaling a frustrated breath.
Cutting in, you could feel the mirth in Sensei's 'voice', "Oh and how did you and this girl happen to meet?", he chuckled.
"She came to me about issues she was having in a class and asked for help. The day after I met with her to study, I ended up taking her out on a date.", Ron said while sighing. "Look, I don't want to presume anything, but through my short lifetime I just don't believe in coincidences…but Sensei..Is she an asset of Yamanouchi as well?"
"No Stoppable-sama, I have no idea who this person is, all of our assets are on the faculty. But she might be an asset of another school; I will have her investigated but I assure you she is not one of Yamanouchi's.", Sensei said. "Now on the other hand, I think you will have to either spend time with her or entirely avoid her altogether."
Frustration in his tone, "I will treat her as a friend Master, but nothing more. At this stage of my life I have no need for romantic entanglements.", Ron sent out without a trace of hurt or pain in the sentiment. Something he had spent years in attaining while purging a certain red head out of his system.
Concern coming back in the reply, "I will say Ron-sama that I do not approve this course of action. Though I do not know this girl, if you continue this course of action, I am afraid you will become lonely."
"Master, I have school and missions…."
"You also have Rufus-san.", Sensei added, once again about to trod down this well-worn path with Ron.
You could almost feel him rubbing the back of his neck in the astral plane, "Well Master…about that. Rufus and I have discussed this at length since our arrival here in Sapporo..You see, mole rats are used to being in a colony, with many in their lives.", Ron said tentatively. 'And with just me here with him, he's losing out on family and company, especially since leaving the States and Yamanouchi…"
You could almost feel the air chill from the other end of the astral connection, 'And?', from Sensei.
"And..well this summer when we visit my family in Norway, Rufus will stay behind when I return. He misses company and companionship of more than just me and Hanna needs a friend and someone to watch her back as she starts on her way in life…somewhat like I did with him.", his voice fading at the end.
"It will be for the best.", Ron followed up in a whisper.
Sensei's tone hardened, "So it is your intention to isolate yourself.", he said gruffly. "Is it also your wish to become heartless from this isolation from friends and loved ones too?"
Not sounding completely convinced, yet persevering in this line of thought, "I will never be that way Master, I have colleagues to study with…At the Karate school I have classmates…Rufus has only me. And I am not here all the time, and he deserves better. I should never have brought him here."
"And what does Rufus-san think about this?"
"He is sad, but he is happy at the chance to see Hanna again. I think he understands this is for the best, and it's only going to be for less than three years. Before you know it the time will pass quickly…."
"Will it Stoppable-sama?"
"Yes Master I believe it will..You see Rufus' species thrives with many, seventy five or so and they take care of colony life or each other. But he's very unusual in that we have been his colony and now there are just the two of us and that isn't fair to him. I almost took him to a colony for him to live out his life, but my ignorance and selfishness denied him the opportunity.", Ron said sheepishly.
Sighing sadly, "If I had done such a thing for him earlier on he may have had a life full of family and friends…But now he's too old to do such a thing, so the only option I have to offer him is my family as his colony when we visit in the summer. My Parents and Hanna discussed this earlier this year and that is where Rufus will be until it is time for me to relocate to the States when I continue my education.", Ron explained.
Grunting in agreement, "I agree he is too domesticated to live in the wild. And if you just put him in a nest he might be attacked as an 'outsider' and in time would fall, even if he is larger and has access to the MMP…But you also have been good for him as he has been for you."
"Yes Master Rufus has been a true friend throughout my life, even to the point of saving my sanity at times…but now I think he should enjoy some of the softer comforts that he could get while living with my family for a while.", Ron said across the plane.
Sniffing some, "I am forever grateful for his comfort in my first year in Japan…his telling me he was cold and to hold him when he knew deep inside that I needed to hold someone…My friend sacrificed for a greater good..and the least I can do for him is to give him a warm and happy family life while I still can.", his voice sounded hollow in the plane.
"Very well I see that your mind is set and I see Rufus is not commenting, therefore he must be in agreement with you Stoppable-sama.", Sensei relented. "Now in winding down our business, another member of my staff who is more familiar with what is at stake regarding this mission will communicate with you shortly. Until you are contacted to begin this mission you should begin working ahead in your classes, and afterward spend time practicing with your weapons.", Sensei directed his Operative.
Ron sighed as he replied, "Yes Master, I shall begin getting ahead in my studies and will get up to speed with my weapons proficiency before the call is made."
Continuing, "And Master, I want thank you for your guidance and counsel. You, more than anyone helped me when I took my steps on the path I now walk. Though at times we have to travel alone, I am lucky to have my good friend with me and you as my Mentor and Sensei, and for all that I am grateful."
"Very good Stoppable-sama, when the time comes inform your instructors that one of your parents is very ill and you may have to leave the country for an undetermined time. I will send word to our 'alumni' on the staff to back this up with a suitable story."
"I understand Sensei, as directed, when the time comes I will inform those in my classes when I see them and the professors too. Now is there anything else?"
"Not at this time Stoppable-sama, though you should answer your phone.", he chuckled before fading away.
XXXX
Well there ya go. Kim's settling into school and has a lead, while Ron's making his way at his school and has some drama in his life. The fun comes from how this plays out with both of them. But while Kim finds there's even more people who have no clue about Ron, even if he's all over their briefing papers, and Ron's really getting good about hiding in plain sight. However, you never know what may come along while doing that.
And the snippets of the upcoming mission for Ron and Gemini's 'acquisition' seem to place those two on an upcoming collision course shortly. Hmmm.