Hello again and welcome back to another installment of 'Storm Chaser'. We hope you've enjoyed this tale so far and hope to keep you entertained with the twists and turns of this as we make our way to the end, some time later this year(?)… But before we start Larry and I'd like to thank the following for their Reviews, Faves, Alerts and Follows: Hopefulfan (Guest), Jimmy1201, Uberscribbler, levi2000a1, Sword of the Azure Rain, Sentinel103, pbow, ParadoxReader (Guest), Fanfic-supporter, simleyhiu, boulderwest and Snowman106, thanks to you all.
In the last chapter Ron's mission aftermath took a mystical side trip where he received more instruction from his Mentor. But not all was absorbed, as we observed, when Ron continues to avoid matters of the heart while healing the rest of him. Back in the regular world again, Ron debriefs his teammates of what went down at the WMD cave and then Rufus of upcoming plans in the year ahead for each of them before going out on another 'date' with the bane of his bachelor existence.
A couple of things before we get underway: As to a 'leak' from China, remember Centralized Control is their engrained policy over there. Only the Mission Leader knows some of what happened and his men don't, and Tai-shu will not say much anyway because she didn't see much either. As to the Japan/Asia crime falling/Ron Link..up to now, nobody in the US has a reason to believe Ron actually went that direction, even though he has ties to Yamanouchi. With GJ, no proof means no investigation; with Kim, she's still scrambled about losing Ron the way she did, but in rebuilding her life, she can't just rush over there and search right now can she?
But now the disclaimer: Kim Possible and all her friends are the property of the Disney Empire, we're just borrowing them pro-bono. All others are their own or our creations.
And once again, on with the next chapter.
Storm Chaser
Chapter 15
December 22nd, 35,000 feet over the Pacific Ocean:
From her seat Yori looked over thirteen black clad members of the school where she was an instructor, 'The American Defense Department is very worried about their missing aircraft.', she mused. 'I hope the intelligence on its location was good and we can remove the guards before our transport is called in.'
Then glancing over to one lightly snoring in a nearby seat, 'It took a while but we finally learned where to find that plane. I am just glad this was timed for the best availability of our greatest asset.', she grinned appreciatively at the sleeping form.
Breaking from her musings, she smiled as she turned to watch her husband quietly touching up his blade in preparation for the mission which would begin by parachute drop shortly. Sighing with no regrets she looked back to his seatmate, her ex, and thought back to the time each had attempted to make a romantic go of it, those few short years ago.
Sadly she remembered the American as too emotionally distraught to function, yet gratefully accepting of her affections in a time he felt he had no other place to turn to. She learned of his pain during their encounters in the brief weeks he spent at the ninja academy before he abruptly left and traveled to Tibet for six months. Stunned at his sudden disappearance, she finally turned to the Headmaster of the school for answers, only to find the only question she wanted answered, 'Why?', was not for her to know.
Overjoyed at his return, she noted he was now 'different'; though still friendly, his behavior toward her had cooled somewhat. And, though she tried to rekindle the relationship she sought when he first arrived at Yamanouchi, he brought her to a secluded portion of the school's grounds and quietly 'broke up' with her to spare her from the embarrassment she would have experienced had she continued to pursue him romantically.
Though heartbroken at this turn of events, Yori finally found her true love in the form of the young man who had been beside her most of the young ninja's life. Her eyes opened in the weeks after their breakup, the long and heartfelt discussion she had with the 'Chosen One' helped guide her to the revelation that Hirotaka was destined to be her mate for life.
Elated at the prospect, yet hesitant for reasons similar to those experienced by her 'ex-boyfriend' when he took such steps with his former best friend, she approached Hirotaka and found he had secretly been attracted to her for years, yet had the same fears she did. Fears of a future together melted like mountain snow in the glare of a summer sun when each discussed the relationship they wished to have with the other.
In a short time they went beyond those discussions, all the way to the ceremony where they united their lives together before friends, family and their Kami. For what she gained, she had no regrets from what she was not destined to have.
Feeling the vibrations of her watch's alarm, she shook her head to clear it of her musings, (One hour.), the Shinobi alerted the team after checking her watch. (Put on your parachutes and check each other out.), she instructed.
Silently they began the process of donning their chutes, Oxygen bottles and masks, and methodically checking each other out to be sure of no direct malfunctions related to strapping issues. Though she wasn't the actual mission leader, no one worried, least of all the actual mission leader that he wasn't giving them. In fact most knew the former hero didn't care to be in charge of much more than his own thoughts, and that he restrained himself from giving orders unless all else failed.
X
Assured her team's chute and O2 checks were complete, Yori pulled out the map and pictures provided them by a secure source of Yamanouchi's, (We expect the aircraft to be in one of these three hangars.), she said as she pointed to three of several on display in the reconnaissance photo. (Again study the pictures of the plane, if you see it call out over the net and give its location. Once done, and the local threat neutralized, we will call in the transport plane to retrieve the device. Are there any questions?)
The blond raised his hand, (Yes Master?), Yori nodded to him.
(Will the transport be large enough to carry the special plane and carry us to safety?), Ron asked.
Yori looked at him, (We do not know. We will have to trust….)
Cutting her off, (Thanks, just wanted to know.), he said, then sat back in his seat, (Well let's get this show on the road and get this thing back.)
Then smirking to his teammates, (Ya think we can get a 'finder's fee' for it?), the blond replied as he pulled up his black mask. Waving his hand in displaying a 'marquee' in the air before him, (Join the Ninja Forces and see the world.), Ron quipped, getting chuckles from some of the others.
At Yori's slight frown, (Hey guys just trying to make some money for Sensei, here.), he said as he held his hands up in mock surrender to her raised eyebrow glare.
Hiro chuckled, (Ron-sama, by now you should have realized, this is our way of telling you. Besides, Sensei never promised you a rose garden.)
(More ninja gardening tips?), Ron quipped as he kept up a long self-appointed role of keeping the others loose before he glanced around; apparently they were listening for what he might come up with next.
Shrugging, (All he promised me was a nice short funeral if the arrangements haven't been taken care of first.), Ron replied lightly to Hiro. Then in sarcasm to his friend, (But thanks for that riff on my 'rents Hiro. As much as I miss them…I just don't need any more reminders of their child rearing habits. I got enough of that growing up with them.)
Cocking an eyebrow and sitting back in his seat, (Still I am glad that they didn't find this 'airplane' before I recovered. Remember, when we get done I get another punch on my 'mission' card.), Ron said a little dramatically, bringing further chuckles and snickers from his teammates.
(Five minutes.), Yori snorted. Snapping to, the ninja team began to done their helmets.
'You and your American style jokes Stoppable-san.', Yori mused with a wistful smile as she thought back to how her romantic pursuit of him derailed, but gave her the love of her life in Hiro and a friendship with Ron she knew she would have until the day he died.
Observing Ron's rubbing of his left shoulder, (Are you really feeling alright?), Hiro asked his friend.
After Ron put on his helmet and prepped his mask he quipped, (Yeah, nothing better than getting shot up to get you to prioritize your life…Again.)
(Sometimes you take on too much.)
Pointing to Hiro, (HA you're one to talk, you have Yori-kun, so you have to watch your step more than I do.), he chided his friend in mock seriousness before turning the hand back to him, (All I have is some crazy girl chasing me at school…At least I can hide from her.. sometimes.), he huffed to Hiro's amusement.
Shaking his head in annoyance, (She's tried to follow me home six times now. I'm just glad she hasn't figured out that I can vanish into thin air.), Ron said in relief. Then forgetting some of the 'audience' he had with him, (You know she is conniving…somehow she has gotten me to take her out to dinner three times.), Ron laughed as Yori's eyebrow rose, unbeknownst to the beleaguered self-appointed bachelor of the team.
Hiro, likewise, raised an eyebrow as he cocked a nod behind Ron, (You should spend some quality time with her and get to know her better, Ron-san.), he advised his friend, and tried to defuse his Wife from exacting a retribution of the gender-based kind upon their obliviously blathering friend and his rant about this woman.
Not catching the hint, Ron snorted, (Not on this Earth or this life, Hiro.), while behind him, Yori stewed a little more. (Hopefully in time she will find someone else to spend her time with, then I can go on with my life without interference.), he said as Yori crossed her arms and narrowed one eye at Ron's back.
Turning slightly to them, (Remind me to talk to you about that little problem if we survive this one.), Ron finished as Yori nodded knowingly to Hiro, making sure they would talk to Ron about this when they all returned to Yamanouchi after this mission.
At this the black clad team became quiet, and all but the blond knew that discussion would come to pass, if Yori had anything to say about it. A few moments passed as they masked up before a crewman opened the door and all began to lineup at the door. Ron, at the head of the line, nervously snorted, (You know I never really liked jumping out of airplanes.), then waited to leap from the door for the HALO jump he was about to take part in.
(But you are so good at it.), Hiro clapped him on the back and playfully shook his friend standing in the door.
Though muffled in the mask, (Doesn't mean I like to do it. See ya on the ground.), Ron was clearly heard to say before the light turned green and he stepped out first into the nothingness, like he always did now.
X
Thirty minutes after hitting the silk, the fourteen split up into pairs and began their search of the hangars at the airfield while trying to avoid the notice of the stationary guards and roving patrols.
Yori, paired with her husband this time, had double duty keeping track of everyone while performing her assigned tasks with him.
Her radio crackled crisply, (Hangars at East end are clear.)
The beautiful Shinobi replied, (Check the perimeter next and hurry.)
XXX
Saint Paul's Church, Middleton, Colorado:
One of the 'hottest' guys who ever walked the halls at Middleton High School held the left hand of the platinum blonde with his left hand while he slipped a ring on her finger and recited as he gazed into her bright blue eyes, "With this ring I thee wed."
The Priest took a step back, "Now by authority of the Mother Church and the State of Colorado, I pronounce you Man and Wife. Joshua you may now kiss your Bride."
As the two blondes took their first kiss as Man and Wife, applause broke out from all their friends and families in attendance.
Once their kiss ended, Josh offered Tara his arm and together they headed off to the outside of the church.
X
In relief Bonnie finally ditched the Best Man, someone who was insanely infatuated with her and would never be considered a good dancer (as the Maid of Honor's battered feet could attest to), and returned to her fiancée once the 'official' dances for the Bridal Party had ended.
Noting her best friend was busy talking to people Bonnie didn't know, she latched onto the arm of her buff fiancée and dragged him out on the dance floor. Intending to speak to Tara when the opportunity arose, she decided to spend the time waiting by close dancing with Junior.
"Junior I'm so glad you decided to come with me to Tara's wedding. Thank you for supporting them in this way.", she said with a grateful smile. Then groaning in annoyance, "And giving me the opportunity to ditch my wedding partner. That guy is such a horrible dancer, my feet are going to be black and blue for a few days.", she said with a slight grimace.
Junior, if nothing else in the time he got to know Bonnie Rockwaller, learned there were few ways to calm her down from nearly any aggravation she received in life. Shopping was one of them; another was up-close, slow dancing with the teal-eyed brunette. And since a trip to the mall was out of the question right now, he pressed her up close to him and began to glide across the floor with her, to Bonnie's immediate and intense delight; her battered feet forgotten for the moment.
X
From another part of the room, a pair of emerald eyes looked on in relief at the scene before her. She grinned at the sitch that both Josh and Tara were finally 'off the market' in the Middleton dating scene. One of her paranoid fears was of Ron returning to Middleton, sweeping the platinum blonde off her feet, and leaving Kim behind as they disappeared to wherever he had gone off to after graduation from high school. The other was of Josh being single and distracting her from her determined search for the long-lost best friend/lover she had abandoned in the months after starting college in England.
Sighing wistfully at her friends' antics as the post-wedding festivities progressed, she turned and chuckled when her eyes settled on Bonnie, now dancing with Junior. Smirking a little, Kim figured her former high school rival's feet had to be killing her after dancing with the heavy-footed, starry-eyed Lothario-wannabe she had been paired up with, a friend of Josh's who fancied himself as a player with the ladies.
Then, grinning sourly Kim remembered her own bouts with her wedding party associate. Though a better dancer than Bonnie's partner, he had a habit of letting his right hand drift a little too low more than once while out on the floor. But her rep preceded her as it only took one application of a high heel on his instep before he got the idea to end his intentions with her.
"How are you doing Girlfriend?", a comforting voice asked from behind the former heroine.
Tilting her head towards Monique, "Better, seeing that Ron didn't interrupt the wedding and make off with Tara like I feared for the last six weeks.", Kim responded to her BFGF, who also went to this shindig stag. "And relieved after getting away from Mister Sticky Hands, over there.", she nodded over to her former partner who was in the middle of stealth groping another unsuspecting patron of the event.
"I just hope he starts dancing with the girl that he brought.", she said as he received another rebuff from his quickly departing dance partner. The slap was heard across the room. "Before this gets out of control.", Kim said as they saw him shrug his shoulders and make his way to his girlfriend who proceeded to voice her displeasure at his behavior…Ok she chewed him out, for the rest of the day.
Shaking her head in amusement at the scene, "I told you at the bachelorette party last night during the 'What is your biggest fear game' that nothing like that would ever happen. That hero boy only had eyes for you.", Monique said as she smirked to Kim.
A weak lopsided grin in reply, "Yeah I know, but I've been freaking out a little recently and I still don't know why.", Kim confided.
"You told me over the phone you had a panic attack about a month ago.", Monique asked in surprise as she laid a hand on Kim's arm. "Did you have another one?"
A short shake of her head, "No Moni, just the one I told you about. It was so painful I thought I was dying.", Kim said gratefully for the support. "I must be more stupid than I gave myself credit for.", she huffed.
"No you're not Kim.", Monique tried to reassure her friend, "But yeah you told me it did feel that way. Now did you remember anything more about it?"
Kim nodded, "Yeah 'Nique, after I thought real hard about it and after a session with one of the psychiatry professors that helped me earlier we did a little deep memory probe with hypnosis…I,", she gulped, "saw something that I missed while all that was going on.", Kim explained.
"What was that GF?"
Kim's voice distant, "I, I..had a sword in my hand…and I was cutting..these men…apart..They couldn't stop me...it was like I was enraged, or something.", her eyes a little glassy.
Monique's eyes widening, "Whoa Kim, nightmare city huh?", Kim's best girlfriend asked the red head.
Nodding while coming back, "Now that I think of it, it was disjointed like some of the other events I seem to have experienced over the last few years…", she trailed off before she paused, "I was in a large room with all these trucks and stuff in it.", she said in mystified wonderment, "I can only imagine what that means."
"I don't know, maybe you should ask your Mom about this. Maybe she can point you in the right direction."
"I don't know about needing to speak with a professional Moni, I just want to talk about it without being judged that's all.", sigh… sniff, "I'd rather do what I used to be able to do and talk about it with Ronnie…Heck I told him more about everything than I ever told anyone else including you.", Kim cautiously glanced around, "He was my lover and confidant."
Shrugging lightly, "Ok, enough of that stuff, let's go to the bar and have a drink and leave all this drama for a while, that is unless you wanna catch the bouquet Tara's gonna toss in a few minutes."
Wistfully smiling, "If I had Ronnie here with me I'd do anything to get those flowers Monique, but not now.", Kim shook her head sadly. "Let one of the other girls have it…that is unless you want to vie for the next girl to get hitched.", Kim now smiled anxious to see her friend's reaction.
XXX
Meanwhile, in Singapore:
"Please be seated my friend.", the black and gray haired man offered to his Asian visitor as he rose from his seat. As they took their seats he nervously rubbed his eye patch.
"Thank you Sir.", he said. "Now I am sorry about the shipment, but I suppose sometimes these things happen.", the guest got right to the point with his host.
"Unfortunately yes, but while you lost a few vehicles in the process, I lost several of my best men who were trying to get those devices staged where we could use them decisively to further our aims of world conquest.", he growled, clenching his fist which began to make metallic creaking sounds as it tightened. "I need to learn what happened there, but all my sources could tell me was that three of my employees escaped the scene and were captured by the Chinese Military while the rest were wiped out."
Rubbing his eye patch again, "I need to get those three survivors debriefed ASAP, so I can figure out who did this and how to prevent setbacks like this from happening again.", he said while going over in his mind what may have happened just from what little he had learned of the incident.
Clearing his throat, "From the reports I've received, and they are by no means complete, it was a gruesome scene…There were hacked up bodies of your men scattered all over the cave and throughout the near countryside there.", the guest interrupted. "The only thing we can figure is that whatever happened, it was fast and brutal. How many were involved, we do not know, but after your men are debriefed, you may have the answers you seek.", he assured his host.
Then to the one-eyed man, "So, have you been able to talk to any of the survivors?"
A curt shake of the head in reply, "No. But I doubt the Chinese will allow just anybody to waltz in and talk to foreign mercenaries captured in their country while attempting to leave with some of their WMD's.", he said sarcastically.
Then more calmly, with an underlying tone in his voice, "But rest assured, they won't talk to the Chinese Authorities about my operations.", the one-eyed man replied with conviction. "…At least, not with the 'control' I have them under."
"Control?"
"Yes, anyone who works in my organization is required to submit to a form of mind control. If they are tortured or are somehow made to talk, their programming directs them to bite down on a certain tooth in their mouth."
Nodding in understanding, "Wise precaution Sir, but such a policy may constantly leave you with vacancies to fill."
Shrugging indifferently, "The way I see it is that it is better than them being incarcerated with my company secrets.", he said without much concern. "While in my employ, my men are well compensated, they know the risks.", the one eyed man informed his Asian associate.
After letting this sink in he continued, "Now in order to head off any interference by them while I am getting a foothold in this part of the world, what was the name of that group you mentioned some time ago that almost acts like a Police agency in Asia?"
The small man frowned, "Do you mean 'The Mountain'?"
"Yes that is who I am looking for. Now how do I get in touch with them? Maybe they can be persuaded to look the other way as I continue to expand my 'business' here in the Orient."
Looking grimly to someone who was about to play with a fire he couldn't handle, "As far as I know 'The Mountain' has never been bribed. At least no one admits to it."
"I'm sure that I have a way to making them listen to reason.", he said in an assurance borne only of his perceptions.
"How do you plan to do that?"
"I have my ways.", he vaguely said. Then darkly, 'After all, everyone has relatives, or friends they cherish, don't they?", he suggested.
Resigning himself to the inevitability of where his host was taking this, "What do you want me to do Sir?", the Asian man said without sighing.
Clasping his hands together on the table, "I would like a meeting between myself and the leader of this 'Mountain' Group.", he said with a self-fulfilling confidence that this would happen. "I'm sure, one way or another, I can persuade him or her to see my point of view.", the eyebrow not patched raised, while taking in the non-committal demeanor of his guest. An attitude he believed was indicative of his losing momentum in this discussion.
Believing he could regain the momentum of wills here, he lightly continued, "If not I can have them followed back to where they reside and acquire the incentive necessary to persuade them to see things my way.", Sheldon said as he began to laugh sinisterly to convey just how badly he really wanted to remove this obstruction to his plans of worldwide conquest.
Showing no reaction to his host's bluster, "It may take a while, but I might be able to find someone who has dealt with members of that group.", he replied.
"But remember they stay in the shadows, and even through those they are acquainted with can locate them, it may take some time.", he reiterated, and held a hand up to forestall any protests. "I will ask around using some of my contacts familiar with 'The Mountain'. But we also don't want the authorities to know that we are after a meeting them; it could bring more problems to us than we need. Now is there anything else you desire?"
Shaking off his irritation that events haven't gone the way he was used to them going, "Yes, the special airplane…..I will have a transport for it within three days. It has taken longer than I thought it would to secure the use of a cargo plane large enough to move it without anyone noticing."
"I told you it was large…But we will be waiting for you to retrieve it.", the guest replied in barely noticeable relief. 'The vehicle has been in the same hangar for over a month, in a location no one would suspect it to be, and I have guards there to make sure it is waiting to be transferred to your men at a time of your choosing."
A sharp nod, "Good, we are finalizing plans to retrieve it and will put them in motion shortly. Now is there anything else we should know about it?", the one-eyed man inquired.
"Yes it flies so fast that the aircraft heats up tremendously, and it takes a special fuel which we do not have access to. In fact, we only have a few hundred liters left over in the fuel cells."
"Did you siphon any off to have it analyzed and recreated locally?"
"Yes, but I am afraid I do not have the connections to ask any more questions than I already have."
"Why is that?"
"If we were to ask the wrong people or to make known our curiosity about this specific fuel at a time when law enforcement and military agencies are looking for the device which uses this fuel, it could lead directly back to either of us. Something I believe we do not wish to happen.", the Asian guest explained as Sheldon cocked an eyebrow at his guest.
After mulling this over, "Ahh I understand, that could have been more disastrous than just losing the weapons. Those can be replaced in time, but our operation here would have been blown.", he replied a few seconds later.
"Yes my friend, but while we have that special aircraft, we may not get the chance to obtain replacement warheads again for a while. The people we used this time were caught and chastised by their authorities."
"Oh? Will this affect our ability for us to obtain more of the weapons?"
"Our friends were permanently punished, so we have lost them as a conduit for further weapon transactions.", he sighed. "We now have to cultivate new sources and that takes time. But I can assure you that there are enough greedy members of their military to ensure we will be able to acquire nearly any weapon in their inventories."
Nodding at what he had been told of their acquisition issues, he cocked his head, "Punished…how?", he asked after mulling things over.
Sheldon's friend smiled tightly, "Very simple, they force the man down on his knees with a board tied up his spine. Then they shoot through the board, into his head."
Puzzled, "Why do they do that?", his eyebrows rose into his hairline.
His face taking on a neutral look, "There is not as large of a mess that way with more material entering the brain.", the Asian replied nonchalantly. "Death is fast and relatively painless except for the hours of torture they have to endure first. Then a bill for the bullet is sent to the family."
"Remind me not to partake in any criminal activities in China.", Sheldon laughed sarcastically.
"You already have, and your 'associates' may have given some information to the Chinese authorities and since you are within their reach here…", the Asian guest pointed out.
The former 'Gemini' suddenly turned ashen, "Then I must be taking my leave of you, so if you would show yourself out...", his bluster deflating at what he knew could happen if the Chinese found him. Yet he still held a stubborn belief that he could turn an unknown entity his associates had more fear of than they had for the Chinese Government and Military.
A slight air of amusement tingeing his voice, 'Why do you run away? If you persist in this affront to them, either the Chinese Government or 'The Mountain' will find you, and either of them will make you disappear should they find you.", he chided Sheldon. "I have warned you before have I not?", his mocking barely evident in the tone of his voice.
After hastily shuffling papers into a briefcase, "Yes, yes…but I really must be going. My time here is short.". Sheldon Director got up and offered his hand.
Standing also, "Very well and good luck, I will be ready to turn over the aircraft whenever you are ready.", the Asian man simply bowed, his intention to not touch the villain.
XXX
At a remote airfield on an even more remote island:
(We have found the 'item', please send backup to hangar seven.), a man's voice announced over the radio.
(Roger set up the strobe, channel twelve.), Yori ordered.
Ron's whispered voice came over the radio, (We have found the barracks. At the moment they are not in the way. Do you want them disposed of?), as his partner watched over the sleeping guards.
Another voice spoke up, (We have roving patrols along the boundary fence. They are sure to sound an alarm if we attempt to land the transport.)
(Can you begin capturing and subduing guards silently?), Yori whispered over the radio net.
(We will attempt to do so, but be prepared to take lives.), the third voice cautioned.
Yori frowned, then gave the order, (Do what you can, but try to keep the body count down.)
XX
Ron glanced at his partner and nodded for him to come back. Once they were in position he whispered, (Do you wish to help the others outside?)
Shaking his head, (My orders are to stay with you Master. Our initial orders are to make sure these people do not interfere with the recovery operation.)
(I can make sure they don't interfere, Natosi.), Ron replied, his voice a little light in tone.
(Without murdering them?), his partner asked incredulously.
In an even tone, (It will not be murder.), came the low reply.
(If it is done with forethought, it will be.), the other ninja countered.
(I will only do what is necessary to make sure of the success of the mission just as you would.), Ron promised, (I swear.)
(Very well…), Natosi Sakuri said before he keyed the microphone on his radio, (Element three 'B' is enroute to add assistance.), and then turned to join the other members of Team Orange
After a moment's pause, Yori's voice hissed over the radio, (Stoppable-sama are you able to handle your assignment by yourself?), well aware that the blond American, if provoked, was capable of things that would even turn Sensei's stomach.
Immediately, (Quite sure, Yori.), came back over the radio. (Besides you need as many as we have out there with you. Neutralize resistance and get that transport in now before this gets any worse Yori.), Ron ordered.
(I concur with Stoppable-sama, we are running out of time. We have to act.), Hirotaka's voice cut in as he scanned the area with night vision glasses and spotted six roving patrols; four were on the perimeter fence and two were near the hangars.
(Very well, all units begin to engage and remove all enemy assets.), Yori ordered as where Ron was, he began to fade from view; then he crept into the barracks. Once inside he made his way to the weapons racks which were anchored to the wall, (if they resist terminate them.)
Then the beautiful Shinobi switched her radio to another frequency and re-keyed her mic, (Condor two-three, prepare to insert. I will contact when it is safe to land, look for ultraviolet strobe on channel twelve.)
The satellite transmitted response over Yori's radio was crisp and clear, (Roger Orange Leader, we copy. We will just stay out of radar coverage until ordered in.)
XXX
Kim looked up from her beer and her light conversation with Monique Jenkins to see Josh walk up to her, "Kim would you like to dance?", he asked, his hand out to her.
With a bright smile Kim hopped off the barstool and took the offered hand, "Sure Josh, at least you won't try to grab my ass… something you should know better than some of your groomsmen…that and Tara and Bonnie would kill you.", she said with an evil smile.
Sheepishly grinning, "I'm sorry about that Kim. A couple of the guys had a little too much to drink and they've noticed that you came to the wedding without an escort and have been asking if you're available…."
Sighing in frustration, "What did you tell them Josh?"
"Kim…I ah."
"Josh I'm not mad so you can spill."
"I told them you didn't have anyone.", he saw the red head frown, "Listen I'm your friend and I just want you to be happy.", he said in hesitation. "They asked and I told them the truth. A couple of the guys don't have anyone either, and…Kim you need to get out and enjoy life.", Josh offered in explanation. "I know you've had a rough time of it but it would be good if you expanded your friends a little…"
"Did Tara help you cook up this matchmaker thing?", Kim cut in, not happy that someone, even a friend, was meddling with her private life.
"Uh…no. I guess it was my harebrained idea…", rubbing the back of his neck nervously.
Kim, at seeing Josh was more nervous than during his own wedding smirked, then sighed as she tugged on his arm, "Come on Josh; let's dance before you pass out on me here." Then to her best female friend, "I'll see you out on the floor Moni."
Laughing at the scene, "Go ahead GF I want to check on Justine to see how she's doing.", the African-American beauty replied as Kim and Josh headed off to the dance floor.
X
After a few quiet moments while dancing Kim broke the 'ice' between them, "You should warn me the next time you try something like this you know.", Kim said as she smirked to the new Groom.
"Yeah I know, but I was so worried about you being alone…"
Shaking her head with a sad grin, "Josh I'm not alone. I still have all my memories of him; they keep me warm inside. It's the 'what would-have-beens' that bother me."
"Are you sure that you don't want to go out with one of the guys?", as Josh again tried to help Kim's social life out.
"Yeah I'm pretty sure Josh, but I think…what was the guy's name who escorted me today?"
Josh blushed, Tara had seen the grope and spent several colorful minutes enlightening him about it, and replied, "His name is Brad, Kim."
"I'm pretty sure that Brad has the wrong idea about me."
"What do you mean?"
"He thinks I'm desperate for someone's affection…I'm not Josh.", she shook her head. "I am very happy with waiting for Ron to reappear in my life.", Kim said with quiet conviction. "And when that happens, however far into the future that is, is when I'm going to make my move.", she replied with a firmness in her eyes.
Then with a bit of fear and hope in them, "If he's..", gulping, "still available that is…and wants to have a permanent relationship with me…", her breath caught slightly, "I'll be there with open arms.."
"And if he's not?", Josh cut in.
Hitching, "I'll still love him with all my heart…and move on with my life.", Kim sadly replied, her eyes holding back sudden tears. "Somehow.."
"I know you will Kim, but it's been well over three years…"
"Josh…that's not the point it could be another thirty and I would still love him. He's the only guy I've ever made love to or slept with…but you were close once.", Kim shyly confessed as she touched a fingertip to his nose.
"Thanks…", his voice drifted off at the implication.
"But I came to realize that it wasn't going to be, and shortly afterward I learned just what Ron meant to me…and after that we were in heaven.", Kim glowed. "And then, maybe the Fates conspired and decided what we had was too good…", the luster faded from her smile and she looked haunted for a moment.
After a few seconds of composing herself, "When I got screwed up at school, and then finally recovered.", she rallied. "But before that I had loved Ron..we had loved each other…more in three months than most people do in a lifetime.", she poured out to her former crush. "And I want to find Ronnie and apologize to him for what I did to him..and see if we can start over and build a life together from where we find ourselves, if he hadn't moved on by then.", she said with tears in her eyes.
Sniffling, then regrouping, "But until I know for sure, I'm going to keep looking for my goofy guy and maybe we can be as happy as we were before it all went to hell. And even though he might not be the same Ron we knew, I just know deep down he'll always be my Ron, to me.", Kim said as she tried to put her feelings into words.
A little stunned at her soliloquy, "I'm sorry Kim..I was just trying to help…but you know people change; he might not be the same any more. He might not be 'your' Ron Stoppable."
"Josh I appreciate you trying to help me, but please don't do that again with the romance…please. Monique tried to set me up too and I had to be a little blunter with her till she understood where I was coming from."
"Alright, Kim, I'll cool my heels then, but if you ever change your mind let me know ok?"
"I'll let you know alright, but Monique is gonna find out before you do…deal?"
"Yeah deal, but promise me you'll be as happy as Tara and I are?", Josh smiled as he hugged Kim closely to his chest.
"Josh I'm happy with my memories, but do me a favor…if ever you run across Ron Stoppable again tie him down and give me a call. I do have the 'itch', but it's only gonna get scratched by one guy."
"Ok Kim, I promise I'll do that."
"Good and thanks for the dance.", then pointing to their table, "Now I see that Tara is waiting for you and before long you should be hearing the bell tingling.", Kim told him as the music ended.
Then giving him a kiss on the cheek, they walked over to his Bride and met with Monique who also made her way to her old friends.
"Tara, again, congratulations, you've got yourself a first class hubby.", she beamed to her friends as she hugged each one. "I'm gonna take off now that I've had my dance with him. You two behave yourselves and have some fun before you start on that family.", Kim advised and gave the newlyweds another hug as Monique walked up to them.
"Time to go?", Monique asked.
"For me yeah, I know you want to stay a little longer with Justine…but I've had enough and I have to show up for a physical at GJ tomorrow afternoon so I want to get some sleep."
"Do you want to meet tomorrow night? We can take in a movie.", Monique offered.
"Sounds nice Moni, I'll give you a call when I get home."
XXX
Meanwhile on the remote island where the stolen experimental hypersonic jet was hidden:
Slowly the masked, invisible American ninja crept past the bunks of the twelve sleeping men until he reached their weapon racks. Musing at the 'weapon of choice' with all the Heckler and Koch MP5's racked, he gradually faded back into view and pulled what appeared to be a coil of thin rope from a vest pocket.
Taking quiet care he ran the 'rope' through the trigger guards of the weapons, around the racks and secured the ends with a probe which he stuck into a tiny black box (about the size of a match booklet) he removed from his vest.
After double-checking his work, he pressed a button on the box, and a red LED lit up before becoming green a second or two later.
At a sudden change in snoring patterns behind him the ninja dropped quietly to the floor and monitored the sleep status of the men in the room. As he did so he monitored the radio traffic through the ear bud he wore.
XX
(Element two in position.),a voice whispered over the net, (We have a team of guards coming up to us.)
(You have your orders. Be silent.), Yori reminded them as Ron's partner approached her and Hirotaka.
She asked Natosi, (Is Stoppable-sama capable of handling both of your assignments by himself?)
(He is and he promised to not take any lives unless necessary.), the talented young warrior replied almost too low to be heard.
(Good, go with Hirotaka and disable the radar and communications. We have no need to face any more assets than we have to Sakuri.), Yori instructed to the young man who glanced at Hiro.
Silently the two went to cut off all access to the airfield from the outside world, and to mask their soon to be arriving inbound transportation.
While observing the active radar setup at the field Hiro motioned to his new partner to stand watch. After a few moments he went reached into his vest and drew out his demo cord, which he began to uncoil. He cut an appropriate length, and then slipped over to the running generator where he wrapped it around the engine. When done he traveled to the trailer being used to control the radar and made his way inside.
Sparsely furnished, the room had some impressive electronic equipment, and one occupant peering intently at the screen in front of him. Moving quietly behind the operator, Hiro touched him on the neck and bad guy slumped forward, unconscious. Realizing the out cold operator was about to fall into a series of buttons on the console Hiro caught the 'dead weight', removed the radar operator from the chair and secured him in a corner after binding and gagging him.
Time being of the essence, Hirotaka flipped the radar console's cover up and made short work of the wires in the case with his Tanto. Done with ruining the wiring, he removed a ball of a clay-like substance from his vest, inserted a wire into it and attached a small black box similar to one Ron used earlier and likewise pressed a button on the box before he slapped it to the inside of the console. Satisfied with his handiwork, Hiro hurried outside to take part in the rest of his assigned tasks.
XX
Back at the barracks Ron went back outside to place small charges at each corner of the building. When done, he keyed his mic. (Element three 'A' is ready. Do you need help anywhere else?)
(Stay where you are.)
(Roger.)
Along a service road, Element two waited for the SUV to get to them. When they did Mari Himustu prepared to waylay the vehicle occupants so her partner Tamui Metaka could slip up behind the vehicle from his hiding place. As the vehicle got to them a tire popped.
Two men exited the SUV, walked around it and turned their flashlights to see what they ran over. Swiftly Mari closed in, quiet except for the 'SNAP' heard in the night.
The roving guard spun around, "What's that?", just in time to see a black blur rush him.
At the muffled rush in the darkness, the guard's partner turned to assist him when he suddenly dropped to the ground, a fist behind his ear.
Crouched low, (Hurry and secure and disarm them, while I disable their auto.), Tamui's voice whispered. Task done he keyed his mic, (One patrol down.)
Before he started, (No Tamui let us use their vehicle, just disable the dome light.), Mari whispered, halting his taking the vehicle out of action.
(Hurry.), Yori hissed.
XX
From a low branch in a tree Yuma Anotu waited until her partner slipped up behind an unsuspecting pair of guards on a smoke break while leaning on the driver's side fender of their SUV. Relaxed, yet on guard as they smoked, they were startled by the low whistling they heard in the still of the night. Their attempts to learn the source of the sound ended when each felt a sting at their necks before they fell to the ground, unconscious.
Looking to the results of their handiwork, her partner Yuma, (Secure them.), hissed as she disassembled her blow gun. (We will use their vehicle.), she said as an idea came to her which would aid them as time to accomplish this mission was running out.
Less than three minutes later, Element 4 was on its way to silence the last of the roving guards while Element 2 was dealing with the stationary group of guards furthest from the runway.
Ten minutes later, (Outlying guards are down and secure.), came over their radio net.
Waiting for this announcement, Yori keyed her mic, (Condor two-three the airfield is secure. Begin insertion.)
(Roger, ten minutes.), came the reply.
(Security units return to the runway, we are moving the transport in and we need to secure the close in guards.), Yori directed, unaware she had drawn someone's attention.
Click
Muttering a curse, Yori realized someone had the drop on her and dove to her left just before three silenced 9MM rounds hit the wall behind her. A shuriken flying from her left hand as she came out of her second roll, she keyed the radio with her right, (We are compromised…Move it!)
The ninja throwing star pierced the first guard's throat, giving pause to his partner as he took aim at the Shinobi. Just as he was about to squeeze his trigger a thud sounded, then a slight ripping sound. Wide-eyed he reached up to his throat to grab the hook embedded in it, and though incoherent he was able to sound an alarm to his comrades before the darkness claimed him. Hiro's partner had arrived at her location.
Just afterward, two sharp 'Cracks' were heard as power to the radar installation was cut and the console erupted in flames.
At hearing this, Ron reentered the barracks and waited as a siren's wail split the night. From his position behind a column he pressed a button on a small box in his hand and the rifle racks exploded when the demo cord was fired, destroying all the assault rifles there.
In the settling dust and shrapnel, "Who are you?", came from one who reached under his pillow as he woke up from the ruckus.
A flick of the wrist and the Lotus Blade became a Tanto as it flew across the room to stab the man in the chest as he pulled his sidearm from under his pillow.
"Here.", Ron said in English. The blade, now covered in blood, returned to him as Ron pressed the second button on his control box. Simultaneous explosions rang out from the corners of the barracks as he exited the building, which began to groan from the displaced support beams.
XX
Yori glanced to the dying man weakly struggling against the hook Natosi Sakuri pulled the hook deeper into his throat.
(There is one more patrol out there. They will be coming and they will be ready to fight.), Yori broadcast as the building which had been serving as the guard's barracks suddenly collapsed.
Stunned, (Stoppable-sama!), Hirotaka whispered as that building came crashing down. He too had returned from his assigned task.
Keeping to the mission, (Never mind we must make it safe for the transport plane. Move!), Yori countered.
With a nod Hirotaka reached down and picked up the rifle he had 'liberated' from the guard who tried to kill his wife, (She's right, take the other weapon.)
XX
"Shit! Come on, Barney that was the barracks. Something ain't right over there.", Bernard Williamson urged his buddy Tom Frank as they ran to those buildings.
Their mad dash was interrupted when a glowing form seemed to suddenly appear in front of them, "Good day to die isn't it?", it asked as it bowed slightly and then charged into them with a blue sword flashing into view.
Freaking, "Kill that bastard.", Tommy shrieked as he pointed his MP5 at the glowing threat.
XXXX
Well now this one seems to have it all: Ninja HALO Infiltration, Bad-guy Delusional Debriefings, Weddings, Receptions and Wedding-Dance-Groping/Recriminations, Plots, Plots and Nighttime Fire-fights.
Yep, just another day with Kim and Ron, & company…LOL!
And for all who are waiting, soon comes the first 'near-miss', but not today…