Hi and here we are with another chapter of our tale, 'Storm Chaser'. It is our hope that we continue to entertain those of you who read and either review, or otherwise, or don't… Now we'd like to thank those who've Reviewed, Faved, Alerted or Followed: Uberscribbler, Jimmy1201, Sword of The Azure Rain, Sentinel103, Beckman (Guest-we'll step on the gas in a bit, but some setup yet to come…Each has to establish their lives further as one is no longer searching and the other doesn't have the means to do so, yet.), levi2000a1, mattnoti, paradoxreader (Guest-interesting suggestion for that near-miss, but neither is going to travel that closely to the other for a bit…), cool825 and radiotech101, thanks to you all for chiming in as you have.
Last time Ron and his team infiltrated the hiding place of Asia's most recent Crime Kingpin Wannabe in order to snatch back his only remaining stolen prize, while said Crime Boss learns that Reality, as it is in Asia, trumps Ego and so-called Operational Security from one of his contacts. Meanwhile Kim stands by and watches a couple of friends marry, thus ending a secret fear she's carried within her ever since her episodes in England ended and Ron disappeared from her life. And in the process of catching up with others there she spreads the word that she doesn't need outside intervention in her love life, groping or otherwise, and divulges to a friend a recurring type of 'flashback' that seems alien, yet distantly familiar to her.
And once again we'd like to prevent the feeding of the corporate sharks: Kim Possible and the characters of the program are the property of Disney; we're just borrowing them for non-profit storytelling.
Storm Chaser
Chapter 16
A remote, isolated airfield on an even more remote, isolated island:
In stunned disbelief, Tom Franks and his partner Bernard Williamson hesitated at the sight of monkeys rapidly advancing upon them. While the fact that the island they currently inhabited was completely devoid of monkeys should have been enough to fuel their incredulity, what had Tom, at the very least, prepared to soil his pants was that he was pretty sure he could see through these glowing blue monkeys advancing on their position ahead of a human who followed behind them.
Adding more to his, at least, personal evacuation factor was that the human was also glowing blue and was carrying an equally glowing and equally blue sword; and he seemed to shimmer in the night the way mirages do in a hot desert in the day.
Nervously shaking too much to draw a proper bead on human trailing behind the ghostly blue simians, even though his glow outshined that of his advance guard, Tom squeezed the trigger to his MP5 while Bernard muttered something unintelligible off to the side. The night sky lit up as the 9MM rounds raced towards their attacker.
"Christ!", Tom shouted when the shimmering blue form seemed to pause, flicker, and shrug off the burst of copper-jacketed bullets sent into it. It was now official, he was in full pucker-mode' nothing else of his own creation was leaving his body for the foreseeable future.
Shivering in abject fright at witnessing something that defied reality as he knew it, "W..we got..ta get outta here Bernie!", Tom stuttered to his partner.
However what Tom heard was not what he expected, "Man that's not what the orders said. We gotta protect the plane in case someone tries to swipe it….", Bernard replied, holding to the directives of the man who paid him.
Shrieking, "Screw that Bernie, that blue guy is scary! I mean I emptied a full magazine in him and he's still coming at us!?...The hell with this, I'm getting out of here.", Tom ranted, for him it was time to skedaddle and to hell with dealing with ghosts.
"You can't desert, Tom! Mister One Eye will have you killed…."
Bernie's objections were interrupted by, "Talk, talk, talk, you clowns are starting to bore me.", when a voice neither heard before was heard from behind them.
Shocked, "Where did you come from?", Tom Franks jumped as he whipped around to confront the glowing form now behind them.
"Dumbass, did you think I am going to let you shoot me?", the voice maliciously laughed. "I think it's time to end this right now.", the more recent glowing figure twirled a sword in his right hand and the 'other' figure dissolved before their eyes, monkeys and all.
A rifle rose from one guard, the sword arced through the air and sliced through that guard's torso. Both gun and upper body toppled to the ground, the lower half held in place for two seconds as blood gushed before it collapsed to the ground. The other guard stood frozen in place at the macabre scene before him.
"Barney…", Tom gasped as the sword arced again and the hand, with arm, holding his MP5's trigger was taken at the mid-forearm.
"Is with his ancestors and I doubt he will have any mourners at his funeral. I have decided to let you live…That is if you don't do anything stupid.", the black clad and glowing form told the now disarmed, in more ways than one, shocked henchman.
Again the sword arced, but stopped just as it nicked Tom Frank's neck, drawing a small trickle of blood. The glowing individual then stepped up to Tom, covered his blood pumping stump with a glowing sword-free hand…and in moments, though the arm still throbbed, the bleeding stopped.
"And in return for your life you will deliver a message.", the blue-tinged, black clad bad ass growled.
Now lightheaded from the blood loss and awestruck at all he had seen and experienced, Tom croaked, "To who?"
"To your employer."
"He will kill me…"
"He may kill you later, but if you don't agree I will kill you now. Make your choice quickly."
"I…I will, what do you want me to say?"
"Tell him to stay away from Asia….it belongs to 'The Mountain'."
"And if he doesn't?"
Waving the strange sword around in a wide arc, "Look around and see how many friends you have remaining to assist you in your cause.", the form said to him.
"Who are you then?"
The form's voice turned suddenly icy as he informed the unfortunate man, "I am the Mountain. Remember, commit no more crimes in Asia, this place is under our protection. This is your only warning; noncompliance will result in your termination."
XX
Maintaining radio watch, Yori saw lights suddenly come on low over the horizon, followed by, (Condor Two-Three is on final approach. We are committed to land.), broadcasted.
(Good to see you Condor Two-Three. Land on the main runway and taxi to the hangars on the east side; from there several of our team will guide you to hangar seven.)
(Are you sure that the security forces have been neutralized?)
(Yes but hurry we have been here too long already.)
(It will take some time, we will move as quickly as we can..)
XX
"And you won't kill me if I give this message to my supervisor?"
"Yes, and if you decide to give up your life of crime in Asia, your life would be lengthened further." Then pointing to his amputation, "But from your injuries are you smart enough to learn their lessons?"
Nodding, "I suppose I could…", he said, then looking fearful, "But the boss does not care for failure from his worker's efforts, he terminates those who displease him.", the one handed guard grunted through what pain he felt as he wondered why his arm didn't hurt as much as he thought it should.
"Tell him I will find him and do things to him that will turn a sadist's stomach if he injures you more than I have. If he decides to inflict more injuries on you call the number on this card and tell them your name."
"He's not afraid of you…"
"He should be Mister Franks. I have killed many men, what is one more? Or one hundred more?"
"How..how do you know my name?"
"'The Mountain' knows many things about you, including the time you swiped your sister's underwear."
"Ok, ok, you've convinced me…but how can I make a living like I am now?"
"You think with one hand in this line of work it will be any easier?", he chuckled. "You will find a way if you set your mind to it. It is better than dying here right now",Ron suggested. "Besides many others have gone on to other endeavors despite this loss; but now you must now come with me.", he told the guard.
When Ron and his 'guest' returned to Yori, they found the Shinobi radioing instructions, (We have you in sight Condor Two-Three. Two of us are waiting at the point where you should slow down on the runway; you are instructed to follow the vehicle there. The truck already has it's strobes on.)
(Yes, we can see it in the distance, is that the one we follow?)
(Of course, follow that vehicle to the hangar in question. How much room do you have on that plane?)
(Enough for two to four guards, no more. We have a small aircraft ten minutes behind us; its call sign is Condor Two-Four.)
(Good…Condor Two-Four do you copy me?)
Another voice came over the air, (We have copied all traffic and will wait until you ask for pickup. Are you sure of the strobe frequency?)
(Yes Condor Two-Four, look for ultraviolet strobe on channel twelve.), Yori told the crew of the small fast business jet which veered off the coast to circle offshore at a higher altitude until it was called.
The large transport almost seemed to hover in the air before it set down. It rolled for several seconds before the thrust-reversers cut in, the engines shrieked as the big aircraft slowed.
As the huge aircraft passed Yori a jeep pulled up to her. (Come on dear, we are going to destroy their communications next, but we also have to get to the hangar to make sure that our package is loaded properly.), the driver jauntily sang out from behind the wheel. Ron stood by passively, his tag-along wide-eyed at the scene he walked up on.
Yori smiled from behind her mask, (Ron-sama, I should have known. Still picking up strays?), she snorted. (Send your little friend to the hangar we must hurry.)
(Yeah, yeah I know it is my honor to walk.), the blond American snorted from behind his mask as he put his 'message' in the jeep and went off to sweep the area for guards that might have been missed in the initial assault.
XXX
The Island of Corsica, Mediterranean Sea:
Motioning his pudgy hands to a comfortable chair, "Please be seated.", the hefty information broker invited his guest. "I am sure you had a tiring flight."
"It was a small inconvenience.", the one-eyed man said offhandedly.
Once settled in the chair before the grossly overweight information-monger, the former, only on paper, supervillain got straight to the point, "Big Daddy, I need your services." The message being he wasn't going to play 'silly games' with his host as others had been forced to do over the years.
Smirking, "So have many others over the years.", Big Daddy teased his guest, "But you still have to go through the paces to receive my services."
"Yes well, be that as it may, I think the trouble I had in finding you after you sold the Bermuda Triangle should more than make up for the inconvenience.", Sheldon huffed, his ire rising with each minute he had to play with his host.
Waving a huge hand dismissively, "I didn't want to be found, being too accessible is bad for business.", the current site owner continued. Then extending the hand to the one-eyed man, palm up, "Now, what is the password Sheldon?", Brotherson asked, having no inkling of what the former head of The World Wide Evil Empire was going to put up with today.
"Screw your game! We're in this for high stakes this time Benjamin.", the former Gemini growled as he raised his 'enhanced' hand to his obese host, to punctuate his statement.
Waving off behind Sheldon, "Relax Hasam, I do not wish to damage this building or yourself, you have been in my employ too long for that.", Brotherson called off his personal bodyguard from escalating the issue with the potently armed visitor to their establishment. "Besides the rent is high enough as it is, what with the armaments he carries there, he could badly damage the place.", Big Daddy said coolly.
Then in annoyance, "And how do you know my first name?", Brotherson glared at Sheldon.
Smugly smirking, "You are not the only one with 'resources' around the world my obese friend.", Gemini said as he redirected where his enhanced hand was pointed, no longer a threat to disrupt the conversation he had come here for.
"It seems we are at an uncomfortable crossroads doesn't it?", Brotherson asked, a little unsettled after having stared down a miniature missile that was now aimed at his servant.
"Not at all, I just want some information. I'll pay your normal fee but without the charades you play for your own entertainment. To sweeten the deal, so to speak, I have even brought some of your favorite chocolate bars…..with nougat."
"With nougat? Real nougat?"
"Of course the real kind, I've been told you can spot an imposter a mile off."
"Yes, that is an ability I've acquired over the years."
"So a trade then, your usual fee plus a whole box of the chocolate bars in return for the information I am asking about?"
"Yes, yes…" Sigh, "…what is your question Gemini?"
"Who is 'The Mountain' and how do I communicate with them?"
Big Daddy frowned, he had heard this name before, "Very interesting name there…'The Mountain'…I have heard the name before. Not often, mostly from whispers mind you, but only three times in ten years. And it is clouded in mystery."
"So they DO exist?"
"Of course they exist, but firsthand knowledge is quite difficult to come by…my sources tell me that those who directly encounter them usually don't live to tell of it.", Brotherson narrowed his eyes at Sheldon.
Waving his other hand dismissively, "Yes, yes, I've heard that before..but they were probably lack wits who's incompetence lead to their demise.", Sheldon airily responded. "But what I want is to get a hold of them to discuss business with them.", he continued.
"Oh?", Brotherson's eyebrows rose.
"Yes, they've become a bit of a problem for me in Asia and I need to get them to cooperate with me as I gain access to the continent.", Gemini said as his hands gripped together tightly on the desk.
"I see…Does this have anything to do with some stolen WMD's and a very fast delivery vehicle?", Brotherson inquired lightly, wondering if his suspicions were right about what he heard of them.
Noncommittally, "I can neither confirm nor deny what you are guessing at; I just need to get some information about these people so I can try to contact them.", Sheldon replied, sealing Brotherson's hunch.
Cocking an eyebrow, the beefy information broker turned to the 'entry fee' offered by his guest. Removing one of the large bars of chocolate and nougat and sniffing it longingly, he sighed, "Not much is known about 'The Mountain', other than that they are based out of Asia.", he said as he sniffed the bar again. "I am not sure which country, but they supposedly speak English with a Japanese accent."
"So they are from Japan?"
Putting the chocolate back in its box, "All I can say is that I have learned they speak English with a Japanese accent; however that may be a ruse. Also in several reported instances they have worn what you would call ninja uniforms during some of their adventures.", Big Daddy informed his client.
Sheldon snorted, "How quaint, do they yell hiiii-yah when they attack?", he mocked as he 'chopped' his hand in sarcasm.
Eyebrows furrowed, "No they are very good at infiltration and they have a one hundred percent success rate from what has been attributed to their actions.", Brotherson retorted. "Why do you dismiss them so?"
Rolling his eye, "Dealing with ninjas.", the mono-eyed bad guy scoffed, "There are no more ninjas in the world. They are no more than a myth. They disappeared years ago."
Shrugging, "I am only telling you what my sources have reported to me. Seldom do they exaggerate."
"Ok, ok Big Daddy, let's suppose they are ninjas or…ninja wannabes,", he snorted, "how do you propose I get in touch with them?"
"Ah to the point…" 'Finally.', he thought, "I would let them find you. And since you are operating in Asia, which seems to be their only region of concern, I'm sure 'The Mountain' will come to you if you continue your activities there as you have.", Big Daddy smirked to Sheldon's neutral demeanor.
Continuing to fish for a response, "Maybe after, say, additional weapons of mass destruction are stolen by your people to replace those you lost in China, to maybe, say, bomb Hong Kong..to get their attention?", Brotherson smugly finished.
Blinking, "What do you mean steal to replace lost weapons? I have no idea what you are talking about.", Gemini tried to pull off his lie.
Boring in, "The weapons that were recovered in China…three men survived that operation.", Brotherson deadpanned as Sheldon Director paled at the confirmation of what was suggested to him in China. The unspoken understanding that the potential was there for discovery of his plans to pull off his 'grand slam' where he wished in the world rested with those captured, and that frightened him.
"Just how much do you know?"
"Only that one of your men went through with the safeguards you had implanted in them…The Chinese are very intelligent however, once they realized the existence of the fake tooth they anesthetized the other two and extracted the altered teeth while they were under.", Big Daddy said as he paused for effect.
Getting no reaction, "Of course when the other two realized what was happening, they tried to end their interrogation via their capsules, yet were quite surprised when they came to and found that they had not carried out their directives while in the hands of their captors.", Big Daddy added as he could see Sheldon going still in his chair.
Continuing to toy with his 'client', "And from what I was told, neither of the survivors had the stomach for more of the questioning they were subjected to, so it is most fortunate that your men did not have your correct name, Sheldon…However, their Chinese inquisitors do have a fairly accurate description of their Boss.", his smirk barely hidden, as Brotherson could see he was getting to Gemini.
Before the eye-patched visitor could retort, "And it is fortunate for you that your plans were compartmentalized as well as they were, or the Chinese Military would have already notified the US Government by now that they had a line on the person responsible for the theft of their secret hyper plane.", Big Daddy smugly finished.
"So what?", the stewing clandestine villain shot back.
"Remember what happened a few years ago to that Mullah who had one of his friends hack into the programming of that spy drone?"
"No…I really don't know what you are talking about."
Big Daddy looked at the now uncomfortable one-eyed man seated across from him before he decided to inform him of a little endeavor undertaken by one of his former clients, "Very well a United States spy drone…one of those 'special' ones somehow mysteriously landed in some random country near its designated search area.", he began. "At first it appeared that the drone had malfunctioned.", then paused for a moment.
"The NSA, after conducting an investigation, found that a certain few individuals who had access to this device had sold pertinent information regarding this drone's access frequencies, and a code and a tone used to override the flight computers.", he paused again to pour himself a glass of water.
Offering the same to his guest who declined, he took a long sip before he continued, "The investigators put two and two together and near the end of a very short investigation two programmers suddenly vanished.", before he placed his glass on a coaster on his desk. "An all-out manhunt was launched for these two that ended when the programmers were found about a week later, quite dead. In fact he blow flies were having a field day from what I was told."
"I never heard of it."
"It wasn't on the twenty-four hour news channels, but your Sister might have mentioned to you something of this development.", Big Daddy suggested, "And even though the United States seems open enough regarding government transparency, most of the really important information goes unannounced most of the time."
"Betty doesn't really trust me…"
"Do you blame her?", Brotherson cut him off. "Anyway I have no information about who performed the hit, but it was done very expertly and efficiently…two bullets, each, right behind the ear. There was even a letter from each of the supposed culprits confessing to everyone how it was done."
"Interesting turn of events…"
"Yes it was…which leads us to your little adventure.", the host tilted his head slightly. "Should the same people somehow become interested in your group or anyone associated with your group while in possession of weapons of mass destruction, to either use or supply to terrorists…Well lets just say that it may result in deleterious endings for all involved.", Big Daddy warned his guest.
An unnerved Gemini blustered, "Yes..well, if we do get those weapons and that vehicle the world will bow down. And they will get to know my name well enough…."
Sighing frustrated that his guest was still fixated in his plans of conquest, at any cost, "As you wish Sheldon; and I will keep my eye out for any information about this group called 'The Mountain'."
"It was…nice doing business with you.", the former head of the WWEE stated as he offered his 'natural' hand.
Big Daddy smiled and returned the favor then gave the villain a slip of paper, "This is my incoming account number, give me a week, I expect to have more solid information by then."
XXX
Hangar Seven (you remember, on that remote island at that even more remote airfield):
(Get the mule attached to the front wheel…..hurry.), one of the black clad forms directed the driver of the short but powerful vehicle coming down the ramp of the huge cargo plane. In moments it was inside the hangar and backing up to the unusual plane while two others carried the tow bar.
Three minutes later the tow bar was hooked up, the chocks removed from the airplane's tricycle landing gear and all slowly made their way to the transport plane.
XXX
Middleton Space Center:
"James, it's good to see you, please have a seat.", the gray haired general motioned to a chair across from him.
"General Cleaver it's a pleasure to see you again.", the famous rocket scientist offered his hand before sitting down.
Quinton Cleaver got right to the point, "This is not a social call James…..we uh…have a problem."
"Ah, what kind of problem General?"
Sighing, "Remember, fourteen months ago, the hypersonic jet you were checking the specs on for us?"
Thinking a bit before it came to him, "Yes! I do, we were having trouble getting it past Mach five..until my sons Jim and Tim noticed something. And after a simple change to its design, the XP-76 was not only theoretically capable of flying faster than Mach 12, it actually did.", James replied with pride that this little 'advancement' was totally paying for their college expenses.
"Yes they did and then they solved the heat problems and were able to change the formula for the fuel. All in all I'd say their contributions to that project more than offset their school expenses.", Quinton chuckled lightly, "It was the best investment we've made in a long time.", he said before he paused to gather some papers.
His smile faded, "I know this is classified, but the XP-76 disappeared several weeks ago during a test flight. I'd like another set of eyes to study the telemetry and give us some insight on what may have happened to the vehicle.", the General said as he handed the papers to James, "We need to know if there are any blind spots we missed that could be exploited before we begin building the service version."
Stunned, "What do you mean disappeared?", as he received the sheaf of telemetry hard copy.
"Just that, it seems like it was flying along as programmed and then it just..disappeared. And since it was a stealth plane if the transponders malfunctioned, radar would have not have been able to find it."
James, thoughtful and concerned, "Well I know that that one was a full mockup, capable of carrying reconnaissance packages or weapons, but this is still not a good thing. We have to get it back before some minor player tries to use it to become a major one…."
"I uh agree, but we don't even know where to begin looking for it, now…However we had a satellite following part of the flight and we noticed something after the transponder malfunctioned."
"Oh?"
"Yes, do you realize that even a 'cloaked' airplane flying through the atmosphere displaces air molecules? This displacement can be read if you have the correct equipment; which we do, by the way."
"Well Quinton that makes sense, though I've never thought about it."
"Yes, well we didn't figure this out, someone else did…And we'd appreciate it if you didn't mention this to anyone.", the General pointedly looked to James.
Taking the hint, "Oh, absolutely, you don't have to worry about me and this information. I'm already sworn to secrecy on this and other projects at the Space Center.", James assured General Cleaver. "But who figured this out and how?"
Looking knowingly to James, "Well a few years ago an Agency called Global Justice ran across it from their scans of some crook's hideout." After taking in the rocket scientist's raised eyebrows, "Or rather someone who was freelancing for them figured it out.", now the eyebrows cocked in thought, "And after he figured it out, we got wind of it and questioned him about it…and he admitted that someone named Zorpox", James jaw dropped open, "had thought it through and theorized the possibility; from there that freelancer did all the legwork for a process we now use to keep track of our B-2 birds even with their transponders turned off."
Clearing his throat nervously, "Zorpox..huh..An interesting name to be sure.", James grimaced at the memory of the two occasions the blond boy who had loved his daughter, in so many ways, had been turned bad by super villains.
Nodding with a small smile, "Yes…", then frowning, "Anyway we were able to track the aircraft to a small island where we immediately deployed a Marine Expeditionary Battalion but didn't find a sign of it."
"So you have no idea where it is?"
"No and since it's been designated combat capable, we'd like to get it back.", Quinton said as he handed a flash drive to James, "I'd like for you to examine the information contained in this, also. I have already unencrypted the information so you can begin looking through data."
Taking the flash drive and looking at it, "Alright." He rose, "Now can you follow me? We are going to have to use one of the Crays if this number crunching is as dicey as I think it is."
And with that both men exited the room and headed off to that Mainframe.
XXX
On the Island:
Yori watched as the tail of the large hypersonic plane disappeared into the cargo bay of the larger cargo jet. Two minutes later the nose of the cargo plane lowered from its loading/offloading configuration and locked in place, prepared for flight.
(I see we are nearly done Yori, we will send four from the team to make sure that security is covered.), Hirotaka said to his wife as other members continued to scan the area for any surprising trouble.
(Good.), she said. Then in turning to each as she directed them, (Mukura, inform the crew as to who is going with the plane. Stoppable-sama take the jeep and check on the building you destroyed earlier…if there are survivors please aid them, but leave your little playmate here with us, we will watch him.), Yori ordered.
(Yes Dear.), one of the similarly attired forms replied before he turned to one of the vehicles and drove off.
Hiro chuckled, (You left yourself open for that one.)
An eye twitching behind her mask, (Behave yourself, and keep an eye on this one.), Yori pointed Tom Franks out to her husband.
(Yes Dear.)
X
The black clad form drove to the henchmen's barracks he had leveled with explosives some thirty minutes earlier to check on their status.
While searching through the ruins he heard, Cough, cough.. "Help us, please."
Turning to the call for help, Ron sighed at the inevitability of tapping into his MMP again. Still a little taxed from the previous events there; he nevertheless prepared to aid the survivors from his raid on the henchmen's barracks. With each step to the building the power rose within him until it flowed through him like water over a fall; his body taken on an azure tint.
With a simian grunt he sniffed the air, 'Hmm, we have survivors. I suppose I'd better get them out, they can't call for help anyway now.'
He grabbed a piece of the wrecked building and threw it to the side, and began to quickly chip away at the wreckage to get to the survivors inside. After a few moments he stopped as he realized this wasn't going fast enough; time was growing short to return to his team before they exited the island.
Stepping back from the building a few feet, Ron concentrated and began glow even brighter as he floated above the ground. He put his hands together as if praying, then wrenched them apart. Large pieces of that portion of the building flew upwards and away from him as he descended to the concrete pad, now clean of debris.
A few more minutes of this MMP-based building demolition and removal, Ron uncovered survivors and remains, that of the guard he dispatched in his earlier visit.
Shocked at the display by the glowing form in their midst, "Who are you?", one of the injured guards gasped out as he shakily rose from the remains of his bunk.
"If you behave,", Ron's eyes went brilliant blue, "the guy who's going to save your life. Now give me a hand with the others.", he said.
X
"First aid kit…where is it?", Ron muttered actually fairly happy that the those who survived the barracks explosion were going to make it off the island, more or less, in one piece.
"There is one at the west end of the building.", one of the injured groaned in pain as he pointed.
"OK stay here.", Ron ordered as he began to glow again, resigned that his 'light show' and other actions might get back to someone familiar with them, but knew he could not leave the injured untended before his team left them behind.
The enemy guards sat in stunned silence as the black clad form's hands just 'pushed' away before him and more of the wreckage tumbled off into the distance. He repeated this several more times until he could see a large red box mixed in the splintered debris. With one last push all the wood around the box scattered into the night's gloom.
Retrieving the box, he returned, "I will do what I can."
Glancing to the guards as he knelt down beside the nearest one, Ron began to work on the injured; in the back of his mind he hoped the first one he helped earlier wouldn't tell his comrades what he had witnessed him do earlier that evening. But didn't bet on it.
After several minutes of tending to their injuries he stood and addressed them, "We will call for help when we leave. Just don't pull any firearms and use them against us. You will not like what comes in reply."
"I don't know what to say…thanks."
Ron smiled and then advised, "You were lucky tonight, several of your number lost their lives, you should look for safer employment."
"If we survive the boss's interview…"
"A friend of yours, being held at the hangar has a card with information on it to help prevent against reprisals by your boss; do not be afraid to use it.", he informed them. Handing out some canteens he had found, "Here take this water and stay undercover, we will be leaving in a few minutes. But before we take off we will send out an emergency radio call for help."
"Than…"
"Don't worry about it, but get out of the villain game before I have to come back and kill you.", Ron warned, his eyes glowing through his mask again. He then got up and returned to the jeep, not wanting to display one of his other 'talents' so that he could keep his 'edge'.
X
Yori looked to one of her team and nodded when the tail ramp of their cargo craft had been locked. The black clad ninja standing in full view of the crew in the cockpit turned on his red tipped flashlights and waved them to get the pilot's attention. At the flicking on and off of the cabin lights he began to signal the pilot to begin the startup procedures for one of the engines.
Less than five minutes later the exterior navigation lights came on, signaling the crew's readiness to begin their exodus with the recaptured aircraft. After a 'flashlight salute' from the ground guide and a flicker of the navigation lights in return, the guide moved outside of the wingspan as the landing lights came on. Once clear of the engines' intakes, the Co-pilot advanced the engines' throttles as the aircraft began its journey to the runway and where their flight would take them and their recovered prize.
X
As Ron climbed out the jeep, (Well are any left alive back there Ron-sama?), Hirotaka asked his teammate.
(Yes, the only one who didn't survive was one I killed earlier. He had pulled a gun from under his pillow.)
(How many were injured than?)
Sighing, (Eleven.)
(You did well Stoppable-sama. Now we have to go….), Yori told him as she keyed the mic on her radio, (Condor Two-Three are you ready to take off?)
(We are ready to bring up max power….)
(Do so; I am calling in our transport…hurry.)
Yori then called, (Condor Two-Four, you may land now.), she replied as the heavily loaded cargo plane's engines roared as it began its takeoff.
(Five minutes.), Condor Two-Four replied, (We have visual on Condor Two-Three…he is airborne.)
In the distance the ninja could barely see the navigation lights of the plane as it flew further away with each second airborne.
Turning to him, "Can you drive yourself to the destroyed barracks?", Ron asked the one-handed guard.
Looking to his wounded arm, "I don't know."
Ron told his team, "Hold the ride for me guys. I'll be back in about five."
Hiro replied for Yori, "Hurry."
"Yeah, yeah I know. Come on Franks you gotta meet with your buddies. You wouldn't want the big bad wolf to get you would ya?"
As soon as Franks was in the jeep Ron started the jeep and headed back to the barracks.
X
Pulling up to the forms standing by the destroyed barracks Ron yelled, "Remember what I told you, don't ever let me catch you in Asia again."
After his passenger exited the jeep, he was gone again.
As he walked up to them, one of the injured asked Franks, "What the hell happened?"
"They got the plane."
"Shiiiiiittt.", came the reply, "Old one eye ain't gonna be happy."
Another cut in, "Well one of them said that they were going to call for help, I just hope they don't ask any questions."
XX
(We have the strobe in sight.)
(Please land and turn around at the end of the runway, we will meet you there.), Yori radioed in reply as Ron pulled up. To the American she ordered, "Take Ukuska Ron-sama, Hiro and I will take the second jeep."
"Yes Dear.", Ron quipped as his latest passenger got in. Smirking from his seat, "Last one there serves the Sake!", he called out through the window before he stomped the accelerator and left Hiro and Yori in a cloud of dust.
"Grrrrrrr, that man.", Yori growled as her hubby backed off in worry at her temper, "And we invited him to our wedding."
Hiro frowned before he pulled down his mask, "Come on or he'll have the pilot take off without us."
As the two black clad ninjas jumped into their own jeep, Yori muttered, "No he wouldn't."
Hirotaka snorted, "After that night in Shanghai where you got him drunk and tossed a couple of girls in bed with him?…Yes he would."
Yori looked at her husband out of the corner of her eye, "I was trying to loosen him up…he hadn't had any since…"
Sighing sadly, "I know, and I'd do it again.", Yori said. Shaking her head sadly, "Ron-sama is never calm now; he is one battle to the next."
"You still love him, do you not.", Hiro tilted his head to her.
Her shoulders sagging slightly, "Yes, yes I do, but he is not for me. If I couldn't snare him the first time there is no way that it could be done now. I tried my best…", she turned to him and raised a gentle hand to his cheek, "but I did get you out of it my husband.", she said softly.
His eyes crinkling, "Are you sorry how it turned out?", he asked softly.
Stroking his cheek, and then dropping her hand, "No, I am very honored to be your wife Hiro-chun." Looking him in the eyes, "I will not stray, my husband; it would be dishonorable even if it were with 'The Chosen One'."
"I would allow it…"
"Neither I nor Stoppable-sama would allow it. His love is beyond my reach."
X
"You're late. Yori get your geisha outfit on when we get back. Hiro and I want the finest Sake in Japan you're serving and buying.", Ron teased his friends as he pointed to airplane landing lights approaching their position.
Sigh, "Alright, but I have to make a radio call, now be quiet."
Smiling evilly the beautiful Shinobi switched her radio to an emergency channel, "Help!..Help! Mayday, mayday, mayday!...Someone please help us! We are being overrun! Please save us!..Please…..Oh my God!…"
XXX
The Possible home, Middleton, Colorado:
"Hi Mom and Dad, I'm back from the wedding.", Kim called out after clearing the door. With both cars in the driveway, she supposed both of her parents were home.
Smiling at her gowned daughter's approach, "How was the wedding Kimberly?", Anne asked.
Smiling and thinking back on the night, "It was nice, I had a good time too."
"So do you really have to go in to GJ in the morning?", James asked.
"Yeah, I have to take a physical.", she replied. "Then Wade is going to go back over some of the security systems with me. I should have a full day there before coming back home."
XXX
Japan:
"Mister Ambassador I have a call from the Japanese Defense Minister. He insists on speaking only with you on a secure line.", the aide informed his boss.
Sighing, "Very well…please set it up for me Simon."
"Yes Sir."
XXXX
And as Gemini bloviates his way around the world, that pesky little group in Asia just continues to vex him so darn much. Funny how he moves his plans forward as his chess pieces are being taken from his board…But no matter, the stage is now set for a little side trip by one of our friends as the other goes about their regular life…oblivious to each other, for now.