Kim Potential…
Summary: A desperate Dr. Drakken has sensibly reviewed his Files of Past Plots to find the most effective weapon yet used on KP and improve it with unexpected results. Ron and company find they have a new partner.
Disclaimer: No infringement intended.
Part XXX…
The private, no admittance, even to corporate lab staff, under any circumstances…This means you!...Lab of the famed Dr. Cyrus Bortel…Kindly scientific benefactor of Mankind, according to excellent and well-paid PR…
"So…" Bortel musing, gazing upon the rather unimpressive figure of Alan Avair…aka Avairius…In lab coat, thick glasses, and drab street clothes. "We obtained a full scan of Ms. Possible…Brain, body…Plus DNA samples…And there ist no question but that she ist fully human…And identical in all patterns to previous such scans."
Shrug…"Everything's unchanged…Are you sure Drakken did anything to her? Perhaps she wasn't lying and she is trying to work with him on something? Offering him amnesty for assistance, perhaps?..."
"No, my boy…No…" Bortel shook head. "I know Drew Lipinsky very well. He is not a man to accept a deal like that, even if it was a sensible action…And their reaction to threats to Ms. Possible was too unusual."
"If she's offered them freedom, protection…Cash…And one can grow fond of one's constant opponents…" Avair reflected. "To be honest, I've actually become rather fond of those Go idiots, in a way."
"Yet you are still determined to eliminate them…Once we secure Ms. Possible." Bortel pointed out.
"True…But Drakken could simply be stringing Possible along?"
"No…There is something different at work here, we've both seen her behavior. No, Drakken has found a way to bend her to his will, apparently without the unfortunate long-term mentally damaging effects of my compliance chip and emoticon devices…And even superior in concealing the effect to the old attitudinator device. I might have accepted her being a superior version of android but the tests confirm that's not true."
"She did seem quite emotionally involved with him in our surveillance…It's a pity we didn't have a line on them sooner...We might have seen the process."
"Yes, a pity…But we know now that dear oldt Drew is as emotionally tied to her as she to him…And that she has finally guessed who I really am."
"Yeah, about that…" Avair, nervously… "Won't she be coming by?…Soon?...With police?...Or, at least, Drakken?"
"Eventually…But why should you fear, my boy? Am I not the famed and kindly Cyrus Bortel, beloved, if absent-minded, benefactor of Humanity?" Kindly beam. "Surely the young lady ist deceived, perhaps confused by the fiendish Drakken? In any case she cannot hope to simply crash in here and snatch me without proof and proper legal authorization. And my sources will keep us informed as to that."
"And Drakken?"
"The day I can't handle Lipinsky is der day I retire from both my careers, my boy. Besides, why should an honest and respectable scientist like me fear charges hurled by a known felon/madman, likewise known to have a bitter jealousy towards me and all successful honest scientists?"
"But if he comes…Without worrying about exposing you…And me? I.e., for us…"
"Ve are prepared, my boy…Ve are prepared…Now…Our concern is with Ms. Possible and what our next step with her shouldt be…Clearly we need to do more intensive study on her."
"Our attempts to seize her having failed…" Avair noted.
"I did not expect to succeed at the archive…Merely to gather our scan information and study her behavior. And Drakken's…And it is clear beyond doubt that her motivations have been changed…In subtle fashion…She was clearly more interested in dealing with me than arresting me, hast even failed to notify the authorities as to her suspicions about dear ole Dr. Bortel and there's only one reason she would do that. "
"Protecting Drakken?" Avair shook head. "I get it but I can't believe it."
"Love, whatever its cause…Ist a powerful motivating force. And when we haft learned how to bend that love and devotion in our direction."
"The world is ours…" Avair, grinning. Mental picture of Shego kneeling at his wing tips, enraptured love beaming from every pore.
"Oh, ja…" kindly nod…
Like hell "ours", bird-boy…
"But der ist also…Drakken's behavior…" Bortel eyed his (Ja, right…"partner"…Mit der quotes…).
"Protecting her? Surely she's a valuable tool, an investment?"
"Der wast more than that in the way he and Shego risked themselves to encounter you…Drew Lipinsky sending his entire force to save Kim Possible while leaving himself vulnerable?"
"Maybe exposure to his 'love' treatment affects others around the subject?" Avair suggested.
"Perhaps…But whatever the reason, it is a weakness we must learn more about…And for now, can exploit…" Bortel smiled.
Intercom buzz…
"Ms. Engelhart, I haft told you…And the new version of my compliance chip should be compelling you…Until your brain deteriorates in the expected twenty hours…No calls." Bortel, annoyed.
"Yes…Dr…Bortel…" robotic voice. "But…I…am…to…protect…you…in…any…emergency…Sir, you... must …come…"
"Temps…" Bortel sighed to Avair. "Vell, vat ist der emergency?..."
"The…District…Attorney…Is…On…Line…One…You…Have…Been…Charged…" pause…
"Yes?" Bortel demanded…Avair looking nervous…
Drakken…Or, perhaps…The girl?
"My head hurts…" whimpering groan over intercom…
"Yes, but what am I charged with?...Tell me…" sigh to Avair… "I knew the new chip vas not an real improvement…But one must encourage one's team's enthusiasm…"
"Selling…Classified…Technology…The…DA's…People…Coming…"
"Ach, so…Thank you, dear…Now, you may remove the chip and place it on your desk, then leave and forget you worked here today. Just remember you worked at some office, it shouldn't be hard, these temp assignments are all the same, ja?"
"Ja…Sir…"
He eyed Avair…
"Cyrus?..."
"Either Possible went to the authorities and convinced them or this ist Drakken, somehow…It should be interesting to see which ist so…"
"But…"
"A lawyer's matter, my boy…It's vat I pays them for…No immediate danger…" Bortel shrugged.
"But the District Attorney's people are coming…?"
"So?...Dis ist not the first time…You haft worked outside the system too long, my boy…You need to learn how to play der game…Haft patience." he pulled cell phone…Punching speed-dial…
"Hello, Leo…Cy Bortel…Ja…Und how ist the legal business dese days, mine shyster?"
"Well?..." Shego eyed Drakken…
"Perfect, agent Sculder…" he beamed at Shego, in bunned wig…Skin normal hue…Very professional business attire…Dark sunglasses…Badge proclaiming her, Molly Sculder, an agent of the DA's office prominently pinned.
"You have the anti-compliance chip device secure?" he noted…She pulled back blouse to reveal a necklace…
"And dug up all my humiliating and irritating memories of your abuse…" she noted, grim look…
"Yes, Dr. Bortel…No, Dr. Bortel…Oh, no, I don't work for Dr. Drakken, Dr. Bortel…Yes, of course I'll drop the investigation, Dr. Bortel…" sarcastic tone…
Drakken looking sheepish…
"It's ok…We're good…" she hastily noted…Quick pat… "But what do you think?..." questioning, repressed eager look…
"Terrific, sweetheart…If he tries the chip on you, he'll be completely taken in…And hopefully the countering drugs I've given you…"
"Assuming I don't heave them up or they start making me woozy…" Shego noted…
"…They should have no side effects…Major ones, anyway….And should prevent anything else he may use on you from affecting you."
"Just gotta be sure I spot him tryin' something so I can go into my act on cue…" she pondered…
"I don't like you taking this risk, She…" Drakken shook his head. "I could just order an all-out attack."
"Which Bortel is likely expecting…Either with an escape plan or a defensive one…"
"I guess…But…"
"There's no danger, Lipinsky…I'll be fine…" smile…Glance about the lair's great hall… "Ok, everybody out!...Now!...My team, to the car…I'll be right with you! Everybody, Walter!" she frowned at Walter, waiting…
Oh, sorry…He hurried off…
"She?"
"But…You sweet thing, I love you so much for worrying…I promise you, I'll be careful…Hey, I have too much to live for now…" she kissed him… "And if you ever tell anyone I said that…"
"I dunno, Kim…" Ron shook his head as he and Potential emerged from Cinema #4 in the Middleton MegaPlex where they'd just watched the original Star Wars Trilogy in new 3-D format…
"I'm just sayin' one can see where Emperor Palpatine is misunderstood…He's bring peace and order to the Galaxy, after all…" she noted… "And isn't that a good thing in the long run?" Solemn look…
Just like the peace and order we'll bring to Middleton High after we get you elected Pres for Life…Beaming at Ron…
"Now lets go do something a little more…Physical…" she urged.
"You wanna go to the gym? The park…Or…" he sighed…Slight gulp…
God, I wish Ruf were here to act as my sounding board…He's always so supportive yet right there with good suggestions.
"Yeah…?" she eyed him…
Do I detect some hope there? …Beaming at him.
Though, lets be ready to set some ground rules here…My dad is kinda old-fashioned on courting. And while I'm Evil, there's nothing wrong with my selfrespect…
"…Dancing…?"
She blinked…
Well, it's something…A little disappointing something but I guess Dad would be pleased.
And an Evil couple can still respect each other…Heck, look at Dad and M…uh, that bitch EStM Shego.
"Uh, yeah, sure…Dancing. If you like…Though, isn't it a little early to find a place?...Maybe we oughta find a quiet place and…Talk…" soulful look…
Body language is a kinda talk, after all…
"Well…Not sayin' I frequent it…But I do know a place where the music never stops…" Ron noted, a bit pleased with self. Knew she'd love it…Nailed it in Romance, Stoppable.
"You do?" Potential blinked…
"Dr. Cyrass Bortul?..." Shego, as DA Office Assistant agent Sculder…Sharply nasal twang…Glancing around the reception room.
"Ja, Miss…?"
"Molly Sculder, DA's Office…" she flashed badge.
"Ah…Yes, Cyrus Bortel…Very nice to make der acquaintance, Miss…My apologies that my secretary hast been taken ill und vas not on hand to greet you…And how may ve assist our friends at der DA's office?"
"Lets cut to the chase, Dr. Bortul…We've had information that you have been involved in a number of illicit and even treasonous activities in collusion with various types of the underworld…" stern gaze.
"Der unterwordt?...Myself?...Oh, my…Dis ist most disturbing…Won't you haft der chair, madam?" he waved her to a chair.
"Some café'…"
"This isn't a social call, Doctor..We got our evidence from a very highly placed source..."
"Miss Kimberly Possible, perhaps?" benevolent smile…
"Can't say, doctor…But our office is gonna need to go through all your records and have a look at all your research facilities."
"Why certainly…I of course haft nothing to hide. But, can you tell me perhaps what hast led my old friend Kimberly to such a strange conclusion? Ve haf worked together a number of times. Surely she cannot think I would be capable of such things."
"Like I said, doctor…" Shego, sternly… "Can't say. Sorry. Now, I'll need a copy of your lab reports and any daily manuals to bring with us downtown."
"Downtown?" Bortel stared… "Oh, that ist quite impossible…I am in the midst of much important work. You must excuse me, perhaps…Tomorrow?"
"'Fraid it's going to be now, doctor." Shego, firmly…
He sighed, shaking head…Stunned look…
"Oh, dis ist most disturbing…I could never conceive of such a thing to be myself accused of…As if I vere one of my friend Kimberly's foes." He put hand to forehead, then to desk…Palming the compliance chip left there…
"Tell me, miss, at least…As a honest man, so shocked am I by all this…Ist der anything specific in these charges? Any device I am accused of using or selling improperly…?"
Meanwhile, back at Chez Drakken…
"Can you turn the volume up, Barclay?" Drakken motioned to him in cranking pantomime as he adjusted headphones…Several henchteam members standing near him anxiously watching the screen on which a videod display of the lab was feeding in from Shego's microcamera … "I can't hear well…"
"Pushed it to the wall already, boss…" Barclay shrugged.
Hmmn….Knew this was a bad idea…We shoulda sent in a synthrodroid…She could've carried a much more powerful transmitter internally…
"…A device like my chip here perhaps?..." Bortel displayed the palmed compliance chip to Shego who eyed it carefully… "it was, I admit, somevhat questionable research but with potentially useful applications…If you'd care to examine…?" he offered.
She took chip, holding it to light… "And what does this 'chip' do?"
"Sadly not vhat I'd hoped but if you apply it to your forehead?"
"Oh…That chip…No, thanks, doc…I've read up on that." she eyed him sternly, moving to set chip down.
Groaning as she was shocked…
"But one new very nice feature is the built-in electroshock…" Bortel noted, quickly picking up the chip and setting it on the quivering Shego's forehead.
"Shego!..." Drakken, at lair, cried…Pulling at headphones as the henchpersons gasped…
"Barclay!... Sally!...Oh, what'll we do?!..." he hurried to the screen, now only showing a rather twisting view of Bortel's office ceiling and ceiling light fixtures.
"I'll call 911!" Sally offered…
Hmmn…All stared at each other…
Still, if no other options…
"Boss, she's moving…" Barclay noted… "I think she's…"
"Are you alright miss?" Bortel was asking…Faintly heard over Drakken's askew headset…
"Yes…Dr. Bortel…" Shego replied.
"Very nice to see you again, Miss Go." Bortel smiled.
"Thank you, Dr. Bortel…" she nodded, blankly smiling.