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 XLIV…
"Anything bothering you…?" Potential eyed Ron as they drove along.
"I mean apart from the fact you're upset that we're in a car I 'requisitioned' last night? Which requisition the police, FBI, and the local, state, and federal government reps at the conference this morning told you they'd ok'd, with generous compensation to the owner who was happy to be of service to Humanity and receive twice the car's value…Even the Dalai Lama told you it was ok when you seemed still kinda…."
Though he did give me a look…Potential frowned to herself. I think he sensed something wrong.
"That does still bother, a little…But…" sigh…
"Look, I'm sorry about Rufus…I'll see an allergist or something…Maybe something can be done. You know I wish I could just go on repressing as always…For your sake, baby. I'll try." Winning smile, glance.
Sure I will…Till I manage to lose the little…Thing…In the nearest toilet.
"That's a concern, but I understand…Thanks for dealing so well, sorry I didn't realize what you were going through to let him hang." sigh…
Makin' me work for this, eh? Inwardly frowning…
Wait. He couldn't have puzzled it out?
Maybe that bitch mother…Evil StepMother…Of mine, after I saved her…To wreak vengeance?
For what, saving her?
Well…Not killing her…Same difference.
"Ron? Please…I'm likely to be in the fight of my life here soon and…"
"There ya go…" he nodded.
"Oh…"
Oh…Delighted smile…
"Ron? You're worried for me? Oh, that's so nice."
"He's such a sweet boy…" Shego, listening and watching on lair viewscreen via surveillance drone 142, noted to Sally…Who eagerly nodded.
"Kim? Nazi? Super Nazi? Super Nazi who hates women? Super Nazi who hates women and enjoys killing?" Ron shook head…
"So, you're hurt I didn't say I was worried for you? Help me out here, love of my life…" grin.
Hey, I've only had one…
Beaming Sally patting a beaming, weeping Shego…Oh…
"KP…"
"Sorry…But you know I will get this guy with extra pleasure for your sake…Just sayin'."
"Thanks…But I'd prefer you not do any getting' on this one…Kim, this one's not for you to handle alone. Or even with some of those guys."
"I agree." She nodded.
"You…Do?"
"Sure…Ron, my name's not Hego…I'm not stupid or insanely vain about my abilities and I don't have a death wish. I've no plans to go meeting this guy alone in some dark lair. That better?"
If I believed you, sweetheart…Shego frowned…Yeah…
"Some." Nod. "But we went to Bortel's place…?"
"I didn't expect he'd be there and we knew we'd have help…Sorta…I just wanted to see what Bortel was up to, if he was pulling up stakes and going fully underground."
"But you said…?"
"I lied. Tactical maneuver…He's behind this, not Drakken. I wanted him to wonder just what I know."
Ok, another lie…He knows I know and I was just sending an "everything is still negotiable and we're still on to meet" message…
"But Drakken stole biological stuff…And the Throwback seems big on biology…"
Frown, keeping eyes steady on road…Morning traffic starting to build-up. "Ron? A little trust in my instincts here? I'm convinced Dementor is running this show and whatever Drakken's doing, he's not responsible for the Throwback's escape."
"Ok…" he sighed. "But what's Drakken about, then? I mean, they could be tag-teamming…"
"Drakken? And Professor Dementor? Not since they timeshared that lair have they even spoken politely to each other. No, they're on separate paths. And I gotta say…" sniff… "I respect Dr. Drakken not trying to pull that double life stuff…All the false names and identities to cover Bortel's tracks, the deceit…Playing at being such a nice, cuddly little benefactor of Humanity…" Frown. "It's really low, that's all I'll say."
And I oughta know…Inward grin…
"We did record all this, right?" Shego eyed Sally… "Drew's gotta hear this when he finishes his review of lair defenses…" grin.
"Here's the Middleton turn off…" Potential noted as Ron pondered.
"Say…Ron?" casually… "I'm all alone at home, you know, with everyone gone to family protection. How's about you camping out with me for a few days? We should keep close in case Mr. Lindendon decides to pay one of us a call."
Say what?!...Shego. Sally, nervous stare.
"Hmmn?...I dunno, KP. Us, alone at your place? Wouldn't your mom and dad freak a little?"
Listen to the nice boy, girl…Freak much…Mucho freak…Shego, staring…
"Ron Stoppable…" high-mindedly. "My parents trust me…And you…Implicitly…"
And mine watch me like a hawk…Drones, surveillance teams…We'd really have to find a very dark corner.
Though…I could be up to the challenge…Eyebrow raise, inward grin.
Implicitly, huh?...After you and that perv millionaire? What do you take us for…? Shego, glaring…
Implicitly…Girl…If it were any boy but Ronald…Just a question of whether I use the drone's missiles or do it myself…
"Besides…Don't you think you should be in protection as well? Let the professionals stake your house?"
My son-in-law…Beam. Boy, you made the cut…And the "professionals" are staking the house…As well as every move you two make…Shego noted.
"Bortel and his partner aren't fools, Ron…They'd know I was gone. And the 'professionals' know that…Why do you think they didn't order me into protection?"
"They'd use you as bait?" he stared…
"All of us…Known heroes…The Go boys and the rest…But we're under surveillance. Which is why my parents shouldn't have any objection. And if you are worried about me…?" Quick glance…
Very dark corner in the cellar I remember…
Not that I'd push things too far…I may be Evil but I'm not Easy…And contrary to popular opinion we Evil ladies make our guys work for it…Respect is something we demand…At laser-, plasma-, or gun-point, frequently.
"Well…If you think your parents wouldn't be upset?"
Freakin'…Shego noted to the screen… "But she has a point, you're a good kid, and we'd be able to take you out before anything could happen…"
Hmmn…Well my dad will have a fit but he accepts you're a nice boy. As for EStM, well…
Much as she likes you…And she does…Fit city, too…But the risk of flaming death or being torn apart by droids is the price one pays for romancing the Potential.
As for the stiffs…I guess notmymom, Mom will be perturbed but reluctantly accept…
Dr. Mr. stiff, well…He still no doubt hasn't managed to tear himself away long enough to hear his family's had to flee and his little girl is in deadly danger from a raving super madman.
"They'll be concerned but glad you're with me…" she noted.
"Well, ok…If my parents go along…I'll call them when we get there, ok? But we are going to school, right?"
Since yesterday was quite enough hooky time, that better be a…Shego frowned…
"Wouldn't miss it."
Dad's already hinted at being bothered by my taking that day off…And no doubt they're listening in…
"Here we are…" she eyed the house.
Well, at least the government guys aren't stumbling into Dad's team…Though I'd lay even money Dad's surveillance is an order of magnitude better.
"Let me run in and change and we can drive to school…You wanna call home and tell your guys?"
That you're now in the 24/7 clutches of the fiendish Potential? Inwardly wicked grin… Who'll use all her wiles during this rather emotionally heightened time to urge you down the path to Evil…
And contented, lasting bliss in a committed relationship with a partner always ready to put her mate before the good of the many. Even to signing on with a mad fiend and his mad but somewhat less so partners in order to keep her loved ones safe…And maybe rule the world and acquire some bling, natch…
At that, they might opt for me…I'd say I'm a wonderful catch, daughter-in-law style from the parental pov.
"Any word from Dr. Bortel?" Lindendon, seated at long bench, eyeing viewscreens displaying global news, encrypted government communications, the local area, and much to his delight, old films of his day on TCM, politely to a staff person bringing coffee.
"Afraid not, sir…But to be expected…He and Dr. Avair are under UN confinement. He has promised to try and get some word out asap."
"That's fine. I'm sure the doctor will find a way, he's quite resourceful."
"The data files on Ms. Possible are ready for your viewing, sir." The staffer pointed to a small screen. "The professor put together a video of all her accomplishments as an intro, if you'd like to see it."
"Thank you." Nod.
Hmmn…Lindendon watched screen, leaning huge frame back in reinforced chair.
Interesting…He noted, watching Possible's moves in battle suit against Dementor's henchpeople…A tussle with Shego.
"Most interesting…" he nodded to the staffer. "Excellent reflexes…Reminds me much of old Major United States…He was difficult to corner and kill."
Gee…My dad was a big fan of Maj US…The staffer thought. He always said Lindendon played dirty in that last fight.
"Is there anything more recent?...Pertaining to the time after this 'Dr. Drakken' secured control over her?"
"Here, sir." The staffer advanced the video…Potential with Shego during a field training, clearly Shego not pressing it too hard.
Hmmn…Yes…Definitely not two foes in conflict to the death…
"Ms. Go is gifted with her ability…I hope we can continue to make use of her, it would be very good to see if her abilities can be passed on to future generations."
"Yeah…Uh…And here, at the state archive…Ms. Possible seemed very…Unlike herself…"
"You were there?" Lindendon smiled at the tall minion who couldn't repress a minor quailing at the sight. "What was your impression?"
Shrug…"She seemed willing to deal with us…And protective of Dr. Drakken…And his people were definitely there to assist her."
"Yes…Very good." Nod.
"But it definitely wasn't a compliance chip or even some love drug or brainwash, to my mind…She seemed very much an independent operator. Just not the Kim Possible we knew."
"Indeed…Fascinating…Dr. Drakken seems to have perfected a remarkable system for adjusting minds to his service. We must pay a call as soon as possible and see if he might be willing to join our merry band."
"He and the Professor have never really gotten on…"
"Times change…Necessity dictates….I am the living proof." Lindendon smiled thinly. "And if he will not join us voluntarily…He seems to have a fatal weakness…" Eyeing old video of Shego in combat, protectively covering Drakken from Kim on another screen.
"One I long ago cured myself of…" smile.