Chapter 12 – Best Friends
Drakken's Lair. The same night.
A ping drew his attention to an incoming email from Shego. He was surprised to see the time – 11.30 p.m. Middleton time.
What was Shego doing working so late?
As he read the message, his expression changed from interest to excitement. Tricking the silly girl into becoming a spy was genius – and if anyone could recognize genius it was him. But the final conversation that Shego had had with the girl was the clincher.
So Possible needs a date for the Prom.
What if we provide her with a 'date' for the evening? But a date who is actually one of my minions?
He thought further.
Possible is susceptible to emotional turmoil. The Moodulator incident proved that.
And it doesn't get much more turmoiled than a teenage girl's love life.
So how about if her date … leads her on, in order to distract her?
So she won't be paying attention to our activities!
A fiendish thought crossed his mind.
No, her date should do more than just lead her on. He should make her fall head over heels in love with him. And then, just when she is at her most emotionally vulnerable, he ruthlessly tosses her aside in front of all her friends. Maybe even takes up with her bitterest rival!
A huge grin stretched across his face.
I, Doctor Drakken, will shatter Kim Possible's heart and stomp on the pieces!
She'd never trust anyone ever again.
He imagined himself standing over the prostrate hero, the girl sobbing uncontrollably as she realizes that her entire love life is a lie!
She'd never recover from such a bitter defeat!
He could almost feel sorry for what he was going to put the teen hero through.
Almost.
Ah, but where am I going to find someone who can act as her date and make her fall for him? And who is entirely loyal to me?
He was brought down to reality.
I don't know any hotties!
Maybe Shego does? After all, she frequents those beach resorts. Everyone knows that they are full of bronzed Adonises.
But how can I be sure of their loyalty?
He hated it when his plots were nearly clear, but with a critical bit missing.
Bueno Nacho. The following day.
Monique sat waiting for her friend as she thought about the conversation that the two of them had had the previous afternoon, before Kim went off for cheer practice. She felt guilty as she recalled how she had been harshing on the girl, thinking that she was playing with Ron to spite Tara.
Monique had put her arm around Kim in the empty classroom as her stricken friend poured out her heart about the wreck that the infernal device had made of her life the day of the Middleton Days fair. When Kim came to a halt, Monique stepped back and turned to face her friend.
"So how do you feel about Ron, now?"
Kim stared back at her. "Mon, I … I don't know. This bug was only supposed to amplify feelings. So why did I fall for Ron?"
"Because you really do like-like him?" Monique wondered, but kept the thought to herself.
Kim looked up. "In any event it's too late for that now. Mon, we both know that Tara really likes Ron. And now I've messed up his life because I realized for the first time that he really likes her too."
She paused. "And there's Josh, too." Although her break-up with the artist was painful, the last thing she wanted was to wish him ill. "God, what a mess everything has become!" Her eyes misted.
Monique took her friend's hand.
"Hey girl, you can't do anything about what's happened. Things will sort themselves out in time."
The two girls looked at each other, then hugged.
Monique continued. "Meanwhile, we need to find you a date for the Junior Prom. Felix and I want a double-date."
Kim looked up with a surprised expression on her face.
"Felix asked you to the Prom? Didn't think the boy had it in him. Tell me more!" she probed, noting the happy expression on her friend's face.
As Monique related the story of how she persuaded the wheelchair-bound boy to make the first move, she was delighted to see Kim's face brighten.
"And he really thought it was his idea?" Kim grinned.
"Yup, a small taste of brown sugar and he was putty in my hands!"
The teen hero smiled at her friend, genuinely delighted for her. She knew how long Monique had been pining for the boy. And what little chance her prey would have had once she got going.
And by the time they left the room, the two friends were giggling as they recounted other instances of the obliviousness of their male schoolmates.
Monique's thoughts returned to the present and she smiled as Kim entered the restaurant.
Drakken's Lair
Drakken had thankfully managed to go to bed without any further visions of his mother or father. Troubled by his inability to figure out the main aspect of the plot, he tossed and turned until in the early hours he finally fell asleep.
He had woken just before 7am. The remnants of a dream were dissolving in the daylight, but he retained one strong image. It was of a giant octopus, its long arms encircling plate-glass-fronted buildings with domed roofs. From each arm sprouted another, until the entire city was covered in octopi arms.
He sat up in bed, pondering the strange image. His stomach rumbled with hunger. Not for the first time he regretted the absence of any fast food outlets here in Tibet.
Fast food outlets!
Something clicked in his brain. The buildings in his dream were Bueno Nacho restaurants.
Bueno Nacho restaurants linked together by an octopus' arms.
He was reminded of his dream the previous day. Something about plastic toys. And cider tonic.
There was something here, but it was proving elusive.
He resolved to put it to one side for the time being, in the hope that his unconscious mind would bring to light what his conscious mind was unable to do.
Meanwhile, he would enjoy some breakfast, though he was getting rather sick of yak milk yoghurt.
Bueno Nacho
"What's eating you, girlfriend? And don't say nothing. Not Ron again?"
Monique had been watching her friend fiddling with her salad for the last ten minutes, during which time Kim had given monosyllabic answers to the dark-haired beauty's questions about her day.
The redhead looked up at her friend across the table. "Sorry, Mon," she responded quietly. "I was thinking about cheer practice last night." Her eyes were downcast.
"Did the Mad Dog trip the cheerleaders up again?" Monique asked in amusement.
"No, nothing like that – Ron wasn't even there. Tuesday practice is not for the mascot."
"So what, then?" Monique pressed. "Oh, don't tell me, Bonnie."
"Well, yes," Kim responded. "But me as well."
Her companion looked blankly at her.
Kim sighed.
"Bonnie was rubbing it in that I didn't have a date for the Prom. And she was so insulting about Ron that … well, even if I wanted to go with Ron … which I don't" – glaring across the table. She left the words hanging. "She says that there are no suitable boys left for me."
Monique looked across the table in shock. "Girl, that is flawed. You are not seriously listening to her are you, Kim?" Her friend's face reddened. "You are listening to her," she responded accusingly.
Kim looked guilty. "I know, but what if Bonnie has, in her own stupid way, a point?"
Monique gaped at her.
"I mean, what if there is something wrong with me, Mon?" Her friend tried to interrupt but Kim was in full flow. "What if I really do weird out the guys? They see me on TV, beating on the villains – not exactly the image of demure sweet young thing."
Her friend stared at her. "Kim, you are a strong, independent woman. Anyone afraid of that is not worth your time."
Kim grimaced. "Yeah, maybe … but that doesn't get me any closer to a Prom date."
The two friends looked at each other for a long minute. Monique spoke first.
"You do know there's one guy who's never been weirded out by your activities, don't you."
Drakken's Lair
It was shortly after breakfast that Shego arrived at the lair with the hapless Cyrus Bortel in tow. Drakken ushered them both into a private room.
"Shego," he enthused. Your reports have proved immensely valuable to me. And your work with Miss …" he consulted his notes "… Rockwaller." He looked up. "You have excelled yourself, Shego!"
Shego beamed. Since the Phoebus beam, Drakken had been sparing on the praise – well, even more sparing than usual. She was surprised how pleased it made her feel.
Must be getting soft!
He turned to Bortel, who was looking distinctly unhappy at being in the same room as the villain. "Ah, Doctor Bortel," Drakken said expansively. "Tell us please about your latest research."
Cyrus shifted uncomfortably. He was used to selling online to villains – or rather, anyone who was prepared to pay enough for his inventions. However, actually finding himself in one of their lairs was quite a different consideration.
Shego interjected. "The good Doctor would like to hear about your Mark II device, Cyrus." Her false smile reminded Bortel of the painful episode several hours earlier when Shego had suddenly appeared in his laboratory, seemingly walking through the wall. Any attempt at resistance was quickly ended by a glowing wrist. He had not intended to spill the beans about his next stage of research, but Shego had soon persuaded him otherwise. He unconsciously rubbed his forehead, where a painful burn could be seen. The worst part was when Shego set a timer to reverse the polarity on his energy generator, and he had to watch from afar as thirty years of work went up in smoke.
Bortel looked around him. His chances of escaping from here seemed nil. He sighed. If you can't beat 'em …
"As you know, the Mark I Moodulator enhances existing emotions. My Mark II, almost complete, will be able to create emotions – of love, hate, empathy, despair, whatever you wish to make."
Drakken considered what he had heard. "And what did you intend such a device to be used for?" he asked.
Cyrus looked shifty. "The Chin... the government who commissioned this work were looking at removing inhibitions from their elite soldiers. By filling them with hate for the enemy, they would prove an irresistible force."
"Indeed." Drakken looked thoughtful. "Tell me, Cyrus, would your Mark II work with an artificial intelligence?"
Cyrus was taken aback, but the scientist in him could not help but respond.
"I cannot see why not" he answered. "It does not need any direct connection to the cortex. So long as it can be attached close enough to the AI's brain, it should work."
Drakken's eyes gleamed.
"Hold that thought," he responded, as Shego led Bortel away.
Bueno Nacho
Kim glared at Monique. "Things are whacked enough between Ron and I at the moment without confusing things further like that," she exclaimed.
"Sure it's nothing to do with the food chain?" Monique responded meaningfully.
"No!" Kim yelled, loudly enough for faces to turn towards the pair. Monique raised an eyebrow.
She decided to take a risk. "If you and Ron are meant to be …" seeing the sharp look on her friend's face "it'll happen when it happens," unconsciously echoing Kim's mother's words to Ron the previous day. "Hey, why don't you go and see that Burtel character who made the thingamajig and see if he can give you some insights into what it does."
Kim nodded thoughtfully. Yes, Bortel should know why I picked Ron to hit on. Something to do with our long friendship perhaps.
Kim broke the uncomfortable silence.
"There's another thing. I lost my rag with Bonnie last night. Actually threatened her with bodily harm. That's not like me at all." And nor is yelling at Monique!
It certainly isn't, Monique thought. A notion struck her.
"Kim, could that be some side-effect of the moodu thingy?"
Kim looked up sharply. "Hey Mon, you may be on to something."
She took out her Kimmunicator and pressed the call button. Within seconds, Wade's face appeared.
"Hi Wade, can you get me a lift to Rio? I want to see Cyrus Bortel and find out more about the Moodulator."
Wade's eyes widened. "Are you a mind-reader? I was just about to beep you to say that you need to go to Rio. Global Justice reports some disturbance at Bortel's lab."
"Disturbance?" Kim looked concerned.
"Yes, reports of damage."
"Get me there as quickly as possible, Wade." Kim insisted. Hope I'm not too late!
"'Copter on its way, Kim. Do you want me to call Ron?"
"Yes please," Kim responded. Despite the awkwierdness. I've learnt my lesson after the last time.
"Okay. GJ will pick Ron up on their way to you. You should make Rio in a little over three hours."
ooooOoooo
Kim and Ron stared at the devastation that was once Cyrus Bortel's laboratory. Amid the rubble it was just about possible to recognize some scientific instruments. But of anything connected to a Moodulator there was no sign. More importantly, there was no sign of Dr. Cyrus Bortel either.
The two heroes glanced at each other. Ron was surprised to see a look of despair on Kim's face.
"Hey, KP," he said soothingly. "It's no big. Villains blow up their own lairs all of the time. Bortel probably left a gas tap open. One less place for weird science gadgets that mess with your mind to worry about. And there's no sign of a body, so no-one got hurt."
"Uh uh," echoed Rufus as he looked around the scene from Ron's pocket.
Kim looked at her sidekick. She smiled at the guileless look on his face, thinking only to make her feel better. Why did she feel that he deserved better than her as a friend and teammate?
"Sorry, Ron, just thinking about what happens next with the Moodulator and stuff." And if the lair really blew up by accident.
Ron looked closely at Kim. He saw the worry lines that drew across her forehead. He thought about the Middleton Days night. He had not slept well since then, and it didn't look as though Kim had either. The turmoil of emotions that the evening had brought on, his recognition that he had it bad for Tara, his memories of kissing Kim and his encounter with the D Hall bullies had kept him awake till the early hours. Truth to say, he was not sorry that this mission was not going to require any running around or fighting henches.
Now he realized that Kim was as off her game as he was. But there was something else there. Clearly her mind was still on the Moodulator. But surely that was over now? He decided to broach the subject.
"Kim, about the other night …" He didn't have to specify which night he meant.
She looked at him but did not interrupt.
"Look, I know it was weird, and you must have been ferociously embarrassed when you realized what had been happening."
He continued. "And you found it hard to be around me after that." Ron looked questioningly at her.
Kim had the grace to look shame-faced.
"You were freaking out at the thought of having dated me? And the stuff we did?"
She nodded, apologetically. He looked reassuringly at her.
"Heck, Kim, I'd freak out at the thought of dating me." He smiled lightly.
Ron took Kim's right hand in his own. "Listen to me, KP. Everything was a bit out of whack that day. But now we know that it was all due to Bortel's device … well, can't we just put it behind us and move on?" His voice was strong but she could hear the plea in his words.
Ron Stoppable, how can you be so great, after everything that happened? That I did to you? And Bonnie thinks you're a loser? You are so not!
Kim freed her hand and flung her arms around her friend, holding him tightly. She rested her head on his shoulder, listening to his heartbeat. Ron, taken by surprise, quickly recovered and rubbed his hands up and down Kim's back. He urged his rebellious body not to misinterpret the signals that Kim was giving off, and gradually he relaxed.
The two of them stood in silence, enjoying each other's presence.
"So we're tight, KP?" the boy ventured.
"Yes, Ron. We're tight. And I'm sorry for treating you as my emotional punchbag." The girl was contrite.
"No more beating yourself up, Kim," he said sternly.
She smiled back at him. No need to worry Ron with her remaining misgivings about the continuing effects of the Moodulator.
They stepped apart, holding each other's glances.
A thought crossed his mind. "What are we going to tell Global Justice about Bortel?"
Kim was reminded of the mission. Her expression settled into what Ron thought of as her mission face.
"There's something suspicious about Bortel's disappearance. And I'm not at all sure that all this" – she indicated the wreckage with her arm – "was actually an accident."
Ron looked questioningly at her.
"What if someone snatched Bortel, then blew up the place to remove any evidence of their presence?"
"Who would do that?"
Kim looked thoughtful. "Well, Dementor was here last week. Maybe he couldn't make the EMA work, so decided to grab Bortel himself?"
She made up her mind. "I think it's time we spoke to Betty. Perhaps she has some intel on Bortel and Dementor that would help us?"
And maybe, if I can find Bortel, I can get to the bottom of what the Moodulator has done to me, so I can figure out what is artificial and what is real?
Kim looked meaningfully at her sidekick, who was kicking at the rubble in an attempt to uncover something useful. He gave a shout as he bent down and picked up a small hand-held device that looked like a Kimmunicator. Kim walked over to him and the pair examined the device. They were struck by the four colored buttons on the front. Kim instantly recognized the gadget.
"It's the remote control for the Moodulator" she exclaimed.
Ron looked at it with interest, not having been party to the conversation with Dr. Bortel when he had displayed the remote control on the Kimmunicator screen.
Kim's eyes narrowed as she looked more closely. Something looked unfamiliar. There was some writing on the base of the machine. She tried to read it but it was too small.
Kim took out her Kimmunicator and pointed the scanner at the device. Immediately, a magnified image appeared on the screen. The words read Moodulator Mark II.
"The lying toad," she exclaimed, taking Ron aback. He looked at the screen, but could see nothing to warrant Kim's outburst.
Kim pressed the call button and immediately, the face of her techie appeared on the screen. "Hi Kim," he greeted her.
"Wade, someone snatched Bortel and blew up the lair. But they left this behind." She held up the device in front of the screen.
Wade squinted at the screen. "Looks like the Moodulator remote," he commented.
"Yes, but …" she turned the device round and switched on the magnifier. Wade's face dropped as he read the text.
"So Bortel did have more than one Moodulator!"
"Yes, and what's worrying me is the difference between the Mark II and the one that was on me!" That one was bad enough!
There was silence as the three friends pondered the situation.
"That's it," Kim said decisively. "We must see Global Justice. Someone out there – I'm guessing Dementor given his known interest in Bortel – has likely got their hands on some sort of mind control device, and the inventor too."
"I'll get transport to you right away, Kim, and I'll alert Betty that you want a meeting with her on your arrival."
"Thanks Wade, you rock." The screen went blank and she returned the Kimmunicator to her pouch.
Kim turned to Ron and smiled at him. The meaning was clear.
Whatever happens, you and I are in this together!
Drakken's Lair
Dr. Drakken, Shego, Professor Dementor and Manfred sat around a table in the lair's conference room. Drakken cleared his throat to gain the attention of the others.
"Thank you all for joining me. As you know, we are here to share progress on what we will in future refer to as Project Nemesis, our plan to take over the world and eliminate the threats from Global Justice and Kim Possible."
He turned to Manfred. "You were tasked with neutralizing Global Justice. How is the synthodrone project going? Have you been briefed by Dr. Bortel about his Mark II Moodulator?"
Shego looked interestedly at the pair. What's a synthodrone, she thought.
"Ja," Manfred answered. "Ze addition of a Moodulator to the synthodrone specification will enable us to turn a mindless artificial person into a much more effective threat. We vill in time be able to create an army of synthodrones enhanced with the ability to feel hate – but without pain or fear."
Drakken picked up on the caveat. "In time?" he demanded.
Manfred shifted uncomfortably. "The Professor and I haf been slightly delayed."
Drakken looked pained. "Explain," he demanded.
Dementor took up the story. "Ze synthoplasm is proving very difficult to verk with. Although I haf found a way to stop it replicating in ze wild, ordinary plasticized skin cannot contain it. We haf managed to synthesize a suitable skin material that retains the synthoplasm. Ze problem is that we don't haf very much off zis substance – not enough for more than one thousand synthodrones at most. And it has a veekness – it is capable of being penetrated by a sharp implement."
Drakken glared at the pint-sized villain. "Do you have any good news for me?"
Dementor would not be intimidated by Drakken. He was aware that the synthoplasm was his alone to control, and Drakken could make no move without him at this stage.
"Ze good news is that zis same substance absorbs impact, including bullets and even blasts, extremely vell. Provided zat the enemy are not using bayonets and do not use fragmentation grenades in close quarters for fear of their own loss of life, I am confident that our synthodrone troops will be vell-capable of overwhelming enemy positions. And if you extend Project Nemesis for a few more weeks, we can source material and produce the additional synthodrones."
A dark cloud crossed Dr. Drakken's face. "We cannot delay! The stakes are too high. We risk detection if we wait more than a few weeks."
Shego raised a hand. "Doctor D. Can I suggest that you aim for three weeks this Saturday?"
"Why, Shego?" Her boss looked impatiently at her.
"It's the night of Kim Possible's Junior Prom. My inside contact assures me that she will be very distracted that evening."
Drakken frowned. "Why would we time our plan around the teen meddler's social life? What about my synthodrones?"
The green-skinned villain grinned. "Because every single one of your plans in the past has been foiled by that very same teen meddler."
Drakken hesitated, then turned to Dementor again. "How many synthodrones by the Prom night?"
The villain thought and then responded "I can get you nine hundred synthodrones by zat date."
Drakken paused. Nine hundred synthodrones unharmed by blows, given the emotion of raging hate, merciless and pitiless, unleased against his unsuspecting opponents. Yes, that would do.
Because something awesome was suddenly emerging in his mind.
"Doctor D," Shego said uncertainly, as she watched her boss enter what could only be described as a fugue state.
The other occupants of the room looked at each other in confusion.
Drakken had retreated into a deep part of his psyche. He watched a giant drum rotating, full of raffle tickets. Every now and then, a ticket would drop out of a hole in the side. While someone that he knew was himself was gathering up the tickets and rearranging them in front of him. He strained to read what was written.
"Emotions. She's susceptible to emotions."
Synthodrone.
"Could it be that Possible would be put off her game by the absence of her sidekick?"
Synthodrone.
"My Mark II, almost complete, will be able to create emotions – of love …"
Synthodrone.
"So Possible needs a date for the Prom. What if we provide her with a 'date' for the evening? But a date who is actually one of my minions?"
Synthodrone.
Drakken's eyes opened. He saw the worried looks around the table, and smiled reassuringly.
"Professor," he addressed the villain. "The synthodrones have identical faces, do they not?"
"Ja," Dementor responded.
"How difficult would it be to make a particular face?"
The professor grinned. "No problem at all – ve can mold the synthoplasm to any shape we like."
"Then I would like you to make one more synthodrone. Number nine hundred and one will be a very special creation. I will need him in no more than ten days time. I will brief you later."
"Meanwhile, I have a few final details to work out for my main plan to take over the world. Please return to your work." He waved dismissively at the group and left the room.
Row two of the Fifteen puzzle slotted into place.
Author's Note. Some of the dialogue between Kim and Monique at Bueno Nacho was taken or modified from the transcript of So the Drama.