The Pursuit of Truth and Justice (part 2)
Disclaimer – I don't own Kim Possible.
A/N – This part will cover what is happening with Global Justice as well as more back story and the start of the main plot.
UPDATED VERSION—no major changes just minor spelling and grammar corrections.
Chapter 3 – The Pursuit of Truth and Justice (part 2)
The halls of Global Justice's world headquarters normally bustled with activity, even during normal time. With the first ever escape from Global Justice's Super-Max Prison for Extraordinary Threats, it had become a veritably beehive of activity with agents rushing around to help get the prison fully operational again or helping in tracking the escapee. Even those agents who weren't working on the escape or its aftermath made certain to appear busy in case they caught the eye of the head of Global Justice, Dr. Director. Ever since news of the prison break had reached her, Dr. Director had been on a rampage, with no error or mistake overlooked and the punishments meted out, harsh and unforgiving.
In the command center of the headquarters, the staff was glad that Dr. Director was closeted in her office but also dreaded the time when she would inevitably sally forth and ruin the day of all those who crossed her path. As the people she would see first, they bore the greatest risk of becoming her next victim, a dubious honor they were rapidly deciding was not compensated for by their increased rank and pay. Most breathed a sigh of relief when they saw Agent Du headed toward Dr. Director's office with Ivan P. Freely, a large heavyset man who was the head of Global Justice's Prison and Incarceration Division, as well as M. Elizabeth (Bess) Alar, a slim women in horn rim glasses who was the Head of the Construction and Maintenance Division. The staff struggled to hide their smirks as they saw the three being asked to wait by Dr. Director's secretary, something experience had taught them was always sign that did not bode well for those who had been summoned.
In her office Dr. Director sat behind her desk and composed herself for the coming interview. If it went as planned, she would have the leverage she needed to remove most of the pressure for 'action' that was coming from the UN Committee for Oversight of Law Activities. Once she dealt with them, she could try to limit the damage the prison break had caused and focus on getting Global Justice back in shape for the trouble she knew was coming. That was the part about this situation that galled her the most, Kim had warned her four months ago that something like this would happen and they had still been caught unprepared. She pushed that thought from her mind for now and, reaching over to the intercom, signaled for her secretary to send in agent Du and the two Division heads.
Dr. Director's face was set in a stern mask as agent Du escorted the two division heads into her office. He was glad that this time her ire would be directed at someone else but knew that eventually he would resume his place as chief whipping boy. Once the division heads had take their seats, Dr. Director signaled Du to take up station standing next to the door. She let them sweat for several moments before she activated the viewscreen set in the wall next to her desk and called their attention to it. She started with the head of Global Justice's Prison and Incarceration Division.
"How is it that in all of the testing and analysis that was done on the prison, you never considered what would happen if power was lost to the facility? Why were none of the systems that were designed to protect against power spikes effective? Why was so much construction equipment stored in the prisoner level, making the escape that much easier?" She demanded while calling up graphics that highlighted each of the vulnerabilities in turn.
Freely cleared his throat several time, as he stalled for time trying to formulate his answer, before speaking. "We assumed that if power was cut, leaving the cells locked would prevent an escape. We never looked at someone using the construction equipment that was left behind to open the cells since the original plans called for all of it to be remove as work progressed."
Dr. Director waited a moment before nodding at him, accepting his explanation for now. "What about protection from power spikes?"
Freely nodded back, relief at the acceptance of his first explanation evident on his face, before he continued. "According to the plans of the facility, every section was supposed to have its own isolation transformer as well as surge protection at every station. Construction records show it was installed and tested before the prison opened. We never tested the system due to the danger if the systems failed. Besides, the power system was supposed to be isolated from the grid, with two transformer substations, one above ground and one in the prison itself. Each station was supposed to be able to handle any power surges, even if the other station failed."
"Why weren't the power substations checked? That should have been part of the regular security review procedures." Dr. Director demanded.
Freely had anticipated this question and answered immediately. "Both the second substation and the custom switching equipment were located off site for additional security. We didn't have access to verify either its existence or its proper functioning. All of that was handled by the Construction and Maintenance Division. The original construction paperwork shows the equipment was install and tested. Maintenance report indicate it was tested and maintained according to regulation."
Once again, Dr. Director nodded to indicate her temporary acceptance of his explanation before pushing ahead. "And the construction equipment that was scattered about the prison?"
Freely, his confidence rapidly increasing with Dr. Director's approval of his answers, continued confidently. "Originally the equipment was supposed to be moved around and used in multiple parts of the prison but there were a series of problems where areas would be complete and then it would be discovered that the equipment couldn't be removed. We reported these incidents to the Construction Division but were told simply to buy new equipment and continue construction. The paper work we received authorizing this had been approved by the Construction Division and the Oversight Committee so we had no choice but to proceed as instructed."
"Did you consider the security risks this equipment represented?"
"The paperwork from the Oversight Committee included a security evaluation that stated the equipment did not pose a security risk and ordered us to ignore it."
Dr. Director nodded and picked up a file which she passed to him. "Very well. This file contains a detailed plan for a complete security evaluation and overhaul. I want you to look it over as see if you can find any flaws. I also want a complete inventory of the prison and all of its equipment, both on and off site. We need to find out if anything else was omitted from the plans beside the surge protection and substation. You may leave."
Freely took the file as he rose from his seat, a faint look of relief on his face at having avoided Dr. Director's ire. He rapidly made his way from the office into the command center, where people stared covertly at his sweat and moisture stained uniform as he hurried out, headed to his office. They watched his retreat, knowing from experience that he must have survived Dr. Director's inquisition intact except for this dignity and nerves.
Once the door closed behind Freely, Dr. Director slowly turned and fixed her eye on the remaining division head. She didn't say a word but simply stared at her, watching for her reaction. The entire meeting so far had been designed to put her in the proper frame of mind for the coming questions. At first she sat still and silent but soon started to shift in her seat and avoid Dr. Director gaze. Dr. Director's face didn't betray any reaction but inwardly she smiled, knowing that Ms. Alar was now in the proper frame of mind to be interrogated.
"Now Ms. Alar, would you care to explain how your records show the installation and testing of isolation transformers and circuit breakers through out the prison complex but no such equipment is there?" Dr. Director asked, a predatory grin forming on her face.
Alar's face held look of confidence as she answered. "The contractor who was responsible for the installation provided certificates that everything had been installed and tested according to the contract specifications."
"The electrical equipment was installed by the company of Dewey and Sons. Is that correct?"
Alar looked slightly puzzled at Dr. Director lack of aggression in questioning her, but answered promptly. "That is correct, they were the prime contractor for interior electrical system."
Dr. Director made note of her answer before continuing. "Why was the construction equipment left in the prisoner area? Who authorized the construction changes?"
Alar paused for a moment, trying to figure out what Dr. Director was looking for, before she replied. "The prime contractor said that the designs were flawed and therefore they were unable to remove the heavy construction equipment. They obtained authorization from the Oversight Committee to leave the equipment in each section as it was completed and use new equipment for the next section."
"The prime contractor was the Chetum Engineering and Construction Company, is that correct?"
Once again Alar was puzzled by Dr. Director's behavior. "That is correct. The Chetum Engineering and Construction company was the prime contractor for all of the initial excavation and building of the prison."
Dr. Director nodded as she noted down her answer. "Why was there only one transformer substation. The design called for two separate installations with special switching equipment to prevent the transmission of any power spike or surge into the rest of the facility. The record show that a second installation was completed and payed for as well as the special switching equipment but there is no evidence it ever existed. Would you care to explain?"
Alar glared at her in annoyance before answering. "The prime contractor, Howe & Associates, provided paperwork and invoices showing that both installations were made. One in the prison and another in an off site location approximately half a mile from the prison. The had detailed schematic and invoice for the special switching equipment and well as work orders showing it had been installed."
Dr. Director nodded again and smiled at her.
Alar was tired of playing a game she didn't understand, so she decided to confront the issue head on. "What is the purpose of this meeting? Why am I here? So far every question you have asked could have been answered by looking at my files."
Dr. Director favored her with a brief grin before answering. "I merely wanted to confirm what the paper work said with you. Each of the companies you have named is connected to one of the members of the Oversight Committee. This information about their corruption will give me the leverage I need to get them off my back."
She watched Alar relax, thinking she was not the target of Dr. Director's ire before continuing. "I also want to ask you about why you approved the paperwork they gave you. Protocol requires you to use independent confirmation of security related issues but you did not follow protocol. Why?"
Alar gulped, realizing that Dr. Director had been using her for her own purposes before moving in for the kill. "The Oversight Committee authorized the changes in the construction that resulted in the construction equipment being left behind. I had no option but to follow the orders I was given."
"It didn't seen strange to you that the Oversight Committee authorized these changes and all the extra expense even though it was the result of changes made by the contractor in the first place. The original plans had been designed to allow the construction equipment to be removed as each section was completed. It was because of design changes made by the contractor, with your approval, that the equipment couldn't be removed. Why were the changes approved without an expense or security assessment being made?"
Alar looked lost as she realized that Dr. Director had her cornered. "I – I though something was wrong but I didn't want to risk opposing the Oversight Committee. I know I should have reported to you but I was afraid the Oversight Committee would retaliate."
Dr. Director pressed on relentlessly. "It was my job to deal with the Oversight Committee not yours. It was still you job to make the assessments no matter what the Oversight Committee said. That should have been done before any changes were sent to the committee for approval."
Alar, knowing her career was over and desperately trying to avoid criminal charges, meekly replied. "I was told that the construction was running over budget and these changes would help to contain costs. I didn't want this project to run out of money and become an expensive failure so I approved the requested changes. I also omitted the independent verification to save money."
Dr. Director shook her head in disgust. "Still lying to me, I see. You still approved payments for the independent verification as well as on going payments for the substation and switching equipment that was never installed. We know you are dating one of the staffers on the Oversight Committee whose uncle owns the company that was payed to conduct the verifications and maintenance. We have bank records showing you receiving payments from him as well as other payments from several of the other companies involved. Effective immediately you are relieved of duty and placed under arrest."
At Dr. Director's gesture, agent Du cuffed the now crying Alar's hands behind her back. Opening the door he motioned for two agents who were waiting to take agent Alar into custody and escort her to a holding cell. Once they were alone again, Du closed the door and moved to stand in front of Dr. Director's desk. He waited for a moment before speaking.
"I guess we now know how Possible was able to break Shego out of prison."
Dr. Director cut him off before he could continue. "This had nothing to do with the prison break. Kim would have freed Shego even if every security feature in the prison had worked like it was supposed to. She had the equipment to overcome every obstacle with a minimum of effort. No, the problems with the prison are just one more embarrassment she will use to ruin our reputation."
Du had a disdainful look on his face as her replied. "I think you are over estimating Possible, as always. She got lucky in finding a place with holes to exploit, if we had known she was coming, we would have easily caught her."
Dr. Director shook her head. "No. She had enough equipment to overcome the prison's defense as designed. We found remains of EMP grenades to take out any electronic equipment she encountered as well as an industrial diamond tipped saw that would have been able to get through the door to Shego's cell. She used are own maneuvers two weeks ago to move her equipment into place. You have missed the whole point of Kim's actions. She is sending us a message. She is coming for us and nothing we do can stop her."
Du looked troubled. "I don't think things are that bad. This time she relied on a vast amount of equipment to succeed. If she is relying on gadgets rather than skill then we will be able to catch her easily."
"You still don't get it do you. She didn't need the equipment to succeed, she used all of the equipment this time to show that she could get anything she needed without our knowledge and move it to one of our most secure location without detection. Consider these questions, how did she know the location of the prison, how did she know about the defenses, how did she know what cell Shego was in."
Du said nothing, but his face showed his worry as he pondered her questions.
"All of this was a message to us from Kim. You read the report of my meeting with her. She is telling us she can still do anything. She warned us she would be moving against us and even told us she would be coming for Shego and we couldn't even slow her down."
As Du pondered this, Dr. Director moved on to the next part of the agenda. "Speaking of her meeting with me. What have you found out about the conditions of Kim's probation? The idea was to isolate her temporarily and then be there to help fix things, not to break her or drive her to becoming a villain."
Du stood at attention as he delivered his report. "The restrictions on travel and who she could associate with were standard procedure. Due to her abilities and history, she was classified as high risk and therefore subject to extra scrutiny."
Dr. Director's one good eye seemed to bore a hole through him as she asked. "Global Justice was supposed to have final say concerning her probation, they were merely acting as our agents, so how was it that we didn't approve her request to leave the area to attend college? Once she was away from home and in a new environment, we would have had an easy time moving in and recruiting her."
Du betrayed no emotion as he answered although inwardly he cringed, knowing he was once again serving as Dr. Director's whipping boy. "The probation agent in charge never forwarded any of her requests to Global Justice for review. He simply made the decision himself."
"I see. I take it you have brought him in for questioning."
"No ma'am. He is no longer available. A year ago he quit his job and moved out of the country."
Dr. Director's voice dripped with scorn. "We are GLOBAL Justice, our sphere of action is the entire world. Did he leave the planet? Why didn't you fetch him from wherever he hiding is to be questioned?"
Do struggled to maintain his stoic exterior but the faint shiver that ran through his body betrayed his nervousness. "After he quit his job he moved to the Democratic Republic of Plantain, where he is employed as a security specialist by the government. They have refused to make him available for questioning."
Dr. Director shook he head. "Plantain, again. They were the cause of this whole mess in the first place. Very well, I don't care what they say, I want him here for questioning within two days. If they argue, issue a Global Warrant for his arrest and detention. Is that understood?"
"Yes, ma'am." Du replied curtly, stunned at her orders. A Global Warrant was good in any country in the world and authorized any law enforcement officer to act as a temporary agent of Global Justice, with all the normal powers and immunities, in apprehending the wanted person. In all his years at Global Justice he seen them used less than a dozen times.
Seeing the confusion on Du face, Dr. Director explained. "For the last six or seven years, we have had to deal with increasing government interference in our operations. Every two bit dictator and tin-plated president-for-life feels they can push us around. Now that I have the leverage to keep the Oversight Committee off our backs, I intend to let the world now we are through playing their political games. We are going to make Global Justice a force for global justice again."
Du stood slightly straighter, if that was possible, in admiration of Dr. Director's drive and determination, as she continued. "What was the deal with her not being able to see her parents? That was never a condition of her probation."
Du answered promptly, glad that, for once, he could shift the blame elsewhere. "Apparently several US agencies, including the ATF, the DEA and the CIA felt that she was a security risk, so they made any contact with her grounds for loss of security clearance or government contract. Both of her parent's places of work were contacted directly and informed of this condition. In addition, agents were sent out every few months to check that the condition was being met."
Dr. Director nodded curtly to him. "Stupid three letter wannabes. They want to play games then we will play games. Down grade the ATF and DEA from limited to need-to-know access only. Drop the CIA from full to limited access."
Du nodded in return, knowing Dr. Director meant business if she was willing to cut major intelligence and law enforcement agencies access to their resources. "What reason should we give if they inquire as to the reason for the downgrade?"
Dr. Director paused for a moment before giving him an evil grin, reminiscent of Shego. "Tell them they were judged an increased security risk due to association with criminal elements. If they ask what criminal elements, send them a copy of the Geneva conventions and the UN Human Rights Accords and tell them to pick."
"And send them copies of the reports from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch on conditions in the Democratic Republic of Plantain, too." Dr. Director added a moment later.
"Yes, ma'am." Du replied.
Dr. Director turned to the last item on the agenda, the one that was the biggest headache but, with luck and a little finesse, also the one that could be turned to her advantage. "What is the media situation?"
Du hesitated before answering. "They don't seem to be believing the cover story we gave about a tactical training exercise. We have managed to locate and remove the video feeds Possible installed but the French are refusing to shut down their satellite feed. Contacts in the various media organizations report that an anonymous source keeps feeding them questions and information that undermine our explanations."
"The Analysis division says that if the situation is not contained within 48 hours it will continue to increase in seriousness, with a 24% chance of Global Justice losing it charter, a 54% chance of enhanced oversight and a 24% chance we would emerge unscathed but out effectiveness would be severely curtailed for six to eight months due the media's scrutiny."
Dr. Director pondered his report for a moment before answering. "I have a meeting with the Oversight Committee in an hour. I will 'suggest' they use their influence to curtail the media coverage before any more information that could damage Global Justice or our contractors is released."
Dr. Director started to arrange the file on her desk, signaling the end of the meeting. "I want the Analysis division to coordinate with Tactical and Security to identify probable targets for Possibles next attack. Have them consult with Psych as needed. That will be all."
As he turned to leave she had one final comment. "Don't think you are off the hook. You were in charge of monitoring Possible's probation and let your personal feelings about her influence your actions. You have a lot of work to do to make up for that."
~O~O~O~
A/N – This finishes the scenes setting and now the main plot can proceed. Things to come include plots by and against GJ, the appearance of several missing characters (including Ron), and more on Kim and Shego's relationship.