We're Hunting Rabbits

Disclaimer – I don't own Kim Possible.

A/N – Thanks to all my readers and reviewers who have hung in there. Sorry it took so long to post this chapter but unfortunately, I suffered from a massive case of writer's block. Hopefully, the next chapters will be posted soon.

Note that ~O~O~O~ indicates major shift in time and place, while ~o~o~ indicates small shifts in time or place.

This story is an AU and diverges from canon early in the fourth season before Mad Dogs and Aliens or Big Brother, so there are no Lowardians in this universe and no Hana.

Nominations for the Fannies are now open. I hope everyone will nominate their favorite authors and stories.

Chapter – 19 – We're Hunting Rabbits

Will Du looked around Kim Possible's secret base with a practiced eye, appreciating the skill and experience that had gone into construction and camouflage. He nodded to himself at the upgrades that had been made to keep pace with advancing technology, appreciating the effort taken to make them blend in with the original base.

"This is quite the base, just like something out of Our Man Flint. No wonder we were always three steps behind. So where do you keep the tank of piranha to dangle prisoners over?" He flashed Kim a grin to let her know he was only teasing. Her startled, uncomprehending look in return brought the grin back to his face. "I wasn't always a by the rules stick in the mud. I have recently been reviewing my life and beliefs and have discovered many things I need to change. I think my lack of humor is one of the things that held me back as a person and an agent."

Kim motioned him to join her on the couch as Shego gave the rest a quick tour of the base. Once he was seated, she leaned forward and asked, "Don't take this wrong, but you have change an awful lot recently, may I ask why?"

Will looked embarrassed for a moment before answering. "You can thank your mom for the change. When Dr. Director suggested bringing me and my brother into their little conspiracy, your mother and grandmother insisted that Brainchild check out loyalty."

He had a haunted look on his face as he continued. "I was ordered to tell the truth. It was a terrible yet liberating feeling to be forced to confront my own lies, particularly the ones to myself. Since then I have been examining my life and finding many things I want to change."

Kim looked at him closely for a moment as though trying to read his mind. "I see how that can be a life-changing experience. I hope mom didn't cause you too much trouble."

"Don't worry, I am fine now, although it was quite painful, not to mention embarrassing, at the time. How would you say, no big."

Kim started in surprise at Will's use of one of her catch phrases. "You have been much less stiff since then; I think it makes you a better agent."

Will nodded. "That is what Dr. Director tells me. It was why Global Justice split up my brother and me in the first place."

"Your brother?" Kim had a slightly confused look on her face.

Will gave her a small smile. "You and Ken are very much alike in your use of unorthodox tactics and plans. I have always preferred the tried and true. We were an effective team for a while but eventually my brother and I developed a fierce rivalry over who was the better agent and whose ideas were best. Eventually, Dr. Director broke us up to avoid the loss of two good agents."

Kim returned his grin. "And when I showed up, untrained and even more unconventional than your brother, it must have really pushed your buttons."

"Very much. For a long time I didn't even think about it, I just knew you were an amateur whose luck would run out sooner or later. It wasn't until you mother forced me to face my faults that I realized that neither way is better than the other, they just apply to different situations. You didn't need normal procedures because any problem they could handle had been taken care of. You face the challenges the normal and orthodox couldn't handle."

Kim looked thoughtful. "That is quite insightful. I never looked at it that way but it does make sense. I hope you will share any other ideas you have,"

Will swelled slightly with pride. "I would be honored to." Seeing Shego and the others returning from the tour. "Shall we join them?"

Kim nodded her acceptance as she rose from the couch and moved to lead everyone to the hidden stairs to the computer room. Once everyone was present, she booted up the system and set up the satellite link to her Uncle Slim's ranch. The main screen came on and showed Slim sitting at the main keyboard with Wade sitting nearby and Joss hovering over him.

Dr. Director sat down at the main keyboard and used her codes to access Global Justices computers. She downloaded the research on the shape shifter to Kim's system, then turned the seat over to Kim. Kim typed a few commands into the system, then looked up at the monitor.

"The systems are all linked now; you should be able to access the research now."

"Looks like everything is good, Kim." Wade said, his eyes briefly taking on a glassy look as he used his new found abilities to check the connection. "Let's get started on the people you wanted to check on."

"He's right, all I need is to download the dates and locations to check and we can get goin'." Slim's hands danced across the keyboard, putting the search in to motion.

There was a brief pause as the system retrieved the relevant data, then Wade placed his hand on the computer next to him and closed his eyes. He sat motionless, except for his eyes dancing behind their lids, for several minutes before he opened his eyes with a grin on his face.

"The one you want is the sales rep in Long Beach. The real one is in Qatar, working on a deal."

"Are you sure?" Shego asked skeptically.

Wade arched an eyebrow at her. "Do you doubt me? The one in Qatar has been there for three weeks. The one in Long Beach only showed up at the Hong Kong airport to catch his flight to Long Beach."

Kim turned to look at them. "We have the target and his location, the question is how do we handle the sitch?"

"We should keep him under surveillance for a while to verify his identity, then capture him." Nancy's voice was clipped and businesslike.

Yori spoke up hesitantly. "If he can change his shape at will, how will we be able to identify him?"

"We should find him in the identity we know about and watch to catch any changes in shape he makes." Will answered.

Ron spoke up. "If we have him under surveillance for a while we can learn how he moves, his gait, the rhythm of his walk, stuff like that. I doubt he will be able to hide those, even if he changes shape."

"That sounds like a plan, identity him, observe him, and then capture him." Kim looked thoughtful for a moment. "I think it would be best if we stick with the groups we have, Shego with me, Ron with Yori, Ken with Will, and Nana with Mom. We are all used to working with each other. Changing that would only lower our efficiency."

"What about Dr. Director and I?" Hirotaka inquired.

"Dr. Director will stay with the jet to coordinate our actions. You will stay with the jet in case we need it in a hurry." Hirotaka nodded at Kim's answer.

She turned to the Du brothers. "Will, Ken, I want you on the front door and lobby. There are several entrances but your training will make covering them all easy."

At their nods, she turned to the next pair. "Ron, Yori, I need you to cover the rear entrances. I know there are three but I believe you can cover them."

Ron and Yori bowed their understanding as she turned to her mother and grandmother. "Mom, Nana, I want you to cover the garage. You two will raise the least suspicion there."

Kim turned to Shego. "We will have to split up to cover both of the side entrances but it is the only way to cover everything."

She turned to Dr. Director. "You will have to coordinate everyone's actions since we will all be out of each other sight. We will have to rig up some discrete communication device for everyone."

Dr. Director nodded to Will in reply to his questioning glance, a small grin on her face. "I think I can provide a solution."

Will produced a small earpiece from his pocket and showed it to everyone. "This is a secure communications system Global Justice uses for covert operation. It uses a burst transmission system. Every burst is encrypted using a Quantum Uncertainty Interference Encryption Technique and then sent out over a variety of different frequencies, each masquerading as normal signal such as a cell phone or wifi signal. The exact mix of signal types was chosen to match the mix of existing signal traffic so that the extra traffic could not be identified by the type of signal used. The constantly changing signal mixed would also prevent any system not using the same algorithm from being able to monitor or trace the signals for long."

Shego snapped her fingers. "That must be what you were using at the Space Center."

Will nodded a troubled look on his face. "You could detect them."

Shego laughed. "Don't worry GJ, man. We detected the increase in signal traffic every time you used the ladder but could never pick up any signals."

Dr. Director interrupted. "That would be allow you to detect their use, but the system would still be secure." She turned to look at Will. "Remember, Will, no system is foolproof. You have to be aware of a system's weaknesses to prevent them from being exploited." Turning back to Kim. "In the middle of Long Beach with all of the electronic noise present, I don't believe these can be detected."

Shego nodded. "She's right princess, it was only the fact the Space Center was so isolated that allowed us to detect their use."

Kim returned her nod. "We will use the earpieces. I wish we had something to back them up with."

Everyone started in surprise as Wade spoke up. "I can help with that, Kim."

He reached over and put his hand on the keyboard in front of Slim. His eye grew glassy for a moment then grew clear as smile blossomed on his face. "Check the storage bin."

They all stared at a previously unseen panel slide to one side revealing a small well-stocked storage area. Wade continued. "I installed this years ago when we first upgraded the base. It has backups for most of your old mission gear, Kim. It also has backup Kimmunicators. I upgraded the encryption and tied them into you bases satellite system."

Kim beamed at him as she looked over the items in the storage area. "Wade, you rock!"

Kim handed everyone a Kimmunicator. "We will use these as a backup only. I trust Wade's encryption, but if they are looking for us, they may be able to detect their use." She looked the group over. "We will leave first thing in the morning."

~o~o~

Kim followed Shego into the bases Dojo, intending to get in a workout before they retired for the night. They paused when they saw Ron and Yori sparring to a driving metal beat coming from the room's speakers but moved forward when they motioned for them to enter.

Yori bowed to them. "I hope you do not mind Ron and I using the Dojo? I can remove the music if you wish?"

Shego muttered, "No problem" as she and Kim felling to their stances. They stared at each other for a moment, waiting for the right instant to launch their attacks when the both stiffened as the music changed. The driving metal beat had been replace by a bouncy J-pop beat accompanied by a high-pitched cheerful sounding teen girl's voice. Their heads swiveled as one to regard Ron and Yori. Ron had a resigned look on his face and simply shook his head at the look on their faces. Yori had a slight smile on her face with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"What the hell is that?" Shego demanded, an annoyed glare directed at Yori.

"Babymetal." They turned as a laugh the door accompanied the answer. Everyone turned to see Ken and Will standing there, a bemused look that matched Kim and Shego's on Kens face and a broad grin on Will's.

"You know them?" Yori inquired.

Will bowed as he entered the Dojo, followed by Ken. "I caught part of their show at the Sonispere Festival while I was on a mission. Since then I have obtained all of their releases and arranged to see both nights of their show at Budokan."

Yori sighed. "You are so lucky, I have never been lucky enough to see them live."

"Quit with the chit-chat and just tell us what this is." Shego huffed.

Will bowed to Yori. "If I may?" Once she had given a small nod, he continued. "Babymetal is a Japanese idol metal band. They are a death metal band fronted by a three girl J-pop idol group."

"Why?" Shego asked looking from Will to Yori.

"Why not? You have to admit, they have a very catchy sound." Will replied.

Shego shook her head. "OK, I just don't see how popular something like this could be."

Yori gave high-pitched laugh. "Their first album went gold and they were the number one download on iTunes in both the US and the UK for several weeks. They played Budokan for two sold out shows. The even played several show with Lady Gaga."

Shego gave her head an annoyed shake. "Whatever. Let's get back to our sparing so we can get to bed by a decent hour. We have to get up early for the mission."

The rest of them gave her an amused look as they all settled into their stances and resumed their sparing.

~O~O~O~

Mask spotted Ken Du watching the entrance to his hotel as he returned from lunch and thanked his luck that he was using an alternate identity. After carefully checking for and finding additional observers, Mask made his way past his him and into the hotel. He reached his room and, checking his watch, entered. He resumed his normal cover identity and sat by the phone, waiting for his Master's call. He debated not telling him about the Du brothers but decided that truth was still the best policy, for now.

When the call came, he was not surprised at his Master's reaction to his report nor was he surprised at this Master's orders either. His sighting of the Du brothers was brushed off as unimportant. His orders included several visits to other agents in the area that would inevitable expose him to anyone who was trailing him. Hanging up, he feared that his Master was simply using him as a distraction, that there was no plan to save or rescue him if he was captured.

He silently reviewed his options and rapidly concluded his only hope was to evade anyone watching him and vanish from everyone's sight. Earlier, he had wondered if his side trip during lunch to check on his emergency preparations had been a sign of paranoia but now he was glad he had taken the time. He gave a self-pitying sigh and went to bed, knowing that what happened tomorrow would determine his future for years to come. He would need to be well rested if he wanted to have a chance of pulling off his escape.

~o~o~

Will glanced at his brother out of the corner of his eye to check that everything was OK, then returned to watching the lobby of the hotel their target was supposed to be staying at. The last two days had revealed no sign of the target and he was starting to wonder if they had been spotted or if the target had fled. His thoughts were quickly dismissed when he saw the target exit the elevator and walk toward the main entrance. He whispered an alert as he exited the hotel and moved with his brother to follow the target.

He headed around the hotel, passing in front of Shego's position before heading to the rear of the hotel where he re-entered the hotel after passing Ron and Yori's position. Once inside the hotel, he made his way to the elevators and headed to the garage level. When informed of this, Dr. Director warned them to keep a look out for some type of ambush, as it seemed the target was aware of them and was almost taunting them.

As they passed Ann's position, the target dodged to the side, slipping from sight between several vans. They fanned out to make certain he didn't escape but were brought up short when no trace of him was found. There questions were answered a moment later when Nancy asked why Ann was exiting the garage and not responding to communication. They moved to follow him but when they reached the street; no sign of him could be seen.

After a brief consultation, the group fanned out looking for any sign of the target. The Du brothers helped Ann and Nancy to cover the garage, while Kim, Shego, Ron and Yori covered the street and nearby businesses. They searched for several minutes but found no sign of him. Kim was talking with Shego about his possible movements when Nancy approached.

"There was no sign of . . ." she was cut off as Kim launched a side kick at her.

"You aren't my Nana." Kim growled at figure that avoided her attack with a panicked dive to the side. Kim pursuit was delayed by the explosion of a smoke grenade. Choking from the acrid smoke, she jumped back and looked for the target. Neither she nor Shego saw any sign of him on the street so, after a swift silent consultation, they started to sweep the street in the only direction he could have gone.

~o~o~

Mask milled around with the crowd in a nearby store, waiting for the searchers to move away and give him a chance to escape. His plan required Possible and her allies to follow him and draw out the men his Master must have shadowing him. If he could get the Possibles and his shadows involved in a fight that would he give a chance to escape and make his way to one his bolt holes. It looks like the main problem would be surviving that long.

As the searchers moved away, he made his way from the shop and toward his hotel, keeping a wary eye open for any of the Possibles. His original plan of sowing confusion using his shape shifting had proven a failure, when it seemed everyone with the Possibles could see through his shifts with ease. He now hoped to lead them on a chase through the streets that would draw out his Master's shadows and give him a chance to slip away.

Once on the main street he slowly made his way past his hotel and toward the main shopping strip near hoping the more open area with larger crowds would give him the space and time he needed for his plan. He used nearby shop windows and car mirrors to check for tails. He was please to see one of the Du brothers maintaining a discreet tail on him, obviously suspicious of him but not sure if he was their target. He smiled to himself as he looked for a good place to create a diversion, somewhere where the chaos would be maximized but the danger to him minimized.

~o~o~

Ken Du kept a discreet distance from the young man in jeans and polo shirt that he was following. Something about him was off; he moved just a little too smoothly through the crowd and seemed to scan the area for tails with disturbing regularly. He might just be an undercover law enforcement office or other government agent but Ken thought that unlikely. He fell back, almost out of visual range or the target as he received word Ron was in place over his earpiece.

Ken watched out of the corner of his eye as Ron casually approached the target that as he was browsing in a large open-air farmers market and gave him a searching look with blue tinged eyes. Ron gave Ken a subtle shake of his head after a giving the target a thorough going over. Ron turned to leave when a shapely blonde woman in a sundress pushed over a large stack of crates onto the crowd of shoppers near Ron and the target. Ron effortlessly stepped aside as the target and numerous members of the crowd were hit by the crates and their contents.

Ken seethed inwardly as the blonde turned and waved at him before disappearing into the crowd. He moved to follow but stopped when he saw the man they had been following, who was now covered in the remnants of the fruit and vegetables that had been in the crates that fell on him, had pulled a gun and was questioning Ron. He hurried over to them as he pulled his badge from his pocket.

"Global Justice, he is with me." Ken stayed calm as the man turned to regard him his gun pointed at his chest.

"Long Beach PD, why were you following me?" The man squinted at him suspiciously.

"We weren't, we were following another target and noticed you also appeared to be following them to. My partner moved into to investigate and had just cleared you when are target knocked over the crates." Ken glanced to the street where an ambulance had pulled up and EMTs were starting to treat the injured.

"Why were you following the blonde?" The officer waved over several other police officers.

Ken sighed, his hopes of ending this quickly rapidly vanishing. "She is believed to be a courier. We were trying to find her local contact."

The officer nodded and paused to confer with the other officers for a moment. "All right, you can go, just keep us appraised of your activities from now on."

Ken flashed an evil grin. "Of course officer, you do have copies of your UN and DOJ high security clearance as well as the relevant non-disclosure agreement and secrecy articles."

Ron hid a grin as the officer gave Ken a stunned look. "Wha . . . What?"

"Those are all required by the Global Justice Enabling Treaty as well as the Co-Operation with Foreign Force Enforcement Regimes law that implements the treaty." Ken favored him with a smug little smile. "Once we receive the paperwork, we will be happy to give you regular updates."

Ken motioned for Ron to follow him as he brushed past the officers and set off in the direction the blonde girl had gone.

~o~o~

Mask ducked into a shallow nook between two stacks of crates and quickly shifted his form. His hair shortened and turned from blonde to red, his feature sharpened and grew more delicate while his body slimmed and his clothes shifted from a sundress to a pair of Bermuda shorts and a button down oxford shirt. Once the change was complete, he surveyed the area before stepping out into the crowd and slowly moving toward Du and company.

He saw a young Japanese girl standing nearby that he recognized as one he had seen near his hotel. Even though he saw no evidence that she was watching him or the surrounding area, he was certain she was with Possible and company. He carefully made his way back up the street toward his hotel, giving Du and his people just enough clues to be suspicious but not enough to justify moving immediately against him.

Near the halfway point to his hotel, he turned down a side street, following the route he would have taken if he had gone to meet the people his Master had directed him to. He hoped there would be some of his Master's agents waiting to intervene against the Possibles, giving him a chance to escape. He kept a sharp watch out for any sign of the agents he hoped were there, as well as looking for a place that would give him the room he would need if a fight between him and the Possibles erupted.

After several minutes of walking, he saw a small open area in front of a number of local stores that would suit his purpose. He increased his speed and ducked into the crowd milling there seeking a secluded spot to change his appearance. He slid between two SUV's that hid him from the sight of the crowd and quickly shifted his shape. He kept his height the same but increased his weight to over two hundred pounds, thinned his hair, shifted his sex to male and altered his clothing to khaki slacks and a loud Hawaiian shirt. Once he was finished, he stepped out from between the vehicles and into the crowd.

~o~o~

Anne and Nancy had shadowed her daughter from a nearby street, with the Du brothers doing the same on the other side. Kim and Shego were trailing Ron and Yori by a block, hoping that they would be the least likely to be noticed by the target of their hunt, who they suspected was currently disguised as a thin red headed woman in shorts. They started to move in quickly when Yori sent a message over their communications units.

"Target is now shaped like a man in khakis and a Hawaiian shirt. He is moving toward the dock area."

Dr. Director replied. "We have confirmation of the target's identity, move in and secure."

"Confirmed." Relied Will Du.

"Roger." Nancy replied.

"Hai." Yori replied.

"On it." Kim replied.

As they closed in, they saw the target searching for an avenue of escape before standing still with his arms held at his side but away from his body. He gave an exasperated look at Kim and Anne as the approached to detain him. Just as they started to bind his hands, he gave a short laugh.

"Looks like not today, ladies."

They turned to see what had caused his mirth and were shocked by what they saw. Jim and Tim Possible were standing in the middle of the street, each wearing a suit on powered armor. Once they saw they had their sister's and mother's attention, they moved forward.

"Let that man go. We have been deputized to take you into custody. Surrender now and you won't get hurt."

~O~O~O~

A/N – The next chapter, Sibling Rivalry, should be posted soon.