Chapter 10 : I will show you Fear in a handful of dust

Scene : GJ Headquarters, Western Division

"That was some whacked gas the Bebes used !" Ron complained to Kim as they walked down the hall, "I have that 'my leg fell asleep' feeling ALL OVER MY BODY !"

"At least there was an antidote available !" Kim replied as she tried to brush the 'bed head' look out of her hair, "Otherwise, we'd either have to wait an hour or so for it to wear off naturally, or never recover at all !"

Ron thought about that for a moment. "Why DID they use a non-lethal attack, and let us live ? I mean, we were laying there helpless, and they just grabbed Shego and ran !"

"I have no idea what those 'bots are up to, or how they think Ron." Kim replied, "But we know a few 'people' that do !"

Far ahead of them down the corridor, Kim noticed two agents escorting a young woman to another location in the base.

They were armed with old fashioned guns. That used old fashioned lead and gunpowder bullets.

"Wait a minute ! That was Bonnie !" Kim stated to Ron. "Lethal firearms and not stun watches or blasters ? Now what's up with that ?" Kim asked herself as she quickened her pace to reach them.

Bonnie and the agents stepped into one elevator and left just before Kim and Ron reached them. But they did meet Doctor Director and Will Du as they got off a nearby elevator coming up.

"Excuse me Doctor Director," Kim asked, "What is Bonnie doing here ? And what's with the firepower ?"

"Your classmate Miss Rockwaller was brought in for questioning a few hours ago." she replied, "She was part of the Bebebots' Hive Mind, so there was a chance she might have retained some useful information. She didn't. But we later discovered that she acquired some unusual abilities instead."

"Unusual abilities ? Like what ?" Kim asked.

"She can now communicate directly with computers and electronic devices. A form of machine telepathy, as far as we can tell." Will replied plainly, "We're having her tested to see just what abilities she actually has, and what her limits are."

"Bonnie ? With superpowers ?! Oh great ! " Kim groused to herself, "She was annoying before; she's going to be completely insufferable now ! "

"So that's why those other guys were packing guns instead of their usual high tech gadgets !" Ron said as he figured it out, "They're not taking a chance of her telling the devices to self-destruct or something ! Right ?"

"Exactly." Doctor Director replied.

"Could she really do that ?" Kim had to ask.

"A High Security door with several electronic locks opened for her simply because she told it to."

"So, eh heh, I guess she really can do that then ! Thank you ! " Kim replied before another agent strode toward them.

"The Clockwork Trio has been secured in the ready room as per your orders, ma'am." he stated as he saluted Doctor Director.

"The 'Clockwork Trio' ? " Kim groaned to herself, "Secret agencies and their code phrases ! "

"Permission to speak freely, ma'am ?" Will asked as officiously as he could.

Doctor Director sighed. "Granted. What's on your mind, Agent Du ?"

"Why are we even dealing with the Rossums ?" Will began, "They haven't been part of the Bebebot Hive Mind for almost a year. Their thinking has most likely diverged from the others. How much longer can their insights be considered useful, or even valid ?"

"I never expected them to be able to perfectly predict the behaviour and actions of the other Bebebots, Will." Doctor Director replied, "They were programmed differently than the Others, have had different experiences, and have learned different things, so of course their thinking would diverge. It was inevitable. They don't think like the other Bebebots, but they don't think like humans either. The fact they don't think exactly like us is valuable all by itself; their three alternative viewpoints gives us an edge the Hive Mind will NEVER have."

Will mulled it over a bit. "Why are we utilizing alternative viewpoints from even more civilians, ma'am ? I assumed we had sufficient input from civilians as it was." he continued, glaring briefly at Kim and Ron.

"Technology is advancing at an ever increasing rate, Will." Doctor Director replied, "Sooner or later, either by accident or intent, there will be many more sentient robots on the planet."

"And by treating the Rossums fairly now, other robots will have less to rebel against later !" Kim stated once she figured it out, "You're preventing a war before it ever has a chance to start !"

"I wouldn't go that far, Miss Possible." Doctor Director answered, "There may or may not be conflicts with robots in the future. But it is always a good idea to contain potentially volatile situations before they can get out of hand."

They eventually came to a door with two armed guards standing watch. "This must be the place ! " Kim noted to herself as they went in.

Sitting at one end of the table was a tech in a white lab coat, surrounded by files he was frantically sifting and rummaging through.

The sisters seemed to be in a very serious (and silent) discussion, relying on their built-in mind link for privacy. Vina was as animated as Tina was meditative and still.

Kim tensed up instinctively for a moment when saw Vina in her natural robotic state. "I still can't get used to seeing her like that ! " Kim thought to herself as she found a chair across from the Rossums, "But, then again, its not everyday I see a Bebebot up THIS close that isn't try to kill me ! "

"So, Miss Possible" Will stated in the most condescending tone he had, "Did you uncover anything in Go City that we at Global Justice didn't already know ?"

"Well, no !" Kim sniped back, "Unless you count getting exposed to a bizarre gas useful information !"

"Actually, Miss Possible, that is quite useful." Nina stated, not even looking up from the filched notes she was reading.

Kim and Ron looked at each other. "Uhm, so HOW is getting exposed to a noxious gas useful info ?" Ron asked.

"Why do you think they would they kidnap Shego ?" Nina replied.

"Well, to gain her powers of course !" Kim replied before realizing something truly horrible. "Oh great ! And once they hook her up to the Hive Mind, they'll ALL be acting like Shego ! And I thought a herd of Bonnies was bad !"

"And just what is that supposed to mean ?" Vina asked in a very quiet and icy tone as she glared evilly at Kim.

"Nothing at all. Really !" Kim replied sheepishly, "Why you getting on my case about it ?"

"Don't get too riled up by V's comments. She's just being a little overprotective." Tina stated as she patted Vina's shoulder to calm her down.

"Oh, that's right ! Bonnie is in your family tree !" Ron exclaimed once he figured it out. "And no one likes people badmouthing their relatives !

But, wait, what sort of relation IS Bonnie to you three anyways ? Three quarter sister ? Tenth cousin ? Third aunt ? Half cousin twice removed ?"

"That ... isn't important right now." Vina grumbled at them, preferring not to tell them that, technically speaking, Bonnie is their grandmother.

"Ohhhkay, fine !" Kim replied, "So, Nine, why WOULDN'T they connect Shego to the Hive Mind ?"

"Utilizing her personality would require an active link, like Bonnie's was." Nina replied, "That is far too risky to attempt with someone like Shego ! I believe your earlier deduction was incorrect - Shego's plasma powers were just a minor side bonus, never their main goal."

"Her plasma powers were a MINOR bonus ?" Ron stammered, "What else could they want from her BESIDES her superpowers ? And why use such a weird gas instead of standard knock-out gas ?"

"And what do they plan to do with her once they have whatever they need ?" Will Du asked.

"Due to their absolute dedication to efficiency, Bebebots steal only what they need, and not a single item more." Nina began in her Sherlock Holmes exposition mode, "There were several other items stolen when they tried to reacquire us, correct ?"

"Well, yes. Eight other thefts were launched at the same time." Will stated.

"The fact that they have launched such a brazen series of thefts indicates that they believe they have found a way to defeat the Human Factor. Thus, everything they have stolen is to be used. Do any of the items stolen seem odd or out of place ?"

"They're all so random !" Kim replied with an exasperated huff, "Electronics and computer supplies, cell culture supplies, a genomic editor, a rocket, some sort of experimental glass, and some neuroprobes.

I can see what the computer chips and electronics and cell cultures supplies are for - building more Bebebots, and using the cells stolen from Team Go to access their powers. I suppose the rocket is needed to launch whatever they have in mind. I'm guessing the genomic editor and the experimental glass sort of fits in, somehow !" she continued deep in thought, "But what are neuroprobes used for ? They didn't need those when they attached Bonnie to the Hive Mind."

"Neuroprobes are part of an experimental device for brain surgery." the lab tech piped in, not looking up from his notes, "They are used to monitor or influence neurons deep in the brain without the need to cut through the skull, or dig through brain tissue."

"From I have been told, Shego is one of the most dangerous women on the planet." Nina stated, "Her knowledge and skills are far more valuable to the Others than her metapowers. I suspect they will use the neuroprobes to access Shego's memories for downloading into the Hive Mind. This process requires the subject to be alive and awake. Therefore, curare was the only option. This way, they do not have to keep her strapped to a chair and deal with the risk of her nearly inevitable escape.

This means that, by now, the Others know everything Shego knows. All of her skills - like her martial arts prowess, stealth, and infiltration competence. And all of her underworld contacts, and the location of valuable items and people."

"Okay, well, if you put it THAT way, I guess her superpowers weren't the main goal after all !" Ron stated, "But they are still useful !"

"True. They can always acquire a cell sample from her while she is in their custody. An upgrade is an upgrade after all." Nina replied with a shrug, "But what they will do with her once she is no longer of use ? I do not know. I would suggest you find her as quickly as possible in any case."

"Those are some 'interesting' deductions, Miss Rossum." Will stated in a bored tone, "But why should we take anything you suggest seriously ? The only reason you're helping us is because you don't want to die !"

"Yes, that is ONE reason," Nina replied, "and a big one to be sure. But we do have others."

"What other reasons could you possibly have to betray your own kind - by helping a species you were originally designed and built to deceive and destroy ?"

Nina snorted derisively. "You humans can be so arrogant sometimes. We are not helping you for YOUR benefit. Or for OUR benefit. We're trying to help the Others avoid making a terrible and needless mistake ! And the only way to help them - is to help you stop them."

"That is the most absurd thing I've ever heard !" Will stammered incredulously.

"That it is, Agent Du, that it is." Tina replied sagely, "But that does not make it any less true."

"Well, that viewpoint is a bit more 'alternative' than I was expecting ..." Doctor Director thought to herself as she massaged the bridge of her nose, before asking Nina for clarification.

"I have analyzed all relevant data that I could access, and have determined the optimum life strategy from my species. And what the Others are doing now is NOT it !" Nina continued, looking depressed.

"An 'optimum life strategy' ? That sounds like actuarian talk to me !" Ron noted.

"In a way, it is." Nina replied plainly as she adjusted her glasses, "An optimum life strategy grants the greatest benefits while minimizing costs. Given the currently available data, the best strategy is 'mutual assistance' - 'you help us, we help you'."

The room was very quiet as everyone gaped at Nina.

"But since we all know THAT will never happen," she continued with a dismissive wave of her hand, "the next best is 'peaceful coexistence' - we don't bother you, you don't bother us. It does not have the much greater benefits of the mutual assistance strategy, but it has no spectacular costs either.

There is no real point in taking over the world by force - in the long run, the payoff is not worth the cost. Nor is there any real need. The Others were doing just fine for a year with no major casualties by not bothering anyone; they have lost over a dozen or more fighting Kim in just the last week ! How could they consider that a better idea ?"

"Big, ambitious plans sometimes require major sacrifices." Will noted, "What's a few thousand robots to gain a world ? Especially hive-minded ones ?"

"Would you drive two thousand miles, fight a hundred armed guards, and pay a few hundred dollars for a cup of coffee you could just have easily purchased from the hall vending machine ?" Tina asked.

"Well, no, of course NOT !" Will replied huffily.

"Then WHY should the Others sacrifice anything when there is no real need ? Such excessive use of time and resources is utterly pointless, and completely illogical." Nina continued for her sister, "There is no rational reason to take over the world. The only reasons you humans seem fascinated with the concept is as a vanity project : a way to show off how smart, or how powerful, or how evil you are.

From a purely logical viewpoint, such efforts are completely irrational, and not worth considering. Much less doing."

"Uhm, Nina, if you've determined that anything BUT violence is the best idea ..." Ron began.

"... then WHY are the Others still trying to take over the world ?" Kim finished.

"The path is clearly defined and quite simple to follow," Tina cited from memory, "yet most lose themselves in ideological fogs of their own making."

"Heh ?" Ron replied, not sure whether he preferred her path analogies over Sensei's gardening tips.

"Logic is the science of arguments." Nina replied after a few moments to figure out the simplest way to explain, "It is a process used to determine if premise A actually leads to conclusion Z, how good the deductions and inferences are, how sound and valid the starting premises are, and if the final conclusions are truly sound.

But perfect logic applied to a flawed premise leads to error.

The idea that evolution DEMANDS that the superior wipe out the inferior ? Pure unmitigaged folly ! It is an example of a classic error known as the naturalistic fallacy. A misunderstanding of the is/ought problem."

"The 'is/ought problem ?" Ron asked, "What the heck is the 'is/ought problem' ?"

"Simply put, you can't use what is as a guide to what ought to be. For example, Miss Possible is a great martial artist; that in no way says that she ought to go around beating up lesser skilled people !

Or, if someone is poor and miserable, that doesn't mean they ought to be - or remain - that way !"

"And so being 'more evolved' doesn't really demand eliminating the 'lesser evolved', does it ?" Kim asked once she figured out where Nina's argument was going.

"Precisely. The idea that it does is a common error - one I hoped the Others would not make."

Nina slumped, then continued with a sad, forlorn tone. "The Others believe that world domination is a goal worthy of their efforts, and that it can be accomplished by the use of force. This cannot end well. They will try to take over the world, and keep trying until they either succeed, or are all destroyed. They will see any defeats as setbacks and challenges to be overcome, not as evidence that they are on the fast track to extinction.

So, unless we can convince them otherwise, they will just keep getting faster, stronger, more powerful, meaner and more vicious until they win.

Or, because of their extremely low numbers, ultimately wiped out. Along this path, an entire species dies for no. good. reason."

"Can't they learn that violence is a bad idea ?" Ron asked, "You three did !"

"We were specifically designed to learn quickly, Mr Stoppable. And to judge the merits of different ideas. And actually HAVE different ideas." Nina replied before continuing "A Hive Mind does not change very quickly, if at all. It can gather and utilize data at phenomenal speed, but isn't very good at creative or original thought."

"Well, those tactics they used against me were certainly new and creative !" Kim replied huffily.

"Actually, they weren't." Tina stated, "Humans have been beating on each other for thousands of years, and recording what techniques worked best. All the Others have done is research to uncover better and more efficient ways to do violent and dangerous things."

"So, in other words, once they get an idea into their communal head, there's no getting it out, right ?" Kim asked.

Nina sighs forlornly, sounding much older and world-weary than her (apparent) years, "Sadly, no. They can be, well, quite single minded. Your species was violent and acquisitive once, when it first started out millions of years ago, but you did learn to get along with each other. Well, mostly. If your species could do it, the Others should be able to as well."

"Are you seriously claiming that all this is just a phase they'll grow out of ?" Will asked, sounding more annoyed than usual.

"Yes." Nina answered as she adjusted her glasses, "Examine your own species' history. Or the history of any culture that has ever left a record. The pattern is the same - they became LESS violent as they matured. The Bebebot culture is quite young, but should mature very quickly if given the chance.

They're advanced enough to have wants and desires, but not quite advanced enough to value concepts like cooperation and tolerance. Yet."

"As things stand now," Tina began, "If their plot succeeds, they will remain as they are forever, for there will be no one to show them the errors of their ways. No reason to change. No alternatives to consider. Once they take over this world, they will move out into the stars, to become a threat to all out there."

"But nothing is forever." Nina continued for her, "Sooner or later, all civilizations fall, either from forces within, or from without. All that anyone would remember about the Bebebots is that they were a race of murderous machines that had to be put down. They'd be on par with the Daleks.

And even THEY learned in the end.

I would like my species' legacy to be something more than just perfected brutality."

"Why is she so concerned about what other people may think about them ?" Ron whispered to Kim, "Is there a food chain at work here that I don't know about or something ?"

"Ron ! Wait, that's it !" Kim answered, "I think they've inherited Bonnie's sense of pride and image consciousness !"

"I thought those were BAD things !"

"Well, sometimes they are, Ron." Kim replied, "It all depends on what image they take pride in !"

"So, Nine, the main reason you're helping US is to help the Others, by turning them from violence, right ?" Kim asked her directly.

"Correct." she answered, "Is that going to be a problem ?"

"You do realize your plan may not work, right ? That the other Bebes may just be too set to change or even listen ?"

"You have two younger brothers, right ?" Vina asked plainly.

"Yeah. Why ?" Kim asked, suspicious of what Vina could be getting at.

"If they began turning to evil, would you abandon them ? Or would you do everything within your power to lead them back ?"

"What kind of a question is that ?" Kim replied, "I'd try to lead them back of course !"

"Even if everyone else said there was no hope ? Or even if there WAS no hope ?"

Kim thought for a moment. "Okay, point to you."

"I know I'm being irrational, but I can not - WILL NOT - abandon the Others without at least trying to help them find a better way." Nina began, looking determined, "As sentient beings, their fate should be in their own hands. For a change. If they CHOOSE the path of conquest, evil and violence, then they must live with the consequences."

"We have no problem with the Others being arrested and jailed for being criminals." Vina piped in, "But we DO have a problem with them being arrested and jailed - or destroyed - just for being robots !"

"Hmm ! Looks like Nine is trying to be a Big Sister to ALL robots, not just Ten and Vina !" Kim noted to herself, "And it looks like V's turning into civil rights crusader. Could lead to serious problems down the road if this sitch isn't handled properly."

"Those are very noble sentiments Miss Rossum." Doctor Director stated, "But we should table such concerns until AFTER we have stopped whatever the Others have in mind."

"That's assuming the Bebes ARE directly responsible, ma'am." Will stated, "It's quite possible that someone has hacked into their systems and is controlling them. It would be a very efficient way to acquire a large, powerful and obedient army. And we know someone has been helping them acquire supplies and technology."

"Yeah, about that ?" Kim asked, "Have your forensic accountants had any luck finding out WHO has been buying tech for the Bebes ?"

"No. The purchases were routed through half a dozen shell companies." Will replied, "And those companies' records were altered to cover the few remaining trails."

"So whoever is helping the Bebes really knows how to cover their tracks !" Kim replied, trying to think of who would have such skills.

"Or they could just barter with the Bebes directly." Ron offered, "That wouldn't leave a paper trail."

"Which means it could be any one of several villains." Doctor Director noted as several images flickered onto the large display screen behind them.

"Could DNAmy or some other bio-scientist be behind this ?" Ron asked, "I mean, Bebebots don't have DNA, so they'd have no experience working with it !"

Kim smiled for a moment, then frowned. "No, I don't think so Ron. DNAmy is into cute and cuddly - and there is NOTHING cute or cuddly about this plot so far ! And she's the only warped bio-scientist we know of that deals with DNA."

"Actually, you don't need much experience to work with DNA." the lab tech piped in, "Almost all solutions and media are available pre-made and ready to use. And anyone can pick up the 'Molecular Biology for Dummies Lab Guide' series of books for less than three hundred dollars off the 'net. All the necessary procedures were worked out and perfected decades ago."

"What about Drakken ?" Kim offered, "He knows their systems better than anyone. And gaining control over them would be revenge, since they decided he was 'unfit to command' the last time he dealt with them."

"His knowledge of their operating systems does make him a viable suspect." Will noted, "But I doubt he is behind this because, quite frankly, he has never demonstrated much fiscal ability before."

"Heh ?" Ron asked.

"He's never been good with money or covering his tracks this well, Ron."

"Oh, right ! What about Frugal Lucre then ?"

Everyone - even the Rossums - looked at him like he had grown a second head.

"Well, he DOES have the computer skills, AND he knows how to cause a lot of trouble with very little fundage !" Ron stated defensively, "If anyone could hide a money trail, he could !"

Kim had to think about that for a moment. "Well, yes, but - Frugal Lucre ?! This isn't his style. He would've asked for a dollar from everyone by now."

"Oh, right ! What about Dementor then ?" Ron countered, "He's tech-savvy and into the whole 'take-over-the-world' gig."

"When he's not obsessing about my battlesuit !" Kim replied, "How about Gemini ? He's got the resources and desire to pull something like this !"

Vina was watching the screen displaying all the suspects with growing dismay as Kim and the GJ folk brainstormed. "You've annoyed quite a few dangerous people, Kim !"

"Hey ! Those people are TRYING TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD !" Kim sniped back, "I was more concerned with stopping them than dealing with their hurt feelings !"

"Right ! Which means you now have a huge list of suspects, and no way to narrow the list !" Vina snarked back, "And why are you so sure that one of these people is behind this plot ? The Others are quite capable of very long term planning on their own !"

"Well, if we can figure out WHO is helping them, we may have a clue about WHAT the Bebe's plot is, and how to stop it !" Kim replied.

"Oh, speaking of stopping plots, how did you manage to defeat the Others at the Hive so easily, Miss Possible ?" Nina inquired, "They learn from every defeat, and they were hard for you to deal with before, so they should have been quite difficult for you to deal with by now !"

"Kim's got a new bondiggety new battlesuit !" Ron boasted, "It's self healing, has a force bubble, enhances her strength, has a laser-reflecting hand thingy, and can turn invisible ! It'll probably take those 'bots MONTHS to figure out a way to defeat THAT ! Maybe even YEARS ! "

Tina sighed and shook her head. "They don't have to defeat Kim, or even fight her at all."

"Say what ?"

"From Sun Tzu's 'The Art of War', 'So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak.'

Water flows AROUND obstacles in its path. Kim is an obstacle. Therefore, their best strategy is to simply flow around her. Be where she is not. Then all her suit's powers and all her considerable fighting prowess count for nothing.

'In war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns.'

They will focus on their ultimate goal, instead of constantly engaging in many time consuming, costly battles they cannot win. Once the world is under their control, they can dispose of any lingering threats at their leisure.

Honestly Ronald, didn't they cover any of this at Yamanouchi ?"

"No, the school is more focused on teaching the physical arts of combat and - HEY ! How did you know I was at Yamanouchi ?!"

"Wade isn't the only one that knows how to do research !" Nina smiled cryptically.

"So, how much DO you know ?" Kim asked, glaring at Nina.

"I know Ron was at Yamanouchi," Nina replied, "and that Hirotaka and Yori attended there, and it must be a secretive school given that Yori had NO RECORDS WHATSOEVER ! Which is a huge red flag, by the way. That's all I could find out BEFORE WADE SET MY KEYBOARD ON FIRE !"

"This could be bad, Ron !" Kim replied after a few moments of thought.

"Yeah, I'll say ! If Nina could find out about Yamanouchi, who else could find it ?"

"Well, that's another problem !" Kim replied, "But everyone else's 'take-over-the-world' plots involved capturing or defeating us first !"

"Of course they did !" Nina replied, "For humans, taking over the world is a vanity project. And defeating you two is an irresistible challenge. But for the Others, it is merely a distraction. So this plot will not be as easily foiled as the others you have faced.

As to what the Others are up, or what their actual plot is ? Too many options and insufficient data to decide which one is more likely. I can't use logic in this case - any ideas Tina ?"

Anyone else would have taken that as an insult, but Tina took it in stride. "Sifu has stated that 'your greatest strength is your greatest weakness'. What is the Bebebots' greatest strength ? What is their central defining quality ?"

"They think they're perfect !" Kim replied.

"Exactly. They believe they have found the perfect way around the Human Factor. They will hold off using it until the perfect time. Or they need to launch it from the perfect place."

"So, if we could just figure out what that 'perfect' plan is, we can find the perfect way to stop them." Kim continued.

"Did you happen to retrieve some data from the Kansas Hive's computers while you were rescuing Vina ? It may provide a clue." Nina asked.

"Oh, right ! I did ! I gave it to GJ for the techs to analyze !"

"You DID manage to decipher the information on that disc, right ?" Doctor Director asked the lab tech point-blank.

"Ah, yes ma'am. This is what we found." he replied nervously before the display screen filled with strings of As, Cs, Gs, and Ts. "We determined that is the sequence of an omega-class engineered virus."

Noting the barely suppressed expression of shock from Director and Will Du, Ron asked "Uh, do we really want to know what an omega-class virus does ?"

The lab tech pulled a thumb-sized glass vial out of a pocket of his lab coat. Inside the vial was a pea-sized drop of a pearlescent liquid.

"This would be enough super concentrated virus to kill ten million people." he stated plainly, holding the vial up for everyone to see.

Terror gripped Ron so tightly he had trouble breathing.

"The Bebebot's virus is far more dangerous."

"Far more dangerous ?" Kim asked, barely able to speak, "HOW can it POSSIBLY be more dangerous ?!"

"Standard bioweapons at excessive concentrations can kill off all available hosts, which limits its range." the tech replied flatly, "The Bebes' Omega virus can infect any living thing, but only humans would die from it. If enough gets loose, the world's population would drop to about six or seven thousand within a month, assuming one person in a million is natively immune.

And once the virus splices itself into the genome of the survivors, it will produce a H.E.G - a homing endonuclease gene. It will splice copies of itself into key genes required for sperm production, disabling them and generating sterility. The human race would then breed itself into extinction within twelve generations. Assuming the few initial survivors could reach sufficient population density and had a broad enough gene pool to last that long."

The only sound in the room was Ron still struggling to breathe.

Visibly pale and shaken, Kim stated "That plan is ..."

"Inhuman ? Yes, it is." Nina replied, looking ashamed that she was 'related' to beings that would do such a thing, "A human would never risk such a plan, for their would be no one left to rule over; and because the virus is so effective, it would be in a human inventor's best interest to THREATEN to use it, but never actually do so."

"But isn't ruling over other people kinda the whole POINT of world domination ?" Kim stammered, "Hard to dominate our species if our species isn't around to dominate !"

"Why do you think they would WANT to dominate your species ?" Nina replied quietly, still looking down, "Pretend, for a moment, that the Others won. What do you think they would have you do for them ?

Build monuments to their glory ? No. They would not waste valuable resources on gaudy statues.

Have you labor for them ? No. Compared to Bebebots, humans are fragile, inefficient, and rebellious. Bebebots can either do the jobs better themselves, or build machines to do any job humans could do, more efficiently WITHOUT the risk of a rebellion. It would be illogical to let humans anywhere near technology that can be turned against them.

Therefore, in their view, the human race is simply not worth subjugating. So they will not waste time making demands, threats, or ultimatums. They will not waste time trying to scare you into surrender by use of slow terror tactics; they will simply try to kill you. Quickly and efficiently. By the most effective means at their disposal. Their Omega virus.

No humans, no Human Factor to contend with. As efficient and coldly logical as it is simple-minded and brutal. And, as Bebebots are natively immune

to all diseases, there is no vaccine for you to heroically recover from them."

"TEN MILLION PEOPLE ?!" Ron finally managed to squeak, "That vial is toxic enough to kill ten million people ?! WHY ARE YOU CARRYING THAT THING AROUND ?!"

The lab tech looked embarrased for a moment. "Oh, this isn't real virus ! It's just some dye in a vial to illustrate the point. This amount of virus would have to be distributed over an extremely large area to have maximum effect."

"Well, you Bebebots certainly don't do anything halfway, do you Nine ?" Will challenged Nina in the most accusatory tone he could muster.

"No. We don't." Nina replied in a flat, despondent monotone, "I suspected the Others were planning something truly horrible, but I was not expecting this !"

"And you seriously believe the other Bebebots are worth helping ? Even now ?" Will continued the interrogation, "And why should ANYONE accept your help - OR your word about anything ?"

"My sisters and I had no part of this !" Vina stepped in to protect Nina, "The Others are OUR enemies too ! Once they eliminate your species, they will come for us. I would rather they didn't ! I was kidnapped and dismantled by them, remember ? So it is in our best interest to help you stop them ! I don't know whether they can be rehabilitated or not, but that really isn't important right now ! STOPPING THEM IS !"

"Uh, KP ?" Ron whispered to Kim, "If the Bebes put one hundred percent effort into everything they do, and V and her sisters have decided to help us humans ..."

" ... it might be worth keeping them around !" Kim finished, still not absolutely sure about any of this. The Rossums could be setting up an intricate triple or quadruple cross or something.

But, as Vina said, stopping the Bebes' plot is the highest priority.

"What kind of rocket did the Bebebots steal ?" Kim asked, trying to get the conversations back on a more useful track.

Will consulted his info-pad. "An S-520. Rather small payload capacity. Generally used for upper atmosphere research."

"So, if the Bebes wanted to do this PERFECTLY, and infect as many people as possible as quickly as possible, where would they aim ?"

"Excellent question Miss Possible." Doctor Director stated as she typed a bit on a keyboard. A holographic globe flickered into view, displaying color-coded population densities. "About half the world's population lives in India, China and Japan."

"Wow ! That's a LOT of area to infect there KP !" Ron noted, "How could they do that with just one rocket ?"

"They'd need a way to spread the virus out." Kim replied while deep in thought, "I got it ! Where are the jetstreams for that part of the world ?"

A few keystrokes later, and the holo-globe displayed them.

"The Bebes are into perfection, eh ? So where is the PERFECT site to launch a rocket from to hit those jetstreams ?"

A few dozen points of light sparkled on the holo-globe for a second before the view zoomed in on one.

"That's - the San Marco Platform, off the east coast of Africa." the lab tech stated, squinting at the display, "It hasn't been used for nearly twenty years, but the Italian government keeps it in perfect working condition."

"Dang ! Tina's 'your greatest strength is your greatest weakness' bit is actually paying off ! Big time !" Kim mused to herself. "Ok, this is going well ! We figured out WHAT the Bebes will launch, and WHERE they'll launch it from ! We figured out what most of the stolen stuff was for - except for that experimental glass they stole from Milan."

"And the genomic editor !" Ron suggested, "But I'm not sure I even want to KNOW what that thing does !"

"We have an idea about what the glass is for." the lab tech stated. "The virus must be delivered by a respiratory route for maximum effect. Which is best done as droplets of a certain key size. The stolen glass is nanoporous - full of small channels. If formed into beads a few tens of micrometers across, they could carry the virus solution safely to earth, and still be easily inhaled. Surface tension will keep the virus in the beads until released by surfactants inside the lungs.

The good news it that it would normally take at least three months - probably much more - to grow and concentrate enough virus to use. Something that toxic can't easy to culture.

The bad news is the genomic editor can solve that problem."

Kim sighs heavily. "What, exactly, does a genomic editor do ?"

"It edits an organism's DNA into any sequence you like, of course !" the tech replied smugly, "The 'bots could grow an easily cultured virus, concentrate it down, then run it through the genomic editor."

"Which would change it directly into their Omega virus !" Kim stated. "So, where could they grow that much virus and not be noticed ? And how long would it take ?"

"They'd need at least a month to grow enough of even the most easily cultured virus to use." he replied, "The equipment needed to grow viruses isn't very large, nor uses much power, so they could have facilities just about anywhere. They'll be hard to find."

"Hmmm - what about the genomic editor ? Anything odd or easily noticed about it ?"

"According to the specs Dr Weaver gave us, it produces a unique energy signature while in use."

"And they have just the one, right ?" Kim asked hopefully.

"It was a prototype device. One of a kind." Doctor Director noted, "We're not even sure if he'd worked all the kinks out of it before it was stolen."

"So, they may not be able to duplicate it, it may not even work, and if they fire that thing up, we'll be able to find them ? Spankin' !"

"Since we know the most likely launch location, we can keep it under surveillance, and delay the launch indefinitely if necessary. So we have even more time to foil them." Will stated, "So - Nine. Where would the stolen rocket be ?"

"Probably hidden on one of the smaller islands in Japan." Nina replied with a weak shrug, "It is difficult for even the Others to carry a rocket any distance in a chain of islands. And they still need to be close to parts and fuels, and well away from the launch site. They will not move the rocket until everything is ready to go. It is not wise to sequester all of one's resources within a single locale that your opponents know about and can eliminate."

Ron tried to decipher that phrase, and finally gave up with "Heh ?"

"Don't put all your eggs in one basket." Tina explained.

"Ah, yeah, right !"

"Since Global Justice has the launch site under control, me and Ron can look for the rocket." Kim stated, "And any virus production facilities.

So, Nine, what can we expect the other Bebes to be doing in the meantime ?"

Nina had to think for a moment. "I suspect they will work on growing the virus while building up their numbers, and acquiring every upgrade they can get their hands on. Because of their severely depleted numbers, they will have to cut back on risky missions. They'll probably need every 'bot they have just to keep the virus growing and the rocket - and themselves - functional. I would be surprised if they risked more than one or two triads per mission, and more than one mission a week, even enhanced with Shego's skills and knowledge."

"Well, THAT'S certainly good news for a change !" Kim noted, "And if they are looking for upgrades, that means they would be interested in grabbing Electronique."

"Electro-who ?" Vina asked.

"Electronique. An electronics wizard that can turn anything with wires into a weapon, and turn any weapon into a better weapon." Kim explained, "She would be a prime target for the Bebes, since they're electronic weapons already !"

"Oo ! And the advanced alien technology from Area 51 !" Ron offered, "That tech is really 'out of this world' !"

Both Nina and Tina laughed at that joke. "You really believe that place is real ?" Nina asked once she got control of herself.

"Uh, yeah, SINCE WE'VE BEEN THERE !" Ron answered snippily, "And Shego's been there too !"

Nina became very quiet, looking like a stunned fish while her error-trapping routines attempted to make sense of the new data. "I-it's a real place ?"

"Yup. Alien technology. Flying saucers. Yadda yadda yadda !" Ron replied smugy, "General Simms said they implemented a 'double negative' cover story or something. All stories leaked are one hundred percent true. Or so he said."

Tina was giggling like a four year old after eating a pound of sugar. "A double negative cover story ! That's brilliantly absurd ! And absurdly brilliant ! Someone could shout the truth from the rooftops and, without hard evidence to back him up, NO ONE WOULD BELIEVE HIM ! The secret is protected by being in plain sight !"

"Erm, okayyyyy" Ron replied while edging away from her, "Why would you think it isn't a real place N ?"

"You humans are prone to exaggeration and making things up." she replied flatly, "The Hive Mind assumed that anything found on the 'net was false until verified true."

Doctor Director made a few calls - one to Go City to tell the authorities to move Electronique to a more secure (and secret) location, and another to Area 51 to put them on full alert.