Chapter Four: Acclimation
A few hours after their encounter with the ships, they made it to Matalava. They arrived tired, bedraggled, and smelling faintly of space sickness.
Upon landing, Shego locked the skimmer's controls and climbed over the others to get out. The children were so tired and strung out from the journey that they barely moved. Their minder's protests were ignored. After mooring the skimmer, Shego left the cave and stalked up the trail. Halfway to her destination, she could hear footsteps behind her. She could also feel lasers being stared into her back. Ignoring them gave her pleasure.
She sprang lightly over the broken step and went over to the ether set. Her 'angry' finger activated the device. "Kingsport, this is Shego. Monty, Barkin, come in."
At Kingsport, Lt. Barkin smiled at the transmitter. "Mother Goose, is that you?"
Monty immediately took over. "Shego, I can't tell you how delighted I am…"
"You've Mother Goosed me for the last time!" Shego snarled.
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't play stupid with me. You'd sell out your father if you knew who he was."
"Trust me, I know his identity." Monty sighed. Before the former Harbor Master could say another word, Shego heard the sound of a board breaking on the porch. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Drago and Agni helping Kim pull her leg out of the hole. The older woman laughed before returning to the ether.
"Monty, get them off!"
"Get who off?" the man asked in confusion.
"You know who. Get them off!"
"No he doesn't," Kim answered. "The Catalina was under strict ether silence and the set at the station was destroyed. Nobody knew we were there."
"Would you stay out of this, lady?" Shego said.
"I'm only trying to help."
"I can handle this."
"I'm hungry," Shin said. The plea started an avalanche of requests from the children, for food, water, rest, home.
On his end, Monty could only ask. "Shego, what…who…SHEGO!"
Everyone on Matalava stopped and looked at the ether set. Monty spoke again. "Thank you. Now, who's there?"
Kim took the ether mic from Shego. "Who is this?"
"Commander Montgomery Fiske of the Commonwealth Deep Space Force and you are?"
"Kim Possible. My father is Head of Propulsion Studies at the Midworld Space Center. My mother is Chief of Neurosurgery for the Midworld Medical Complex."
"I heard children," Monty prompted.
"I have seven children here from the Space Center's annual Rocket Booster Camp. We evacuated them when the Lorwardians began their attack. They are from Carcosa, Austen, Deaku, Divesdives and Trackula. We were trying to get to the Core Systems."
"Where is Spendable?"
"I'm sorry, sir. The Lorwardians attacked the station. He didn't make it."
"Sorry to hear that."
"When can you get us out of here?" Kim's question perked up Shego's ears.
"That may be a problem," Monty said. "You will need to be patient."
"Forget her patience, what about mine?" Shego shouted into the mic. "GET THEM OFF!"
"I'll take it to the top. Please stand by."
Shego looked up at Kim. "He said stand by." Unable to do anything else, Kim walked over to an overturned crate and sat down with her arms crossed, glaring at Shego. The children had calmed down for the moment. With nothing else to do, Shego picked up a bottle and took a long, long drink. She looked to see the children staring at her.
"If you're waiting for the big finale I'm sorry, this is all I do." Another shot of burning relief and Shego was ready for the next course. She picked a meal packet and heated it with her plasma, careful that no one saw her glow. Commonwealth chem packs mess with the flavors. She took off her glove and opened the corner of the meal, a little too soon. Steam poured out, along with a little scalding liquid.
"Argh! Son of a…"
"Shego, please!" Kim said sternly. The children laughed as Shego sucked on the red spot on her hand. They returned to quiet stares when Shego began eating.
Kim spoke in a quiet tone. "We could all do with some food."
"Whatever." It was not much in the way of permission, but Kim took it.
"Get some meals out of that box, Jane. Drago, those boards must make up the table. You and Shin get them down. Let's see, utensils are in the meals, collapsible cups…ah, over there. Get those, Alexandra. Shego, where are the napkins and place mats?"
"Napkins and place mats? Next to the finger bowls." Shego snorted.
Kim next turned to Kasy and Sheki. "Meap."
"Meap," they answered. Shego's derision turned into alarm when each twin picked up a bottle.
"Hey!" she took them from the girls, who addressed Kim in their own unique idiom. The redhead nodded.
"They're right. We need something to sterilize the water, unless you have a filtration unit."
"It's built into the pump. Just turn the top ring. I'll take those," Shego carefully set them back with their comrades.
"Someone else must have put it there," Kim sniffed. "You don't seem to care much about clean water."
"Look who's talking. I know your kind: bet you use a soniclean so you won't get water on that stick you've got shoved up your…"
A light tug at her sleeve brought Shego up short. Agni and Jane were looking up at her.
"Do you have any berries?" Jane asked hopefully.
"Did you find any?"
Jane shook her head. "We looked in all the boxes. Helen even checked the bottom of each one. That way we didn't have to dig."
"Bet she's hidden them." Agni muttered.
"Look, kid, I was all by myself. Why would I hide anything?" Habit. You never leave all your goodies in one place, especially where food is concerned. The two girls joined the others at the table.
Shego watched Kim and the children eat. The redhead ate and talked with each child, all the while entering data on a pad. Most of the time, she spoke standard Galactic, though from time to time she used words and phrases from the children's various home worlds. With the Carcosans, she spoke their peculiar language. Apparently it was a language given to much humor, at least Kasi and Sheki giggled often.
They were putting things away when Monty's voice came over the ether again. "Are you there, Shego?"
Everyone stopped what they were doing to listen in. "What have you worked out, Monty?" Shego asked.
"A supply drop."
"A supply drop?" Shego was confused. "They need to be picked up, not put down!"
"That may be a bit of a problem," Monty said.
"Well, what's making the drop? Can't it pick them up?"
"It's more than a matter of having a ship; it's having the right ship. Right now our assets are stretched past the breaking point. I just don't have the ability to pick them up, not until we get reinforcements. Until then you'll all just have to make do."
"How long, Monty?"
Even though he was lights years away, the man swallowed before he spoke. "Three weeks."
"THREE WEEKS!"
"Maybe more."
"MORE!"
"We could be here a month?" Shin groaned.
"Here with her," Agni pointed at Shego. "I don't wanna stay."
"Who does?" Kim walked over to the ether again. "Commander. Could you please convey to my parents that I'm all right? I'm entering the names of the children in code so that you can inform their families that they made it off of Midworld."
"Midworld is being evacuated, but I'll see to it that everyone's parents are told."
"Please and thank you."
Shego frowned. "Well, Monty, you've done it to me again. You used to at least kiss me first."
"Sorry, Shego, there's a war on."
"Stop saying that!"
"Signing off," with that the ether went dead.
After the silence sank in, Kim turned to the children. "Why don't you guys go out and take a look around."
"Tell them to stay out of sight. Off the beach and out of the open," the girls looked at Shego, and then at Kim, who nodded at Shego's advice. They left.
The red head sighed. "Looks like we're going to be here a while, Shego. We need to set up some ground rules."
Shego took off her boots and calf holster. "Okay, shoot."
"First of all, we may not like each other…"
"That's an understatement."
"Whatever," Kim continued. "I'm sure that you agree that the kids have to be priority number one."
"Your priority, not mine," the Goworlder reached up to her left shoulder and touched the corner where green met black.
The Midworlder's brows knotted in vexation. "Whatever your damage, as an adult you'd agree with me: the children come first. They've had a rough week and things aren't going to get easier any time soon. They're isolated from their families and friends, lost on a strange world in the middle of a war zone; they're in a delicate state."
"Skimmer has some packing material if you wanna swaddle them," Shego slid her finger down the seam of her cat suit and it began to open.
"We're not talking about swaddling. It's about providing support, boundaries, examples. I've been their main provider the last week. Now you've stepped in as a protector, a savior. If you've paid attention, you've seen the way Drago looks at you. For want of a better term, you've become a sort of father figure."
This made Shego shake her head. "Look, Pumpkin, I don't want to be a father figure, a mother figure, or a crazy aunt with a house full of cats figure. All I plan to be is an out-of-sight-out-of-mind figure. I figure I stay out of your way, and you stay out of mine."
"You're on an isolated world, on what I imagine is an island. You aren't one yourself."
"No man is an island. I'm a little more autonomous," Finished with her seam, Shego began to shed her cat suit.
"What are you doing?" Kim started.
Shego was shrugged. "Getting ready for bed. Don't you undress? No, after a long day of putting fig leafs on statues, you wouldn't risk flashing an ankle." She stood in a set of black underwear. The top looked like a sports bra, but its reinforced structure enabled it to fight decompression, high gs and absorb physical shock. Had she not been wearing it, Kim's double kick would have at least have left her stunned and breathless. Right now, it provided Shego with a possible weapon. She reached for the bottom as if to pull up off. Kim blushed.
"What's the matter, Princess? We're both humanoid. I don't have anything you don't have, except maybe a sense of fun."
The redhead shook her head. "What, do you expect me to run? As if! Now, let me repeat myself since I don't know how clear your head is, my concern is for the children."
"Then go concern yourself with them. Let me get some sleep."
"As soon as you tell me where we'll be staying."
"There's a whole world here. Suit yourself. I imagine the other hemisphere would work out really well for me."
"But this hut is the only shelter, and it's too small for us all to fit."
"The cave's big. Be a safe place for you to keep them. You can even use the skimmer for sleeping quarters. Just stay out of the astrolauch, it's being repaired."
"That skimmer has even less room than this place, and if anything is even messier."
"Clean it, Ms. Spic N Span. It's got tools; you can use them to make your own shelter."
"Out of what?" Kim asked.
"Anything you can find." Shego flopped onto her cot and rolled over.
"Fine." Kim looked thoughtful, and then walked out with purpose.
Shego fell into a sleep that was as delightful as it was short. Something slammed into the side of the hut. She fell out of the bed and lit her hands out of instinct. Tools against wood raised a cacophony outside. Pulling her blanket around her, she hurried outside to see what was going on.
Agni stood banging a plank with a coconut. Kasy and Sheki employed a lever and fulcrum in an effort to take up the front step. Jane and Alexandra beat on boards with hammer and chisel; the smallest girl gave Shego a warning look, showing her teeth. Kim stood watching.
"What's the meaning of this?" Shego demanded.
Kim smiled. "Cave's too damp for the kids, especially Kasy and Sheki, so we're building our own shelter out of what we can find. We've even borrowed some tools from the skimmer, thanks, by the way."
Just then Shin and Drago came up the path, carrying something in their arms. "We've got it, and it's fully charged." Shin grinned.
Kim returned the grin. "Spankin'! Ready?"
"Just tell me the target," Drago sighted the device.
"Keep a tight focus. We need the roof intact."
Shego almost dropped her blanket in alarm. "No! What are you…crazy? You can't use a grav-lifter on a hut! Not unless you're out to make kindling!"
"Just using the tools and materials available," the redhead's smile was maddening.
"All right, all right," Shego reached down and picked up the door stop. The intact seal and heft told her the bottle was full. With as much dignity as she could muster, she made her way down the steps. She stopped in front of Kim.
"Lady, you're making a powerful enemy."
GTS/FB
A few hours later Kim slipped into the cave. First she went to the skimmer, emerging with some bedding. She padded over to the astrolaunch. Ambient lighting greeted her. A quick scan revealed no active security devices. Another look and she could see no trip wires or alarms that Shego could have set up manually. The older woman lay in an open sleep chamber. Kim went over and opened the drawer under it. Luxury sheets and blankets were the reward. The other sleep chambers yielded a similar booty. She looked at the one Shego was using, but decided to be generous. Besides, drunk or not, she did not know how light a sleeper the brunette was.
Dreamless sleep had proven to be just what the doctor ordered. When she opened her eyes, Shego felt a little better. Still have this, and it's actually more comfortable than the hut. A beeping came from outside the ship. She had installed a scan drone just inside the waterfall to watch the Load Array. (As it was not interfaced with the system, it would not give it away.) This allowed her to do her job while she worked on the ships in the cave. Something was coming over. Even if she no longer had a liquid reward awaiting her, some vague sense of duty prompted her to go out for a look.
"Lowardian, all right," she put on some clothes and made her way back down the path. She stopped short at the hut. Laundry hung on lines, and everywhere were signs of repair work. A box stood in position to replace the broken step. Shego opened the door.
"Hey!" Drago shouted, pulling a blanket up around him. Shego jumped back.
"Would it kill you to knock first?" Kim chided from inside. "We have Drago up front because he's the only boy and the oldest."
"I need to use the ether," Shego shouted.
"Okay, come in," Kim called. Drago had his blanket around him. A sheet made a partition between his area and the one for the girls. They also huddled under blankets, staring at the woman. Shego looked around, trying not to admire the neatness of the hut, all the clutter was gone, but so was something else. She opened the stove, looked behind the cot and makeshift beds.
"Looking for something?" Kim asked.
"My whiskey," Shego answered.
"You wouldn't stop drinking in front of the children."
"Where is it?"
"Someplace you'll never look," Kim's answer made Shego's blood boil. She went to the cabinet, where Alexandra had a sleeping pallet on top. Can't open the door… "C'mon, kid, move." When the girl just looked at her, Shego stuck a finger in her face. "Look…"
The girl bit the offending digit. Still, she moved back enough for Shego to throw open the doors. Nothing. "Later," Shego said darkly.
She grabbed the ether. "Kingsport, this is Shego,"
On the other end Barkin picked up the receiver. "Brair Patch here, come in, Mother Goose."
"Get Monty!"
"Big Bad Wolf is engaged."
"I don't care if he's married, get him!" While she waited, she glared at Kim. "You know, I think the old Temperance Union still has an active headquarters on Earth, you might want to look into that."
The ether interrupted. "What is it, Shego?" Monty asked.
"Monty, this is a military zone and you're in command tell Miss Goody Two Shoes here to get off of my back!"
"Goody Two Shoes?" Monty wondered.
"Yes! You tell her. Tell her she's a pain in the…"
"Please, Shego, be civil."
"Civil?" Shego was incredulous. "Who kicked who out of whose house? Who stole whose liquor? Who bit whose hand…twice!"
"Bit you?" Monty asked'
"Yes!"
"Ms. Possible?"
"No. Tell her to give me back my booze. Tell her to butt out. Tell her to leave me alone."
"All right, I'll talk to her," Shego nodded in satisfaction, and handed Kim the mic.
"Yes?" the redhead spoke.
Monty took a deep breath and sat down. "Ms. Possible, I'm sure you've noticed Shego is not the most sociable sort…"
Kim had her own evaluation. "Shego is a rude, foul-mouth, drunken filthy beast…"
"Be that as it may…" this time Shego interrupted Monty. She grabbed the mic.
"This is the Filthy Beast speaking. Monty, when you send those supplies, send plenty of whiskey!"
Kim grabbed the mic back. "So not going to happen, Commander."
"Quiet, both of you," Monty sat back. "We've arranged for the supply drop to happen tomorrow night, your time. I suggest that if you want anything specific, you give me a list of your needs."
"Whiskey!" Shego shouted.
Monty's lip curled. "I know what you want, Shego. What about Ms. Possible and the children?"
As the ether was turned to speaker, the children heard the last bit and bombarded the air with requests for all manner of things. Kim raised her hand for silence. "I have prepared a list…"
Shego grabbed it from her. "Hold it. You've taken everything else, but the ether is my responsibility," She cleared her throat. "Seven nighties."
"What was that, Shego?"
Shego flipped the tablet back to Kim and walked out.
"Would you repeat that, Shego?"
"Shego is no longer here," Kim said. "Seven nighties."
"Nighties?" Monty asked.
"Yes, starting with children's size six. And would you please make that one a bunny suit?"
"A bunny suit?" the Commander repeated.
Barkin perked up. "You know sir, with the hands and feet and ears. My niece had one when she was little. They're really adorable."
"Ears and feet, got it," Monty took his notes and sighed.
GTSFB
Since she had lost the hut, Shego had retreated to the cave. She resisted the temptation of asking BATES for a progress report, as it could possible ruin some portion of his work. The Goworlder was looking over the astrolaunch when she heard someone enter the cave.
"Mother Goose," it was Shin.
"What?" Shego asked, a little perturbed at being addressed by her call name.
"Briar Patch is calling you."
Shego perked up. "You better clear out of the cave," she left immediately. Shin followed, but stopped at the cave mouth. She waited until Shego had gone down the path, and then signaled to the bushes. The other children rushed into the cave and entered the ships.
It took no time to reach the hut. Kim was standing on the porch, sweeping. "Good morning," she called out.
Surprised at her own manners, Shego gestured to the hut. "I'm wanted on the ether."
Kim tried and failed to step out of the way. Shego tried to go the other way, but again Kim failed to anticipate, and ended up in the other woman's path. With a feeble smile, she slowly backed into the hut, followed by the older woman.
Shego took up the ether. "Kingsport, this is Shego."
"Mother Goose, this is Briar Patch," Barkin said, wondering when, if ever, this Star Watcher would ever get with the program.
"You had something for me?"
"Big Bad Wolf had a message concerning the supply drop. He left it with Goody Two Shoes."
Shego clicked off the either, hoping she cut Barkin off in some way. "You've got a message for me?"
"Yes, Fiske couldn't wait for you, so he gave me the message," Kim went back to sweeping,
"Well, where is it, Princess?"
"What?"
"The message!"
"Oh, that," Kim pulled out her tablet. Shego puzzled at the strange letters.
"I can't read that!"
"Sorry, I put it in a language that I thought would be safe, in case the Lorwardians intercepted it."
"Can you read it to me, then?" Shego asked.
"Sure," Kim made a show of taking the tablet back. "Meap!"
"What?"
"I picked Carcosan. No Lorwardian knows it."
Shego's nostrils flared. "Let's pretend that I don't either. What does it say?"
"Commander Fiske says there's too much enemy activity to risk a…how do you say 'supply drop'?"
Shego rocked on her heels. "Supply drop."
Kim nodded, doing a good job of feigning surprise. "There's too much enemy activity to risk a supply drop, so he asks us to make do with what we have."
"No!" Shego started to leave.
"Uh, Shego," Kim began mildly. "I don't suppose it would do any good if I ask you to share certain of your personal belongings."
"Well, so far you've shared me out of my home, my bed, my food and…" he looked at her. "My shirt. How about you share some of my things with me?"
"Would you like some tea?" Kim asked.
"Tea?" Shego was nonplussed.
"Lemon or milk?"
"MILK!"
"Oh, sorry, no milk." Just then Kim could see the children coming back up the path. "But we could use some additional place settings, tools, and above all, a change of clothing."
"Well above all, I could use some whiskey," Shego responded. "How about a trade?"
"Sorry," Kim shrugged. "Not going to happen."
"Then have a good one, Princess," Shego turned to leave when Drago almost plowed into her. "Watch it!"
Shin raced by. The twins gave her a friendly (?) greeting. Then Agni bumped into her. "You stepped on my foot!" she accused.
"You put it there." Shego responded. She made her way down the steps. Jane came up, careful to avoid showing her back to Shego.
"Hey…" before she could investigate Jane, Alexandra came up with some rope and a large hammer. Shego reached for it, a second too slow. It connected with the top of her boot. The material prevented it from breaking bones, but allowed the pain to come right on through.
She hobbled after the girl. "Stop, you!"
"Shego! Stop chasing the kids!"
"Kids? They're crooks!" Shego glared at Kim. "And you're the crookiest!"
"Shego," Kim's salute lacked any respect. The curtain door to the hut went into place. With nothing else to do, Shego grumbled and limped away.
Kim Possible and related characters are the property of Walt Disney.