The Fox and The Sloth.
Chapter Five.
Covington sat back in his chair in the same pub that he had visited before. The same young woman had come into his place of business with the proper identification phrase and communication phrase. It was the same request that a meeting be held at the pub at a certain time. He had finished about half of his pint when there was a slight knock at the door before it opened. Alton Brannigan walked into the room with Ivan Krashtinov following close behind. Alton carried a small briefcase which he set on the table. The waiter placed their drinks on the table and closed the door as he left.
Alton and Ivan took their seats and each took a sip of their drinks. Alton then stood and raised his glass for a toast.
"Here's to Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable, otherwise known as Team Possible."
Ivan stood and raised his glass to join Alton's and waited for a reaction from Covington. After a moment Covington joined the two of them and raised his glass and clicked them to the others. They all took a drink as they watched each other over their glasses. Taking their seats once again Alton pulled a file from his case as well as a paper bag. Opening the paper bag he removed two items in plastic bags. One contained a black stocking cap. The other contained what appeared to a number of auburn hairs.
Covington glanced at the bag with the stocking cap as he picked up the bag with the hairs in it. He slowly looked at the hairs in the bag as he tried to keep a straight face. He suspected that his counterparts knew something was up but when Alton gave his toast he knew the game was over. He tossed the bag back on the table.
"I do hope that your men were not injured permanently for obtaining that sample."
Alton's face twitched.
"Please assure your team that they were not PERMANENTLY injured, although their pride took a hard hit. One of them could barely walk; another had to eat using straw for a few days. The other two were so befuddled that someone had to watch them for a couple of days to make sure that they didn't get hurt."
Covington smiled for a moment.
"Let's do away with the games. You know who they are. How they came here is a story for another time."
Ivan grimaced.
"There are those in my government who will not be happy to learn that the two of them are still alive and not only alive but in the same business they were forbidden to take part in."
Ivan paused.
"But these are also the ones who would not want the old situation to be revisited. Such examination could reveal some uncomfortable findings."
Alton leaned forward.
"The past is the past. Right now, we have a very dangerous situation. We know Habari had negotiated with Brotherson to purchase a small Russian nuke, presumably from the same persons as before. Now due to the delicate political situation neither the U.S. nor Russia can run the risk of being implicated. If the situation was to get out of hand, and it was found that US or Russian forces were involved the implications could be very bad."
Covington sat back and nodded.
"So you want me to send in those two."
Ivan nodded.
"They have no nationality, no ties to any country, very little can be traced back. They are…"
Covington glared at him.
"You mean expendable."
Ivan shrugged his shoulders.
Covington thought for a moment.
"If they were to go in, and that is an if, and somehow by some miracle complete the mission and live through it, what are you prepared to offer in return? Also, what would you be willing to offer in support?"
Ivan was silent for a moment and with a glance over to Alton he spoke again.
"We might be able to have a group or two of special forces on hand, along with some other assets in order to assist."
Covington crossed his arms and sat back.
"And?"
Alton leaned forward.
"What do you want?"
Basil calmly regarded the two of his counterparts.
"You are asking these two to go out and save your collective butts. You are asking them to go and save the same two countries that destroyed their lives and the lives of their families for no other reason that some sob-sister diplomats and unimaginative desk jockeys couldn't deal with the situation. They were sitting back in their cute little offices tearing apart decisions made by two teenagers doing what needed to be done."
Basil knew he was on a rant but it was long coming.
"So these two kids went out with no training and no back up and did what your two governments should have done. And when something went wrong all you could do is destroy everything they had ever known. You wanted to destroy the only thing they had left and THAT was each other. WHY did you have to put that last requirement on them? Everything was fine until then. They would have gone on and been two normal teenagers. But NOOOOO. Somebody had to make a BIG statement and PUNISH two kids trying to do what was the right thing to do. So what did they do? The only thing they could do. Their friendship was more important to them than their very lives. So they would have rather died than give that up."
Basil took a gulp of his drink and sat it back down.
"Now, they are the BEST! I made them what they are today. I'll give some credit to what they were before I got them, but you have seen for yourselves what they are capable of."
Basil glared back at the two men who sat red-faced across from him. Shrugging his shoulders he continued.
"Sorry about that but that has been a long time coming. Here's the deal, take it or leave it. They will go in and deal with the situation. You will supply them with any and all backup and support that they need. IF they make it out they will receive full pardons for everything. I will leave the decision up to them what they want to do with it."
Ivan blanched.
"Do you have any idea of what could happen if they suddenly appear alive?"
Basil nodded.
"Yes, I do. However, I don't think that they would want to do that. I have a feeling that they would be completely happy just to remain in obscurity. What part their families would play in that decision would be up to them. BUT, if they wish to return to their lives, I'll leave it up to your governments to come up with the story."
Basil waited for a few moments and sat back with a smile on his face.
"Like I said. Take it or leave it."
Kim walked up behind Ron as he sat staring out of the window in their London flat. The seat and the window were the same as the ones she sat in and stared out when they had endured their "deaths" on the TV. The spot had become a little haven when one of them needed to think. He had not been talkative after they returned from their last mission. Even Rufus was concerned for his master and best friend. The mission to destroy the base had been an unqualified success while the other part of the mission had been a failure, at least in their eyes. They had sent in a report to Covington after they had left Turkey and returned to London.
There had been a few days of debriefing in their underground base. The same questions had been asked over and over again in several variations. Kim considered it was a miracle that she much less Ron had not punched someone out. Part of the debriefing had covered the results of their mission. Kim had a grim look of satisfaction when she learned of the damage she had done to the two special forces soldiers. The hard part of the debriefing had covered the shooting of the young man. While the main target had been missed it was still considered a partial success as it upset the time table of the other party. Kim was not so sure Ron agreed with that assessment.
Kim sat down behind him and started to slowly massage his shoulders. This was also a part that the window and seat played in their lives. When one needed to sit there the other was always on hand to help the other through the hard times. Slowly she worked on the knotted muscles trying to work the tenseness out of them. Ron didn't say a word as the ever present rain in London pattered against the window. It was well into the evening and there were very few people out on the streets. After a few minutes he sighed and started to speak.
"You know Karen, he was looking in our direction when I hit him. It was like he was looking right in my eyes as he died."
Kim stopped her massage and pulled him around to face her.
"Henry, you have to stop this. You have killed before what is wrong this time? You heard Covington. The guy may not have been the baddest of the bad but he was bad enough. Just the fact that he was there makes that a fact"
Ron giggled.
"baddest? Are you sure that is a word?
Kim giggled.
"Maybe, maybe not. But the fact still stands; he was a part of the problem. Sooner or later we or someone else would have had to take him out."
Ron sighed as he faced her.
"I know Karen; it's just that I got a good look at him. He couldn't have been out of high school."
Kim nodded.
"I know that Henry. Come on and get to bed. We are supposed to report to Covington first thing in the morning. Now come on."
She gently helped him start and got him moving toward the bedroom. She could only hope that he would be able to get some sleep.
Ron browsed through some information that Wade had sent them on a special type of assault rifle he was designing for him. Kim sat back in her chair with her eyes closed. They were waiting in Covington's office in their underground lair. Both of them looked up when Covington entered the room. He quickly took his seat while his driver brought coffee and some Danishes. Covington poured himself a mug of coffee and picked up one of the Danishes. He waited until Kim and Ron had done the same before he started to speak.
"Karen, Henry, good to see you. We have gone over your report. The young man you hit was Habari's youngest brother. He was an up and coming member of the group and was being groomed for a leadership position in the organization. He was considered to be an extremely dangerous person in his own right. His connection with the younger generation of his countrymen was considered to be a strong recruiting asset for the group. While his removal was by accident, it most likely would have been necessary to remove him within the near future."
Covington paused for a moment then continued.
"Now, the main concern is the other person that you identified. I am sure his face was familiar to both of you as you have seen him before. We have grave concerns over this person's involvement in the situation. He is employed by someone you are very familiar with and we have recently received some new intelligence on the overall situation. We are afraid the Mr. Habari and his associates are attempting to purchase a nuclear device for intentions of their own. We also have determined that this is not the first time the person in question has attempted to sell a nuclear device. He tried approximately 5 years ago but the attempt was thwarted."
Kim and Ron's eyes went wide as they looked at each other. Kim's voice stammered.
"You mean Brotherson was behind…"
Covington looked straight at them.
"That's right Karen. Brotherson was the person who arranged the sale that you two disrupted. That disruption led to the device detonating."
Covington waited for a few seconds and let that news sink into his agents.
"Now, there is information that the person you saw was there to finalize the arrangements for the purchase and transfer of a weapon. We know when and where that meeting will take place. We know several parties will be at that meeting. Your mission is simple. Prevent that trade from taking place. Collateral damage is not to be a consideration. Complete this mission with extreme prejudice. We will download the particulars to you within the next few hours. Get some rest and get ready. As you know, if you are killed or captured the British Government will disavow any knowledge of you or your actions. Good luck and it's been good working with you. I have arranged for someone to meet with you and brief you on a few things relevant to this mission. I will let you know when to expect them."
Big Daddy Brotherson sat back on his cushions. He had a headache of monumental proportions. He hoped that one day that he would be able to locate worthy associates other than his favorite man. So far, most if not all of the people he had associated himself with had disappointed him. DeLaurent was a prime example. The extra money lured DeLaurent. However, his new associate was worse. He was an idealist, worse than that a religious idealist. The man was arrogant beyond belief. Arrogance was something a man in his position could not afford. Like the need and love of money, arrogance could lead to poor decisions.
His new associate had told his man that the area was secure and that all deliveries should be made to that one warehouse. Then, when an outside force destroyed the warehouse, he still insisted on having the meeting close to the area. He assured Brotherson that the area was completely secure and that there was no way an opposing force could be in the area. Now the man's kid brother lay dead nearly blown in half by bullet meant for him. How could he trust the man when he could not take care of things in his own home?
However, there was something else nagging him. A certain face, a certain face of a young woman with red hair. She had been a part of the raid on DeLurent's estate and she had been a part of the raid on his own home. He was not sure but he thought that there was a very good chance that the same young lady or her associate had something to do with the blown warehouse and the assassination attempt. He still had people looking for her but so far, nothing could be located.
Now was the time to complete the deal for the nuke. The down payment had been transferred to the proper accounts. His man had received that after the attempt on Habari's life. Now Habari was on his way to Brotherson's estate with the final payment. His man stayed behind doing a little looking around on his own. Brotherson didn't trust Habari's men and wanted his own men on the ground in the area. They had some special equipment that should help find the people causing him so much trouble. That is if they were still in the area.
A knock on the door brought him back to the present. His computer man was supposed to bring some reports for his review.
"Come in." He called out.
His computer expert came in cautiously. After his last conversation he had completed his duties without any problems. The man handed Brotherson a file with the reports in it. Brotherson smiled.
"Thank you sir. I hope that everything is going well."
His expert nodded.
"Yes sir, Mr. Brotherson sir. If you need anything else please let me know. I am going to the document shredding room to destroy these old files."
At that moment the file that he had been working with when he had found the names of the two that had invaded Laurent's estate fell from his arms. A picture spilled from the file and landed face up in front of Brotherson. It was a picture of Kim. The expert moved quickly to pick up the papers.
"Sorry Mr. Brotherson sir. I'll get all this cleaned up now."
Brotherson raised his hand to stop him.
"Just a moment sir, how did you come into possession of that picture?"
The expert started to sweat a little.
"That is the file I was going to show you when you wanted me to go back to the main project. I promise I haven't touched the file since then and was on the way to destroy it by your instructions."
Brotherson motioned for the man to hand him the file.
"It is fine sir. Would you please hand me that file?"
The man handed the file to Brotherson and waited. Brotherson glanced through the file and realized something that caused his headache to ache even more. He had fallen guilty of the same thing he detested in others. He had allowed his own ego to interfere with his operations. The man in front of him had found the exact data that all of the other persons in his organizations could not. And he was getting ready to punish the man for doing exactly what needed to be done.
"Sir, do you have any more information of this type?"
The expert thought for a moment.
"I should be able to locate some more. Now that I know what I am looking for it should not be a problem."
Brotherson smiled.
"Then do so my friend. Please pardon my actions before, that was my mistake and I mean to correct it now. Please do not work on anything else but this. Report only to me or my man. You have earned a nice bonus."
The expert smiled as he backed out of the room.
"Yes sir. I should have some more information soon. I'll let you know as soon as I find it."
Brotherson waited until the man had left the room before picking up his phone and calling his man.
"I have come into some very important information. Please go to a secure location so that I can brief you. We have found our mysterious women and I must say that this information could rock the world."
Brotherson listened for a few moments as his man spoke to him. His expression changed as he continued to listen.
"That is very interesting. Now we know where our visitor got some of her information, and how they were able to cause so many problems. I wish to speak with him. Please bring him to me.
Kim placed the last plate in the dish drainer and pulled the stopper to drain the sink of the dirty dish water. Even though she was an accomplished agent, expert in several types of combat and weapons, she was still almost totally inept in the kitchen. Ron had been teaching and coaching her over the years she still needed supervision when she tried cooking. Overtime she had gained the ability to fix a salad or a bowl of soup. Since she could only do the simple things Ron was responsible for most of the cooking. As Ron did the cooking she took over the washing of the dishes, a job she was just finishing. The person that Covington had mentioned earlier was supposed to contact them at their apartment today so they were just trying to relax. The buzzer to their apartment buzzed as she hung up the dish towel. Walking over to the speaker she pressed the intercom that answered the front door.
"Yes?"
A somewhat familiar voice came over the speaker.
"Special delivery for Karen Thompson from Coco Banana."
Kim glanced over to Ron as he stepped toward her. Those were the code words the person coming to meet them was supposed to say. She pressed the speaker button again as she pressed the button to open the front door.
"Come in."
Kim stepped back from the speaker and stepped over to wait for the knock on the door. If the person was legit they would knock in an arranged pattern. Ron stepped back behind the door in case however remote the person was not who they were supposed to be. He snapped off the safety to his pistol just before there was a knock at the door. One tap, followed by four quick taps, then two more. Kim nodded to Ron and looked at the screen from the security camera built into the door. She gave a small gasp and pulled the door open to reveal none other but Dr. Betty Director and a visibly shaken William Du standing in front of the door. Kim struggled to find her voice.
"Dr. Director? Du?"
Ron jumped around the corner of the door to see Betty gave a small smile.
"It's good to see you are well Karen, you too Henry. May Will and I enter?"
Kim could barely nod as she stepped aside to motion two people she thought she would never see again into the room. Betty stepped into the room dragging Will by the arm. Ron holstered his pistol behind his back and faced the pair as Kim closed and locked the door. Betty turned to face them.
"Can we all have a seat? I am sure you have some questions and I have some packages for the two of you."
Ron motioned to the sitting area in the middle of the room. Betty drug Will over to the couch and sat both of them down. Kim and Ron took the seats across from them. Betty took a deep breath and spoke.
"Karen, Henry. I would imagine this is quite a surprise."
Will broke in.
"Dr. Director? How?"
Betty turned to her top agent.
"Will, since your promotion came through last week I told you that I would inform you of some information that you would need to know. You didn't have the clearance before then."
She motioned to Kim and Ron.
"Will, I would like you to meet Red Fox and Pink Sloth."
Ron smiled.
"Hiya, dude. Long time no see."
Will was shocked. It was his voice. He could not get his mind around that the agent in front of him was the same bumbling teen from years before. He gazed over to Kim. She had filled out nicely over the years. He could not get his mind to accept that these were the two people he used to know. He knew about Red Fox and Pink Sloth after having read a number of reports on them after his promotion. The one thing Dr. Director had not told him was just who they really were.
Kim giggled.
"I thought I would never see Will in a brain lock."
Betty laughed.
"I didn't tell him who he would be seeing."
She paused for a moment as a tear slipped from her eye.
"It's really, really good to see you two."
Kim got up and enveloped her former boss and friend in a fierce hug. After a few moments they separated and took their seats. Betty looked over at Ron.
"You sure have changed Henry. You are quite handsome and there is no doubt that you are a true professional."
Ron blushed slightly.
"Dr. D…"
He hesitated for a moment.
"Dr. Director, speaking of which what is our Dr. D doing these days?"
Betty settled back in her chair.
"We came to an understanding recently. I would not unleash the Fox and the Sloth on him and he and Shego would behave themselves. After you made a laughingstock of Brotherson, they decided they didn't care to chance a visit from you. The rest of the others we took care of ourselves over the years."
Kim nodded toward the suitcases Will was carrying.
"Are those from Wade?"
Will nodded.
"Yes, he said that they should help you on your next mission."
He pushed the two cases over to Kim. She opened them up to reveal two short stubby weapons that looked very futuristic. Betty nodded to the weapon and started to speak.
"You are holding the newest thing in silent weaponry. I am sure you have heard of rail gun technology. Wade made a breakthrough to bring the scale down to this. The weapon fires by hurling the bullets down the barrel with magnetic forces. This makes for an extremely silent weapon. When you first use it, you will set you biometric readings into the memory. If someone else attempts to use or even hold the weapon it will self-destruct."
Ron smiled as he picked up one of the weapons. Du watched as the person he once considered to be one of the clumsiest people he had ever known go of the weapon with the ease of a seasoned agent. Ron checked the feel and weight of the weapon as he slipped it from hand to hand.
"It is well balanced, I can't wait to get it out on the range and try it out."
Betty smiled for a moment and then turned serious.
"Now, Karen and Henry, I ask that you listen very carefully. Basil has asked me to brief you on the next part of your mission. We have been in touch with your contact person that met you last time. He is ready to help you enter the area. Due to the trouble you caused last time we will have to insert you one at a time. Karen you will go first and Henry will follow 24 hours later. We believe the transaction for the nuke will occur within 48 hours after that. Your contact should have more information when you meet him."
Kim nodded.
"Okay, when do we leave?"
Betty glanced at her watch.
"William and I will leave now. A taxi with a large scratch on the side will arrive in front of your flat tomorrow morning at 0800 hours. You will each take a suitcase to make it appear that you will be going on a trip. Wade will have all of your equipment ready along with all of your transportation."
Betty stood up. Will quickly stood beside her, leaving the weapons on the table.
"Will and I will leave so you can prepare. Karen, Henry; is has been good to see you again."
Ron walked over and opened the door so Betty and Will could leave. Betty shook Kim and Ron's hands as she left. Will followed behind her and out the front door. As they got in the van that was their cover vehicle he turned to speak to her.
"Dr. Director, how did this happen? I mean the CIA, NSA, and the KGB will freak if they find out what is going on."
Betty clutched the steering wheel tightly.
"Will, need I remind you that we are a part of GLOBAL Justice. I don't care one bit what the CIA, NSA or KGB might think. Those two were good operatives back then and now they are the best in the world."
Betty noticed the flush on her subordinates face.
"Yes Will, they are better than you. You are a fine operative and you have several successful missions under your belt. However, what is your KIA count?"
Will stammered for a moment.
"Dr. Director, you know that I have never killed."
Betty put the van in gear after cranking the engine.
"Yes Will I know that. But Fox and Sloth have several KIA to their credit, at least four of those hand to hand. I know what your opinion of them was back then. But I want you to think about it. Those two have killed someone while looking them in the eye and didn't hesitate or flinch. That's what this mission is going to take. Now, we need to get back. I want you to coordinate with Fox and Sloth, and any of the intelligence community that will be a part of the mission."
Will sat back in his seat.
"Yes, ma'am."
He watched the traffic on the street in front of them as his mind raced.
Kim let the water scooter pull her through the water toward the shore. Her landing spot was near the city of Rize, Turkey. This was several kilometers from Trabzon, where they had the mission before. The transfer of the nuke was supposed to be near the area. Ron would drop into the area in another day. The two ways of entry spaced a day apart was planned to keep things as low key as possible. Covington advised that this would be the best way. Their last two visits to Turkey had upset a lot of people. She was to make her way to a local safe house. Bahadur and Anna would meet her there and take her to another safe house to wait for Ron to arrive. They would then prepare to stop the transfer of the device.
She checked her compass and clock again. She should be near the shore within a few minutes. It would be a cloudy night. That would make it a little easier to get ashore. The safe house was near the shore and she would be able to reach it without any trouble. Turning a few degrees to the right, she made her final turn before she would surface. Even in the dim light she could see the surface of the water. She slowed the scooter down just before breaking the surface of the water. Gently she raised her head above the water and looked around. She could see the shore about 100 yards away. The shore was rocky and a two lane road run just the other side of the shore line. She would have to cross the rocks and the road without being seen. Then she would have to find her way to the safe house. If a certain light was on in the house then it was safe to approach. If the light was not on, then she was supposed to head back out to sea. They had received the all clear signal before she had even left the minisub with the scooter. The light was an extra precaution.
Slipping up on the rocks, she waited for a few minutes watching the area before she moved again. No one was moving at this time of morning. Crossing the road, she melted into the brush on the other side of the road. She buried her equipment under some bushes and headed for the safe house. Within a few minutes she arrived at the house. The light was on. Slowly she approached the home and waiting a little longer. Nothing was moving and only the sound of a radio came from the home. Slipping up through the shadows she knocked on the front door. She heard Anna's voice call out softly.
"Enter."
Kim turned the doorknob and pushed the door open. The only light in the room was the television turned all the way down. Anna was sitting facing the television. Kim stepped toward her.
"Anna, it is good to see you again… Anna."
Kim grew concerned for a moment when Anna didn't respond. She stepped forward and faced Anna. Her heart leapt to her throat. Anna was dead. Her throat had been cut. Before that she had been brutally beaten. Kim was about to move when everything went black.
Pain soared through her head as she slowly regained her senses. She quickly realized that she was strapped to a chair. Opening her eyes was an effort as the light hurt her eyes. A voice came from behind the light.
"Ah the wench is awake."
A hard slap snapped her head to the right. She turned her head back as she opened her eyes fully. The man she knew as Habari was standing in front of her. He raised his hand again for another slap when a voice behind her spoke.
"My friend, please do not do that again. I wish to speak to her without interference from you."
Kim knew she had heard that voice before. It was then that someone spun her chair around. Another face came into view. A face she knew well. The face smiled.
"Well, well. A pretty face to match a pretty picture. I have been waiting a long time for this meeting."
Brother stared at Kim from his seat in front of her. He placed his hands in a steepled position in front of him.
"We are now going to have a little conversation. I will ask the questions and you will answer. This could be very pleasant or very unpleasant."
Kim watched as the large man she had seen at the house stepped from the shadows. He held a blowtorch in his hand. Turning the knob he open the valve to the burner and clicked a striker in front of it. A bright blue flame erupted from the blowtorch with a slight roar. Brotherson placed his hands in his lad.
"Now shall we begin?"
Well, it has been a long time since I have written anything. It sure feels good to be back, at least for a little while. A lot has been going on in my life and it was been very difficult to find time to write or even to have the thoughts to put on the pages. I hope you have enjoyed this installment of The Fox and the Sloth. Things are heating up now so stay tuned. Hopefully the next chapter will not take so long. Thanks for reading and please leave a review.