Through the Clearinghouse's control room's front window Special Agent Will Du stared out over the entry hangar. He had closed and locked down the hanger entry doors but he could already see areas on the doors begin to glow red. Something was cutting through the six feet of steel and doing it fast.
"All personnel get to the weapons locker", Will told the control room staff.
"We're not combat personnel", whined one of the techs.
Will grabbed the man by the collar and hurled him toward the exit. "Today you are, now move!"
It was then that Will saw the Director and her team enter the hanger headed for her transport. The transport would have better weapons than was on site so he approved of the action. Unfortunately fate or serendipity chose that moment to not smile upon them.
A portion of the ceiling exploded outward and the falling debris was between the Director and her ship. Following the debris was a large eight legged articulated robot about twelve feet in height. Its cylindrical body was supported on four legs. The other four legs were divided into two with five-fingered claws and two that supported particle beam weapons. A circular sensor array wound around the central body of the robot most likely providing all around vision. Finally a translucent purplish field of energy surrounded the robot.
"Light it up", yelled the Director. She and her guards opened fire hitting the robot and with a variety of lasers and high velocity slug throwers. The robot was staggered backwards for a moment but the purplish shield deflected all their combined fire. A second robot came through the hole that the first had created just as the main entry way collapsed as more of the robotic terrors came through.
The first robot now turned its body toward the Director's team and its dual particle weapons struck. One shot wide but the other cut one of the guards in two at the waist. Then a green ball of plasma struck the robot and drove it back but also failed to breach through the purple shield. Shego didn't stop as she continued to hurl plasma to drive the robots back but more and more entered the hanger through the doors outside.
Will struggled to bring the security systems online. This being a low-priority facility it had not received all the current GJ offensive and defensive upgrades. However he did find what he was looking for and it finally booted up but the power system could barely maintain it. Roughly half-way across the hanger, between the entry way and the command center a blue-white shimmering field took effect. It cut the robots off from the Director's team and the majority of their working areas.
The robots all began turning their energy weapons on the defensive shield.
"Fall back", ordered the Director. Everyone retreated to the hanger entry corridors. She quickly spoke into her communicator. "Will what's your status?"
"The power grid of this facility will not maintain the shield at this level for long".
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The Raider had to give GJ record keeping protocols credit. He was able to find the files he wanted in record time. He heard the sound of small arms fire and high energy weapons in the distance. He quickly went to one of the computer terminals and called up the security cameras. Damn, it's worse than I thought. I'll have to play a different role this time. He focused the display on something behind the robots. That looks like the place to start.
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"We don't have very long before those things break through", said Ron as he stood by the Director's side.
"What about EMP devices do we have any to use?" asked Shego.
"Just the ones on my ship and it's on the other side of the shield and those things".
"If we lower the shield I can try to drive them back long enough for you to reach your ship".
"I count twelve of those things. Even you couldn't evade that many for the time it would take us. And I don't want to be the one to have that conversation with Kim", said Ron.
"We have to hold out until reinforcements arrive", said the Director. It was then that she thought she saw something drop down from the ceiling on the far side of the hanger.
One of the robots saw it too and moved toward her ship. The robotic spider approached the ship and appeared to study it and then raised its energy arms. Suddenly it was enveloped in an energy surge and its purplish shield went down.
As the Director watched she saw a red blur move across the robot and then the central core of the robot exploded. The other robots noticed this as well as they turned from the shield toward their fallen comrade.
The Director spoke quickly into her communicator. "Will drop the shield but be ready to raise it again when I say. Everyone else use cover fire to drive them back from my ship", ordered the director.
As the shield defensive shield went down, Shego and the GJ agents began spraying the robots with plasma, lasers, and high velocity rounds. The robots appeared momentarily confused caught between what had destroyed their companion and this new threat. From out of the chaos running between two of the robots came the Red Raider laden with bags marked with the symbol of GJ. The other robots couldn't target the Raider without hitting their own and the two he ran between were driven back by plasma blasts.
"Will raise the shield", as the Raider crossed the shield line the blue and white shield raised once again cutting off the robots. Shego, Ron, and all of her agents now trained themselves and their weapons on the Raider. The Director noticed that the Raider ignored them and began emptying the contents of the bags. She also noticed that he had his light armor and weapons back on his person.
"These are the EMP grenades that you developed to stop me". The Raider dropped several bandoliers of grenades on the ground. "The robot's CPU seem to be protected against them but the pulse does drop their shields at least temporarily". The Raider pulled out two rotary cylinder grenade launchers tossing one to Ron and the other to the Director. "Their armor is tough but vulnerable without their shields. My plan is simple, we use the EMP grenades to lower their shields. Mrs. Possible and I will remove their armor and then you", he pointed to Ron and the Director, "will use your grenades to take them out. The rest will give cover and distractions".
"We don't take orders from you", one of the Director's agents sneered.
"Then take orders from me. What he says makes sense". The Director turned to the dozens of technical and clerical staff that stood in the hallways behind them. "We will need all of you for this. Remember you are agents of GJ. There are no unimportant people in this organization. We all are the last line of defense for this world. I expect everyone here to make me proud this day".
The robots had once again turned their attention back to the shield and it was now visibly weakening.
"Spread out and get ready," ordered the Director.
"Please, Director give me your weapon", asked Will as he arrived at her side. "You are too important to risk". The Director handed him a bandolier of EMP grenades.
"How's your throwing arm?" Will merely nodded and took the grenades.
The Raider advanced to the shield and drew his sword. Shego took a position near him.
""You seem to know an awful lot about these things?" asked Shego.
"They are similar to a design I have fought before. Their creator is driven but not original. I am concerned though".
"About what?"
"About your ability to keep up with me".
"Listen to me you red reject I can fight circles around you any day". Shego and the Raider locked glances.
"Prove it", challenged the Raider.
The hanger's defensive shield finally gave out. Before the robots could advance though the clerks, techs, and agents of GJ poured form the hallways entering the hanger. They boiled forth onto the hanger as a barbarian horde from days long past. They ran, yelled, and fired randomly over the area spraying the robots with chaotic fury. It was a gloriously unorganized display that kept the robots from concentrating on the real danger.
Shego and the Raider ran among the robots as EMP grenades were tossed into the mix. The pair dodged and weaved among the killer machines. As the shields went down Shego used her plasma and the Raider used his sword to open up the robots armor. Ron and the Director followed behind using their grenades to finish what they started. The tide began to turn in their favor.
The battle count was ahead in favor of Shego. There was no way she was going to lose to this poser. With a swipe of her arm she opened the chest plate of her latest opponent and didn't wait for Ron to finish it but shoved her hands inside and melted its innards. The dying machine jerked and swayed and one of its claw hands grabbed Shego around the waist as it fell. Her hands were trapped away from her body so using her strength she slowly began to expand the claw to escape. Unfortunately another of the robots noticed her plight and advanced smashing down on her with its own claw. The arm swung to the floor but the claw flew over her head as the Raider passed cutting the claw away. He then advanced cutting away its chest plate just before the Director placed a well-placed grenade inside and it blew up.
"No Fucking way", shouted Shego as she finally broke free of the restraining limb and reentered the battle.
In short order it was over with Shego and the Raider each claiming six robot kills apiece. The hangar was full of fire, smoke, debris, and lots of shouting.
"Will give me a casualty report as soon as you can. We are going to need medical support and fast".
"Yes, Director. Our first response teams are starting to arrive. I will coordinate with rescue and medical services".
The Director approached Shego and Ron who were both winded and hurt. Shego bore several cuts and two nasty laser burns to her arm and leg. "Thank you. You both acquitted yourself well today".
It was that Ron started looking around. "Has anyone noticed that we are missing someone?" The Director and Shego whirled around and did notice that among the many active and wounded personnel present there was no sign of the Raider.
"He rabbited. I knew it!" yelled Shego her plasma flaring showing her rage.
"Will, I know we are stretched pretty thin but we need to lock down this place quick before the Raider can get too far". Shouted the Director across the hanger.
"Director, that won't be necessary", said Crystal Sterling the supervisor of the Clearinghouse, "I know where he is".
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The main viewing display went dead as the last of the Beta Betas were destroyed. The Proconsul simply sat with an amused look on his face. Drakken was beside himself with worry
"We lost", said Drakken in a sullen mood.
"Yes we did, but then this outcome was not entirely unexpected".
"You knew they might win?"
"Of course they could win. You don't conquer the world with twelve robots. But I knew they would have to work together to do it. And they did. This is going to make their eventual defeat so much more fun".
"Yes, so much more fun", said Drakken more worried now than ever.
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Doctor Director could barely believe her eyes. The Raider was back in the interrogation room. He had removed his weapons and his armor and left them laying in the hallway outside the room. He had even handcuffed himself again and sat at the table.
"I don't get it. Why did he come back? There was little chance of us stopping him from escaping after all that", said Ron.
"Who knows? He picked this spot to surrender didn't he? How do we know he didn't plan this whole thing?" said Shego.
"I watched those thing in battle just now. So did you. I believe they were trying to kill him as much as us", said the Director. "I'm going to talk to him, alone".
"Director that is not a good idea. You've seen how dangerous he is. Allow us to go with you", said Will.
"I said alone. But I'll let you all stand by out here. Just in case". With that the Director entered the interrogation room and shut the door.
"I appreciate you taking the time to see me yourself Director", said the Raider as she entered. The Director sat down opposite the Raider at the table. Ron, Shego, and Will watched through the mirror.
"It was the least I could do for you after you helped us. Why did you help us?"
"It appears you have a leak in your organization and my enemy and yours decided to take advantage of it. They were here for all of us".
"You're saying someone in my organization tipped off Drakken and your friend and they hit us".
"Well it wasn't me".
"Even though you helped us this time it doesn't mean I am ready to accept your aid".
"I guessed, reckoned, and calculated so. I can help with that".
"How?"
"Turn off all your surveillance. Close off the mirror". The Director looked curious at this request.
"Will turn off all the surveillance and close the mirror".
"I object Director", said Will into his communicator. "We would not be able to monitor and protect you".
"Do it Agent Du or I'll have my guards to do it".
"Yes, Director". Will shut down the surveillance and a metal screen closed over the mirror.
"This is not a good idea", said Ron.
"I'll give them five minutes them I'm going in", said Will.
Shego remained unusually silent as she stood staring at the door to the interrogation room.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Alright we are alone. What do you want to talk about?" said the Director.
"As Director of GJ you have been called upon at times to keep some of the most important secrets in the world, haven't you".
"Yes".
"Then it's not just talking I plan to do", and the Raider reached up and removed his mask.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Will paced back and forth in the observation room. "That's five minutes. I'm going in and she can arrest and demote me afterwards", said Will as he moved toward the door. Just then it opened and the Director emerged. He quickly came up to her handing her a cup of coffee. He raised the metal screen once again showing the masked Raider in the interrogation room beyond.
Doctor Director sipped her coffee and her hands were shaking. Shego, Ron, and Will watched as her cup shook in her hands. Shego had never seen Betty visibly shaken before. She didn't know that anything could get to the woman.
"Betty are you alright?" asked Shego. Betty turned to Shego as if suddenly realizing she was here. She looked Shego up and down as if appraising her and her hands stopped shaking. Shego could see an internal struggle behind that eye and almost what appeared to be sympathy but it didn't last and her professional manner slammed back down.
"I am fine. Don't call me Betty". She handed the coffee back to Will and took his computer pad. She punched in several commands and handed the pad back to him. "I require these items as quickly as possible. Now".
"Yes, Director", and Will left leaving Ron and Shego with the Director.
"I'm going to accept the Raider's request to assist us in the apprehension of Drakken and whoever is aiding him".
"You can't be serious. I know he helped us today but that might have been to save his own neck. He has nearly killed us before", said Ron.
"I have my reasons. I don't trust him any more than you do but if he can help us with Drakken then I would rather have him close by where we can watch him and not out there working against us".
"We could lock him up", suggested Shego.
"And no one has ever escaped from us. No, I believe he can help us. But I have no intention of taking him off leash".
"Why do you believe he can help us? What did he say to you?" asked Shego.
"That's classified. In fact all information now on the Red Raider is classified".
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
(Two hours later in the interrogation room)
Doctor Director and Agent Du sat across from the Red Raider.
"These are my conditions. First you will wear this monitoring device. It will be monitored twenty-four hours a day by GJ and will give us your precise location. If you ever take it off. If it ever goes offline. If it you ever disappear from us I will assume our agreement is void and you will be hunted down and prosecuted to the full extent of my ability. Second you will only work for us and only on my specific orders. Third you will be allowed to use your own equipment after it is cleared by my science division. Next you will be given quarters at a GJ facility where you will be given privacy so that you can keep your identity for now. Lastly the aid you give us in the apprehension of Drakken and any of his accomplishes will be taken into account when and if any charges are brought against you", said the Director.
"I can accept those terms", said the Raider.
"Also you will be monitored by GJ personnel at all times outside of your private quarters. If any of them report unusual or criminal behavior to me I will assume our agreement is voided. Do you understand?"
"I understand. I have some conditions of my own".
"You are in no position to make demands", said Agent Du.
"What do you want?" asked the Director.
"I want access to a forge, a digital camera, and I want a GJ bag. A big one".
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Ron and Shego had contacted Kim after the battle in the hanger and updated her on the situation. She had contacted Wade and arranged transport to the Clearinghouse immediately. She landed amidst into a virtual war zone with GJ agents running everywhere. Even being now almost fifteen weeks pregnant Kim moved swiftly through the crowd. She displayed her GJ badge to several agents who questioned her before she finally got to Ron.
Ron barely had time to blink before he was enveloped by Kim. She hugged him so tightly he felt she was trying to crush the life from him.
"I was so worried. What's the final story?"
"Seven dead and twenty-seven wounded. It could have been a lot worse KP".
"What happened?"
"We got hit. A serious hit. This wasn't a game. Someone is playing for keeps this time. I think it may be whoever is pulling Drakken's strings".
"Where is Shego?"
"She was watching Doctor Director talk to the Raider".
"Was he part of the attack?"
"Evidently not. In fact his help is what turned the tide in our favor. I'm really starting to agree with Gracie. I can't figure this guy out".
"I'm just glad you both are all right. I'm going to go find Shego". Kim kissed Ron on the check and he showed her what corridor to take. As Kim came up to the corridor though Shego came out into the hanger. Kim rushed up to her like she did Ron and leapt on her wife.
"Hey, you're pregnant. You should nott be jumping around like that", chided Shego but she kept hold of Kim.
"Oh, shut up and kiss me", and so she did. When they finally broke apart Kim looked to see that Shego had taken a few good hits.
"Are you hurt?"
"Nothing bad. Actually I have the Raider to thank for that. In fact he might have saved me".
"Tell me the whole story", and Shego caught Kim up on the sequence of events. She told of the interrogation room, the battle in the hanger, and the Director's plan to use the Raider to get to Drakken.
When she was done both women were standing in an area of the hanger that had escaped most of the damage and they were relatively alone. They stood with their arms around each other and their foreheads resting comfortable against one another.
"Click".
Both women looked up to see the Red Raider standing there holding a digital camera pointed at them. On his shoulder was a large bag with the symbol of GJ on the side. Off to the side, a little ways away, behind the Raider stood two GJ agents.
"What are you doing?" asked Shego frowning angrily.
"Just capturing the moment", said the Raider as he was apparently reviewing the picture he had just taken.
"Take your business up with Betty not us". The Raider bowed and began to turn away.
"Please wait", said Kim. The Raider stopped and turned back around. "I know Shego has talked with you about our daughter so I won't cover that ground again".
The Raider reached up and touched the side of his face Shego had hit. "Yes, she was most eloquent".
"I just want to say thank you for helping her today, I owe you one". Both Shego and the Raider seemed surprised by this.
"I must warn you Mrs. Possible, I do collect on my debts", said the Raider stepping up to Kim. Shego immediately stepped up protectively but Kim held her off.
"What do you want?"
"May I touch your hair?"
"You want what, you little…" began Shego.
"It's all right. Yes, you can". Kim was a bit shocked by this request but she was also a bit curious.
The GJ agents behind the Raider closed in. Kim waved them off as well.
The Raider removed his right glove and Kim could see his hand was quite large and it bore several scars. His hand reached up next to her face and he did nothing for several seconds. She couldn't see his eyes only the black coverings of his mask but somehow she imagined he was watching her closely.
She felt his touch as light as a feather. Hesitant, almost tentative, and much gentler than she expected. His fingers brushed the hair behind her ear and he held some between his fingers. The touch was sensitive and caring. Not the touch of a lover but the touch of someone with feelings. They stood that way for some time until the Raider's gaze dropped and he pulled his hand away. Once again she couldn't see his face but the pulling away and the broken gaze told her much.
"Gracie's right you are ashamed".
The Raider head snapped back up and Shego stepped forward to gaze at Kim.
"Oh, my god did I say that out loud?" asked Kim her face reddening. "I'm so sorry".
"Thank you Mrs. Possible. Your debt is paid". The Raider turned and moved off with the GJ agents following him.
"Well I'm now officially creeped out. It looks like you have an admirer", said Shego with a sour face.
Author's Notes:
I know what you all are thinking. What is going on? Don't worry remember this is a time travel story it's not supposed to make total sense until the end.
There is a funny adventure between Abby, Raider, and Motor Ed coming up in a chapter or two so please continue to read and review back to me.
Kim possible and all characters associated with it are the Copyrighted property of the Disney Corporation and the creation of Bob Schooley and Mark Mckorkle. Any characters of Disney's Kim Possible are used without their permission but for non-profit purposes.