The home of Wade Load was a technological masterpiece. It was warded both physically and electronically from any and all possible avenues of attack or infiltration. Here within its pristine and protected walls Wade was the uncontested master of his domain. With his beautiful and exceedingly gifted wife Minnie at his side, Wade's belief on the surety of his mission and the impregnability of his designs was beyond reproach.
For twenty years now he had provided aid, succor, and support for Team Possible and several other global entities. He sat as a benevolent spider on his web feeling the gentle vibrations across the world from his plethora of surveillance, intelligence, and research apparatus. Wade was almost literally plugged into everything and most governments and intelligence agencies would be envious and fearful of what he could do if he put his considerable mind to it.
This morning started out like so many others with standard data patterns and information retrievals with little to nothing specific going on anywhere at this time. Wade felt a disturbance in his data when an ambiguous screen on a low-priority project just blinked out. Wade adjusted his seat and changed position to move closer to the affected screen. He tried to punch up a new display but nothing happened. Strange this was relatively new equipment so he doubted hardware failure.
A second monitor phased in and out for a second and a flashing warning sign showed up on another screen.
"Minnie could you come in here please", said Wade as he began a quick scan of all available systems.
"Yes, dear what is it?" asked Minnie as she looked concerned at the sound of her husband's normally calm voice.
"Are you running anything new or experimental or made any adjustments to the core systems?"
"Like I would try that without informing you first". Minnie began to look at the readouts herself and Wade could see cold worry begin to blossom on her face as well.
Wade's hands moved so fast it was hard to track his movements but for every problem he fixed two new ones formed. This was no random set of errors, they were under attack.
"Minnie shut down the higher logic and core memory right now", said Wade just on the edge of panic.
"If we do that it will cripple almost all of our systems".
"If we don't do it we risk a massive cascade failure. Our own protective systems have been activated against our own assets like an auto-immune response. If we don't shut everything down, we will destroy ourselves".
Minnie sat down and joined Wade in doing what he never believed he would have to do purposefully, shut down his entire network. Even his vast intellect didn't know what that would mean in the long run but he had no choice. Someone would have had to have gained access to his systems for weeks if not months to pull this off. How could anyone have done that without his knowledge?
"Someone is trying to put us down but I promise you we are not beaten yet", said Wade with more anger than Minnie had ever heard her husband utter.
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Gracie had just finished her first class and stopped by her locker before her second. She found a note sticking out of it and immediately opened it. Her face lit up with a smile when she read it and looked around at the crowded school hallway. She had a few minutes before her next class so she quickly grabbed her things and headed down the hall and out of the building.
She found the Raider standing outside the building just to the side of the doors out of sight of anyone inside. He was outfitted in mission gear including light armor and most of his weapons. Gracie wondered if anything was wrong.
"Hey tall dark and villainous what's the sitch?" asked Gracie as she stepped up smiling to him.
The Raider looked down at the girl and seemed lost in thought. Then with lighting speed he reach up and grabbed the back of her head as he clamped a damp cloth over her mouth and nose. She struggled and struck out but in such tight quarters and his armored from her attacks came to little effect. As the stifling scent of chemicals began to overwhelm her and darkness crept in from all sides she heard the Raider whisper in her ear.
"I'm sorry. I warned you this day would come".
George came scrambling out of Gracie's pocket and leapt away intent on bringing help. The Raider was just a second faster and a small red bag dropped down on the naked mole rat. The Raider pulled the bag up tight and it rocked back and forth as George tried in vain to escape.
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Special Agent Will Du strode into the GJ central situation room wearing a life threatening frown of disapproval. He had been summoned from an early morning training session by an ambiguous request for aid from the GJ Information technology Division.
"Status report", as he stepped up to the dozen or more GJ technical staff that were frantically on several different terminals.
An agent who Agent Du recognized as a senior technical chief turned from his overview of the other agents work to address his superior. "Sir we have massive computer system anomalies across all Divisions".
"Explain".
"It is difficult to put into words sir".
"Try", said Agent Du his voice dripping with malice. The senior tech shrank before the withering gaze of the special agent but he pressed on.
"What we are seeing sir shouldn't be possible. The systems and servers are actually working against each other. Our firewalls are being turned against us and several systems have been either shut down or put into diagnostic modes with non-reactivation data streams that are preventing us from accessing them. If we don't do something soon we could be looking at a system wide cascade failure that would jeopardize terabytes of data".
"When did we first detect the anomalies?"
"Just this morning. We detected it just over an hour ago and it has spread to all departments despite our attempts to isolate it".
"Could it be a malfunction?"
"A malfunction in one Division maybe two but all of them in just over an hour, no way".
"So you're saying this is deliberate?"
"Absolutely sir".
"What can we do to rectify the anomalies?"
"My staff and I have run the numbers all morning and unfortunately the only option we think can work is shutting down the whole system and then rebooting from the protected archives".
"Shutting down a global wide network computer system of this magnitude, has it ever been tried before?"
"No sir. If there were any other way I would recommend it but someone has infiltrated our systems on a level that before this morning I would have sworn was impossible".
"How much time do we have before irreversible damage or complete system failure?"
"Hard to say sir but maybe an hour… two at most".
"Very well continue to work. I will brief the Director".
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Abby arrived back home from dropping the twins off at school and found Kim and Anne in the kitchen. Anne quickly explained that Kim may be going into labor so they needed to get to the hospital quickly. Abby knew Kim and Shego were ready for this eventuality and had prepared a bag for an extended hospital stay. She got the bag and would come back for Nicholas after she got the car ready.
"Anne get Kim ready to travel and I will pull the car up as close as I can", said Abby as she went out the front door. She ran right into the Raider. She was shocked at first but then actually relieved.
"Perfect you're here. Kim may be going into labor so I could use your help".
"I know", said the Raider. The Raider advanced before Abby could react. He clamped his left hand over Abby's mouth as he jabbed a thin needle into her neck. Her trained agent/bodyguard reflexes kicked in and she twisted and struck out but her muscles soon began to lock and stiffen. What is he doing? She began to panic as the Raider gently began to lower her to the floor. She was rapidly losing her ability to move any part of her body but her face showed the rage she was feeling. If looks could kill the Raider would have been the target of a small tactical nuclear device.
"I'm sorry", the Raider whispered as he cradled her head so she did not injure herself. "Please know that I hold you in the highest regard. But like you said I must follow my plan and damn the consequences". The Raider pulled a small note from his armor and placed it gently in her hand. "It is a paralytic I took from Yori when I trained with her. The effects should wear off shortly. I will leave you here to take care of Nicholas. Give this to Shego when she arrives. I will most likely need her help before this day is done".
"The Kimmunicator isn't working", the Raider heard Kim say. "I was trying to call Shego and I couldn't get through to her or Wade".
"Let me get my phone and we will try", said Anne.
With that the Raider placed Abby next to the wall inside the door, and advanced silently on the kitchen. Anne was just getting Kim up from her chair when the Raider came into the Kitchen. He couldn't risk drugging Kim in her condition so he settled for the direct approach. Kim saw the Raider just as his fist connected with her jaw. The Raider didn't want to risk Kim hurting herself or the baby in trying to defend herself so he didn't hold back.
"What the hell are you doing? She's in labor you…" said Anne before the Raider's back-handed strike spun her into the wall. Anne saw bright light and stars for a few seconds as she slid down the wall to the floor. Never before had she been struck such a blow but she felt that the Raider has pulled his strike. Her check hurt and she felt fresh blood drip from her nose and lip as her focus returned.
The Raider crushed Anne's phone beneath his foot as he was picking Kim up from the floor and his masked face turned toward Anne. "Your presence here is fortuitous Dr. Possible. I could use your aid".
"You think I will help you after this?"
"I already have Gracie in my transport and I am taking your daughter. I will deliver this baby myself if necessary but I am not a trained physician. I can leave you here unconscious or if you give me your word of good conduct I will allow you to perform the birth. You must decide how best to serve your family". The Raider lifted Kim and appeared to be waiting for her response.
"I will go with you and I promise to behave at least until the baby is born. After that I promise nothing". Anne wiped the blood from her face as she rose from the floor. She stared daggers at the Raider and he could see the cold contempt in her eyes.
"Fair enough. I have all the medical supplies you will need aboard my ship". The Raider turned and headed out the front of the house.
"What about Nicholas? We can't just leave him".
"Abby will recover momentarily and she can look after your grandson", said the Raider as he carried Kim out the front door.
Anne followed and saw that a sleek hover transport sat in the front yard. She had never heard it land and she saw four bodies in GJ uniforms lying on the ground outside the craft. She knelt down and found they were all still alive but unconscious. The Raider carried Kim up a small ramp into the craft. Anne quickly followed into the single large cleared away central cabin. She saw the Raider lay Kim into a portable hospital bed. Anne found Gracie lying on the floor of the cabin with her head on a pillow and a small red bag that seemed to roll back and forth lying next to her.
"See to your patient Doctor", said the Raider as he closed the ramp and moved to the craft's cockpit. Anne checked on Kim and found the Raider had indeed collected a plethora of medical equipment that would be necessary for delivering a baby. The floor jolted and swayed a bit under her before leveling out as the hovercraft took off.
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Doctor Betty Director stood waiting as her entire computer support staff struggled with combating whatever had infiltrated their systems. They appeared to be fighting a losing battle like trying to fix a leaking dam before the river it held back broke through. She was just about to order the entire network be shut down when Agent Du and several other personnel arrived on the scene.
"Director we have found what is causing the problem", said Agent Du as he stepped up holding a small device about the size of a dime in his hand.
"What is it?" asked the Director.
"We don't know entirely what it is yet but it seems to be advanced spy ware that has infiltrated all of our systems; computers, communication, surveillance, defensive, and offensive response systems. As we find and remove these devices it should allow us to regain control of our systems".
"How long?"
"That depends on how many of these things we have left to neutralize. It would seem that the interference these devices are generating would have discontinued anyway within a few hours".
"So they were designed to blind and cripple us but only temporarily. Why?"
"That question would best be asked by the person who planted them".
"Where did they come from?" asked the Director but inside she already knew.
"The scans we have conducted indicate it has the same energy signature as other Raider technology we have encountered".
"Where is he?" asked the Director through gritted teeth.
"His last reported sighting was leaving this morning with Theta team in the hover craft he has modified. His present location is unknown as his tracker is off-line but he was last detected moving toward Middleton".
"We can't wait for our systems to get back up. Use any means necessary to get a message out to Middleton that the Raider is outside our control and considered dangerous. Use smoke signals if you have too but we need to begin responding".
"This is my fault Director I should have detected his interference and neutralized it", said Agent Du.
"No the fault was mine. I knew he was poison and I let him in. I let sentimentality cloud my judgment. We will deal with blame later for now just find him".
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Billy Murphy and Jimmy Fiddler found Shego preparing for her third class of the day. Shego could tell that something was wrong and motioned for the young men over to her.
"Hello gentlemen what's the problem?"
The boys looked at one another and it was Billy who spoke up first. "We were just wondering if Gracie had to leave for some reason."
"No she was supposed to be here all day long with me".
"Well she wasn't in her second period class and we haven't been able to locate her anywhere", said Jimmy.
Shego didn't like the sound of this and she went back to the desk and picked up the Shegophone and tried to call Gracie. The phone was dead and she couldn't get anyone on it; not Wade and not Kim. That was damned odd. Shego looked around at her students as they began to usher in for class.
"Does anyone have a functioning cell phone?"
Several of the students replied in the affirmative but when they went to check they discovered that all of their phones were not functioning. Shego went to the class computers and discovered that none of them had internet access of any kind. Without alarming anyone further, she motioned Billy and Jimmy over to her.
"Keep looking for Gracie and I will be back momentarily", as the boys left Shego instructed her class to come in, sit, and wait for her. Shego quickly left for the school offices and found them in a disarray. None of the school phone or computer systems were functioning normally. They couldn't get a message out to anyone. Shego went to the schools' public address system and made a request for Gracie to come to the school offices. After several minutes no one showed up until Billy and Jimmy arrived indicating they still couldn't find Gracie.
Shego told the principal to arrange coverage for her classes she had to find Gracie and she planned to start her search at home.
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Ron stood outside the Lotus Blades signing a sales receipt on a shipment of food stuff he was receiving this morning. The delivery driver answered his phone and then brought it over to Ron.
"I received a call for your Mr. Stoppable from someone named Wade".
Ron's danger sense kicked up a notch at what the driver said and he took the phone.
"Good morning Wade this is a little low tech for you".
"You have no idea Ron. I managed to get ahold of Yori and she told me where you would be. I'm trying to put my entire network and our communications back together which is why I'm calling you this way. I haven't been able to reach anyone else in Team Possible or GJ and I think something is going down. Someone has deliberately crippled me and through me has isolated all the rest of us."
"Did Yori say anything was wrong there?"
"No she was alright and she was going to check on Ronnie Junior and the twins at their school."
"Alright I am done here and I will head over to Kim's and find a way to contact you from there".
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Gracie's head hurt and for some reason she felt that it shouldn't be this hard to stay awake in school. Also why was she laying on the floor?
"Gracie are you alright?" came her mother's voice.
"Yeah I'm fine but what are you doing at school?" asked Gracie as she sat up.
"We're not at your school", said Anne.
Gracie's consciousness snapped into focus and she took in her surroundings. She now sat on the floor of what she assumed must be the Raider's hovercraft. Her grandmother knelt next to her mother who lay in a mobile hospital bed that reclined on the floor next to her. Gracie saw that her mother was awake and apparently in pain. Gracie also found a small red bag sitting next to her and she opened it and George angrily scrambled out. Gracie jumped up from the floor and joined her grandmother next to her mother.
"How is she?" asked Gracie.
"She's in labor. Her water broke some time ago," Anne reached down and put a damp cloth on Kim's head as another painful contraction showed on Kim's face. "She is already almost fully dilated. This baby wants out and fast. I'm no OBGYN but I figure we have one maybe two hours before delivery."
Gracie looked toward the front and saw the Raider sitting with his back to them as he piloted the craft. Gracie could feel the floor shaking a little so she imagined the Raider was pushing the hovercraft as fast as it could go.
"What do we know?" Gracie inclined her head toward the Raider.
"Nothing yet", said Kim as she lay with her eyes closed. "He seems to have a soft spot for you, so why don't you see what you can learn". George jumped up on the bed and patted Kim's shoulder in sympathy.
Gracie nodded her head and stood up quickly assessing her surroundings. There were several things in the cabin that she might be able to use as a weapon. There was a fire extinguisher, medical scalpel, and flare gun but she was afraid that those would not be enough. She stepped forward into the pilot area and sat in the second seat. The Raider said nothing and didn't even acknowledge her presence.
"Why?" Gracie asked in a quiet and disappointed tone.
"It's necessary", was the Raider's terse response.
"Necessary to take my pregnant mother and my grandmother, right!" Gracie's voice rose in octaves as she spoke.
"I can't do this any other way. I am out of options. The Proconsul will have the project up and running very soon now and if I know Shego and GJ they will be in pursuit of us shortly regardless of the delays I have created for them".
"I don't understand any of this", cried Gracie in frustration. "I thought we were… friends".
The Raider turned quickly and his right arm snapped out with his index finger resting just outside of Gracie's nose. "I warned you months ago that we weren't friends. Couldn't be friends. There is too much at stake Gracie".
"Then tell me what is at stake than for god's sake". Gracie stared hard back at the Raider in the hope that he would finally open up to her.
"Not yet Gracie".
Gracie stared hard at the finger before her face and the Raider could she how much what he said hurt her. Then she closed her eyes and her expression hardened and when she opened her eyes again he saw cold resolve in them.
"So be it. Know this, since I mean nothing to you and you threaten my family then as soon as you drop your guard I will not hesitate to take you out".
The Raider lowered his arm and once again looked out the front of the craft. "I'm sorry it has come to this. But you may change your mind soon enough".
"Whatever. Well than how about where are we going?"
"France. Specifically the southern Dauphine Alps Mount Barre des Ecrins at about four thousand meters. The mount has a glacier on one side and soft rock on the other. The Ice helps prevent it from being scanned accurately and the soft rock is easy for the construction of an underground complex. I have someone on the inside that has fed me the information and we should be there within the next few hours. Right now you need to help your mother because I'm going to be busy".
"Why didn't you just tell GJ about this so they could help you?"
"I did tell them in a fashion and I will need their help but on my own terms."
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Shego's ride home was a testimony to speed and reckless driving. If she wasn't so upset she would almost be having fun. She spotted Ron arriving almost at the same time. The first thing she saw were four GJ agents laying in her front yard.
"Ron check on them and I will check inside", said Shego as she rushed through the front door. She found Abby crawling toward the kitchen and she heard Nicholas crying from further back in the house. Shego reached down and picked up Abby and carried her to the living room sofa.
"I'm fine, get Nicholas", said Abby as she fought to regain control of her body.
Shego quickly ran to Nicholas's room and found him crying and scared but he immediately brightened up seeing his momma. Shego's heart skipped a beat as she picked up her son and kissed his face in relief. One down several to go she thought. Ron was just entering the house when she returned to Abby.
"The agents are fine. They are the team that was escorting the Raider. They say he attacked them without provocation and when they awoke they were here and immobilized", said Ron.
"It was the Raider all right. He took Kim and Anne. I also heard him say he had Gracie as well", said Abby.
"Where did he take them", asked Shego as she sat Nicholas down next to Abby.
"I don't know but he left this for you", said Abby as she raised her hand slightly holding the note the Raider had given her. Shego reached to take the note and as she did Abby grabbed her hand. "There is something else. When he took Kim she appeared to be going into labor".
"Damn", said Ron.
Shego kneeled holding Abby's hand and the note and Abby could see the barely controlled rage behind those emerald-green eyes. Abby felt angry and betrayed by the Raider's actions but when she looked at her longtime friend and employer she almost pitied the Raider.
Shego opened the note and read silently for about a minute before closing the note and placing it inside her blouse. She stood up and closed her eyes and appeared to be gathering herself but when her eyes opened there was a cold dark purpose in them.
"Abby stay with Nicholas while Ron and I get ready, Ron come with me". Shego moved to the situation room of the house and opened a concealed closet. She pulled out a green and black suit for herself and one of Kim's blue and white suits. Shego's suit, as well as added protection, would augment her plasma powers and the razor-sharp gloves would slice through steel. Kim's suit was more defensive with energy absorption and EMP augmentations.
"So what do you need?" asked Ron.
"I want you to put on Kim's battlesuit".
"Kim's suit?"
"I know you have worn one before and for where we are going you may need it."
Abby had just got the use of her legs back when Shego and Ron came back in both clad in their respective battlesuits. Shego was helping Abby up when Ron's Kimmunicator beeped.
"Wade please tell me that's you", said Ron.
"It is Ron", said Wade as he appeared on the small video screen.
"I am so glad to see you".
"My systems aren't 100% yet but they will be. Whoever did this seemed to only want to cripple me for a limited time".
"Enough of the welcomes, nerdlinger. Do you have any information on where the Raider has taken my family?" said Shego as she steadied Abby who was now standing on her own.
"I don't have an exact location but I have their trail. It would seem the Raider is leaving a trail of locator beacons. So far I have tracked them across the Eastern US and into the Atlantic. They seem to be headed for Europe".
"We need transportation", said Ron.
"Way ahead of you Ron. I have a modified hovercraft that Kim's brothers and I guarantee is the fastest suborbital craft in the world, ETA at your place is two minutes".
"Sweet", said Ron.
"Shego I got in touch with Yori and she has Ronnie, Emily, and Zoe and they are headed home to you right now".
"Good. Abby when they get here, keep them here as our home will be the safest place. Ron and I are going after Kim and the others and I'm tired of playing this bastard's game".
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Doctor Director once again sat back in her office as her technical staff slowly began to restore GJs functional capability. How could she have been so stupid? She thought she had him contained by keeping him close but the Raider had used his time to infiltrate their entire network and cripple them. Her computer screen suddenly came back to life and she was about to begin her security access protocol when the face of the Raider appeared.
"I will dispense with any pleasantries Doctor Director as we both don't have the time. When you see this message I imagine you will be recovering for my interference and for that I apologize. At this time I will have taken Kim Possible and Gracie Possible captive. I will be en route to the site of the project and those that control it. My tracking device has been neutralized but I will be leaving markers for you to follow and I will lead GJ directly to the project site. If you attempt to interfere with me directly you will endanger the lives of my passengers and you will not reach the project site in time to stop Drakken and his allies.
My suggestion is that you mobilize all your European GJ assets at once, particularly your air support and ground insertion attack assets. They will have established a considerable defensive position probably with both ground and air forces and at least partial operational weapon capacity of the project.
"I have something our enemies require so they will let me in. I will neutralize the project's weapon capacity but I will only be able to do this if our enemy must deploy his forces against an external threat. Once again I apologize for putting you in this position but you and I both know you really have no choice."
The screen exploded when the Director's fist crashed into it.
"Arrogant prick. You have no idea what my choices may be".
The door to her office burst open and Agent Du and her protection detail entered expecting trouble. They found the Director wrapping a handkerchief around her right hand as she strode toward them fuming with fury.
"Agent Du first off alert all our European offices to scan for any sign of the Raider or his movements. Second get us on the fastest transport we can lay our hands on and set flight plans for France but we may need to change as information is updated. Third mobilize all our air support strike teams and ground support forces from Scotland to Malta. I will brief everyone on the way".
Agent Du and his men turned quickly to carry out her orders.
"Will, one more thing. Get in touch with the French president and tell him I need to speak with him ASAP".
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"Sir we have detected rapid mobilization from multiple GJ facility assets within France, Great Britain, Germany, and Italy", said Synthodrone 932 from the European monitor station. The Proconsul turned his chair to the monitor in question and rubbed his hands together as if warming them.
"Scan for activity over the Atlantic coming from the North American continent that is not trade or commercial in nature".
"I have multiple contacts and varying signals all on course for France with projected possible intercepts near our current position."
The Proconsul turned in his chair to the still form of Doctor Drakken standing behind him. The Proconsul said nothing but raised one of his eyebrows in an obvious questionable gesture.
"They're coming", said Drakken.
"Of course they are", said the Proconsul.
"Sir I can't get a lock on the lead signal but it seems to be leaving a trail of radio buoys that multiple other contacts out of North America are following. In fact the second contact is moving fast and gaining rapidly."
"How fast is it moving?"
"I would say recklessly fast".
"The rest of the family is on its way. The Raider just can't bring himself to exclude them. He seeks contrition even in the midst of his betrayal. This could prove to be fun". The Proconsul stood and walked from the control room. "Allow the hidden lead signal inside our defensive perimeter but nothing else. Warm everything up and prepare the project for rapid deployment. We will soon have guests and I intend on being a thoughtful host".
Drakken did not follow the Proconsul but instead moved to one of the presently unoccupied situation consoles and plugged in a communication drive module and activated it.
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Ron held on for dear life as Shego pushed their craft to its limit. Shego had said very little since they had left Middleton and Ron knew what was when Shego was most dangerous. When she was talking as she had always been with Kim when they were much younger was when Shego might fight but never to the extreme. However, when she was quiet and fuming as she was now was when she was boiling just below the surface. The Shegophone sounded and Ron almost jumped from the high-strung nature of the moment.
"Go nerdlinger", said Shego.
"Just wanted to update you on the growing situation. It seems GJ is getting back on line and in the act. Doctor Director has mobilized almost GJ's entire European tactical wing and she and her elite forces are following you at this very moment. They are trying to track the Raider's craft but so far have not been able to directly locate it. The beacons he has dropped however point toward a course toward southern France, Switzerland, or northern Italy. The Director has ordered her people at the moment only to track and not to engage the Raider because of the danger to Kim and the others".
"She is hoping he leads them to Drakken", said Ron.
"That is my thoughts as well", said Wade.
"Fine, anything else?" asked Shego.
"I want you to set your shield emitters to this specific frequency and it should cover the entire electromagnetic signature of your ship".
"What will that do?" asked Shego.
"It may allow you penetrate their defensive shielding without having to bash through".
"How did you get this information?" asked Ron.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you", said Wade.
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"Are you sure you don't want me to give you anything for the pain?" asked Anne of Kim as her contractions were coming faster now and it was obvious that she was in pain. Kim winced in pain and her brow was beaded with sweat but her face shown with determination. George got another damp cloth and laid it on Kim's forehead.
"No I need to be as level-headed as I can be under the circumstances".
Gracie sat next to Kim holding her mother's hand as she watched her grandmother take position like a baseball catcher between Kim's legs. "I wish momma were here".
'"Yeah, smack down", said George as he looked up toward the Raider.
"Me too. I just wanted one pregnancy were I wasn't attacked, kidnapped, or held hostage". Kim winced in pain again and her breathing became rapid but it passed and she once again looked at Gracie. "Don't worry if I know your momma she is breaking all speed and safety records getting here".
Gracie turned to the front of the hovercraft and saw that the Raider was looking over his shoulder watching them. Gracie could not see the Raider's eyes due to his mask but she knew he was looking at her. She tried her best to show contempt but it was surprisingly hard because she still didn't want to believe he had done this. No, she needed to be strong for her mother and the new baby. No matter that the Raider was the enemy.
Gracie looked out of the only open window and saw mountains passing by. They had dropped in altitude and must be nearing their destination which meant that they were running out of time.
"All right Kim, now push", said Anne as Gracie turned her attention back to her mother. Gracie began helping her mother in her breathing as the minutes passed in a blur as cycles of pushing, breathing, and panting passed. Gracie noticed that the Raider was now actually standing in the door to the room watching the birth.
"Eureka the head at last. We're in the home stretch now Kim just a few more good pushes", said Anne.
Gracie saw the Raider now move behind Anne and Gracie was almost offended that the villain would intrude on such an intimate moment for her family. Gracie followed his gaze and was herself amazed as she witnessed the baby being born. Her sibling came out without fanfare and without ceremony but to Gracie it was as if she had witnessed a miracle.
The baby cried out as Anne cleared its mouth and clamped the birthing cord before she cut it. She began cleaning off the baby and despite the surroundings smiled and cooed at the baby. "Aren't you just the cutest little …Oh my god", said Anne in apparent shock.
"Mom what is it", gasped Kim in concern. A million different terrible scenario's flashed through Kim's mind. Was the baby in danger? Was the baby healthy?
"It's a …boy".
"It's a what?" asked Kim.
"It's a boy", said Anne for the second time.
"That's Impossible", said Gracie. George stared at the new infant and seemed confused on why the humans were so surprised by the gender of the baby.
"No it isn't. I modified the Project Cradle device so it was possible to produce a male child", said the Raider.
"You what?" All three women shouted in unison. The trio stared at the Raider with different levels of disbelief. The Raider appeared unconcerned by their expressions and seemed only to look at the small baby held in Anne's arms.
"Dr. Possible prepare the baby and mother for transportation", ordered the Raider.
"She has just given birth and the baby a newborn. They need to stay near and rest not travel".
"Doctor either you prepare them or I will. Make your choice".
"You're a monster", said Anne through gritted teeth.
"Yeah Raidzilla", said George looking angrily at the Raider.
"I prefer the term abomination", said the Raider as he disappeared back into the piloting area.
"I don't give a damn what you prefer!" Anne shouted after him. Anne turned to see Gracie staring at her in wonder.
"You cursed?"
"I can get mad as easily as anyone else my dear", said Anne as she handed Gracie the baby and went back to helping Kim. It took several minutes but Kim was able to clear the afterbirth and Gracie finished cleaning up the baby. She wrapped it up and laid it on Kim's chest.
The baby wasn't as tiny as you would expect for only a thirty-five week pregnancy. The baby had the rosy skin tone of Kim but had the dark black hair of Shego with some highlights of red. When the boy opened his eyes they were the olive-green of Kim's.
"I guess it doesn't matter how he got here I still think he's cute", said Gracie.
"He is beautiful", said Kim. "However, it may take some explaining to your momma".
"We haven't thought up any male names have we", said Gracie.
"No we haven't but we had better wait for your momma before we start down that road", said Kim.
As the craft lurched to the side Gracie and Anne grabbed Kim and the baby to steady them. The hovercraft turned in a tight circle and dropped in altitude rapidly and suddenly set down on a small level outcropping of a mountain.
Gracie looked out the small window and saw they were on a small landing ledge on the side of a cliff face. The landing area was big enough for maybe two crafts of this size and close by in the wall of the cliff was a large set of metallic doors that stood with just a small gap of an opening between them. It looked like some kind of welcome, invitation, or trap. Dense clouds surrounding them just outside the landing area so it was easy to see how this whole area could be missed.
The Raider closed the door to the pilot area with a slam. He was now outfitted in all his armor and weapons. Bright red metal plates over a black leather like undercoat covered his legs, arms, torso, and chest. A red metal shield was strapped to his back and a large GJ bag was slung over one shoulder. His sword, fighting batons and what looked like a bandolier of grenades crossed his chest. His red and black mask covered his face and Gracie stepped forward to intercept him before he went any further.
"What now. Do you offer us in trade, bait, or hostages?"
"You will come with me. Your mother and grandmother will stay here", said the Raider as he pushed past her. The Raider moved over to Kim and reached down and pulled the baby from her arms. Kim tried to hold on but she so weak and tired from giving birth that she could not resist his strength. Kim cried out in frustration and the baby cried in protest as well but the Raider secured the baby in his arms.
Anne rushed forward but the Raider turned and showed her the back of his fist and she was brought up short. George rushed in and leapt off Kim's chest biting at the Raider's face. The Raider merely nodded into him smacking his forehead into the mole rat knocking him back over the bed.
As the Raider now had his back to her, Gracie removed a small portable fire extinguisher from the wall of the craft and slammed it down on the back of the Raider. She actually managed to drive the Raider to one knee. She attempted a follow-up strike but was delayed as the baby was momentarily in her path so she moved around for a better position when the Raider whirled while still kneeling and his leg shot up sweeping Gracie from her feet. The girl crashed to the floor but sprung up just as fast. The Raider now recovered stood holding the crying newborn and tossed Gracie's improvised weapon away.
"I can't let you take him", shouted Gracie.
"You can't stop me. Now we must go", said the Raider as he opened the exterior hatch and lowered the stairs.
"I won't go with you", said Gracie.
"Follow or not it is your choice".
"Wait a second you rotten bastard", said Kim. Gracie, Anne, and even the Raider stopped and turned toward Kim. Gracie had known her mother all her life and never had she heard her speak with such anger and contempt. "If anything happens to my baby, know that I will never forgive you. There will be no place in this world. No place in time. Past, present, or future that I will not find you".
For several long heart beats no one said or did anything following Kim's statement. To look at Kim's body showed a woman on the edge of exhaustion or collapse. But one look at her eyes and showed a feral lioness with a will of iron to defend her cubs. Although Kim had not said exactly what her threat implied, Gracie knew instinctively what her mother meant. The fact that the Raider had pushed her mother this far angered Gracie as much as anything else the he had done.
"I understand", was all the Raider said before he exited the craft.
Gracie hesitated for only a moment and then she rushed over to Kim and kissed her on the forehead. "Don't worry I will get him back. Grandmother get mom as ready to move as you can. I will go after the baby", said Gracie as she picked up a medical scalpel and pushed it up her sleeve. George ran over and jumped up on her shoulder. She then ran out of the craft and realized it was cold here with a light mix of snow on the ground. The only place to go was inside the entrance to whatever this place was so she hurried inside.
The interior was a long central hall that seemed to have been cut from the natural rock. There were intermittent illuminators hanging along the walls. Gracie hurried down the long hall hoping to catch up to the Raider before she met anyone else. She began encountering other hallways that off shot the main hall but she continued forward until she reached a complex of corridors and rooms that resembled administration or office facilities. No one was there at first, but Gracie heard the sound of approaching steps and started to move toward the sound. A red armored hand shot out of the darkness and yanked her back into a side corridor.
Gracie almost screamed as the Raider pulled her out of sight as a dozen armed synthodrones ran by them. Gracie turned to see the Raider crouching protectively over her and the baby as the squad passed. The baby was surprisingly quiet and seemed to just stare wide-eyed at the people and things around him. They were in some sort of office/computer center but no one else was present. George leapt down and ran over to the door to see if the enemy had passed.
"What exactly are you trying to do?" asked Gracie as she angrily but quietly pulled herself away from the Raider.
"The same thing I have tried to do from the start, save the world".
"How does kidnapping me and my baby brother help in that regard?"
"It is necessary. Now I will need your help".
"My help? Why should I help you?"
"Trust me…" Gracie slapped the Raider hard across the face.
"Don't say that word. Don't ever ask me to trust you again".
"I need you…" Gracie slapped the Raider again.
"You need me to help you. Fine, then understand that I won't lift a finger to help you until you explain this to my satisfaction and right now that bar is set pretty darned high".
The Raider knelt before Gracie and cradled the baby in his left arm. He always knew this moment would come. The Raider reached up with his right hand and pulled of his mask. What Gracie saw was beyond the scope of her understanding. Words and feelings failed her and the world no longer seemed to make any kind of sense.
George came over and glanced back and forth between Gracie and the Raider. Humans might be fooled by outward appearances but George's animal instincts told him right away what the situation was. Even though it still made very little sense to him.
"OMG…" Gracie fell to her knees. ""What the …how… can it…"
"Time travel. We don't have time for me to explain it all but it is imperative that you understand that the circle of events must be completed".
"What does that mean?"
"The demands of time are clear. What was must be again or what is will fail to be".
Gracie sat trying to understand what the Raider meant as she looked from him to all around her. What did he mean? Her eyes finally settled on the baby. Cold hard understanding crashed down upon her and chilled her soul.
"You can't mean …that's inhuman".
"He will survive. Believe me, I know".
"But I have about a million questions for you".
"I will allow you time for one". Gracie shock herself and tried to ponder just what one question would be most relative and this moment.
"What will happen to you even if you succeed?"
"I don't know. But I believe there is very little chance of me surviving this day, regardless of the outcome. Besides I am not the one that is most important".
"We are all important", said Gracie as her hand reached up and touched the Raider's uncovered face.
"They say that a person is never truly gone so long as they are remembered. I ask that you remember me", the Raider pulled the GJ bag off his shoulder and dropped it down in front of Gracie. He reached inside and pulled forth the picture of Kim and Shego he had taken in the GJ facility months ago. "When you believe the time is right tell them about me. Tell them …I am sorry".
The Raider reached into his armor and produced the flash drive he had given Gracie before.
"Where did you get that?"
"I took it from your locker when I left you the note earlier today". The Raider took Gracie's hand and pressed her and his thumb to the drive. The light on the drive lit up with red light. "It is time for you see".
"See what?"
"To see yourself". The Raider now pressed the drive into her palm. He then pointed to the computers that sat around them. The Raider left the bag at Gracie's feet and stood and checked the outer hall to be sure it was clear. Gracie leapt to her feet and picked up the bag.
"Wait. You could explain this to them and to GJ. I am sure they would understand if given the chance".
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Let me try to understand your request madam Director. You want me to arrange a thermo nuclear strike on French soil", said the French president.
"Only as a last resort Mr. President. If my forces can't gain positive control of the situation, then it is imperative for the sake of the entire world that this site be destroyed", said Doctor Director from her combat transport as it closed on the French Alps.
"If I do as you request, it would be from a submarine we have stationed just off the French coast in the Mediterranean Sea. You and your people will not have time to evacuate to a safe distance."
"I know that Mr. President but never the less if GJ makes the request it will necessary".
"I must speak to my cabinet and ministers. I will call you back when I have a decision". The French president disappeared from the screen and the Director changed the view to a satellite tactical view of the Dauphine Alps region. Dozens of GJ air combat vehicles, ground support transports, and heavy unit carriers were in route to the site. About fifteen hundred ground troops with about one hundred heavy power suit units were ready to be deployed.
"Director we are receiving a clear signal on the Raider's craft and it has stopped on the side of a mountain. I will add the position to the tactical display", said Agent Du.
"So he has finally stopped hiding has he? What of Shego and her ship?"
"They are ahead of us and should arrive several minutes before us. They have not responded to our hails."
"Shego is hunting and I don't blame her. Whatever game the Raider is playing we are not going to play by his rules. Prepare to deploy our forces to encircle the site of that signal. Hold the heaviest ground assault forces in reserve until we have a clear target site".
"And what of the Raider?"
The Director stood contemplating the tactical screen as her forces closed in on the signal. "Instruct all units that the Raider is considered hostile. Shoot on sight and if necessary lethal force is authorized".
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Shego's ship roared through the Alps as she closed on the now clear signal of the Raider's ship. The hours it had taken to get here were some of the longest of her life. She always knew that letting others in was a risk. She had let Kim and the children into her heart and now that same heart threatened to burst in worry. They would be alright. She knew they would be alright.
"Ron we need to get something clear between us before we get there".
"You don't have to say anything Shego because I know what you want to do. Nothing will stop us from getting them back. If Kim, Gracie, Anne, or the baby are hurt in any way then there is also nothing that will stop us from getting those responsible. You don't have to worry about me stopping you".
"Thanks Ron".
Shego banked around a mountain side and then they could see the ledge where the Raider's ship had landed and there was enough room for them to set down next to it. A yellowish red shield surrounded the mountain top but Shego didn't hesitate and she bore down on the ledge and passed through the electromagnetic barrier with barely any resistance.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"They may not be as understanding as you might wish them to be Gracie", said the Raider. "I will clear the way for you. Follow once you seen what's on the drive. The Journal will have the technical instructions you need at the end of it."
"This may be last time we have to talk so please allow me to say that I'm sorry", said Gracie as against her own will she began to cry. The Raider stepped up to her and the baby cooed making Gracie smile.
"I never meant to care Gracie. I was supposed to stay impartial but I haven't. I don't trust my judgment now. I want too much. But I do trust your judgment. Look at the message and then you decide what the future will be". The Raider leaned down and kissed her gently on the lips before he donned his mask and disappeared down the hall.
Gracie stepped up to the doorway but by the time she got there the Raider and the baby were gone. She turned, scooped up George from the floor, picked up the GJ bag, and went to one of the computer terminals and booted up the system. There were no passwords at this point so she inserted the flash drive and after a few seconds the video began to run.
"Hello ... sorry. This message is twofold. First message is for Vega One. We have never met before but I am your sister. We are people of duty you and me. We have a duty to protect others and I need you to protect me so we can save the world. Where you are now and what you are a part of was never meant to be. We have to stop this from happening which means you and I are going to have to make some hard choices. The files that you will find in the bag explain our parents and our family. You were not forgotten or abandoned. Our parents loved you with all their hearts and souls. You will find a picture of them in the bag as well. Look at it and see their love. I know you have not had this love but it is here for you. You will also find a journal. Your journal! That will tell you what you need to do and when. All this equipment around you is designed to open a temporary portal in the space time continuum that you must use to come back to us. The journal should have all the instructions. Take the Kimmunicator with you as well".
Gracie reached down and grabbed her own Kimmunicator and it felt sort of surreal to see herself on screen and holding it. She looked into the GJ bag and found the files the message had mentioned. The picture was there as well and the Journal she already recognized. Obviously she had put this together in the past or was it the future? This was so confusing. Gracie watched as the message continued.
"The second message is for me, Hi. When I am finally seeing this, things will be happening fast and I will need to be faster. Trust in George to do his job. My job is to reprogram the time displacement controls first with a specific destination and then with a delayed displacement. You will know what I mean at the time. It will leave you vulnerable but trust me help will come, I promise. Vega, that's about it except to say that without your help I will die and the world with me. Come back to us, come home."
Gracie turned to look at George. "I wonder what your job is supposed to be."
"I dunno", said George as he shrugged his shoulders.
"I did this George. This whole thing is partly my fault. I sent him here. I told him to do it". Gracie sat down in a chair and George jumped up into her lap.
"Nope not right", said George.
"What do you mean?"
"Everyone responsible themselves".
"Then why has he done this?"
"He love you".
George's simple statement struck Gracie like a lightning bolt. Not for power. Not for fame. Not for glory. Not for gain. She was why he had done it all. She was what he considered the most important.
"I am so stupid".
"No not stupid", said George as he twirled in her lap and smiled at her.
"You're right I am not stupid and now I must make a choice", Gracie rose from her chair and opened the Journal to the last few pages. "And then live with the consequences".
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The Proconsul watched varying screens in the control center. He watched as the Raider left his craft and entered the lair with the baby. He watched as Gracie followed after him. He had anticipated the Raider entering but why was the girl following? It didn't matter she was of no concern.
"Inform all interior units to ignore the Raider until further notice".
Then the proconsul saw Shego's craft penetrate his shielding and his eyebrows rose in surprise. Someone has been a bad boy thought the proconsul. This was unsuspected but not crippling by any means.
"Alternate the frequency of the shields at random intervals until further notice. All interior units find and detain Doctor Drakken".
"Sir the majority of our forces are concentrated on the exterior. We most likely have insufficient means to stop a meta-human such as Shego with only our remaining interior forces", said synthodrone 932.
"Never the less assign all interior forces to stop them. If necessary I will deal with them personally".
Author's Notes:
Darn this chapter was a lot harder to write than I anticipated. The next chapter (but not the last chapter) is the climatic final battle between well everybody.
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.