Shouts to my Beta CajunBear73 for his proofing. He finds the stuff I inevitability miss. And a thanks to Sentinel103 for his transition idears
Chapter 13 Sleepwalk
After she settled down to the point she could speak coherently, Kim and Ron talked. When Kim questioned him about his performance on Senior's Island, Ron gave her an explanation that shocked her.
"Ron, Wade streamed the video from Senior's place. The Tweebs were totally amped by the way. They're liable to mug you the next time they see you. It looked like you were even more powerful then on Graduation Day, what happened?"
"Kim, you have to understand, the Mystical Monkey Power gives me better reflexes, makes me stronger, helps me know what's happening around me in a fight. The Lotus Blade reacts to my wishes, becoming the weapon I want or need. A sword, a Bo, tonfa, nunchaku, a spear. Apart both are powerful, but that's nothing compared to what they are together."
"But they wanted something from me. I had prove that I was willing, not just able, but willing to take a life." Ron's voice was breaking a bit. "I don't mean just going out and finding a victim. That's murder. They won't work for a murderer. But they will work for a Warrior. And Warrior, sometimes, whether they want to or not, they have to kill. The Mystical Monkey Power and the Lotus Blade require a willingness to kill. Not in a bloodlust or just killing random people. But the true wielder MUST be willing to do so if necessary."
Ron was starting to settle down now.
"Kim, this whole thing with the invasion, the Lowardians, what we found out from Senior, it's taught me something. Something I really didn't wanna know. It's taught me that there are people in the world that you don't try to capture. You don't try to put them on trial. Because if they escape, they're gonna start all over again. And the body count will just climb. So you have a choice, one certain death of that you KNOW is Evil, or the possibility of dozens or hundreds of dead innocents."
In the last few days Kim had started to come to the same conclusion. But she had to make sure about the motives and reasons for what was happening to Ron. "But Ron, you're setting your self up as Judge, Jury and Executioner. We've always fought for Right. And just killing someone isn't Right"
"I may not like it, Kim, but Sagara's right. 'The actions of your enemy will tell you what you need to do'. If they're willing to talk, then talk. If they're willing to be captured, then send them to jail. But if they're bent on killing innocent people, then they don't leave you much choice, do they?"
"Kim, you can NOT understand, because you're not a Jew. But over six million of us were slaughtered, for the hair to make a wig, or the gold fillings in our teeth or simply just because. And if I have to kill one or five or a hundred to stop another million murders…."
He sighed, "Had someone been willing to step up in the 1930's and kill a few of Hitler's men, men with names like Himmler, Mengele, Goering or even ol' Adolph himself, then maybe World War Two could have been avoided. Eleven million people in Europe alone, Kim, over forty million Russians, who knows how many in Asia. Hell, they're still finding mass graves from World War Two in places like China, Eastern Europe and the South Pacific."
Kim was surprised that Ron could rattle of the names of senior party members of the Nazi's. But she also knew they were names that had been carved into the Hebrew soul and psyche and would leave scars there for millennia. Names that would be remembered in rage, horror and in a warning almost as long as the name of Abraham.
"Ron, a lot of the Nazi's were put on trial after the War. They faced a Jury."
"Well, this is different, I know more about something than you. They didn't face a Jury, they faced a Military Tribunal. And Kim, most of the verdicts were a foregone conclusion at Nuremberg. For most of the defendants the only thing the Tribunal had to decide was Sentencing. And most of those men were sentenced to death, by hanging."
"Now, how many lives could have been saved if someone killed them twelve or thirteen years before? When they were telling people to riot in the German streets, or to go vandalizing the homes and businesses of the 'Juden'. If someone with the power and the will had stood up to them in 1933, then maybe some of my great-grandparents would have still been alive to see my Mom and Dad's wedding."
Blam…Blam…
Both Kim and Ron were instantly on their feet, back to back, trying to determine the direction the gunfire was coming from.
Blam…Blam…
It was coming from downstairs. And from the sound of it, it was in the basement.
Blam…Blam…
"Uh, do you think we should go make sure she's not plugging him full of holes?"
Blam…Blam…
"It's too measured, I think they're just down on the firing range."
Blam…Blam…
"You sure?"
Blam…Blam…
"Fairly?"
Blam…Blam…Blam… Silence…….
Ron surprised Kim. "15 rounds"
"You counted?!"
"Uh, it's kinda gotten to be a habit after so much Zombie Mayhem. If you don't keep track of your ammo, then the undead are likely to eat your brain."
"……Right?! Well come on, Kaname was me telling about Sagara's weapons stockpile. Let's go see if reality lives up to the hype."
"Are you sure she wasn't shooting him?"
Kim just gave him a look.
"Yeah. Right behind ya, Kim"
What they found in the range was an eye-opener. When they reached the firing range, Kaname was backed up tight against the Sergeant as she was holding a pistol with the slide locked to the rear in both hands in front of her. He had his hands on her hips while she had turned her face to meet his. It wasn't a passionate, heavy make-out session, but a soft gentle meeting between lovers.
Both were nearly oblivious to the world. Nearly, because when Kim, who had started to blush from what she saw, glanced at Ron, he was wearing his Zorpox smile when he started hammering on the glass between them, shouting "Hey guys!". What happened next was a blur.
Sagara turned completely around, placed himself between them and Kaname, drawn a pistol and had it aimed, not in their general direction, but Right At Them! This was before the empty clip Kaname had ejected hit the floor. She had somehow produced another clip for her BDA, slapped it home and released the slide lock. Seeing his reflexes on video was one thing, but seeing them personally was something else entirely. Kaname's were fast, but noting compared to Sagara's
"Whoa! Kim, remind me not to scare them again."
"Ron, don't scare them again."
"Ha ha."
Once Sousuke's brain caught up to his reflexes, he lowered the pistol and replaced it behind his back and quickly left the range. Kaname followed suite. picking up the empty clip before she exited the firing line as well. Sousuke went directly to the vault, while Kaname stopped in front of the other pair. "Be warned, we both sleep with pistols! Any questions?!" Kaname said, her right eyebrow twitching as she walked past the wide-eyed pair heading into the vault to reload the empty clip.
She was furiously shoving rounds into it as Kim and Ron entered. Sheepishly Ron said, "Uh sorry bout that, guys. I just couldn't resist."
Kaname looked at the obviously apologetic Kim and Ron. "Sousuke, how's your hand? I'd like to listen to you play for a while before we get ready for bed."
"Fully functional, Kaname."
"Then why don't you go get ready, I'll lock up here in a few minutes, OK?"
As clueless as he might have been, he could see the twitching eyebrow. A sure sign of a K-bomb ticking away. "I'll meet you upstairs."
"Thank you, Sousuke."
As he left Ron heard him mutter, "You have my sympathies."
Once he was gone she stormed up to Ron with a very quiet, menacing tone. "It has taken me months to get him to the point that he is comfortable enough to initiate intimacy. He lost his family when he was six and until he met me, no one had given him so much as a hug. If you have set him back, I will hurt you, magical monkey powers or no."
Ron was not about to correct her and say that it was Mystical, not magical. "I'm sorry."
She just shouldered her way past the blonde, jerking her head, to tell them to leave the vault. Once they were outside, she hit the palm-lock and went upstairs to meet up with her man.
"Well, that was kinda dumb."
"Ron, you couldn't have known."
"No, but I remember how tweaked we use to get when people interrupted us." Ron left the vault heading upstairs. He felt he had an apology to make. Kim was wishing they could do those things that got interrupted again.
**********
Back upstairs, the American duo were treated to something, that while not unexpected, it was nevertheless surprising. Since they had not had the chance to reassemble Frankenstein, Sousuke played unaccompanied. As they entered, they heard an excellent rendition of 'Sleepwalk' echoing throughout the living room. Sousuke had his right foot on a leftover plastic crate with the Fender sitting on his knee. Kaname was sitting close to him just listening to him play. She was lost in the music and he was lost in her. He picked his way through the chords while she watched, just letting the music wash her anger away. As the last chords of 'Sleepwalk' floated through the air, she smiled up at him.
"Play it."
"Kaname?"
"The first song you ever played for me, play it."
"But I don't have the system set up yet."
"I don't care. Play it, please."
He gave her a nod and adjusted the tune of the Fender. Once it was tuned to his satisfaction, he picked a lyrical tune and then dropped into a rhythm. After a couple of minutes the tune changed and he started playing much harder. It was then that both Kim and Ron recognized the song. It was the guitar portion of the song 'The Game Of Love' by the incomparable Carlos Santana with the lyrics sung by Michelle Branch.
For Kaname, watching him play was an experience that depended on the song he was playing. She had seen him angry, Frankenstein screaming with the rest of the song as he hammered out 'Awake' by Godsmack or getting a bit of payback on her while he used the guitar like a phallic symbol playing AC/DC's 'You Shook Me All Night Long' and Van Halen's 'Pretty Woman' during the last get together they had with their friends in Japan.
But this song, this song was special. It was the first song he had ever played for her, and while the lyrics touched her heart, it was listening and watching him play it that turned her insides to goo. It was passion, he played with passion, and it was one of the few times anyone could see it
A flippant remark from her and his own literal minded cluelessness had started him down the road to picking up the guitar. After blowing up the shoe lockers for the umpteenth time she had shouted at him to find a better hobby. He did, and it led to an outlet to the emotions and passion she knew he had below that stoic surface.
Kim and Ron shared a look of confusion. The same thing was running through both of their heads. 'This was the emotionless Soldier? The expressionless, stoic faced young man they had met two days ago? This is the guy that's afraid of initiating intimacy?! She's putty in his hands and he doesn't even know it!'
They both just shook their heads at the change placing a guitar in his hands had wrought on the Soldier. Oh, he still wore the neutral face he normally did, but with the music, you could tell there were emotions buried there. As the song ended both of the Americans entered the room the rest of the way.
"Hey Sagara, can I talk to you for a minute."
When he nodded, Ron looked around at the other occupants of the room and headed out the doors to the patio. Once they were alone he stumbled his words, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uh, damn, look, I'm sorry about what happened downstairs. I just couldn't resist. It was a joke, alright?"
Sousuke looked at him strangely for a moment. "Understood Stoppable-san, I don't really understand 'jokes', but I know you weren't being malicious."
"Thanks Dude. Ya know, I gotta tell ya, I know music and that was outstanding. I mean I even had a hit song, but that was amazing. How long have ya been playing."
"A few months."
Ron thought he felt his jaw hit the roof. If it had been almost anyone else, he would've thought it was a joke. But as Sousuke had demonstrated so well, he really didn't do jokes. "A few months?"
"Yes. We should return, they are waiting for us."
The rest of the evening passed quickly once they returned to the living room. It had been a long day for all of them and they went to their separate rooms, with Kim and Ron looking at the other pair, then each other. They quickly ducked away from the Japanese couple so they could say their goodnights.
**********
A little later, when they were getting ready for bed, the brushing of teeth and whatnot, Kim HAD to know. "Kaname, was he just acting when I told him that Shego wanted to sleep with him, that was a joke by the way, or is Sagara really that clueless?"
"You have no idea. I have to say though, he has gotten better."
"You mean he used to be worse?!?!"
"Yes, at least he figured it out once Ronald-san pointed out the metaphor." Kaname rested her forehead in her hand, chuckling. "You know, it wasn't funny then, but there was this one time when he showed just how clueless he could be."
"I'm not sure I wanna know."
"You have to understand, Sousuke can be very literal. For most high schools in Japan, clubs and extracurriculars are mandatory. At our old high school, Jindai, clubroom space was at a real premium. The Sociology Club only had two members and a whole classroom to themselves. The year before they had like twenty members, that's why they had the classroom."
"So they agreed to give up the room, but on their terms. They wanted to run an experiment. They had a contest to find out what kind of person could flirt the best. They had the clubs that wanted the room compete against one another. Simple rules, four hours, whichever club's three-male-team convinced the most girls to meet at the finish, won the room. Sousuke had just joined the Photography Club and… they needed a room."
Kim started grinning, "I bet that didn't set well with you."
"We weren't together then." Kaname sheepishly glanced away and added, "No, it didn't. The only problem was our friend, Kazama-san. He described the endeavor to the literal minded Sousuke as" Kaname paused for effect, "'A Girl Hunt'!"
Kim was aghast, "OH NO!!"
Kaname just gently nodded, "He was catching girls in cages. Sousuke's big on fishing and he said," She tried to shift her voice to match Sousuke's tenor, "'It's Catch and Release, it's not a problem.' I will never forget the look on his face once I got through that Otaku head of his, what flirting involves." Sigh. "That's not the end of the story though."
"What? You're kidding!!"
"No, I'm not. Just before the start of the contest, Sousuke had made a bet with the Music Club that he could get at least one girl to show up with him. If he lost he would have had to swim across the small lake in the park where the contest was."
Kim was confused, "That's not that bad."
"Naked. Luckily it was late spring."
Kim was slack-jawed.
Kaname had a VERY smug look on her face. "That was one of the times I saved his Otaku hide. About an hour before the contest ended, I had finally gotten through his head what he was doing wrong. But he still didn't know how to do it right. He was going from girl to girl scaring them to death, asking them Military and Intelligence related questions."
She looked very contented look now. "Then, he was so sweet. There was this little granny. He had jumped in front of her before he knew how old she was. And she started babbling about how he looked like her grandson, how she hoped he would be like Sousuke when he got older and how she was trying to find a birthday present for him."
"Sousuke dropped everything. He told her just a moment, ran into a store and came back out a few minutes later with this toy tank. He presented it to her and told her a little about it. Then he put it in her bag and walked her to the train."
"Even with that bet hanging over him, he still took the time to help someone. He was helpless," Kaname sounded fiercely protective now, "but he was never hopeless. He never quit. When I saw that, I knew I couldn't let him down. I had to rescue him from himself. "
"I went home and dressed in a kimono my mother had left me. I did my hair and make-up in a different, more adult style and went back to the park. I fooled everybody. I was practically hanging on poor Sousuke, cooing at him that," her voice turned sultry, pure smoke, filled with promises. "I'm ready for our date now. I just needed some time to sneak away from my husband."
"He was in shock and the look on everyone's face was priceless. I just grabbed Sousuke's arm and started leading him away. He had no idea who I was, but he was too shocked and too polite to just pull away. It took him a while and a bit of prompting from me, but he finally figured it out."
"And that was the first time he told me I was beautiful. I'll admit that I get jealous when another girl makes a pass at him, but Sousuke having a wandering eye is one thing I KNOW I never have to worry about. Doesn't mean I might not tease him about it, though." Kaname finished with an evil gleam in her eyes.
**********
The following morning, the Kimmunicator pulled Kim out of the pallet she was sleeping in. "Go Wade, what's the sitch?"
"Morning, Kim. Dr. Director left a message that she wants to see you, Ron, Kaname and Kamikaze-san as soon as you can get there"
"Kamikaze-san?"
Wade had a huge grin on his face "Yeah, after that 'generous offer' comment last night, I figure he has a death wish as long as he could take an American down in flames with him."
Kim tried, she really tried to look stern. She failed. Chuckling she said, "Alright Wade. I'll start knocking on doors."
"Just go to the Bueno Nacho tube when your ready. Wade out."
She entered the bathroom she would now be sharing with Kaname, thanking God she always carried a mission pack. She pulled out a the toiletries to get her started for the day. Looking in the mirror she saw her eyes were still bloodshot from all the crying she had done last night. No time to worry about that now. She quickly brushed her teeth, washed her face and pulled out her hairbrush. She had just started on her hair when she heard it.
Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang.
She instinctively dropped into mission mode and started to go in search of the gunfire. It took a second before she realized that it was probably Sagara down in the firing range again. This was going to take some getting used to. Her face heated up from the memory of finding the Japanese couple in the middle of a make-out session down there last night.
A thought occurred to her. She knocked on the door to the other bedroom, "Kaname?" She knocked and called out again. Opening the door, she looked inside the room and saw her empty rumpled bed. From downstairs she heard firing again. She heard what had to be at least two pistols, one firing much more rapidly then the other. 'OK, so Kaname is probably there too.' Then she heard something that really made her jump.
Ratattattattattattattattattattattattattattat
'Automatic weapons fire?' She started running in Mission Mode, looking for threats on her way to the Firing Line. She absently noted the smells of breakfast on the way. What she saw when she got there was stunning. There was Sagara removing the magazine from an FN-Herstal F2000 assault rifle and Kaname was slapping a clip into her BDA, but miracle of miracles, Ron was there, gingerly holding a Ruger P89 9MM pistol with the slide to the rear and a harried look on his face.
"RON?"
"Oh, morning Kim, your breakfast is upstairs on the table."
"Ron you're already up?!"
"Heh, yeah, funny thing. Sagara has the same technique to wake people up as Uncle Roger."
"And it works? What is it?" Ron was not about to tell her, but Sousuke beat him to the punch.
"A pitcher of ice water, I merely had to rattle it and he jumped up shouting something about 'Uncle Rog'. It is the same technique the Mithral Drill Sergeants used on trainees reluctant to awaken when I was in Basic."
Kim had an EVIL grin, "I'll have to remember that."
Ron looked at Sousuke and sarcastically quipped, "Thanks Dude!"
Sousuke either completely missed the sarcasm or he just ignored it. "You're welcome, Stoppable-san."
"Anyway! Wade just called, he said that Dr. Director wanted to meet with all of us ASAP. He said to go to the BN tube when we're ready."
Once they had placed the weapons back in their proper places, i.e. on their person or back in the vault, the group trooped back upstairs. Before they left Sousuke showed the American pair the security in place for the armory. Logging in to the terminal inside the vault, he had the two of them place their palms to the scanner plate and create passwords. Kim watched as Ron rubbed his chin in thought for a second when a devious grin crossed his face. Out of the corner of her eye she saw him tap out the password 'KI55myA55!!'. It wasn't until the following morning that she caught it.
Kim hurriedly ate while the rest finished getting ready. Taking Eleanor to Bueno Nacho, they left her with instructions to return to the base and await further instructions.
**********
Since all four were expecting the tubes this time there wasn't a repeat of a few days ago. They dropped into the briefing room to see Dr. Director waiting for them at the head of the table and Wade's image on the large screen behind her. "Miss Possible, Miss Chidori, Mr. Stoppable, Sergeant, Good Morning, please be seated. We have quite a bit to cover and not a lot of time, so be aware that during this discussion, I am going to be very blunt. This is not personal, deal with it."
As they were taking their seats, Dr. Director stood and moved behind her chair to have room to pace and be able to see everyone. Once they were seated she looked across the young adults in front of her. "Sergeant, I know you have been given a solemn task to perform, however even this does not justify revealing the existence of Mithral to the general public. So in the interest of security you will be undercover during your journey. As will the rest of you. IF, and only if, I approve of your presence on the mission. You will each have to satisfy me that your presence will not jeopardize operational security."
"First and foremost, all three of you will be under the Sergeant's orders. While you are on duty, if he say's jump, you say how high. This is non-negotiable. Having read his files, I expect that the Sergeant will act in a professional manner at all times and not abuse his authority in any way. I feel that both Mr. Stoppable and Miss Chidori, likely will not have a problem with this. However, you Miss Possible, have always been the Leader on missions. Not this time, this time the Sergeant is in Command. Is this going to be a problem?" She looked at the others. "For any of you?"
Receiving negative responses all around, she continued. "Alright, here's how this is gonna work. The four of you are going to be posing as U.S. Army personnel. You will visit the base tailor to get your uniforms made as soon as this meeting is over. Sergeant, you will have your current rank of Staff Sergeant. Miss Possible, Mr. Stoppable, the two of you will be E-4's. Miss Possible, you will given the rank of Corporal and second in command. Mr. Stoppable, you will be a Specialist. Miss Chidori an E-3, Private First Class."
"Before I hear any objections, I want you all to know that I made the decision on your ranks. This was based on your experience with military matters and leadership skills. There will be no negotiations. Any problems so far?"
Seeing the shaking of heads, she went on, "The last major problem will be the two of you." She pointed at Ron and Sousuke. "The United States Army is not Mithral," She glanced at Sousuke, then at Ron, "nor is it a freelance team. There are regulations. And among them is AR-670-1, Wear and Appearance of the Army Uniforms and Insignia, Part 1-8. The part of the regulations that cover acceptable hairstyles. You ladies will have to have your hair up in a bun above the collars of your uniforms. Gentleman, you on the other hand are going to have to visit the barber. 'High and Tights' as well as freshly shaved at all times. Particularly in view of the duty you have volunteered for. Respect for the deceased requires no less. Is this going to be an issue with either of you?"
Sousuke answered immediately, just as the Da Danaan Command team knew he would, "No M'am."
Ron looked torn. Biting his lip, he looked at Sousuke. Taking a breath, he said, "Ahh, what the Hell! Uncle Rog said, 'The only difference between a good haircut and a bad one is six weeks' I'm in."
Betty beamed, "Ron, I can not begin to tell you just how proud of you I am right now. And I just want to say, that when you're ready, I would be honored to have you as a fulltime Agent. Now to continue, each of you are going to be given awards appropriate to you ranks."
She looked at Kim and Ron, "Unfortunately you are not going to able to wear everything you might have earned, because if you did, the two of you would most likely be wearing at least a couple of Silver Stars, and probably the Distinguished Service Cross and the Medal of Honor, as well." She looked over at the Japanese pair, "The same goes for the two of you. But every medal and ribbon you will have on, you've earned. Don't doubt that for a second or feel like you're wearing something you're not entitled to."
"Last chance, if you want out, now's the time. Because from now until LT Wiseman is transferred to the Next of Kin, you are on duty." Not seeing anything other then determination and willingness to get the job done, Betty smiled. "If the four of you ever hit the field together, it's gonna be a real bad day for the bad guys. Mr. Load?!"
"M'am."
"Any objections to my drafting you for tech support for them?"
"None, Dr. Director. I have already gotten a Kimmunicator ready for Ron, and I can have two more in a couple of days."
"Excellent. Could you stream that video I had you find." Looking back at the detail, she said. "Pay attention, what you about to see is some of what is involved in rendering Honors as an Escort."
Wade's image blanked to be followed by a long box, covered by an American Flag, sitting on the floor of a transport plane. Six Soldiers, in two files of three, slowly marched up and split to either side of what was obviously a casket. "The four of you will not be required to move the deceased, that's the job of other people. Yours is to be there to Guard and render Honors."
The detail on the screen 'Center Faced', slowly squatted, grabbed the handles and lifted the casket to the waist. On command, they lifted to their shoulders and faced forward. "She will be moved feet first at all times." The detail slowly marched ahead, down the ramp, moving the casket to a waiting cart.
There was a group of Soldiers standing at 'Attention', outside of the plane. It was raining, no, it wasn't raining, it was pouring. Yet they stood there, unmoving, barely blinking and on command of 'Present Arms', they very slowly raised their arms in salute. "Any time she is moved from one transport to another, you will render Honors." The screen showed the Honor Guard slowly lowering their arms back to the position of 'Attention' as the cart pulled away. Once the video finished Wade's image returned.
"The only time she is to be unattended will be when she is secured in a locked area."
Betty caught a very quiet "Like Hell." from Sousuke. She suspected the only time LT Wiseman would be alone, would be if she was placed in the belly cargo area of a civilian passenger plane, and maybe not even then.
"Sergeant, you have about 3 days to get them trained." She indicated the other three and looked at all them again. "This looks and sounds like an easy job; and physically it is. But make no mistake…" She paused and everyone in the room was suddenly positive that Elizabeth Director had done this duty before. "…it's not! Not if you want to do it Right! And what this person has sacrificed requires nothing less."
"Now, what say the four of you get ready to head down to the tailors and get measured. You'll each be getting two sets of class A's and a set of Dress Blues. The class A's are your duty uniform and the Blues are for the funeral and interment, if you wish to attend. Don't worry about setting up your uniforms, I have a couple of former U.S. Army NCO's to help you out."
"Question?…Comments?…"
Sousuke gave look a Ron for a second that screamed 'Tell Her' "Dr. B, we should tell you what we found our from Senior."
"I'm listening."
So Ron, Sousuke and Wade, going through the data, briefed her on the threats that Senior had laid out to Ron.
At first she inwardly scoffed at the idea that the National Socialists could make a return in force. But as they went on she was becoming more and more convinced. The data Wade was pulling up was damning. The conversations they had with Senior, money transfers, snippets of cell calls, suspicious, possibly extra-legal activities. The only thing they didn't mention was Ron's new credit card.
"Alright, Mr. Stoppable, what say we take Senior's advice. I'm going to assign you the lead on this, handle it. If you need resources from G.J. call Mr. Load and place the request. And he was right about the Lipsky's, call 'em, let 'em know what's going on. Better yet, why don't you do it in person. It's a bit out of the way, but you can stop there on your way to meet up with LT Wiseman."
The next two days were a flurry of activity for the team. Moving Ron and Kim was fairly easy. For the most part, all they had to move was their clothes. Kim used the Sloth and got a hand from Kaname, while Sousuke used Eleanor to move Ron. The hard part was moving Wade's gear. He screwed up his courage long enough to visit the base and check out the areas he was going to be using.
He was impressed with the space the Sergeant had given him in the basement of the building. He had a lot more power available compared to his parents house and just as much space. The advantage to the space at the base was he didn't have to share it with his packrat parents. He looked around the room with glittering eyes, thinking about the things he could do here, with the thought running through his head, 'It's mine, all mine!'. And the garage was defiantly a nice bonus. So far the only things in the garage was the Sloth, Eleanor and the four Bonta-kuns.
The B-K's were parked 2x2 in one corner, leaving more then enough room for the two cars on that side. This left the whole other wall, along with the lift and overhead crane open for Wade to have fun. He was nearly rubbing his hands in an unconscious imitation of Drakken.
Forty-eight hours after the meeting with Dr. Director, they were called to tailors again. Yesterday was the final fittings to see if they needed any altering and now they were going to have them set up, with the help of Betty's NCO's, a pair of former Sergeants First Class. One was female and the other a male. Both had been Platoon Sergeants before and knew the score on AR-670-1 standards.
They split the team by gender and went to the fitting rooms. They placed each uniform on and the NCO's, using a mini-ruler and a guide carefully placed each piece of insignia and awards in it's proper place. The girls were taking longer due to the way the uniforms were made, so the guys were trooped to the barber.
After having been given a heads up by Kaname, Betty made sure the barber only used clippers on Sousuke and didn't go anywhere near the scissors. Ron was still a little hesitant, but took his seat with a minimum of fuss.
The evenings had been occupied with Sousuke giving the rest of them training on drill and marching. How to stand at Attention, Parade Rest, how to salute properly and the difference between a salute and rendering Honors. Facing movements and marching in step were easy for the girls for some reason, but Ron was lost until Kim hit upon the idea "It's like a dance, Ron." Annnnnd the light bulb flashed ON! He just applied his 'Bondiggity' dancing skills and within a few hours they were in lockstep.
After the haircuts to AR-670-1/1-8 standards, the guys put on the dressed out uniforms for the first time. Both of the Senior NCO's, knowing that the mission was to bring a KIA home, spent a lot of their own time getting the team ready. They shaved and prepared the Berets, polished all of the Brass on the uniforms, put a mirror shine on the shoes and once the team was wearing the uniforms, went over them in meticulous detail making sure they were perfect.
Kim was stunned when she saw Ron standing there in a set of Dress Blues. He looked like a completely different person. Ron Stoppable had never been considered a 'hottie', but seeing him now, he was almost drool worthy. He looked better then he had in that tux Canadian Joe had given him. Kim had to mentally chant to herself, 'Don't unspool the drool, Don't unspool the drool, Don't unspool the drool.'
If it hadn't been for the fact she knew to look for it and the nameplate that said 'Stoppable', she probably would have missed him. The hair was the nearly the biggest change. She had always pictured him with his cowlick. But now it was gone leaving behind a half inch buzz that faded to nothing before reaching the ears. He was standing in front of the NCO at Attention with a neutral expression, while the former Sergeant First Class made a final check using his mini ruler.
Kaname walked in and moved to the Staff Sergeant watching the Sergeant First Class carefully, making note of what to look for, so he could make sure his team looked perfect for it's Duty. She 'adjusted' his collar, saying, "Well, don't you clean up nice!"
Sousuke looked her up and down, saying "Thank you Kaname, you look good as well." She wasn't sure if he was checking out her uniform or if he was checking her out. Either way, she didn't mind.
The day before, Ron had Wade contact Drakken and Shego asking for a meeting. He stressed the importance of the information he had for them and the fact that they needed to talk to his cousin Motor Ed as well. Drakken was intrigued enough to agree to the terms as long as they swore they wouldn't blow the place up.
Once the uniforms were ready, they each carefully packed them in hanging suit bags and loaded them in the Sloth along with Kim and Ron's mission packs and a couple of small shoulder bags for the Japanese pair. Because Ron insisted on his standard snack age, Sousuke was allowed to take a greatly reduced weapons bag. He wasn't happy, but space was going to be at a premium with the four of them in the car as well.
Kim and Ron called their families and let them know the two of them would be on a mission for at least the next 72 hours and probably longer. James was about to go into his standard 'Black Hole' speech, but decided against it. Not only were Kim and Ron 'ex's', but no matter what else, Ron had more then earned James's trust.
They were heading back to the Sloth when Kaname surprised Ron by saying 'Shotgun!' She wanted to be up front to learn how the controls worked.
It had never crossed his mind that he wouldn't be sitting in the passenger seat. "Awww man, alright, you won it fair and square."
Kaname had a just a little bit of mercy on him. "You can have it after we land, how that sound?
"A booyah!"
**********
Drakken had told his mullet-headed cousin to arrive shortly before the Buffooo, (Oh have it your way, Shego) Stoppable. He wanted to get something straight with the imbecile before he had a chance to get himself plasma-fried. For the last week or so, Shego had been having horrendous mood swings. He liked the playful, frisky Shego, she was fun. But the hair-trigger Shego, not so much.
Ed stepped off the hovercar Drakken had sent to pick him up. He was a bit torqued that he couldn't have ridden his bike, but he hadn't figured out how to get it to cross water yet. He was working on it though.
"Cousin Drew! How ya doin? Good to see ya. Seriously!"
For the first time since his U.N. pardon, Drew was dressed as Drakken. Right down to the boots and heavy gloves. He was trying to make a point and Ed did NOT understand subtle. "Edward, It's good to see you, too. I'd like to have a word with you for a moment."
"Sure thing, Drewbie! What do ya wanna rap about, seriously?"
"Number one, if you call me 'Drewbie' in the next twenty-four hours. I will hurt you."
"Cuz?"
Drakken poked his finger into Ed's chest "Shut up and listen. I'm about to tell you something for your own health. Shego is not in the best of moods. She got into a slight altercation with the Cheerleader and she's a little banged up. The bruises and split lip are only just now healing. If you go aggravating her, she's liable to maim or cripple you for life."
"Yesterday, when she heard that you were coming to the lair, she spent the next ten hours, sharpening her claws. An hour for each one. So if you want to survive the next few hours as a whole man, I would suggest you keep your comments to yourself. Is that clear?"
"Ah come on, Cuz. All she needs is a little bit of 'Lipsky Lovin', seriously!"
Gone was the slightly comedic Dr. Drakken. In his place stood a different person. Most people didn't know that Drakken was a Nordic pronunciation of Dragon. DRAKKEN had arrived, and he was not amused. "Shego gets all the 'Lipsky Lovin' she wants. Just not from you! Since you don't seem to understand, I'll make it even clearer. If you go sexually harassing her, making passes at her, hitting on her, trying to flirt with her, then you will answer to me. I will make you life a living Hell!"
Ed looked down at his smaller relative, "Cuz, I'm bigger and stronger than you. I can kick your ass. Seriously!"
Drakken looked up completely unafraid. He knew he held all the cards. "True, but I will tell not only my Mother and yours, but Grandmamma as well, that you have been treating a woman with disrespect!"
Ed's tanned face went chalky, "Cuz, that's just wrong!"
"It works! Do you understand what I am saying to you now?"
"Sure thing, Cuz. Leave Green Babe alone, seriously!"
"Good, now come along, the meeting starts in an hour." Drakken had started walking from the hangar when Ed asked a question.
"But, Cuz, where's Green Babe gonna get her 'Lipsky Lovin' from if I can't give it to her?"
Drakken stopped and turned. It started at his head and he twisted until he was facing the other man. Then he just stared at his cousin.
"Uh, Drew, ya Ok?"
"Edward, I want you to think about the question you just asked me. Where do you think she's getting it from?!"
After a minute, it dawned on the mullet head. Ed's voice was filled with awe. "Nooo Waaaay!"
"Like I said, if you bother her, you will answer to ME! Let's go, the other guests should be arriving soon."
"I still think it's weird not setting a trap for Red and her sidekick."
Drakken stopped again and stared. "Edward, have you been hiding under a rock for the last four months? Haven't you heard the reports of how the alien invasion was stopped.
"Uh, not really, I just heard some crazy story that Red's Sidekick tossed them into the air. Gotta be bogus though, no way that little dude coulda done it."
"Really? Did you not see the video of what happened to Dementor and his Henchmen when they pushed the 'Sidekick' just a little too far?"
"That was doctored, Dude, had to be!"
"Well, for your information Edward, I was there when, what's his name again, oh yes, Stoppable threw both of those eight foot tall aliens into a crashing, burning spaceship. And I can personally assure you that the Dementor video was not doctored. If you go trying to hurt Kimberly, that young man can, and likely will, tear you apart. For all of our sakes. Forget any ideas you have about setting a trap."
"But, he's just a little skanky dude."
"It doesn't matter, Edward, a nuclear weapon can be the size of a suitcase nowadays. And from what I've seen, it's a whole lot safer too. Leave the two of them alone. Now come along!"
**********
Tessa had an Eee-viiiil plan in mind. It was risky, but the payoff could be enormous. Since this wasn't strictly official business, she couldn't risk using commo channels to call him in. So she went in search of the person best suited to pull off this hazardous duty. When she found him he was alone in his shared cabin in NCO Country.
"Tessa, babe, what can I do for ya?"
There was a cold fire glittering in her eyes when she said, "Sergeant Weber, I would like to know if you would volunteer for a very hazardous, strictly unofficial mission? I must warn you, it could be very dangerous!"
Kurz had seen that same look in the mirror in his own eyes when he was getting ready to pull a massive prank. He gave her the blue eyed, roguish grin that had landed him on the cover of 'TAG' magazine. "Unofficial, huh? And what might this hazardous mission involve."
"In a day or so, Sergeant Sagara will arrive with a detail to escort LT Wiseman home. They will not leave until 24 hours later. There will be a get together the evening they arrive. One of the escorts is a Corporal, female, very attractive, legal. I need you to just… be yourself around her. Not too much, I don't want you hurt! But I want you to try and get her attention enough to get her… friend's attention.
"Tessa, are we going to be matchmaking?"
"What to you think Sergeant Weber?"
"Please, come in. let's talk more."