The rain had passed but the looming castle nestled between crooks in a mountain on an otherwise deserted island looked gloomy as ever. Not only was the island of minimal significance, it was well out of the way that there was hardly ever any air traffic within tens or hundreds of miles. So it was unusual to see, in the breaks of the clouds, the moderately sized four engine propeller plane happily chugging overhead. Even stranger still were the two teens who leapt from the plane just as it was approaching the small, rocky island.
Freefall was not strange for Kim Possible, however. The young, red-headed cheerleader had been jumping out of planes and descending tall mountains since she was fourteen years old and had the crazy thought of opening a website from which to offer babysitting services.
The feeling of freedom she got every time she parachuted was exhilarating. Like the whole world opened up to her while she fell and she could have it all in her grasp if she wanted. Not that she ever wanted to. The evil megalomaniac tendencies were left squarely up to her villains, who threatened the world more weeks than not. Still, the excitement of starting a new mission always enticed her as she wondered what globe trotting trek she'd have to go on this time.
Beside her, however, Ron tried to look cool and calm but he was sweating like a pig. Kim knew that most things on their missions made Ron nervous, but she respected his attempts not to show it.
She respected a lot of things about Ron. He wasn't like her, she knew. Where as she approached every danger and difficulty as a welcome challenge to overcome, Ron was much more jittery. He feared many things and would easier shy away from danger than embrace it. And yet, there he was, on all of her missions, standing beside her.
The castle below was quickly approaching and Kim looked to Ron to give him the sign to pull his ripcord. Ron nodded slowly and yanked on his cord. His pack jerked as the chute unfurled behind him catching air and opening wide. The sudden stop pulled Ron hard against the straps of his parachute, flinging his body with great force. The straps held strong for a moment, then began to tear loudly. A moment later and Ron was falling again.
Kim grimaced and released her own ripcord, instead slapping her arms to her sides and streamlining her body shape to increase her speed to catch up with Ron who was flailing wildly. Seconds later and she was upon him. Grabbing him firmly with both hands she pulled him against her chest and then reached around to open her parachute.
This time, as the huge rectangular cloth expanded, the chute straps held firm and slowed their fall considerable. Ron, hyperventilating, looked into Kim's eyes, so close, because of their embrace, to his own. She had a meaningful look to her, like something important was on her mind and it had to do with him. He grew still as she opened her mouth to speak.
“This is absolutely the last time I let you pack your own parachute,” she said with an arched eyebrow.
Despite the drama up above, only two simple taps announced Kim and Ron's arrival on the castle's expansive helipad. Kim's parachute softly drifted away in the afternoon breeze as she and Ron quietly made their way into the dark abode. The afternoon light cast sharp shadows across the castle's halls and walls, causing Kim and Ron, in their black and olive colored combat gear, to almost vanish between windows.
“I can't say this is a step up from Bueno Nacho HQ,” said Ron noticing the thick layer of dust on the floors and walls. “Well, not a step up for Drakken. Bueno Nacho is better than ever without him.”
“This place is too empty,” commented Kim. “Drakken never just moves-in, he always personalizes. He must not have been here too long.”
A distant echo resolved into the sound of footsteps and Kim gazed forward, ready for the newcomer. Down the corridor, Kim could see a figure moving towards them. A woman, about Kim's height, was walking confidently with a pair of glowing fists that illuminated her in the shadows. Kim moved into defensive stance and steadied her breathing.
“Long enough to be kidnapped, Princess,” said Shego as she drew nearer. The balls of energy around her hands grew slightly as she approached. She had a smile that seemed to convey no sense of ease to the pair of teens observing. Her pace quickened suddenly and she launched herself into the air, her hands curled like claws as she descended on the cheerleader.
Kim leapt to the side to dodge Shego's first swing and flipped backwards to avoid follow-up sweep kick. Immediately she rolled behind her attacker and tried to grab the green-suited woman.
Shego could only smile as she grabbed the hands coming for her and tossed them over her head. Kim flew through the air but then righted herself and landed gracefully. Shego was already advancing by the time Kim looked up and decided to do a roundhouse kick that only missed her target by mere micrometers.
Shego lunged forward with her claws ready and crackling with energy. Kim had to grab her forearms to avoid from getting burned but didn't have the leverage to do much else. Kim struggled as Shego pinned her to the floor, her glowing fists only inches from her face.
“Ron thought this might be a trap,” said Kim through her teeth. “I guess he was right.”
“Hah,” laughed Shego. “This isn't a trap.”
Kim frowned and grit her teeth. “Uh, luring me out to a deserted island and then attacking me. Hello? Trap, much?”
Shego shook her head, her wild black hair falling all over Kim's face. “I didn't lure you here.” She stopped suddenly. “Wait a minute, where Stoppable?”
“Here!” Ron's voice suddenly came from beside the struggling pair. He was wielding a rather hefty looking piece of wood. By the time Shego turned her head to see it was already too late. Ron struck the ninja-like sidekick with the board and sent her flying. She rolled across the floor and collided with the far wall, landing in a heap.
Kim sighed as Ron helped her up. “Thanks, Ron.”
“Don't count me out yet,” came an annoyed voice. Shego's hands ignited with green energy again. “I'm just getting warmed--”
“Hey!”
Shego froze and slowly turned to look behind her. Kim and Ron, equally surprised, gazed as well.
“I thought you said you wouldn't mind working with her,” said Mama Lipsky as she slowly made her way up to Shego. “As long as she was helping us.”
Shego grimaced. “Now I know I'd never say a thing like that. Maybe ‘tolerate her’ is closer to the truth.”
“Shego,” warned the mother. “You can play all you want once Drew is safely home.”
“Yah, whatever,” said Shego dismissively.
“Now, Kim Possible,” started Mama Lipsky. “I'm sorry Shego attacked you, this wasn't supposed to be an evil scheme.”
“Okay,” Kim ventured, wearily.
“I hope, since you've come all this way, you'll help us find my son, Drew.”
“We'll see what we can do. It's possible he might not want to be found.” Kim looked to Ron for support who only shrugged. “Anyway, what makes you think he's missing?”
“Drew didn't call me on Sunday,” said Mrs. Lipsky conclusively. “He normally calls me every Sunday.”
Kim stared. “Every Sunday?”
“Every Sunday.”
“Hmmm.” Kim pondered for a moment but then Shego interrupted.
“Okay, listen, Kimmie, however crazy you might find this, Dr. D is gone. He did buy this island but after that nobody has seen him. I can't imagine why anyone would kidnap him, but the only other alternative is that is he's off scheming without me, which I thought I trained him not to do.” Shego scowled for a moment. “This isn't a trap of any sort, so let's skip all the suspicious parts and get right to the end where we find Dr. D so I can go back to my vacation and you can go back to… whatever it is stuck-up princesses like you do.”
“Hey!” said Kim, insulted.
“Be nice, Shego,” Mama Lipsky said.
Shego just rolled her eyes. “Fine, whatever.”
“If we assume Dra--Drew,” Kim corrected herself, “was taken, there must be some evidence behind. I guess we should search the castle.”
“Woah, hold up, KP,” said Ron. “This isn't exactly a two bedroom ranch. This castle is huge! It could take days to comb over the whole thing.”
“Well, we don't have any leads yet, Ron,” explained Kim. “And somehow I doubt whoever took him is going to offer a ransom.”
“Actually,” interjected Mama Lipsky. “There is a way to limit how much of the castle you need to check.”
Everyone turned to stare at her. After a few moments Shego got impatient. “Well? What is it?”
“Oh, I-- I thought you were going to guess,” Mrs. Lipsky said, abashed. “Just look around, my Drew has never been all too good at picking up after himself.”
Kim looked down and saw. Spread out around her were wisps and tiny piles of dust, pushed around and flung while she was fighting with Shego. Further down the corridor, however, the dust was spread thin like a microscopic sheet covering the stone tiles, only a single set of footprints disturbed the surface.
“The dust,” said Kim at last. “We only need to follow the footprints in the dust.”
Shego stood tall but stared at the floor, intrigued. “Will you look at that?”
“Spread out, guys,” Kim said, taking charge. “Look for anything suspicious.”
Kim and Ron followed a path heading back towards the entrance. Shego was about to follow a slightly less-trod hallway off towards he great room when she noticed the elderly Lipsky standing still.
“Aren't you going to do anything?” said Shego, irritated.
The woman smiled. “Oh no, I'm afraid I'm well past my prime for things like this. I'd much rather leave it to the next generation.” She turned and headed back the way she came. “If you need me, I'll be at your jet.”
Shego grumbled loudly and stalked away from the junction they were at. Half watching the footsteps and half coming up with fancy ways of making Drakken pay for putting her through this, she didn't have enough halves of her brain to notice the female figure standing in front of her until she was toe to toe with the heroine.
“Move it, Pumpkin,” she scowled. “I'm not getting any younger.” Her mind briefly returned to the beach she met Mama Lipsky on and shivered. “Although if I had the option, I'd take it,” she added.
“What's really going on here, Shego?” demanded Kim. “Skulking around old castles, Dr. Drakken's mother, of all people, posting to my website, you doing… well, I’m not sure about you, yet.”
Shego laughed once. “As much as it probably kills you, there's no scheme this time, Princess. ‘Andy’ over there got you involved in this the same way she got me involved. Oh, and for the record, she didn't tell me she posted to your website until AFTER we were flying here.”
“Who would want to take Drakken?” Kim pressed on. “I mean, really, he's usually the one doing the taking.”
“I wouldn't be surprised if he's just lost in one of those gigantic 24-hour Smarty Marts.” Shego sidestepped Kim and continued following the footprints in the dust.
“If he's not really missing, then why are we here!”
“Because ‘you can do anything!'” mocked Shego in a singsong voice. “Even search for a man who isn't missing.” She quickened her pace and left an exasperated Kim Possible behind her.
A few minutes later Ron came running up. “KP!” he called, breaking her out of her daze.
“What's up, Ron? Did you find something?”
Ron nodded. “Rufus found something out by the door to the helipad.” Ron held out Rufus hands as the naked mole rat in his rummaged around and eventually held up and tuft of hair.
Kim raised an eyebrow. “Hair?”
Rufus shook his head. “Uhn-uh, uhn-uh. Fur!”
“Hmm,” Kim studied the sample then pulled out her Kimmunicator. “Wade?”
The screen jumped to life. “What's up, Kim?”
“I've got a sample of fur I'd like you to analyze, see if you can pick some trace evidence.”
The sample tray slid out of the front of the Kimmunicator. “Put the sample on the pad and I'll test it,” said Wade. Kim dropped the fur onto the dish. “Should only take a few moments.” The tray slid silently shut.
Wade frowned. “What is it?” asked Kim to the puzzled expression.
“I'm not seeing very much here as far as trace goes,” admitted Wade. “But you should know, its dog fur.”
“Dog fur?” asked Kim.
Wade grinned. “Not just any dog, actually.”
Dr. Drakken fidgeted in the cold steel chair he'd been fastened to. Time had passed excruciatingly slowly since being brought to this large, subterranean evil lair. Nobody had talked to him, even when Drakken was yelling earlier, and now he had a sore throat, which made every second longer.
The blue-skinned hostage looked around as best he could at the lair. It was stylish, he had to admit. Large monitors, dark corners, a heavy interest in red colors where Drakken had always preferred blues. The whole place had a 1960's Mod-appearance, which led the Doctor to conclude he hadn't been taken by a ‘Mad Scientist'-type villain, but, in fact, the ‘Criminal Mastermind'-type.
“Ah, Mr. Lipsky,” came that deep voice from the dark shadows in front of Drakken. “Sorry to make you wait, but I had a few errands to run. You didn't mind, did you?”
Drakken growled. “That's Dr. Drakken to you! And it's poor form, I tell you! Making me wait here after kidnapping me! Couldn't you delegate?”
The figured laughed casually and stepped into the reddish light that was shining down on the metal chair. The man was just as stocky as Drakken remembered his shadow being, but he was wearing a somewhat silly looking purple-colored jumpsuit with a bold white stripe down the center and carrying a small, seemingly terrified Chihuahua in one hand. An eye patch covered his left eye -- explaining the pit of blackness Drakken had seen at night -- and he had a well groomed goatee surrounding a menacing smile.
“I like to personally ensure that my plans against Global Justice go smoothly.” The dog in his hands began barking loudly and the tall ominous man suddenly curled in on himself as he cradled the pup against his chest and pet it tenderly. “Aww… I'm sorry Pepe, I didn’t mean to bring up our awful nemesis organization. Coo? Coo? It's okay, calm down. Shhhhhh, it's okay.”
Drakken blanched and started to wonder who exactly had kidnapped him. “Uh… Global who? I'm sorry, who were you again? I know you said it earlier…”
The man frowned but stood firm again. “I am Gemini,” he announced majestically. “Global--!” he stopped abruptly, looking down at the shaking Chihuahua in his arm. “THAT organization I mentioned before is a large do-gooding agency dedicated to stopping criminal activities around the planet. They are notoriously well equipped and have been a thorn in this planet's criminal activities for a long time.”
Gemini turned and motioned to the facilities and henchmen around him. “That's why I have created WWEE, to combat their efforts to control humanity and make them adhere to their concept of ‘justice.'” He looked back at Drakken. “Naturally, you've heard of us.”
The doctor raised an eyebrow. “Uh… Whee? Hrm, Shego's usually the one that remembers the names.”
“WWEE is the World Wide Evil Empire! Our influence stretches across the globe, combating that nefarious espionage organization at every turn. One day, we will bring them to their knees and I will have their leader, Dr. Director here begging for mercy.” Gemini trembled once then began cackling loudly.
“And they call me a ‘mad’ scientist,” murmured Drakken, then spoke up. “I don't see why you kidnapped me.”
“You're going to help me, of course,” said Gemini smoothly. “If you won't, I'll torture you until you do.”
“Eh, torture?” said Drakken. “You could have just asked me to join, or paid me. I do contract work from time to time. I am evil too after all.”
“You are?” questioned Gemini.
“Of COURSE I am!” bellowed Drakken. He hesitated. “You have a GLOBAL criminal empire and you've never heard of ‘Dr. Drakken?'”
Gemini frowned.
“Drakken,” continued the doctor. “D - R - A - K - K - E - N.”
Gemini shook his head.
“I nearly took over the world three months ago! I own Bueno Nacho!”
“Ah!” said Gemini suddenly. “That was you? I thought it was Dr. Dementor.”
Drakken vibrated. “You've heard of Dr. Dementor but not me? ME! The nemesis of the insufferable Kim Possible?”
“Wait, Kim Possible… that name is familiar.” Gemini's eye widened. “The Ron Factor!”
“No, that’s not it,” grumbled Drakken, then brightened. “Oh, wait, the buffoon! Yes, that might be his name.”
“Intriguing,” mused Gemini, rubbing his goatee absentmindedly.
“Why did you kidnap me if you didn't know anything about me?” asked Drakken.
“I never said I knew nothing about you,” snapped Gemini. He walked into the shadows in front of Drakken, disappearing from view. A moment later and another spotlight came on, illuminating a large console filled with buttons and a large, comfortable looking chair. Drakken thought of the hard steel beneath him and envied the leather covered plush seat.
Gemini sat at the console and pressed one of a myriad of buttons on the ring shaped console. A screen lit up displaying a tiny dot that quickly grew into a large bug-shaped machine. “I have heard, Dr. Drakken, that you are capable of making a powerful explosive that's small enough to fit onto the back of a nanite.”
“Hm?” Drakken looked curious for a moment. “Oh, yes. Yes I can. That was years ago, though. I tried to attach it to the back of a robotic tick but I lost the prototype thanks to Kim Possible.”
“A tick?” Gemini frowned. “What purpose would that serve? Ticks are hardly mobile, unless your target likes to run through tall grass.”
“Hmph,” sounded Drakken. “It was just a prototype, the production model would have been way cool.” He pouted.
“Be that as it may, are you still capable of creating the explosive?”
“Yes, of course,” snapped Drakken, still sounding sad.
“Then perhaps we can come to an agreement,” Gemini said smoothly. “One evil villain to another.”
“I'm listening,” replied Drakken, as he could do very little else from where he was.
“Make me some of these explosives, say, a hundred of them, and I'll cut you in on the prize.” Gemini smiled evilly.
“A hundred! That could take days!” Drakken frowned. “Do you have a hundred nanite ticks for them to be attached to?”
“Forget the ticks!” yelled Gemini, then returned to his calm appearance. “I have a much more… elegant delivery system.” He pressed another button on his console and the screen was replaced.
“Oh,” said Drakken, raising his eyebrows. “Yes, much more elegant.”
It was never really her intention to find out, but Shego was impressed that her jet could carry four people. The cockpit had been modified recently to accommodate two comfortably, and she figured three might push it, but she was able to squeeze Ron Stopple, Mama Lipsky, and Kim Possible into the confined space with her quite easily.
Comfort, however, was another issue.
“Are you grabbing my butt, Mrs. Lipsky?” Ron said, petrified, from the rear seat.
“Please, sonny, I’m doing nothing of the sort,” said the elder woman. “Something does seem to be moving around in your pocket, however.”
“Rufus!” yelled Ron as he tried to wiggle himself to allow the pants leg pocket room to breathe.
“Ron!” called Kim from the front seat. “Not so loud!” She tried to crane her head to look back but failed.
“Stop moving, Princess,” said Shego, angrily. She looked angry too, maybe even furious. Of all the humiliation that Dr. Drakken put her through, the thought of her own past being exposed and ruining her nicely villainous street-cred, and the shame of being forced to work with her nemesis, nothing compared the embarrassment of having Kim Possible sit on her lap as she piloted her jet.
“Sorry,” grumbled Kim, who wasn't feeling any better about this situation than Shego had been. She tried to remember whose dumb idea this was, then blushed.
‘I'm not waiting for one of your stupid rides to show up, I'm leaving,’ Shego had yelled.
‘I thought we were supposed to be working together,’ complained Kim. ‘I know people who can help us track down Gemini, we'd get this over with quicker if you stuck with me.’
‘Well I'm stick of hanging around here and waiting, we'll just take my jet.’
‘Your jet is built for two, there are four of us!’ Kim motioned angrily to Mrs. Lipsky and Ron.
‘Aw, what's a matter, Pumpkin,’ goaded Shego. ‘Too chubby to squeeze?’
‘I am not chubby,’ replied Kim, defiantly. ‘Flying a jet is a complicated matter and weight is an integral part of it.’
‘Hah, I can compensate. I can fly that baby with my eyes closed. You're just worried you'll cause us nose dive.’
‘Am I not.’
‘Prove it, Princess,” sneered Shego.
‘FINE.’
“This was really a bad idea,” Kim said quietly, returning to the present.
Shego glared up at her. “Yes, it was,” she said through gritted teeth. “I'm thinking when this day is over we will never speak of it again.”
“Agreed,” Kim said with a nod, then looked out the front of the jet. “There's the landing strip.”
“I see it.” Shego grumbled something under her breath and then began her descent.
“What was that?” asked Kim, annoyed.
“I said the weight is throwing me off, okay?”
“Hah!” Kim gloated. She wasn't normally like this, but then again she'd never had to work with Shego so closely before and it was driving her insane.
“One more word outta you, Kimmie, and I'll just eject.”
Kim sighed and remained quiet through the landing, just to make things go quicker. Once they were on the ground and parked, Kim leapt from the jet as soon as the canopy opened. A moment later and Shego landed beside her.
“Freedom,” they both said under their breaths. The stared at one another like each had grown an extra limb during the flight.
“Uh, KP?” said Ron from the jet.
Kim up at him and noticed him staring ahead. Looking around, she noticed the two dozen blue suited agents pointing guns at they group. She caught Shego's hands flaring up in her peripheral vision.
“Some welcome party,” Shego said slowly getting into attack position.
“Hold on, Shego,” Kim held up a hand, then stepped forward. “Hey, I'm Kim Possible. I called ahead to Dr. Director, we should be all cleared to go.”
One of the forward agents, a burly man with short black hair nodded. “We remember you, Ms. Possible. You're free to go ahead and meet with the Director.”
“Then what's all this for?” she motioned to the men.
The forward soldier stared intently at Shego. “They're for her.”
“Me?” Shego said, then smiled. “I'm flattered there are so many of you. But I'm actually working with Ms. Princess today, so stand aside.”
“'fraid not, ma'am,” replied the agent. “We can't let you into GJ HQ.”
“Then what the hell am I supposed to do?” Shego started to get angrier.
“Just what you are doing.”
Shego's hands flared brighter as she started growling.
“Shego!” yelled Kim. “Please, just… play nice while I find out what's going on?”
“I'm not your sidekick,” she said between growls. “Don't even think about ordering me around.”
Kim just put her hand to her forehead. “Ron? Mrs. Lipsky? Let's… just go.”
The rear passengers quickly descended the ladder on the side of the jet and hopped the ground. Ron, decidedly not used to having guns pointed at him, carefully avoided getting anywhere near the agents. Mrs. Lipsky, however, simply strolled past smiling kindly at the men.
The trio got a few steps past the group of GJ agents when Kim heard Shego speak. “So, who's going to ‘play nice’ with me first?”
Kim turned to scold Shego again when suddenly the ground opened up and swallowed them whole. The dark shaft seemed to go on for eternity as Ron and Mrs. Lipsky yelled loudly through the entire drop. A few seconds past when Kim was convinced they were going to become a splat on the pavement, the tunnel began to curve and eventually spat them out onto a large billowy landing pad.
Kim flopped her hair back and looked around, recognizing the characteristic command center of Global Justice. The slim, commanding, one-eyed Dr. Director stood before her, completing the setting.
“Welcome back, Kim Possible,” she said, “to Global Justice.”
Dr. Director held out a hand to Kim. The teen took it readily and was helped up. Behind her, Ron was already helping Mrs. Lipsky to stand on the poofy material.
“Thanks, Dr. Director,” said Kim dusting herself off. “What was all that with Shego, though?”
“Sorry, Kim,” replied the stern agent. “We can't allow an active villain to see the interior of GJ HQ if we can help it. While we do afford some hospitality to ‘retired’ villains,” she glanced at Mrs. Lipsky just once, “active agents of evil are strictly off-limits. Too many secrets are kept here.”
“I'm just concerned Shego may decide to go all Terminator on your agents up there.”
“Don't worry about that,” shrugged Dr. Director. “GJ agents are well trained fighters, they can handle one villain.”
Kim had some other ideas about the ability of GJ agents, but she kept it to herself for the moment. Kim and Dr. Director started moving into the command center while a number of other GJ agents appeared, somewhat out of nowhere, and escorted Ron and Mrs. Lipsky away. Kim was going to ask why but hesitated. She trusted Dr. Director, right?
“So, you got Wade's message,” said Kim. “We think that Gemini has kidnapped Dr. Drakken, as bizarre as that sounds.”
“It does seem strange,” agreed Dr. Director. “Although our analysis did conclude that Dr. Drakken is a capable scientist when given the proper environment.”
“It did?” Kim tried not to appear shocked. “Were these the same analysts that ‘discovered’ the Ron Factor?”
“Yes, why?”
“Oh, no reason,” Kim smiled and looked around casually. Despite their sometimes questionable calculations, she had to respect GJ. They were a huge organization and very dedicated to the cause of world crime fighting. It was more than she could say for herself in any case. Sure, she'd run at a moment's notice to stop a flood or fight a threatening enemy, but she stilled cared about her personal life and her potential future career quite a bit. She couldn't close herself into a room and monitor for crimes 24/7 the way some GJ agents did.
“So you think that Gemini kidnapped him for his scientific knowledge?” asked Kim, getting back to the topic at hand.
“It's quite possible. After the recent Bueno Nacho affair, Drakken should be showing up on many more people's radar. Even Gemini's.”
The two walked over to a central console and Dr. Director began calling up some images. “Unfortunately, Kim, we don't know where Gemini's current hideout is. I've had agents searching through his last few bases of operation but have found no clues yet as to his current whereabouts. You know how notorious he is for evading GJ monitoring.”
“Yes. A little bit of sibling intuition, no doubt.” Kim nodded sagely. “As a sister to twins, believe me, it's sometimes supernatural how similar they think.”
“I agree,” said Dr. Director. “Which is why I've removed myself from any of the security and surveillance details. The less I’m involved I figure the less Gemini will be able to figure out.”
“Not a bad idea. Still no luck tracking him down, though.”
“As you say.” The Director nodded.
“Hmm…” Kim looked at the wide array of scans going on simultaneously. Some of the brightest minds, she was told, worked in this very center. It was impressive.
“You know, Kim,” Dr. Director interrupted her thoughts. “I understand you've just started your senior year of high school and you're probably thinking about what you're going to do after you graduate.”
Kim frowned. “It's crossed my mind.”
“I was hoping that you'd consider possibly joining us here at GJ.”
“Me?” Kim blinked. “A GJ agent? Well, uh, that's sudden.”
“Not at all,” insisted Dr. Director. “You've already demonstrated exemplary ability above and beyond even some of my best agents, as well as a strong will to fight injustice. On both occasions you've assisted us there has been nothing but high praise for your work. Even Agent Commander Will Du reluctantly admitted to your deeds on his evaluation.”
Kim was blushing at the attention the older woman was now showing upon her. “Dr. Director--”
“Furthermore, you have a completely clean record for innocent injury or death as well as never having resorted to lethal force against an enemy occupying a superior position. That represents an unshakable ethical foundation. I can only hope one day to relieve my position to someone as worthy as you.”
“Please!” Kim desperately tried to stop Dr. Director before she felt even more embarrassed. “I'm flattered. Really, I am! I just… I wasn't expecting this and I can't commit to anything right now.”
“Understandable,” agreed Dr. Director. “I just hope you keep it in mind for the future. Consider it a standing invitation.”
Kim smiled. “Thanks, I … I appreciate it.” She looked up at the myriad of screens. She just wasn't sure yet if saving the world was the only thing she wanted to do with her life.
“So what do you two do with my son anyway? You two seem to know him quite well.”
“What do… KP and I do with Drew?” Ron paused and tried to come up with any way to answer that question without coming up with a complicated lie. When that failed, he tried to come up with a complicated lie.
When that failed, he moved onto distractions. “Hey look,” he pointed suddenly at a monitor they were walking past. “Middleton High. That's where KP and I go to school. I guess it makes sense to monitor it, so many crazy things happen there.”
“It's a nice looking school,” said Mrs. Lipsky with a smile.
“It is,” nodded Ron. “If you go for crazy substitute teachers, inedible food, and suddenly no parking in the senior's lot.” He paused. “Other than that, yes, very nice.”
The GJ agents that escorted them away from the command center led them to a fairly large office. A sizable, but empty, table lay to one side with several chairs surrounding it. Charts and graphs covered the walls and stacks of papers and reports were sitting in the center of the room surrounding a single, slender, blond haired GJ agent lying on the floor and reading. She was mumbling to herself as she read aloud, casually kicking her legs as they curled up behind her.
The decidedly more masculine GJ agent that led Ron and Mrs. Lipsky in coughed loudly to get the blonde's attention. “Agent Grimes,” the man said, motioning to the two guests.
The blonde perked up and leapt to her feet. “Oh, you're here!” She jumped over the stacks of papers and ran over to Mrs. Lipsky. “Hi, I'm Agent Vicki Grimes.”
“I'm Angela Lipsky, dear,” said the senior. “It's nice to…” she started to say but the agent's attention had left to focus on Ron.
“Hey,” Ron said casually. “I'm--”
“Ronald Stoppable,” Vicki finished. “It's great to finally meet you.” She shook his hand vigorously. “I've been studying your work, it's all very complex.”
“My… work?” Ron looked confused. The agent simply motioned to the piles of paper she was previously surrounded by. “Uh… is this about the time I was hit by that smarty ray? ‘Cause it turned out that was actually just Rufus.”
Vicki shook her head. “Smarty ray? Hmm, I haven't read that case file yet. No, this is about picking up potentially powerful research that had previously been abandoned.” She backed off and reached into the pile of papers and pulled out a worn manila folder. She held it up for inspection.
“The Ron Factor, report 1 of 217,” Ron read aloud. “Oh, no, I thought this was over!”
“It was,” confirmed Agent Grimes. “I resurrected it.”
“'Ron Factor?'” asked Mrs. Lipsky. “You have your own ‘factor?'”
“No,” Ron said vehemently. “This is just something GJ was looking into a year or so ago. They concluded it wasn't true. At least, I thought they did.” He shook his head. “Kim is a success because she can do anything, it doesn't have to do with me.”
“Oh, but it does,” insisted Vicki. “The research just took the wrong approach. Our teams tried to pin all of Kim's success on you, which was unfair. The key, at least what I believe to be the key, is the combination of you and Kim that leads to repeatable success.”
“My, that sounds very interesting,” Mama Lipsky said. “Reminds me of schemes from my youth.” She had a dreamy look in her eyes for a moment before it cleared. “I don't suppose you have a bathroom?”
Vicki motioned to the door. “It's just down the hall, one of the posted agents will show you.”
“Thank you, dear.” The elder woman nodded happily and slowly padded out of the office.
“Her youth?” questioned Ron after she was out of earshot. “What does that mean?”
“You mean you don't know?” said Vicki strangely. “I mean, about Angela Lipsky nee Kelly?”
“Should I?” Ron said, feeling unsettled. “We don't really dig into the families of our villains. It's impolite.”
“I suppose not. It's not a big deal anyway. ‘No longer a factor.'” She seemed almost sad, then perked up. “Anyway, back to you.”
“No, I’m not doing any more tests or wearing crazy clothes anymore.” Ron folded his arms definitively. “You GJ-folks seem to be fine without our help anyway.”
“But this could be the key to improving our agent bonding parameters!” Vicki clasped her hands over Ron's. “Please, you have to let me observe you!”
Ron swallowed, looking into Vicki's pleading eyes. He realized not but a few months ago he would have done anything to have a young, attractive blonde shower him with this much attention. Even if it was attention from the clearly insane. Now, he shook his head.
“I don't see how it will help,” he said.
“Let me show you,” the Agent said, chipper again, and grabbed Ron's hand to drag him to her desk. She raised a tall screen from the previously seamless surface and showed a series of schematics and graphs that Ron absolutely didn't understand.
“When a class of agents is recruited,” she began. “Our computers process a very complicated, time consuming algorithm to pair agents together as partners. The program has been developed and refined over the last few decades to create the perfect team. Agents always work better in pairs and the more socially agreeable the pair is, the more time they spend together and the better they can anticipate each other's moves in a tense situation.”
“Okay,” Ron said, understanding the part about making teams that don't hate each other and glossing over the rest. He figured he'd deciphered the important part. “So you figure Kim and I can help you make your program better.”
“Better?” scoffed Vicki. “Completely replace it!”
“Okay, I'm confused again,” announced Ron.
“During the initial evaluation of ‘The Ron Factor,’ we ran you and Kim's profile through our algorithm.”
“Perfect match, right?” Ron smiled.
“No!” said the agent with glee. “Actually, it was a complete and utter rejection. Our algorithm saw no correlation between you and Kim that could account for the synergy we strive for in our agent pairs. Their conclusion from that analysis was that either you or Kim caused your success but not both.”
“Oh,” Ron deflated. “So what do you think?”
“I think our algorithm is superficial,” she said quietly. “I believe that you and Kim together make your missions successful which means that there is something about you two that our computer was unable to assess. In short, all these years and we've been looking in entirely the wrong place.”
Vicki brought up a long proposal onto the translucent screen. “I want to lead a team to redesign our Agent Pairing System but I need some hard data that my approach has merit before Dr. Director will give me funding.” She turned and looked at Ron again, pleading. “Please, I need your help to get this project started.”
Ron sighed. “Maybe I could spare some time,” he admitted. “Just to get you started, though.”
“Yes!”
“Oh, pardon me,” came Mama Lipsky's voice from the doorway. She stared wide eyed at Ron and Vicki standing closely together staring at the monitor. She suddenly looked concerned. “Aren't you getting a little personal with that Agent, young Stoppable? I thought you were dating that Possible girl.”
“Er, no,” said Ron, off guard, then recovered. “I mean, yes, I am dating Kim, but I'm just helping Agent Grimes with some GJ work. Nothing personal.” He smiled reassuringly then frowned as he saw Vicki scribbling frantically in a notepad. “What's wrong?”
“Mmm?” she muttered. “Oh, uh-- our recent data hadn't revealed you had begun dating Kim. I need to make sure our records are valid if we're going to make an appropriate algorithm.”
Ron blinked. “Whatever.”
“Hey guys,” Kim's voice now fluttered in beside Mama Lipsky. The taller Dr. Director was also there, standing behind her. “We're ready to go now.”
“Right on, KP,” Ron said energetically and ran over to her. He turned back to Vicki. “When this thing with Gemini is over, let me know how I can help your research.”
“Okay,” the agent replied, forcing a smile and waving.
The Team Possible plus Mama Lipsky group departed her office as Vicki fell into her chair. She tossed her notepad on her desk and quickly searched for another report to occupy herself with.
The notepad, sitting silently, read: “He's dating HER. You're too late. Dammit!”
Shego breathed deeply. Two dozen GJ agents and barely a scratch on her. She was feeling great! Just the sort of de-stressing agent -- pun intended -- she needed after spending the last few days with Andy Lipsky. The old crony was insistent, refusing to let Shego do anything except search for her ‘lost’ son. Even Drakken never bossed her around so hard.
She still couldn't figure out how she lost control of the situation either. She was a strong willed woman with a take-charge attiude that had always made sure she was the one really pulling the strings between herself and Dr. Drakken. This senior citizen, despite being frail and barely capable of running, had manipulated Shego into doing her bidding without even raising a finger.
If she wasn't the one being manipulated, she could almost have envied her ability. As it was, she was just short of massacring the woman.
Thankfully, the GJ agents lying around her satisfied her urge to do violence. And they would all recover in time, since Shego made sure not to do them any permanent harm. It was really pathetic anyway, to think that any number of them could face her. To have maimed or killed any of them would have been like beating a sick puppy. No sport at all.
She wished at least one of them had Kimmie's skill, then at least she wouldn't have had to hold back. Not that she liked the do-gooder for anything other than fighting, but she was a superb fighter. Nobody came as close to Shego's skills as Kim Possible.
“Shego!” a voice run in the silence of the empty runway. Well, empty of anyone conscious. Shego looked up in time to see Kim and her sidekick, a few GJ agents, and that shrew drive up in a jeep. Kim hopped down from the jeep and looked angry. “I told you to play nice.”
Come on, come at me, Shego thought. I'm all warmed up and ready for a real fight. If I get back in that jet with Andy Lipsky I'll have nothing but pent up rage for days, so at least give me this one challenge before I gotta suffer again.
“They'll live,” Shego said instead. Then smiled and added, “I think.”
Kim just put her hand to her forehead and sighed. “Dr. Director is offering us a ride home, so please just take Mrs. Lipsky back.”
Shego paused. “Do I have to?” From the jeep, Mama Lipsky glared at her. “O-kay.” So much for the challenge. “Come on, Andy.”
Kim helped the senior woman down from the Jeep and then up again into Shego's jet. As she was climbing back down Shego stuck her head out of the cockpit and looked at her. “So what about this Gemini guy?” she asked.
“GJ is looking for him right now and I've got Wade scanning the net.” Kim jumped down to the concrete runway. “If he surfaces, we'll get him.”
“That's it? Just waiting around?” Shego thought about every extra hour she'd have to spend with Mrs. Lipsky and her determination to find Dr. Drakken increased tenfold. “That's crap. I've got my own ideas of how to handle this.” She pushed her helmet onto her head and closed the cockpit canopy.
Inside the jet, Shego vibrated with anger. “I told you she wouldn't be any help,” she yelled back at Mama Lipsky.
“She found out about Gemini, didn't she?” replied the elder ex-criminal smoothly. “And visiting GJ headquarters was fun! I never got to do that in the old days.”
“At least they let you inside,” grumbled Shego, igniting her engines and throttling up. “I had to ‘play nice’ with their agents.”
“It all worked out in the end,” concluded Mrs. Lipsky, happily.
Shego could only sign. “It's not over yet.”