Shego finished dressing in her black business suit, complete with a greenish-white shirt and a bright green scarf.
Kim came over, dressed in a pink casual blouse and skirt. Kasy Ann was balanced on one hip, while Sheki slept in the crib. “Going already?” she asked.
“Got to go.” said Shego. “New client and everything.”. Shego bent over and kissed Kim. “Have fun with the kids, and at college.”
“Sure I can’t go with you?” said Kim.
“Sorry, Kimmy-kins.” said Shego. “The conference with this mystery client will probably take all day, and you’ve got afternoon classes.”
Kim sighed. “Good luck with the client. Taking the Kimminator?”
“You know it.” said Shego. She bent over to kiss Kasy, then walked over to the crib and kissed the sleeping Sheki. “You two be good for mommy and the grandparents.” she said.
Shego walked out of her condo and headed for the small airport where Shego and Kim kept the Kimminator.
Kim sighed. She loved Kasy and Sheki, but the girl who could do anything found herself now a very bored college-woman.
Shego glanced at a monitor, showing a view from one of the Kimminator’s belly-cameras. The camera view showed what appeared to be an abandoned office building. A helipad, outlined in flaking paint, was marked on the roof of the building. “Kigo, double check the coordinates. Are you SURE this is where the new client said to meet?”
Another monitor flashed, showing a wire-diagram of the earth. Several green dots, representing global positioning satellites, lit up. Kigo spoke. “Checked and triple checked. Inertial guidance, terrain recognition protocols, and multiple global positioning satellite signals all agree this is the spot.”
Shego sighed. “Is that building even safe to land on?”
The satellite display turned black. “Beginning ultra sonic and multi-frequency scanning.” reported Kigo. A wire diagram of the building appeared. Much to Shego’s surprise, most of the diagram became filled in with a green haze.
“Scans complete.” said Kigo. “The building is secure.”
“Safe to land on secure, or you can’t give me a better scan secure?” asked Shego.
“Both.” admitted Kigo. “The building may look decrepit, but it’s got tempest class shielding. But I can say it’s heavily re-enforced.”
“Run the security scanning programs I loaded into you.” said Shego.
On the monitor, red points lit up around the screen. “Multiple security cameras, overlapping fields of vision.” reported Kigo. “Keyed to automated weapon systems. I’m also picking up two large interior spaces that corresponds to a hangar and a garage, but I can’t tell you what, if anything, is in them.”
“Any of the weapons currently active?” asked Shego.
“Negative.” said Kigo. “There is a 98 probability we are being tracked on passive sensors, but there are no weapons currently active.”
Shego frowned. “Wade DID say this new client was reliable, right?”
“Yes, Shego.” said Kigo. “However, he did state your new client insisted on the strictest security.”
“Establish a link with Wade.” ordered Shego. “If anything happens to me, or if I’m not out in an hour, tell Wade and head back for Kim.”
“Understood.” said Kigo. “I will do my best to monitor.”
“Let’s land this thing.” said Shego. One hand grasped the yoke securely, her other hand reached out and pulled on a lever.
“Main jet engine slowing to idle.” reported Kigo. “Hover-pads to full power. VTOL mode confirmed.”
Shego brought the Kimminator to a perfect landing on the roof of the building. She activated the Kimminator’s internal security systems and stepped out of the Kimminator. There was a doorway leading to the building’s main stair well. A piece of paper was taped neatly to the door.
Shego: Office 901, one floor down.
Shego sighed, pulling the note off, and went in.
“Hello?” Shego said, entering the office marked ‘901’. The office was a large room in the middle of the ninth floor. A large wooden desk sat in the middle of the room, with a large leather chair behind the desk. The chair was currently facing the wall, so that Shego couldn’t see who was sitting in it, or even if there was anyone in the chair.
“Ok.” said Shego, placing her hands on the desk. “I’m here. If this is the place you want me to check security for, my first suggestion is make up your mind: Are you counting on camouflage or electronics?”
The chair turned, to reveal a woman that Shego remembered from her wedding.
“Hello, Shego.” the woman said, calmly. “I’m not looking for a security testing expert.”
“Looking for a maid of honor?” asked Shego, crossing her arms in front of her chest and glaring suspiciously at Betty Director, the head of Global Justice.
“Actually, we’re looking for this.”. Dr. Director picked a remote control up from the desk and pressed a button. The wall behind Dr. Director lit up, turning into a giant screen. An image appeared, showing a razor edged, shiny black fighter.
“Mine’s better.” said Shego, reflexively.
“This is a prototype of the Aero-Space Strike Fighter.” said Betty Direct. “THE prototype, to be exact.”
Shego’s mind quickly worked out the acronym. “Aww, did someone lose their ASS?”
“ASS Fighter.” said Dr. Director. “And yes, we did. The ASS Fighter, when stolen, was fully loaded. It’s capable of super-cruising, has a limited sub-orbital flight capability, and has enough firepower to take out a city.”
“And now the thief is offering to sell it on the black market to anyone who wants to buy Global Justice’s latest toy?” said Shego.
“It’s not that simple.” said Dr. Director. “If it was for auction, we could either send in agents to the auction site and steal the jet back, or in an extreme case, simply buy the jet ourselves. The thief is apparently planning to upgrade it and use it for himself.”
“Hold on.” said Shego. “Someone stole your state-of-the-art toy, and you think he’s going to improve it? He’d have to be an aeronautical genius to do that.”
“Mechanical genius, actually.” said Dr. Director. She pushed another button. The screen image changed to reveal a set of mug shots. “Look familiar.”
“Yeah, it’s Dr. D’s cousin.” said Shego. “Ernie, Eddy…”
“Motor Ed.” supplied Dr. Director. “He managed to bypass security, get into our top secret testing hangar, and get out with the only ASS Fighter in existence.”
“And how do you know that he plans to use it for himself?” demanded Shego.
Dr. Director, grimly, pressed another button on the remote.
The screen changed, from static photos of Motor Ed to a video clip of Motor Ed.
“Hey! One eyed babe!” said Motor Ed on the giant monitor. “This space plane thing, it’s one sweet ride! Like, totally. But it’s not fast enough yet. I’m going to get it all tricked out, then I’ll REALLY show you what the Motor Ed man can do! And then, say good bye to one of your MAJOR cities! No one messes with the lion, baby, this cat’s going to roar! -pause- Ok, I’m done. How do I stop the camera? No, seriously. Hit the stop button already.”
The image went to black.
Shego raised an eyebrow. “One-eyed babe?” she repeated.
“Surprised I have a fan?” asked Dr. Director.
“Surprised someone can have more trouble remembering names than Drakken does.” said Shego. “Ok, so you don’t know where it is, and you need to shoot it down when it shows up. Why call me?”
“Motor Ed, whatever mental problems he may have.” said Dr. Director, “Has demonstrated skill in modifying vehicles. Most of our weapon systems aren’t capable of dealing with the ASS fighter as it is now. Quite frankly, there’s only one weapon platform that I think even has a chance against an upgraded ASS Fighter… and it’s currently parked on the roof.”
“What’s the deal?” demanded Shego.
“We need the Kimminator, if we’re going to have a chance against the ASS Fighter.” said Dr. Director. “Now, we can confiscate the Kimminator, as being necessary for national security, but that’ll mean dealing with all the security measures. Or you can agree to be on standby, to fly the Kimminator yourself, against Motor Ed when he shows up, and take down the ASS Fighter.”
“The Kimminator’s got a lot of surprises.” said Shego. “I don’t think there’s any way you OR your Global Justice goons could get into it before Motor Ed could have a dozen cities burnt to the ground. And I don‘t like working for the government”
“True.” admitted Dr. Justice. “Which, of course, leaves our third option.”.
Dr. Justice pulled out a telephone and punched in a series of numbers.
“Who are you calling?” said Shego, suspiciously.
Dr. Justice’s finger posed, a centimeter away from the final digit on the phone. “Why, the world needs saving… I figure Kim Possible is just the girl to call.”
Shego frowned, then sighed. “You fight dirty.”
“When you fight the fights I do, you fight any way you can.” said Dr. Director, calmly. “You’d be amazed how low I’d go to protect the world.”
“I’d go lower.” said Shego, reflexively. She blew the air out of her lungs, blowing upwards to blow a lock of green-tinted black hair out of her eyes. “Here’s the deal. I’m going to protect Kim and the kids, any way I can. If that means working for you, so be it. But I don’t work cheap.”
“And I’m going to protect the world, anyway I can,“ said Dr. Director. “Full replacement of any fuel and weapons expended. Standard retainer payments until Motor Ed is taken down, and we’ll pay your full fees for all flight time.” She opened a drawer and took out an electronic touch-pad, with the offer she had just outlined displayed on the clip-board sized unit.
Shego glanced at the pad. “You ARE prepared.” she said. “Double the retainer.”
Dr. Director frowned. “Retainer stays. But I can authorize a bonus if the ASS Fighter is returned, in usable condition. Extra if any of Motor Ed’s ‘improvements’ are actual improvements, and we can duplicate them.”
Shego and Dr. Director finally reached an agreement, and Shego returned to the Kimminator.
The door opened automatically. “The hour time limit was almost up.” said Kigo.
“Aw, were you worried?” said Shego. She moved over to the controls.
“I am programmed to serve and protect you, along with Kim and the twins.” said Kigo. “If you were harmed, it would be a failure of my programming.”
“Yeah, well, get your programming busy on this.” said Shego. She took a CD from a pocket and placed it in a reader on the console. “It’s a new fighter that Motor Ed stole. Pass the stats to Wade so he can keep an eye on it. If it shows up, we have to get it out of his hands, one way or the other.”
“Scanning in specs now.” said Kigo. “Would you like me to begin the programming of a combat-simulation for you to practice on, in case you need to fly against this machine?”
“Please and thank you.” said Shego. She suddenly groaned. “Oh no… Kim’s rubbing off on me more than I thought.”
Kim sighed, leaving her last college class of the day. A course in Forensic Science had sounded cool when she signed up for it, but she discovered that most of what the teacher was covering was review for her. For that matter, the multi-frequency sunglasses Wade had provided her could do a lot more then what the class’s text book covered.
She took out the Kimmunicator and activated it, since Middleton College had a firm ‘no cell phones on in class‘ policy. According to the screen, there was one message, from Shego.
Probably going to suggest I leave the twins with my parents so we can have a ‘just the two of us‘ night. though Kim, smiling. Well, maybe she’d let Shego talk her into it. She hit the button to play the message.
“Hey, Kimmy-kins? I won’t be home until late tonight. I’m back in Middleton, but I had to go down to the simulator. The new client… well, what she wants involves the Kimminator.” said Shego’s voice. “Love ya, princess.”
Kim sighed. “Shego…” she said plaintively, then put the Kimminator into a pocket. She considered calling Ron and Monique, but she knew the two were planning on going a date, and she didn’t want to be a fifth wheel. She got into pink sedan and drove over to her parent’s house.
“Hi, mom.” Kim said, entering her parents house.
“Hi, Kim. Just got Kasy and Sheki to sleep.” said Mrs. Dr. Possible. She gestured to where Skeki and Kasy were laying together on a couch, both snoring softly.
“Oh. Great.” said Kim, trying to sound enthusiastic.
“Something wrong, Kimmy?” asked her mom.
“It’s just… Mom, what was it like? When I was a baby?” said Kim.
“Oh, going through that phase?” said Dr. Mrs. Possible.
“What phase?” said Kim.
“You’re adjusting to being a mother.” said Dr. Mrs. Possible. “I know it was a big adjustment for me, trying to be a doctor and a mother. It must be hard for you, going from being a world-savior to being a college girl and mother.”
“That obvious, huh?” said Kim.
“Oh yeah.”. said Dr. Mrs. Possible. “Kim, you know that your father and I will always be there for you… but this is really something you should be discussing with Shego.”.
“I don’t want to sound like I’m whining.” said Kim. “It’s just… she’s always going off, with her jobs, and I’m just staying around the house with the twins.”
“And sometimes you want to talk with someone who can speak in full sentences?” said Dr. Mrs. Possible. “Kim, these feelings are NORMAL. It’s part of learning to be a parent.”
“Kim!” said Tim and Jim, coming into the room.
“Hey, tweebs.” said Kim. She noticed they were carrying two somewhat blackened metal objects. “What are those?” she said.
“Oh, these?” said Tim.
“Um, just some remote controlled…” started Jim.
“…Plasma targets.” admitted Tim.
Kim sighed, then glared at her mother. “You let them start the twins on moving targets?” she said.
“Well, Jim and Tim wanted to try out their new toys.” said Mrs. Dr. Possible. “Also, Kasy and Sheki seem bored with just the static targets. Well, Kasy seemed bored.”
“My babies started on moving targets and I missed it?” said Kim.
“Boy, does that sound familiar.” said Dr. Possible, walking in. He thought for a moment. “Wait a moment… no, no it doesn’t. Hi, Kimmy. What’s up?”
“Oh, Kim is just a little blue.” said Kim’s mother. “Tim and Jim set up some moving targets for Kasy and Sheki while Kimmy was at school.”
“We put the targets on the slowest setting.” said Jim.
“Kasy’s aim still needs a little work.” said Tim.
“But she’s faster then Sheki is!” said Jim.
“Only ’cause she throws those blasts from separate hands.” said Tim. “The double-handed blast technique is much more accurate.”
“Speed can be more important then accuracy.” said Jim firmly.
Kim sighed. One of the things she hadn’t expected, when letting her parents baby-sit her daughters, was the fact that her twin brothers would want to help in training her twin daughters in using their plasma powers… or that the tweebs would pick favorites. “Look, guys… I know you’re trying to help, but I’d rather Shego or I was there when they practice plasma-tossing.”
“Why?” said Tim. “You’re busy at college, and Shego is busy at work.”
“It’s not like YOU’VE got plasma powers.” pointed out Jim.
“Boys… why don’t you go take those targets to your room and get busy repairing them.” said Dr. Mrs. Possible, glancing at Kim.
“Repair?” said Tim.
“Try, total remodeling.” said Jim.
“Automatic cybernetic evasion protocols?” suggested Tim.
“Hicka-bicka-boo!” said Jim.
The tweebs rushed off happily to the garage.
“Kim, the boys mean well.” said Dr. Mrs. Possible. “It’s just, they know you’re so busy, with the twins and school work and all.”
“Oh yeah.” said Kim to herself. “Reeeeal busy.”. She glanced down at the calculus textbook in front of herself. She’d already done the assigned practice problems, and was just re-rechecking them for something to do. Kasy and Sheki had been so tired out from their practice session at her parents’ house that they’d had trouble staying awake for dinner, then gone right to bed.
To tell the truth, she’d probably have gone to bed herself, except she was waiting up for Shego. Shego had quickly replaced Kim’s Pandaroo as Kim’s favorite sleep accessory.
Finally, she heard the door unlock. She turned to see Shego coming in.
“Shego!” said Kim, jumping up and running to the door to hug Shego.
“Hi, princess.” said Shego, smiling. She hugged the younger woman with one arm, the other hand busy putting her lock-pick set back in her pocket. “How was your day.”
“Oh, morning with the girls, afternoon at college.” said Kim. “The usual. How was your day? The meeting go well?”
“Oh, the meeting.” said Shego. “The employer wants me to do some flying, to see how their plane does against the Kimminator.”
“Oh, that sounds exciting.” said Kim. “Can I go with you?”
“Sorry, Kimmy.” said Shego. “Very hush-hush, top secret plane and all that.”
“Oh.” said Kim. “Well, is the Kimminator winning at least?”
“No contest.” said Shego. “The Kimminator FLIES, baby!”.
“Great.” said Kim, hugging Shego.
Shego smiled, hoping Kim believed her. In the simulator runs that afternoon, she had gone head to head ten times against the ASS Fighter. Seven times she’d lost completely, twice it ended in a draw, and only once had she managed to actually score a win against the smaller, faster plane. The Kimminator was a high tech, super advanced, combat capable passenger aircraft… but the ASS Fighter was purely designed for aerial combat. It didn’t need internal space for passenger cabins or a med bay like the Kimminator had. That gave it an edge in combat.
“I’ll probably be tied up awhile with this new project.” said Shego. She already had the simulator room booked for most of the week, figuring that by the time Motor Ed and the ASS Fighter showed up, Shego would have the simulator licked. “But you’ll be busy with the twins and classes, right?”
“Oh yeah.” said Kim, trying to sound cheerful. “Busy busy busy.”
“That’s my girl.” said Shego, following Kim to their bedroom. Part of Shego’s brain wondered what Motor Ed was doing to improve the ASS Fighter.
“Behold, dude, the ultimate addition to my sweet ride!” said Motor Ed, proudly holding it up. “It’s like, totally what it’s been needing.”
“A pair of fuzzy dice?” said Motor Ed’s assistant. “But boss, there’s no rear view mirror in the cockpit.”
“No mirror?” said Motor Ed. “This like, totally reeks. So need to get a mirror. How else can I check my mullet, dude?”