Dr. Director sighed and rubbed her forehead. The table-top in front of her was a giant video screen, showing a detailed world map. The computer operating the display unit was constantly updating the map, using information coming from satellites and computer systems world wide.
“So, we have no idea where Motor Ed might strike?” said Will Du, studying the map also.
“Oh, we know where he‘s going to strike…” said Dr. Director. She tapped the table. The computer obediently expanded the area that Dr. Director was tapping.
Will Du bent over to look at the display. “Middleton? You think he’ll strike there?”
“I do.” said Dr. Director. “I just hope that Shego and the Kimminator can handle Motor Ed.”
“How can you be so sure he’s going to strike there?” asked Will Du.
Motor Ed snarled and pushed play on the VCR. Once again, the mocking, smirking face of Global Justice’s director, Dr. Director, appeared on the TV Screen.
“Where you going to strike, Motor Ed?” asked the image of Dr. Director. “Washington DC? New York City? Gotham City? We both know you don’t have the marbles to try to take out Middleton.”
“No one doubts Motor Ed’s marbles!” snarled Motor Ed. “Load up my ride, I’m melting-down Middleton, seriously.”
“Boss, it’s obviously a trap.” said his sidekick. “They must want you to hit Middleton.”
“They’re challenging me, man.” said Motor Ed. “And the mane man doesn’t back down from any challenge. Like, seriously.”
Kim sighed. Lately, it seemed her life was in a rut. Get up, have a too brief breakfast with Shego, then watch as she went off to the simulator. Feed and play with the twins, then take them to Kim’s parents’ house while Kim went to classes. Come home, put the kids to bed, and wait for Shego to come home. Kim didn’t know what the current project was, but it seemed as if Shego spent more time in the simulator than she did eating and sleeping.
Kim just wished she knew why Shego was working so hard in the simulator. She had asked her dad… after all, the simulator Shego was currently using (complete with gravitational feed back systems) belonged to the space center. However, her dad had just said it was for a top secret government project, and he wasn’t allowed to talk about it. Kim had considered asking Wade for the 411, several times, but didn’t want to go behind Shego’s back.
Shego sighed, slumping back against the padded simulator seat. She knew that, under her jumpsuit, several new bruises would be forming. “You’re SURE that’s the fastest you can go?” Shego asked.
“Positive.” said Kigo, over the simulator’s speakers. “It’s not a question of engine thrust, I’m only using between 70 and 80 maximum thrust. It’s just that the Kimminator can’t survive the thermal heat and turbulence going faster would cause.”
“That stupid ASS Fighter is faster then us.” snarled Shego. “Heck, it’s faster then most MISSILES.”
“It’s designed for pure speed and fighting.” said Kigo, sounding hurt. “I’m designed to do a lot more. I’m a Swiss army knife, he’s a stiletto. “
“We got to figure something better out.” said Shego. “I’m only getting a 70 kill ratio in this simulator, even after weeks of non-stop practice. And every week I practice, Motor Ed is probably trying to soup that ASS Fighter up a bit more.”. Shego sighed, then said plaintively. “Are you SURE you can’t fly and fight?”
“I’m sorry, Shego.” said Kigo. “My programming protocols are extremely strict on this. I am not allowed to initiate aerial combat. If, for any reason, I find myself in control of the Kimminator’s flight and/or weaponry, I have to do everything I can to evade and escape. I can’t stick around and fight it out, however much I want to or what you tell me.”
Shego rubbed her forehead. “Right… ok, restart the simulator.”
Much to Shego’s surprise, the screens stayed blank.
“Kigo, I said restart the simulator.” said Shego.
“Ma’am, there is such a thing is over-preparation.” said Kigo. “Based on my monitoring of your performance, you are approaching utter exhaustion. In your current state, we’d be safer letting Monique and Rufus fly me in combat than you.”
“Plenty of time to sleep when I’m dead.” said Shego. “Restart the frigging simulator!”
“Uh, ma’am?” came a voice from outside the simulator. “Something just crashed the simulator control program… it’s going to take us a couple hours to get it reloaded…”
“Kigo!” snarled Shego.
“Ma’am, my programming clearly states that I am to protect you and Kim from all possible threats” said Kigo’s voice, coldly. “Including yourselves. Now, if necessary, I will contact Kim and tell her what you’ve been doing to yourself. But you ARE going to take a break. You are going to go home, have a relaxing evening with Kim, get a good night’s sleep, and be ready to make a fresh start tomorrow.”
Shego glared at the speaker the computer generated voice was coming from, but had to admit to herself that Kigo was right. She was pushing herself too hard. “Fine. Just this once, you’re right.”.
Shego opened the simulator and climbed out. The simulator control technician was scrolling through several error logs, trying to figure out what had happened.
“Don’t worry about it.” Shego said. “My computer just crashed your computer. See you tomorrow.”
“See you, ma’am.” said the technician.
Kigo sighed in relief as she saw, through the space center’s security cameras, that Shego was indeed driving to her home. The AI program which ran the Kimminator’s computer systems had received a private message from Dr. Director, indicating that Motor Ed was expected to strike soon. Hopefully, Shego would get the sleep she needed.
Kim lifted a spoon of mashed potatoes up to Kasy’s mouth. “Come on, Kasy… here’s the Peter Puffer choo choo, where’s the tunnel?” Sheki, on the other side of the table, was busy poking holes in her lump of potatoes; apparently, trying to see how many holes she could put into the malleable substance before the tiny mountain collapsed. Kim looked up in surprise as she heard the front door unlock. She stood up, blinking in surprise at seeing Shego kneeling at the door.
“Shego!” said Kim.
“Mom!” cried Kasy and Sheki.
“Hi, kids.” said Shego, smiling and returning her lock pick set to her ankle pouch. She stood up and hugged Kim.
“Something wrong? You’re home early.” said Kim.
“Oh… the computer crashed and I decided to come home early.” said Shego, bending down to kiss Kim on the lips. Shego then turned to look at Kasy and Sheki. “You two girls been good for mommy?”
Sheki and Kasy both nodded. Shego walked to the table and sat down. Kim hurried to the kitchen and got Shego’s plate from the fridge where she had placed it for safekeeping. She warmed it up in the microwave and came out, to see Shego digging a spoon into the mashed potatoes and holding it up for Kasy. Kasy eagerly ate it, not putting up the resistance she had earlier. Sheki was also busy eating now, apparently finished with her exploratory excavations.
Kim set the plate down in front of Shego, and sat down across from Shego. “It’s good to see you home early.” said Kim. “Lately, you’ve been coming home just in time to help put the twins to bed and then go to sleep yourself.”
“Don’t worry, Kim.” said Shego, trying to smile reassuringly. “The new project should be over soon.”
“Well, good.” said Kim. “I just wish you would tell me what it was.”
Not a chance thought Shego. I’m not letting Global Justice pull you back into the world saving game. You were living on borrowed time, even before the twins were born. I’m going to make sure that these kids are going to have at least one parent alive, no matter what.
“Something wrong, Shego?” asked Kim. “You look… somber.”
“It’s nothing.” said Shego. “Good… um, brain loaf…”
Kim shrugged. “It’s my mom’s recipe… she insists that any other shape and the meatloaf doesn’t taste the same.”
“Yah! We strike at dawn!” crowed Motor Ed.
“But boss, we slept in… The sun’s rose already.” said the henchman.
“We did? Totally forgot to set my alarm clock.” said Motor Ed. “Well, it’s dawn somewhere, right?”
“Yes, boss.” said the henchman, sighing.
“Then bring Motor Ed his helmet! I’ve got a city to sack! Totally!”
“Ma’am!” Will Dhu called, opening the door of Dr. Director’s office. Dr. Director was busy drinking her first cup of coffee for the day. She set the cup down. “What is it, Dhu?”
“Sat-Int just called. The ASS Fighter just appeared on their sensors…” reported Dhu.
“Contact the Kimminator and Shego.” said Dr. Director. “Did they see the ASS fighter take off?”
“No ma’am.” said Dhu. “It was in stealth mode during take off. They only spotted it once it started going too fast to retain full stealth security.”
“Back track it’s flight path.” said Dr. Director. “Maybe we can figure out Motor Ed’s base of operations, in case Shego doesn’t manage to take it down.”
Shego snuggled against the slightly smaller woman. Kim smiled happily, only partially awake. The two women had, for once, actually gotten enough sleep. The space center had called, and said the simulator was going to be down until noon, so Shego was in no rush to get out of bed. As long as Shego was going to stay in bed, Kim planned to also… or, at least, until the twins woke up.
Shego’s Kimmunicator, recharging next to Kim’s own by the bed, suddenly began producing an alarm signal. Much to Kim’s surprise, Shego immediately rolled out of bed and grabbed up her kimmunicator. “ASS Sighting?” Shego demanded, apparently unaware that she was currently nude.
“Confirmed.” came the voice over the unit.
Kim, puzzled, just took a moment to enjoy an ass sighting of her own. “What’s up?” she asked as she saw Shego rush to the closet and begin pulling on a dark green flight suit.
“Something’s come up.” said Shego. “Um… you and the kids stay inside till I call you.”
Kim sat up. “Shego, what’s wrong?”
“Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.” said Shego, zipping up the suit. “Just watch the kids.”
Shego was out the door, carrying her boots, too fast for Kim to try her puppy dog pout.
“Shego…” cried Kim, plaintively.
Kasy and Sheki, woken by the sound of the front door slamming, began to cry.
“Coming…” called Kim, pulling on a pink robe.
Shego ignored her car, instead running toward a nearby empty lot. The Kimminator, in automated VTOL mode, was already landing. The door opened, a folding metal staircase dropping down. Shego rushed up the steps, to the control cockpit.
“ETA five minutes” Kigo reported. “He was making random course changes, apparently to throw off tracking, but he is now approaching Middleton.”
“Thank goodness he can’t stealth in super cruise.” said Shego.
“Correct.” said Kigo. “Traveling at that speed produces sufficient side-effects to allow him to be tracked.”
“Got him on your own tracking systems?” demanded Shego. “Just in case he drops out of super cruise?”. Shego fastened the harness on, making sure she’d stay in the seat no matter what aerobatics she put the Kimminator through.
“Confirmed.” said Kigo. One of the large computer monitors in the cockpit lit up, showing a projected image of the ASS Fighter fast approaching Middleton.
“Why is it always Middleton.” muttered Shego, flipping switches. “Unlock weapon systems, authorization Shego - Alpha One One.”
“Voice print confirmed. Biometric signature confirmed.” said Kigo, formally. “Weapon systems unlocked. Charging EMP Cannon. Charging Plasma launchers. Opening Missile Storage Units.” New displays, which so far Shego had only seen in the simulator, lit up. The outline of the Kimminator mark one changed; hidden ports opened along the wing and sides of the plane.
“Active ECM, ECCM, and ECCCM systems on full autonomous control.” said Shego.
“Confirmed.” reported Kigo. These systems, designed to decoy and confuse enemy weapon systems, could be operated unto Kigo’s control.
“Let’s rock.” said Shego, pushing a lever forward. The Kimminator’s engines roared to life as it shot forward.
“Hello, Middleton!” crowed Motor Ed. “The Motor Man is here to maul! Totally!”. Motor Ed’s hands lifted from the controls for a second, to play air guitar. He quickly forgot the idea and grabbed the controls again, as the ASS Fighter (prototype, illegally modified) began to nose down. “Uh-uh, baby… behave for daddy.”
“Warning: Unidentified aircraft approaching airspace. Weapon systems detected.”. The voice was synthetic and feminine, but not the sultry tones Motor Ed had hoped for. This attack on Middleton was going before Motor Ed had finished all his planned upgrades. Still, most of them were in place; including a rear-view mirror complete with fuzzy dice.
“Someone wants to rattle Motor Ed’s cage?” said Motor Ed. He glanced at a screen, showing an outline of the Kimminator. “You got to be kidding me, they think that bus can out fly me in my sweet ride? Like totally wrong.”
Motor Ed used one thumb to hit a toggle switch on the control stick. On the HUD, the words ‘ANTI-GROUND TARGET - FIRE CARPET SMART BOMBS’ were replaced with ‘AIRCRAFT TARGET - SELF GUIDING MISSILES’.
“Shit, he’s coming in fast.” muttered Shego. She pulled on the stick, trying to lead the ASS Fighter, and pulled the trigger. A wave of plasma bolts flew from openings in the Kimminator’s nose.
“Whoa!” yelled Motor Ed. He jerked the stick, pulling the ASS Fighter out of the way of the green plasma globes. He pulled the trigger. A missile dropped out from the underside of the ASS Fighter and streaked toward the Kimminator.
“Incoming missile. Deploying flares.” said Kigo, calmly. Shego yanked on the control yoke, feeding more power to the engines, as the Kimminator climbed up.
Motor Ed, in his own cockpit, pulled the ASS fighter into the tightest turn he could. At the speed he was going, this was still a very large loop; any tighter, and the G-Forces would have caused him to black out even despite the high-g suit he was wearing.
The residents of Middleton looked up, to see two planes, both equipped with the most advanced technology on the planet, fighting it out in the skies above them. The speed the planes were moving at made them hard to see; only the occasional flash of a decoyed missile or a dodged plasma blast proved the planes were anything other then an optical illusion.
Shego grimly gripped the control yoke, fighting unconsciousness. If she thought flying the simulator had been punishing, she had learned a new definition of pain. It felt as if the seat straps were permanently imbedded into her body in several points. Several screens flashed yellow, indicating areas where the Kimminator had been stressed more then was safe. So far, none of the missiles Motor Ed had thrown at her had actually hit, but several had exploded closely enough to shake the plane. Shego’s maneuvering to try to hit the ASS Fighter was doing as much damage to the Kimminator as the near misses had done.
Motor Ed was not quite as skilled a pilot as Shego was, but his vehicle was smaller and nimbler than the Kimminator was. Sooner or later, Shego suspected, she was going to lose this fight… but she refused to give in easily.
One of Shego’s plasma bursts finally managed to graze one of the tips of the ASS Fighter’s wings.
“Yes!” cried Shego.
“All flares expended.” Kigo warned, just as a heat-seeking missile finally managed to smash into one of the Kimminator‘s two main engine exhausts.
Error messages and alarms flashed in the cockpit, like a pinball machine on a caffeine high. Shego was in no state to see them; the explosion had been the final straw. Shego slumped unconscious, her abused body not able to tolerate the abuse it had just taken.
“All right! Got him!” said Motor Ed. “Take that, Global Justice!”.
Motor Ed glanced at his own instruments. “Aw, he scratched my paint job! That totally tanks, dude.”
Motor Ed stabilized the plane, dropping below supersonic. “Activating full stealth systems. I’ll be back, Middleton! Totally!”
Kigo checked the biometric data a third time. Shego was clearly unconscious. Kigo cautiously resumed control of the badly stressed plane. The AI slowed the racing engines, bringing the Kimminator into a level glide path. Sensors, crippled by the battle, lost sight of the ASS Fighter as the heavily stealthed prototype flew out of range. Calculations were made. Shego was badly hurt; hurt badly enough that medical attention was recommended. One engine of the Kimminator was out; the remaining engine and the hover pads were enough to keep the Kimminator flying. A decision was quickly reached.
As the Kimminator came to a landing on the Middleton Medical Center heliport. Kigo finished interfacing with a local cellular tower and placed two calls; first, to Shego’s doctor of record (Dr. Mrs. Possible) and the second to Kim Possible.
Kim paced nervously around the waiting room. A hastily called Ron was kneeling on the floor, playing with Kasy and Sheki. Monique stood by Kim. “Relax, Kim… Your mom said it didn’t look that bad.”
“Why was she flying the Kimminator?” said Kim. “Who was she fighting?”
“Look, I’m sure she had a good reason, girlfriend.” said Monique.
“All that time in the simulator… she was obviously expecting something.” said Kim. “But why didn’t she tell me?”
Dr. Mrs. Possible came into the waiting room, pulling a pair of gloves off.
“Mom! How’s Shego?” asked Kim, eager for news.
“She really took a beating in that plane of yours.” said Dr. Mrs. Possible, shaking her head. “Even before that missile hit, she was in bad shape. Heavy bruising, exhaustion… from the missile impact, she’s got a minor concussion and one arm is broken.”
“Will she be ok?” asked Kim, hoping the answer was yes.
“With time, yes.” said Dr. Mrs. Possible. “How long, I don’t know. I’d say a month or two for a normal person, but Shego’s accelerated healing factor… I literally can’t predict how long she’ll need to be in a cast.”
“Can she come home?” said Kim.
“I want to keep her in overnight for monitoring.” said Dr. Mrs. Possible. “And hopefully to get a baseline on her healing abilities. In the morning, assuming nothing else is wrong, she can come home.”
“Ok.” said Kim. “Can I go in to see her?”
Dr. Mrs. Possible nodded. “She was awake when I checked on her, but I’m not sure how long she’ll be awake. If she falls asleep, come right out… her body needs the rest.”
Shego moaned and looked as the door opened. “Hi, Kim.” she said, her voice a harsh croak. Even breathing hurt.
“Shego?” said Kim, moving to stand next to Shego’s bed. She reached out and took Shego’s unhurt hand in her own hands “Mom says you’re going to be ok.”
“Glad to hear that.” said Shego.
“Now then…” said Kim. “WHAT WERE YOU DOING?”
Shego winced. “Kim… honest, I was trying to save you and the kids…”
“From who? What?” demanded Kim. “Shego, remember me? Kim Possible? Can do anything? I was saving the world when we first met.”
“Yeah, but after having the kids…” said Shego.
“Shego.” said Kim. “We’re a family. Family doesn’t keep secrets from each other. Maybe that means I have to stay on the sidelines, but it doesn’t mean I have to stay in the dark.”
“Ok.” said Shego. “I’ll tell you everything. -yawn- After… I wake… up….”
Shego slumped, eyes closing.
Kim reached out, brushing a lock of greenish-tinted black hair away from Shego’s sleeping face. Whoever did this to you… promised Kim, silently. They’ll pay. Oh, they’ll pay. And Kim Possible doesn’t take American Express.
Kim paused. Ok, got to stop letting Ron and the Tweebs talk me into watching Fearless Ferret marathons with them.