NSA - TRIPLE X COMPLEX
EXACT LOCATION: CLASSIFIED
“Sir, you’ve got to be joking. She’s… well, for starters she’s a she.” said Agent Kyle Steele.
Gibson sat back in his chair. Even in his mid fifties, he was still a powerful figure. The burn scars defacing the side of his face only added character to his black skinned visage. “I don’t recall any rule saying a triple X agent had to be a male.” said Gibson.
“Sir, that’s only the start. She’s an internationally wanted criminal.”
“Perfect.” said Gibson. “She’s already experienced.”
“Sir, this isn’t a joke!” said Steele, frustrated. “At least Stone had government training. She’s…”
Gibson turned. “I pick the triple X agents. That’s a given. She has the three traits I look for. She’s a survivor. She has special skills. And she has complete plausible deniability.”
Gibson and Steele both turned to look at a monitor. On the monitor was an image of a pale-skinned woman, with long black hair.
LOCATION -
Global Justice Special Prison Complex
Shego glanced around. She had already picked out two possible escape routes, and the only reason she hadn’t left yet is that both routes had a degree of physical risk. Not to her, but she might be forced to kill someone if she used either escape route. Shego might not respect the law, but she had her own code of honor. Part of that code was she never killed just for her own gain.
“Prisoner 4077.” snapped a large female guard. Shego ignored her, continuing to pace the prison exercise yard. “Sheila G. Downe.” the guard called, and again Shego ignored her. That name was one she had abandoned, happily, once she realized her father was more interested in his image then in his own family.
“SHEGO!” the female guard finally snapped. Shego turned to look at the guard. The woman gestured. “Someone here to see you.” she said.
Shego followed the guard into a secure conference room. She was surprised to see someone standing by the conference door. It was the first person she had seen here who wasn’t wearing a guard uniform or an orange prison uniform. The man was tall, and the burn scars on one side of his face probably intimidated most people he met. Shego knew that if it wasn’t for the healing powers the meteorite had given her, in addition to her plasma powers, she would be even more scarred then the man was.
“Shego?” the man asked.
“That’s right.” said Shego. She pointed at the female guard who had led her here. “I don’t know Cerberus’s name here, or I’d introduce her.”
“Janet Conner. Global Justice Agent for the last seven years. Watch leader for the last three.” said the man, drawing a startled jerk from the woman. She had obviously not expected that the man would know who she was, or would reveal the information in front of a prisoner.
“And I’m Agent Gibson. SPECIAL Agent Gibson.” the man said. He jerked his head. “I’ll take the prisoner from here, Ms. Conner.”
Shego turned and smirked. “See you, Janet.”
The woman growled and turned. Mr. Gibson opened the conference room door and waited for Shego to enter. Instead of immediately going through the door, Shego waited. “No guards except you, old man. What’s to keep me from grabbing you for a hostage and making a break for the exit?”
“Because you’re smarter then that.” said Gibson. “Global Justice has more sharp shooters on duty at this facility then even you can hope to take on. And I wouldn’t be a good hostage choice. For one thing, I don’t work for Global Justice.”
“Who do you work for?” said Shego.
“NSA.” said Gibson. “And we have a job offer for you.” He gestured into the room. “Or was there something else you had planned for the afternoon?”
Shego sat at the conference table, projecting an air of complete boredom. However, her eyes gave her away. Even with the lid’s partially closed, Gibson could see she was taking in every word he said and constantly looking for either a threat or an opportunity to escape. Gibbons approved; that constant vigilance was a critical need in a triple X agent.
“The Triple X program was started a few years ago.” said Gibbons. “There are cases which require… a special type of agent. Someone with special abilities, a special attitude, and someone who the US Government can believably disavow if everything goes wrong.”
“This sounds like something out of a bad spy movie.” said Shego.
“There’s always a small piece of truth in any story, Shego.” said Gibbons, calmly. “Ninety nine percent of espionage requires either a bureaucrat or someone who can blend in with them. I want to recruit you to help with the remaining one percent.”
“Why me?” demanded Shego.
“You’re willing to take chances. You’ve got powers.” said Gibbons. He leaned close. “And you have a complete disregard for the law while abiding unswervingly by your own personal code of honor.”
“What do you mean?” snarled Shego.
“You have NEVER broken a contract.” said Gibbons. “You have never killed except when it was absolutely necessary to save a group of innocents, and you have never killed once you became a criminal. Do you want me to go on?”
“What makes you think I’ll work for you?” said Shego.
“This is usually where I give a speech about what happens to a wild lion when it’s locked in a cage.” said Gibbons. “But we both know they haven’t made the cage yet that can keep you locked away for long. So I’m going to point out the perks of the job.”
“If you or any member of your team is captured, the government will completely disavow any knowledge of you and your team.” said Shego. “That sort of perk?”
“The sort of perk that knowing you’re making a difference.” said Gibbons. “Of knowing you are going out and doing something only YOU can do.”
Shego stirred, trying to hide how Gibbons’ words were making her feel. “I don’t work cheep. I don’t think the government can afford me.”
“I’ve seen your files.” said Gibbons. “If it was just about the money, you’d have retired by now. You love the thrill, of matching yourself against the best and winning. With our help, you can go up against people who make Lipsky look like small potatoes.”
“Help?” said Shego. “What sort of help.”
“We don’t send agents out unequipped.” said Gibbons. “The first thing an agent needs is the tools of her trade. You want to break into a government lab and steal what you need, we’ll cover you. You want to walk right in, have the guards salute you, and have the scientists make something special just for you, we can provide that also.”
“It sounds like your giving me a get out of jail free card.” said Shego.
“If it’s a crime committed to accomplish a mission, yes.” said Gibbons. “If it’s outside mission parameters… we can be flexible.”
Shego leaned forward, for the first time letting her interest show undisguised. “Anything I want?”
Gibbons leaned forward. “Within reason.“
“Who defines what’s reasonable?” demanded Shego.
“I do.” said Gibbons. “Try me.”
“This is most irregular.” complained Dr. Director.
“Shego is now our prisoner.” said Gibbons. “The President signed the documents himself.”
“I understand that.” said Dr. Director. “And I’m sure you believe you can keep her under wraps better then we can. But I still think you’re making a mistake, especially transporting her with such a small group. I’ve only known one person who could handle Shego single-handedly. “
“Yes, Kim Possible.” said Gibbons. “Don’t worry… we have agents contacting her.”
“Miss Possible?”
Kim looked up from her usual table at the Middleton Bueno Nacho. Ron had just managed to cram two Nacos into his mouth at once, an accomplishment he was considerably proud of and which Kim didn’t have the heart to tell him she found disgusting. “Yes?” she asked.
The man who addressed her was wearing a dark black suit, obviously out of place in the brightly colored Mexican-themed fast food restaurant. The ear-piece he wore in one ear and his shades clearly marked him as a government agent. “Agent Core, NSA. I must ask you to accompany me.”
“What’s going on?” demanded Kim. “Why didn’t you guys go through Wade?”
“Ma’am, all I’m allowed to say is this is in regards to a top secret government project and that the fate of the world may depend on the success of the project.” said Agent Core.
“Wha’ up?” said Ron, trying to swallow.
“Mr. Stoppable?” said Agent Core. “Your presence is specifically NOT requested. Again, I can’t say anything more.”
“I’ll be fine, Ron.” said Kim. “How long is this going to take?” she asked Agent Core.
“I couldn’t say, ma’am.” said Agent Core. “However, your parents and your school will be informed you are on a mission for the United States of America.”
“Won’t be the first time.” said Kim. “Let’s go.”
A plane with dark, tinted windows lifted from the Middleton Airport and, after a short flight, landed at a small airport. The small glimpse Kim saw before being hustled into an unmarked black van was that they were somewhere surrounded by corn farms; based on the flight time, somewhere within the continental US.
The van drove into what appeared to be a small shed. “Well? Going to let me out?” asked Kim.
“Not yet.” said Agent Core, who had accompanied Kim. The shed doors were pulled closed by a man dressed in denim overalls. The floor of the shed, apparently simple dirt, clanked and then began to sink. The disguised elevator carried the van into the depths of the XXX complex.
“Whoah… Top secret?” said Kim.
“Very.” said Agent Core, as the elevator stopped. He opened the back doors of the van, revealing two waiting and fully equipped guards. “Ms. Possible, these two gentlemen will take you to someone who can explain what’s going on.”
“What IS going on?” demanded Kim.
“I honestly do not know.” said Agent Core, then got back into the van to be carried back to the surface.
The guards let Kim into a room. The furniture had been bolted to the floor, there were no windows, and the door was solid metal with a complex electronic lock. Except for the details, however, it appeared to be an ordinary hotel room. A man was sitting in one of the chairs by the door, waiting. He stood up as the guards entered with Kim.
“Hello, Miss Possible. I’m Agent Gibbons, in charge of this facility.” said the man, extending his hand to Kim.
Kim glanced him over, noticing but not otherwise reacting to the scars on the man’s face. “Kim Possible, but you already know that. What am I doing here?”
The man gestured to a free chair, then sat down as Kim did. “First of all, let me explain what we do here. The Triple X project is a top level classified division of the NSA. We monitor and step in when normal government agencies are powerless to act.”
“Sort of like what Global Justice does?” said Kim.
“We’re a bit more… extreme then Global Justice.” said Gibbons. He ran a hand over his scars. “Believe me… The circumstances where Betty Director got her eye patch is nothing compared to how I got these.”
“So why bring me in?” said Kim. “What do you want me for?”
“Every now and then, the triple X division recruits an agent.” said Gibbons. “The agent has to be resourceful, able to handle extremely dangerous situations, and be a natural survivor.”
“You want me to be this super agent?” said Kim. “Thanks, but high school is tough enough.”
“We already picked our newest Triple X agent.” said Gibbons. “But she wanted… you.”
“Me?” said Kim. She wondered why she hadn’t been picked, and wondered who they had picked instead. Probably someone older, with more maturity. Maybe a Seal or Marine special forces.
The door opened. In walked a tall, statuesque woman wearing black body-stocking and a tight, shiny green PVC dress over the body stocking. Her black hair was held back by a wooden hair clip in the shape of a dragon and painted dark green. “Hello, Kimmy.”
“SHEGO?” said Kim, shocked.
Gibbons had produced several files, which were now spread out on a table. “The Triple X agent must be able to work outside conventionally accepted guide lines. A person who can work outside the law.”
“You got the right girl in Shego, then.” grumbled Kim. “I don’t see what I’m doing here.”
“To show you that I can save the world better then you can.” said Shego, smirking. Kim was trying to hide it, but it was obvious to Shego that Kim was deeply envious of Shego’s new status.
“The Triple X agent… usually called just Triple X… traditionally works with a small team.” said Gibbons. “Welcome to the new Team Triple X, Kim Possible.”
“Whoa, wait a minute!” said Shego, before Kim could have a chance to interject. “I just wanted her here to rub her nose in it, not to keep her around.”
“She’s got skills.” said Gibbons. “She can keep up with you. And she’s here. Case closed. Get used to the idea.”
“I can NOT be a part of this.” said Kim. “I have my own team, my own life. High school! Family!”
“You’ve already got enough scholastic credits to graduate.” said Gibbons. “As for family, you can better protect them working with us then you can on the outside. It’s time to stop playing in the amateur leagues and join the big boys’ game.”
Kim growled. “I’ve saved the world. I wouldn‘t call that amateur league”
“Drakken? Monkey Fist?” said Gibbons. “Child’s play. This is a whole new ballgame for both of you. Bio-weapons, terrorism, anarchist nihilists… all in a day’s work for the Triple X Division.” Kim gasped.
Gibbons leaned forward, his face close to Kim’s. “This isn’t a game, little girl. All you’ve done so far was warm ups. You want to play in the big leagues, here’s your chance. But you’ll work UNDER Shego.”
“Why?” demanded Kim.
“I’m better.” said Shego, smugly.
“Shego is a criminal. “ said Gibbens. “If necessary, the US Government can disavow all knowledge of her and be believed. In addition, her criminal background may be useful if she goes undercover. While we can deny being associated with a team led by Shego, we couldn’t do the same if the team was led by Kim Possible.”
Shego frowned, but Gibbens was continuing while staring deep into Kim‘s olive green eyes. “I’m asking you to join up and help save the world.”. He paused. “Do you want to say no?”