Disclaimer: The HSBC Bank in the story is not based on the real bank and is completely fictional. (Do not take offense, HSBC)
Proving Ground
—As Luck Would Have ItBy EnigmaticPseudonym
Chapter 10— Emotional Rollercoaster
Super Sonic JiTi (Jye-Tye) Ind. T-5400 "Pelican"
Global Justice Trans-Continental Jump-Jet
"PLEASE!" Ron screamed over the engines. "Next time, let me rest before you plan to kill me again. Is that too much to ask for, sir?"
"Super-001, I'll tell you one last time. You're our primary strike force. It's your duty. Besides, GJ is still on damage control. Assault teams Alpha to Juliet are still in the process of changing their identities. When they're ready, I promise you we'll try not to deploy you too frequently."
"Com-Link deactivated. Major Dobbs has signed off. Razor Achievement System activated. Achievement Unlocked: Screwed by Boss."
Ron sighed and shook his head. "Is everyone against me?"
In truth, he really didn't care anymore. He had chosen to accept the role of "World-Protector." Besides, from what Dobbs had told him, it really wasn't that different from what he used to do.
Once the O-HUD was finished compiling the data, information blurbs appeared in pop-ups on his screen. His O-HUD initialized the built-in reading program.
"Briefing Initiated.
"The Tokyo branch of HSBC is a two-floored building shaped like a delta wing, which is very similar to the shape of a Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit stealth bomber."
One pop-up was brought forward, this one displaying a 3D-wireframe image of the bank. Each level was a different color. A group of small yellow dots appeared on the west end of the building.
"Twelve kindergartners are being held at gunpoint on the first floor near the tip of the west-end of the building. Most of the shooting is occurring on the east-end of the bank; this area is the closest to the road that the Japanese police have barricaded."
A live thermal satellite image replaced the 3D image and zoomed into the center of the bank. He could see at least nine guards in the area from their heat signatures. The were marked with red dots in the previous 3D-image.
"The terrorist make-shift command center is located at the core of the structure. This is the most heavily defended area. The terrorists are using this CC as a communication link to the Japanese police. The final hostage's theoretical location is here."
"Can we hack into the video feed and display footage of that area?"
"Affirmative, acquiring feed now…"
Ron placed the empty bag back on the bench and walked over to where his MP5 was propped up against the wall. He picked up the weapon along with another five magazines—three for his SMG and two for his pistol. He slowly disassembled his weapon and began cleaning the mechanical pieces. Somehow, he instinctively knew how to service any weapon that he placed his hands on. He even 'knew' how to drive a tank—or fly a plane—if he had to. Whether his new ability was cool or not, he still didn't like being a human Terminator.
"Feed acquired. Displaying video now."
Ron scrutinized the pop-up in front of him. He spotted six guards patrolling the area and three more standing still in a semi-circle with their backs to his camera.
"Is there any way to see what those three are doing?"
"Changing cameras…Success."
The new view now gave him a full view of the terrorists—and the hostage in front of them. The man in the middle was talking into a news camera with his blaster pointed at the hostage's head.
Ron's eyes met with those of the Japanese hostage. His lungs froze in place and his heart stopped. The jet slowed down to a crawl and the sounds of microphone-enhanced gunfire faded to nothing. His eyes were locked onto the five-year-old girl whose eyes were red and whose cheeks were saturated with tears. He froze the video just as she turned her head towards the camera. Ron sat back and closed his eyes.
He knew her, somehow. Thoughts of fear, anxiety, and hope raged in his mind. Ron felt like he had failed a duty of some sort—a duty to protect her. He had allowed her to fall into the hands of terrorists. He was going to get her out of there no matter the cost. Ron Stoppable wasn't going down without a fight. Ron's mind was dragged back into the cargo bay by the click of his radio.
"Sierra-One, we have reached Checkpoint One in Middleton, Colorado."
'Middleton?' Ron thought. "Why Middleton?" He placed his helmet on his head and deactivated the dark tint, leaving only his eyes visible.
"This stop isn't exactly part of the mission, but Kim Possible called for a favor. She saved my wife and kids in San Fran, so I said okay. She's gonna deploy with you, sir, if you don't mind."
"Sure, I just want to get this job over with. Just do what you do best and land this thing on the… Wait. I'm senior to you?"
"Yes sir. My displays tell me you're a Lieutenant, but to refer to you using your call sign. Anything wrong?"
"Sorry, just came out of an exercise and I'm just tired. Please proceed with landing Sergeant."
Middleton, Colorado
Possible Abode/Team Possible HQ
Kim stood on the lawn facing the sky while her brothers busied themselves with a satellite dish and a laptop. Her mind was filled with one, burning question: Why?
'Why take Ron? Why threaten Han?' She finally understood why Ron had broken down in front of a national news camera. 'Why am I losing everything I ever cared about!?'
"Kim, a Pelican is on its way to pick us up," Jim called out.
"In ten minutes, I know."
Tim smiled proudly. "Wrong, Sis. If it's a Jim-Tim Industries Pelican..."
"…then it'll be here in half the time," Jim finished. "Hicka-bicka-boo?"
A high-five between the twins quickly ensued. "Hoosha!"
She chuckled and trapped both of her brothers in a bear hug. "Still the same Dweebs. You'll never change."
"Kim…" Jim was tugging frantically at her arm.
"…Stop!" Tim started to see a growing black ring at the edge of his vision.
"Choking…"
"…US!"
"Alright, alright," she said as she released the twins. 'Not everything.'
About four minutes later, the Pelican arrived in the Middleton suburbs. It began cruising towards the Possibles' location. In another minute, it had reached the Possible-threesome and descended onto the street in front of the house. They wasted no time in getting to the loading cavity at the rear of the transport.
A man inside held out his hand. "Need a hand, miss?" Kim grasped it tightly and hauled herself onto the aircraft, and ended up face to face with the one the pilot called Sierra-1. She was about to apologize when their eyes locked.
Kim's jaw dropped. The feel of his hand and the look that he gave her were very familiar. His touch was soft, gentle even. Except the most striking feature about this man were his eyes. She knew them. Those pools of chocolate gazed at her in a particular manner that was unique—a gaze that was both kind and possessive. That was a gaze she had seen only once before.
Ron froze. Her eyes were beautiful, emerald orbs that just seemed to light up. 'Beautiful… but unhappy.' Her eyes were windows to her soul and betrayed her emotions. Something tragic had happened in her life. She had lost somebody that was important to her; somebody that gave life to those beautiful eyes. Unusually, he felt at peace and completely calm, oblivious to the chaotic world around him. Her eyes were screaming at him, ripping at his subconscious to get him to remember something.
Kim remembered an event that was dear to her, an event that invoked the same gaze that she was seeing right now. Ron remembered a song that marked the most important night of his life. Both remembered and asked the same words.
'Could it be?'
To Be Continued…