A graceful brow was arched on her obviously weary face. She set her mug of hot cocoa down and donned an expression far more irritated than professional.
"I'm sorry, but could you repeat that again?"
Abby felt as if she was caught between a rock and a hard place. Sure, Rachel had always been a good friend and generally an approachable person but circumstances like these were heavy exceptions.
"I'm telling you the TND needs you back on the field, Rach. I know it's a little sudden but the situation calls for it!"
Rachel Mckenzie couldn't help but heave an exasperated sigh. She slumped back on her chair and fixated her stare on the ceiling of her bedroom, where she couldn't look directly at the brunette.
"Look, I know it's a huge pain in the ass but there's no other operative who can do it. And personally I agree with the leader." Numbuh 5 stated as a matter-of-factly. Rachel's head lolled back slightly with a begrudging face to boot. "Why not let Patton deal with it instead?" She asked despite knowing full well why the one mentioned wasn't qualified for the task. It was now Abby's turn to sigh. She took a half-kneeling position in order to look at her former Supreme Leader face to face. "Hey you know that's impossible right? We've both been there. Once you're up there you're stuck to deal with all the paperwork that you stop having time for on the field missions." The intensity in the blonde's eyes softened as understanding reluctantly settled in.
Abby sported a smile and placed a hand on the shoulder of her long-time friend and comrade. "I know you got it rough for you, being in 12th grade and all. Hell I'm still in 11th yet I'm feeling the pressure. The two females exchanged a hearty laugh. "Plus, Intel gathering is your forte, girl and no one's ever been able to match up to you until now." Numbuh 362's eyes merely flitted to the lower right, where it seemed as if every mistake of the world was embedded on the carpeted floor. Abby then stood upright. "Now then, do you, Numbuh 362 accept the mission?" The teenager at question closed her eyes for a while before regarding her fellow operative a face she usually wore when under duty. "Yes I, Numbuh 362 of the Teens Next Door, do hereby accept. But after all of this is over, I'll be back to clerical work alright?" Abby flashed another grin and raised an approving thumb. "I'll be sure to relay that to Numbuh 60, sir." With that Numbuh 5 climbed the window pane and crouched, prepared to leave from where she had entered.
"Wait!" Abby turned her head and was met with the contemplative face of Rachel. "Why of all people, did it have to be me? I understand the mission involves working undercover but espionage doesn't seem, no, isn't a keen task." As much as she wanted to leave that information behind, she knew full well that Numbuh 362 had a sharp mind and wouldn't let anything slip past her. The brunette then grinned sheepishly. "Well the mission does involve infiltrating a junior high division and we don't have technology as advanced as the GKND yet to have convincing disguises." Realization seeped in and Abby swore she saw Rachel almost break her desk. After a few years of going through puberty, Numbuh 362 knew too well that out of all the female members of the TND, she was by far, the least developed physically. "So you'd need someone who looks young enough to pose as a junior high student." Annoyance was clearly dripping from the blonde's words. "Hey now, that's not the only reason of course." A small bead of sweat was clearly rolling on Abby's temple.
Rachel regained her composure and watched as Numbuh 5 smiled softly and looked on to the night sky, where several constellations lay. "No one knows Numbuh 274 better than you do, Rach. And even after everything I can attest you still know how he moves."
Abby's words left her slightly haunted, and Rachel continued to stare for a while at the spot where the brunette had been even after she'd left.
It's been six years since she last saw him or even had a glimpse of his shadow. She whipped around and approached her desk, where a turned over picture frame sat. Hesitantly, she lifted the frame and stared contemplatively at the photo of the former members of Global Command. Though it caused her unwanted nostalgia, Rachel couldn't help but smile. Her team was formidable at the same time, strongly bonded.
But somehow, she didn't know what to feel by the fact that he used to be so close yet will always be far away. Her fingers lightly hovered over Chad's boyish smile on the photo. And what complicated things even more was how he kept her near; opening up about his thoughts and feelings and even gauging her own. And she never hated him for his sacrifices, but greatly felt pain over disregarding his fellow comrades just to satisfy his own tyrannical desires. And worst of all, always leaving without a word as if they were never comrades at the very least.
Now after everything, word is out that he's back.
'As if returning just to stop the intergalactic war wasn't enough.' She bitterly recalled, pertaining to his unexpected return a few years back when the GKND offered the option of the destruction of the earth. Sure she was elated he came back but like before, he disappeared once more without a trace.
Rachel set the picture frame down and propped an arm to cradle her cheek. "Hey is it true, did you really stop aging like all of them?" She asked out loud. From all the information gathered, it was probably the one that bothered her the most. Oh he was back alright; forever frozen in age as all the other official members of the GKND. Rachel had no idea how it happened or what the GKND is plotting again but one thing is for sure, whatever they're planning she was to put a stop to it.
Even if it means breaking a bone or two in Chad Dickson's body.
The blonde then focused her mind and resumed where she had left off finishing tasks as the student council president. The week after in McClintock High would undoubtedly be grueling, and she'd need to get everything done before returning back to espionage duty.
Operation: D. I. S. G. U. I. S. E.
Directly
Infiltrate
Safe house
Grabbing
Unnoticed
Informal
Snooper
Efficiently