Author's Note: Wow, thank you so much for the reviews and support guys! I promise I'll try to make it great. I think this chapter is a bit short and doesn't have much going on, but hopefully it will explain the stuff that I'm trying portray.


Operation: F.I.R.S.T (First Initial Recruits Surprises Team)

"It's exhilarating to watch all these eager new troops proving their worth. And it's amusing to see the looks on their face when they are told that they have failed." – Numbuh 19th Century (Sixth Age)

It was a positive sign for Monty Uno and the rest of the Kids Next Door operatives that nearly 3/4s of the crowd wanted to sign up for the organization. Then again, his math was horrible. Nevertheless, he trusted his judgment and convinced that his estimation was indeed correct, more or less. He was proud to see so many kids so willingly want to join an organization that he founded just a few weeks ago. Maybe there is hope in the world after all; maybe we all want to change the world for kids to live peacefully. As those kids lined up in front of Monty's team to register their names to his teammates, he couldn't help but to be amazed and amused at the diverse cast of characters.

Take an example of this one guy in one of the queues: he had a toilet plunger for a hat and he seemed to be quite a nuisance to his neighbors around him, spouting inane and useless trivia about personal hygiene and preaching cleanliness of one's toilet. One kid was an interesting fellow; kept talking about his love for jazz while at the same time, wanting to join the circus as a clown should his application as a doctor for the KND is declined. Monty eyed a girl, just as portly as he was, asking to be a pilot for the KND. She also claimed that she was handy with electronics, and could whip up a gadget with ease. She demonstrated her skills by taking a glass of water, a cork, magnet and a pen and turned it into a working compass. There this one person whom he had this particular dislike of, as he watched him trading jokes and conversation with Numbuh 999 with envy. He tried to shrug it off, as it was too stupid and unprofessional of him to behave like that. And that was where he noticed someone, whom he knew very well.

"Ben?"

It was Monty's brother, Benedict Uno. Upon hearing his name, he was a bit shocked, "Hey…" he replied nervously, waving his hand weakly at his brother. "I… uh… just want to say… congratulations for standing up to Papi…"

Only a disappointed frown from Monty greeted him back.

"I know… I let you down Monty. I chickened out. I was scared 'cause I didn't want to face Father's wrath. He's just too frightening…" he said in a nervous, uneven tone. "B-but, last night… you've proven to me… that you… can do it. You can fight back. We can fight back. I don't care if I'm scared or not anymore, Monty. As long as I have you on my side, I'll do anything to—" his words were cut short, as Monty hugged him tightly.

"Welcome to the Kids Next Door, brother."

Ben couldn't say anything back, but deep inside, he was deeply moved by his brother's affection. Slowly, he took both of his hands and embraced the big lug back. Both brothers were smiling right now.

"No… no! Not the Bear Hug, Monty!"

"Ha ha, Gotcha!"

With recruits numbered in nearly hundreds, composes of a ragtag team of hopeful operatives, scientists, soldiers, doctors, pilots, engineers, drivers and other well known professions, it was now the time to take these recruits to training. The next hurdle was simple enough, to provide a training ground for the kids to begin their training.

Monty consulted the book of KND once again. One page instructed how a treehouse supposed to be grown. The instruction, although was simple enough for a kindergartener to understand it, he was a bit overwhelmed by some of its instructions. Therefore, he called some of the brightest minds of the KND asked them how to grow treehouse. After some lengthy discussion about the problem, they then unanimously adopt the solution and they quickly implemented it. Strange considering that the solution comprises of normal everyday items and some seeds they found on the ground.

They molded it together and planted it in the ground. After the last patch of dirt was swiped in, they all peered down looking, and anticipating for something to happen. 30 seconds passed, and it still did not show any sign of activity, which was weird since according to the book of KND the treehouse should grow immediately after plantation. "Hey, is it working? What's going on over there?" one of the kids at back shouted, getting impatient, and so was the rest. Numbuh 999 was getting restless, and shook her head in disbelief. She took off from the crowd and head over to a nearby fountain. She cupped her hands together to fill it with water and raced back to water the seed. Still with all that effort, nothing happened.

"Hey, what's going on Monty? Are you fooling with us? What are you trying to pull?" One operative accused, starting to think this whole secret kid only organization was a total bunk. Numbuh 0 glared back, but dare not to answer as he too began to lose patience with the seed. But then, like a miracle, the ground began to shake, and it gradually became worse. Many panicked and fled away. With stupefying speed, the seed sprouted roots, bark, branches and twigs in every direction. Leaves poofed in instant and manmade creations like hangar, satellite dish, and a ship of all things poked out of the tree.

Everyone was left speechless. Monty was right. The Book of KND was right. The treehouse gave them a glimmer of hope and pride. The atmosphere of disbelief then suddenly changed into cheers of joy and the first word that was spoken was "COOL!" Everybody was in awe. The ones who fled came back. The group of kids that helped Monty patted their backs and congratulates each other for solving the problem. By now, any doubt about the credibility of the Kids Next Door held by the operatives vanished. Monty looked at it with pride. Numbuh 999 and Ben, now known as Numbuh 01, were alongside him.

"What are you gonna call it, Monty?" Ben asked.

"Well, the first thing I heard from the kids back there was 'cool', so… I guess I'm gonna call it 'The Treehouse of Coolness." His brother replied back with a sense of pride.

But Numbuh 999 could only laugh at his choice of name, "Can't you be more creative than that?"

The treehouse, when compared to the modern version that you see in the show, was only half the size of its counterparts. But to the kids at that era, it was the hugest tree that they ever laid their eyes on. Every one of them was in awe at this wondrous sight they are beholding. But, there was one problem: how to get up on the tree?

Again, Monty consulted with the book of KND. The book mentioned that all treehouses can be accessible by three means: either by flying into it, take the elevator up, or go through a booby trapped obstacle course designed for intruders who are ignorant of the treehouse's security measures. The obvious choice was to use the elevator, as the obstacle course was totally out of the question and they didn't have an airplane yet. Monty called half of the original twenty operatives to go with him and ordered the others to follow them afterwards. Among them were Numbuh 999 and Numbuh 0110.

The elevator ride was a long one for them, cramped in the confined space. The door opened, and a huge room greeted them. Sunlight came shining from the outside, and they could tell some of the things and gadgets in the room. Radar, computer, monitors and all, but made from everyday objects that seemed to be salvaged from junkyards. Numbuh 0110 was thoroughly excited with the newly discovered gadgets, being the sole scientist in the group. Everyone followed suit and scattered around the room to feel, touch, handle and operate the things inside of the room.

As Monty had his eyes wonder through, one particular button stood out among the rest. On it, the words 'Deactivate' was written on it, with red color in the background. Curious and without thinking of the consequences, Monty pushed the button. The button lit up a green light and the word 'Activate' replaced the previous word. Then an electrical noise was heard humming from every machinery and electronic gadgets inside of the room and lights began to flicker in and out. Everyone paused at what were they doing and glared at Monty. He could only shrug his shoulders, smiling sheepishly at his friends. Suddenly, a static noise was heard, and weird computerish voice began to emit out.

"RRR-R-R-Reac-t-t-t-or on-l-l-l-l-ine, s-s-s-ensors o-o-o-online, w-weapons online. All systems operational."

All of the operatives were stunned. The atmosphere suddenly became tense. They quickly went to arms and held their 2x4 guns and point them in random directions, expecting hostilities. "Show yourself!" Monty shouted.

But the only thing heard back was a sweet, motherly female voice of the computer, "Salutations, you must be the new Kids Next Door Operatives. This is an undesignated sector. I am this treehouse's operating system. My duty is to serve and remind the operatives of this treehouse to ensure work and missions can be executed flawlessly. I apologize I can't establish contact to the headquarters at the moment since my communication systems cannot find a signal to reestablish the link. Be warned that this treehouse is running on an auxiliary power supply and will run out in 96 hours time. Please approach the computer terminal in front of you and input your designated Numbuhs in the database. Your personal information will be stored inside the local database cluster until connection to the headquarters is restored."

"Power supply?" Numbuh 999 asked.

"The main power generator is operational but idle. It requires a huge amount of domesticated rodents or any similarly sized animals in order to operate it."

They were a bit confused and stunned. It was hard to believe even to them that kids invented computers way before the adults did, with a very smart artificial intelligence as well. "What should we call you?" Monty asked as he looked at the ceiling, lowering his weapon down. His actions were followed by his teammates.

"You can address me as Computuh." The artificial intelligence answered back. "Please, approach the computer terminal in front of you and input your designated Numbuhs in the local treehouse database." It reiterated back. After much thought, Numbuh 0 cautiously walked over to the computer terminal and state his Numbuh.

"Numbuh 0. Leader of the Kids Next Door." He said, as everyone watched him from behind.

"Voice sample inserted into local treehouse database. Please input DNA sample into the tray below." The statement left Numbuh 0 puzzled.

"I'm… I'm sorry?"

"Your booger, Numbuh 0. Please insert your DNA sample into the tray below." Again, the computer reiterated.

Being a kid with dignity, he questioned the act as he looked at his friends with a feeling of doubt. He really didn't want to do it, especially in front of a girl, and ESPECIALLY in front of Numbuh 999. While the rest of the boys thought this was a good opportunity to gross a girl out, Numbuh 0 thought otherwise. But then, Numbuh 999 smiled nervously back, as if she was amused and would approve of the act. Numbuh 0 turned to the computer again, and gazed at it.

He took a deep breath, closed his eyes and swallowed his pride. He jammed a finger up his nose, followed by a collective surprise and excitable "EWW!!" from his teammates. A booger was extracted and he quickly put it into the tray. What an honorable tradition that they have kept. Glad the most embarrassing five seconds of his life was over.

"DNA scanned…" The computer said, "Confirmed. Numbuh 0. Supreme Leader of the Kids Next Door. Be advised that you need to input your designated position with the Soopah Big Computermabob at the Kids Next Door Headquarters."

"SUPREME Leader?!" Numbuh 01 said with a chuckle. "Okay… so let me try next." Ben said, and walked towards the terminal to put his name in. After he put his name in, the rest followed suit.

"Numbuh 999, Communications and Decryption Encryption Specialist."

"Numbuh 0110, Weapons Engineer and Specialist."

"Numbuh…"

As the tenth and final operative tried to register his name in, the computer quickly replied, "ERROR: The Kids Next Door protocol states that only nine operatives are allowed to be stationed at a treehouse at a time. Therefore, this one operative must be assigned at another designated Sector."

Monty gazed at the operative with pity. "Sorry, man."

But the operative smiled back weakly at him, "It's okay, Numbuh 0. I can hangout with the other operatives at some other treehouse… wherever that is…"

Which reminded Monty to ask the computer about these concepts about sectors and treehouses, "Computuh, may I ask you something?"

"Yes. Please elaborate your query in cohesive and coherent manner."

"You said that there are sectors and treehouses, you mean there are more of them?"

"Precisely. Kids Next Door operatives are stationed in treehouses in designated sectors given by the Soopah Big Computermabob at the Kids Next Door headquarters. Unfortunately, since I couldn't find the signal to locate the headquarters, your names will not be uploaded to the Soopah Big Computermabob to verify your sectors and your positions in the Kids Next Door."

"You say that this… Computeramabob thingy is located in the Kids Next Door headquarters. Do you have any idea where it might be?" Numbuh 0 asked.

"Negative. Since I couldn't locate the signal, I have no logical respond to your answer. Be advised that this information is outdated. A quick search in my local database cluster reveals that the headquarters is either on the moon—"

"THE MOON?!" the operatives shouted in chorus and in disbelief.

"Or at the Arctic Circle."

Monty was seriously considering venturing further and delving into this mystery. If what the Computuh said was true, the Kids Next Door was bigger than he previously thought. He made his decision: he turned around to his roommates and said, "Everyone, we're going to the Arctic!"

It surprised the team.


Well, that's that. In the next installment, the search for the elusive Arctic Base will begin. Will they find it? Just wait and see. :) Reviews are appreciated!