Next chapter! Again, constructive feedback is welcome! Positive or negative is fine with me! So, hope you enjoy it!

Disclaimer: I do not own C:KND. The owner is Numbuh eleventy-billion, who is none other than Mr. Warburton! (That lucky sob...)


Chapter 1-2 - Numbuh 1

Numbuh 3 was getting ready to go back to her dorm in the hospital. After all the time spent working in the hospital there was little need to go back to their Treehouse. It wasn't good to be reminded of her teammates if she was going to be the only one there.

As she made her way to her dorm, her communicator started ringing. She was already tired and the last thing she needed was to be in another operation. Reluctantly Numbuh 3 took her communicator.

"Hello?" 3 spoke tiredly.

"Hey…umm, Numbuh 3 is that you?" she was surprised to hear Numbuh 4 on the other side and couldn't help but smile. She instantly cheered up.

"Hi Numbuh 4! It's been so long! Why are you calling me?"

"Well…I was just wondering if you want to meet, umm, for dinner ya know?" Numbuh 3 could tell he was nervous.

"Sure thing! Where do you want to meet?"

"Well, anywhere is fine really."

"Let's go to the Moon Base. I hear Numbuh 2 and 5 are working there and we should surprise them!"

"Yeah, that sounds great!" Numbuh 4 was excited to see everyone again.

"See you there Numbuh 4!" 3 giggled quietly to herself.

"Right! I'm on my way now!" sounding like the old, assertive Numbuh 4. He was already running to catch a lift to Moon Base.


Numbuh 2 was making his way over to the cafeteria. He didn't know why he lashed out like that back at the lab and in the end he attributed it as just 'one of those days'. There was a lot of cool 2x4 tech at the lab that he got to try out but for some reason he always felt like something was missing all the while.

If anything, he knew going to the cafeteria and getting a double serving of everything would definitely help lift his spirits up. There weren't many people in the Moon Base at night. Most of the operatives usually went home and few ever stayed.

So it was obviously a surprise when Numbuh 2 spotted someone sitting alone at this hour. Thinking nothing of it, he went over to the counter and got as much food as his tray could carry.

Sitting at the table opposite Numbuh 2 went straight to eating his food. He didn't notice Numbuh 5 quietly observing him from the other side. She looked down and ate quietly; saddened by the fact he didn't even acknowledge her when he came in.

-Last shuttle arriving at Moon Base. Clear runway. Last shuttle arriving at Moon Base. Clear runway-

The announcement surprised both of them as they looked up and finally noticed each other. It was a surreal moment where they didn't look away. Just stared at what seemed like forever ignoring everything else around them.

Finally Numbuh 2 gave a soppy smile and ran toward 5. "Numbuh 5!" He practically tackled her to the ground.

"Oww easy Numbuh 2! Numbuh 5's happy to see you too." They both laughed as they both got up. "I can't believe you're here! Why are you hanging around by yourself anyway? I thought you were helping Numbuh 86? Oh! How is that going for you? What did you guys do? Is it fun work with her? I bet you get to do all sorts of cool stuff!" Numbuh 2 was speaking excitedly waving his hands around and the words churning out.

"Yikes slow down Numbuh 2! Yeah I missed you too!" Numbuh 2 smiled sheepishly and 5 laughed. "Relax man I'm just teasing you! I wish I could say it's going great but Numbuh 86 is just a bad piece of candy."

"Why am I not surprised?" Numbuh 2 grinned.

Suddenly Numbuh 2 was brought down to the ground and Numbuh 5 only saw a quick flash of yellow. "Finally gotcha you cruddy nerd!"

"Numbuh 4!" 2 and 5 both said in unison.

"Hey guys! I'm right here you know!" They all turned to face Numbuh 3 standing a few meters away waving at them and Numbuh 5 quickly rushed to greet her friend and both hugged tightly.

"Ergh…I'm glad I'm not a girl then I don't have to do all that girly huggy stuff! We get to wrestle like guys do!" with that Numbuh 4 gestured a gagging motion to Numbuh 2 and he laughed.

"I couldn't agree more Numbuh 4" Numbuh 2 chuckled and rolled his eyes.

Soon enough Sector V gathered around together and were excitedly talking and chatting together. They missed out on a lot of things and were eager to catch up with one another again.

"Wow. It's really great to see you guys again!" said Numbuh 2.

"You guys I really really really missed you all so much!" Numbuh 3 said and pulled all of them in for a group hug.

"Hey hey! I'm getting crushed over here!" Numbuh 4 complained.

"Give it a rest Numbuh 4! We're all together again. When was the last time we ever spent time together?" Numbuh 5 said.

"Yeah! And you were the one that called me to meet you here remember?" Numbuh 3 chimed in.

"WHAT!?" 2 and 5 both said, shocked that Numbuh 4 would ever do something like that. "You really do miss us huh Numbuh 4?" Numbuh 5 looked at him.

"Ahh crud…yeah! Fine! I do alright? Is that so hard to believe? We haven't gone on a mission for like…ages!"

"Looks like everyone is here!" said Numbuh 2.

"Almost everyone…"

Everybody knew what Numbuh 5 meant. Things just weren't the same without Numbuh 1. After his abrupt departure the group slowly started to drift away. They were all glad to see each other again but they missed their friend and wondered what he was doing. They could only hope that at that moment, Numbuh 1 was also thinking of them too.

They went over to the edge and looked out. The cafeteria dome was covered with glass so you were surrounded by stars. Somewhere, in one of those stars, was their leader and friend. Fighting adult tyranny in the depths of outer space. They all stayed quiet for a while as they remembered.


"Ok. Just so we're clear here's going to be the plan. Numbuh i, you create a hologram projection as a distraction to lure away the adults. Numbuh root-2, I need you to cover Numbuh i. While they're distracted, Numbuhs factor 4 and 5.1, you make a beeline around the adults to nab the candy and then get out. I'll stay in the ship and keep the lines open and get ready for a quick getaway. Questions?" No one spoke. "Alright. Kids Next Door. Let's move out."

Numbuh i closed her eyes and then 4 projections of the team were generated in front of her flickering with a white colour. Being able to control all of them at once meant immense concentration and usually left her vulnerable.

As soon as the alien adults saw the projections they started to lunge at them. Barring huge tusks, covered in thick poisonous fur and towering at 5 meters high, the six-legged candy-guarding monsters weren't so big on brains but their sheer size and strength more than made up for it.

Recently the tusk adults were attacking homes of this particular planet and hoarding any sugar substance they could find bringing them back to their nests and Numbuh 1 and his team have been assigned to find the source of the nest and get the candy back.

While the projections were busy dodging and weaving their way out of the adult alien rhinos Numbuhs factor 4 and 5.1 sneakily made their way to the candy nest, with Numbuh 5.1's ability to manipulate vibrations around them they were able to be virtually silent.

"Got the storage unit 5.1?"

"Right here." Numbuh factor 4 handed over a small cube like device and 5.1 pointed it at the piles of candy and they were quickly sucked into the small cube like device.

"Ok we're good. Now let's go." As they made their way back, one particular adult rhino that stayed back was sneaking up on them from behind.

Numbuh 1 saw the alien rhino and yelled into the comm. "Numbuhs factor 4 and 5.1 do you read me? There's an adult sneaking up on you from behind! Use of lethal force authorized. Do you copy? Numbuhs factor 4 and 5.1! Can you copy?" Numbuh 1 desperately shouted into the microphone. Unlike on Earth, the adults here can kill and there are specific instances when an operative can use deadly force, for example in self-defence.

The two operatives still unaware of the danger behind them, 5.1's ability drowning out the shouting coming from her comm. They were ready to leave when 5.1 was able to detect a sensitive disturbance in the surrounding air. She quickly turned around and two satellite dishes emerged from her backpack emitting a sonic soundwave knocking back the adult but also alerting the rest of the adults outside.

"What's going on out there?" Numbuh i asked.

"Numbuh root-2 do you read me? Numbuhs factor 4 and 5.1 has just alerted the rest of the horde. Use of deadly force is authorized. Divert the main horde away from the nest."

"Roger that Numbuh 1."

"Let's go factor 4!" 5.1 grabbed his hand and made their way out of the cave only to see the horde of alien rhino adults charging at them.

Suddenly Numbuh i appeared between her fellow operatives and the horde and projected a huge wall of plants in front of them prompting the stampede to momentarily stop. The rhinos avoided any sort of vegetation. They were candy collectors after all. "Get out of here! Go!" she shouted and they didn't need further prompting.

Meanwhile, Numbuh root-2 swooped down. Wearing a high tech power suit containing all sorts of lethal and non-lethal weapons. Shoulder mounted rockets locked onto the targets and a barrage of missiles went down to the rhinos.

"Ok guys that should stop them. Numbuh i get root-2 out of there!" Numbuh 1 spoke into the mic.

The wall projection disappeared and both operatives were surrounded in a circle of light before disappearing and reappearing onboard the ship.

"Where are Numbuhs factor 4 and 5.1?" Numbuh 1 yelled.

Just then the two operatives collapsed in front of the door. "Go! Now!" Numbuh 5.1 practically screamed.

"Hold on then!" Numbuh 1 lifted the ship out into safety with the package safely retrieved. The ship now in space and heading back toward Sector VA1.

"Get that candy back to Sector DR3. They'll distribute it back to the kids."

"You got it captain!" Numbuh i took the cube and once again, enveloped it around a circle of light before it vanished into thin air.

"That could've gone better…" Numbuh 1 grumbled.

"Come on cap'. We've been through worse. Cheer up." Numbuh root 2 said.

"This was a standard retrieval mission Numbuh root-2. It wasn't supposed to get all noisy. And Numbuhs factor 4 and 5.1 how did you not survey the area before you went in? Did you assume it was safe? You were letting your guard down and could've gotten yourselves killed!" Numbuh 1 was angry with them but it was the first time the team had seen him angry from such a small mission.

"Numbuh 1 calm down! We can handle ourselves really!" Numbuh i spoke. She always had a soothing element to her voice which seemed to make everyone relax in tense moments.

Numbuh 1 could only mutter under his breath and faced away toward the cockpit controls.

"Hey Numbuh 1…what's wrong?" Numbuh i asked. She had a knack for being able to tell when someone was hiding something. Numbuh 1 ignored her and focused on his driving.

Numbuh i hovered her hand over his shoulder and her eyes began to glow again for a few seconds before she let go. "Again?" She spoke softly, almost timidly.

"Well yes again! What else did you expect?" Numbuh 1 lashed out, "and what did I say about you doing that to me? It's annoying."

"Numbuh 1…we do appreciate you on our team. We really do." Numbuh i replied trying to act unfazed by his sudden outburst.

"Look man. Galactic KND wouldn't be looking for you if you weren't good enough. But they did and you're here. It's one of the highest honours any operative can ever have in their career!" Numbuh root-2 joined in.

"We know you think you're not worth anything and I understand. It's just–"

"It's just what 5.1? I don't think you do understand! You're able to control molecule vibrations in your surrounding environment! I don't even know what that fully means…haha…I'm too stupid to even get that! But I know you have sonic cannons which you use to blast adults and bad-guys away easily!

"And you're able to make holographic projection of pretty much anything you've come in contact with before! You're a ball of energy contained in a body! You can read minds and teleport! I can't even touch you because I would disintegrate from the immense power you're emitting!

"Factor 4 can clone himself! I most definitely can't do that!"

"Umm…I do feel the hurt of the other clones if they're attacked so I have to use it sparingly…" Numbuh factor 4 said in a very soft voice.

"But you have super strength!" Numbuh 1 countered. Factor 4 recoiled back into his seat.

"And you're a cyborg!" pointing at root-2. "A perfect mix of kid and machine with a whole arsenal of advanced technology which I don't even have the faintest idea on how to use!

"And then there's me…I'm just regular old Nigel Uno from Earth who needs to wear a space suit all the time and can't even go out into the field. I have to stay here and make sure I don't get killed because every time I go out I risk being maimed, or burned, or cut up into little pieces." Numbuh 1 clenched his fists and was looking down, unable to stop the tears from welling up inside him.

"Numbuh 1. We've said this before. We really do appreciate you on our team. You have something that none of us have. And that's being a leader. Sure, maybe root-2 can do a quick tactical assessment on his computer but it doesn't do anything but highlight a rough plan.

"You've memorized almost every single adult type in our sector and the appropriate responses to counter them. You've been here for only a year and have already figured out how to use each of us to the best of our abilities. You've piloted a Class 5 starship, a twin-winged streamliner and a combat prototype Scamper during your time here.

"You have to know-how and the knowledge of being a leader. That doesn't just mean making plans and choosing which one of us should do what. But you can read the enemy as well. I certainly can't do that from afar and all of us here lack your foresight into the minds of our opponents. And most importantly, you're able to make us feel like a proper team. I would've never spoken to root-2, factor 4 or 5.1 if it wasn't for you. None of us knew each other and just a few months after you arrived you made us best friends!

"I know it's hard after being in the field your whole life in the KND and having to sit on the sidelines. But you're helping us in more ways than you can imagine, inside and outside the Galactic KND. The last thing any of us would want is to make you feel unappreciated and that is definitely not true. You're the best leader this side of the galaxy and everyone knows it. That's not just a figure of speech. I know several operatives who would do anything to have you on their team."

Numbuh i stepped back and gave Numbuh 1 some space. When he looked up he saw the concerned faces of his teammates.

"You really do think that?"

"Of course we do." Numbuh i smiled, "we know none of us have really said anything like this because we thought you already knew better. But I want to tell you explicitly so you know it's the truth."

"Yeah it is!" Root-2 replied. "My onboard computer can't think of plans near as quick as you can under pressure. I mean, when it comes it improvising you're the man!"

"If anything, I think the fact you're not as strong as I am gives you a real strong sense of the lives of you own and the ones close around you and it's something I've come to admire about you and your kind. It was pretty evident just now." Factor 4 gave a small smirk.

"We know you don't have nearly as long as the rest of us. Two years isn't a long time for you and for us. But we're all determined to make the best of it!" 5.1 chimed in.

"Thanks guys. Sometimes, when looking at all the cool stuff you can do I really wonder if I belong here and even now I still have doubts."

"Then don't Numbuh 1. You mean a lot to all of us. Just how you mean a lot to your old teammates. The last thing they would want is to see you like this. This isn't the Numbuh 1 they know and certainly not the Numbuh 1 we know!"

"I guess you're right guys." Numbuh 1 managed a small smile. "I miss them so much sometimes you know?" A new set of tears came down as Numbuh 1 thought of his old teammates at Sector V.

"They miss you too Numbuh 1." Numbuh i replied.

"How do you know?"

"I can feel it."


If you got this far, thanks for reading! Honestly! Leave a comment on what you think!