Continuing Transmission…

The best part about his bedroom was that he always got the sunrise. Sure, they weren't as nice as sunsets. But it actually felt nice to wake up with a fresh feeling of sunlight upon his face. It was like the opposite feeling of a fresh breeze on his pale white skin, but at the same time, the exact same feeling.

Yeah, so the beach did the same thing for him; but that's just wasting valuable time when he could be fighting evil adults. Although his teammates seemed to have a different idea of fun in some cases, they all still enjoyed battling uptight adults together. Whether it was as gruesome Father or as ridiculous as the Toilenator, the times they'd spend fighting villains were priceless.

Numbuh 1 slowly pushed himself up in bed, shielding his eyes from the sunlight. Wow, it's so bright today, he thought as he tossed the covers off of him. He felt a liquor warm sensation on the back of his neck. Smothering his finger tips through it, he felt the sticky liquid running slowly down his back. Good grief, it was hot. The covers mustn't have helped very much.

He threw his feet over the side of the bed. A new day, and, hopefully, a new mission. He stood up, stretched his arms, and walked to the window. His hands carefully removed the lock and chucked up the glass pane. A breeze; just what he needed. Adults in cars were already beginning to drive to work. A few kids, about six or so, were skipping rope, and there were another couple of them drawing on the pavement with colored chalk.

Only then did it occur to him. What time is it? He glanced back at his digital clock on the counter. Ten twenty-nine? Aw crud, I'm late! He hurried to get dressed.


"What's takin' 'im so long?" Numbuh 5 asked to no one in particular. She glanced at her watch. It was Sunday, but Numbuh 1 never slept in this late. They didn't even sleep in this late. Well, maybe a few times Numbuh 2 did. But that was besides the point.

Numbuh 3 took a bite out of her Rice Krispies Square from her spot on the long orange couch next to Numbuh 4. "Yeah," she said through her full mouth. It went down in one big gulp. "He's always the first one up." She took another bite.

Numbuh 2 stuffed a chunk of syrupy waffle into his mouth, and some of the syrup dripped down from the corner of his lips. "Mayfe he fo' ot fe meefin'," he tried to say through a full mouth of his own.

"What?" Numbuh 4 inquired for a correction for his understanding.

Numbuh 2 swallowed the chunk as Numbuh 3 did and repeated, "I said maybe he forgot the meeting."

"He can't. He never forgets," Numbuh 5 insisted. "Besides, even if he did, he should be up by now."

"What are you guys sitting around for?" Everyone turned around to see Numbuh 1 standing in the middle of the room. "We've got a consultation in five minutes. Everybody meet me in the briefing room." He left without waiting for a response. The group stared at each other awkwardly. After a moment, they all shrugged and rushed off to the briefing room after their leader. Numbuh 2 stayed behind for the final bite of his waffle before running after them.


"All right, Numbuh 362 informed me that you were given the choice of your Sector…"

The boy nodded his head yes.

"And have you come to any conclusions so far?"

He shook his head no.

A red-headed freckled girl stood before him, her thick curls covering one side of her face. He expression seemed livid; eyebrows tilted in and lips grim. As much as she found an odd hate for boys, she just kept her look of abhorrence on the paper in her hands. "Well, I'll review the Sectors available." She held on to a strong Irish voice. "Let's see… there's Sector L, Sector R, Sector QT, Sect-"

"I don't mean to interrupt, Numbuh 86," the boy said, suddenly. "But does there so happen to be any Sectors in Pennsylvania? I need a place to stay so I am near my home."

The red-headed girl, popularly known as Numbuh 86, nodded her head at this as she scanned the list. "Um… Yes. Sectors V and PE are open for the time being."

He smiled. "Might I try Sector V, if you don't mind?" he stated, at last.

She nodded.


Inside the Treehouse, there was another large room. This one was much different than the others. Computers and gadgets stood all around it, leaning against the wall, or wired to the ceiling. At the far back of the room was a stage, with yellow letters printed with paint 'KND' on the wall. The stage remained empty at the moment. In front of the stage was a large tire inside a small circular stand, with three kids settled in it; Numbuhs 3, 4 and 5.

Numbuh 2 finally sped in and hopped into his spot between Numbuhs 3 and 4. Numbuh 4 was jolted up a little bit, thanks to the supple pillow, and then landed in the same spot.

On the stage, a small compartment went open in the floor, and a stand popped out, along with the Sector V leader.

Numbuh 1 cleared his throat as he stared into the eyes of each of his teammates. "Fellow operatives, yesterday we received a telegram that a new kid around the age of eleven would be joining the Kids Next Door. An offer was sent to us by Numbuh 65.3 to be open for a surpassing training session, and to keep our Treehouse open for another operative."

Nobody said a word for a moment; that is until Numbuh 2 pitched in. "All right," he said, impatiently.

The leader just stared down at him and spoke again. "The point is, Numbuh 2, that incase they choose our Sector, then we have to keep our greeting attitude open and our bad manners out of the way. Is that understood?"

The four kids merely muttered their accord.

Numbuh 1 looked back down at the papers settled in front of him. "Well, in addition, it has been clarified that his or her talents have exceeded a great amount."

The Aussie suddenly huffed loudly. "Yeah right. They always say that when someone impresses Mister Low Standard down at Arctic Base."

Numbuh 1 tilted his eyebrows. "Better than ex-Numbuh 274," he said, slowly and effectively.

They all gasped, Numbuh 4 included.

"I thought so." Numbuh 1 adjusted his sunglasses.

All of a sudden, a loud siren rang throughout the entire room. Numbuhs 2 through 5 jumped up from their spots and ran to another room behind their leader.

Inside the 'Control Room', there was a very large screen in front of a bunch of controllers; levers, buttons, tiny screens, etcetera. Even on the walls around it there were buttons to be pressed, and levers to be pulled, and screens to be scanned.

Numbuh 1 pressed a button, making the siren stop screeching and the red light stop flashing. A large boy wearing glasses over his eyes and braces on his buck teeth popped up on the big screen. Instantly discerning that he was visible to the team, cleared his throat roughly. "Calling Kids Next Door Sector V; is everybody present?"

"Affirmative," Numbuh 1 replied, standing in front of the group. "Numbuhs 1 through 5 of Sector V at your service."

"What's tha cruddy mission?" Numbuh 4 demanded.

The large boy fixed his glasses to match his comfort. "Well, it has come to my attention that the latest skillful operative that has come to the Kids Next Door has specified your Treehouse for a week's stopover. While having his stay, he will adapt to the Kids Next Door Field Operative lifestyle, which will aid him in the conclusion of his operative arrangement." He spoke very quickly.

The five members in Sector V just stared back for a moment.

Numbuh 2 broke the silence between the group and the boy on the screen. "Come again…?"

He sighed. "He'll be staying at your Treehouse for a week, which will help him in his decision of whether he wants to become a Field Operative or not. So if-"

"Hold it! Hold on, Numbuh 65.3!" Numbuh 4 declared rapidly. "You're sayin' that if he likes us, then he'll join our Secta'?"

The chubby boy, known as Numbuh 65.3, flipped a page on his clipboard. "No, Numbuh 4. Not positively. It will be up to both him and Numbuh 362's clarification, plus, as per tradition, the Code Module will be deciding for him, anyway. But that's not the main concern right now. He's still a Cadet, and he'll be going through training during his stay with your Sector."

Numbuh 4 opened his mouth to ask another question, but Numbuh 65.3 didn't allow him. "Numbuh 86 will be arriving at your treehouse with the new operative shortly. I suggest you get ready."

The screen turned black, and letters appeared in the following order: END TRANSMISION.

Numbuh 1 turned to face his teammates. "Well team, let's get a move on."


Outside the Treehouse, on the front lawn, the five kids were waiting for their expected company to arrive. Numbuhs 2, 3, 4, and 5 stood in a straight row as Numbuh 1 paced back and forth in front of them, giving them final instructions.

"Now remember; we want to make this new Kid Next Door feel welcome. We were the primary sector chosen, and we want to give the Kids Next Door a good first impression on this guy. Do I make myself clear?"

"We can see right through ya," Numbuh 5 replied, and the others nodded in agreement.

"Good."

A whizzing noise sounded above their heads as their features were darkened by the overcast shadow created by the ship flying over them. All their gazes were cast towards the ship, having to shield their eyes when the rapid-moving propellers created a cloud of dust as it landed. When the dust settled, the team could make out a red-headed girl stepping out of the ship, followed by a boy. The girl, Numbuh 86, looked at the team.

"Kids Next Door, Sector V, I would like to introduce you to Mark Ashlock."

Numbuhs 1 through 5, awed, scanned the boy. He was tall, with slightly swayed black hair covering his forehead and half of his ears. His eyes were fairly large and calm, followed with an up-side down 'u' shaped nose. He had a slight tan of skin. Presently, he wore a black t-shirt and faded jeans, with expensive looking running shoes. He had a silver spud in his right ear. He was in very good shape, even for an eleven year-old.

"Well then," Numbuh 86 said, noting the instant undeniable connection both sides were experiencing while she became a sudden outcast. "I'll leave you to get to know each other. I'll be right back with the instructions." She went back inside the ship.

Mark grinned at the team's gazes. "Hi." His voice was deep, yet strong.

Numbuh 4 was first to reply. "Whoa…" Well, sort of.

Numbuh 1 cleared his throat for the third time that day. "Hello, Mark. I am Numbuh 1; leader of the Kids Next Door, Sector V." He held out his hand. "Good to finally make your acquaintance. We've heard so much about you."

Mark took the bald boy's hand boldly. "It's so great to meet you, Numbuh 1," he responded. "Wow; leader. That must be an honor."

"It certainly is," Numbuh 1 said, forming a proud smile on his thin lips.

The new boy looked over the leader's shoulder. Numbuh 1 noticed this and quickly spoke. "Oh, yes. This is my team." He led Mark over to Numbuh 2 in the line. "This is Hoagie P. Gilligan a.k.a. Numbuh 2. He's our 2x4 technology officer."

"Hey, Mark. Really cool earring," Numbuh 2 said coolly as he and Mark shook hands.

"Thanks," Mark said with a different smile.

Numbuh 3 giggled as she held out her hand for a shake. "I'm Kuki; Kuki Sanban. But my friends call me Numbuh 3."

The tall boy took her hand, but instead of a shake, he gave her a simple kiss on the back of her hand. "Very pleased to meet you."

"Numbuh 4 or Wally Beetles," the shorter kid stated. "Call me Numbuh 4."

"I'll remember that," Mark said as he shook hands with him. Numbuh 4's eyes stayed on the silver spud earring in his earlobe.

He moved over to Numbuh 5.

The capped girl held out her hand for a handshake. "Abby Lincoln, or Numbuh 5. Nice ta meet ya."

Just as Mark did to Numbuh 3, instead of a shake, he brought up her hand for a gentle peck of his lips. But as an alternative, he kept his eyes on her. "A pleasure to meet you, Numbuh 5." He stood up straight, and Numbuh 5 watched him as he did so. Their eyes locked for about a second or two.

Quickly, Numbuh 1 roughly cleared his throat once again. "Well, Mark, why doesn't Numbuh 4 show you around the Treehouse, while we wait for Numbuh 86's instructions?"

The Cadet nodded agreeably. "That'd be great."

Numbuh 4 rushed to his side. "Oh yeah; wait 'til ya see my room! Ya do hand-ta-hand combat?"

"Do I?" Mark repeated, sounding shocked of the inquiry. "As if that needs to be asked."

Numbuh 4 plainly became more energized at this, despite the blatancy he knew would follow the question. "All right! You against me."

"You're on."

Numbuh 4 pulled the new kid inside the Treehouse, passing the others carelessly.

Numbuh 1 shook his head with good reason. It wasn't everyday that Numbuh 4 met somebody and become fond of them within minutes. What confirmed the unusualness was the reaction Mark had received when being introduced to his teammates. Mark didn't relate to Numbuh 4 in any social way. Even so, Numbuh 1 supposed that the boy's overall appearance did the trick. He wasn't completely unfortunate looking. In fact, he looked as if he were already in the KND for years now.

Numbuh 3 giggled flirtatiously.

"I like him. He's cute." She said it so lightheartedly; he wondered how she could maintain such a carefree attitude about everything.

Numbuh 1 turned to face his operatives. "All right, you guys. I…guess we'll be leaving Mark in Numbuh 4's care for a while."

"I was thinking vise versa," Numbuh 5 clarified.

Numbuh 86 returned from the ship with a clipboard. "Okay, Kids Next Door. Let me go over the guidelines of actually having manners," she said, harshly, in that strong Irish accent of hers.

The team didn't reply.

She looked around. "Where's Mark?"

"He's with Numbuh 4," Numbuh 2 replied and poked his thumb over his shoulder towards the Treehouse behind him.

The girl sighed with a roll of her eyes. "Always the stupid one." She raised the papers so she could see. "Anyway, Numbuh 1, I need you to permit Mark to join your team during their individual assigned tasks. This includes Numbuh 2 while working on 2x4 technology weapons, Numbuh 3 with…whatever she does all day, Numbuh 4 during hand-to-hand combat training, and Numbuh 5 stealth practices.

"He will have to get used to what job of the Sector he enjoys and is good at, then it will be his decision whether he'd prefer another Sector or yours. He is still a Cadet, so it is your duty to bring it up a notch." She looked at the leader of Sector V. "Is that clear?"

Numbuh 1 nodded. "Yes, Numbuh 86. It's clear."

"Good." She closed the file, just like that. Without any second glances, she went back into the ship. "Oh, and Numbuh 1." She turned around. "Don't blow it."

The doors slammed shut and the ship flew off.

…Transmission Interrupted…



We all have big changes in our lives that are more or less a second chance.