The account of Numbuh 5's birthday is well-known enough. Indeed, the circumstances surrounding it, and the final conclusion, have attracted so much speculation that the event is almost legendary. Many facts of the final battle are unknown, though different conspiracy theorists and revisionary historians have offered different ideas.

It is not the purpose of this account to comment on the support, or lack thereof, of these different ideas. One idea may be put to rest. The exact event had no direct connection to the Reworking, and was not the work of any of the individuals involved in that event. It was quite simply the final chapter in a long story of three remarkable operatives. All that happened, happened between them and because of them. No outside forces intervened.

Some may doubt the veracity or the probability of the facts that I present here. In my defense, I can only say that I knew all three very well, and can guess at the motives that governed each. I might also say that much of what is presented here is also supported by new data tapes that have recently come to light, partly by my work and partly by another's.

So this is no idle or wild fantasy that I put down, this is, indeed, what happened. And it is important that we know it did, for it was the triumph of Numbuh 5's career, and the final great decision of Numbuh 2's.