This weekend I watched the movie Country of My Skull , it's about the time just after the Apartied ended in South Africa when those victimized by the South African Security Forces came forward and retold their accounts before a council. Pretty scary stuff, I mean I was born 1994 so I was never around to hear or see this stuff, makes you ashamed to be white. Samuel L. Jackson played the part of the American writer for the Washington Post and this other chick played the Afrikaaner reporter for SABC (South African Broadcasting Company) and no offence but hearing an American trying to speak in a South African accent is one of the funniest things I've ever heard, think Leonardo De Caprio in Blood Diamonds .

Anyhoo, on with the story…


Chapter 9: Old friends, New Enemies and a Little Too Much Soda

Two years earlier

"And don't worry," Abby called mockingly to her sister, "I'll keep your CD's and your boyfriend, nice and safe!"

Cree just grumbled as she was led onto a KND prisoner transport by Numbuh 92 and 93. Wally glanced at Hoagie who seemed to be tearing.

"Are you crying?!" he accused in disbelief.

"No," Hoagie resorted with a sniff, "I have something in my eye."

The large ship roared as it slowly lifted off the hangar floor and rocketed off, leaving the five operatives of sector V alone.

"Numbuh 2, that machine needs to be destroyed," Nigel said turning to the chubby pilot.

"But it works!" Hoagie exclaimed, "If it could do that to a child imagine what it could do to a hamster."

"That's an age-afiyer," Nigel said sternly, "Do I need to remind you of the last time a device like that got into the wrong hands."

"Just let me run some tests," Hoagie pleaded, "and if it doesn't have the desired effect I'll scrap it immediately."

Nigel looked thoughtful.

"Fine," he eventually said, "but I want a report on the results ASAP."

"Yes!" Hoagie shouted, thrusting a fist in the air.

"Right," Nigel said with a grin, "I've still gotta win my soda back Numbuh 4, Yipper Air Strike 4?"

"Yer on," Wally said, "but there ain't no way yer beating me!"

A few hours later

Hoagie knocked nervously on his leader's door.

"Come in," Nigel's voice came form the other side of the door.

Hoagie peeked in.

"Hey boss," he said, "hope I'm not interrupting anything."

"Not at all," Nigel said with a smile, "just finishing up the mission report."

Hoagie's heart almost stopped.

"Y-you haven't submitted it yet, have you?" he asked, his nervousness rushing back.

"Nope," Nigel said picking up a file and handing it to Hoagie, "give an once-over, you know I'm not the best speller."

"Operation K.I.S.S.?" Hoagie said looking at the file's title.

"Kid's Identity Suddenly Sixteen," Nigel said proudly, "didn't even use the Super-Cool Name-a-nator program for that one."

"Yeah, Numbuh 1, that's what I came up here to talk to you about," Hoagie said rubbing the back of his neck, "do you think you could not submit this mission report?"

"But KND regulation code 15673b states that all accounts concerning know enemies of the Kids Next Door has to be documented," Nigel said giving his friend a curious look, "I have to."

"Yeah, I know," Hoagie said sighing, "but this won't look good on my permanent record, so could you not, just this once."

"I dunno," Nigel said looking thoughtful again.

"Please, Nigel," Hoagie pleaded, "don't do it for Numbuh 2, but Hoagie?"

Nigel was slightly taken back by the mention of their real names.

"Ok," he said taking the file from Hoagie, "I'll write a new one; I'll say we were attacked by Cree and we managed to subdue her."

"Hey thanks, boss," Hoagie said grinning, "See, there's hope for you yet."

Hoagie turned and left, closing the door behind him. Nigel glanced at the door and then the file in his hand.

"No there isn't," he said quietly.


Present time, Dennis Manor, Karoo, South Africa

Nigel pushed the oak door to Michael's study open and peered inside.

"Dr. Dennis?" he called inside.

"Nigel!" the overenthusiastic brit exclaimed, "do come in, I have some-one I want you to meet."

Nigel stepped in the room. It was late in the evening and they had just finished dinner. The fireplace on the east wall glowed orange giving the room a comforting and warm atmosphere. Nigel sat in one of the chairs in front of the desk which Michael sat behind. Nigel jumped as a large hand fell onto his shoulder. He grabbed it and with lightning-quick reflexes, brought the hand, and body attached, over his head, crashing it onto the desk.

The figure gave a hearty laugh, "It has been long time since Moosk had his butt kick-ed like that!"

"Moosk?!" Nigel exclaimed.

"Comrade 1," Moosk said up righting himself, "is good to see you still having fighting spirit."

"So you two know each other?" Michael asked.

"Know him? This guy saved my neck," Nigel said beaming.

"Only before Comrade 1 saved Moosk from life as accountant."

"Fabulous!" Michael exclaimed, "This means introductions are unnecessary."

"What are you doing here?" Nigel asked as the large Russian sat down.

"Moosk was tracking vicious Southern African Rock Tie-thon," Moosk explained, "when he get call from Comrade Dennis."

"I met Moosk four years ago in Siberia," Michael added, "I heard he was in the area so I gave him a call, I figured he would be of help to the expedition."

"Hell yeah!" Nigel said happily, "would you?"

"Of coarse Moosk will help, Comrade 1!" Moosk laughed, grabbing Nigel's hand and shaking, "Is funny, yes? How tables have turned. Moosk first seek Comrade 1's help now Comrade 1 seek Moosk's help."

"Hilarious," Nigel said with a chuckle.


Elsewhere in the Manor

Abby, Hoagie and Michelle stood silently on the balcony to the room the girls were sharing. It was now completely dark and a chilling breeze swept across the three operatives.

"Shit its cold," Hoagie said with a shiver, "you sure we were supposed to meet here?"

"The note said to meet here," Michelle said pulling the scrap of paper out again.

There was a small 'ahem' and the three turned to see a small raven haired maid standing behind them.

"Hey, you're that maid form earlier," Hoagie said, "Frankie?"

"Francis," the girl corrected him.

"Did you leave us this note?" Abby asked.

"Yes," Francis said, "you are the ones who are leaving, right?"

"Yeah," Hoagie said, "that's us; then you're our contact?"

"Yes, He sent me," Francis said with a nod.

"He?" Abby said in a confused tone.

"The one who is assisting you," Francis said, "my father."

"You're his child?" Abby asked.

"All are his children," Francis said.

Abby and Hoagie gave each other a look. Michelle remained silent.

The young brunette handed each of them a bracelet. It was almost like her own; consisting of a chain of gold and silver rings with a small sapphire after every two in the sequence, but only the moon hung form the chain, the sun was missing.

"This is your ticket to paradise, my friends," Francis continued, "you guy's are scheduled to be returning from the expedition in a weeks time, you will be extracted then."

"And after that?" Hoagie asked.

"You will be taken to him and given the choice," Francis said.

'What choice?" Abby queried.

"I can't say," Francis said shaking her head, "Anyway I gotta go; my break is only 10 minutes long."

"Wait," Hoagie said quickly, "if you say these are our tickets to paradise, then why do you live like this?"

"I made my choice," Francis said staring at her feet, she then looked up at the KND operatives, "but don't worry, He has special plans for you three."

The girl left, leaving behind three very confused 12 year olds.


The following morning, Sector S tree-house

"Morning sunshine," Dean said mockingly as Wally walked into the kitchen, "sleep well?"

"Shut it," Wally grumbled.

"Looks like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed," Sibenzile teased.

"Aw," Dean said, pretending to look hurt, "don't tell me we aren't best-buds anymore, Wallykins."

Wally spun around to glare at the obnoxious South African.

"You better watch yer…" Wally began to say but was cut off by Kuki walking in.

"Morning everyone!" she chirped, she had a Rainbow Monkey tucked under her arm, "I hope everyone slept as well and me and my 'Sleeping in Africa' Rainbow Monkey."

The doorbell rang before anyone could respond.

"I'll get it," Dean said getting up form his bowl of Frosties.

He opened the door to see a tall African man staring down at him.

"Inspector Mbala," Dean said, surprised, "what are you doing here so early?"

"Good Morning, Dean," the man said, "sorry to disturb so early, but we received anonymous tip-off that the Kids Next Door were harboring some illegal substances on these premises, we just want to have a look around."

Sibenzile shot a death glare at Wally.

"Crap," he thought.

"Well, Inspector," Dean said handing the police officer a R200 note, "now would not be the best time. Could we maybe reschedule?"

The African man snatched up the bribe.

"Well, considering the great help the Kids Next Door has been to the South African Police Services," he said rather loudly, so that all the officers standing behind him could hear, "I will take your word for it, that there are no illegal substances within this Tree-House."

"You have my word, Inspector," Dean said with a smile. He closed the door and also shot a glare at Wally.

"Who was that, Numbuh 662?" Kuki called through a mouthful of Rainbow Munchies.

"Our Neighbor," Dean said smiling, "just warning us that Mr. Mekelene's car headlights are on."

"Hey, Numbuh 3," Tasmin, of whom Wally had just noticed had been in the room the whole time, said, "Could you pop downstairs and let him know, I think he's taken a liking to you, and that can't be said for the rest of us."

"Okay!" the Raven-haired girl said happily, and skipped out the room humming something.

All eyes fixed on Wally. The Australian tried to get up to leave but was quickly seized and pinned to a wall by Dean and Sibenzile, who was stronger than she looked. Tasmin got up from were she was sitting and strolled over to look the struggling blond in the face.

"Wally, Wally, Wally," she said with a sigh, "what are we going to do with you?"

"Hey, just a tip," Dean said into Wally's ear, "if you wanna bust someone down here, never go to the cops, they're more corrupt then we are."

SIbenzile sniggered.

"Y'know, I thought our deal was fair," Tasmin said thoughtfully, then she grinned, "But if you wanna go back on your part, then I guess we'll have to go back on ours."

"I swear," Wally seethed, "if you do anything to her…"

"Sshh," Tasmin said placing a finger over his lips, "No, no, no, fair is fair."

They heard Kuki's cheerful voice echoing toward them.

"Now not a word," Tasmin said leaning to speak into his ear, "unless you wanna make matters worse."

They let him go and returned to their seats at the table just as Kuki walked in.

"I think you're right, Numbuh 660," Kuki said, "I think Mr. Mekelene does like me, he even let me have one of the cookies he was eating with his coffee."

"See," Tasmin said as if nothing was wrong, "but I think it's very hard for anyone to dislike you, isn't that right, Numbuh 4."

Wally remained silent. He hadn't moved from the wall. Kuki looked at him, waiting for an answer, a very cute and questioning look on her face. He couldn't help but smile.

"Defiantly," he said.

Kuki gushed and rushed over to give him a hug, and for the first time, he actually hugged back.

He wasn't going to let anything happen to her. That was a promise.


Father's Lair, somewhere in southern Africa

"We will meet you at these coordinates," Vuyani's voice came from the speakers of one of the many monitors in Father's office. Father himself watched with narrowed eyes.

"Perfect," Michael said taking the map from him.

"What about you Moosk?" Nigel asked, "I'd love for you to come and meet the others."

"No, Moosk will stay with Comrade Dennis," Moosk said giving Nigel a pat on the back, "we have much to discuss. But no worry, Comrade 1, I will meet rest of friends soon, yes?"

Father turned it off.

"Hmm," he thought aloud, "this might complicate things slightly."

He turned to the door.

"Harrison!" he barked.

Moments later the small man burst into the office.

"Y-yes sir?" he stuttered.

"Is Agent 9 up yet?" Father asked.

'Yes, sir," Sam said, taking a deep breath, "he was released yesterday."

Father sighed.

"And why wasn't I informed of this?" he said in a calm voice.

Oh, well, um, we, uh…" Harrison tried to find his words, "we-we just figured…"

"You figured?" Father cut him off, "Tell me something Harrison; are you hired to 'figure' things out?"

"Well, uh, no…" Harrison tried to speak again, suddenly regretting not coming in with something to shield himself.

"No, you're not," Father said, cutting him off again, "you are not hired to think or do things for yourself, you are hired to do what I tell you to and think when I tell you to."

"Y-yes s-s-sir," Harrison said preparing himself.

"SO GET AGENT 9 IN HERE NOW!!" Father shouted, erupting into flames.

The blast threw Harrison out of the door and slamming into the far wall of the passage outside the office.

"Sam! Are you okay," the girl behind the counter just outside the door called.

"Yeah, I'm fine, Tina," the middle-aged man said with a smile, "but you know, I think I'm finally getting used to it."

After searching almost the entire base, Harrison found the boy once again coming out of a service passage.

"There you are," he said bending over to catch his breath, "what the hell are you doing in those service passages anyway?"

"Fag," Wayden said.

"Excuse me," Harrison said in a huff, "I am by no means a 'fag'; I have a wife for Christ's sake."

"Chill, bra," the coloured said, "I was having a fag, you know, smoking?"

"Oh, well, yes," Harrison said, slightly embarrassed, "Father want's to see you."

"Lead the way," Wayden said sarcasticly.

Sam hurried off, Wayden following behind. He noticed that some of the little hair left on the man's head was smoking slightly.

"Lekker," Wayden thought sarcastically, "and here I was worrying about his mood."

Wayden quickly straightened himself up before entering his employer's office. He knocked lightly on the door.

"You wanted to see me, erm, sir," he said.

"Yes," Father said turning around to face the teen, "I see that you encounter with the Kids Next Door was troubling."

He motioned towards the bandages spread over large portions of Wayden's body.

"Just the crash, sir," Wayden said, "those Americans are real kuk starters."

Father chuckled, "Don't I know it."

His face turned serious.

"You will be able to join the expedition team leaving this afternoon?" he asked.

"Of course sir," Wayden said.

"Excellent," Father said, "Harrison!"

The man was present in a flash.

"Yes sir?"

"Pull up anything you can find on Michael Dennis, Natalie Mc Adams and Moosk Krogonovic."

"Yes sir."

"Right," Father said, content, "that is all."

The two left, leaving Father to his monitors.

Wayden let out a held breath and closed his eyes as he fell back against the wall outside the door.

"You shouldn't be so nervous," a female German accent spoke from the darkness in front of him.

He opened his eyes to see his blond superior standing in front of him. She smiled.

"Pardon?" Wayden asked unsure if he'd heard correctly.

"All I said was zat you don't haff to be so nervous about dealing with Father," Henrietta repeated, "just loosen up, he'll respect you more."

"Thanks," Wayden said, smiling.

Henrietta winked, "Anytime."

She then turned and strolled down the corridor, a certain sashay in her hips.

Wayden watched her go and chuckled. What was it about foreign girls?


Later that day, Sector S tree-house

Nigel, Vuyani, Abby, Michelle and Hoagie walked into the TV room.

"Hey! You guys are back!" Kuki greeted them from the couch.

"Where you guys been?" Wally asked from beside her.

"Our host insisted we stay the night," Nigel said with a sigh.

"Our host insisted everything," Hoagie groaned, "do we really gotta spend a week in the desert with him?"

"Sadly," Abby commented.

"What'd we miss?" Michelle asked.

"Not much," Dean from another couch, "same old, same old."

"Depends on how you define that," Wally muttered.

"What was that," Dean said narrowing his eyes.

"Nuthin," Wally grumbled.

"Hey Numbuh 4, you okay?" Hoagie asked giving him a questioning look.

Wally looked over to Dean who winked.

"Just peachy," Wally said.

"You guys are back, great," Tasmin said walking in, "hey girls, lets chat."

Michelle and Abby headed for the door, Kuki got up to follow and so did Wally. Tasmin placed a hand on his chest and pushed him back down.

"Girls only, Wallykins," she said with a grin.

Wally slumped back into the chair. At least Abby would be with her.

"What was up with that?" Abby asked Kuki as they followed Tasmin down a passage.

"I dunno," Kuki said, "but Numbuh 4's been spending a lot of time with me today."

"Weird," Abby said shaking her head.

"I kind of like it," Kuki said with a giggle.

Back in the entertainment room, Hoagie had flopped onto the couch with Wally.

"Nigel, let us head for my room," Vuyani said, "There is something I must show you."

Hoagie watched the two leaders leave.

"They've been spending a lot of time together recently," Hoagie said with his patented grin, "ya think they're…?"

"I don't know," Dean said grinning too, "never pegged Numbuh 664 for a moffie, what about Numbuh 1?"

"Well he had a girlfriend," Hoagie said chuckling, "she dumped him though."

"Well maybe she found out he batted for the other team," Dean said.

The two of them burst out laughing. Wally remained silent.

"Aw, c'mon dude," Hoagie said, "that was a good one."

"I jus ain't in the mood, alright?" Wally snapped.

"Woke up on the wrong side of bed, I get it," Hoagie mused, "but is it just me or does it seem like the right side of your bed is up against a wall?"

He and Dean laughed again.

"Y'know we should get out and have some fun," Dean suggested, "I know this great soda bar a couple of blocks from here."

"Now you're talking," Hoagie said, "I'm dying for something caffeinated."

"No thanks," Wally said flatly.

"C'mon man," Hoagie said, putting his arm over his friend's shoulders, "you have never said no to a cold one."

He lent in close.

"Kuki'll be fine," he said in a low tone, "she's got Abby with her."

Wally looked up at the pilot who shrugged.

"Fine," he said, "but just one."


Two hours later, On-Tap Soda Bar

"And we're all fightin' for our lives an' this guy, is stuffing his face!" Wally said with a hiccup.

He downed his 16th soda.

"This guy?" one of the boys who were sitting with them said in disbelief, "but he's a toothpick."

"Two words my friend," Hoagie said giggling, his 27th soda in his hand.

"Fat Camp," he and Wally said in unison.

The group roared with laughter as Dean called over a waitress.

"Another!" he said, "For everyone!"

The group cheered.

"Hey," Wally said giggling, "how many have we had?"

"I have no idea" Hoagie said, downing the one in his hand, "I lost count at 9."

"So you ous are from America?" another guy said, "What about Bush?"

"Fuck Bush!" Hoagie shouted.

This time the whole bar cheered.

"And Obama?" somebody else asked.

"The future of our great country," Hoagie said solemnly.

"Hey, your great country," Dean said, "who's the future of our great country?"

"Zuma!!" somebody yelled.

The whole bar roared with laughter. Hoagie and Wally laughed too, even though they didn't get it.


Another two hours and another 50+ sodas later, Sector S tree-house

"Shosholoza! Shosholoza! Ku lezontaba! Stimela siphum' eSouth Africa!" the three very soda-drunk operatives sang as they entered the tree-house. Nigel was in the kitchen getting a snack.

"Nigel!" Wally called, "where are the girls? I have to tell Kuki something very important!"

"They went for a girls night out." He said walking up to them, "are you drunk?"

"Very," Hoagie said.

"Wait," Wally said, starting to sober up very quickly, "Kuki went out with Tasmin and Sibenzile?"

"Yes, Numbuh 3 went out withNumbuh 661 and Numbuh 660 ," Nigel corrected him, "but Numbuh 5 and Numbuh 663 are with them too."

"Shit" Wally though, realizing what was happening.

"Did they say where they were going?" he asked

"No," Nigel said raising an eyebrow, "why?"

"Ya" Dean said, appearing to be not as drunk as he looked, "why?"

"Why, when, where, who gives a shit?" Hoagie, the only one still drunk, sang as he staggered over to the couch and collapsed into it.

He laughed.

"I am gonna have such a hangover tomorrow," he said with a giggle.

The door opened and Abby and Michelle, stumbled in arm in arm, helping each other to stand. Wally rushed over to them.

"Where's Numbuh 3?" he asked franticly.

"Oh no, we had way more than three," Abby said with a giggle.

"Why is everyone drunk?" Nigel asked in disbelief.

"Abby where is Kuki?" Wally asked again.

"I give up!" Nigel said as he left the room.

"So do I!" Michelle said with a groan, "C'mon, Abs, lets go sit down."

"Will someone please tell me where Kuki is?!" Wally all but shouted

"I'm not sure," Tasmin said walking in with Sibenzile, the two of them completely sober.

"Last place I saw her is when she was flirting with that guy at the bar," Sibenzile mused, "how old did he look?"

"I dunno?" Tasmin said, "14? 15 maybe.

"What?!" Wally exclaimed.

"Yeah, cute too," Sibenzile continued, "she was shy at first, but then he bought her a drink and suddenly, she was all over him."

"I don't believe it!" Wally protested.

"I've got a vid," Tasmin said pulling out her phone.

Wally watched the small screen in complete horror and disbelief.

"Must've taken me seriously when I told them to get a room," Tasmin said coyly, putting the phone back in her pocket, "didn't see them again after that."

"You let her go?!" Wally demanded.

"You shouldn't have messed with us, Wallykins," Tasmin said tracing lines on his chest, "we did warn you…"


That was fun, especially the first bit. I love adding background stories to things. Review please. (I asked nicely.)

Dark Mike