Flashback Chapter: Recruiting
Rolf was working on his fields, plowing the dirt and throwing seeds into the soil. He pulled out a water bucket, and lightly filled the dirt with water. Around him, Urban Rangers and Wee-Roaches were doing the same thing. If there's one thing Rolf liked more than earning badges, it would be farming.
"This soil will grow fine crops," Rolf thought. "At least Rolf hopes so."
Looking up at the sun, Rolf swiped the sweat off his forehead. It had been several months now since the Urban Rangers have gotten more members. Nowadays, Urban Rangers need to do ore than moving lawns. They need to be able to fight, hack into computer networks, know hot to fly cruisers, that sort of thing. Rumor has it that the Kids Next Door was coming to Peach Creek, no doubt to take the entire organization that Rolf built.
"Rolf will never give up the rangers to them. He will die fighting to keep them away."
Space, a cold void surrounding the universe. Just several thousand miles from planet Earth was it's moon, and on it was the KND headquarters. An entire organization dedicated to protecting kids worldwide, now with darker intentions. Within it's command center, Rachel, Numbuh 362, sat on her black-hued throne.
Pressing a button on her throne, her lieutenant Cree Lincoln came in. Clad in Battle Ready Armor, Cree helped her gain complete control lover the KND, even when she turned thirteen.
"Yes boss?" Cree asked.
Pointing to a map of Peach Creek, Rachel said, "Do you know what this place is?"
"Yeah, Peach Creek. Word is that you've got you sights set on a group there."
"Word is that you're right." Jumping off the throne, Rachel went closer to the map. "There's also a rival group stationed in Lemonbrook, the Haven army. But we'll get the rangers first."
"I know plenty about them. Abby hired them to rescue several agents from Father. None of them had a scratch on them."
"That good huh?"
"Yeah, and it was their first actual mission."
Rachel grabbed her coat. "I think it's time we meet them."
Back in the cul-de-sac, it was nighttime, and Double-D was looking at the heavens with his telescope.
"Interesting," he said, looking at a shooting star. Writing down notes, Double-D continued to look at the stars. Using ancient 'star reading,' he was able to make out a prophecy the stars were predicting. "A powerful group will attempt to take the world…a melon-head will assist, but betray the group…three beings and a ninja will defeat the dark one." Suddenly, a rapidly moving object was seen through the lenses. Thinking quickly, Double-d pulled out his phone.
"Who is there?" Rolf asked.
"I know it's late, but we've got a KND ship coming right at us!"
"Say no more, Rolf will be there!"
Jumping off of his bed, Rolf pressed a button, activating his Urban Ranger SWAT armor. The button also triggered an alarm, alerting all Urban Rangers to the area. APCs drove to the spot technicians believe the ship will land, Hind gunships were circling the skies. As the KND shuttle was landing, Rolf took aim with his rifle. His second in command, Brenda Griffin, and his troops soon followed.
The shuttle landed, it's ramp extended. Urban Rangers watched as a young dark-skinned girl, wearing some kind of ninja armor, came out of the shuttle. She was closely followed by a smaller, but stunning, blonde girl. The blonde gave Rolf a chill, as if she was radiating some kind of dark force. Both came towards him, and the blonde extended her hand.
"You must be Rolf," she said.
Greeting her with a handshake, Rolf said, "Yes, I am Rolf, son of a sheppard."
"Well, I am Rachel McKenzie, leader of the Kids Next Door."
Kids Net Door. Again, those words sent a chill down Rolf's spine. "What is it that you want, Rachel?"
"Aren't you going to invite us into your personal quarters? It is, after all, a social call."
Lowering his weapon, both Rolf and Brenda lead the two KND warriors inside the Urban Ranger center. Within Rolf's personal sanctum, Rachel took a sip of her tea. Rolf had already offered Cree some Earl-Gray, but turned it down.
"What is it that you want with Rolf, headmaster of the KND?" Rolf asked.
Looking at her assistant, Rachel said, "Cree, why don't you explain?"
"Gladly," Cree said. Looking at Rolf, she began. "As you know, the KND is a powerful organization, perhaps the most superior to all else. I myself was a member, until I turned thirteen."
"You can only be a kid to stay in the group," Brenda said.
"Yes. But Rachel has changed the rules, when her successor, Numbuh 72, tired to kill her. She has invited me back into the organization, and I accepted, bringing the entire Teen Ninja unit with me. As a result, we have expanded our reaches, and merged with many groups."
"You don't mean-?" Rolf asked.
"Yes," Rachel said. "We would like for you to join us."
Rolf was done here. "No."
A dark shadow came over Rachel's face. "No?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because Rolf knows the truth about 72." Behind him, Numbuh 72, wearing combat gear, came into the room. Both Rachel and Cree gasped at the sight. "He told Rolf everything."
Rachel gulped. "Everything?"
"Everything," 72 said. Pointing to the exit, he added, "Now get out of here, before we open fire."
Rolf and 72 led the two KND leaders to their ship, keeping their weapons at the ready.
Before she got aboard, Rachel said, "You refuse to join us. It's now war between us."
With that, her shuttle took off. 72 looked at Rolf, who was staring at the night time sky.
"What now?" 72 asked.
"Rachel has declared war on us," Rolf said. "No doubt Haven is going to join her in her plot. KND may have the upper hand now, but we will take them down."
In Lemonbrook High, Rachel and Cree were meeting Cameron Hunter.
"So you want me to do what?" Cameron asked.
"Steal a ship Brenda Griffin has requested," Rachel said. "It's a warship, maybe the greatest ever built. With it, we can easily beat Rolf." Looking at a shrouded figure, she continued. "And besides, we've got a friend. A neglected friend of Rolf's."
Stepping out of the shadows, Johnny 2x4, now the Gourd, gave Rachel a disc. A disc for Arsenal Gear, the ultimate warship.