Chapter 21: "A Call Home"
Wally and Kuki stood lost in each other in the middle of the hanger bay in the early morning light. Arms wrapped tightly, and eyes locked, lips met and parted and met again. They were one blob of orange cottony fabric. Kuki had not removed Wally's hoodie even for a moment while he'd been gone, even sleeping in it the one night that had come on Earth since he'd flown away. Holding her now his orange clad arms blended in with her slight form creating one silhouette for both of them.
The breeze always blew steadily here, due in part to the height of the tree and in part to the suction that the shape of the opening to the hanger created. The incessant wind blew Kuki's jet tresses in all directions as she looked up into Wally's mesmerizingly green eyes, welcoming him home with all that she was, had been, or ever would be. He was equally captive in her gaze, and he made a valiantly ineffective effort to tame her locks if for nothing else, to keep them out of her eyes. As he peered into those tanzanite eyes which held the answer to every question he'd ever asked, his thoughts carried him back to the call he'd placed from the communications deck before he'd been summoned to re-tell his story to the Global Command.
He recalled the buoyancy of his step as he'd made his way to the communications area, and how his heart had beat faster and faster with every step he took. When the lift tube's doors had opened to give him entrance it was racing like a gazelle in his chest, leaping up and over every other beat. It amazing him beyond his ability to fathom that anyone could affect him so profoundly without even being anywhere near him. If just the prospect of talking to her long distance like this could utterly undo him, then words could not describe the feeling of being close to her, holding her, kissing her. The sheer elation of loving Kuki Sanban had rendered Wallabee Beatles utterly and completely helpless, the surprise in that was that he actually found himself liking the idea.
He had always sworn that no 'cruddy girl' would ever have this much power over him, but he now resigned himself that one girl did. She did now, she always would and if he was really honest with himself she always had. Kuki had been born into the world almost seventeen years ago already in possession of the only key to his heart. Were anyone to ask her about the password required to gain admittance to the secret garden of her soul's delight and heart's desires, and she would state unequivocally that Wally had too been born the only person to ever know the phrase.
Wally had walked up to one of the many operatives stationed on the communications deck, and requested an open frequency and a booth with an individual view screen and headphones. The young operative whom he'd approached looked up at him in shock, but had quickly arranged what he asked for and eagerly checked to see if the equipment was acceptable. He'd then hemmed and hawed and shifted his weight foot to foot until Wally, finally had to come out and ask the kid if there was something he wanted.
"Well you see sir, Numbuh Four sir, I was really just wondering, if you – I mean, well I'd really like it if I could tell my sector that I had actually met you in person. But I don't think they'd believe me sir, and I...", he trailed off too embarrassed to continue. Wally knew what the kid was trying so hard to get at, so he put him out of his misery and offered.
"So do ya' think my autograph would help at all?", he asked with a big-brotherly grin. The younger boys face lit up like Times Square on New Year's Eve, and he took off like a shot in the opposite direction leaving a very confused Numbuh Four looking after him.
Wally was just settling into the booth to call Sector T.V., when he heard the squealing of someone's sneakers skidding across the floor behind him. It was the boy from earlier, who had returned with an object in hand and a permanent marker, both of which he extended toward Wally in a rush with a smile that completely bisected his face. The object he held out was a very beat up, old 2x4 technology mustard ray gun which obviously no longer functioned and was beyond repair. Numbuh Four couldn't help the raised eyebrow that the dismal old thing elicited. He bit back open laughter when he saw the boy's prideful gaze settle on the former weapon.
"It's the one you carried when you and the original Sector V had to rescue the other sectors from those renegade mustaches. Numbuh 142 retrieved it after he returned to Sector T's tree-house and since he is a friend, he knew I'd take super good care of it. Gee, I hope you don't mind that I've had it all this time. I probably should have sent it back to you, oh man now you probably won't – ", Numbuh Four kindly cut the boy's rambling short by taking the mustard gun from his grasp and signing its muzzle with the marker.
He handed them both back to the youngster with another smile, and after the delighted operative left, he turned back to the console in front of him to link up to sector T.V.'s communication station. He hoped Number Three would be on duty there right now. He was well aware that during a Code L-62 the communications and defense stations had to be manned around the clock, so one of his three friends would definitely be picking up his transmission. He just hoped it would be her, so he wouldn't have to find a way to ask for her without embarrassing himself.
"Calling Sector T.V. This is Moon Base. Come in Sector T.V. Numbuh Four here calling Sector T.V.", he was just starting to get worried that something was wrong, making them unable to respond when a cheerful Asian face appeared on his screen and the melodic voice of his soul-mate caressed his ears.
"This is Sector T.V. responding. Please transmit your message. Be advised a Code L-62 is currently in effect here, so no operatives are able to – Oh hi Wally!", she smiled broadly and clasped her hands together joyfully when she realized the caller's identity.
"Hey Kooks. I was just callin' to check in. How's everything there?"
"Everything's fine here Wally, don't worry. Did you give your report yet?"
"No not yet. I'm supposed to go in soon, Numbuh One is finished with his though", he answered somewhat glumly.
"Don't worry Wally, I know you'll be OK. I believe in you", she reassured him, and the genuine affection in her voice made him want to reach through the view-screen and kiss her right then and there.
"Thanks Kooks, I know you do, and it means a lot to me – really. Ahem, so tell me again how everything's going there?", he cleared hid throat to remove the lump of emotion settled there, and unconsciously repeated his question. She giggled and repeated her answer, this time with a bit more detail.
"Everything here is fine Wally. Except that it's really boring with the Code L-62 and it's really, really lonely without you", she pouted at this point and Wally thought she looked adorable, though he would never admit it. He missed her even more now, but he just had to get through the report and then he could go home.
"Aw, Kooks don't look so sad. You know I have to do this, but if I had my own way I would be there with you right now. Say, I never thought about it until now, but what time is it there anyway? I didn't wake you did I?", he was concerned knowing that sleep was an issue for her in recent months.
"It's getting kinda late here, but you didn't wake me up because it's my shift on the comm. right now. We have to take eight hour shifts because of the Lock-down. Hey, do you have any idea why Numbuh One ordered it? Numbuh Five says she doesn't know, and I was wondering too", she stopped, and looked curiously at him.
"Yeah he ordered it because I asked him to. I wanted to make sure that Father can't get to you while I'm gone. He could come there looking for me because I escaped ya know. I could never forgive myself if anything bad happened to you because of me Kooks", he broke off choked up a little at the thought.
"Oh Wally, you don't have to worry so much. We're safe here, and I can't wait until you come home! I love you, Wally!", she spoke the last words low so that she would not be overheard by Numbuh Two, who was currently monitoring the Defense Array for any signs of impending attack.
It was Numbuh Five's eight hours to sleep. When Kuki's comm. shift ended, she would rotate to the defense station, and Hoagie would rotate out to sleep while Abby would take over communications. They would continue on this way until the order for the Code L-62 to be rescinded was received. Meals were thirty minutes, and two fifteen minute breaks were allotted per shift on each station.
Wally smiled at her warmly, and replied that he returned her feelings. They chatted on peacefully for several more minutes until Numbuh Four's wrist communicator sounded the alarm that told him he was due back to Global Command. He said a fond good-bye to Kuki and sent his greetings to the other two remaining teammates in the tree-house, and then giving her all his love, he ended the transmission and ran quickly back to the bench outside the Global Command Meeting Room. He sat down on it and began gathering his thoughts in preparation for being summoned. He was briefly aware that Numbuh One had not yet returned from where ever he'd gone and Numbuh Four started to contemplate whether his friend would get back in time to hear the report. He even thought fleetingly about whether they'd let Nigel come in to listen to it in person.
His musings were cut off at last, by an operative on security detail stepping up to bid him to enter. He rose from the bench to go into the room with his head held high. Just a few more minutes, and this whole thing would finally be over, he could put it all behind him and move forward from his nightmarish experiences at last. He hoped vehemently to never have to tell this story again after this one last time. Wally stepped into the chamber and saluted the panel. He waited, and Numbuh 362 spoke on behalf of the group.
"At ease Numbuh Four. Thank you for coming to speak to us today. As I am sure you are aware, we have already heard you sector leader's report on your disappearance. However, due to the seriousness of the events described in that report, the Global Command committee has requested that you give us your full accounting of everything you experienced from the start of your captivity. We realize that this may be a difficult task for you, so please, have a seat and tell us what happened at your own pace", she indicated a chair and Wally sat down in it, and clearing his throat, breathing in deeply, he began to recount his tale one final time.
When at last he'd said all he had to say, Numbuh Four stood again at attention and listened to the concerns and accusations of the panel. After no less than twenty minutes of convincing, Numbuh Four was relieved to hear Numbuh 362 adjourn the meeting and dismiss him. The committee members exited the room before he did though, and he sighed heavily as he made his exit. This testimony and the floor fight after it had been very draining for him. He saw Numbuh One waiting for him by the bench, and he decided at the last minute to put off telling Nigel about the happenings in the meeting room for as long as possible. He therefore spoke to Numbuh one quietly and without stopping his forward movement. He said something less than intelligible about going to the Mess to eat, and continued in that direction without really waiting for a reply from Numbuh One. He felt relieved when he noted that Nigel had not immediately followed. Maybe he could find a little peace and quiet in the Mess, even under all the chaotic noise there, it was a peaceful place to him. There is of course such a thing as too much peace and quiet, which Numbuh Four was about to discover – the hard way.