Chapter 24:

The Aftermath

"So after you've left Rachel must've sabotaged the Victor's surveillance because he didn't notice us until we barged right in." John answered James.

They were all there in the hospital: Rachel, John and Jenny. They were at the KND hospital in the Moon base, for James refused to go back to an Adult hospital again. He was lucky that the doctors were able to heal fractured bones or there was no other option to go to an Adult hospital. The doctors couldn't help him with his bruised ribs so James had to be very careful if he was in the presence of his father, for he had the most annoying habit to notice that what he should miss.

James smiled as he looked at Rachel.

"I knew you were good, Rachel. No one has ever doubted that. Not even Victor declined that. But he always deemed you not good enough to be a threat to him. He became arrogant and too certain of himself, and that has led to his downfall." James said.

"Nicely said." John said with a nod.
"What are you going to tell your father when he asks you about your wounds?" Rachel asked slightly worried.

James shrugged.

"I'll figure something out. Perhaps I tell him that I fell from the stairs or something. Don't worry about it, Rachel. This won't be the first time I hid things for my father. Besides, as soon as my father knows that I will recover he will lose his interests in me."

"True enough." Jenny said, with a distasteful undertone in her voice.

James smiled as he took her hand.

"Let him be, Jenny. You always have me."

Jenny smiled and hugged him.

"I know." She whispered.

Suddenly there was a ringing sound.

"Oh, that's me." Jenny said as she graciously took her 2x4 phone. "Numbuh Millennium?... Uh-hum… Yes… Yes sir!... See you there." She hung up. "Sorry, Richie, but I have to go."

She hugged him and then left the room.

John coughed a bit when he noticed Rachel and James were looking at him.

"I'm afraid I have to go too… I… Uhm… The troops must… Ah, who am I kidding? You two have fun." John said as he blinked to his friends and walked to the door.

"You don't have to go, John." James said.

"Yea, and we don't have to fight Adult tyranny. It's okay, James. See you at 1 o'clock sharp."

Victor would be publicly Decommissioned at 1 o'clock.

"We'll be there." Rachel said, and John left.

"Rachel, can you help me up? I want to show you something." James said as he tried to get up.

With some of Rachel's help James got up, got dressed and walked through the empty room. That was one of the advantages when you are deemed a hero, you got your own private room. Mostly because the doctors discovered that heroes had the most curious habit of constantly returning to the hospital.

James let her through some hallways. Rachel objected a bit at first, but James reassured her he was fit enough for a walk.

After a short walk they entered a small domed balcony. The view there was the main reason James took Rachel there. It was simply breathtaking.

"Nice, isn't it?"

Rachel nodded.

"You always know to pick the best spots, James."

They had a breathtaking view of the universe. From their point of view, Earth literally laid at their feet.

"Ah, the universe… Both full and empty. Have you ever seen a more brilliant example of the beautiful harmony between light and darkness?" James said on a poetic tone.

"Who said that?" Rachel said, thinking James was quoting someone.

James looked around a bit.

"I did. A few seconds ago."

They both laughed.

"One day I shall write a poem just for you, Rachel. That is what boyfriends should do for their girlfriends, right? Or not? These things keep confuse me."

"It is one of the most romantic things a boy can do for a girl." She said as she cuddled up to him.

"Really? In that case I owe John an ice-cream."

He smirked, but then they both enjoyed the view.

"Rachel? Can I ask you something?"

"Sure." She said almost a bit sleepy. She could easily fall asleep in James' arms, even if one of his hands was bandaged. That made James very happy.

"Why didn't you gave up on me? I mean, no one would've blamed you if you did. No one. Not even me."

"I would've blamed myself eventually. Besides, all the good things are worth fighting for." She said as she lifted her head to look in James' eyes.

James looked at her, a tear rolled over his cheek.

"What have I ever done to deserve you?" He asked.

"Nothing… yet. You can start by writing me a poem." She laughed, and James laughed too.

"I love you." He said as he kissed her.

"I love you too, James."

They both enjoyed the view and each other.

A few hours past. James and Rachel were back in James' room.

"It's almost 1 o'clock. Only 10 more minutes." She said while looking to her watch.

"You don't sound so happy." James noticed.

She looked at him.

"Victor deserved this. But… I can't help but think he did all this just for love." She said.

"A sick, perverted version of love than." James said, an eyebrow lifted.

She smiled sadly as she stood up.

"We should go. We don't want to miss the 'show of the century' as Victor would've called it."

"No. I imagine we shouldn't." James said as he got up. "Let us go, numbuh 362." He said solemnly. "Let us do our duty and remember Victor as the kid he once was, not the kid he became."

Rachel smiled and gave him a quick kiss.

"That's the James I know." She whispered.

She then walk out of the room.

"Are you coming?"

"No. There is one last thing I need to do before I go. I see you at Decommissioning Bay 13."

Rachel looked at him hesitantly, but then she nodded.

"Okay. Don't be late." She left.

James left as well and walked all the way to the holding cell where Victor would be.

"Halt! Who goes… oh, numbuh Triple Three. Apologies, sir. Didn't recognize you." Numbuh 28 said. He was guarding the entrance with some others.

"You can drop the formalities, numbuh 28. This is an unofficial visit." James said.

"I understand." Numbuh 28 nodded.

"I wish to break some words with former numbuh 700." James said.

Numbuh 28 hesitated.

"I'm afraid I can't do that. Orders from the commander."

"Please, numbuh 28. It's just for a while. Victor was once a dear friend of mine. I have the right to visit him before he is going to be Decommissioned."

Numbuh 28 kept hesitating. James indeed had that right, but because Victor was such a dangerous prisoner numbuh 30 deemed it wiser not to let anyone near him. But then again, numbuh Triple Three was the one who defeated him in the first place. He was allowed to see the prisoner, right?

"Very well then. But I'm afraid we have to disarm you." Numbuh 28 said.

"No need." James said as he lifted his arms up. "I'm unarmed."

Numbuh 28 believed him and entered the code. The iron door to Victor's cell opened.

"Thanks, numbuh 28." James said as he entered.

James stepped in the cell and the iron door closed behind him.

"Hello, Triple. I was wondering when you would come." Victor said. He was completely chained up on the wall. His feet where entirely in the ground and his hands were until the elbow in some sort of iron cylinders chained at the wall.

"It seems you are chained up pretty well, isn't it?"

"What? This?" He rattled his chains. "Just a failsafe from our friend numbuh 30. He was afraid I would miss my own big day." Victor laughed.

"Why are you here, Triple? Have you come to mock me?"

"That idea occurred to me, but no. I am not here to mock you."

"Then why are you here?"

"I just wanted to say goodbye to my leader. My mentor. My friend."

Victor looked at him, then he surprised James by saying: "Thank you."

James blinked his eyes in disbelieve.

"You… thank me? Why?"

Victor growled. It was clear he didn't want to say that out loud.

"I am lonely, Triple. And I'm afraid. Is that what you wanted to hear? Yes, Triple. I, the great Victor Dante, am afraid."

He growled as he wanted to turn around but couldn't because of the shackles.

"Lonely and afraid, huh? Interesting…" James muttered.

"Don't mock me, boy!" Victor growled. "I am a broken man. I lost everything." A tear dropped over his cheek. "Elizabeth… My dearest Elizabeth… Perhaps Decommissioning isn't that bad. It will at least take the pain away…"

Victor sobbed and James smirked.

"You can drop the act, Victor."

Victor looked at him.

"What… do you mean? I'm grieving! Damn it!"

"You are a wonderful actor, Victor. But you don't fool me with it anymore."

Victor looked at him and James smiled.

"A tear? Please. You don't feel anything anymore. It was easy to spot, Spymaster. You are losing your touch. The only thing you will probably mourn for is your hat." He added. He noticed that Victor didn't have his typical brown cowboy hat anymore and suspected that it was still somewhere in the abandoned factory.

Victor laughed.

"Bravo, Triple. It seems my job here is done. You are a Spymaster at last. It took me more work then I originally thought, but who cares? I did it. One last victory for good old Victor. And you are right, of course. I really miss that hat."

"You were a good mentor." James admitted. "And against my better judgment I would like to believe that your proclaimed love for Elizabeth wasn't just another act."

"It wasn't!" Victor yelled. "I loved that girl."

And for the first time, James knew that Victor told the truth against him.

"So there is still a shred of good inside you." James said. "And if not good, then at the very least decency."

He sighted.

"Why did you do it, Victor? There was a time you should've known that Father wouldn't keep his word, so why would you continue to follow him?"

Victor grumbled.

"Why? I shall tell you why. The KND organization disgusts me!" Victor said, and James rarely has heard so much aversion in one's voice. "All this pathetic deeds they do about 'Adult tyranny' is just one big joke! The KND had the means to conquer the entire world but they instead prefer to fight for the right to eat cookies! That is simply laughable. If the KND should focus on domination the possibilities would've been endless. There would be noting the KND couldn't do! They could be so grand… yet they choose to be little and insignificant. Ha! The KND is a joke, Triple. Just a joke…"

"And you would've made them grand?" James asked.

"Hell no! The KND had their chance. They had it! There was no one left to challenge them! Yet they blew it! So I created a different organization. An organization superior in every way. An organization that would not hesitate to take over the world when the chance is there." Victor said.

"So you would've destroyed the entire organization just so that another could take their place? And what would be your position, Victor? Would you be the Supreme Ruler?"

"Who knows?" Victor said. "When recreating something old sometimes means to tear it down…"

"Yet you failed. The organization still stands. The Teens have lost."

Victor smiled.

"They weren't ready yet. I knew that, but Father grew impatient. If he had waited a little while longer he would've succeeded. But now? Now he has to begin anew. The Teens pose no threat anymore, at least not this moment. But when they are they will sweep the KND aside. Even you can't deny it, Triple. When the Teen-Ninja's are as strong as the KND, the KND is history. You know that as well as I do."

James smiled.

"Then it is better not to let them become as strong as us." He said.

Victor laughed.

"You can't stop the new world order, Triple. The things I have set in motion will eventually destroy the KND. And my Decommissioning won't stop that."

"Perhaps not." James said as he came closer. "But it shall bring me the greatest satisfaction to see you gone."

Victor smiled.

"Whatever Father did to you, I could've never imagined. He turned you into a ruthless mastermind, Triple."

"What Father did to me was very easy, Victor. He burned my inner child out, and left me only ashes." James said and a burning hate swelled up in his eyes.

Victor kept smiling.

"I pity those fools who will have to face you. Question is, will those fools be loyal to Father? Or… to the KND?"

James hesitated and Victor laughed.

"I won't betray the organization." James said.

"Then you remain the fool I always knew you were." Victor said.

"I am no fool, Victor. When you and I fought you have taught me one last thing. The power of hate. The thin line between sanity and uncontrolled, aggressive madness. But the student has become the master. I still know love. I still know honor and loyalty. I still have friends, Victor. I have now all your power, yet none of your weaknesses and for that I want to thank you."

Victor growled.

"I hope it destroys you."

James smiled terrifyingly.

"Oh, but it did. Everything I did so far was but a façade. You see this?" His non-wounded hand glided over his face. "This is just a mask. This smile I have is the real joke here. I still have all the hate I need to crush Father completely, yet my great weakness is no more. The hate always overwhelmed me, but I have something you don't. Love."

James and Victor looked at each other one last time.

"So long, cowboy." James said. He then walked to the door and bumped against it with his foot.

"Numbuh 28, I am done here."

The door went open and numbuh 28 entered.

"Perfect timing. It's time." Numbuh 28 said as he looked at Victor.

James understood.

"I will join the others." James said as he nodded to numbuh 28 and the others.

When James left numbuh 28 grinned and turned to Victor.

"So, Vic. Your great moment has arrived. You nervous? Whole Moon base will be watching." Numbuh 28 said.

Victor smiled.

"I am as ready as a man in my position can be."

Numbuh 28 nodded. He then ordered his men to untie Victor. That was done on a professional way and Victor never was fully released of his chains. Only his hands and his feet so that he could walk to his Decommissioning.

"There. We're all set." Numbuh 28 said. "Very well then, Vic. I think you know the drill. We will march with you to Decommissioning Bay 13. There the moment we all want to happen will happen. Good old Vic will be Decommissioned."

Victor said nothing. He just yawned uninterested.

Numbuh 28 grumbled, but then he ordered his men to escort Victor to the Decommissioning chamber.

It was a short and silent march. No one said a word.

Victor took a deep breath as the door opened and he walked across the bridge to the circular platform with the Decommissioning device on it.

The special thing about Decommission Bay 13 was that there was a stage. Normally, this particular place was reserved for only the greatest operatives of the KND. That way, everyone could say goodbye to the hero and honor him or her one more time.

The only reason he was brought here was because the entire organization wanted to see him Decommissioned.

He reached the platform. Beside all the armored members of the Decommissioning squad Victor also saw John and James. Rachel was sitting beside numbuh 274.

Victor was brought in front of the device and a painful silence befell the great room.

Then numbuh 274 stood up.

"Victor Dante, formerly numbuh 700 and Spymaster of the KND, you are hereby accused and found guilty of high treason. By order of the sovereignty of the Kids Next Door organization, I numbuh 274, Supreme Leader, condemn you to Decommissioning. Do you have any last words to say?"

Silence.

Victor asked himself if he should speak. Then he decided that it was better to say something. After all, the show was still on. It would only end with his Decommissioning.

"Normally last words are overblown." He started. "Nobody gives a damn. Nobody cares. But because I will forget this anyway I just want to say that I am honored that you all came to say goodbye. Some of you knew me from before, others do not. To those of you that know me, I would like to say that I never liked any of you. To those of you who don't know me I would like to say, I don't know you, and I don't want to know you."

"Such insolence!" Numbuh 10-to-1, who sat beside Chad, stood up. "Such arrogance! Do you have no shame at all?"

"Sit down, champ. I am not finished yet." Victor said. Numbuh 10-to-1 grabbed his gun but Chad dragged him down.

"As I said, no one will probably miss me, but do not worry, for I won't miss anyone either. Now, the last thing I would like to say to you all, is this: enjoy the last years of the Seventh Age of the KND. Trust me, it's walking on their last legs."

Victor laughed and a protesting roar emerged from the crowd.

When numbuh 274 managed to get the kids calm again, he turned his attention back to Victor.

"It always pained me to give permission to a Decommissioning, but not today. I never thought I would say this, but I am glad that you will be gone."

The crowd cheered and Victor was dragged in his chair. After numbuh 28 personally chained him at it, he respectfully stepped a few steps back.

Numbuh 30 grabbed the handle and looked at his Supreme Leader. Chad nodded and John would've pulled the handle if James didn't intervene.

"Wait!" He yelled and John stopped. James then looked at Chad. "Sir, can I do it? I would like to pull the handle. It would be a symbolized closure of this chapter."

Chad hesitated a second, but then he nodded.

"You are right, numbuh Triple Three. The honor should be yours."

James saluted and took over the handle from John. But before he pulled it down he bended over so that he could speak with Victor one last time.

"Before I end this, I want you to know that I wholeheartedly agree with everything you said about the organization. It is true. They are a joke, and the future you say they should've claimed is exactly the future I would like to give them. By any means necessary. But, Victor," He said as he looked him in his eyes. "I see that future without you." He pulled back and placed his hand back on the handle.

Victor looked at him in disbelieve. But then he smiled.

"I'll be damned. Perhaps there is still hope for you, Triple." He then started to laugh. The laughed and laughed and laughed. Even when James pulled the handle down and the Decommissioning device started to suck all the memories from his mind he continued to laugh maniacally.

And that was more terrifyingly then everything else he did or could do…

"What did you told him?" John asked.

"One last truth." James said.