Hi everyone! So as promised, here is the next chapter. Hope you all enjoy!
Responses to some reviews:
Guest: Lol.
Rosali Leon Huamani: ¡Me alegro!
Cre8ivelybankrupt87: Thanks! I always enjoyed watching Curly in the series and he was always the comic relief of the show, even if he also had his own personal problems. So I wanted to include that in this story, especially since how sad it has been.
Yup. Helga had to have made that speech. It wasn't one of her greatest, but it did the trick. Flowery? I would say more poetic.
Lol, I thought about doing something like that, getting everyone reconcile and then having them fight again, but I thought against it because it's been done and I'm pretty sure you and everyone would now want to know how they will stop Von Scheck.
Yes, they are...just not in a seriously morbid way. I'm not going to write Helga triumphantly showing the head of Von Scheck with his body on the ground lol
Veganmama: And yes, assess will be kicked! They just need a plan.
Inside the FTI building...
*sirens**sirens**sirens**siren**sirens**sirens**sirens*
Sirens were blaring inside the FTI building, the emergency lights started flashing throughout, all security personnel had just been alerted of an intruder, of in this case, intruders. Every personnel then quickly made their way to their stations and began the building's lock down initiation. All entrances and exits were instantly self-locked and guarded. No one was able to get in or out.
"RUN!" Rodrigo yelled out as he, Arnold, Gerald and Helga started running away as fast as they could.
"There they are!" One of the guards yelled.
"After them!" Yelled another guard as four in total ran and tried to catch up to the four teens.
"Run faster! They're gaining on us!" Gerald frantically yelled.
"Don't need to tell me twice." Helga commented.
"We need to find another way!" Arnold yelled out as he and everyone continued running.
"Pheebs, please find us another way to get to Von Scheck's office!" Gerald frantically said on his earpiece
A few miles away inside a van...
"I'm trying Gerald, I'm trying!" Phoebe said back almost in a panic as she and Curly hurriedly tried to find another way to guide them. "Just give me a second."
"Did you guys find anything yet?" Curly asked both Lorenzo and Park.
"No, not yet!" Lorenzo, almost hysterically, responded.
"Keep trying!" Phoebe exclaimed.
Back at the FTI Building...
"We don't have a second!" Gerald responded in a panic.
As they continued running down the hallway, all four teens wondered with utter dismay and confusion as to just how their entire plan had faltered so quickly. It wasn't even an hour ago when things were actually looking okay for them and it even appeared they would be able to get what they needed and leave without detection. However, due to a series of unfortunate events, blunders and circumstances, the four teens now found their cover exposed, and were now isolated and running for their lives, literally. If they get captured, not only was all hope lost to save their neighbourhood, but who knows what the guards, or Von Scheck would do to them. Only by thinking fast and the heavy adrenaline that was now coursing through their veins had thus far prevented them from falling into that circumstance.
They were the neighbourhood's last hope. There were eight of them who managed to successfully infiltrate the FTI building.
The four then ran past a janitor's work station that contained various cleaning products. Helga, upon seeing the work station, instantly grabbed a big jug that contained a type of dish cleaning soap. While still running, she quickly opened the lid and dumped all of it onto the floor.
The guards who were chasing after them soon past the workstation as well, but just then, began to slip and slide from the dish soap cleaning chemical that Helga just dumped. Unable to get a firm grip on the floor, the guards ended up slipping and collided with each other, falling right down to the ground.
"HA!" Helga exclaimed with a smile on her face as she looked behind.
*Bbblllrrrruppppp* And blew a raspberry at them as she and everyone else continued to run away.
"That'll buy us some time." She said.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the building...
"Hubert! What's going on?" Von Scheck demanded from his Head of Security.
"Sir! We have a breach!" Hubert nervously explained. "Our alarm was triggered and detected a few intruders inside the building."
"What?!" Von Scheck angrily yelled. "It's those pestling kids, I know it's them! Find them! Make sure that whatever it is they are planning, they are stopped! Use any means necessary, you hear me?!"
"Yes sir." Hubert nervously said and then proceeded to speak on his mic. "All units, we have a breach! I say again, this building has been breached. Lock all doors and use whatever means to apprehend the intruders!"
Meanwhile...
"Anything yet, Pheebs?" Gerald asked again.
"I got it!" Phoebe exclaimed through his earpiece. "Turn a left through the corridor and then head for the elevator! The coast it clear!"
"Got it!" Gerald said. "Everyone, follow me." He then said to everyone else and started sprinting faster.
Everyone else also started running faster. Helga then turned around and saw to her frustration that the guards had not only also started running faster, but were gaining on them.
"We need to lose these losers!" Helga said to everyone. "Or else they'll catch us before we get there!"
"But how?!" Arnold exclaimed back
Helga didn't responded and just continued running as fast as she could while she tried to think of something. Soon, they turned a corner, just as Phoebe had instructed them and continued on running. Just as they turned, Helga saw a door that led to the staircase.
"I got it!" She yelled as she made her to the door and instantly stopped. "You three try to get to that office. I'll lose the guards by distracting them."
"Helga, No!" Rodrigo exclaimed in distraught as he and everyone else also stopped.
"No Helga! We need to stick together." Arnold agreed while panting.
"Yeah, it's too dangerous." Gerald agreed.
"Just do it!" Helga frustratingly yelled back. "We don't have a choice! We either do this or die!"
The three male teens initially remained silent, hesitating on whether or not to follow with Helga's plan. It was too risky. Rodrigo was especially not liking her plan and was again about to protest when they start hearing footsteps around the corridor.
"They're coming! Go!" Helga again yelled and gestured at them to leave.
Again, the three male teens just stood there, hesitating. But slowly, they eventually, albeit very reluctantly, agreed and began to leave, except Rodrigo who just stood here and stared at her, too struck by a sudden combination of both awe, fear and concern for her well-being to just leave.
"Rodrigo." Arnold said as he grabbed his shoulder and began to gently pull it. "We need go. We're no good to anyone if they catch us."
"He's right. The guards the coming." Gerald quickly and frighteningly added. "And besides, Helga is a big girl, she can take care of herself."
Rodrigo said nothing and just continued to look at her, while she also stared at him with a facial gestured that indicated to him to trust her. Finally, while still very apprehensive about this whole plan, nevertheless nodded to her and began to turn around and then began to run with Arnold and Gerald.
Helga waited in order to make sure the guards actually see her 'go inside the staircase', hoping to get their attention.
Man, I hope those idiots actually make it there. Helga thought. I'm not sacrificing myself for nothing! *sigh* The things I do for the people I love...
"There she is!" A guard yelled as he and the rest turned the corner.
"Rodrigo," Phoebe then called out on his earpiece, "I believe now would be the best time to initiate Plan B." She suggested.
"Yes! Please call Nadine and tell her that Plan B is a go!" Rodrigo frantically shouted back as he continued to run.
Helga meanwhile, immediately snapped out of her thoughts and quickly started climbing up the stairs, followed by the four guards. She was not the most physically active person. She had only recently started playing sports again after a long absence and despite picking up dancing as a way to release stress and any negative thoughts, she found herself having serious trouble climbing up the stairs. Yet, the fear of being captured enticed her to push her body forward, regardless of the pain and the exhaustion. Up, up, up and up, she and the guards continued climbing up the stairs until they were getting ever closer to the upper most floor. Helga however, was now running out of steam and could no longer continue her flight upstairs. Feeling utterly exhausted and with her legs giving away, she rapidly approached the nearest exit door and exited the staircase.
Man, I need to get to the gym when this is all over! Helga thought while panting heavily.
Despite her exhaustion, Helga made no attempt to stop and just continued running down the hallway and turned a corner. Now in an almost state of panic, Helga realized that unless she did something fast, she will eventually be forced to stop running.
But what?! She thought frustratingly. This hallway is completely bare. There's nothing to hide in, except that door...wait! The door!
Seeing the door, without thinking, made her way there, opened it and quickly closed it, as just as the guards turned the corner from where Helga came and continued running.
Helga, while panting and sweating heavily, stood firmly still and tried not to make any noise as she tried to hear the footsteps that were fast approaching. Holding the door knob firmly and bracing herself, she closed her eyes and prayed the guards would not stop and attempt to the open door. The footsteps got louder and louder and then...started to fade as the guards continued running across the hole.
Helga made no attempt to move or make any kind of sound until she was sure the guards had completely left. She waited for a while, listening closely until the footsteps finally faded away. Only then did she let out a somewhat big sigh.
Man, that was a close one! She thought, still feeling highly alert.
After catching her breath and letting her fight and flight automatic response system dissipate a bit,
"Hm?" She began to curiously scan around the room that she hid herself in. The room was a bit dark and initially, she thought she was inside a closet. Only, there was nothing inside it.
Well, what a waste of space. Helga thought.
Upon further scanning around, Helga noticed some light shining through from behind. When she turned around, she became shocked when she realized that she was inside no closet, but another room entirely. Instantly taken aback, her eyes widen considerably and her jaw dropped when she saw just where she was...
A few days earlier...
After Helga's inspirational speech, everyone huddled together to discuss of a plan.
"Alright, now that we got all that mushy stuff out of the way," Helga blared out, "what's the plan?"
"And more importantly, who will be in charge of this operation?" Phoebe asked.
"In charge?" Gerald asked confusingly. "Well, I'd figured it would be Arnold." He said as he pointed at him.
"Arnold?" Patty curiously asked.
"Yeah, I mean who else would it be?" Gerald said. "He did manage to stop Von Scheck the first time around."
Everyone then looked at Arnold and then each other to see what everyone else thought and for any confirmation. The whole group then quickly went quiet. It became a pretty tense, if not awkward moment for a few seconds as there was no confirmation from anyone's part if Arnold should indeed lead this operation. However, pretty soon, and to everyone's surprise and relief, everyone seemed to have no qualms about it and just smiled and nodded, or just shrugged their shoulders.
"There, you see?" Gerald said to Arnold as he patted him on his shoulder. "For once, it's a unanimous decision."
Arnold said nothing and just looked at everyone who were giving him an approving smile or other facial gestures. As he continued to look at them he couldn't help but feel the same nostalgic thoughts and sensations returning back to him, the same thoughts that had once plagued him with homesickness and a desire to belong somewhere, were now giving him that satisfying, warmth feeling that he longed for. Looking at everyone, he now felt that was finally part of a group. But, not just any group. His friends, the people whom he grew up with, who were there for him and he in turn, the same people he so long wanted to re-associate himself with. Arnold, after being elected to lead them once again, felt he had finally achieved what he up until recently, was willing to butt heads with Rodrigo for; a sense of belonging. He felt he was finally back to where he belonged.
"Actually," Arnold said to everyone, "that's something I need to talk to everyone about."
While everyone was huddled in a circle and were looking at each other for confirmation from anyone else, Rodrigo merely went and grabbed Arnold's desk chair, dragged it a bit closer to the group but ensured he and the chair remained outside of it and simply sat on it and began to play with his phone. For once, and now quite ironically, he had no desire to engage himself on any decision making, preferring to stay by the sidelines. Rodrigo knew since before he even arrived at the boarding house to apologize to Arnold that if he was to mend things between them and ensure they can work together, one of them would have to effectively step down as leader and stay by the sidelines, quite literally. Rodrigo quite logically figured that it would have to be him and truthfully, he had no qualms about that. While never have been shy of being a leader, leading a group of teenagers to plan, coordinate, establish the logistics, make and take calculated risks, not to mention take the responsibility for any failures, all for the sake of an entire neighbourhood, had proven to be, well, stressful and exhausting. Rodrigo was actually thankful that he could take a bit of a break and was looking forward to just being a follower.
There's nothing wrong with that. Rodrigo said as he relaxed on Arnold's desk chair. I don't have a problem on following orders or directions from others and it does have its perks; less work. Besides, with us finally mending things, I'm sure Arnold will now be able to think more clearly and be more flexible when different op...
"...so I think Rodrigo should lead this." Arnold concluded.
"What?" Gerald exclaimed in shock.
"What?" Phoebe also exclaimed in shock.
"What?" Patty also exclaimed in shock.
"What?" Sid also exclaimed in shock.
"What?" Rodrigo then exclaimed when he heard his name become associated with 'leading', "Whoa! Of!" which caused him to lean back too far and fall off of the chair.
"So what the hell was all that fighting for?" Curly complained, but his question was drowned out by everyone else also exclaiming the same word or muttering among themselves in shock to Arnold's declaration.
Helga said nothing and just stood there, not surprised, while everyone else began to turn around or move to face Rodrigo. She had already been informed of his suggestion by Arnold while they were waiting for everyone to show up and mend things. After listening to his reasons why, Helga, a bit surprisingly, or not, agreed with it.
"Arnold, you can't be serious, not after going through all of that." Gerald protested. "No offence Rodrigo."
"None taken." Rodrigo said as he got up from the floor.
"I'm serious, Gerald." Arnold said. "And it's precisely for that reason why I think Rodrigo should lead."
"Excuse me?" Rodrigo asked. "I don't follow."
"Ya, neither do I." Gerald also said.
Everyone else went silent and stared at Arnold, waiting for him to explain himself.
"Well, I've have been thinking about it and Helga already knows this," Arnold began to say, "When we were fighting each other, I got to see first hand at Rodrigo's leadership skills and frankly, I'm quite impressed. Moreover, while we were saying sorry to each other, I managed to ask some of you what you thought of his leadership skills and there were no complaints at all. Based on what I saw and the feedback, he's shown to be very analytical, rational, strategic and based on how far his team was willing to go, I'd even say he inspires people."
"Oh, and you don't?" Gerald then interjected with a bit of a frown.
"Well yeah, I do too." Arnold shyly agreed. "But, we only have just one shot at stopping Von Scheck from destroying this neighbourhood and it requires someone who is cunning and finds it natural to think outside the box."
"Ahem." Helga then cleared her throat.
"Yes Helga, I know you also have a neck for 'creativity' and thinking outside the box." Arnold sighed. "Which is a good thing, because that means you can help Rodrigo out on formulating a plan." He pointed out.
"There's also something else." He continued.
"Which is?" Gerald asked.
"Well, I feel a bit out of place with the changes that had taken place both in Hillwood, with everyone and even with the new technology that has been streaming out into the streets; social media, these iPhones." He confessed. "I've been finding it hard to keep up."
"I shouldn't be surprised, but while I was away, everyone not only grew up, but also changed. Maybe not everything, but there's no denying that you guys are not the same people when I left and I've been kind of having a hard time navigating my way around that. What Rhonda and Sid said to me after the City Hall fiasco, they were right. I really don't know my friends as well as I used to and being in Hillwood for only a month and a half hasn't really given me a lot of time to take all of this in."
"That's why I think Rodrigo is the best choice." Arnold continued. "Even though you've only been here for about a year, you've gotten to know everyone here much more personally than I have."
Everyone then looked at Rodrigo, who only nervously stared back at them.
"Um, I guess." He nervously said. "Well what about you, Gerald?" He then suggested.
"Me? Nah. I'm more of a second in command type of guy." The African American teen declined.
"Aren't you captain of the football team?" Rodrigo asked with a raised eyebrow.
"And what's your point?" Gerald said quite sternly to him with his own raised eyebrow.
Rodrigo said nothing. He got the hint. "What about you, Helga?" He then asked her.
"I thought about it," she replied, "but I don't want to."
"Really?" Rodrigo asked with a suspicious eyebrow, surprised that, given her personality and history, she would want the job.
"Well, what does everyone think about this?" Rodrigo then asked everyone.
Again, everyone said nothing and either became silent to think about it or looked at each other for any opinions.
"What are you shying away from?" Helga asked. "You didn't have any issues hijacking the Mitigators and you certainly didn't shy away from leading half of these people to raid City Hall. So why are you hesitating now?"
"For those very reasons." Rodrigo responded. "I just took the role of a leader of the Mitigators and kind of blackmailed people into following me. I never bothered to even ask for anyone's input. I just took it and did it. With City Hall, I only led half of the group. The other half didn't accept me as a leader, much less my plan. Because of that, I'm not sure what everyone thinks about it and I don't want to make the same mistake again. I don't want to just lead everyone and expect people to be okay with it."
"So, you want people to willing submit to you." Helga remarked.
"I'm asking if everyone is okay with this." Rodrigo sternly clarified himself. "I don't have a problem accepting the role, but I'm not going to if it's going to cause any more friction. What would have been the point of me apologizing if I end up doing the exact same thing again?"
Again, no one said anything and either just looked at Rodrigo, Arnold or at each other. The silence made it awfully difficult to determine if people were either okay with it, but were reluctant to say it, or if they had deep reservations about having this Latino kid assume the role again.
"Arnold, are you sure about this?" Gerald asked him, sensing the hesitation among the group.
Arnold said nothing and just looked at Rodrigo who in turn, just looked at him back. After a few seconds and with a serious, but confident facial expression,
"I am." He said. "Despite us butting heads, Rodrigo always did things with good intentions. He's shown us that when he faced Caesar all on his own. And the fact that he is hesitating now is all the more clear to me that he doesn't want to step on anyone's toes again."
"Alright. Well, that's good enough for me." Gerald said with a smile.
"Really?" Arnold asked, a bit surprised.
"Yeah." Gerald responded. "He did apologize for what he did before. That tells me that he finally recognizes his mistake. To me, that's a key trait of a leader; taking responsibility for your actions."
"Um, well, thanks Gerald." Rodrigo said a bit hesitatingly.
Despite Gerald's initiative, everyone still seemed hesitant and remained quiet. Just then, Helga stepped forward and got a bit closer to Rodrigo.
"You better not screw this up again." She sternly said to him.
"I won't." He said to her.
After thoroughly examining his facial expression for a few seconds,
"Yeah, I'm good with it too." Helga said casually before going back to her spot.
Rhonda then stepped forward and approached Rodrigo. With a rather serious face and having her arms crossed, she looked at him and studied him, trying to figure out if he was indeed genuine. Everyone else held their breath and waited what one of Rodrigo's formerly fiercest critics had to say about this.
Rhonda in turn was still a bit apprehensive about letting him lead. There was still a lot of ifs and buts. It was one thing for him to lead only half of them, but the entire group is something else entirely. But then again, while he led the half of the group, he did turn out to an effective leader. Despite apologizing to him for her own past behaviour, she still had not yet forgiven him for what he did with the Mitigators. However, with Gerald's reasoning still fresh in her mind, and the fact that Arnold himself was recommending him, she relented.
"Okay, I'll let this one slide." She finally gave her approval as she went back to her spot.
"Uh, thanks?" Rodrigo said with a raised suspicious eyebrow, unsure if he whether or not he should take it as a compliment.
Just as Rhonda went back to her former spot, Phoebe than approached him and while giving him another suspicious look, she asked him a weird question.
"Have you ever the book, The Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun by Wess Roberts?"
"Actually ya." He responded "I love that book."
"What did you think of it?" She asked him.
"It's simple, but brilliant." He responded. "It highlights all the qualities that a leader needs to possess in order to not only survive, but thrive and achieve his/her goals."
"Do you think you possess all of those qualities?" She asked him.
"No, I don't." Rodrigo admitted without hesitation. "It's an ongoing process."
Phoebe then said nothing and just looked at him with a studious look.
"Okay, he's good to go." Phoebe finally said reassuringly as she then moved back to her original spot.
"Uh, was I just initiated?" Rodrigo asked.
"Sort of, ya." Arnold said with a shrug.
"Okay, seems a bit weird, but sure." The Latino kid responded.
"So, how about it, Rodrigo." Arnold said. "Do you accept?"
Rodrigo said nothing and just looked around to glance at everyone, trying to see any case of disgruntlement or disapproval, but was having a hard time seeing them.
"Does anyone here disapprove?" He just flat out asked.
Curly then quickly raised his hand.
"Oh ya, big time right here-" Curly was about to say but was then slapped in the head by Helga who just gave him a scowling face, silencing him.
"Fine." Curly just humphed and crossed his arms.
The group then went silent, trying to see if there were any objections. When it finally became clear that there was none, they slowly began to show their approval. Some smiled at him, while others shook their heads, answering his questions.
Finally, after getting the all clear, Rodrigo accepted.
"Okay. I'll accept." He said.
Arnold, while giving him a friendly smile, extended his hand. Rodrigo shook it while also giving him a smile. However, that smile soon turned into a smirk. Arnold, noticing this, also began to give him a smirk.
Well played Arnold, well played. Rodrigo thought.
Unbeknownst everyone else, Rodrigo fully understood what Arnold was trying to do. Rodrigo didn't think Arnold was lying, or even exaggerating about his reasons why he didn't feel he was fit to lead them. But, he did know there was more to it than that. Despite what Arnold had said about him, Rodrigo knew he wouldn't have given up that position and offered it to him unless he had some 'securable insurance' to ensure Rodrigo would not do something so drastic or even reckless. Arnold fully understood the psychology of resistance. By offering the leadership role to him peacefully and by allowing everyone else to accept it, no amount of force of intimidation was needed on Rodrigo's part to maintain it. Arnold realized that part of the reason why Rodrigo felt he had to do something so drastic, such as going to face Caesar on his own, or raiding City Hall, was in part to legitimize his claim that his plan, as well as his way, was the correct one. By getting everyone to fully accept him, Arnold was essentially eliminating that need for legitimacy. However, just to be sure, Arnold knew that with his presence, it served as a reminder to Rodrigo what the expectations were now of him. Meaning that he wouldn't be able to do everything his way. In some ways or form, it had to be with how everyone in the group expected him to lead and that expectation was heavily influenced by Arnold. With that in mind, Rodrigo now had to trek a bit more carefully and not do things so drastically without at least consulting his peers first and not just expect them to do everything he would like for them to do. Rodrigo fully recognized what Arnold was doing, but nevertheless accepted the challenge...and the role.
"Alright well, now that we have cleared that up, what do we do?" Gerald asked.
Rodrigo looked at him, but instead of answering him, went silent and looked down. He thus far had nothing.
"You're protest," He then said to Arnold, "was it actually cancelled?"
"Yeah, it was." Arnold said. "The City said that due to safety concerns, my request to hold a protest there was declined."
Well hate to say, 'I told ya so', Rodrigo began to condescendingly thought, but ya, I told ya so,...unfortunately. He continued to think disappointingly.
The whole room when silent for a bit as Rodrigo continued to consider his options. Everyone could see just how much he was into his own thoughts. He was looking downward, with this eyes moving left and right, almost as if he was 'reading' something. After a while of virtual silence,
"Does anybody else have any ideas?" Rodrigo asked as he looked around.
No one responded, not even Helga or Phoebe. If anything, whenever Rodrigo looked at someone for an answer, the person simply shied away from looking at him.
"Well," Curly then began to suggest, "you could just stick that your original plan; break into the FTI building."
Rodrigo said nothing back to him and just looked at him. Arnold however, was instinctively about to protest, but at the last second, restrained himself from saying anything. Despite everything he and Rodrigo had talked about, he was still opposed to the idea of breaking into that building. However, considering that neither he, nor anyone else, had an alternate plan, something prevented him from saying anything. Curiosity perhaps?
"With what system?" Rodrigo asked him. "Didn't you say that the hardware got damaged?"
"It did, but the software is still intact." Curly responded. "We just need a special hardware computer drive specifically for it to run it and since Rhonda is back in the fray," he continued as he then looked at her with a pleasing smile, "perhaps she could be generous enough to lend a hand...by taking out her credit card?"
Rhonda said nothing and just annoyingly rolled her eyes, but before she could answer, someone suddenly interjected.
"I'm just going to humour everyone here," Phoebe then stepped forward and began to talk, "what exactly is this software system and how were you planning on using it?" She asked Curly.
Curly in turn said nothing, hesitating to say anything, not just because of their previous rivalries, but also because of the 'contents' of that software system.
"It's okay." Rodrigo then assured him. "You can tell her."
"Well, this software system," he began a bit nervously, "it's not really a software. Its more of a computer virus."
"A virus?" Phoebe asked in surprise.
"Yup." Curly said, now growing a bit more confident. "The original plan was to upload this virus into FTI's entire security system and disable it. But the virus serves two purposes. As it reeks havoc inside the security system's mainframe, it leaves behind a 'trail' for us to follow."
"What's that trail for?" Phoebe asked.
"The trail would allow me to not only follow the virus, but also allow me to take over the security system. Once that happens, I would be able to control the building's security system; cameras, alert system, locking or unlocking security doors, essentially everything." He explained.
"Oh my." Phoebe shockingly exclaimed.
"Pretty impressive, isn't it?" Curly said with a grin.
"And how would you able to upload it into the system?" Phoebe asked.
"That's where the risky part comes in." Curly said. "Someone would have to get inside the building, make his way to the security main computer system room and upload it from there, all without getting caught."
"And who was supposed to make that trip?" Phoebe asked.
"Me." Rodrigo said, much to everyone's shock. "Getting into the building is an extremely risk venture and I wasn't willing to ask anyone do it, so I decided that I would make that trip."
"How were you planning on getting inside the building?" Arnold asked. "Did you have any equipment or gadget to use to get inside?"
"Nope, nada." Rodrigo responded. "That's why I previously asked you Arnold, to see if you wanted to join us." Rodrigo continued as he looked at Arnold. "It would have really helped if I had a guide."
"I wouldn't have been able to help you Rodrigo," Arnold said, "even if I agreed to it. As I said before, I don't really remember how to sneak my way inside, much less remember where the security's system room is. Don't forget that the last time we infiltrated that building, we had high-tech gadgets to help us. But now Von Scheck probably upgraded the building's security system, making it that much more difficult and formidable to break into."
"What about you, Gerald?" Rodrigo asked.
"I don't really remember much how to wiggle my way inside the building and into the security computer room either." Gerald responded.
"Helga?" Rodrigo asked.
"Not likely." Was all she said.
"Rodrigo, I'm really not sure about this plan." Arnold continued. "It carries with it enormous risks and without some sort of equipment or high-tech gadget, or even having the building's blue print plan that shows any way to help you get inside, the chances are extremely slim."
"I don't want to pick sides again, but Arnold's right." Gerald said. "It's a brave thing for you to do this, but you'll just be walking into a deathtrap."
Rodrigo said nothing and merely glanced at Arnold and Gerald for a bit before then looking away.
"Well, in any case, unless we get another computer hard drive for this virus, there's no point." Rodrigo said.
"Fine." Rhonda sighed. "How much will you need to buy the damn computer?"
Rodrigo and Curly then looked at Rhonda with a surprising look on their faces.
"Really?" Rodrigo asked. "You're willing to help us buy another computer hard drive?"
Rhonda said nothing and just nodded.
"Thank you." Rodrigo said with a smile.
"But, how are you going to get inside?" Harold then asked. "Even with that computer hard drive, you still have no way to get in."
"Yeah," Rodrigo said somewhat disheartenedly, "that's still an issue..."
Rodrigo became silent and thought more and more about what Arnold had just said by analyzing the risks. Much to his dismay, with much of the animosity against Arnold now out of the way, Rodrigo was able to actually listen to his concern instead of simply dismissing them. The more he thought about it, the more it seemed that Arnold may have been...
"Ugghhh! Damn it!" Rodrigo then angrily growled. "It's too risky! I never would have even gotten close to the building. Arnold is...right. It would have been suicide for anyone to try and sneak in. This whole thing was a stupid idea to begin with!"
Arnold, Gerald and everyone else said nothing and just continue to glance at him.
"So, do we not buy the hard drive?" Curly asked.
"Unless we can figure out a way to get inside, there's no point." Rodrigo frustratingly sighed as he grabbed Arnold's desk chair once again and slumped down on it.
"So, what do we do now?" Stinky asked.
Rodrigo said nothing and just let his mind wonder a bit, trying to catch any idea, no matter how dumb it might seem.
There's only one way to stop Von Scheck; we have to expose him as the corrupt business leader that he is. Helga's right; there's no way he could have regained his position as CEO of that company and somehow get the contract from the city to tear down this place unless he had some help, unless he had friends in both the company and City Hall. It's only a theory, but he must have bribed city officials. To do that, we need evidence. We have virtually no one on the inside to help us with that; neither at City Hall or at FTI. So, if we can't stop him from the inside, then we can only stop him from...
"The protest." He finally said, although with little enthusiasm.
"The protest?" Helga asked.
"We hold a protest rally." Rodrigo said.
"But, didn't Arnold just say that his permit for a protest got declined?" Sheena pointed out.
"We hold one anyways." He said. "We get everyone in the neighbourhood and those who support us to go to FTI and hold a rally."
"What good will that do?" Sid asked. "And weren't you the one that kept saying that holding a protest was a waste of time?"
"Yes, I did." Rodrigo admitted. "But only if it was approved by the City. If we hold an illegal protest, its effects will be that much more profound precisely because it wasn't 'approved'. It'll come out of nowhere and it will surprise everyone."
"Uh Rodrigo, that's a bit dangerous." Gerald pointed out.
"Indeed." Phoebe then interjected. "The last time we held an event, the City and Future Tech called in the riot police and not only shut us down, but also ended up scaring away and arresting a bunch of people, including Arnold's grandmother. If we do this, we will only entice the City and Future Tech to demonstrate its power."
"That is exactly what I want them to do." Rodrigo said with a grin.
"Come again?" Helga asked with a raised eyebrow.
"If we hold an illegal, BUT peaceful protest, and get the City and Future Tech to unleash their security and riot police forces against us by attempting to break us, we will record the event via the news agencies and by our cell phones and post it online. By doing that, we will be perceived as the 'oppressed' fighting against those that 'oppress' us. You know, the whole typical David and Goliath struggle, the poor vs the powerful, etc. People will sympathize with us."
"You mean like a non-violent protest movement?" Gerald asked.
"Exactly." Rodrigo responded. "Like the ones held during the Civil Rights movements. But we can only do this IF we make it look like FTI and City are the aggressors. I am hoping that if we achieve gathering sufficient people to sympathize with us, it will put pressure on the City to finally back down and withdraw their support."
"Whose everyone?" Nadine asked.
"Everyone. Your parents, our neighbours, any other friends you might have, relatives, grandparents, the tenants here, everyone!" Rodrigo exclaimed. "We need to gather as many people as possible in order to show that there are a lot of people who are not happy about this."
"You do know what you are asking everyone to do, right?" Helga said with a frown. "You are asking everyone here and our families to put themselves in danger."
"Yes, I am." Rodrigo admitted without hesitation. "If we do this, I am expecting to have casualties. I'm even willing to go further than that; we need to have casualties."
"Rodrigo, that's really dangerous, not to mention crazy." Gerald said. "What ever happened to non-violent means?"
"As I told you back in October," Rodrigo said, "there is no such thing as non-violence. What people call 'non-violence' is only a one sided violence. People still get hurt. And that's the point. Not only will people sympathize with us, but we will use that sympathy to take down not just Von Scheck, but his entire corrupt infrastructure, connections and influence. We do that, we save our homes."
"Rodrigo," Lila then said to him, "I'm ever so sure that this plan is even more dangerous and riskier than your other plan to sneak into FTI building."
"Yes, but what choice do we have?!" Rodrigo then frustratingly exclaimed. "We have very little options and even less resource to use, not to mention that we have no time left. Whatever 'legal' means or leeway there was has been blocked by Von Scheck. He and his cronies have quite literally pushed us against the wall. As much as you don't want to do this, you now have no choice but to fight dirty. It's our only chance!"
"We blew it at City Hall. My plan to get inside the FTI building is now a dead end, Arnold's permit to hold a protest got declined." Rodrigo continued to frustratingly address the group. "The Mayor and everyone else at City Hall won't listen to us. No one wants to listen us! So if that's how they want to play, then we will MAKE them listen us. One way or another, our voices will be heard. If someone else can think of a better plan on how to stop Von Scheck, then I would love to hear it."
Rodrigo then looked around to see if anyone actually had another plan other than criticizing his. Not to his surprise, no one stepped forward.
"Do you really think this crazy plan of yours is going to work?" Helga asked.
"No clue." Rodrigo simply said. "But it's our best shot and quite frankly, I find that this plan will have a much better chance of success than my original plan."
Arnold kept quiet, but privately, he agreed with Lila. The thought of it made him shudder. This plan was even more dangerous as it now involved putting everyone in danger of getting hurt. Arnold knew first hand of what the City's and FTI's physical power was capable of. When both institutions sent in the riot police to put a stop to his blockapolooza party, it not only became chaotic, but outright violent. The police practically chased everyone away with their riot shields, armour and batons and quickly arrested anyone who dared stand up to them. Arnold understood what Rodrigo was talking about, but given how dangerous the police can be, he found it insupportable to willing put their own family members in such danger. Even worse, Arnold feared that Rodrigo's plan may back fire, giving Von Scheck ample justification to use his security personnel and the riot police to 'disperse' the crowd. All of this and no guarantee that it will succeed.
Oh man, I do not like this at all. Arnold thought worryingly. This is even more dangerous than his other plan. What if it doesn't work? What if Von Scheck doesn't take the bait? Then, Arnold began to wonder... Maybe we should go back to just sneaking into the building. It's less risky that way, at least for our families. But, we have no way of getting inside without getting caught. We only have that software system to go with. Rodrigo made a good point about having very few options and I'm starting to see his point of view. But...ugh, I don't want to discourage him, but there's just too many ifs and buts to not consider. There's just gotta be a better way to do this without having to put at risk too many of our fami-
*knock**knock*
Suddenly, there was a knock on his room door, prompting everyone to go quiet and interrupting Arnold's thoughts.
"Come in!" Arnold called out.
The door swung open.
"Hey there shortman." Arnold's grandfather, Phil, said when he came in. "Sorry to interrupt your secret meeting, but you have a phone call."
"Who is it, grandpa?" Arnold asked.
"Beats me." Phil shrugged. "He didn't give me his name. All he said was that he needed to speak with you and that it's urgent."
Arnold initially just stood there silently, wondering just who it was what was calling him and why they needed to speak to him. What was so urgent?
"Well, are you going to take the call or not?" Phil asked when he noticed his grandson not moving. "I can have him call you later..."
"No, it's okay grandpa." Arnold interjected. "I'll take the call. I'll be right back you guys."
Arnold then walked out of his room with his grandpa, leaving his friends to continue their debate. As he continued to make his way down, Arnold continued with his thoughts.
I don't know why it was so much easier last time than now. Arnold continued to think. Maybe because it was only myself and Gerald. Helga was in on it too, but for the most part, we didn't know. It was just easier when it was just us two. I didn't have to worry about anyone else other than him. Maybe that's why I'm so worried now. We got everyone involved in this and it's just that much harder to plan something without not thinking about the consequences.
Eventually, Arnold made it to the first floor, forcing him to once again put his thoughts aside. When he approached the telephone, he picked up the receiver.
"Hello?" Arnold asked. The response he got was a very familiar, but voice-distorted answer.
"Is this Arnold Shortman?" The mysterious person said with a distorted voice.
"Yes. Who is this?" Arnold asked.
"My name is not important. But, you can consider me as an ally." The person said. "I have seen your posts online and I want to help. I have something that you can use to help you in your quest to stop Von Scheck."
"Who is this? Helga? Is this you?" Arnold asked again, recognizing the same distorted voice that Helga used when she posed as Deep Voice.
For a few seconds, there was silence on the other line.
"I can assure you Arnold, I am not your girlfriend." The person then said. "Given the gravity of your situation, I did not call you to hold your hand and take you down memories' lane."
"Helga, this isn't funny." Arnold then said a bit annoyingly. "If you have something that can help us, then just say so. I thought we were past this. You don't need to hide from us. We're your friends. You can trust us. At least tell Rodrigo."
"Well, I never took your girlfriend to be insecure." The person jokingly remarked. "But, I can see I am wasting my time with you. Clearly you have other concerns that are circulating in your head, so if you want to see your neighbourhood completely demolished, then please, do enjoy-"
"Alright, alright." Arnold then interrupted, feeling annoyed that he now had to play along. "I'm listening. What is it?" Arnold asked.
"I cannot tell you by phone. I can only show it to you. There is an old, abandoned outside movie theatre just outside of the city, by Old Farmers' Road. Meet me where the movie screen is tonight at 9pm" The mysterious person said. "Bring only two people with you if you'd like, but no one else. If I see anymore than three people there, including you, I will call off the meeting and you will get nothing."
"How do I know I can trust you?" Arnold asked, trying to sound genuine.
"You don't." The person said. "Let's call it, a leap of faith. It's not like you have any other choice. Your neighbourhood is scheduled to be torn down in less than a week's time and by the looks of things, you seem to be a bit stuck on stopping Von Scheck, am I right?"
Arnold went quiet, unsure on how to answer that, if at all.
This must be Helga. He thought. Who else would know about that?
"I'll take your silence as a 'yes'." The person said. "If you want to save your neighbourhod, I suggest you meet me there tonight."
"W-wait a second?!" Arnold tried say, but the person had already hanged up, leaving Arnold on the other end, confused and suspicious.
Arnold just gently put the receiver back on its hook and hanged up. He wasn't sure what to make of this. The person whom spoke to him said some things that only he and the rest of the group would know. But at the same time, he stated that Helga was in girlfriend, which was no longer true. Arnold wasn't sure if the person did not know they were no longer a couple, or if he was only saying that to cover his tracks. Either way, he didn't find that part funny at all and if it was indeed Helga who called, that really wasn't funny.
Even if it was someone else entirely, it was also eerily weird that just when they were in a serious pickle on what to do, some person just 'coincidentally' called him with a possible solution to break the deadlock. But then again, this wasn't the first time that a mysterious person had called him at just the right time, offering his, or in the previous case, her help. Whatever the reason, the mysterious person did make a good point; he and his friends were stuck and Arnold did not want to risk of another possible schism to abrupt. So maybe, this person just may be the key to get things moving again.
But what does he have that can help us? Arnold curiously thought.
Arnold then looked at the clock and realized that it was now just after 7pm. If he really wanted this mysterious person's help, then he only had two hours to meet him at the rendezvous point.
Seven already?! Where did the time go?! He thought.
Wasting no time, Arnold then ran back upstairs, hurrying as fast as he could with the news.
If I decide to do this, who do I bring? Arnold thought. Gerald? Rodrigo?...Helga? Forget that. Who was that person and how did he know we were stuck? It must be Helga.
Finally, he reached the last flight of stairs and continued to quickly ascend up into his room. He quickly opened the door, swung it open and then closed as he went inside.
"Helga!" Arnold then quickly called out as he panted.
"What, football head?" Helga called out as she stepped outside of the group and revealed herself.
Arnold said nothing and just began to walk towards her.
"Was it you?" He asked her.
"Was it me what?" She confusingly asked him.
"Helga, now's not the time to play games." He said to her. "Was it you who just called the boarding house a moment ago and posed again as Deep Voice?"
"What? No! Why would I do that?" Helga said, now even more confused. "I only posed as Deep Voice so as not to reveal myself to you that I was helping. But that's now obvious, football head. Doi! What's this all about? Who called you?"
Arnold said nothing and with a serious and suspicious look, extended his hand.
"Give me your phone." He said.
"What? Why?" She asked him.
Arnold said nothing and with an uncharacteristically serious look, merely stared at her and gestured with his hand to give him her phone. Helga initially did nothing and just continued to stare back at him with her own serious look. However, she eventually sighed and handed him her phone.
Arnold went to her history calls to see if she dialed the boarding house' number. To his surprise, the boarding house' number did not show up at all. The last call she made was Phoebe's cell.
Upon hearing the commotion, everyone stopped talking and began to look towards Arnold and Helga.
"Where was Helga when I left?" Arnold asked Rodrigo.
"She was here, in this room the whole time." Rodrigo confusingly answered.
Arnold was now even more dazed and confused as to who the mysterious person. He was almost sure that it was Helga who called, but given the circumstances, there was no way she could have been the case.
But, f it wasn't her, then who? He thought. After sighing, he handed Helga back her phone.
"What is your problem, football head?" Helga annoyingly retorted. "I don't appreciate anyone snooping around at my private conversation; that includes you. Now, spit it out already, Arnoldo, who called you? We don't have all day." She said with a frown.
"Sorry Helga. It's just that, I don't know who it was, but someone who had the same distorted voice that you had when you first called me as Deep Voice, called me, offering to help us on stopping Von Scheck" Arnold began to explain "He said he had something to show me and he wants to meet up tonight at 9pm."
"What?!" Gerald exclaimed when he heard this. "Where?"
"He said there's an old abandoned outside movie theatre that's just outside of the city, by Old Farmers' Road.
"Oh ya, I know that place." Gerald said. "Phoebe and I used to go over there on dates and watch a few movies. They closed down about a year ago."
"You're not actually considering on going there, are you?" Phoebe worryingly asked.
"Well, a bit, yeah." Arnold said.
"That's crazy, Arnold!" Gerald exclaimed. "Not to mention dangerous. What if it's a trap?"
"Well, it could be." Arnold said. "The person did say that we are currently stuck on what to do; information that only we know. That's why I thought it may have been you, Helga."
"Do you think Von Scheck has been spying on us?" Nadine asked.
"It's possible. I won't be surprised." Rodrigo answered her. "But it's not like this is private information. The whole neighbourhood knows that we haven't yet been able to stop Von Scheck. He could have gotten that information from anyone living here."
"That's true..." Arnold said while thinking. "I'm going." He then said.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Gerald then frantically interjected. "Arnold, you don't even know who you spoke to."
"We didn't know whom we speaking to seven years ago either." Arnold countered. "And yet, the information that Helga gave us was critical."
"Yes but, this is different." Gerald said. "Helga's right here and everyone knows her reason why she didn't want to reveal herself. What reason does this guy have for hiding his identity?"
"Maybe he's just scared of Von Scheck," Arnold said, "and of what he might do to him if he were find out."
"Or, he could be in league with Von Scheck." Gerald countered.
"We won't know unless we try." Arnold said.
"Oh, come on Arnold!" Gerald protested. "This is an obvious trap set up by Von Scheck."
"Even if there were the case, what choice do we have?" Arnold firmly stated. "We have to risk it. Look at us; we need help. We have two possible plans, both of them have merits, but they are highly risky with not very high chances of success, not to mention that we have very little resources to go with. The only thing we got going for is Rhonda's money, but even that is limited. We don't have access to any high-tech gadgets or equipment other than Eddie's, which has very limited systems and equipment and by the looks of it, is a very shady place. We only have the virus software, which we cannot even use."
"To be honest with everyone, I'm getting tired of going back and forth with the same plans." Arnold continued. "We've been arguing about it for days and yet we still haven't agreed on anything. Maybe this guy can help us with that. And if not with either of our plans, then perhaps a third option can be possible. Either way, we have to break this deadlock, by tonight if possible."
Gerald said nothing and just sighed. Despite his concerns, he couldn't argue against that.
"Alright, alright." Gerald then said, relenting. "But, you cannot go there on your own."
"I won't be." Arnold said. "You're coming with me." He said to him.
"What?!" Gerald yelled in shock.
"Yes, Gerald." Arnold. "I'll need some back up, just in case if things don't go well."
"So then let all of us come." Phoebe then suggested
Everyone else agreed and approached Arnold, offering their support.
"Thanks guys, I appreciate the support," Arnold said, "but this person said to only bring three people in total, myself included. If he sees more than three, he will call the meeting off."
"So, who else will be going with you?" Rodrigo asked.
"Well, why not you?" Arnold asked.
"Sure." Rodrigo casually said. "How do you propose we get there?"
"We can take my grandpa's Packard." Arnold suggested.
"Arnold, hate to break this to you, but you don't have a license." Gerald said to him. "And, none of us really know how to drive that old contraption."
"Hmm, good point." Arnold said.
"Wait a second," Rodrigo then interjected, "the guy said that only three people should be at the meeting, including yourself, correct?"
"Yes." Arnold responded.
"Well, he never said that only three people should drive there." Rodrigo pointed out.
"Okay, but where are you going with this, Rodrigo?" Gerald asked.
Rodrigo said nothing and just gave Arnold and Gerald a rather mischievous smirk.
