Arriving at the Moonbase, Numbuh 5 pulls out her communicator. "86, this is Numbuh 5. As soon as you get Sector W, get 'em up here with you." Numbuh 5 orders.
"On my way up, Numbuh 5." Numbuh 86 replies.
"Arctic Base, this Numbuh 5 come in." There is no reply.
"Arctic Base, do you copy? Patton, Maurice, Chad. Someone answer, goddammit!" Numbuh 5 grows frustrated.
"I read you, Abigail." Maurice answers over the radio.
"There you are. Whalers the hell are you guys?!" She demands.
"Well, the three of us have charted a new course in our mission. Arctic Base is compromised and in ruins because of the Teenz." Maurice explains, much to Numbuh 5's surprise.
"Is… is everyone okay?" Numbuh 5 asks, holding back tears.
"Everyone got out of there fine, Chad's fine, Patton's fine, but there are some Teenz who DEFINITELY won't be bothering us now. The Steve is too shaken up to do anything useful beyond what he told us." Maurice says.
"What'd he tell you?" Numbuh 5 asks
"Villains hidden throughout the world. Me, Chad, and Patton will hunt them down for you." Maurice explains.
"You guys know Numbuh 5 can't help find a rogue group." Numbuh 5 says.
"Abby, don't think of us a rogue. Think of it as black ops, for which you have deniability. We are calling ourselves the Basterdz. Anything happens, and it's on us, not you." Chad explains.
"But guys, you do know about that ship that appeared from the sky right?"
"I know what it is. It's a Galactic battlecruiser. If there are any Galactic operatives we'll hunt them down, too. Believe me." Chad says.
"Oh I believe you. And… in your travels. Can you find Hoagie? He's missing because of that asshole, Chuckie. I don't want my sweetheart out there alone."
Numbuh 5 requests.
"We'll try to find him, Abby. But I have this request to ask of you. If you can, warn Sector Z to stay away. It's not safe for Nigel." Chad requests.
"Why ain't it safe?" Numbuh 5 asks suspiciously.
"They're gonna try to brainwash him. And I'm watching some news about villains spreading lies about him. Help the KND know that Nigel's a good person, make it a safe haven for him again." Chad requests.
"Thank you, Chad. I'll keep that in mind." Numbuh 5 ends the communication and goes over to the monitor. She sees several channels where adults are lying about the KND, Galactic, and Numbuh 1.
Soon after, Numbuh 86 walks into the room with Sector W.
"Numbuh 5, they're all safe. And… what's the matter?" She asks, noticing how visibly upset Abby is.
"Those dumb motherfuckers on the tube are saying lies about Numbuh 1." Numbuh 4 informs her.
Numbuh 86 walks over to the TV and sees that one of the villains is her dad.
Yeah those Kids Next Door brats have always been a problem, especially that Nigel Uno. I always knew he wasn't right in the head. He even tries to kidnap my own son.
Fanny, flips the channel, appalled at what Mr. Boss said. She flips it to see Numbuh 10 arguing with Jimmy Nixon McGarfield on her show.
(Numbuh 10)
My cousin isn't a murderer, he's loyal to the KND. He'd never allow this to happen!
(Jimmy)
Dalia, my dear, how well do you actually know your cousin? Are you just trying to sound good for a story. You know that your cousin's paranoid. He plans to destroy us all.
(Numbuh 10)
Okay, THREE THINGS! 1. Don't ever address me as, my dear again, ya misogynistic prick. 2. You have no right to judge what he does. 3. If it is true and he wants us all dead, I hope your death is slow and really goddamn painful!
They turn the TV off and stare at each other.
"Well, now we need to move forward with a new plan." Numbuh 5 informs everyone in the room.
"Mine is to get my brothers and myself to our mom's. I can't believe my dad would say that." Numbuh 86 says, shedding tears.
"We're gonna finally live with mom?!" Paddy is excited.
"Yes we are. But while on duty, I want you and Sector W to remain here. Treehouse won't be safe to go back to." Numbuh 86 informs the group.
"I agree, same with you, Numbuh 3 and Numbuh 4." Numbuh 5 says, agreeing with 86's thought process.
"And for your stuff, I'll go down and get it all when I get Shaunie. I'll… wait a minute." Numbuh 86 pauses and turns around to Numbuh 5. "Why didn't you say, Numbuh 2? Where is he?" She asks, very worried. Numbuh 5 begins to tear up as she leads 86 into another room.
"What's going on, Abby?"
"I don't know where he is. He went missing because of some Teenz." Abby explains, causing Fanny to hug her, with tears running down both of their faces.
"I'm sorry, Fanny. I know you cared about him, too." Abby is genuine in her apology.
"First we lose Nigel, now Hoagie!" Fanny is now hysterical.
"I know, I'm sorry I couldn't protect him!"
"Don't blame yourself, Abby. It's not your fault." Fanny tries to calm her down, to little avail.
"It is my fault. After the Cree incident, I promised never to let ANYONE hurt my Hoagie, and now I don't even know where he is. I just hope the Basterdz find him before anyone else does."
"Basterdz?" Fanny asks curiously.
"Chad, Patton, and Maurice have a new black ops mission. Hunt down the Earth and space villains hidden throughout the globe. They promised to look for Hoagie in their travels, and I promised to keep Sector Z away until it's safe." Abby explains.
"This was supposed to be a simple retrieval mission, and NOW look what it's become! We can't even get Nigel back! Propaganda is spreading! We need black ops groups! This… SUCKS!" Fanny is now completely angry.
"I know it sucks. But, I do need to ask you something. Is it true what Hoagie said about you, him, and Nigel?" She asks.
"Yes, it's true. I did at one point have a crush on Nigel. We were the best of friends, until someone found a love letter I wrote. Don't worry I don't want to take Hoagie from you, or Nigel from Rachel. I do care about them a great deal, but I don't want to ruin a good thing." Fanny informs a now calm Abby.
"Thank you for telling me, girl. Can I assume this is the second time you've had this type of conversation?" Abby asks.
"Yes, yes it is." Fanny sighs.
"Listen, I'm glad you've taken this turn around in your life. You're a good person for doing it. Do what you need to do to protect your brothers and Sector W. Then come back to help me think of a plan to fight Galactic." Abby says.
"Thank, Abby. I'll be back as soon as I can." Fanny salutes and leaves the office. As she leaves, Abby lets out a sigh before receiving an in incoming message.
"Numbuh 5 knows who this has gotta be." She says to herself before answering it.
"Numbuh 5 come in, this is Sector Z. We got him, we're coming home."
"It's not safe for you right now."
"What are you saying?" Ashley asks, confused.
"Don't come home." Abby then cuts the feed and lets out tears, before she collects herself.
"Alright, now it begins." Abby says to herself as she leaves her office to join the others and think of a new war strategy.
End of the chapter. A lot to unpack here. The KND is now divided up into teams, the reason Numbuh 5 told Sector Z to stay in space is revealed, and now the main superpowers are all fighting each other. The next chapter is going to be back in space. Until then, happy reading!
