Operation: A.A.F.T.E.R.
Adults Against Father's Tyrannical Everlasting Rule
Chapter 4: Father
The Four friends had arrived at a hillside mansion. The sun shone through the trees and the view was breathtaking. "This is the place, right Hoagie?" Abigail said after whistling at the size.
"Yep. Although the first Father didn't have this classy of taste."
"How do you know this isn't the first Father?" asked Wally, obviously confused.
"Because the voice we heard on the radio sounded younger. Besides," he said, waving a hand toward the building, "the mansion...?"
"It's bea-utiful!" exclaimed Kuki, her eyes wide in amazement.
"Well, let's go in." Wally made hi way to the beginning of the walkway, but stopped when he noticed nobody followed. "Aw, come on! I'm not going alone!" His friends raised their eyebrows and exchanged looks. "Not because I'm scared...er...I just thought this was a group thing!"
"It is. But we need to send someone who he won't recognize." Abby thought for a moment then got an idea. "Hoagie!"
"Me?! B-but I'm a behind-the-scenes kinda guy. I wanna be the distraction, o-or the chauffeur for the car!" He stumbled backward, falling to the ground. "Please, Numbuh 5, I don't wanna go!"
"Too bad, Hoagie. You're goin'. But, if you wanna know why I chose you, it's because you lost weight. He won't know it's you."
"How do you know?"
"Because I didn't even recognize you when I went to pick you up at your work. Remember?"
"Uhh...yeah, but what's that got to do with Father?"
Abby sighed. "Just go, okay?" She gave him a little push towards the mansion, and he uneasily ambled up the walkway.
"Why can't I go?" complained Wally when his friend was out of hearing range.
"Because. You are a blonde Aussie. It's hard to forget!" Kuki explained.
"Yeah, whatever," Wally mumbled, crossing his arms.
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"Ahh. It seems we have company, sister." The dark figure sitting at the control monitor smiled.
"Yeah, maybe they're here to rescue me!" snapped a young woman in chains.
"Quiet, sister. Who would rescue you?"
"I am an ambassador. You let me go or I'll...I'll..."
"You'll sit there quietly as I hatch my plan."
"'If the President doesn't name me ruler,' " she said in a mocking tone, "'I will have to take drastic measures.' Showing the President a picture of me in chains won't change his mind, Kenny."
"My name is Father!" he yelled, almost spitting in her face. "Besides, I don't plan on showing him a picture of you. I have other things in store."
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Hoagie approached the massive mansion door, looking up at beautiful crafted wood arches. Well, here goes. He knocked on the door, hearing an echo rumble through the building. It groaned open, and he was face-to-face with a tall man in a black suit.
"Yes?"
"Uhh..." he had no idea what to say. The man put a hand up to his ear, listening, and invited Hoagie in.
"Master has been waiting for you. Please, may I show you to your room?"
"What? H-how did he know I was coming? My room? I-Iā"
"Please, sir," said the butler, obviously annoyed, "come inside. Father knows everything. Come sit down on the sofa." The man led him to an expansive room with a high ceiling.
Hoagie looked at the beautiful art on the walls and the large windows looking into the garden. Another window just south of the garden looked down on the valley below, a breathtaking view. "So what's this about my room?" he asked the butler, turning around. The man was gone. Hoagie stood alone in the amazing room, very confused. Suddenly, he heard distant footsteps. The click-click-click of dress shoes briskly came closer, until he was looking at a young man in his mid-twenties. "Hey. You're not the tall guy in black."
"How very observant of you. I am Father. The 'tall guy in black' is my butler, Herb. And you, Hoagie," he stepped forward, "are just on time." His voice was menacing, and the look on his face matched.
"Ju-just on time f-for what?" he stuttered.
"For lunch, of course." Father backed off, a seemingly friendly smile on his face. "You are hungry, right?"
Hoagie's stomach rumbled, answering yes. "No, uhh, I'm fine. B-but how did you know my name?"
"I never forget a face. Even when the body it is connected to changes. Herb will show you to your room. Just ring the bell by your bed if you need anything ā he'll come." Father turned and regally walked back the way he came, his head held high.
"Okay, I'm officially confused."
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"How d'ya think 'e's doin' in there?"
"He'll be fine, Wally. We just gotta give him time." Abby sat in the Jeep with her two friends, trying to keep herself busy.
"Why exactly did 'e go in there?"
"Wally, will you stop asking so many questions?" Kuki said sharply. Everybody was edgy, bored, and tired of waiting.
"No. I just wanted to know." He sighed.
"He went in there because...er...I don't remember why! I don't think we even had a plan!" Abigail was beginning to freak out. "I sent him in there without him knowing what he was doing! Who knows what Father is doing to him right now?"
"I say we go in after 'im!" Wally cracked his knuckles.
"Eew! That is so gross!" Kuki looked at his hands, expecting them to burst open. "Good idea, though."
"Okay, but we need a plan first." Abby hopped in the back with her friends.
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Hoagie had situated himself in his room, but not before he searched for hidden cameras or tapping microphones. "Huh. It's clean. I woulda thought...oh, well. Better unpack my stuff." He looked around for his bag, then smacked himself on the head. "I didn't bring anything!" He rang the bell by his bed, wondering how the butler could hear it in the gigantic mansion.
A voice appeared outside of his door a moment later. "Yes, sir?"
"Uhh, come in." The butler came in, closing the door behind him. "I didn't bring anything with me..." he trailed off.
"No need, sir." Herb walked to the dresser in the corner, pulled open a drawer, and revealed numerous outfits. "I trust they fit you exactly?"
Hoagie peered into the drawer, taking out a shirt. He examined the tag before replying, "Yeah. Perfectly."
"If that is all, sir, then I'll be leaving. Other things to attend to, you know." The man was about to leave, but Hoagie interrupted.
"No, actually, I was wondering if you could bring me a snack."
"Mr. Gilliagan, Father is awaiting your presence downstairs on the patio for lunch. I could show you the way, if you wanted."
"Okay...I guess..." He followed Herb down the numerous flights of stairs, past rooms filled with expensive art and priceless objects. "You would think that he could afford an elevator, wouldn't you?"
"He has three. I just like the scenic route." They arrived at the door to the patio, and Herb left him alone again.
"Okay, I guess it's time for lunch."
