OPERATION: R.E.S.C.U.E
Continued from OPERATION: L.O.S.T
Meanwhile, not to far from where Numbers 1 and 3 were, Numbers 2 an 5 were still on the beach, only they had a nice fire going. Number 2 was able to get one started using a few sticks and a set of rocks he found in the woods earlier when they went to look for their friends. Number 5 was leaning her back against Number 2 who was using a stick to make sure the fire kept going.
"Man, I hope the others are ok… you'd think we'd have find them by now, but all we could find was Kuki's shirt." He sighed as he glanced to the shredded shirt next to him. "Number Five has already told you. We'll find them. The fact that we found Number 3's shirt means they are in fact alive and 'round here somewhere. Besides, Number 1 can look after himself and Number 3."
Truth was though, Number 5 was just as worried as Hoagie was but being the cool kid she was known to be, she wouldn't let it show. "Yea, you're right…" He said as he stopped playing with the fire. A few minutes passed as they sat in silence then Hoagie nervously wiped his hands on his shorts. "Abby… can I ask you something?" Number Five sat up and turned to face him as she shrugged her shoulders. "Go right ahead, I'm listening."
As he turned to face her, he noticed something he hadn't really noticed to many times before. Perhaps it was because of the fire, but she looked even more beautiful then she normally did, and more exotic at that. He felt his face flush a bit and his mouth get dry. "Well, what is it already Hoagie? Number 5 is getting tired of waiting when she could be getting some shut eye right about now."
"Well, when we were crashing down to Earth, in those few seconds we had before we hit, my life flashed before my eyes and I couldn't help thinking that I was going to die without ever…" He felt his heart speed up a bit as his hands continued to sweat. It was at that moment Abby's gaze softened, realization hitting her of what he was going to say. She was never one to be overjoyed about romance, never paid it much attention, for it was completely out of her territory unlike Kuki who only dreamed of finding the perfect boyfriend and all that mushy junk. She had strong feelings for Hoagie, but never saw them to be anything more then close friends. "… telling Number Five how you feel about her." She said slowly while moving closer to him, smiling softly. "Don't worry, she knows and always has. She also feels the same way about Number 2, even if his puns drive her nuts." He felt relief rush over him.
"Seriously? She does?! Wow… I would have never figured…so… does this mean we're official now?" He said turning to meet her eyes and realized how close their faces were. The last time he was this close with a female was when he turned himself into a teenager and ended up dating Abby's sister, Cree, for a few days. "Number Five don't see why not. Next time, she and her friends might not be so lucky if you catch my drift." His face brightened and totally forgot that they were probably a million miles away from home and stuck on some strange island. He knew how she didn't care much for anything to lovey dovey, so he would have to play his cards carefully as to not scare her away. As he learned while being with Cree though, he was a pretty big romantic and a sap for pretty girls.
The moment was ruined though when they heard the sound of engines and looked up to see one of their vehicles flying overhead. It was the S.K.Y.C.L.A.W and it landed rather roughly onto the beach. Numbers 2 just blinked before rubbing his eyes. "What in the? Who on earth is driving my vehicle?!" Number 5 had already jumped to her feet and shrugged her shoulder. "Don't know, whoever it is, hopefully they here to save us." The hatch opened and out jumped Number 4, a S.P.L.A.N.K.E.R in hand. Number Four looked around and saw Numbers 2 and 5. "Hey guys!! Over here!"
Number 5 just glanced to Number 2. "Wasn't he in bed sick…?" Number 2 slowly nodded his head. "That's what his dad said, and how on earth was he able to figure out how to fly my vehicle? He can't even figure out how to use the microwave correctly!" Number 4 ran over to them and embraced them in a tight hug. "I knew you guys weren't dead! Stupid Number 86 and TDCFDTL… man I'm glad to see you guys!!" "We're glad to see you to Number 2." Hoagie said as Wally finally let them go. Number 5 straightened out her shirt. "You so won't believe what happened to me! Where's Number 3 and Number 1? They made it to right?! Man, I knew I was right! Hah!"
Number 5 was still amazed at what all was taking place before her eyes. She shook her head before grabbing Wally's arm. "Yo, calm down. Number 5, as glad as she is to be rescued, has a few question for you. Why aren't you in bed? What is this about Number 86 thinking we're dead? And how on earth did you figure out how to fly the S.K.Y.C.L.A.W?!" Number 2 laughed nervously as he draped a arm over Wally's shoulder. "Don't worry Number 4, I'm grateful that you were able to rescue us." Number 4 was confused.
"Sick? I wasn't sick… when I left the other night, I got nabbed by the stupid DCFDTL… they were behind the whole thing. They sent you guys a bogus message, had Cree and her friends shot you down, somehow got my parents thinking that I was sick, and were about ready to make me one of them, but thanks to my mad skills, I was able to escape! With some help from Lizzie, I was able to pinpoint where you guys crashed from the news report and she even showed me how to pilot this awesome vehicle by reading me the instruction manual! As for Number 86 thinking you all are dead, well it was all over the news about the crash and the operatives Moonbase sent out to look for you all, failed to turn up anything so they figured you were dead, but I knew you guys weren't! Nope, not at all! So, where are Numbers 1 and 3?!"
Hoagie had backed away, amazed at how fast and at how long winded Number 4 was. What was even more amazing was that the kid wasn't out of breath. He glanced to Number 5 who was just as amazed as he was. "Those stupid DCFDTL planned all this? Number 5 is amazed that those fools were intelligent enough to come up with something so… elaborate." Number 2 nodded his head. "Yea, how much you want to bet it was Father behind it though? That guy just gives me the creeps." Number 4 glanced to the two of them. "The jerk is behind it. Anyway, are you guys going to tell me where Numbers 1 and 3 are or what?! We can stand around and talk about this later!" Number 5 shook his head. "No idea Wally. We know they are alive and around here somewhere, but we were unable to find them. Since you're here now with more equipment, we should have an easier time finding them in the dark."
"Exactly, so Number 5 says we head back to the S.KY.C.L.A.W, get geared up and go searching for Nigel and Kuki. For once, Wally makes sense. We can talk about this later." Wally nodded his head excitedly as the three of them headed back to the vehicle. "Man you have no idea how glad I am to see you guys!" Number 5 smiled as she draped an arm around Wally's shoulders. "Same here Number 4, you really amazed me. Now why can't you be like that more often?"
Back in the woods, Number 3 was having a hard time sleeping. Luckily for her, when Nigel fell asleep, his hold on her loosened so she could get up and walk around outside. It was still cold, but she had a lot on her mind and hoped walking around would help clear it. "I just don't know… I like them both, why do I have to choose? I don't want them hating each other… even if they say the two of them are cool about it. Why do I have to go out with either one of them? Weren't things fine the way they were before Nigel talked to me? Sure, I would love to have a boyfriend but not if it means that two of my close friends will end up fighting. But if I turn Nigel down, his feelings would be hurt… but so would Wally's and I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings… oh if only I had one of my rainbow monkeys here to help me…"
Just as she said that, a red rainbow monkey landed in front of her. Her eyes grew wide for she saw it had the Number 3 on it. "Woah! Where did you come from little guy?!" She went to pick him up and it was at that moment she got tackled by Number 4 in a tight hug. "Kuki! You're alive too! Man I'm glad you're all right!" Number 3's eyes brightened as she returned his tight hug. "Wally! You found us! You found Numbers 2 and 5 as well!" She exclaimed as she saw them walk out after Wally. She instantly let go of Wally and hugged both of them. "You guys survived to! I'm soooo glad! Nigel and I searched all over for you two!" Number 1 crawled out from the tree, wondering what all the noise was about and smiled seeing his team re-united.
"I am assuming that Number 4 was the one who accomplished this rescue mission?" They all turned around to see Nigel who walked over to them. Everyone was so overjoyed to see that the other was ok, that they didn't even realize that Kuki was wearing Nigel's shirt. "You bet I was Number 1! Man, do I have a story to tell you all and do we ever have to get back at those stupid brats from down the lane!" Number 1 placed a hand on Wally's shoulder. "Good work Number 4, I knew you would be able to do it. I figured the DCFDTL had something to do with it, for I thought it was very odd that you had all of a sudden come down with the flu in the middle of summer. If only I had seen sooner that the message we received was altered, this whole incident would have been avoided." As they made there way back to the plane, Number 4 told his story again, only going into more detail.
When they boarded the S.K.Y.C.L.A.W, Number 2's eyes went wide. "What did you do to my baby?! It looks like a tornado hit it!" He ran over to the main controls which were badly broken and had wires sticking out. Number 4 gave a sheepish grin. "Ok, so maybe I did have a few problems…" Number 1's hand meet his forehead as he narrowed his eyes and turned to Number 4. "Please tell me this still works Number 2." Kuki and Abby made there way over to their seats, weaving around the various equipment that had been thrown all over the floor. Number 2 tried turning the vehicle on but was unsuccessful. "Afraid not, whatever Number 4 did, it badly damaged the ignition. With all the other stuff here, it could take me a day to fix it, if not longer."
"Number 4! What on earth happened?! You honestly didn't think you would be able to rescue us with a wrecked vehicle did you?!" Number 1 said, yelling at Number 4. They were so close to getting home, and now it looked like it would be delayed. Number 4 cowered a bit. "Ok, so maybe I landed a little hard… but I didn't think…" Number 5 rolled her eyes. "Man, this is so not cool Number 4! Number 5 is so craving her bed right about now!" Number 3 was at her seat, playing with the rainbow monkey that Wally had brought with him, humming to herself. "Aww… guys, it isn't that bad. At least we have a way to get home now. A few more days here won't be that bad." Number 1 made his way to his captain's chair and sighed as he sat down, shaking his head at Kuki's comment.
Number 4 narrowed his eyes before punching the wall of the vehicle. "Man, this bites! How could I have been so stupid?!" He then heard Number 5 speak up. "Hey guys! I can still get a hold of Moonbase!" Nigel perked up. "Excellent Number 5! Pull them up on screen!" Number 2 wasn't paying to much attention, for he had already started getting to work on repairing his ship. The face of Number 86 showed up on screen.
"Number 4! How many times do I have to tell ye…?!" Before she could finish, she saw the faces of the rest of Sector V and for the first time since they had known her, she was silent. Using the moment to his advantage, he spoke up. "Number 86, as you can see we are all alive and well. However, our S.K.Y.C.L.A.W was badly damaged when Number 4 landed and we need to get back to the treehouse. We are requesting that you have someone come down and rescue my team, as well as this ship." Nigel stated as he adjusted his sunglasses. Number 86 rolled her eyes.
"Aye, ye request is granted. I should have someone there within the next hour or so." She then signed off and Number 4 let out a sigh of relief as he took his seat next to Kuki. "Man, I'm so sorry… I thought for sure it would still be operational despite the rough landing… so much for me doing something right for a change. Stupid ship!" Number 3 glanced to him and smiled. "I don't care what the others say Number 4. You're still a hero to me." She reached over and hugged him.
Number 1 was getting a headache as he turned to Number 4 and Number 3. "Even though you did destroy the ship, she has a point Number 4. From here on out though, you are not to operate the vehicles anymore, understand? For now, you can help Number 2 out in getting this ship back online." Number 4 nodded as Number 1 turned to Hoagie who finally took a break from working on the counsel. "You Number 2, when we get back I want you to update each vehicle to make sure this type of incident doesn't happen again. We all came close to loosing our lives and I do not want to go through this again. Numbers 5 and 3, go outside and make sure that those from Moonbase can see our location in the dark. You can find some flares in the back cabinet along with some winter jackets to protect you guys from the cold, night air. I will go ahead and contact everyone's parents for if Wally is right about this incident being on the news, and with us being gone for a few days, they are sure to be worried. The last thing we need is trouble from the stupid adults. Those are your orders everyone."
Ten minutes passed, and while the guys were working inside the ship, Abby and Kuki were outside with some flares. They had both been able to grab their jackets from inside the ship so they would not be freezing as they stood outside in the night air. They had positioned the flares in a large circle, hoping it would be bright enough for the Moonbase ship to see. Kuki was leaning against the ship next to Abby as she let out a sigh. "Hey Abby, can I ask you a question?" Abby nodded her head. "Go ahead Number 3, Number 5 is all ears." Number 5 glanced to the shorter girl next to her, raising a single brow. "Well, I got this problem… you see Numbers 1 and 4 both, you know… like me, and well the other night Number 1 actually approached me about it. Well, even though I believe Number 1 when he said that he and Number 4 talked about it, and that they would both still be friends if I did choose one over the other, well…"
Number 5 grinned and placed a hand on Kuki's shoulder. "Girl, I think I know what you are getting at. Your afraid that even if you did choose one, the other would still be hurt and being who you are, you don't want to hurt either one of them. What doesn't make it any easier, in Number 5's opinion is that Number 1 put you on the spot." Kuki glanced up to Number 5 and nodded her head in agreement. "Wow Number 5, that is so what I was thinking. So what should I do?"
Number 5 honestly had no idea. She tried to remember what her older sister did in situations like this, but her mind was drawing a blank. She and her sister have become so distant that she was finding it harder to remember what it was like back when her sister was with the KND. "Well, I am not really one to talk to about this sort of thing. Number 5 is way to cool for romance and what not, but if she were into this sort of thing, she would probably tell ya to think on it a bit more, and try to figure out who it is you feel more strongly for. Or, she might also tell ya to just let them know that you care about both of them, but only as a friend. Sure their pride might be hurt, but they're boys. They'll get over it in a day or so."
Kuki's eyes lit up. "Thanks Number 5!" She gave Abby a hug, feeling a huge burden lifted off of her. Sure she still had to decide what to do, but at least she had an idea of where to go with it. Number 5 grinned and returned the hug. "No problem 'kid." At that moment, a ship from Moonbase landed and within minutes the team boarded the ship, and with the S.K.Y.C.L.A.W in tow, made their way back home.