"Keep it comin' yah lazy good far nuthins!" Numbuh 86 harped at the skittish operatives busily dumping heavy gallons of soda into the power core cylinder. "I wan'ta see that core refilled an' operational within the 'our!"

A few "yes ma'am"s spat out shakily as the armor- clad children picked up their paces. Numbuh 362 watched the reconstruction with pride. Knowing that the decommissioning head could handle the reinstallation, 362 casually sauntered towards the medical bay where a special group was waiting.

---------------------000

A motley collection of various plastic tubes, motors, a silent accordion pumping away, a plunger, an empty glass jar, all connected into a machine flowing air into a cup strapped over Nigel's nose and mouth. An electric blanket tucked around him to keep him warm. Kuki watched the monitors and gave her friends an optimistic smile. The sound of a door sliding open and closed mingled among the beeping devices.

"How's he doing?" 362 asked, entering.

"His temperature was a little wonky at first, but he should be okay after some rest." The nurse clad Kuki replied.

"We're almost done refilling the power core." 362 explained, "Once we get full power back up and running, we can focus on repairing your base."

Numbuh 5 turned away from her vigil to reply.

"That's great, thanks."

"We should be thanking you." Gratitude was refunded, "You warned us about Father." 362 stole a glance at the sleeping Numbuh 1, "We would have never guessed he'd stoop that low. We never would have stopped him without you." She paused at Tommy's eager face, "All of you." The young one's grin widened before slipping smugness to his brother. She turned to leave the group, but not before again gazing at Numbuh 1. "We were lucky not to loose him" she added, "Not any kid would have done what he did."

Numbuh 4 beamed as if he were the pride heir.

"That's ar' Numbah 1! Nuthin' beat's im!"

"Yeah," she agreed, "He's not like other kids. He's special."

With that complement, she left the room.

Numbuh 2 yawned, flexing his arms over his head.

"Maybe we should grab a root beer and call it a day."

A groan gripped their attention and directed it to the hospital bed where Numbuh 1 stirred. His eyes opening to loving blurs standing at his bedside.

"Guys?" His horse voice croaked. Numbuh 5 placed her hand upon his.

"Don't talk, save yo strength."

His breath was dry and brittle, crackling as it ventured from his lungs to mouth and back again. He wanted to move, but couldn't, or he decided not to, his mind was too hazy to determine.

"What happened to…?"

"We got im Numbuh 1." Numbuh 4 interrupted, his words taking energy, suddenly realizing what this entailed. "You did good."

"Yeah, you totally showed Father who was boss!" Tommy jumped in front of Numbuh 4, "He was all, 'ARG!' but you were all, 'GRR!' It was so cool!"

Foggy blue eyes showed the smile hidden by the breathing aid.

"Thank you, for not giving up on me…" he wheezed.

"Aw, you woulda done the same fo' any of us."

There was an understanding silence in the room. Only the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor rang out until Numbuh 2 decided to speak.

"So, now that Father is gone, we'll have some more free time, huh?"

Nigel frowned. The adult's last words stinging, crawling around in his mind like a scorpion. He looked to his friends with the serious glare they had grown accustomed to him having since they first became a team.

"I wouldn't be so complacent, Numbuh 2. The work of a Kid Next Door is never done."

------------------000

Black sprinkled with shining starlight. Cold and lifeless like everything else around it, the chunk of ice and its wicked cargo drifted further and further into deep space. No signs of stopping, not for anything…

Until a metal arm came from out of nowhere and grasped the frosty gem, plucked it up and drew it into a large space ship.

The encasement was placed on a circular floor surrounded by space heaters and warm spotlights. Two forms clad in armor made of sugar cone held up dryers to speed the thaw. As this occurred, ten glass- blue eyes gazed vacantly upon the dark silhouette trapped within the ice prison.

"Do not worry Father," They sang from the shadows, "You will be free in no time. As for the Kids Next Door," cruel smiles transformed emotionless faces, "rest assured, they will be properly punished."

The laughter of joyful vengeance was a warning lost in the vacuum of space.

THE END