Operation R.O.S.E.
Disclaimer: I do not own KND or the songs 'Always on my mind' and 'Hurt'
A/N: I couldn't log in yesterday night (after I finished typing the other chapter) so this chapter is a bit late. (By the way the last chapter was about 3100 words! I usually write about 1000). To make up, I'll give two parts to this chapter… making it about 4000 words or so!
I'm so hurt to think that you lied to me
I'm hurt way down deep inside of me
"Come on, Numbah Two, Numbah Twenty-Two, we have things to do. Numbah Five, move."
"Who are you to make me move?"
"Your leader and if you snap my patience, your worst nightmare."
"If you step out of this place I will contact Global Control."
"Then go ahead."
Numbah One motioned to leave the room but Numbah Five blocked his way.
"You really want to leave?"
"I'm asking you to move."
Numbah Five slapped him across the face, much harder than Lizzie had. Numbah One held his bruised cheek and looked back at Numbah Five. She was practically breathing fire.
"WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS? You aren't this reckless, Numbah One! YOU KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO GET YOURSELF INTO TROUBLE!"
"I know what I'm doing; just get out of the way, Numbah Five."
"If you know what you're doing, you won't even do it. Think about it, use your head. I know you want to be out there to save that Abigail gal but listen, what if this is all a trap? What if she disappeared, knowing that you'll chase after her? SHE IS WORKING FOR THE ENEMY!"
"Only you and 86 believe that, no one else does."
Numbah Five saw how desperate the scene was and she changed tactics.
"Numbah One, you might not care about you getting your memory wiped out and leaving the KND but what about the rest of the team? What about Numbah Three? You know what she'll do? She'll cry, she'll weep, she'll hate you! And… And… Numbah Four? He is your best bud! Can you afford to lose your friendship? What about me? I know you hate me, but question your conscience, can you bear to let all of us down?"
Numbah Five knew she hit a nerve. Numbah One cared for Numbah Three and Four, and maybe her too. She watched as Numbah One pondered on what she said. He froze momentarily and then lowered his head. Numbah Two knew he had to say something if he wanted to save Abby.
"Numbah One…" he started saying, but he didn't know what to say. Francis spoke up instead:
"Do you think doing something wrong is worse or knowing that the right thing has to be done and not doing the right thing? Numbah One, I'm sure Numbah Three and Four will not blame you for it if you are following your heart and your better judgment. They have been your friends and they are aren't they?"
"Yes, I guess so," Numbah One said, confidence building up again. Numbah Five felt her hopes flicker and dwindle down. She glared at Numbah Twenty Two for saying such things.
"You would dare to go against what the KND wishes?"
"No, I'm just going for what I feel is best for the KND."
"Numbah Three, Four and I will never forgive you."
"O just keep quiet, Numbah Three and Four won't blame us for helping Abby, they are her friends!"
"Yeah Numbah Two, we won't blame Numbah One, we'll join you guys!" Numbah Three's spry voice perked up from behind Sheila. She beamed a huge smile at the leader of her team, building up his confidence even more.
"I second that! You don't think I'll back out of this will you, old bud?" Numbah Four joined in.
Sheila was outnumbered, five to one. She gave a load, "Humph!" and left in a cloud of anger. Numbah One smiled, this was his team, the lively all-go-for-it always making something bad sound good team!
"Team! Let's go for it!"
"YEAH!"
You said our love was true
And we'll never, never part
Abby looked at the daintily dressed teenager sitting across from her. She smelled like lavender and wild blossoms. Her long blonde fringe was braided neatly and tucked behind her ear. Two bright blue eyes looked kindly back. She was just like a fairy, except without wings and a trademark wand. Abby sighed. She didn't want to refuse such a wonderful person. Lady Li knew exactly what kind of person to send for Abby.
"Take your time, Abigail, think through it, I'll wait."
Abby looked at the clean neat writing on the sheet of paper lying in front of her now. Next to the paper was a pen, ready for Abby's use.
"…Why are you all being so mean to her...?"
Abby clenched her fists. She closed her eyes, and hoped that it will clear her head and leave her calmer but instead, she remembered more…
"…I thought we were all friends…"
Were they not friends anymore? Did they really want to get rid of her because she still remembers them? If that's true, then Abby will rather forget that we've ever met before…
"…Friends don't hurt their friends…!"
She wouldn't hurt them if they didn't try hurting her.
"…Why are you all being so… inhuman!?"
That was it. Abby picked up the pen and uncapped it. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, Sector V… wait for me… Abby will be meeting you again soon… very soon…
Now you've got someone new
And it breaks my heart
They had boarded Numbah Twenty Two's family plane. It seems that the Rosario family is very rich indeed. Numbah Five refused to follow and stayed back to 'tend the tree house and make sure everything is at peace'.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Rosario Jr. what would you like for snacks?" a maid asked politely.
"Bring in some éclairs and a cup of juice for everyone please, Jennifer."
The maid curtsied politely and left.
"Sir, we are ready to take off." A deep loud voice came from the cockpit.
"Go ahead, Mr. Pilot, I told you that you need not ask me permission before take off."
"Yes, sir."
The engines roared to life as the plane started to taxi. Numbah Four experimented with the comfortable water-filled couch.
"Look at me! " Numbah Four shouted. He was bouncing up and down on the couch and doing random flips and somersaults. That was before he hit his head on the ceiling of the plane and dropped to the ground, almost breaking his arm.
"Is this plane spinning or is it just me?" he asked as he sat up again.
"It's just you, Numbah Four, how can this plane be spinning before it even took off from the ground?"
"We better check, the last time you said that, we were plunging into the Pacific Ocean," Numbah Two reminded the group. He got up and looked out the window to see whether some random spaceship had crashed into the plane and sent it hurtling down to Earth.
"Nope, all clear."
"So, Francis, where exactly are we going?"
"Um… You'll need to ask my friend that, she knows where to find Abby. She said she'll help me."
Right on cue, a familiar Asian girl entered the room(cabin, whatever you call it). The members from Sector V stared, incapable of speech.
"Hi Kylie! My fellow KND members meet Kylie Han, Numbah Twenty Three, also my fellow KND operative. Although the rest of her friends call her Xiu Ping or Xiao Ping, I think Kylie will do fine, don't you think, Kylie?"
Kylie didn't answer. She stared at the foursome before muttering incoherently, "You… You… are supposed… to be… dead…"
I'm hurt, much more than you'll ever know
Yes darling, I'm so hurt
"Yes, but apparently we are not, Kylie. So you are capable of speaking fluent English."
"Of course I am! Rosario is my Aunt's cousin's nephew! The Han family along with the Li and the Rosario family are very well respected! I would have to be able to speak English, Chinese and Cantonese fluently to be a proper HAN."
"Alright, fine," Numbah One turned to Numbah Twenty Two, "Francis, we won't work with someone who tried to kill us before."
"And I won't work with someone who killed my whole family."
"They killed Aunty Ming and Uncle Pang? Vinz? Even the baby was killed?"
"Yes."
Francis's expression turned from confusion to pure frothed hatred. He clenched his fist and turned around to face Numbah One. Then he calmed down a little and questioned them, "Why would you do this?"
Numbah One answered quickly, "We wouldn't kill anyone, not even our enemies."
"You DID, LIAR!" Numbah Twenty Three fumed.
"I think you're mistaken, Kylie," Francis confronted his friend.
"ME? MISTAKEN? WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON, FRANZ?"
"There are no sides, Kylie."
"Fine, since all of you are against me, I'll leave your little friend to die!"
"KYLIE! Calm down! What do you know of Aunty, Uncle, Vinz and Rosetta's deaths?"
"Lady Li forced me into killing them and dumping them into the Pacific Ocean. I isolated the cabin they were in and assumingly dropped them into the ocean," Kylie confessed, "Lady Li said she would release my family when I killed them but when I went to the location she asked me to go, my family was dead. The murderers wrote stuff on the wall with their blood, 'PAY BACK FOR WHAT YOU DID TODAY'. If it isn't them then who?"
"Kylie, you are a KND operative yourself, you know the KND do not deal with murders!" Numbah Two reasoned.
"Besides, if you really killed us, we wouldn't have been able to contact Global Control in time. You sent us hurtling down to death and we were panicking throughout the whole time! How could we have contacted GC?" Numbah One added.
"Well you haven't died and I heard you went to Moon Base for safety. I know the KND doesn't deal with killing people off, but its sister branch in the Asia areas do. There is a huge gang called the Anti-Adults Federation for Kids and Teens Welfare or else known as the AA Organisation. These people in the AA Organisation could get violent at times."
"Neva' eard auf uccha orhanihahione," Numbah Four voiced his opinion while wolfing down the éclairs.
"They are not well known over at your side of the globe but in China and the South East Asia Areas they are the big people, the in crowd or whatever."
"M mmm…" Numbah Four struggled to speak with a mouth full of éclairs.
"You know, if anyone were to kill, I think it would be that Lady Li person," Numbah Two spoke up.
"Yeah Kylie, Lady Li did HAVE your family in her power so she could have just killed them and wrote those stuff to frame the KND."
"Yeah, that seems more likely," Numbah One agreed.
Kylie sulked. She didn't like the truth that was facing her, if it was the truth at all. She sat down by the table and looked out the window.
"Hey guys, éclairs getting cold… wait… they come cold… fine, guys, éclairs getting warm!" Numbah Three motioned at the plate packed with chocolate éclairs. Numbah Four had a whole plate to him and still wanted more.
"Fine, we'll eat first and then talk."
"Francis?"
"No I insist, Numbah One, you sit down first. You're the guest."
"If you don't mind then I will."
They sat down around the glass table and ate the remainder of the large portion of éclairs and finished up the juice. They lazed around in the comfortable setting in the room and felt very, very comfortable. Numbah Four put on some music from a player he found in the corner of the room.
Numbah One watched Kylie as she lowered her head into her arms and started crying silently, wetting her jumper's sleeve. She must be sad about her family… I mean who wouldn't? She doesn't even know who to blame for their deaths now. Numbah One battled against his conscience for awhile before finally getting up, taking a tissue, walking up to her and handed her the tissue. It seemed like a very complicated and difficult thing to do at that moment but Numbah One knew that he would feel very guilty later on if he didn't do that. Numbah Twenty Three muttered a soft thanks and wiped the tears from her eyes. She looked up and couldn't help but smile. Numbah One didn't smile back but in his heart, he was one degree happier.
Because I still love you so
Even though you hurt me
Two hours later, Kylie walked up to Francis and whispered something in his ear. Numbah Twenty Two smiled before saying, "I think we now know where to head to save Abby."
"Where?" Numbah One asked almost simultaneously.
"Hong Kong, Lady Li's HQ. Luckily for us, we are already heading that way, since I had to go put Numbah Twenty Three in the care of our grandmother."
"No, I'm not going there! I want to help you! Don't keep me out of the action, Twenty Two!"
"You think I'll be that mean?"
"You're nicer than any of my other twenty seven cousins put together!"
Twenty Two let out a chuckle, he had almost forgot how big Chinese families could be. His maternal family consists of nearly a hundred or more living beings and that didn't count the missing aunts, uncles and cousins.
"Twenty seven? That's like, loads of cousins!" Numbah Four exclaimed. "Does your family deal with cloning or something?"
"Maybe, their family is weird."
"Numbah Twenty Two, you do realise that my family means your family too."
"Right, you've got a point."
"I always do."
"Sir? The plane is about to land in a few minutes."
"Alright, pilot."
In the airport, Lady Li watched as the plane she was waiting for touchdown. This is going to be a very fun evening. Very fun indeed…
Like nobody else could ever do
I would never hurt, hurt you
PART TWO
Maybe I didn't treat you
Quite as good as I should have
"Here is your badge, just pin it onto your shirt, the guards will let you in and out of the camps, the mansion, the hangers, and the port but of course your actions will be tracked and recorded. By the way, I'm Angel," the blonde introduced herself.
Abby took the badge and pinned it on her shirt front. The badge read: "ABIGAIL LINCOLN, Military Strategist & Intelligence Department"
"Weird… When was Abby the strategist gal?" Abby asked, pointing to her badge.
"Ever since you were born, dear. You were always made for the job," Angel replied, in a carefree tone.
Numbah One would be more suitable for this job. Besides, Abby won't be doing this job for long…
"What are you thinking about?"
"You don't need to know."
"Abby, if you don't mind can I ask you something?"
"Don't even ask Abby whether you can, just shoot."
"Would you like me to get your hair problem fixed?"
Abby blushed. She had forgotten about her hair. The doctor had removed of all of the 'fine thread-like strands that grow from the skin of people, especially on the human head' from her head. When she left the hospital, she had just slipped her cap on and totally forgotten about it.
"How? Like get a wig?"
"No, there is a special technology in our HQ that let's you have a makeover, for those people who need to go on missions for the intel department, they need disguises and such."
"You're going to get Abby a disguise?"
"Nope, I'm going to change your genetic material."
Maybe I didn't love you
Quite as often as I could have
AT THE AIRPORT (ROSARIO'S PRIVATE HANGAR)
"Exactly how rich is your family?" Numbah Two asked.
"You don't even know half of it," Numbah 22 replied cheekily.
They walked out of the hangar to a car waiting for them. As they approached the car, Numbah 22 noticed something wrong. He signaled the group to stop.
"What is wrong, 22?"
"That's not our family's car."
"How do you know?"
"We always have a little sticker thing that we stick on the windscreen for free parking in the restaurant downtown."
"You even notice that?" Numbah Four asked.
"Numbah 22's specialty is detail. He notices anything out of place, so traps usually don't escape him… Also he has this thing about precautions during a mission…"
"Maybe the sticker thing fell… Come on Numbah 22, don't be so paranoid." Numbah Two suggested and started moving towards the car.
"NO! DUCK!" Numbah 22 shouted.
"Duck? Where?" Numbah Three looked around for a sign of pond-dwelling birds.
Just as he shouted that, the car exploded, sending pieces of hard hot metals into the sky. The car burned a fiery orange and emitted a huge cloud of black smoke. Numbah Two was stunned and stood rooted to the ground.
"NUMBAH TWO, LOOK OUT!" Numbah 23 screamed at the top of her lungs. A huge piece which resembled a door was sent plummeting at Numbah Two. Still, he stood shocked, feet rooted to the ground, jaw dangling open.
"NO!" Numbah one yelled, scrambling to his feet. However, Numbah 22 holdfast to his ankle and brought him crashing to the ground.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING? LET GO!"
"Don't go, if you do, both YOU and Numbah Two will disappear from the face of Earth!"
"If I don't go, he will!"
Little things I should have said and done
I just never took the time
While they were arguing, Numbah Four, without thinking, pounced up, sprinted towards Numbah Two, knocked him off his feet and out of danger. Numbah Three jumped up and cheered for Numbah Four, laughing all the way. Numbah One watched all this with a fire raging in his heart, but he kept this fire from bursting out. Leaders have to keep calm to keep his group calm and to keep leaders calm, one must keep his heart calm. Numbah One counted to ten and controlled his temper. Numbah 22 almost got Numbah 2 dead.
"Numbah 22, if Numbah Four didn't get Numbah Two away in time, he would have died."
"Sacrifices happen during missions," Francis shrugged.
"How many operatives have you lost with that kind of thinking? What does your leader do when one of his operatives are in danger?"
"Firstly, all the operatives in my sector all agree that sacrifices are necessary for progress in the mission and if somebody needs to get hurt for the mission to progress, anyone of us will volunteer. Secondly, my leader is a 'her' and she lets the volunteer do what he or she is meant to do, she knows her limits, Numbah One."
"Then I really should meet her someday."
"Yes, you should. I'll arrange a meeting when you're still here, in fact I think I'll call her now, she works for the KND in Hong Kong, she'll be able to help us."
"Wait… I thought the sector in Hong Kong was exterminated by the Li person?"
"Really? O no… we weren't here to help Numbah 21… so that was why she kept contacting me…" Numbah 22 asked, surprised. He pulled out his cell and started punching in numbers.
"Numbah 23, you do this, Numbah 21's mom doesn't speak English," Numbah 22 told 23.
"Ok," Numbah 23 agreed and took the cell.
"唯？找哪位？"(Hello? Who is this?)
"槥??妈，我是韩娉。请问槧??在吗？"(Mrs. Ou, I am Kylie, is Paige in?"
"噢，找槧??啊？她这几天都闷着在房里，不出来见人，小娉，有空来以来劝她出来玩玩吧！"(O, you're looking for Paige? She's locked herself in her room for days. If you have time, come over and get her to come out of her room.)
"好的槥??妈。"(I will, Mrs. Ou.)
"不耽误你的时间……槧??！接电话，韩娉找你了！"(Won't waste your time babbling… Paige! Answer the phone, Ping is asking for you!)
"Hello? Numbah 23?"
"Numbah 21! You ok?"
"I almost got killed by Li's 2nd Battalion or whatever they call themselves. They attacked our base and we suffered huge losses. Our machinery was confiscated, our food stolen, and that Numbah 24… You know what he said before he left? THAT TRAITOR SAID Since you are willing to sacrifice me to save the rest of the team, I'm going to sacrifice you people to save myself… All's fair that is fair, ciao! Can you believe that, Numbah 23?"
Numbah 23 could hear a small sob from the other end of the line. Numbah 21 has always been protective of Numbah 24… No one can blame her for being sad…
"I'm sorry, Numbah 21… Numbah 22 and I are back now, we'll help you."
"And one more thing, Numbah 23, why did you leave?"
"I-I…" Numbah 23 gulped. She'll be so angry if she knew I was helping the enemy but she'll find out sooner or later… "Numbah 21, I was ridding of the operatives of Sector V."
"WHAT?"
Numbah 23 closed her eyes. She didn't know what to say next. Numbah 22 took the cell from her and tried persuading Numbah 21 that Numbah 23 didn't try blowing up the next KND HQ.
"It's alright, people make mistakes," Numbah One said, trying to keep the only person who could save Abby sane. I can't live with the guilt of hurting people all the time.
"Didn't hear you say that when Numbah Five was decommissioned," Numbah Two said, listening in the conversation.
Numbah 23 left the group and went over to a dark corner in the hangar to think over what she has done and the death of her family. The world is dark, even those that seem to be angels are devils at heart; Like the Yin Yang… Sometimes people who act evil have a seed of goodness in them and those who act as heroes may have a seed of evil lurking somewhere in their heart…
You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind
Should have not let Angel try changing Abby's genetic material… Might not survive this…
"Ready?"
Abby gave a thumbs up.
The light shone brighter…
And brighter…
BZZZZZZZ…
ONE HOUR LATER
"What happened…?" Abby asked no one in particular. She rubbed the sore spot on her chest, it seems the ray of light hit her and then… I can't remember what happened…
"O nothing, sweetie. You'll be able to see the changes soon. I promise I didn't do anything else but accelerate your hair growth."
"Ok… Just get Abby out of here. It's freaky this place is."
Maybe I didn't hold you
All those lonely, lonely times
BACK IN THE HANGAR
Aren't I supposed to be crying? I'm hurt, I know I am… but I'm not crying… why?
Numbah 23 placed her head in her arms and let out a little sob. Maybe because the members of Sector Y were never meant to cry; we fight the rule of adults and we don't cry when we fail, we don't cry when we get hurt, we don't cry when we lose our partners… So why cry now? I'm no normal kid no longer… Ever since I joined the KND, there has been no return to being a normal kid…
There was silence in the hangar.
How I wish I had a friend to rely on when things get difficult. Numbah 22 can't help… he has problems of his own…
"Hey, we got to go, Numbah 21 agreed to pick us up and send us to the makeshift HQ here. Then we can get what we need and set off to find Abby as soon as possible."
Numbah 23 raised her head. A hand was stretched out before her. Numbah One is a friend… All of them from Sector V are friends… Good people… She took his hand and pulled herself up. If I have to repay them, I've to help them find Abby… and I will…
She ran out of the hangar, determined once again.
We'll find you and return your justice, Abby, no matter what it takes…
And I guess I never told you
I'm so happy that you're mine
Abby looked into the mirror. Angel was right; there were little strands of hair poking out from her scalp. Then she remembered something… Why was there a little microchip in Numbah Five's head?
A voice broke her string of thoughts, "Abby, Lady Li wishes to meet you."
Not now… Abby has things to settle and a letter to send!
"Abby, she says it's urgent and it's about the next target."
Abby stood up immediately. If Abby wants to give Numbah One some information, might as well give him as much as possible…
"Coming…"
If I made you feel second best
Girl I'm so sorry I was blind
AN HOUR LATER IN A BIG ABANDONED HOUSE
"Hello Numbah 21, Numbah 25, these are Numbah One, Numbah Two, Numbah Three and Numbah Four," Numbah 22 introduced the operatives to his solemn-faced leader and partner.
"Hi"
"Nice to meet you."
"What he said."
"Hello."
The boy with what looks like a surgeon's mask and cap replied with a grunt. Numbah 21 replied, still deadpan faced, "I am Numbah 21 and this is Numbah 25, he specializes in medical care and some other things unknown to us yet. I am pleased to welcome you to our temporary HQ, please make yourselves comfortable.
Numbah 21 fashioned a neat, short haircut which added to her no-nonsense-look. She always kept herself in the shadows, so nobody could see her eyes. Spooky and has control over her team. Doesn't sound like that Paige on the phone a few moments ago.
They looked around. There were wooden chairs lying in neat rows at the side of the room. Numbah 23 went to get seven chairs and everyone sat down on one. Numbah 21 remained standing, like a commando checking on some restless soldiers.
"I see you came here to search for your former team member, have you not?"
"Yes, we have."
"Well, you can end your search here."
Numbah 23 and the operatives of Sector V stood up in defiance.
"What do you mean end here? We came half-way across the globe to come here AND Numbah 86 is after our blood!" Numbah One shouted in anger.
"We won't stop until we prove that she's innocent!"
"You should have done that earlier," Numbah 22 noted.
"Yes, I was wrong to have let 86 do that but…"
"But nothing, it has happened and so let it be," Numbah 22 said in a tone that meant the conversation was ended. But 23 wasn't going to give up.
"Numbah 21, tell us why you want us to give up so at least we can understand your reason for stopping us," Numbah 23 requested of her leader.
"Very well."
Numbah 21 pulled down a screen and walked to the other end of the room. She turned on a projector and a scene flashed to life on the screen.
It showed Abby receiving her badge from a teenage blonde girl. They watched as Abby turned the badge around and read the neat black words printed on the badge. The camera zoomed in onto the badge. They read the words printed in neat rows on the badge,
"ABIGAIL LINCOLN, Military Strategist and Intel Department, Li's Army"
Numbah 21 stopped the projector.
"She joined the other side, like many operatives did after decommissioning. A lot of your familiar arch-nemesis, Father's top operatives went over to aid Li in destroying the KND."
"No…" Numbah 23 muttered.
"No… No… NO… NO! NO!" Numbah 23 started to shout.
"SHE WOULDN'T! WHY WOULD LI SEND SOMEONE TO BLOW US UP WHEN THEY KNEW THAT WE ARE GOING TO GET ABBY BACK? ABBY MUST STILL BE HELPING US! SHE COULD BE… SHE COULD BE HELPING US GET INFORMATION FROM THE INSIDE! That's IT! You said... You said Abby was good at collecting information of the enemy right? Of spying and such. Maybe she is just doing that. She'll contact us soon and tell us of Li's next motive. She will, I bet she will," Numbah 23 huffed. She didn't know why she just shouted all that out. She hasn't even met Abby before.
"Then when she contacts us, we can't believe her, she might be setting us all up," Numbah 21 said.
"No! Numbah 21, you and your precautions and things, WHY ARE YOU AND 22 SO WARY OF PEOPLE?"
"Get a grip on yourself, Numbah 23, shouting at Numbah 21 won't help," 22 said, holding on to Kylie's shoulders.
There was tension in the atmosphere. Nobody moved. Numbah 23 shoved 22 aside and collapsed into her chair. Numbah One was thinking hard on his heels, what should I do next? Numbah Two sat as still as a statue in his chair, worried about the situation they are in right now. Numbah Three watched the scene as if it was an interesting TV program. Numbah Four had a mad desire to get up and punch Numbah 21 in her ugly smug face.
Then, somebody's phone rang.
"Numbah Two, answer your phone."
Numbah Two fished out his T.E.L.E.F.O.N and muttered a, "Hello?"
"Lo? Numbah Two? Where are you and the team? Numbah Five has some frontline news to break."
"NUMBAH FIVE! IT'S NUMBAH FIVE, AND SHE HAS NEWS!" Numbah Two shouted, raising the attention of all the operatives in the house.
"What did she say? What did she say? Tell us!" Numbah 23 urged on.
"Wait…"
Then Numbah Two switched the T.E.L.E.F.O.N off. His face was ghostly pale.
"What happened?" Numbah One asked, concerned.
"She said to meet us at Dead Man's Lair."
"And the problem with that?" Numbah One asked.
"She wants to kill all of you off," Numbah 21 finished for Numbah Two.
You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind
"WHAT?"
"IMPOSSIBLE!"
"Dead Man's Lair is the perfect place for killing someone off. Firstly, it's an enclosed area with only one way out so you can't escape. Secondly, the area around Dead Man's Lair is all marshy grounds or hills, the nearest civilization is about twenty miles away, so no one will hear you if you scream. Thirdly, if you die there, your body can be left to rot cause no one will find you and lastly, because loads of murderers go there to finish off their victims," Numbah 22 said, shrugging it off as though it didn't matter.
"How did you know that?" Numbah Four asked warily.
"Read it up in some crime files," Numbah 22 answered immediately.
"Then should we go or not?" Numbah Four pressed on.
"We'll have to if we want to know whether she's on our side or not," Numbah Two answered.
"…and the price is to pay up your lives, worth it?" Numbah 21 asked.
"I thought you didn't mind risking your team's lives," Numbah One accused, his voice cold and icy.
"Only for things that are worth it," Numbah 21 answered, not minding his icy tone.
"Well, I'll like to see who dares pick on us!" Numbah Four said, puffing up his chest.
"Wait… if you really wish to go, you'll need two things," Numbah 22 stated clearly.
"Which two things?" Numbah Three asked.
"Back-up and a plan, which both we can provide," Numbah 22 answered matter-of-factly.
Numbah 21 nodded and added, "We'll be waiting near Dead Man's Lair but will not appear on the scene until you signal for us. Numbah 23 can come up with a plan for you, she's the mastermind in our team."
Numbah 23 spoke up at last, "… and I've got a plan ready for use. Listen…"
Tell me, tell me that your sweet love hasn't died
Give me, give me one more chance to keep you satisfied, satisfied
"Alright, remember the plan?"
"Yes," everyone replied.
"Now we have to prepare for some sleeping arrangements."
"Sleeping arrangements?" Numbah Four asked, a little peculiar.
"Well, unless you wish to sleep with the rats on the street, then you'll have to stay with one of us. Of course, if you have the money for a decent hotel then you…"
"We didn't bring any money, or enough to pay for a room that is."
"Then we'll have to arrange now," Numbah 22 said, stopping any more disruptions.
"I can't take guests," Numbah 21 said immediately.
"I used to camp in the HQ all the time until summer and winter breaks. My parents think I'm in boarding school right now," Numbah 25 muttered.
"I'm staying with Numbah 22 for this few weeks so I guess we're the only ones open," Numbah 23 stated. The operatives of Sector V didn't mind staying in at Numbah 22's mansion so lodging was decided.
"Anywhere's fine, I just don't want the rats," Numbah Three shuddered.
Little things I should have said and done
I just never took the time
"And this is the 3rd lavatory in Section C of the mansion, it is attached to guest room 8 which is where Numbah Three will be sleeping, she is closest to the theatre… that's forbidden… that's the maid's quarter… ah… here we are, here's guest room 4, Numbah Two can take this room, it is closest to the dining hall, also if you take the right turn from here, you can reach the lab and workshop, I think you'll like that…" Numbah 22 showed the guests around the mansion…
"This is the training room, I think Numbah Four can have the room attached to it, you'll like it won't you?"
"Yeah I would, thanks."
"Numbah One, you take the one closest to the planning room. Numbah 23's room is just next to yours because she uses the planning room often. I'll be in the left wing, near the library if you need help. Goodnight."
The group split up without a sound and entered their rooms accordingly.
You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind