Transmission 14: Inner World
As darkness begins to fall over the suburbs, Wally and Kuki are standing on the Uno residence driveway, waiting for his father. The wind howls around them but neither is fazed by it. Wally carries his unconscious brother on his back with his short arms hanging over his older brother's shoulders. For the whole time, he has remained silent, which makes Kuki more worried by the minute. However, before she can say anything, the familiar sound of Wally's dad's car catches their attention. Wally can see his parents but his mother's worried expression causes him to hide his eyes under his hair. As the car stops by the house, his parents rush out.
"WALLABEE! JOEY!" His mother shouts and sweeps both boys into a tight hug.
"We came as fast as we could. Is he okay?"
"He's just knocked out. I…found him on the street a few blocks away…" It's impossible for Wally say the truth, and the pain of lying is visible on his face, which is immediately noticed by Kuki.
"Oh Joey…what happened to you?" Mrs. Beetles takes Joey into her arms and strokes his hair.
"I…" Before Wally can say anything, his father pats him in the back.
"All that matters is that you two are alright. So, don't blame yourself over this, son." His father's words, though comforting, hurt more, because he can't say who is behind the whole thing.
"Let's take him to the hospital for a check-up."
"He uhm…he doesn't have any bad injuries at least…I gave him first aid…" Kuki stutters, surprising Wally's parents.
"Really? Well thank you so much!" Sydney Beetles shakes Kuki's hand frivolously while Mrs. Beetles smiles gratefully.
"Thank you." Mrs. Beetles says, causing Kuki to smile back weakly.
"Wallabee, aren't ya comin' with us?"
"Sorry dad…I gotta stay with my friends…" Wally struggles to answer as his mother takes his hand.
"Why? You were away for so long…Don't you want to be with your family?" Wally can feel his mother's words stinging his heart but he tries to keep himself calm.
"It's not about that! I…" Then, Sydney puts his hand on his wife's shoulder.
"It's okay Honey. He's not a kid anymore so we need to start trusting him."
"But…"
"Mom, Dad…I…I can't come home yet…my friends need me so…I'll come home once…once this is over…"
"That's the spirit son. You stay true to your friends. Just remember, you can always come home. And, if you're staying with the Uno's we'll know who to call, if something comes up." Sydney nods and Wally tries to smile, but he can't do it.
"Thanks Dad…" He looks down at the ground and clenches his teeth, trying to stop himself from crying again.
"Wallabee, take this with you, for good luck." Mrs. Beetles gives Wally a four-leaf clover shaped necklace and smiles to her son.
"It was a gift from your farther, so you better not lose it."
"I won't…" Wally mutters and wraps his fingers around the necklace as Sydney pats him on the shoulder on more time before he walks his wife and younger son to the car and hops on the driver's seat. As the engine starts up, Wally's parents' wave at him and he tries to wave back.
As the car speeds away, Wally and Kuki are left alone on the driveway. Without saying a word, Wally stuffs the necklace into his pocket and heads for the garage, with Kuki behind him. They board a secret elevator that takes up to the Treehouse and all the way to the floor with the common room. Wally remains silent and sits down on sofa but Kuki can see he is visibly in pain and sits next to him.
"Wally…?" She notices that he is shaking, his fists are almost white from the constant clenching. Kuki tries to move the blond hair covering his eyes, but Wally looks away.
"Oh crud…why now…!" His head hunches forward and Kuki can see a stream of tears coming from his emerald eyes.
"I…couldn't…I couldn't tell them…I…" He lifts his head and looks at Kuki. She has never seen him like this, in all the years they've known each other.
"Oh Wally…" she now places her right hand on his left cheek as the medallion around her neck blinks pink.
"Ghhh…" He closes his eyes and lets out anguished howl as the pent up frustration, anger and pain is released. Kuki then takes him into a tight hug and strokes the back of his head.
"It's okay Wally, just let it all out…I'm right here with you." Her words cause Wally cry uncontrollably, as he arms wrap around Kuki's back.
"Crud…Joey…I couldn't do anything!" His screams echo through the hallway as Abby and Hoagie approach the common room, having finished their work in the briefing room. Right before they enter the room, Abby stops Hoagie as they hear Wally's wailing.
"Looks like he's finally gettin' it all out…"
"Yeah…" Hoagie replies as they listen to Wally's anguished cry.
"He's just little kid! How could that bastard do that to my brother?! Why…why did it have to be him…?" Kuki doesn't respond and pats his back while leaning her head on Wally's head. "Ghhh…!" Without saying a word, Abby and Hoagie silently walk by and head down to the lower floors.
"I've never heard him cry like that…I know I'd cry the same way if something like that happened to Tommy…"
"Yeah…at least Kuki's with him…" Abby however, is reminded of Cree, and she takes hold of Hoagie's left shirt sleeve.
"Huh…wha…?"
"Just shut up and walk." Abby hides her under her cap and looks away. Hoagie doesn't respond and just remains silent, as they make their way to the armory.
…
At the same time, Rachel has started to regain her consciousness, to the relief of Patton and Nigel. As she slowly opens her eyes, she can see Patton beside her bed and Nigel lying in the bed next to hers. "…where am I…?" She tries to move but Patton stops her.
"Hey, you shouldn't move right now. We're in Sector V's Treehouse."
Rachel looks around and begins to remember what happened. "Wha…what about Numbuh 1000? And the KND?"
"Calm down. We got away from them so we're safe, at least for now." Rachel takes a deep breath and turns her head to face her comrades.
"Then…Fanny's not here either…"
"Yeah, I don't know what happened to her after we fled." Patton looks on as Rachel clenches her fist.
"How long have I been knocked out?"
"A few hours. Good thing you didn't get any bad injuries."
"Nigel I…I…this whole fiasco was my fault…I should've been more thorough…"
"Don't say that! None of us had any idea Numbuh 86 would side with Numbuh 1000." Nigel tries to console her but Rachel shakes her head.
"No, it was a mistake on my part! I wanted to meet you face-to-face and didn't prepare well enough. It's inexcusable for a…" But before she can say anything else, Rachel realizes that she and Patton are no longer Teen Operatives.
"That's right…We aren't a part of the KND anymore…" She feels like a part of her was taken by force. The revelation begins to sink in and she puts her right arm over her face, to cover her eyes. "I guess…this is my punishment for what I've done…"
"Rachel, it wasn't your fault. We're all in the same boat now."
After a moment of silence, Rachel regains her composure and moves her arm over her forehead. "Yes, at least we're not enemies anymore…More importantly, we need to inform the Supreme Leader about this!" Both Patton and Nigel look at each other and nod. Then Nigel adjusts his posture slightly and looks sternly at Rachel.
"About that…Rachel, there's been a development…a bad development…"
"What do you mean?" Nigel then explains what happened after she was knocked out and how Numbuh 1000 has taken over the KND. "No…that's not possible! How did he do that in such a short time?! And where's Numbuh 78?"
"Your guess is as good as mine. For all we know, she might've been decommissioned."
"How could he…Why is he doing this? He never seemed like the kind of person who would do something like this."
"The fact that he has managed to keep his plans hidden for so long proves that he is no ordinary operative. But what I find most alarming is the fact that Numbuh 4's little brother had a microchip in his neck, just like Numbuhs 83 and 84. However, when I took a look at the chip, it was completely different to the one those two had."
"Then does that mean he's managed to develop a different kind of chip, independent from Father?" Patton crosses his arms while Nigel nods.
"Most likely. He couldn't have gotten them from the weapon data he took from me. No, this has been a much longer project. You saw how the operatives under his control behaved during the battle. They didn't act like KND operatives normally would act. Based on that fact, it's fair to assume that he has used these chips to quickly gain control of all vital KND sectors, without resistance."
"So, you're saying he's been chipping kids for many years? Without anyone knowing? How?"
"I have no idea, Rachel. The only possible explanation is that he couldn't have done it by himself. He must have accomplices, in high places."
"Dammit! Is there nothing we can do?" Patton hits the wall behind him.
"Right now, all we can do is lay low and prepare ourselves."
"What do you mean? Do you a have plan?" Rachel asks as Nigel nods to him.
"Oh yes, I forgot to mention that Numbuh 9 has been helping us for the last two days. He contacted Numbuh 5 and provided backup for the warehouse op. Apparently, the Teen Spy organization has been restructured to act more independently from the KND and now call themselves the Teens Next Door. He offered to help us clear our names in exchange for helping them deal with Numbuh 1000." Nigel explains.
"I see. How come we weren't made aware of that?"
"Maybe because we were the only teenagers who worked with the KND actively. They probably didn't want expose the extent of their restructuring. I doubt even Numbuh 1000 knows about them."
"I hope so…Supreme Commander's usually know all the inner workings of the KND…Anyway, we're now without a "home" to go back to…"
"Don't worry about that. Numbuh 9 told me contact him when you're awake. They want us join them ASAP." Patton hands Rachel a green 2x4 communicator.
"Once you've regained your strength, you should leave the Treehouse. It's not safe for you two to be here, considering that Numbuh 1000 has half of the KND's orbital arsenal aimed at us."
"But what about your team, Nigel? After all that's happened, I can't just leave you guys…" Nigel smiles reassuringly and crosses his arms as he lies on the bed.
"Have you forgotten? We weren't called the best team in KND history for nothing. We have a plan in-place to deal with this "siege". Numbuh 9 told us he'll contact us in a month, so for now, we'll prepare ourselves and when we return, we'll be stronger than before. You can count on that." Rachel nods and tries to get out of her bed, causing Patton grab hold of her when she almost loses her balance.
"This is embarrassing. I can't even get out of the bed." She moves her legs to the bedside and manages to sit.
"Then we'll wait for you, Nigel. I'll be sure to grow stronger too, so I won't make the same mistakes again."
"That's a promise then." Nigel puts out his right and he shakes Rachel's hand, causing her blush slightly.
"Right…you better not go back on your word…" Patton helps her out of the bed and the two teens head for the door.
"Use the secret exit 89C, that way the KND won't see you leaving the Treehouse. Oh, and before I forget; it's best if we won't interact at school. It'll only cause suspicion."
"Okay. See you in a month!"
"Take care of yourselves." Patton and Rachel nod and walk through the door, leaving Nigel alone in the infirmary, with his thoughts.
…
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, sitting on a rotating throne in his Delightful Mansion, Benedict Wigglestein a.k.a. Father is observing from a large monitor as KND forces have begun to move towards locations occupied by his company, Evil Adult Industries Inc. "Soo, that foolish brat and his accomplices have finally played their hand. Very bold of them to challenge me like this…"
Behind him, leaning against the wall, is Cree Lincoln, surrounded by a large group of Teen Ninjas. "He's got guts I'll give him that, but how do you plan on dealing with him? I don't need to remind you about KND's capabilities."
"Hah, I am well aware of the amount of firepower he has at his disposal. However, we are still dealing with a bunch of kids. There is no need to fight them head on. For now, a stalemate would be most suitable." Father leans back on his throne and presses a button on his left armrest, activating a small monitor screen on his right armrest, that shows a silhouette of an unknown person.
"Increase the security levels of all bases to maximum and have the Knightamatons ready to deal with any KND brat that enters their perimeters."
"Yes Sir." An adult voice responds and Father turns around to face the Ninjas.
"I hope you remember our deal, right?"
"Of course. You defend my bases and I'll provide you with my latest weapons, fresh from my research labs, no questions asked. Though I must say, I'm still rather surprised that you would rejoin to the fold after such a long absence, Miss Lincoln."
"Revenge is all I care about. There's nothing more to it." Cree crosses her arms and glares at Father, who chuckles coldly.
"Ah yes, revenge. I can't say I disagree with such a motivation…Regardless, if you happen to encounter my…nephew and his little group, bring him to me. I don't care what you do with the rest of them." Cree nods and leads the Ninjas out of the throne room. "Are you sure about trusting the Ninjas? They haven't been as reliable as of late." The shadowy figure asks as Father leans back on his throne.
"That will change now that their field commander has returned. Getting Nigel Uno back to the mansion is my main priority. He has managed to awaken his inheritance, but I won't allow him to use Grandfather's power for his own sake. I must guide him back to the proper path, so Grandfather's legacy won't fade away…"
"Oh, and keep an eye out for this so-called "Teens Next Door" I've heard rumors about. They can only mean trouble…"
"Yes Sir." The silhouette disappears from the screen as Father gets up from his throne and walks over to a window.
"This time for sure, I'll erase the KND from existence, once and for all."
…
Back in the Treehouse, Kuki has remained by Wally's side as he tries to come to terms with what happened to Joey. They sit on the sofa in total silence with Kuki leaning slightly on his left shoulder. Wally had received a message from his dad earlier, who said that Joey only had a concussion. He turns his gaze towards a window to his right from which, faint moonlight is shining in to the living room. "Are you feeling better?"
"I still feel like crap but I'm glad Joey's fine."
"Yeah, that's good."
"I just hope he won't get chipped again…" Doubt begins to creep into Wally's head and his head hunches forward.
"Don't worry. Knowing your parent's, they won't let him leave the house for a while."
"You're right, but still. I'm his big bro, so I gotta worry."
"*giggle*, I worry about Mushi all the time too. That means we're in the same boat." Kuki smiles gently and leans her head against Wally's shoulder, causing him to blush slightly. "But you know, you've never cried like that before."
"Well…I uhm…yeah, I guess I haven't?" Wally's stammering reply makes Kuki chuckle. "What?! What's so funny?!"
"…Nothing…"
"Argh, you ain't makin' any sense." Wally mutters, but their conversation is interrupted by Abby, who appears from behind a corner.
"Oh, was I interrupting something?" She smiles cheekily and Wally instinctively moves a few centimeters away from Kuki, who's face turns red from embarrassment
"Wha…what do ya mean that?"
"Heh, you two were really getting it on, weren't you?" Kuki fidgets and tries to hide her face under her hair while Wally jumps up.
"Hey, don't you start!"
"Well, at least you're back to yoself again." Abby sits down on a sofa and crosses her arms.
"So, was your brother okay?"
"My folks picked him up. He's fine now."
"That's a relief…" Wally sits back down on the sofa but now leans against the armrest, keeping a short distance from Kuki.
"What about you Numbuh 5? Did you make up with Numbuh 2?"
"Ah, don't worry about that, Numbuh 3. That thing's been dealt with. We got more important things to worry about right now."
"Speakin' of Numbuh 2, where is he?"
"Heh, Numbuh 5 left the Modifyin' Brothers in the armory. Numbuh 2 wanted to reroute the command center's computer system to the armory. Anyway, I went to check on Numbuh 1 but he's asleep already."
"Thank goodness. We still need to get him to a doctor."
"Leave that to Numbuh 5, Numbuh 3. I'll ask my Daddy to make a "home visit". Leavin' Nigel to a hospital right now is out of the question."
Wally nods and stand up again. "Right, I'm gonna train in my room. If we've got a month to prepare, then I'm gonna make the most of it." He hits his fists together and walks out of the living room, leaving Kuki and Abby.
"Numbuh 5, are you worried about what Numbuh 9 said, about your sister?" Kuki's rather forward question catches her off-guard.
"Wha…oh yeah…Numbuh 5'd be lying if I said I wasn't…I guess that hasn't really sunk in. Considerin' all the other crap that's happened." She takes off her hat and lies on the sofa, staring at the wooden roof. "Numbuh 5's gonna deal with Cree when that time comes. I've gotta train too, if I'm gonna take her on. But now, Numbuh 5's hittin' the zzz's." She puts her hat over her face and her hands behind her head but while Kuki walks over to the window to watch the night sky, seeing many small lights fly beyond the horizon.
…
As the clock hits midnight, everyone in Sector V's Treehouse has gone to sleep, but Nigel remains awake. For the last 3 hours, he's gone through the day's events and he can't get any sleep. His mind is conflicted: On the one hand, he agrees that Numbuh 1000 needs to be stopped but his guilt over the deeds he has done for the last 3 years, still weigh heavily on his shoulders.
While he has managed to keep it a secret from his team, he suffers from repeated nightmares, mostly about what he did during Operation: Father's Day. The sheer thought of him torturing kids makes him feel sick. The nightmares appear to him similar to a film, where he can only watch, as his old self cuts Wally's face repeatedly or uses a branding iron to burn a KND operative's back among other things. He lets out a sigh but can't sit up, due to the pain on his lower ribcage. "What am I doing here…" He mutters.
"That, is a very good question…" An eerie voice speaks to him, alarming him.
"Wha…who's there?! Show yourself!" He looks around but can only see the red and green light on the medical console at the end of his bed.
"You really are a foolish boy…"
"Wait…that voice…no, that's impossible! Grandfather!"
"Hahaa, I'm glad you remember me, Nephew."
"You were decommissioned years ago! Besides…you passed away two months ago…"
"Oh yes, my physical body might have succumbed to the ravages of time, but my power is eternal. Just like your uncle, Benedict, you have accepted my power as your own, and as long as a member of the Uno-lineage continues to use it, I will never disappear."
"You have no power over me! I'm not going to follow your or Father's footsteps!"
"Oh, but that's where you are wrong, boy. You see, as long you continue to possess the Silhouette Suit, you will eventually end up on the same path as he did. This power is meant to subdue the world and enslave its inhabitants. The only question remains: which one of you will be the one to do it."
"NO! I refuse to be a pawn in your plans!"
"I see you have inherited your foolish father's rebellious attitude. It's a shame really, you have much better potential than Benedict."
"Well sorry to disappoint you. No, my place, is with my team!"
"Oh, but if they only knew all the things you've done with my power. Would they really stand by your side if they were aware of the truth? Would they accept the monster you've become?"
"If that's the case, then they would've not agreed to help me in the first place. My father, Numbuh 0 didn't raise a monster!"
"You can't escape the truth! You are standing on the edge of greatness yet you refuse to take the final leap. Why must you continue to cling to your false beliefs and the KND?"
"I'm might not be a part of the KND, but that doesn't mean I should act like the evil teenagers and adults that serve Father. I am myself, and that's what I'll continue to be!"
"Sooner or later, you will face the same crossroads as Benedict did and when that time comes, I'm certain you will make the only correct choice." Grandfather's eerie voice fades and Nigel breaks out in cold sweat.
"What the hell was that?! That wasn't a dream…Grandfather's essence must still live in me through the Silhouette Suit…" He looks at his hands and lowers his head back on the pillow.
"No, I can't worry about him now. The only thing that matters is that we find the culprit and defeat Numbuh 1000. If nothing else, I'll forbid myself from using the suit." Nigel rolls to his right side and looks at the empty bed beside him, where Rachel was.
"I won't let anyone get hurt because of me, ever again."
As Nigel closed his eyes and slowly drifted to sleep, he and his teammates have no idea what awaits them. The events of the upcoming Spring will test Sector V in ways they had never been tested before. Along the way, they have to face the past that they had tried to forget.
End of Transmission 14
End of Phase 1
Note: Finally, the end of the 1st Arc has arrived.
Now, if you stuck around and found this story worth a read, I'm grateful. Part 2 will be next, but I might slow down on the releases, because I'm still in the middle of proof reading it. After all, this story has only just begun. However, between this and the next chapter, I'll be releasing a prologue of sorts to part 2.
I would also appreciate a review, so I'll know where to improve, since I'm a novice.